Soundtracs Topaz Project 8 vs. Topaz vs. Soundcraft Ghost

C

charger

New member
I also posted this on another forum specifically about analog consoles, which doesn't seem to have much traffic, so apologies if anyone at analogconsole.com is reading this...

I currently have a Soundtracs Topaz Project 8 24x8. My friend has a Behringer console in his studio. We're looking to upgrade and consolidate our studios with a shared console.

Things I love about my Soundtracs:
very good preamps (up to a point)
clean sound throughout
really usable, nice sounding EQ
flexibility
metering

Things I don't love:
preamps at high gain (once you turn them up to the top 10-15% of the gain range, they get some really ugly distortion)
odd aux scheme alternates 3/4 and 5/6 on even and odd channels

At this point we're looking for 32 channels, 8 busses, more auxes (to create more separate musician's mixes)...

I'm wondering if the Topaz (non-Project8) is a step up sonically... especially in the preamps, and especially at the top of the preamp gain range. I'm also wondering, since the Project8 is a newer design, if there is any loss of sonic quality between it and the older Topaz. I know that the Topaz is considered a higher line than the Project 8, and thus probably has some nicer components to start with, but it's a concern for me... I don't want to upgrade and lose sound quality at all.

Second question... how would the Topaz compare to the Soundcraft Ghost? The Ghost costs a bit more used in the 32-channel format, likely because of the machine control and mute automation, and because the Soundtracs name is less well-known (which I consider lucky). However I've heard there are some compromises in the Ghost as compared to the higher line Soundcrafts... the preamps may not be as good, and I haven't heard the Ghost EQ, but I have heard other Soundcraft boards that sounded nice. Any comparisons, feature to feature, between the Soundcraft and Soundtracs would be nice to know.

So I'm just looking for some opinions here... anyone with experience with a Ghost, Soundtracs Topaz and Project 8, or any combination...
 
i use an OLD soundtracs topaz ( its the older one thats all analog, nothing digital about it).............and this thing is OLD! but it works like a champ!

it was an old UK version where i had to have the power supply converted to US standards......and let me tell ya........this thing....kicks butt.

i love the preamps on it. I mainly use it to connect my mic's and into my soundcard, so i mainly use it just for the preamps and gain adjustment. It does very well. I think it has a sweeter preamp due to it being an older original UK model, before Soundtracs was being sold in the USA.

i cant comment on its EQ though, cause i dont use the EQ on the mix console......i mix "in the box" on my DAW.
 
My first concern would be availability of backup/support should it be needed. To my knowledge, Soundworkshop in the UK are the only Soundtrac specialists around, whereas Soundcraft are still in business and normally quite approachable. Disregarding possible budget restraints, have you considered the Toft ATB consoles, while they may not be everyone's cup of tea, they have generally been getting more than favourable comments.

:cool:
 
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