TC Electronic
Encyclopedia
TC Electronic is a Danish
audio equipment
manufacturer.
Its current product ranges include guitar effects, bass amplification, computer audio interfaces, audio plug-in software, live sound equalisers
, studio and post production equipment, studio effect processors and broadcast loudness processors and meters.
It was founded by two musician brothers, Kim and John Rishøj, in 1976 making a single virtually silent chorus pedal the SCF which became a classic still highly sought after today. After the success of these black low noise guitar effect pedals development was started on 19" rack mounted processors including the TC2290 delay. Released in 1985, it was far ahead of the competition in sound quality, delay time (up to 32sec) and modulation features and thus remained a studio, live sound and pro guitarist workhorse standard for decades.
TC Electronic formed the current TC Group in 2002 after acquiring TGI plc. TGI consisted of Tannoy, GLL Goodman
, Lab.Gruppen and Martin Audio
. Martin Audio was sold quickly after the merger and Goodman Loudspeakers was closed. TC Works based in Germany (software development) used to be part of the TC Group but was reintegrated with TC Electronic in 2005.
The current TC Group is a holding company of five individual brand companies consisting of Tannoy
, (speakers and studio monitors), Lab.Gruppen (amplifiers), TC Electronic, TC-Helicon
(harmonisers
and vocal processors) and TC|Applied Technologies (digital-audio semiconductor development) and the sales-companies TC Group|International, TC Group|Americas, TC Group|Japan, TC Group|China, and TC Group|Middle East.
TC Electronic also co-develop products with Dynaudio Acoustics (studio monitors) and their European sales arm TC Group|International distributes Blue Microphones outside of the US.
system built around the Mainframe 6000, which houses the DSP
chips that perform the processing, and also houses audio inputs and outputs. The Mainframe 6000 is connected via Ethernet
to either the Remote CPU 6000 and the TC ICON hardware controller or to a computer running TC ICON emulation software.
The System 6000 comes in two versions: Reverb 6000 and Mastering 6000. The difference between them lies in the included processing algorithms:
Reverb 6000 comes with reverb and delay
effects for stereo
and multi-channel purposes, while Mastering 6000 comes with algorithms suited for stereo
and multi-channel audio mastering
purposes, and includes pitch-shifting tools. Several other optional algorithms are not included with any of the two variants and need to be acquired separately. The System 6000 series was upgraded to MK2 in 2010.
tool, which comes in two versions: Finalizer 96K and Finalizer Express. Both of the Finalizers have a compressor
, limiter
, equaliser
and a "Gain Maximiser". The Finalizer Express is a less-functional version of the Finalizer 96K, and it is unable to perform 96 kHz processing.
Nova
Includes a line of pedals (Delay, Reverb, Modulator, Drive) and the Nova System Multi Effects processor
G-Series
Includes the top of the range G System (floor processor and switching unit), the dedicated acoustic processor G Natural and rack processors G Major 2 and G-Force.
Tuners
PolyTune - the world's first polyphonic guitar tuner introduced at the NAMM'10 show.
Compact Pedals
Includes the original SCF (Stereo Chorus Flanger), VPD1, MojoMojo Overdrive and Dark Matter Distortion.
TonePrint Pedals
Released at the NAMM'10 show these digital pedals have the ability to have TonePrints (custom tunings by famous guitar players) downloaded free from the TC website added and uploaded to the pedal via a mini USB socket.
Models include, Flashback Delay & Looper, Hall of Fame Reverb , Vortex Flanger, Shaker Vibrato and Corona Chorus.
Also, shortly after the presentation of the RH450 at NAMM'09, TC Electronic engaged a special Test Pilot program, selecting 24 bass-guitarists worldwide to test the amplifier on their concerts and rehearsals to then share their opinion with the world bass community.
