TOFT ATC-2 perplexation

[farjedi]

Not sure if this qualifies as high end but I've noticed that my toft isn't as loud as it should be. When patching it in there is quite a significant drop in volume and I am having to use significant amounts of gain to get decent levels into the computer(on some voices +50db!). Any ideas on this? Jeez it took me literally months to get this and up till now I've felt happy with it but this ain't right...

[Kiwiburger]

What mic? Some LDD and ribbon mic's need a lot of gain.

[farjedi]

No ribbons but our Neumann m147(?) and I've tried an Akg. Both Mics get good signal through our other mic pre. I will query Toft about it if no one has any answers here......cheers

[MASSIVE Master]

If you're using the 1/4" outs, they're unbalanced...

[farjedi]

nah..were using the xlr outs..is there any other owners/users who find they are experiencing similar problems..? thanks for the replies

[echo unit]

Farjedi,

I'm not going to feed you any BS here just the truth as I know it to be from my own experience and from people I know that have or had the Toft ATC-2.

The problem here is that Toft Audio is a company that uses a low cost/high risk labor force to manufacture it's products and your problem is one that others I know have encountered. It's QC issues all over the place with these units as far as I have heard from people I know who have owned or own one and use/used it with similar complaints along with other complaints of other problems such as the levels of the two channels having a difference of 6dB or more with all controls set to identical positions making stereo operation impossible of course. I thought this unit was supposed to be a stereo device?

The output is either cutting out or the volume dropping is what I have heard. Could be a bad contact - a low quality output jack or any number of variables within the gain structure of the unit from the input jack to the output jack. If you can't get your money back or a free repair with postage covered, make sure to post up here on gearslutz exactly what you have to go through and how much money you have to spend to get your ATC-2 to function properly.

Or perhaps Alan Hyatt will kick in here and offer to replace your unit immediately and show the folks here at gearslutz what kind of customer serice Toft offers on their top notch pro audio gear.

Best of Luck with it Farjedi.

[Dirty Halo]

Originally Posted by echo unit

Farjedi,

I'm not going to feed you any BS here just the truth as I know it to be from my own experience and from people I know that have or had the Toft ATC-2.

The problem here is that Toft Audio is a company that uses a low cost/high risk labor force to manufacture it's products and your problem is one that others I know have encountered. It's QC issues all over the place with these units as far as I have heard from people I know who have owned or own one and use/used it with similar complaints along with other complaints of other problems such as the levels of the two channels having a difference of 6dB or more with all controls set to identical positions making stereo operation impossible of course. I thought this unit was supposed to be a stereo device?

The output is either cutting out or the volume dropping is what I have heard. Could be a bad contact - a low quality output jack or any number of variables within the gain structure of the unit from the input jack to the output jack. If you can't get your money back or a free repair with postage covered, make sure to post up here on gearslutz exactly what you have to go through and how much money you have to spend to get your ATC-2 to function properly.

Or perhaps Alan Hyatt will kick in here and offer to replace your unit immediately and show the folks here at gearslutz what kind of customer serice Toft offers on their top notch pro audio gear.

Best of Luck with it Farjedi.

Oh jeez... Um, maybe it's not a conspiracy? Maybe it's one ot those, "Oh I totally forgot to hit the (fill in the blank) switch." Come on, you KNOW we've all done it!

I mean I almost sent back a Coleman Audio Monitor unit (who makes some of THE best gear) and got all upetty (sp?) at them, when I realized I hadn't powered it up correctly (and I'm talking a piece of gear that has all of 10 switches total)... oh yeah!

Keep looking for the anser before you go to the post above this one.

And remember, use the best piece of gear in your studio, NOT your ears, your brain or your heart... your sense of humor!

Simple works.

-andrews

DIRTY HALO www.dirtyhalo.com

[echo unit]

With a peice of gear that has a known list of problems it's pretty safe to say that this is not operational error. I think farjedi knows how to use the thing. For god's sake, it's a stereo mic pre/EQ/compressor. How difficult can it be to set levels at unity gain and then hear a drop in volume when the insert is switched in.

[balaperdida]

Did Malcolm Toft molest you as a child, Echo? I only ask because it seems like you only post here if it serves the purpose of putting the man's products down.

[Dirty Halo]

Originally Posted by balaperdida

Did Malcolm Toft molest you as a child, Echo? I only ask because it seems like you only post here if it serves the purpose of putting the man's products down.

I TRIED to deflect your post, but you seem SO SO SO insistent, so once and for all, please tell the people, because I'm not getting much out of your posts without context (I'm all for having your voice, but it's nothing without context):

What is your agenda? Really.

