Toft "Trident Series ATB" Questions

[Alan Hyatt]

As you all know, I post at several BBS sites. It is hard for me to even keep up with all of them. I love the ones I post on, but it really is easier for me to say what I want on this BBS.

For that reason, I hope all of you will ask your questions here.....This way, I am free to say things without other moderators suggesting what I should or should not say.... :D

[platypus]

Hi Alan,

As I told you at AES, I think you hit a home run with this product. It looks good.....it has the perfect features for the small and project studio......and If it SOUNDS good......I'll be buying one 4 sure....

I also think it is :D :D :D that Malcom is going to design a case with patchbay and meterbridge. I'm sure many (including myself) who are interested in a tabletop console would part with hard earned $$$$$ to avoid the hassle of wiring up a patchbay or hiring someone to do it for them. A custom patchbay and meterbridge is ;) .

Regarding the patchbay/meterbridge attachment (and it seems you are building some kind of table right??), I may suggest a design that is optimized for the placement of dual computer monitors. I also hope you run by any design by the user community (like you did with the console) and listen to feedback before you finalize any design. Personally, I use two of these LCD arms http://www.pcconnection.com/ProductDetail?Sku=430525 and having some way to attach extending LCD stands to the back of the enclosure would be great. This way the flat screens could be extended forward over the console when neccesary (instead of just standing far back on top of the meterbridge). Even better, perhaps the meterbridge could have a slanted space in the center for lcd monitors...

I can't wait to hear the console.

Thanks!

Dave

[Alan Hyatt]

Thanks for the suggestions Dave.... We are looking at all of our options right now and as soon as we make firm decisions, it is best for us not to speculate what we might do.

Things are moving along....I will post some more photo's by the end of the week right here.

[twilt]

i would like to see a version with some mic preamps and the rest line amps, i'm sure that would make alot of us who have outboard happy.
you could do an 8mic strip with a 24 line strip (a few stereo?????) and use the money saved on the mic amps to add other features like transformers on the 8 mic channels, multiple headphone or speaker outs etc.
just a thought
cheers
twilt :D

[Nik Keefe]

For the price of them, you might as well leave them in as long as they are properly bypassed when you're using the line in (I don't understand much about this stuff, but most mixers I use just have a 20dB pad and then feed back to the mic pre).

This is going to be a summing box for some people and a full recording desk for others. Keep it as versatile as possible!! :)

[daveode]

Alan,
is there anyway to add a fader flip switch to use the fades on the monitor/tape return input and the two knobs for the mic/line input? because when i'm done tracking with a 24 track recorder, i think it would be a pain in the ass to mix do the mixing with those little (and close together) monitor level knobs.

[Nik Keefe]

Alan,
is there anyway to add a fader flip switch to use the fades on the monitor/tape return input and the two knobs for the mic/line input? because when i'm done tracking with a 24 track recorder, i think it would be a pain in the ass to mix do the mixing with those little (and close together) monitor level knobs.
I'm sure I read somewhere that this had been put on already ... but I can't actually see it on the photos. I can see how you assign the EQ to the monitor section ... but a full input reverse feature is what the peoples REALLY want. ;)

[Alan Hyatt]

Alan,
is there anyway to add a fader flip switch to use the fades on the monitor/tape return input and the two knobs for the mic/line input? because when i'm done tracking with a 24 track recorder, i think it would be a pain in the ass to mix do the mixing with those little (and close together) monitor level knobs.

This is already on the console. I think it is called Fader Flip

[Nik Keefe]

Is that it underneath the phantom power switch?

[BonsPunos]

hi
i think a line version would be good.i have no need for heaps of sub standard mic preamps.alot of people will be using it for summing with chunky preamps for tracking and only a few at a time.the most important thing is mixer topology.is it thick copper strip -? no i dont think so.
studios are closing all over the world .neve is releasing a line mixer wich you can expand and recall.i think this is the way. are you going to notice analog eq through ribbon cable versus UA plugs-ins?dont get me wrong i am an analog head but what is practical?
what we neeeeed is a chunky copper strip line mixer with sub mixing. connected directly to an expandable ad/da port to take future digital developments and flying faders controled by daw.eq and preamps can be added seperatly(maybe racks of 8 modules).this modular way everybody can get their hands on a piece/section of a million dollar studio .
what do y'all think?

[Ausrock]

With the large range of equipment, and therefore options now available, one has to keep in mind that what may suit their individual needs, may not suit everyone.

There is still a need for a quality, fully featured but "semi-compact" mixer.........(this has been confirmed by the response shown to the news of the Toft boards)..........kind of the next generation to replace the likes of the Mackie and Soundcraft 8 buss mixers. Because mixers of this style are able to fit in to virtually any recording configuration, be it analogue, digital or a combination of both, they are logically and realisticly the way to go for a lot of small studios.