The range has now grown with additional models being released giving more or less feaures at different price points
RH750
Blacksmith (1600w /4500w Peak)
Staccato '51 (developed in co-operation with Rocco Prestia from Tower of Power)
Classic 450
Combo 450
BG500 Combo (in 2x10" and 1x15" configurations)
BH500 Head
BC 210/212/410 Cabinets
and software, somewhat similar in concept to the DSP card in Digidesign
's Pro Tools
. At the base is a PowerCore unit, which allows the PowerCore VST
or AU
plug-ins to run, and performs all the processing, thus allowing lower latency
and higher audio quality to be achieved.
PowerCore hardware is available in these versions:
PowerCore Firewire - a 1U rack unit
that connects to the computer via FireWire
PowerCore X8 - same as the Firewire edition as above but double the processing power (8 Freescale processors instead of 4)
PowerCore 6000 - same as the X8 edition as above and also includes licenses for the System 6000-ported plug-ins
PowerCore Sonnox Edition - same as the X8 edition as above and also includes licenses for Sonnox Dynamics & EQ
PowerCore Compact - a smaller-sized unit that connects to the computer via FireWire
PowerCore PCI mkII - a PCI card
PowerCore Express - a PCI Express
card, otherwise similar to PowerCore PCI mkII
PowerCore Unplugged - a PCI card, with no plug-ins included and a lower price. It can be used with specific optional plug-ins and as an addition to an existing PowerCore system.
, microphone preamplifiers
, compressors
, level maximizers and multi-effect units (such as FireworX).
, use or used Fireworx in conjunction with CD players for live performances. Fireworx won best Hardware Signal Processing Technology at the 1998 TEC Awards
.http://tecfoundation.com/tec/1998.html
The unit itself incorporates effects such as distortion
, compression
, noise and curve generators, ring modulation, vocoding
, parametric equalizers
, tremolo
, reverb and delay
. The effects can be routed in a large variety of ways, and it is possible to modify different parameters.
for live use, gain maximizers, loudness controllers, and several products that reduce loudness variations during broadcasting
. TC Electronic also has been a partner in developing loudness standardisation work with international standards bodies such as the ITU, ATSC and EBU.
or AU
formats, but cannot run without the PowerCore hardware. Some of these plug-ins are included with all of the PowerCore systems, except PowerCore Unplugged.
The plugins include equalizers
, noise removal plugins, reverbs, analog filter banks emulators, compressors and psychoacoustic
effects.
TC Electronic also manufactures plug-ins for the HD version of Digidesign
's Pro Tools
and Soundscape
software.
These plug-ins are also available in a PowerCore version (some of them are ported from the System 6000). They include vocal harmonisers, mastering plugins, reverbs and compressors.
, which featured mastering tools and different effects.
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
audio equipment
Audio equipment
A piece of audio equipment is any device designed principally to reproduce, record or process sound. This includes microphones, radio receivers, AV receivers, CD players, tape recorders, amplifiers, mixing consoles, effects units and loudspeakers....
manufacturer.
Its current product ranges include guitar effects, bass amplification, computer audio interfaces, audio plug-in software, live sound equalisers
Equalization
Equalization, is the process of adjusting the balance between frequency components within an electronic signal. The most well known use of equalization is in sound recording and reproduction but there are many other applications in electronics and telecommunications. The circuit or equipment used...
, studio and post production equipment, studio effect processors and broadcast loudness processors and meters.
It was founded by two musician brothers, Kim and John Rishøj, in 1976 making a single virtually silent chorus pedal the SCF which became a classic still highly sought after today. After the success of these black low noise guitar effect pedals development was started on 19" rack mounted processors including the TC2290 delay. Released in 1985, it was far ahead of the competition in sound quality, delay time (up to 32sec) and modulation features and thus remained a studio, live sound and pro guitarist workhorse standard for decades.
TC Electronic formed the current TC Group in 2002 after acquiring TGI plc. TGI consisted of Tannoy, GLL Goodman
Goodman
Goodman may refer to:People* Goodman Places* Goodman, Missouri, a US city* Goodman, Wisconsin, a US town* Goodman , Wisconsin, an US unincorporated community* Goodman, Mississippi, a US townOther...