-astike

[farjedi]

The fact that I'm having to boost gain to match line level when inserted through our patchbay worries me. That's not right. Our other units don't do that. The fact that I'm having to use massive amounts of gain to get decent levels into the computer worries me. I can hear the noise of the machine distinctly. I thought this was class A discrete yadayada. That's not right.
It's not our patchbay as far as I can tell at this point. Having moved the Toft to another space on it the problem still occurs. It is not entirely ruled out yet but I am doubtfull this is the cause. It is not "oh yeah the thingy switch was on that's why" scenario...
I am not displeased with the sound of the unit. Our other compressors our valve so it makes for a different flavour, which is cool. The eq is ok too.
People please stop this whole hidden agenda conspiracy theory bullsh@t. I welcome all comments and it is interesting to me if other users have experienced similar problems. At the end of the day I've forked out £700 for something, I expect it to work and work well.

[Dirty Halo]

Originally Posted by farjedi

The fact that I'm having to boost gain to match line level when inserted through our patchbay worries me. That's not right. Our other units don't do that. The fact that I'm having to use massive amounts of gain to get decent levels into the computer worries me. I can hear the noise of the machine distinctly. I thought this was class A discrete yadayada. That's not right.
It's not our patchbay as far as I can tell at this point. Having moved the Toft to another space on it the problem still occurs. It is not entirely ruled out yet but I am doubtfull this is the cause. It is not "oh yeah the thingy switch was on that's why" scenario...
I am not displeased with the sound of the unit. Our other compressors our valve so it makes for a different flavour, which is cool. The eq is ok too.
People please stop this whole hidden agenda conspiracy theory bullsh@t. I welcome all comments and it is interesting to me if other users have experienced similar problems. At the end of the day I've forked out £700 for something, I expect it to work and work well.

You like the sound of the unit, but it is not right. None of the above posts are right, but you welcome all comments...

You forket out ¢700 something and expect it to work...

Soooo, WHAT specifically do you want out of this thread? A solution? Suggestions? To complain?

If NONE of the above or none of the posts to come are the solution then...

Try this. Bring it back to the shop. Tell them everything. Try another unit, same model. See if the problem is the same. If it is, then return it.

I don't own one, but I can tell you this: 99% of all studio problems are solved by systematically pulling out each variable from the equation until only one is left. When you've done that, then test THAT variable against a controlled subject, i.e. if you've REALLY tried everything, try your unit against a "known" working unit and you will have your answer.

-andrews

[farjedi]

ok Ok....
I've been called out..it's my first and I wonder how I've survived this long. I actually was seeking some help from Toft users, maybe anyone who had experienced a similar problem, perhaps a solution...I don't know. I am obviously gonna get a replacement and see if that works.
Dirtyhalo, I see enough people talking sh@t on this site everyday and I don't feel the need to leave my little inane, condescending comments, so if you think this thread is bS then IGNORE it. Get your head out your ass...

[Dirty Halo]

Originally Posted by farjedi

ok Ok....
I've been called out..it's my first and I wonder how I've survived this long. I actually was seeking some help from Toft users, maybe anyone who had experienced a similar problem, perhaps a solution...I don't know. I am obviously gonna get a replacement and see if that works.
Dirtyhalo, I see enough people talking sh@t on this site everyday and I don't feel the need to leave my little inane, condescending comments, so if you think this thread is bS then IGNORE it. Get your head out your ass...

Whoa there skippy, slow down, if you REALLY read my post, I'm trying to get at what you are really asking? Is it that this problem is a Toft deal or an actual trouble-shooting problem? 100% legit.

In fact, go check my other posts, I JUST wrote on this kind of topic. Trying to give real advice and if you don't think my trouble-shooting advice is valid, then that's YOUR problem, not mine. I've got nothing invested in spending my time here helping you, no agenda, except that I believe in this forum...so I'd appreciate you backing off.

My other comments where about the NON-helping nature of another post, a subject and contributor that has been on an agenda-based rant for some time now, MY commments were trying to get to the actual NEED. If you find my advice too simple and interprete that as condenscending, then I'd look to yourself and why you may have a chip on your shoulder... think about it, I have a ton of work to do, an album due at the label and a feature due, wasting time with sarcasm or joke posts are NOT worth my time. I use this forum frequently for real info and for real affect... and try to give back in return. Call me crazy, but don't call me names.

If you ask for advice and someone gives it, say "thank you," don't go calling them names and get defensive. Don't worry, I won't bother with any more help.

-andrews



P.S. Last piece of advice, telling people on Gearslutz to "Get there head out of their ass..." isn't going to get you very far with me or other possible contributors. Good luck with "your" problem.