Unfortunately, in regard to this particular mixer, there are a few people on a couple of BBS who seem intent on making (uninformed/uneducated) assumptions (criticisms) as to the quality of it's design, pre's and other components long before the mixer is even in full production, but who, would appear to be more than happy should the board fit their own personal needs more.

You can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time.

:cool:

[BonsPunos]

mixers mix fundamental properties of matter.thats what electricity is.the more electrons you can move the better it sounds,why? no one knows.a thick copper strip is good for this.with this though you get alot of radio interference.thats where the cost comes in.
this mixer is not going to sound any better than a mackie or soundcraft. it will have "musical" eq based on pure trial and error testing in a studio 20 years ago (eg lets try this resistor and see what it sounds like(subjective).eq was originaly invented to make up for flaws in recording mediums,mics and preamps(equalize).i think people are expecting to get a magic sound out of this mixer.

take 3 things. time(functions),money(cost) and quality(integrity).you can only have two.end of story.if china can change this; ill eat my words.

btw what happened to the stereo 80b eq ?that sounds like a great idea.

[Alan Hyatt]

mixers mix fundamental properties of matter.thats what electricity is.the more electrons you can move the better it sounds,why? no one knows.a thick copper strip is good for this.with this though you get alot of radio interference.thats where the cost comes in.
this mixer is not going to sound any better than a mackie or soundcraft. it will have "musical" eq based on pure trial and error testing in a studio 20 years ago (eg lets try this resistor and see what it sounds like(subjective).eq was originaly invented to make up for flaws in recording mediums,mics and preamps(equalize).i think people are expecting to get a magic sound out of this mixer.

take 3 things. time(functions),money(cost) and quality(integrity).you can only have two.end of story.if china can change this; ill eat my words.

btw what happened to the stereo 80b eq ?that sounds like a great idea.


Well, we sure hope it sounds bettr than a Mackie and Soundcraft!

This will be built the same way the old 80B's were built, with the exception of the inputs which will be modular in blocks of 8. We will not sacrifice the integrity of the console to meet the target price. If we can do it, we will. If we can't, then we can't. If the console is 1/3 or more of the target price, then it still is a very good deal. All of our IC's are socketed so upgrades and repairs are easy to do.

The only reason for the low target price is our production ability in China. In the end, we will use the best components, so if that goes over our original projections, then we are still doing the console. Maybe we will not sell as many, but we will be offering a very good console for the money.

Just know there will be no sacrifices on this product to meet a target price. It will be all about the heritage, the sound, and the quality...no matter what the final price comes in at. I understand your concerns, but I think everyone is cautious about this console because it is assembled in China. Bearing that in mind, we better make it one hell of a board....and we will! peachh

[BonsPunos]

thats excellent.i cant wait to hear it.
just setting the table now :) mmmmm words.

[rod gervais]

Bons,

Just for the record.

I spent quite a while with Malcolm looking over this board - and discussing how he was going to make certain that this would truly be a "Trident" board - with the oriental workforce as a part of the equation.

He assured me that he would be personally overseeing the manufacturing and QC operations at the factory until things were running smooth.

He also assured me that he would have a 2nd level of QC checking the product when they received it from the factory - before sending any boards out to the consumers.

That's enough for me.

As far as the concept of "good sound" - although I will agree it's subjective - I will take Malcolm's subjective ears over most anyone elses at any point in time.

There is a reason that the old Trident boards cost as much today as they do (that is assuming you can even find anyone who wants to part with one of them). You aren't buying one of them cheap.

That reason is the man behind the board - Malcolm Toft.

Malcolm goes back to the days when being a sound engineer meant a lot more than turning some knobs and setting a few levels.

He's worked both sides of this industry - and has a solid reputation for delivering a product worthy of the name.

So yes - I expect some of that "magic" vintage Trident sound from my board...... and know that the boards you mention won't be able to come close to this board for quality - sound - or value for the dollar in comparision.

Malcolm is da man - in this regard I have no doubt.

Sincerely,

Rod

[Alan Hyatt]

Hey Rod,

Damm, we need to work something out... You need to do our rooms, and I need to give you a console.... Now, how do we get that done?

[rod gervais]

Hey Rod,

Damm, we need to work something out... You need to do our rooms, and I need to give you a console.... Now, how do we get that done?

Alan,

How about I just provide some free PR material for you - you can use it in your ads.............

LOL

Hey - i didn't say anything I didn't believe 110%

Take care buddy.....

Rod

[Snatchman]

Hey.......since Rod didn't want the console, I'LL TAKE IT..! :D