, Lab.Gruppen and Martin Audio
Martin Audio
Martin Audio is a Loudspeaker company-About Martin Audio:Martin Audio was founded by Australian audio engineer David Martin in 1971 to manufacture and supply touring sound reinforcement systems for the supergroups of the day that included Pink Floyd and Supertramp.Martin's early folded horn bass...
. Martin Audio was sold quickly after the merger and Goodman Loudspeakers was closed. TC Works based in Germany (software development) used to be part of the TC Group but was reintegrated with TC Electronic in 2005.
The current TC Group is a holding company of five individual brand companies consisting of Tannoy
Tannoy
Tannoy Ltd is a Scottish-based manufacturer of loudspeakers and public-address systems. The company was founded in London, England as Tulsemere Manufacturing Company in 1926, but has been based in Coatbridge, Scotland, since the 1970s...
, (speakers and studio monitors), Lab.Gruppen (amplifiers), TC Electronic, TC-Helicon
TC-Helicon
TC-Helicon is a Canadian audio equipment manufacturer, a subsidiary of Danish company TC Electronic. TC-Helicon focuses on vocal harmonizers, pitch correction, monitor speakers, and other products for vocalists....
(harmonisers
Harmony
In music, harmony is the use of simultaneous pitches , or chords. The study of harmony involves chords and their construction and chord progressions and the principles of connection that govern them. Harmony is often said to refer to the "vertical" aspect of music, as distinguished from melodic...
and vocal processors) and TC|Applied Technologies (digital-audio semiconductor development) and the sales-companies TC Group|International, TC Group|Americas, TC Group|Japan, TC Group|China, and TC Group|Middle East.
TC Electronic also co-develop products with Dynaudio Acoustics (studio monitors) and their European sales arm TC Group|International distributes Blue Microphones outside of the US.
System 6000
System 6000 is an audio masteringAudio mastering
Mastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced...
system built around the Mainframe 6000, which houses the DSP
Digital signal processing
Digital signal processing is concerned with the representation of discrete time signals by a sequence of numbers or symbols and the processing of these signals. Digital signal processing and analog signal processing are subfields of signal processing...
chips that perform the processing, and also houses audio inputs and outputs. The Mainframe 6000 is connected via Ethernet
Ethernet
Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies for local area networks commercially introduced in 1980. Standardized in IEEE 802.3, Ethernet has largely replaced competing wired LAN technologies....
to either the Remote CPU 6000 and the TC ICON hardware controller or to a computer running TC ICON emulation software.
The System 6000 comes in two versions: Reverb 6000 and Mastering 6000. The difference between them lies in the included processing algorithms:
Reverb 6000 comes with reverb and delay
Delay (audio effect)
Delay is an audio effect which records an input signal to an audio storage medium, and then plays it back after a period of time. The delayed signal may either be played back multiple times, or played back into the recording again, to create the sound of a repeating, decaying echo.-Early delay...
effects for stereo
STEREO
STEREO is a solar observation mission. Two nearly identical spacecraft were launched into orbits that cause them to respectively pull farther ahead of and fall gradually behind the Earth...
and multi-channel purposes, while Mastering 6000 comes with algorithms suited for stereo
STEREO
STEREO is a solar observation mission. Two nearly identical spacecraft were launched into orbits that cause them to respectively pull farther ahead of and fall gradually behind the Earth...
and multi-channel audio mastering
Audio mastering
Mastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced...
purposes, and includes pitch-shifting tools. Several other optional algorithms are not included with any of the two variants and need to be acquired separately. The System 6000 series was upgraded to MK2 in 2010.
