TC Electronic PowerCore FireWire

Firewire DSP Interface with a bunch of Effects loaded. It has everything from a very nice sounding vintage compressor to the M3 Mastering plugin. It is also expandable and professional plugins (like Sony Oxford) can be purchased afterwards.
I use an old PC and have a MOTU2408 with PCI card installed. Since this device and the MOTU PCI card take up a lot of the processing already I have been able to work quite nicely even with an inferior computer (check also my posts about the 2408 and Melodyne).
I use mainly Steinberg Cubase SX and Wavelab. This unit really works well and is basically plug-and-play. The only problem occurs at times with the firewire port on laptops - but on my Dell laptop I have had as many or few problems as on my PC. Sometimes the unit just doesn't get recognized and rebooting it takes care of the problem.

UTILIZATION

As I said the installation worked pretty well. At first my PC didn't recognize the unit though and I had to restart twice to get it working. After that it was smooth sailing (most of the time...).
TC gives you a lot of nice plugins right away and supplies trial versions of their other products. Those you can use for 10 or 20 hours without restriction - after that you have to buy them. It is a bit annoying that they also show up on the VST folder and you have to remember which ones you own and which ones you don't. So it could easily happen that you use the MX5 instead the MX3 and suddenly it stops working. Some kind of visual filter would have been nice here - but it seems they really want to push their products.

GETTING STARTED

The unit is very stable. Every once in a while it can't be recognized but it really doesn't happen often. The latest update was quite nice because it gave a grafic overhaul to most of the plugins...but it seems they also changed the architecture! So after installing the update all my previous projects in Cubase weren't finding the plugins anymore!!! That was really annoying and even though I do like this device it really made me mad. This shouldn't happen with such a prestigious company.

OVERALL OPINION

I have been using the TC Firewire for about a year now and I think if I spent the money again I would buy a product from Universal Audio. It seems that they have more of a unique sound. The TC Reverb, the Dynamic EQ and the compression are very nice - the same goes for the Master Compressor. I also like the Voice Strip (especially the Vintage preset). There is a lot of potential in this machine but I always have a feeling that they held back the coolest plugins. Yes they gave me Character but I would have prefered the way Universal Audio goes about it. They give you a few basic plugins along with coupons for software you can buy at their online store. That way you get the four or five plugins you really want and need and not twenty plugins that fill up space and will never really see the light of day.
TC Effekts sound very clean and sometimes a bit cold. But they are very precise and can be used in a lot of ways. I think this product is pretty good but I think for me I would choose a different route next time.

What characteristics have motivated your choice?
having the DSP for plugs and thus relieved my machine.

For what purpose?
I used mainly for master especially with the master x3 which is a very good multi-band compressor.
but also for the filter very interested and are synth that is a replica of SH 101 with a very special and pleasant to the ear grain.

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable?
on mac it will RAS I do not test on PC.

Are they often updated?
anymore but they are stable enough for it is useless to change.

What you get lag?
it's almost instantaneous but I think it also depends on the machine.

GETTING STARTED

The installation is done it without problems?
no problem just follow the instruction.

The general configuration is easy?
yes like any VST or Audio Unit.

Have you experienced any incompatibilities?
not mac.


The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
I do not know I did not open.

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it?
about 7 or 8 years.

Have you tried many other models before buying it?
in DSP as this is the first one I tested.

What is the particular feature you like best and least?
to +
-It frees the CPU for the machine.
-Synth is really good.
The multi-band compressor is fine too.
to the -
-Rack takes up, I think a pci express would be more practical.

How would you rate the quality / price? With experience, you do again this choice? ...
when I was bought a while ago now it was worth the shot.
for my firewall today I will not repeat DSP system whatsoever because my machine the ability to run all my need for plugs or synthetic.

External DSP card effect
Connects FireWire (possibility of chanage 2 Units)
Many plug-in quality. (14 if I remember correctly ...)

UTILIZATION

No problem to use, easy instalation and connection could not be more simple.
Only inconvniant, it is better not connect the PowerCore FireWire bus on utilisbr /> The plugs are easy to use
The manual is very well Designed with a clear explanation of each effect
I do not 10 because of a few dcrochages sync ...

GETTING STARTED

The effects are powerful trs, Night compressors and rverbs.
There is everything ....
Deplus, many additional plug are available in BMD, with a quality monster (VSS3, MD3, Sony Oxford, etc.)

OVERALL OPINION

Used for 6 months, I used for each project.
This card allows the use of effects of quality with minimal CPU load, allowing you to run big project.
Once acquired, we quickly realized we had not lost his money ...
It is unfortunate that additional plugs are as expensive ... makes you want to ... when you hear the sound that you can have! (Plugs from the M6000 ..... adj !!!!) but what to do with those provided!

Laptop Pentium M 2.0 Gz, 2GB ram, 80 GB HD int and ext HD 250 GB, MOTU 828 MKII sound card.

I bought basically the PC to mix our record without investing in a machine flopped expensive hardware. The EFET and treatment seem to me of very good quality (for that price anyway)

UTILIZATION

Installation without difficulty and it's not complicated understanding of use. The PC does not seem to get along well with my sound card of the era (ECHO INDIGO DJ) c but perfect with my MOTU.

The manual is a little too succinct at the rglage effects.

GETTING STARTED

Drivers with no problem, frquemment updated. Used to dpart with BRAINSPAWN FORTE (I used the effects live on the voice that came into input, but the latency was quickly empch such use), I use Cubase SX now. Latency dpend lot of paramtrage and sound card, not possible to say how it is. However, to function, it is quite important concerver latencies, which is not very serious mix). In any case, the PC is what I expected of her.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 2 years, and everything is just good prs (I have a few "dsynchros" which forces me to restart the computer project when cell arrives, but must be once every 30 hours of work not dramatic, especially as a Cubase does not crash so far so I can save). For someone who has the same buying motivations than I am, my opinion is a good investment trs.

I bought the ACCESS VIRUS POWERCORE later and Fidler is the original (without the countless bugs of this hardware!).

An important detail: The licenses of plugs that you buy an option are not claimed because the license is binding for life with the serial number of your PC. If you buy one used, so it can be good to get this dj quip that interests you because you can not buy plug-hand. (I wanted to sell my VIRUS TC and I have to refund the buyer 10 days because of a APRS).