Programmable Patching in Analog

Instant recall is no longer just for digital. With the LIAISON from Dangerous Music you can store and recall complex analog patches that include up to six stereo or mono analog paths. You’ll experience the ease and quickness of digital plug-ins with your analog rig! Want to try your favorite mix-buss chain on a piano track? Or quickly compare two analog EQs within that chain? – just push a button. With the onboard, latency-free, audiophile-grade parallel buss, you can blend your processed and unprocessed signals for rock solid parallel effects that otherwise require elaborate large format consoles and patchbays. Recall any of your stored patches instantly, bring individual patches in and out of the signal path for gapless A/B comparisons, get your studio setup for the day’s tracking, mixing or mastering tasks in a flash, and do away with confusing, time-consuming patch recall sheets – all while getting crystal clear sound from all your favorite gear.

Let’s Talk About Short-Term Memory

Many of us don’t realize that when we’re making comparisons between two or more sounds, we’re relying on our short term memory. Research has shown that the length of time between exposure to two different sounds greatly determines our ability to make useful judgements. The shorter the gap, the more reliable our judgements are, and for tonal judgements, we start to lose discernment after just fractions of a second! In the analog environment we’re usually forced into physically repatching gear when comparing different sounds, causing gaps so big that the human brain simply can’t make much use of the comparison. With the LIAISON, you get to compare your analog patches with no gap, making A/B comparisons in the analog realm far easier – and actually useful. the LIAISON takes the guesswork out of your critical decisions, helping you make the most of your analog investments. 

Complex Patching Made Easy...And Programmable!

With the LIAISON, previously complex patches of analog equipment are made simple, and they can be instantly recalled with the sophisticated, yet elegant, signal routing and user interface.

Six Insert Loops – The topology of the LIAISON is built around six high-grade stereo insert loops, each of which can be switched in and out of the signal path at the touch of a button. Use the “Flip” switches to reverse the order of inserts 1&2, 3&4 or 5&6, allowing for immediate auditions of new routing possibilities (compress that EQ, or EQ that compressor?). 

Two Main Busses – Two main stereo busses (A & B) allow you to route different analog gear chains simultaneously. For example, plug your mic pres into the input of Buss A and keep your favorite EQs and compressors ready for tracking while your favorite stereo mix buss processors live on Buss B. Or perhaps route your drum stems to Buss A, while simultaneously routing your entire stereo mix to Buss B. For even greater versatility, chain Buss A and B together!

Parallel Processing Loop – Send any combination of gear to the LIAISON’s onboard parallel processing loop, allowing latency-free blending of the processed and unprocessed signals. Parallel processing is standard practice today, but in the analog realm often requires a large format console and patchbay. With the LIAISON you can switch between in-series and parallel patches at the push of a button, and then blend to taste! Slam that buss-compressor and bleed in just a bit for sustain and edge. Put an extreme EQ curve on a vocal and blend it into the main signal to create urgency and articulation. Whatever you dream up, the LIAISON’s parallel buss will open up a whole new realm of creative uses for your analog gear. There’s even a polarity reversal button for the parallel processing loop, allowing you to correct phase or use phase cancellation creatively for various results.

Four Monitor Channels – Each of the two busses can be monitored before or after the insert loop, allowing you to hear the results of your inserted processing on either buss instantly. Intelligently routing these four monitor channels in your studio will open up all kinds of uses that minimize patching work and maximize your ability to make fast, reliable comparisons.

Programmability – Once you’ve got a patch you want to keep around, store it on one of the four program channels for instant recall. Thinking creatively, you can use the two busses to accomplish any number of elaborate patches for tracking, mixing and mastering that you can recall effortlessly.

A Mastering-Grade Signal Path and Switching System

At the core of the LIAISON is a set of no-compromise analog circuits developed by our head designer, Chris Muth. Audiophile-grade components are used throughout the LIAISON’s 100% passive analog relay switching system, offering up a truly transparent and robust topology for seamlessly hosting all your outboard gear. True hard-wire bypass relays remove any gear entirely from the signal path, including analog units that lack an integrated bypass, or hard bypass, circuit. All of the LIAISON’s components switch instantly and silently, providing true A/B comparisons without coloration, latency or disruptive noises.

Stay Nimble, Stay Analog

It seems ironic, but as digital audio continues to make leaps and bounds, we’re witnessing a simultaneous renaissance of analog gear. Now with the LIAISON, your analog gear can perform as nimbly as your digital plugins. the LIAISON brings the ease of programmable patches, hassle-free rerouting, plus the undeniable benefit of instant A/B comparisons, all in the analog environment. With the LIAISON you’ll unleash your creativity while keeping your studio primed for whatever tracking, mixing or mastering task comes your way.

Awards

TEC Award Nomination