Finalizer
The Finalizer is a audio masteringAudio mastering
Mastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced...
tool, which comes in two versions: Finalizer 96K and Finalizer Express. Both of the Finalizers have a compressor
Audio level compression
Dynamic range compression, also called DRC or simply compression reduces the volume of loud sounds or amplifies quiet sounds by narrowing or "compressing" an audio signal's dynamic range...
, limiter
Limiter
In electronics, a limiter is a circuit that allows signals below a specified input power to pass unaffected while attenuating the peaks of stronger signals that exceed this input power....
, equaliser
Equalization
Equalization, is the process of adjusting the balance between frequency components within an electronic signal. The most well known use of equalization is in sound recording and reproduction but there are many other applications in electronics and telecommunications. The circuit or equipment used...
and a "Gain Maximiser". The Finalizer Express is a less-functional version of the Finalizer 96K, and it is unable to perform 96 kHz processing.
Guitar products
Since the company started out manufacturing guitar effects the current line TC Electronic manufactures are considered an important aspect of the company's business. There are several categories of product:Nova
Includes a line of pedals (Delay, Reverb, Modulator, Drive) and the Nova System Multi Effects processor
G-Series
Includes the top of the range G System (floor processor and switching unit), the dedicated acoustic processor G Natural and rack processors G Major 2 and G-Force.
Tuners
PolyTune - the world's first polyphonic guitar tuner introduced at the NAMM'10 show.
Compact Pedals
Includes the original SCF (Stereo Chorus Flanger), VPD1, MojoMojo Overdrive and Dark Matter Distortion.
TonePrint Pedals
Released at the NAMM'10 show these digital pedals have the ability to have TonePrints (custom tunings by famous guitar players) downloaded free from the TC website added and uploaded to the pedal via a mini USB socket.
Models include, Flashback Delay & Looper, Hall of Fame Reverb , Vortex Flanger, Shaker Vibrato and Corona Chorus.
Bass amplification products
In 2009 TC Electronic released a class D bass amplifier, RH450 (originally called RebelHead 450, but this name was cancelled later) along with the complementary RC 4 foot switch. In addition to this, TC Electronic developed a range of speaker cabinets for RH450 and other bass amplifiers: RS112(1x12" speakers) RS210(2x10" speakers), RS212(2x12" speakers) and RS410(4x10" speakers).Also, shortly after the presentation of the RH450 at NAMM'09, TC Electronic engaged a special Test Pilot program, selecting 24 bass-guitarists worldwide to test the amplifier on their concerts and rehearsals to then share their opinion with the world bass community.
The range has now grown with additional models being released giving more or less feaures at different price points
RH750
Blacksmith (1600w /4500w Peak)
Staccato '51 (developed in co-operation with Rocco Prestia from Tower of Power)
Classic 450
Combo 450
BG500 Combo (in 2x10" and 1x15" configurations)
BH500 Head
BC 210/212/410 Cabinets
PowerCore
PowerCore is a series of computer hardwareComputer hardware
Personal computer hardware are component devices which are typically installed into or peripheral to a computer case to create a personal computer upon which system software is installed including a firmware interface such as a BIOS and an operating system which supports application software that...
and software, somewhat similar in concept to the DSP card in Digidesign
Digidesign
Avid Audio is an American digital audio technology company. It was founded in 1984 by Peter Gotcher and Evan Brooks. The company began as a project to raise money for the founders' band, selling EPROM chips for drum machines. It is a subsidiary of Avid Technology, and during 2010 the Digidesign...
's Pro Tools
Pro Tools
Pro Tools is a digital audio workstation platform for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, developed and manufactured by Avid Technology. It is widely used by professionals throughout the audio industries for recording and editing in music production, film scoring, film, and television...
