Focusrite liquid saphire56

[Bluesdog]

Look up Graham recording revolution on Youtube, he has a good review of the Saffire 56.

I'm also a happy user of the 56.

[Johntron512]

I wasn't all that happy with mine after a few months of use. I ended up getting separate pre-amps and a MOTU 828mkII.

I like my current setup better for sure, but it did cost me more.

[Kaiborg]

I'm extremely pleased with mine. Have owned a Saffire 56 for over 2 years now.

[D_T_Music]

I've had mine for about a year and a half and I love it. I also use a Behringer ada8000 for extra inputs.

I'll post a link to some recordings I've done with them in a bit.

Edit:
Sorry for the long delay, I had some pretty nasty computer issues. Here are some songs I've done using my Saffire 56 w/ ADA8000
http://soundcloud.com/dave-thurston/sets

[LaoTzu]

Originally Posted by D_T_Music

I've had mine for about a year and a half and I love it. I also use a Behringer ada800 for extra inputs.

I'll post a link to some recordings I've done with them in a bit.

could you post just the raw audio no mixing or compression...

[ritepathstudios]

Ive had one for about 8 months now and extremely happy with it...having the liquid pre's is great for my clientele since I can run em thru pre "a" or pre "b" to see what they sound best on...but not just vocals either...acoustic gtr sounds great to me going thru the savillerow (helios console). So for its emulation ability and for the amount of i/o its a great fit in my setup. Ill see if I cant get permission from some clients to put some unprocessed audio samples up.

Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk

[LaoTzu]

Originally Posted by ritepathstudios

Ive had one for about 8 months now and extremely happy with it...having the liquid pre's is great for my clientele since I can run em thru pre "a" or pre "b" to see what they sound best on...but not just vocals either...acoustic gtr sounds great to me going thru the savillerow (helios console). So for its emulation ability and for the amount of i/o its a great fit in my setup. Ill see if I cant get permission from some clients to put some unprocessed audio samples up.

Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk

could you state what mics you used aswell.

[icecubeman]

Two liquid pres on 56 and emulations are killer. On pair with whatever preamp in 1000 range.

[LaoTzu]

another thing i would like to know is if anyone could recommend another interface with the same functionality. i.e same ins and outs and quality for a reasonable price. usb or firewire. fro around the under 1000 mark.

[kludge]

No one makes equivalent functionality to the liquid preamps. But for me, the real niceness of the unit is the i/o capability (like separate mic and line in jacks, buttons for phantom on each channel, etc). And it does sound quite good.

[LaoTzu]

Originally Posted by kludge

No one makes equivalent functionality to the liquid preamps. But for me, the real niceness of the unit is the i/o capability (like separate mic and line in jacks, buttons for phantom on each channel, etc). And it does sound quite good.

thats what i thought...

[ZombieMorg]

The RME Fireface 800 is probably the closest to the Saffire, minus the emulations obviously.

The RME's conversion will most likely be a little better but that comes with the increase in price.

But still, I'm a happy user of the 56. I recently upgraded from the Saffire 40, and while there isn't a difference in preamp or conversion quality, the ease of use with the 56's front panel switches along with the emulations make it worth it for me.

[LaoTzu]

Originally Posted by ZombieMorg

The RME Fireface 800 is probably the closest to the Saffire, minus the emulations obviously.

The RME's conversion will most likely be a little better but that comes with the increase in price.

But still, I'm a happy user of the 56. I recently upgraded from the Saffire 40, and while there isn't a difference in preamp or conversion quality, the ease of use with the 56's front panel switches along with the emulations make it worth it for me.

from what i can see it only has 4 mic pres. the saphire has 8. the main differences i see is that its firewire 800 and the converters are analog.

[Neonknight]

Originally Posted by kludge

No one makes equivalent functionality to the liquid preamps. But for me, the real niceness of the unit is the i/o capability (like separate mic and line in jacks, buttons for phantom on each channel, etc). And it does sound quite good.

I agree, im also very satisfied with mine, using it with a ADA8000 and a Motu 828 Mk2 via ADAT for 24 analog IO.

[Gretsch 6120]

I don’t claim to know beans about USB interfaces, firewire, etc, but I have been reading up on the Saffire for some time now. I’m ready to pull the trigger on an interface, and initially I was opting for the Roland Quad Capture, which I realize is in a different league altogether (sort of apples and oranges in terms of options); however, I started reading back up on the Saffire this past week.

