TC Electronic Studio & Home Studio

The TC Electronic Master Fader is a little device meant for use with TC Electronics' Finalizer mastering hardware. I don't believe that it comes with it, but is sold as a separate accessory option. I don't know the full compatibility of this in terms of which versions of the Finalizer it will work with, but we've got the Finalizer 96K version at the studio where I work. All the Master Fader is literally just a small, narrow fader that ends into a 1/4" mono cable. The point of the Master Fader is to provide a more hands on experience while using the Finalizer, using this for fade in and outs and everything in between. There isn't anything that you'll need to know or be aware of beyond this, as that's literally all there is to it. I don't know if this would be compatible with anything other than a Finalizer system, but it's a general 1/4" connection on one end, so I guess I wouldn't be surprised. Having said that, I wouldn't purchase it unless you're using it for Finalizer as that's the original intent. The feel of the fader isn't terrible at all as it's easy to maneuver, but it's not exactly the same as using a fader on a console, which I guess is the main idea here. The price of the TC Electronic Master Fader is perhaps a bit overpriced in my opinion. It's just a fader but still costs a bit over $100 US dollars. I guess it's not that much, but it's such a simple device that it certainly didn't cost them very much to make this. I'd of course look into Finalizer mastering hardware before ever considering the Master Fader, but it's definitely a nice accessory to consider if you do indeed have Finalizer.

The TC Electronic Finalizer 96K is an all in one mastering unit. It is a unique piece of gear as I haven't used anything like it. It has a variety of connections including 1/4 inch, XLR, MIDI, and ADAT. This is a digitally based unit and will take up a single rack space in a traditional rack mount. UTILIZATION The configuration of the TC Electronic Finalizer 96K does take a bit of time to get used to simply because there are so many features and so much going on here. Since it is a digitally based unit, there are tons and tons of different screens that you can make your way through in order to get different sounds. In addition to the LED screen, there are also a variety of external buttons including sections for functions, program, and control. While it will take a bit of time to get used to everything going on here, once you have mastered it the amount of sounds that are possible are pretty much endless. The manual for the TC Electronic Finalizer 96K is put together well and is definitely a good thing to have around when trying to figure out how to use everything on this unit. SOUND QUALITY The TC Electronic Finalizer 96K is probably the closest thing that you can get to an all in one mastering unit that doesn't compromise sound quality. Most all in one units like this one end up not sounding all that great, but I'm a fan of most of the sounds that I can get with this unit. While I would probably rather master something using a variety of different gear, this does make it quite easy to dial in a master. I have only used this for mastering as that is what it is made for, but if you wanted to use the effects for mixing or other uses, I don't see why you couldn't do so. OVERALL OPINION Whether you are a home or professional studio owner, the TC Electronic Finalizer 96K is something that you should look into. However, most home studio owners probably won't be able to afford the hefty price tag. This is the only downfall of this product as it doesn't make it accessible to those on smaller budgets. You must consider though that this is a high end piece of gear and is aimed at those who want something to master with easily regardless of the price. All in all, the TC Electronic Finalizer 96K is absolutely worth a look for those who want a great sounding all in one mastering suite.

The TC Electronic M3000 is a digital reverb piece of outboard gear. It has XLR inputs and outputs and is a rackable piece of gear - it will take up a single rack space unit. UTILIZATION The set up of the TC M3000 is pretty basic and is just about as easy as any other piece of equipment like this one. The configuration of the M3000 takes a bit of getting used to, like a lot of these early digital reverb units. It is easy to get your basic sounds, but this has the capability to store and recall presets as well as a slew of other uses that take a bit of getting used to. Since it has a good amount of versatility, it takes a little while to understand how to do everything. For this reason, the manual is a good idea to have around as it is thorough and complete and definitely helpful when learning the TC Electronic M3000. SOUND QUALITY The effects of the TC Electronic M3000 are about average. They won't blow you away, but they are effective and usable. It has a wide array of reverb sounds and the ability to save your own presets. I like to use this for a quick reverb sound, but it can sometimes get to complicated to get in depth sounds, and I would rather just use a plug-in, as some plug-ins sounds better than this unit in my opinion. I have used this on all types of instruments including lead and back up vocals and electric guitar. This will work with anything you'd like to use reverb with, as it doesn't specifically excel in any situation. OVERALL OPINION I've been using the TC Electronic M3000 for about a year and have found it to be an effective reverb unit, nothing more and nothing less. I like that it is versatile, but I feel I can get some comparable or better reverb sounds with some plug-ins, like TL Space, which is much easier to use. If you can find one of these used, the price is too expensive to make it worth it in my opinion. This day and age I would recommend getting a nice reverb plug-in unless you are going to go all out and get the absolute best reverb hardware that is available, and this isn't it.

