Yeah...Daptone does it the old-school way...and in rather make-shift studio spaces.
They have a Trident 65...and a few nice rack pieces...but it's really limited looking AFA *studio gear* goes.
Most of their vibe comes from the musicians and everyone just being kinda jammed up together in the different spaces.
I mean...they don't have some HUGE "drum room" with 20' ceilings or some jazzy vocal booth...or any of that stuff...yet they do have that old school vibe and sound...and IMO, it's mostly the intent that does it.
I mean, sure...the console will add some spice. I think they have some Tube Tech EQs...etc...and yeah, that stuff adds some flavor...but it doesn't make that sound on its own.
When I was deciding on my own Trident this past winter...checking out some of the Daptone videos, it helped me cross that line, and decide that the Trident I was getting was most certainly very capable of providing the sound quality...but shit, if I can't play the stuff those guys play, in the manner that they play it (not complexity, rather the intent)...my Trident alone ain't gonna get me that Daptone sound.
As an aside...
I actually want to thank Daptone...because their use of the Trident 65 has raised the value and desirability of those series consoles from Trident (65/75/24 London)...so I know mine will hold it's resale value too, especially now that I've also completely overhauled it...I think theirs is still kinda original/stock, but I could be wrong.
I'm sure I could make money on my console at this point...not that I plan on selling it....but it's funny how one thing like that can change the perspective abut a piece of gear.