Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56
Two Liquid Preamplifiers and Massive I/O!
The Liquid Saffire 56 is an incredible new 24-bit/192kHz FireWire audio interface from Focusrite. Not only does it boast a staggering amount of I/O at its affordable price - 28-in/28-out - but Focusrite also managed to pack in their famous Liquid technology. On the Liquid Saffire 56's first two microphone channels - of its eight total - you can dial in the right sound using your choice of 10 famous preamplifier models, based on gear from Neve, Manley, Avalon, API, and Universal Audio - to name just half! DSP mixing is also onboard the Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56.
High Quality 24-bit/192kHz FireWire/Thunderbolt™* interface
Liquid Saffire 56 doesn’t just offer preamp variety; sonic integrity is also guaranteed throughout. Both the Liquid and Saffire preamps ensure low noise and distortion, whilst quality digital conversion and JetPLL™ jitter elimination technology ensure pristine audio quality as your audio flows between the analogue and digital domains.
A Host of I/O
Alongside the two Liquid and six Saffire preamps are a host of I/O options; 10 analogue outputs, 16 channels of ADAT I/O, stereo S/PDIF, MIDI and two virtual ‘loopback’ inputs for routing digital audio between software applications — ideal for capturing audio playback within your computer. Mic, Line and Instrument inputs all use independent connectors, with the input type for each channel selectable via custom control software. Consequently, all the inputs can remain permanently connected, ready for whatever your recording session demands. In addition, word-clock I/O is provided on BNC connectors, allowing Liquid Saffire 56 to act as either a master clock for your studio, or as a slave to an existing sync system.
Saffire Mix Control
Saffire Mix Control, the zero-latency 18 x 16 DSP Mixer/Router software provided with Liquid Saffire 56 features powerful output routing and monitoring. It also provides intuitive one-click set-up options, a clear and concise mixing layout, large on-screen metering for inputs, outputs and submixes, and control over the choice of Liquid emulation.
Monitoring
Two independent headphone buses are provided, each with their own level controls available on the front panel. A dedicated stereo monitor mix output features pads for improved sound quality when connected to active monitor speakers. An 'anti-thump' circuit protects your monitor speakers from spikes when booting up or shutting down the unit.
Key Features:
- Two Liquid Preamps :The marriage of a hugely flexible analogue front end with cutting-edge dynamic convolution DSP, each Liquid Preamp lets you choose from ten different classic preamp emulations, with an eleventh ‘flat’ option.
- Six High Quality Award-winning Focusrite Preamps :Six award-winning Saffire preamps complement two Liquid preamps. All eight demonstrate the same wide bandwidth philosophy behind the early vintage Focusrite units.
- High Quality 24-bit/192kHz FireWire/Thunderbolt™* interface :Professional digital conversion and JetPLL™ jitter-elimination technology; pristine audio quality and reliable synchronisation are guaranteed.
- Total I/O Count of 28 Inputs and 28 Outputs : A host of I/O options are provided*, including a unique 'loopback' facility for routing audio between software applications via Saffire MixControl.
- Suite of Focusrite VST/AU plug-ins :Upgrade your standard sequencer effects and bring a touch of class to your session with Focusrite Compression, Reverb, Gating and EQ VST/AU plug-ins.
- Two separate headphone buses :Two artists can receive independent and fully customised monitor mixes. Each output has an independent level control available on the front panel.
- Saffire Mix Control Zero-latency DSP Mixer/Router :Routing flexibility and intuitive one-click setup solutions; Saffire MixControl provides an 18 x 16 DSP mixer with excellent output routing and monitoring capabilities.
- Front panel five-step LED metering :LED metering for each of the analogue, ADAT1, ADAT2 or S/PDIF inputs offers accurate viewing of levels direct from the front fascia.
Microphone Inputs
Dynamic Range (A-Weighted):
109dB
SNR
(A-weighted):
-109dB
Frequency
Response:
20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1 dB
THD+N:
0.001% (measured at 1kHz with a 20Hz/22kHz
bandpass filter)
Noise:
EIN > 125dB (128dB analogue to digital)
(measured at 60dB of gain with 150 Ohm termination (20Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
Maximum
level (A-weighted):
8dBu at 1%
Line Inputs
Dynamic Range (A-Weighted):
109dB
SNR
(A-weighted):
-109dB
Frequency
Response:
20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.1dB
THD+N:
< 0.001% (measured with 0dBFS input and
22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
Noise:
-90dBu (22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
Maximum
level (A-weighted):
28.5dBu at 1%
Instrument
Inputs
Frequency Response 20Hz-20KHz +/- 0.1dB
Maximum Input Level min gain no pad +8dBu
Maximum Input Level max gain no pad -42dBu
THD+N, -1dBFS, min gain, no pad < 0.0015%
SNR 109dB "A"
DNR 109dB "A"
Input Impedance > 1MOhm
X-talk < -100dB
Adjustable Gain > 50dB
Pad Attenuation 10dB
Headphone
Outputs
Frequency Response 20Hz-20KHz +/- 0.1dB
SNR 109dB "A"
DNR 109dB "A"
Maximum Output into 32R +12.4dBu (+10.2dBV)
Power into 32R 250mW
Output Impedance < 7Ohms
Load Impedance > 24Ohms
Line level Outputs
Dynamic Range (A-Weighted):
108dB
SNR
(A-weighted):
-108dB
THD+N:
< 0.001% (measured with 0dBFS input and
22Hz/22kHz bandpass filter)
Maximum
level (A-weighted):
15.7dBu at 0.883%
Additional
Conversion Performance
Clock jitter < 250 picoseconds
THD+N AMPL
(A-weighted)= -109dBFS
Connectivity
Analogue
Channel Inputs (Inputs 1-8)
Mic inputs 1-8 on rear XLR’s.
Line inputs 1-8 on rear 1/4” TRS.
Instrument inputs on channels 3 and 4
(separate front panel 1/4” TRS).
Notes
Individual switchable High Pass Filter on
all inputs.
Phase switch on inputs 3, 5 and 7.
Input Pad on inputs 3 and 4 = -10dB.
Analogue
Outputs
Line level 10 x 1/4” TRS Jack.
Notes
Outputs Monitor 1 and 2 have anti-thump
protection circuitry.
Digital
I/O
SPDIF input and output (RCA phono) on rear
panel, (24-bit, 44.1 - 192kHz), output transformer isolated.
Optional AES output mode with professional
channel status and voltage levels on SPDIF output.
2 x ADAT In / Out 16 channels (44.1 /
48kHz), 8 channels S-MUX (88.2 / 96kHz), 4 channels S-MUXII (176.4 / 192kHz).
ADAT Input and Output 2 can be re-configured
to be optical SPDIF input / output via control panel.
BNC Word clock input and output (75 ohms).
MIDI I/O
1 in / 1 out (16 channels) on rear panel.
Headphone
monitoring
2 x 1/4” TRS Jack on front panel (mirrors
outputs 7-8 and 9-10). NOTE: These are high power headphone drivers.
Other
I/O
2 x 6 pin FireWire 400 socket - also
compatible with FireWire 800 and Thunderbolt
2 Standard 5-pin DIN MIDI connectors: In and
Out
IEC mains power input connector
Weight
and Dims
5kg / 11 Ibs
480mm / 19" (W) x 90mm / 3.6" (H)
x 235mm /9.3" (D)
