Have fun with this one!!

[alw4416]

Stupid question... I am looking at the Focusrite Liquid Channel Preamp emulations and after some of them it has "Hø" or "Lø" written. What the heck does this mean??? See below for example. High output Low output? Also what does it mean after some of them when it says "HOT". Sorry for the lame questions but I can't figure it out. Can someone explain impedance to me as well if I am planning on using it solely for vocals? I am learing here...

Thanks

Example:

• SILVER 1A/US MODERN DISCRETE 1 Hø
Based on an AVALON AD 2022* dual mono Class A pre-amp. (US) serial #
28136(Impedance set to 'mic')
• SILVER 1B/US MODERN DISCRETE 1 Mø
Based on an AVALON AD 2022* dual mono Class A pre-amp. (US) serial #
28136(Impedance set to 'mic')
• CLASS A 2A/ BRIT 70'S CLASS A 2 Hø
Based on a NEVE 1073* mono mic-pre./EQ (UK) serial # 7172K
• CLASS A 2B/ BRIT 70'S CLASS A 2 Lø
Based on a NEVE 1073* mono mic-pre./EQ (UK) serial # 7172K
• CLASS AB3A/ BRIT 70'S CLASS AB 3 Hø
Based on a AMS NEVE 1081* Classic mono mic-pre./EQ (UK) serial # 50189/B
• CLASS AB3B/ BRIT 70'S CLASS AB 3 Lø
Based on a AMS NEVE 1081* Classic mono mic-pre./EQ (UK) ) serial # 50189/B

[KingDaddyO]

sorry ... too tired to try & explain. Here are a few decent paragraphs:

http://www.tape.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart...2923+995498793

http://www.whirlwindusa.com/tech03.html

[Dirty Halo]

I know it gets a bad rap here, but sometimes, with good reason. It does a lot and NOTHING well.

Ok, maybe if you aren't expecting to ACTUALLY get an emulation of said product, maybe it has it's use, but why bother?

Go for the real thing? Go for quality over quantity whenever possible.

Mediocrity is worthless. Even if you can only do one thing, do it REALLY WELL.

My two cents.

-andrews

DIRTY HALO www.dirtyhalo.com

[alw4416]

Originally Posted by Dirty Halo

I know it gets a bad rap here, but sometimes, with good reason. It does a lot and NOTHING well.

Ok, maybe if you aren't expecting to ACTUALLY get an emulation of said product, maybe it has it's use, but why bother?

Go for the real thing? Go for quality over quantity whenever possible.

Mediocrity is worthless. Even if you can only do one thing, do it REALLY WELL.

My two cents.

-andrews

DIRTY HALO www.dirtyhalo.com

Not to sound like a jerk, but honestly I wasn't looking for an opinion on the piece. Granted I knew it would happen. It seems as though not much of anyone has anything good to say about Focusrite on this forum unless it is 20 years old and costs $20k. I think it's ridiculous. I have heard the same things about the liquid mix and I personally think it is phenomenal. By no means is it "mediocre". I hope I don't hit a nerve here, but IMHO I feel as though there is a bit of anymosity towards gear like this because it does do such a good job replicating the gear that people like yourself spent years building and buying. I won't go on anymore. I may not know a lot about the electronics behind pieces of vintage gear but my ears work very well, I will trust my ears over ego any day! Thanks for your two cents though, it was expected on here and by no means unique. I might take people more seriously if they actually owned the piece and used it daily. Those are the reviews I will listen to.

[alw4416]

Originally Posted by KingDaddyO

sorry ... too tired to try & explain. Here are a few decent paragraphs:

http://www.tape.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart...2923+995498793

http://www.whirlwindusa.com/tech03.html

Thanks very much. That explains impedance. Now what does "Hø" "Mø" and "Lø" mean?