. At the base is a PowerCore unit, which allows the PowerCore VST
Virtual Studio Technology
Steinberg's Virtual Studio Technology is an interface for integrating software audio synthesizer and effect plugins with audio editors and hard-disk recording systems. VST and similar technologies use digital signal processing to simulate traditional recording studio hardware with software...
or AU
Audio Units
Audio Units are a system-level plug-in architecture provided by Core Audio in Mac OS X developed by Apple Computer. Audio Units are a set of application programming interface services provided by the operating system to generate, process, receive, or otherwise manipulate streams of audio in...
plug-ins to run, and performs all the processing, thus allowing lower latency
Latency (engineering)
Latency is a measure of time delay experienced in a system, the precise definition of which depends on the system and the time being measured. Latencies may have different meaning in different contexts.-Packet-switched networks:...
and higher audio quality to be achieved.
PowerCore hardware is available in these versions:
PowerCore Firewire - a 1U rack unit
Rack unit
A rack unit or U is a unit of measure used to describe the height of equipment intended for mounting in a 19-inch rack or a 23-inch rack...
that connects to the computer via FireWire
PowerCore X8 - same as the Firewire edition as above but double the processing power (8 Freescale processors instead of 4)
PowerCore 6000 - same as the X8 edition as above and also includes licenses for the System 6000-ported plug-ins
PowerCore Sonnox Edition - same as the X8 edition as above and also includes licenses for Sonnox Dynamics & EQ
PowerCore Compact - a smaller-sized unit that connects to the computer via FireWire
PowerCore PCI mkII - a PCI card
PowerCore Express - a PCI Express
PCI Express
PCI Express , officially abbreviated as PCIe, is a computer expansion card standard designed to replace the older PCI, PCI-X, and AGP bus standards...
card, otherwise similar to PowerCore PCI mkII
PowerCore Unplugged - a PCI card, with no plug-ins included and a lower price. It can be used with specific optional plug-ins and as an addition to an existing PowerCore system.
Studio equipment
Studio equipment manufactured by TC Electronic includes equalizersEqualization
Equalization, is the process of adjusting the balance between frequency components within an electronic signal. The most well known use of equalization is in sound recording and reproduction but there are many other applications in electronics and telecommunications. The circuit or equipment used...
, microphone preamplifiers
Preamplifier
A preamplifier is an electronic amplifier that prepares a small electrical signal for further amplification or processing. A preamplifier is often placed close to the sensor to reduce the effects of noise and interference. It is used to boost the signal strength to drive the cable to the main...
, compressors
Audio compression
Audio compression may refer to:*Audio compression , a type of lossy compression in which the amount of data in a recorded waveform is reduced for transmission with some loss of quality, used in CD and MP3 encoding, Internet radio, and the like...
, level maximizers and multi-effect units (such as FireworX).
FireworX
FireworX is a "multi-effects processor". Producers and DJs, such as SashaSasha (DJ)
Sasha is a Welsh DJ and record producer. Sasha began his career playing acid house dance music in the late 1980s...
, use or used Fireworx in conjunction with CD players for live performances. Fireworx won best Hardware Signal Processing Technology at the 1998 TEC Awards
TEC Awards
The TEC Awards is an annual program recognizing the achievements of audio professionals. The awards are given to honor technically innovative products as well as companies and individuals who have excelled in sound for television, film, recordings and concerts...
.http://tecfoundation.com/tec/1998.html
The unit itself incorporates effects such as distortion
Distortion
A distortion is the alteration of the original shape of an object, image, sound, waveform or other form of information or representation. Distortion is usually unwanted, and often many methods are employed to minimize it in practice...
, compression
Gain compression
Gain compression is a reduction in 'differential' or 'slope' gain caused by nonlinearity of the transfer function of the amplifying device. This nonlinearity may be caused by heat due to power dissipation, or by overdriving the active device beyond its linear region...
, noise and curve generators, ring modulation, vocoding
Vocoder
A vocoder is an analysis/synthesis system, mostly used for speech. In the encoder, the input is passed through a multiband filter, each band is passed through an envelope follower, and the control signals from the envelope followers are communicated to the decoder...
, parametric equalizers
Equalization
Equalization, is the process of adjusting the balance between frequency components within an electronic signal. The most well known use of equalization is in sound recording and reproduction but there are many other applications in electronics and telecommunications. The circuit or equipment used...
