TOFT ATB Console!!!

[kfoote8]

Hey guys,


So what are people thinking of these consoles? I know that they are inexpensive as far as consoles go, but from what I have seen so far they seem pretty amazing! I am just curious if anybody out there has one and what they think of it. I would using it for tracking and mixing. How are the mic pres in this, How are the EQ's? Anyway any feedback would be greatly appreciated. One last thing...can these compete with say a Trident Dream console??
Thanks!

[allencollins]

that board looks phatt. Does it sound like a trident at all?
What toft pre is that based on?

[Audio Hombre]

the clip comparing it to a Studer 900 on their site sounded good, as far as these clips go. no transformers in the mic pre's like the trident's but i hear the eq is quite good and there are inserts in every channel if you want to use your fave ob preamps etc. i still think on paper, they look fantastic and i've recommended one to my metal buddy who's looking at consoles right now. the 16ch would suit him perfectly.

[Fletcher]

It sounds and works like a pretty damn excellent desk [don't have an 80B anymore or I'd have "A/B"ed them]... if I ever replace the console in my room it will be with an ATB [no shit!!].

[matt thomas]

just bought a 32 channel ATB today

narco

[copperx]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

It sounds and works like a pretty damn excellent desk [don't have an 80B anymore or I'd have "A/B"ed them]... if I ever replace the console in my room it will be with an ATB [no shit!!].

DANGER WILL ROBINSON!

This guy is saying that the ATB quality is on par with the PM2000!!!



J/K, I'm drunk...

[Fletcher]

Welllllll..... not quite... but I don't have enough money to buy a 32 input API which would be on par with the current PM-2k... and at that point I'm sure my conversion over to the dark side will be complete and I'll be using it as a monitor mixer when tracking and possibly a summing buss during mixing and it's certainly up to both of those tasks.

I have to say... the pre's are really pretty good [not up to what a lot of the other outboard pre's in my room can do but they'll get you by in a pinch]... and the EQ is a serious 'panty wetter'!!

[Stiff]

I think I ready about Malcom Toft saying that the EQ was a copy of the Trident 80.

[miqer]

We've had it a couple of months... and still impressed!

m.

[matta]

RE the Toft EQ's, same at the 80B as well as the Toft ATC-2 channel strip Eq's, which comes straight across from the original console.

Pres differ, original 80B had transformer couple inputs, Sowters I believe. The ATB has no transformers, but it does use a VERY high quality IC opamp in the way of the THAT 1510.. the slew rate is VERY fast for an audio amp, better than the older proverbial classics ala TL0 and NE series, which eqautes to better transient response.

The peak to peak voltages are also better giving you much better headroom than many of the older amps.

And since ALL the amps are socketed, should you decided to try pin compatible amps from other companies, you can.

I've mentioned this before but another quite remarkable feature (esp. at the price) is that EACH channel is on it's own PCB, should a channel go down, it can be replaced, or sent in for service WITHOUT you loosing your console, hence avoiding downtime, and since the components are all through hole, it makes replacing/repairs a cinch.

In it's price range and even desks DOUBLE the price you will find it's features, function and sonics hard to beat.

Regards

Matt

[Amstel]

I love my atb 32

[jonnypowell]

Originally Posted by matta

RE the Toft EQ's, same at the 80B as well as the Toft ATC-2 channel strip Eq's, which comes straight across from the original console.

Pres differ, original 80B had transformer couple inputs, Sowters I believe. The ATB has no transformers, but it does use a VERY high quality IC opamp in the way of the THAT 1510.. the slew rate is VERY fast for an audio amp, better than the older proverbial classics ala TL0 and NE series, which eqautes to better transient response.

The peak to peak voltages are also better giving you much better headroom than many of the older amps.

And since ALL the amps are socketed, should you decided to try pin compatible amps from other companies, you can.

I've mentioned this before but another quite remarkable feature (esp. at the price) is that EACH channel is on it's own PCB, should a channel go down, it can be replaced, or sent in for service WITHOUT you loosing your console, hence avoiding downtime, and since the components are all through hole, it makes replacing/repairs a cinch.

In it's price range and even desks DOUBLE the price you will find it's features, function and sonics hard to beat.

Regards

Matt

I'm saving up to buy an ATB 24trk. I can't rest till it's mine..

p.s. I've started my GSSL Matt. Having mucho fun building it! Not sure whether to do the side-chain part as well though.. Seems very complicated..

[prismtheory]

My atb24 should be here in a week or so!

Eqs=awesome

[Chris]

So.... Who is going to make the first mod to add transformers to the inputs?

[sprouseod]

I had an ATB 32. i thought the sound was excellent, I had an 80b a few years ago and I thought this board( the ATB) was just easier to mix with with sonically, most likey because the 80b was 25 yrs old and one channel sometimes sounded different than the next. I did not do much tracking thru the ATB so can't comment much on the pres.