[Hershal Pearlma]

Dirty Halo,

I have read this thread all the way up to this point just now. You sound like an ego maniac to me. Relax and don't take life so seriously. Recording is just supposed to be fun. This dude's gear is defective and he knows it. You are writing on here to him like he is a child and can't even plug in a mic cable. The only one who is offerening any help on this thread is echo unit who knows of common problems with the same Toft product and is suggesting that he may want to get it dealt with ASAP. Let the Toft guys clean up their mess and let this post be a reminder that sometimes SHIT HAPPENS! to good people.

[GPl]

And another one comes out of the woodwork...man, what's happening to this place


farjedi, I know someone that has an ATC-2.
I will ask him about this but he hasn't mentioned anything to this affect. I would definately check it against another unit in the meantime.

[Dirty Halo]

Originally Posted by Hershal Pearlma

Dirty Halo,

I have read this thread all the way up to this point just now. You sound like an ego maniac to me. Relax and don't take life so seriously. Recording is just supposed to be fun. This dude's gear is defective and he knows it. You are writing on here to him like he is a child and can't even plug in a mic cable. The only one who is offerening any help on this thread is echo unit who knows of common problems with the same Toft product and is suggesting that he may want to get it dealt with ASAP. Let the Toft guys clean up their mess and let this post be a reminder that sometimes SHIT HAPPENS! to good people.

Name calling, great... or MAYBE...

I was trying actually to offer some help.

On the OTHER hand, as YOU say: If... "The guy's gear is defective and he already knows it," why is he asking for advice and possible solutions? Hmm... doesn't that strike you as strange?

What purpose did YOUR post serve? How are YOU helping him?

IF the ATC is just plain bad and EVERYONE knows it, like YOU say, then why bother with this post at all? I don't own one and have no agenda here, so I don't care either way, but it seems like there is some sort of "Let's all jump on the love 'em or hate 'em TOFT" bandwagon. So, really, what was the TRUE nature of this thread?

And seriously, why bother attacking me? I offered advice, if you don't like it, that's ok, don't read it, but why take it so personally? You are quick to point out MY problems. What's YOUR problem?

Man, this board keeps driving talented people people like Fletcher away, I'm beginning to see why. This has become more like high-school and less like a forum for people who like to talk gear, trouble shoot and create a community together.

As for taking life so seriously, if you REALLY read the thread, what MAIN point did I make about humor?

If you missed THAT, maybe you missed more...did you consider that?

But, I now realize this thread isn't really about needing "help." You guys are doing nothing but name-calling. Pathetic. I'm moving on. Good luck with your ATC.

-andrews

[Jam]

Andrews


Couldn't agree more with the above post !!

Farjedi, get it back to your dealer and get it fixed, replaced, refunded or unequivocally proven to functioning correctly and then you can decide if you need/want it !!

Jam

[farjedi]

I infact really would have just rather had delete this whole thread but I couldn't work it out.....
I have contacted the dealer and I will try another unit. I merely wanted to see if there was any advice users/owners could offer or if this was a common problem with Toft products. If this seemed like a pointless thread to some, maybe, but as Dirty halo pointed out GS is a place to openly discuss gear, and I wrote what I wrote,end of.
Really by the time I've switched my computer off I've forgotten about it, no biggee
Incidently what album you working on DH?

[Tim Farrant]

Originally Posted by farjedi

...I thought this was class A discrete yadayada. That's not right...

Class A it is not - and I do not think Toft Audio advertises it as such - unlike some other companies, who shall remain nameless...

But, if this is any help, I would get the unit out of the patching system and feed in a tone at known level, say -20dB, into the mic input and see what comes out with gain set to +20dB, should be around 0dB. If not, then something is definitely wrong with it. Remember to bypass the compressor and EQ.

Cheers.
Tim.

[Brenton]

I've been using one for a couple of years with various mics and have had no problems with level.

[bloodstone]

Originally Posted by farjedi

Not sure if this qualifies as high end but I've noticed that my toft isn't as loud as it should be. When patching it in there is quite a significant drop in volume and I am having to use significant amounts of gain to get decent levels into the computer(on some voices +50db!). Any ideas on this? Jeez it took me literally months to get this and up till now I've felt happy with it but this ain't right...

I've had one for about a year and love it. No problems.

If you're still under warranty, not sure why you don't send it back and file a warranty claim.

I would say it doesn't have the gain in the pre that other devices I use have, but I've never had to crank the input gain wide open.

BTW FWIW, this Echo Unit person seems to have some personal vendetta against Toft products and perhaps PMI so I'd take anything he says with a grain of salt.

No I don't work for either company and I'm not their beeatch.

[farjedi]

Cheers guys, I got an email from Malcolm Toft offering to take a look at it himself, so I'll be sending it soon. I will try your suggestions. Your right it isn't class A, my bad. I'm sure this will be resolved.

[MASSIVE Master]

Hey, but when "The Boss" is going to check out the unit, you can be pretty sure that *something* is going to happen.

[philyesphil]

what happened?