, tremolo
Tremolo
Tremolo, or tremolando, is a musical term that describes various trembling effects, falling roughly into two types. The first is a rapid reiteration...
, reverb and delay
Delay (audio effect)
Delay is an audio effect which records an input signal to an audio storage medium, and then plays it back after a period of time. The delayed signal may either be played back multiple times, or played back into the recording again, to create the sound of a repeating, decaying echo.-Early delay...
. The effects can be routed in a large variety of ways, and it is possible to modify different parameters.
PA, installation and broadcasting products
TC Electronic also produces equalizersEqualization
Equalization, is the process of adjusting the balance between frequency components within an electronic signal. The most well known use of equalization is in sound recording and reproduction but there are many other applications in electronics and telecommunications. The circuit or equipment used...
for live use, gain maximizers, loudness controllers, and several products that reduce loudness variations during broadcasting
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
. TC Electronic also has been a partner in developing loudness standardisation work with international standards bodies such as the ITU, ATSC and EBU.
Software
TC Electronic develops a range of plug-ins for its PowerCore system. They are all in the VSTVirtual Studio Technology
Steinberg's Virtual Studio Technology is an interface for integrating software audio synthesizer and effect plugins with audio editors and hard-disk recording systems. VST and similar technologies use digital signal processing to simulate traditional recording studio hardware with software...
or AU
Audio Units
Audio Units are a system-level plug-in architecture provided by Core Audio in Mac OS X developed by Apple Computer. Audio Units are a set of application programming interface services provided by the operating system to generate, process, receive, or otherwise manipulate streams of audio in...
formats, but cannot run without the PowerCore hardware. Some of these plug-ins are included with all of the PowerCore systems, except PowerCore Unplugged.
The plugins include equalizers
Equalization
Equalization, is the process of adjusting the balance between frequency components within an electronic signal. The most well known use of equalization is in sound recording and reproduction but there are many other applications in electronics and telecommunications. The circuit or equipment used...
, noise removal plugins, reverbs, analog filter banks emulators, compressors and psychoacoustic
Psychoacoustics
Psychoacoustics is the scientific study of sound perception. More specifically, it is the branch of science studying the psychological and physiological responses associated with sound...
effects.
TC Electronic also manufactures plug-ins for the HD version of Digidesign
Digidesign
Avid Audio is an American digital audio technology company. It was founded in 1984 by Peter Gotcher and Evan Brooks. The company began as a project to raise money for the founders' band, selling EPROM chips for drum machines. It is a subsidiary of Avid Technology, and during 2010 the Digidesign...
's Pro Tools
Pro Tools
Pro Tools is a digital audio workstation platform for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, developed and manufactured by Avid Technology. It is widely used by professionals throughout the audio industries for recording and editing in music production, film scoring, film, and television...
and Soundscape
Soundscape Digital Technology
Soundscape Digital Technology pioneered Windows based multi-channel studio recording, editing and mastering from the early 1990’s, becoming one of the most widely respected Digital Audio Workstations.- Soundscape SSHDR1 :...
software.
These plug-ins are also available in a PowerCore version (some of them are ported from the System 6000). They include vocal harmonisers, mastering plugins, reverbs and compressors.
Spark audio editor
TC Electronic also developed a two-track digital audio editorDigital audio editor
A digital audio editor is a computer application for audio editing, i.e. manipulating digital audio. Digital audio editors are the main software component of a digital audio workstation.-For use with music:...
, which featured mastering tools and different effects.
Reviews
- http://www.recordproduction.com/tc%20electronic%20FireworX.htm
- Sound on SoundSound on SoundSound on Sound is an independently-owned monthly music technology magazine published by SOS Publications Group, based in Cambridge, UK. The magazine includes product tests of electronic musical performance and recording devices, and interviews with industry professionals...
- http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jun98/articles/fireworx.html