TC Electronic M300

On this unit you get a bunch of reverbs, a bunch of delays, phaser, chorus, flanger, compression and a de-esser. This is one of the nice things about this unit, it has analog TRS 1/4" , SPDIF and MIDI in and out connections. This is a blend of Analog and Digital processing. Yes, you can edit the unit via a MAC/PC through midi editing software (midiquestXL) and I think I heard there is a software plugin you can use to control it, but I prefer to use the knobs on the front of the box. Yes, this is a rackable unit.

UTILIZATION

Yes, the effect editing is very easy as most of everything is setup to be controlled by a knob or a button. I find the general configuration and setup is very simple. Issues can arise in poorly lit areas because you need to be able to read the small print on the unit inorder to adjust the knobs to where you want. The manual is clear and sufficient and I recommend perusing it to learn how to save presets and how to get the most out of this unit.


SOUND QUALITY

I use this unit on a send/return track in ableton so that I can run virtually anything into it at my leisure. It works great for synthesizers (plugin and hardware) and my Rhodes Piano. I feel the reproduction of my instruments suffer no loss of quality. The delays are realistic and the Reverb is nice and full. I hear no coloring of sound that stands out. My favorite sounds on this unit are the delays. You get many options (simple, ping pong, tape, slapback) and you can control them very easily. I am not very impressed by the compression. Its ok, but I have some vintage compressors that make me a little biased.

OVERALL OPINION

What I like most about this unit is it's flexibility and the fact that you can use two of the effects at the same time (dual engine processing). The only thing I am not impressed by is the compression but its no serious fault, its just not my first choice, but still usable. Brand new this unit is $150. You will pay that same price for a decent plugin and I would recommend this way before most software plugins. I paid $50 so that was an amazing deal. If I had to quantify it, I would give it an 8 out of 10 for sound quality. I have used individual effect processors (Alesis Midi Verb, yamaha delay, boss delay, etc...) and I find this unit holds up to all of them.
For the price I got it for, I would buy another one. Even at full price, its still a good deal.

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.

Multi-effect rather orient Reverb
INPUT / OUTPUT XLR (analog) and AES or SPDIF (Digital)

For more information see the website of TC

UTILIZATION

The handling is very simple. Without reading the manual, CSTA easy all the basic functions of the unit.

SOUND QUALITY

see below.

OVERALL OPINION

I use the M3000 for 3 years. I bought it to replace my Lexicon MPX-550 with the main advantage of being able to change the routing programs without having to change preset effects ... (On the Lexicon, a verb and delay in parallle do not have the same preset as the same effects in mono for example).
I love it for vocals and string instruments such as acoustic guitars, banjo, lap steel.

The only criticism I would make: the sounds are sometimes too clean ... Its small ERRF the M2000 has sometimes more grain ... Adpend and the type of music but sometimes apprciable.
The other ngatif the M3000, 90% of its effects are prprogramms reverbs, there are few other effects prprogramms and missing a pitch worthy of the name or distortion (as I sometimes use on voice).