It’s very tempting, but my only deterrent is some of the reviews claiming the drivers don’t load properly or that they intermittently crap out, causing the user to stop his workflow in order to reload the drivers. Has anyone experienced those sorts of issues?

Also, I can’t help but wonder with all the preamp emulation plugs out there today, does the Saffire really offer a superior solution and best overall value? Could a user obtain comparable results with a less expensive interface and some good plugs?

As always, your thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Best regards,

Chris

[LaoTzu]

Originally Posted by Gretsch 6120

I don’t claim to know beans about USB interfaces, firewire, etc, but I have been reading up on the Saffire for some time now. I’m ready to pull the trigger on an interface, and initially I was opting for the Roland Quad Capture, which I realize is in a different league altogether (sort of apples and oranges in terms of options); however, I started reading back up on the Saffire this past week.

It’s very tempting, but my only deterrent is some of the reviews claiming the drivers don’t load properly or that they intermittently crap out, causing the user to stop his workflow in order to reload the drivers. Has anyone experienced those sorts of issues?

Also, I can’t help but wonder with all the preamp emulation plugs out there today, does the Saffire really offer a superior solution and best overall value? Could a user obtain comparable results with a less expensive interface and some good plugs?

As always, your thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Best regards,

Chris

that review was done years ago when it first came out. since then focusrite have addressed the issue. produced better firmware and software updates via there drivers and support section on there website. the saphire has been around more than a few years now.

[kludge]

Are you on a Mac, or Windows? When I got my Liquid 56, I was on Windows, and it was a NIGHTMARE. Trying to find a Firewire card that actually worked, getting the drivers to behave... three weeks of debugging, and I'm a software professional.

When I switched to a Mac, it was plug and play. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend ANY Firewire interface if you're stuck in the ungrateful hell of Windows.

[LaoTzu]

Originally Posted by kludge

Are you on a Mac, or Windows? When I got my Liquid 56, I was on Windows, and it was a NIGHTMARE. Trying to find a Firewire card that actually worked, getting the drivers to behave... three weeks of debugging, and I'm a software professional.

When I switched to a Mac, it was plug and play. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend ANY Firewire interface if you're stuck in the ungrateful hell of Windows.

i phoned up focusrite and they said that it does depend on the chipset of the firewire you use it needs to match up to what firewire device in the saphire. aswell as your computer.

[kludge]

Yeah. For starters.

Like I said, three solid weeks of pain and not a small investment on my part in alternate Firewire cards. I love the interface, but it was a nightmare to get going on Windows.

[siniarch]

I have a Saffire56. LOVE IT. I use a MacBook Pro and boot into Windows 7. It works great. I haven't had to reset the drivers or anything. Every once in a while, I have to turn off the Saffire56 on/off. But this usually happens when I first started and have NEVER had to do that while recording. It has not been an issue at all. Basically if it works when I start my audio software, then it works all throughout the recording session.
Being a laptop, I take it with me everywhere, so I keep plugging it in and out. That is when I think the issue arises. but like I said, it happens less than once a month when I first plug it in.
Drivers in my opinion are SOLID and I would definitely recommend the unit. The liquid pres do sound different and seem to work great. I recommend trying different liquid pres on different mics and seeing which one fits what mic. Also, which one fits what type of content.
I think one of the strongest function of this interface is the MixControl Software. At first this might seem complicated, but once you understand how to use it, it is very powerful. In essence you can patch any input to any output (even multiple outputs) within the unit. (I believe you could also do this with all the ADAT in/outs, though I don't have any, so I don't really know)
Pretty powerful stuff.

[Neonknight]

Originally Posted by LaoTzu

i phoned up focusrite and they said that it does depend on the chipset of the firewire you use it needs to match up to what firewire device in the saphire. aswell as your computer.

Here´s a link to their compatibility article, they recommend VIA or Texas chip, there is a link to a program for testing compatibility in the article as well. http://www.focusrite.com/answerbase/...ty_article.pdf


I havent had any problem running under windows 7 on an old office laptop since i set it up, i did however spend quite some time tweaking the computer to free up resources though and i had a big problem with the graphics driver causing dropouts, but setting the graphic driver to a powersave setting made it work, it isnt the fault of the interface that the graphic driver is behaving badly though.

We use the LS56 for tracking in the rehearsal studio, not for mixing since it cant handle many plugins as it isnt a powerful computer, we always mix at home anyway where we have much more powerful computers.

