All user reviews of 4/5 for the TC Electronic Finalizer

This mastering unit can be strapped right between your output of your recorder and your final destination (CD, DVD, HD, etc...It comes with AES/EBU input, coaxial in and out, MIDI in and out and SPDIF input and output...
While the unit is not compatable with PC/Mac interface, it doesn't need to be...It is very simple to use...
The finalizer can be used analog or digital...
It is a one space rack unit...


UTILIZATION

The presets are very usable and editing them to meet your needs is easy and effective...I started with using the presets and then simply fine-tuned them to fit my needs...There's a ton of room to save lots of your own created patches...

The general config is very straight forward and easy to use...The manual is excellent, full color, and thorough...It explains some concepts behind the technology so that you can use it more effectively...

Editing is as easy as pressing a button or two and scrolling through a handful of options...Nothing overwheling...

SOUND QUALITY

I use this with my Roland VS-2480 and they play very nicely together...The Finalizer takes an already great mix and makes it better...I use it with my Mac and PC as well...Any input source can be eaily used...

The Finalizer does not touch the tone of your mix at all, it simply makes it tighter and more cohesive...It's not a "fix it in the mix" unit per se but it does have some great features..I really like the Digital Radiance Generator...It adds a set of upper harmonics that must be heard to be appreciated...

There's nothing on the unit I dislike...It's all usable and worthwhile!

OVERALL OPINION

I like the ease of use and results the best...The screens make sense and the layout is cohesive...

FOr the price, I know of nothing better although there are some software mastering suites that can certainly give it a run for its money....When I bought mine 15+ years ago, it was the only thing like it...

I have not had the desire to master on anything else so this unit is more than applicable in most cases still today...Sure 3 band compression has now given way to 4 and even 5 bands - I just don't personally see the need in having so many bands of compression myself...

This unit works on any signal source- be it classical, pop, rock, country, spoken word...