The TC Electronic TC 2290 is a rackable digital delay effects unit. It has the capability to make just about any type of delay sound you might be looking for, as it is quite a versatile unit. I'm not sure what kind of connections it has, but I believe that it has both XLR inputs and outputs and 1/4 inch inputs and outputs. I believe it also has MIDI ins and outs. UTILIZATION Using the TC Electronic 2290 isn't as user friendly as some other units I have used. The main reason for this is how many different parameters there are. There are also a lot of hidden windows that can be hard to get to. This being said, it is easy to get a good sounding delay from this unit. There is just so much to it and it is so in depth that it can be overwhelming at times. I never had access to the manual but it would definitley be useful. SOUND QUALITY The sound quality of this unit is great all around. The effects are very useful and you can get a number of different delay sounds from this machine. I have used it on everything from vocals and guitars to keyboards and it works great on almost anything I'd ever want to use delay on. You can get quite a different amount of sounds from this unit and I am always finding out new things about it that I did not know before. OVERALL OPINION I first used the TC Electronic 2290 about four years ago. It has built up a little bit of a legendary status as being an interesting and effective use of delay in the form of outboard gear. I love having this as an option as the delay is clean and the variations are endless. All in all the TC Electronic 2290 is definitley a piece of gear to check out if you are looking for a great sounding hardware delay.

The TC Electronic 1140 is basically half of the TC 2240 unit. On the front, you have the input gain, output gain, EQ match gain, bypass switch and the four frequency control sections. Each frequency band covers a wide range and they overlap each other, so no frequency goes untouchable. Along with controls to select the center frequency, you have the bandwidth (also known as the Q value). The center frequency can be boosted or cut with as much as 20 dB - that's a lot! Since this is a parametric equalizer, your possibilities are pretty much endless. UTILIZATION The setup of the parametric equalizer is quick and easy. Once you have adjusted the input and output gain, you can go ahead and adjust the frequencies. The EQ match control has its right when it comes to adjusting the frequencies. In order for the EQ to not stand out to much, you hit the bypass switch on and off, while adjusting the EQ match up or down according to your needs. If you've made a lot of big cuts with the EQ, then you'l need to boost the signal, with the EQ match and vice versa when you've boosted the equalizer section. SOUND QUALITY If the analog sound, of old school components and not a digital chip adjusting signals with ones and zeroes, then you've certainly found the right unit. I use this on my taylor 214e guitar, on vocals on sometimes also on the kick drum, to fatten it up. It really does its job well. OVERALL OPINION There are not a lot of 1140's left on the market today, but should you be able to get a hold of one, don't let it go. Even if you don't have a use for it, don't throw it out. You'll regret it later on. The digital domain might be clearer in its signal, and you have better options, when editing and controlling the effects you use on a track (using automation). But you simply can't beat the sound of a good, old, solidt build effect unit like a parametric equalizer.

Features: Dual effects processor. • 25 effects: XL Reverbs, Chorus, Tremolo, Pitch, Delay, Dynamics and others • XLR connectors – Double I/O • Digital-type user interface • Presets: 200 factory / 100 user • 24-bit AD/DA converters • S/PDIF digital I/O, 44,1 – 48 kHz • Internal 24-bit processing UTILIZATION Simple and effective The large screen allows you to easily know what you are doing. SOUND QUALITY It's stunning. The reverbs are marvelous and the other effects (compressor, delay, mod, etc.) do their job more than fine! OVERALL OPINION Awesome unit. TC makes good gear and the M-one XL is a must have.