[Steamy Williams]

Originally Posted by alw4416

• SILVER 1A/US MODERN DISCRETE 1 Hø
Based on an AVALON AD 2022* dual mono Class A pre-amp. (US) serial #
28136(Impedance set to 'mic')
• SILVER 1B/US MODERN DISCRETE 1 Mø
Based on an AVALON AD 2022* dual mono Class A pre-amp. (US) serial #
28136(Impedance set to 'mic')
• CLASS A 2A/ BRIT 70'S CLASS A 2 Hø
Based on a NEVE 1073* mono mic-pre./EQ (UK) serial # 7172K
• CLASS A 2B/ BRIT 70'S CLASS A 2 Lø
Based on a NEVE 1073* mono mic-pre./EQ (UK) serial # 7172K
• CLASS AB3A/ BRIT 70'S CLASS AB 3 Hø
Based on a AMS NEVE 1081* Classic mono mic-pre./EQ (UK) serial # 50189/B
• CLASS AB3B/ BRIT 70'S CLASS AB 3 Lø
Based on a AMS NEVE 1081* Classic mono mic-pre./EQ (UK) ) serial # 50189/B

All of the original preamps listed above have switchable input impedances. Neve 1073's, for instance, have a switch on the back of the module that allows you to select either 300 ohms in the Lo position or 1200 ohms in the Hi position, so Focusrite have modelled this in their emulations. The load on the output of a microphone - i.e. the input impedance of the preamp - will often effect how the mic sounds. I remember reading in the Sound On Sound review of the Liquid Channel that Focusrite model this by changing the input impedance of the actual hardware in the Liquid Channel. Whether they have combined this feature with different impulse responses for each of the settings, I don't know.

[KingDaddyO]

Originally Posted by alw4416

Thanks very much. That explains impedance. Now what does "Hø" "Mø" and "Lø" mean?

ø usually indicates phase
Z usually indicates impedance

Honestly I'm not sure what this usage denotes but it looks like Steamy has nailed it down. Just looking at the markings, I would assume that 'Hø' and 'Lø' were being used to indicate High & Low impedance ... but that doesn't make sense if you subscribe to the school of thought that Mid impedance is not a familiar designation in the US. At least it isn't to me (no Neve's here ... yet).

What does the manual or their website have to say?

[Steamy Williams]

Originally Posted by KingDaddyO

ø usually indicates phase
Z usually indicates impedance

Honestly I'm not sure what this usage denotes but it looks like Steamy has nailed it down. Just looking at the markings, I would assume that 'Hø' and 'Lø' were being used to indicate High & Low impedance ... but that doesn't make sense if you subscribe to the school of thought that Mid impedance is not a familiar designation in the US. At least it isn't to me (no Neve's here ... yet).

What does the manual or their website have to say?

The brochure for the Liquid Channel actually uses the ohms symbol, rather than the phase symbol. However, in trying to enter the actual ohms symbol itself in my post, I found that the Gearslutz forum does not appear to recognise it, which might have something to do with how the phase symbol ended up in this thread, or whatever source alw4416 copied the information from.

The Avalon AD2022 has more than two switchable input impedances, which I suppose might also explain the reference to the 'Mid' input impedance.

[KingDaddyO]

Originally Posted by Steamy Williams

The brochure for the Liquid Channel actually uses the ohms symbol, rather than the phase symbol. However, in trying to enter the actual ohms symbol itself in my post, I found that the Gearslutz forum does not appear to recognise it, which might have something to do with how the phase symbol ended up in this thread, or whatever source alw4416 copied the information from.

The Avalon AD2022 has more than two switchable input impedances, which I suppose might also explain the reference to the 'Mid' input impedance.

You mean this symbol Ω ?

I used the Windows Start - Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Character Map utility, to Select this symbol and Copy it into my post.

Ok, I see what you mean in the manual (damn, that's some small print ...). Sure looks like they mean impedance to me ... and that they're referring to a MID impedance setting as well.

Learn something new everyday...

[Steamy Williams]

Originally Posted by KingDaddyO

You mean this symbol ? ?

I used the Windows Start - Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Character Map utility, to Select this symbol and Copy it into my post.

Ok, I see what you mean in the manual (damn, that's some small print ...). Sure looks like they mean impedance to me ... and that they're referring to a MID impedance setting as well.

Learn something new everyday...

When I paste the ohms symbol into a post it changes to a question mark as soon as I submit or preview it. It even happened to the symbol when I quoted your last post above.

[severe]

Originally Posted by alw4416

Stupid question...

Sorry I'm of no help, but your avatar screams, "Well I remember, I remember dont worry...worry...orry..."

[KingDaddyO]

Originally Posted by Steamy Williams

When I paste the ohms symbol into a post it changes to a question mark as soon as I submit or preview it. It even happened to the symbol when I quoted your last post above.

Bizarro ... are you running some regional version of Windows or Apple? Or maybe it has to do with your default system font? Or your browser font. Weird.