has anyone used an otari status ??????

[DSMrehearsal]

I'm looking for some info on the Otari satus R18.
If anyone has used one and can tell me their opinions on the desk that would be great.
How does it sound - compare
can the desk gates and comps be side-chained.
is the recall automatic - eg the knobs are motorized and return to position on their own after recall?

many thanks

DAniel

[hifiaudio]

I used a Status console for about 5-6 years and can tell you first hand that it's not a great board...Just about everything about it gets a D- grade from me...I don't even know how good of a boat anchor it would be...It's mostly made from cheap plasitc parts and I wouldn't be surprised if when tossed into an ocean it would float...Of course, this is just my opinion and I'm sure there are others who can appreciate the board for....well....something...

[Switchcraft]

They are alright,
The knobs are not motorized, but I do beleive it has some scheme to fully recall EQ points etc.

the pres are alright, the EQs arent bad. The routing is pretty nice, but nothing really stands out about these boards. they dont break very much at all.

like I said, nothing relly stands out about them, but they have all of the thing that a console should plus a lil.

the comps on each chanel are kinda like DBX160s...

dont know what else to say about it.

[Steffmo]

I've used one a few times...mostly because my client likes the piano at this particular studio.

Its digitally contolled analog. The bussing is via microprocessor. I think the dynamics are simnilar to a Langley BIG....VCA based stuff.

I mostly used the pre directly to PT whherever possible, and the results were generally good. Most of the rest of the functions have a bit of a learning curve. The micro cuts a lot of cost by elinimating switches, but its not real intuitive to run.

I did use some EQ....it was not special, but not destructive either.

I do have a friend selling one if you are interested. PM me if so.

[Monsterlab]

I used one in a studio in Hartford (Steffmo - tapeworks?) a few times. Not bad, nothing to write home about. If I remember correctly, recall works, but doesn;t apply to everything, and is a bit of a PIA. I recall being at least somewhat satisfied with the sound of the pres and eqs (tapeworks didn't have much in the way of outboard), but the look of it made me want to vomit. Remember those fluorescent-spattered balloon pants from the 80's? I think they were inspired by this console. Eye fatigue was more of a concern than ear fatigue.

[Tibbon]

I used to use one day in and day out. It was an erratic board at times, but for the most part reliable. The opamps used in the preamps could be better, and the VCA could be better (possible to fix/modify it, but is it worth it to you?). When I got it it had some issues. Ours had a burnt out wiring harness on part of the patchbay that looked like someone had ran a 220V line through it (might have...). Had to replace most of that.

Some of them have the dynamics pack, some don't. The automation requires an old as shit computer to run (needs windows 95 i think?), but then again for a console that isn't that odd. I was trying to figure out a way to modify a small flatscren into it on some blank patchbay panels. The bussing/routing was a little weird, but workable. The EQ was better sounding than that on the TAC Scorpion that we upgraded from, but it worked ok. Didn't want to put it too far, or it sounded weird to my ears. The faders ARE automated, but the knobs aren't. It's Digitally controlled analogue and you could do recall on the knobs however. The faders felt ok. Not super smooth, but ok.

We used the preamps for most stuff, and they worked out just fine. Nothing special, but they worked.

If you need a board with automation, go for it. It will work just fine. The small faders ARENT automated if i remember right. If you could care less about automation and mainly need preamps/eqs and good bussing, then get a Trident or anything else.

[MIKEHARRIS]

OTARI's consoles were rebadged SoundWorkshop...as an Otari dealer i was disgruntled about selling this stuff...It put most commercial studios who bought them out of business.
In doing so acquired the monicker "SantasWorkshop"

[Rick Sutton]

Originally Posted by MIKEHARRIS

OTARI's consoles were rebadged SoundWorkshop.....It put most commercial studios who bought them out of business.

Well, an Otari 54 has seen solid use here for 10 years and we're still in business.

[Axiomhead]

I used one about once a week for 2 years in a post production enviroment. I didn't care for it. The layout sucked. The sound of the board was mediocre at best.