For a stable function on any interface i recommend having a separate tweaked windows installation with just the things that are needed to record on the same computer (i have), wireless, LAN, graphics, anitivirus etc can often cause alot of problems.

[siniarch]

Neonknight,
if you are running on a laptop I recommend turning: Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery
OFF
it's located under the Device Manager. It lets your laptop know how much battery is left. Unfortunately in order to do this, the computer keeps checking how much battery it has. Every time it does this, it conflicts with the Firewire Latency and causes a spike in usage. this might create some clicks and such in your recordings.

Here's an article I wrote about it.

Latency - Macbook Pro (laptop) - Win 7

Hope it helps. (this problem by the way is not specific to Liquid Saffire 56. This would also affect other interfaces)

[Neonknight]

Originally Posted by Gretsch 6120

Also, I can’t help but wonder with all the preamp emulation plugs out there today, does the Saffire really offer a superior solution and best overall value? Could a user obtain comparable results with a less expensive interface and some good plugs?

As always, your thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Best regards,

Chris

Personally i didnt buy it for the liquid preamps at all and havent really done any A/B -ing even though i have had it for 1,5 years, to me it is good and good value anyway and im a real sucker for good value.

A quote for the manual

"The Liquid Pre-amps feature high quality Focusrite Analogue microphone pre-amps. After analogue to digital conversion, the audio
signal is routed through the Liquid Pre-amps DSP. The analogue circuit in the pre-amp will switch to match the impedance settings
of the original pre-amp emulation."

I guess the big difference from a plugin is that part of the simulation is in the analog hardware (see the blue text above)

[LaoTzu]

Originally Posted by Neonknight

Personally i didnt buy it for the liquid preamps at all and havent really done any A/B -ing even though i have had it for 1,5 years, to me it is good and good value anyway and im a real sucker for good value.

A quote for the manual

"The Liquid Pre-amps feature high quality Focusrite Analogue microphone pre-amps. After analogue to digital conversion, the audio
signal is routed through the Liquid Pre-amps DSP. The analogue circuit in the pre-amp will switch to match the impedance settings
of the original pre-amp emulation."

I guess the big difference from a plugin is that part of the simulation is in the analog hardware (see the blue text above)

this is funny how can you not use its capabilities? each to there own but its worth exploring what your interface can do..

[Neonknight]

Originally Posted by siniarch

Neonknight,
if you are running on a laptop I recommend turning: Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery
OFF
it's located under the Device Manager. It lets your laptop know how much battery is left. Unfortunately in order to do this, the computer keeps checking how much battery it has. Every time it does this, it conflicts with the Firewire Latency and causes a spike in usage. this might create some clicks and such in your recordings.

Here's an article I wrote about it.

Latency - Macbook Pro (laptop) - Win 7

Hope it helps. (this problem by the way is not specific to Liquid Saffire 56. This would also affect other interfaces)

Thanx !, its not a problem any more for me though since i have tweaked alot of parameters and it works fine now since i set it up originally, i also dont get any indications in the DPC latency checker program after the tweaking, it had alot of red spikes before that.

[Neonknight]

Originally Posted by LaoTzu

this is funny how can you not use its capabilities? each to there own but its worth exploring what your interface can do..

We do use it, but havent really tested it out and compared it, its not a selling point at all to me, i would have bought it without the liquid pres as well.

[LaoTzu]

Originally Posted by Neonknight

We do use it, but havent really tested it out and compared it, its not a selling point at all to me, i would have bought it without the liquid pres as well.

yeh i cant see another interface with 8 mic pres and 24 ins and outs 2 adats 2 headphone slots. individual phantom power for all mic pres. and much more

[kludge]

I often choose the plain inputs over the Liquid inputs, either for maximum transparency or for maximum gain (all the Liquid simulations cost some gain, some more than others). They are good mic pres, although I wish they were a little less noisy at the high-gain end.

[Johntron512]

Originally Posted by LaoTzu

yeh i cant see another interface with 8 mic pres and 24 ins and outs 2 adats 2 headphone slots. individual phantom power for all mic pres. and much more

It's certainly nice for what it is, the software is good, the i/o options are great. But you are still getting what you pay for, the LS56 does not compare in transparency and sound quality to getting a separate sound card and mic preamps.

If you think all those inputs and outputs are just magically cheaper in one perfect package, you are mistaken. It's cheap because it's lower quality.