Record Pro Audio in your Home Recording Studio
By Sophie Andersen · · 4 min read
Learning materials from Audio Masterclass
and Record-Producer.com
From Home Recording Studio to PRO Recording Studio
The Amazing Focusrite Liquid 4PRE - Every preamp you could possibly want in ONE box!
Hear EVERY PREAMP EMULATION - in AUDIO and VIDEO for just $11!
Available only until July 25, 2008.
You must have heard about the amazing Focusrite Liquid 4PRE, which models virtually every exotic preamp you could possibly want to have in your studio.
It’s no mere plug-in - the Focusrite 4PRE works right from the input socket where the exact characteristics of more than 40 preamps and input impedance settings are recreated ELECTRONICALLY.
No plug-in can do that because plug-ins don’t have direct access to the microphone itself.
The preamps modeled by the Focusrite Liquid 4PRE are these…
(You can hear ALL of these in our audio and video tests!)
- Amek Pure Path
- Aphex Thermionics Model 1100 discrete Class A tube
- API 3124+ discrete
- Avalon AD 2022 dual mono Class A
- Avalon VT-737SP tube channel strip
- Cadac G Series 268E console mic-pre.
- Crane Song Flamingo dual channel discrete Class A
- dbx 786 dual mic-pre.
- Drawmer 1960 vacuum tube compressor amplifier
- DW Fearn VT-2 dual channel tube
- Focusrite ISA 110
- Focusrite Green 5 channel strip
- Focusrite RED 1 quad Class A
- Groove Tubes Vipre
- Groove Tubes Vipre (Rise Time Slow setting)
- Helios console mic-pre./EQ
- Manley SLAM! Transformer/tube
- Millennia HV-3D 8-channel
- Millennia STT-1 mono mic pre/channel strip
- Neve VR console mic-pre
- Neve 33114 mono mic pre/EQ
- Neve 1073 mono mic pre/EQ
- AMS Neve 1081 classic mono mic-pre./EQ
- Pultec MB-1 fixed gain tube
- Sounds Incorporated Telefunken V72 tube
- Solid State Logic SL 4000 G+ console mic-pre
- Studer D19 MicVALVE tube
- Telefunken V72 tube
- Telefunken V76/80 tube
- TL Audio PA-1 dual pentode tube
- Trident MTA A-Series dual discrete console mic-pre/EQ
- Tube Tech MEC 1A tube channel strip
- Universal Audio M610 mono tube
Several of the preamps are presented in different impedance settings, which are switched at the mic input, not merely digitally modeled.
How we made the tests…
We wanted to be able to hear the differences between the various preamps as clearly as possible.
To do that we prepared a master vocal recording using the ‘preamp of preamps’ - the mighty Avalon M5. The microphone was a Neumann U87Ai.
This recording was made at Abbey Road Studio 3.
We then put that recording through a 40 dB attenuator to bring it down to mic level, and then inputted it to the Focusrite Liquid 4PRE.
With this all in place, we were able to test EVERY preamp emulation using the EXACT SAME source material.
In the resulting recordings it is possible to hear in FINE DETAIL exactly how these preamps differ from each other.
(Note - this testing method does not capture the interaction between the microphone and the preamplifier at different input impedance settings. To do that would require a separate performance for each preamp model, which would introduce huge variables that would make the differences in the character of the ‘warmth’ produced by the various models less easily audible.)
You can also see the full tests in video.
Harmonics
The Focusrite Liquid 4PRE has a ‘harmonics’ setting that replicates how hard the original preamp was driven.
We therefore ran two tests - one with harmonics set to zero, the other with harmonics set to full. You can hear the full richness of each and every preamp emulation.
Audio and Video
These tests are available in the following formats…
- Original source file in .WAV format
- Original source file in AAC format
- 41 individual .WAV files with Harmonics set to zero
- 41 individual .WAV files with Harmonics set to full
- 41 individual AAC files with Harmonics set to zero (same as .WAV files but smaller file sizes)
- 41 individual AAC files with Harmonics set to full (same as .WAV files but smaller file sizes)
- 40-minute video with Harmonics set to zero (227 megabytes)
- 40-minute video with Harmonics set to full (230 megabytes)
- 40-minute video, smaller version with Harmonics set to zero (94 megabytes)
- 40-minute video, smaller version with Harmonics set to full (94 megabytes)
- Test notes
As you can see, it is a massive download so you must be prepared for this.
Can you hear the difference?
One of the most interesting features of these tests is how subtle the differences between the various preamps are.
But top engineers actively seek out the most appropriate preamp for any individual recording they approach.
Part of the value of these tests is that you can train your ears to recognize the differences between preamps. After some listening practice, you too will know exactly which preamps you prefer.
David Mellor
Publisher, Record-Producer.com
Course Director, Audio Masterclass
P.S. If you’re looking to buy a preamp in the near future, this is just about the best way to be sure you get the one that’s right for you!
P.P.S. More photos…