TC Electronic TC 1128

The TC Electronic 1128 digitally controlled analog 28-band high-performance graphical equalizer, winner of the 1995 Tin Ear Award really lives up to its name. The late 80's/early 90's amazingly transparent equalizer sports MIDI and footswitch controls. Features such as Store and Recall makes this a perfect EQ in either a professional recording studio, in a bass rack or even in conjunction with a guitar rack. And yes, this gismo is rackable and that's the only way you can have it.

The unit was originally shipped in different configurations. Some of them even had a D-sub connection, so you could hook up the unit to a TV and watch the spectrum analyzer on that instead of the rather small display build into it.

You have a choice of using either XLR or 1/4" jack connections with this unit. The 1/4" jack is -10 dB (instrument level). Not only do you get 28 bands of graphic equalization, but you also get a possibility of adjusting the input as well as output level for the whole unit. This is very convenient, if you go into some drastic cutting or boosting.

The unit is designed with variable Q as well as minimum phase shifting. The design and technology of these analog filters enable the user to do equalization in a better quality than any manually controlled analog graphic EQ.

UTILIZATION

As always, TC Electronic has made a product, that is simple and easy to operate. The manual is well written and easy to understand.

Programming presets is however a tad tricky. It is easy to locate the correct frequency band, that you want to adjust, get it adjusted and move on to the next. The problem lies in making sure that the preset is stored as you want it to. The lack of an "Enter" button makes it a bit confusing.
In order to store a preset, you press the Store button, select the preset number you wish to store on press store again. There are no confirmations that the preset has been stored. Besides that, the newly made preset gets named "USER". You then have to navigate on to a completely different menu, create a name there and then select a preset number on which you want this name to stick. Come on TC - you could have done better!

A good thing, however, is the ability to change the view angle on the LCD display.

SOUND QUALITY

Once again, TC has done an excellent job. This unit is really ridiculously transparent, which is great for a unit designed in the late 80's/early 90's and is digitally controlled. The unit sounds as an EQ should sound, with a minimum of added noise to your signal. It is hard to come by and EQ in that class, which is still affordable for a normal human being, even today!

OVERALL OPINION

The unit has been discontinued by TC Electronic and is therefor not supported any longer. Should you however be able to find one on the used market and are willing to take the risk of buying a unit without support - you won't miss out on something good!

Pros:
- Build in spectrum analyzer
- Ability to store and recall presets
- Clear LCD display

Cons:
- Poor menu layout
- No support anymore

Way back in the 80s or 90s, TC Electronic released their amazing 1128. This is a digitally controlled analog graphic EQ that's ridiculously transparent. It's MIDI-able and footswitchable. These units came in various configurations, so the actual specs varied a bit. A lot of these were used in professional recording and TV studios, so not all features will be exactly useful to guitar.

UTILIZATION

TC does a great job at making things easy to use. The manual is written out clearly, and it's not too hard navigating the unit. The LCD is very clear, which is needed when you're using the spectrum analyzer. Programming and storing the various EQ presets you'll be making is a touch tedious, but you'll get used to it within a few minutes. You just have to realize how the knob interacts with the EQ. The biggest drawback is that TC no longer supports this unit. If something breaks, you're kinda dead in the water. This actually happened to me with one of the older blue LCD devices.

SOUND QUALITY

The sound of this is TC's selling point. This thing is 100% transparent. There are very few pieces of gear out there that are this transparent. I was blown away by how clear everything sounded. The EQ sounds exactly like an EQ should be. You get all your tone shaping with very little noise, which is probably the most important thing about any EQ out there. The thing is crazy versatile with all the presets you can save, too. There really hasn't been anything on the market like this, even today.

OVERALL OPINION

If you can find one of these units in working condition, buy it. Beware that they could break, and TC no longer supports them. If you're willing to assume that risk and need the absolute best EQ ever made, check this out. The spectrum analyzer alone is worth the price of admission. I can't believe TC no longer makes something like this.