That being said i thought the build quality was just fair. Like comparing a Kia to a BMW. in all fairness I did get one of the Pilot boards and had some issues that I had to fix. PMI were nothing but top notch in that regard. I ultimately sold the board but I have not ruled getting another one down the line after they have had a chance to tweak the board a little and work through some of the bugs. Still a great product for the price.
R

[TAVD]

Originally Posted by Chris

So.... Who is going to make the first mod to add transformers to the inputs?

It's already been done, sort of. Check out Jensen transformer's tech pages. There's one page about adding a xformer to a ssm2017/2019 based preamp. The THAT 1510 op amp (if that is in fact the correct op amp) is pin compatible. I have yet to open mine up, so I can't confirm the op amp or tell you if there's enough room. Personally, I wouldn't bother. You won't end up with Neve or API and the preamps already have plenty of headroom and low noise.

[dan p]

I was the last to get a 32 atb from the pilot program that was offerred.I gotta say for the money there is not much that comes close. I do work at another studio with an 80 b and i would say the sound is in the ballpark.The difference is that 80 b has been modded with a new power supply and synth driver boxes in all 32 channels.If you are lookin to warm up that daw this is an economical way to go ay!

[surfsup]

Oh man 1 I am getting and ATB-32 ASAP... I can't wait to switch out of ITB mixing hell and get my hand off the damn mouse and onto a REAl knob.... AHHHHH!

[Stiff]

Originally Posted by matta

RE the Toft EQ's, same at the 80B as well as the Toft ATC-2 channel strip Eq's, which comes straight across from the original console.

Pres differ, original 80B had transformer couple inputs, Sowters I believe. The ATB has no transformers, but it does use a VERY high quality IC opamp in the way of the THAT 1510.. the slew rate is VERY fast for an audio amp, better than the older proverbial classics ala TL0 and NE series, which eqautes to better transient response.

The peak to peak voltages are also better giving you much better headroom than many of the older amps.

And since ALL the amps are socketed, should you decided to try pin compatible amps from other companies, you can.

I've mentioned this before but another quite remarkable feature (esp. at the price) is that EACH channel is on it's own PCB, should a channel go down, it can be replaced, or sent in for service WITHOUT you loosing your console, hence avoiding downtime, and since the components are all through hole, it makes replacing/repairs a cinch.

In it's price range and even desks DOUBLE the price you will find it's features, function and sonics hard to beat.

Regards

Matt

So what you're saying is that I should get one? Well, I'm thinking about it

[jslstrat]

Originally Posted by miqer

We've had it a couple of months... and still impressed!

m.

Yeah if your impressed with the ATB just imagine how impressed you would be with the
picture of the thing in the background ( of the current ATB ad) Its called a Trident 80B.
It has mic transformers, Meter bridge, full patch bay so you do not have to wire your
own. Room for automated faders, modular so you can work on a module and still use
the board,56 inputs at mixdown etc ...you can go on and on................................................
............I guess I just dont understand the whole Mackie concept.......But what the hell
they sold a shit load of those(mackie) consoles if I remember right???
You have to hand it to the marketing guys at Toft they did there home work..........

[Jonk]

EDIT

[guid0]

Any news on the meterbridge?

[contempo]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

Welllllll..... not quite... but I don't have enough money to buy a 32 input API which would be on par with the current PM-2k...

so you feel an api is equvilent to a yamaha pm2000?!

sir, what kind of drugs are you taking? or have you spent too many years mixing monitors at 118db?



they both have 990 based opamps but aside from that... wow. i can't even begin to think....really. amazing. the emporer is now offically naked.

[seaneldon]

Originally Posted by contempo

so you feel an api is equvilent to a yamaha pm2000?!

sir, what kind of drugs are you taking? or have you spent too many years mixing monitors at 118db?

Do a search or just ask him about his console. You might learn something. Rather, you WILL learn something, because as of right now it seems like you've never even seen his console or heard anything that came out of his room.

[heyman]

Sean, Fletcher.. Dont even waste your time arguing about this with him.

[zenguan88]

hi guys any ideas when the digital io card for toft be out at? :]

[Amstel]

' if I ever replace the console in my room it will be with an ATB [no shit!!] '

Hi Fletcher,

I've bought the ATB 32 and used it a couple of times with a Mackie HDR. Currently I'm thinking about how to integrate the atb in my studio with Logic 8, 2 Lynx Aurora's, 1 Hedd, two patchbay's and several eq's comp's and fx. I'd still have to buy either the RME or Lynx pci express cards...

Would you (or someone else) care to elaborate a bit on how you would use and integrate an atb in your workflow and studio?

Thanks,

Amstel

[Jason Poulin]

Looking forward to next week when the 24 chan will arrive! Damn this will be cool!!!




Amstel, we have an RME for sale if you're in need. Let us know.

[darkwavo]

I wonder how the Toft ATB would compare with my Trident series 65. It has a rebuilt power supply and modified master section. The EQ is pretty cool...overall the board sounds pretty good, especially when being pushed.

[jonnypowell]

How does the ATB mixer sound when the inputs are heavily driven?
I know on the Trident 80's this is one of their key features.