So I picked up a Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 from Nic Fourie at Bothner's Plumstead yesterday. ?
So far so good - nice, solid attractive unit in a 2U rack format, not only has it taken the place of my Digidesign 003 Rack, but I've bolted it into my guitar rack, where it has also replaced my Behringer RX-1602 rack mixer (all that was available in rack format at the time, OK?) as it doubles as a very high quality mixer, even when not connected to a computer.
I have to say, I also looked at the Roland Octa-Capture and that was a serious contender at a slightly lower price with even better mic preamps (at least on paper from a cleanness/frequency response perspective), built-in reverb for monitoring, USB2, a unique auto level setting mode (can't remember what they call it, but it's great for a quick setup) and the assurance of Roland drivers (which are always rock solid).
But the Liquid 56 ultimately won out, mostly thanks to the pair of Liquid preamps, a built-in power supply (sorry Roland, but wall-warts or line lumps don't belong in a pro rack) and a native 2U rack format (the Roland has rack adaptors). All the sockets and connectors are bolted/screwed to the steel chassis, not just PCB mounted, so the whole unit comes off as a seriously solid pro bit 'o kit.
The Liquid 56 also has both XLR mic and TRS inputs on every channel and is switchable between the two - so you can leave both mics and line level gear plugged in and just switch via software - nice! Also, you can add on a pair of Octopres to add another 16 channels which makes it a really good idea if you want to expand.
Still early days yet, but first impressions are good...
Some manufacturer's pics:



So far so good - nice, solid attractive unit in a 2U rack format, not only has it taken the place of my Digidesign 003 Rack, but I've bolted it into my guitar rack, where it has also replaced my Behringer RX-1602 rack mixer (all that was available in rack format at the time, OK?) as it doubles as a very high quality mixer, even when not connected to a computer.
I have to say, I also looked at the Roland Octa-Capture and that was a serious contender at a slightly lower price with even better mic preamps (at least on paper from a cleanness/frequency response perspective), built-in reverb for monitoring, USB2, a unique auto level setting mode (can't remember what they call it, but it's great for a quick setup) and the assurance of Roland drivers (which are always rock solid).
But the Liquid 56 ultimately won out, mostly thanks to the pair of Liquid preamps, a built-in power supply (sorry Roland, but wall-warts or line lumps don't belong in a pro rack) and a native 2U rack format (the Roland has rack adaptors). All the sockets and connectors are bolted/screwed to the steel chassis, not just PCB mounted, so the whole unit comes off as a seriously solid pro bit 'o kit.
The Liquid 56 also has both XLR mic and TRS inputs on every channel and is switchable between the two - so you can leave both mics and line level gear plugged in and just switch via software - nice! Also, you can add on a pair of Octopres to add another 16 channels which makes it a really good idea if you want to expand.
Still early days yet, but first impressions are good...
Some manufacturer's pics:


