TC Electronic Finalizer PLUS/96K User Manual

USER’S MANUAL

Finalizer PLUS/96K

STUDIO MASTERING PROCESSOR

3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Table of contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Signal flow diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Finalizer setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

BASIC OPERATION

Recall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Main page

Input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Inserts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Digital Radiance Generator. . . . . . . 19

Stereo Adjust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Dynamic EQ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

EQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

External Insert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

MS Encoding/Decoding . . . . . . . . . 21

Spectral Stereo Image . . . . . . . . . . 21

Normalizer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Expander. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Compressor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Limiter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Dither . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Fade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Tools

Flow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Peak-Hold Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Phase Meter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Calibration Tone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Digital I/O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Wizard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Compare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Reset page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Technical specifications - PLUS . . . . . 43

Technical specifications - 96 . . . . . . . 44

MIDI-implementation chart . . . . . . . . . . 45

MIDI-Continuous Controllers . . . . . . . . 46

Self test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

APPENDIX

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Tutorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Trouble shooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Soldering instructions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Preset list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Optional Master Fader . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

TC Electronic, Sindalsvej 34, DK-8240 Risskov - [e-mail]

Rev 1.6 - SW - V 3.50
Prod No: 606051713

5

WELCOME

Congratulations on the purchase of your new Finalizer PLUS/96.
We hope that you will have as much pleasure using it, as we had making it.

The Finalizer PLUS/96 is the result of an intense research process combined with the experience and unique creativity of TCs Research
and Development group. The Finalizer PLUS/96 gives you all the tools you need to put the finishing touch on your mix. With its powerful
Multiband processing, you can touch up the last details of your mix and enhance the energy and level, in order to make the mix sound
punchier and louder.

Note: To increase readability of this manual the Finalizer PLUS/96 is from this point generally referred to as the Finalizer.

It is possible to update you Finalizer PLUS to a Finalizer 96.
Please contact your local dealer for further information regarding procedure and update fee.

Three band Compressor, Limiter, Expander

Lets you optimize the dynamics of your mix independently
in three bands.

Five band parametric EQ

The EQ allows you to touch up the overall spectral details.

Dynamic EQ/De-esser

Controls a specific frequency in order to remove unwanted
sibilance.

MS Encoder/Decoder

Converts a Mid/Side signal to Left/Right or vice versa.

External Insert

Insert an external device e.g. your favorite tube EQ.

Normalizer including Softclipping

Optimize your gain before you start compressing, the
Softclipper will prevent occasional overshoots.

Real time Sample Rate Converter

Change the Sample Rate of the incoming Digital signal
while mastering your mix.

High Quality 24 bit A/D and D/A converters

Ensures optimal Analog to Digital conversion.

Digital I/Os: AES/EBU, S/PDIF, Tos-link and ADAT

Allows you to interface with virtually any Digital piece of
equipment.

Digital Radiance Generator

Adds the Analog warmth to your signal through second har­monic distortion.

Spectral Stereo Image

Increase or decrease the stereo feeling of the signal in 3 sepa­rate adjustable frequency bands. (Finalizer 96 only).

96kHz

Due to the new 100MHz processor it is now possible to process
the entire signal in 96kHz, giving you a maximum
frequency response of 48kHz. (Finalizer 96 only).

Main features :

6

FRONT PANEL

INDICATORS

Overload

Indicates internal overload.
In the Tool/Flow menu you
can see exactly where the
overload occurs.

Sample Rate Indicator

48000Hz
44100Hz
32000Hz
If no valid Clock Rate is pre­sent all three LEDs will blink.

MIDI In

MIDI receive indicator.

Card

Indicates when data is trans­ferred to or from the card.

Working

Indicates when brief
calculations take place.

Edited

Preset has been edited.

POWER &
MEMORY CARD

Electronic power switch

»Easy touch«
Turn on the machine with
a single light touch. To
turn off the machine you
must press and hold
down the POWER key
approx. 3 seconds until
the display reads
Finalizer.

PC-CARD memory card

Copy presets to/from a
standard memory card.

Card types

S-RAM Type 1 PCMCIA
cards, with a minimum of
64KB and a maximum of
2MB memory.

POWER

MIDI IN

48000Hz

OVERLOAD

44100Hz

32000Hz

CARD

WORKING

EDITED

-1 -0.5

-2

-2

0

-1

-1

OUTPUT

L

L

R

R

INPUT

GAIN REDUCTION LIM

EXP

Normalizer LIM

SOFTCLIP

HI

MI

-10-12-14-16-18-20-22-24-0-26-3-28-6-30-9-32

-12-18

-36-44-48-60 -40

-24-30-40-60

-8

-24 -20

-24 -20

-16

-16

-6 -5

-12

-12

-4

-8-8-10

-10

-3

-6

-6

-2

-4

-4

dB

dB

dB

Output PPM

High resolution meters

SOFTCLIP LED

Indicates when
the Soft Clipper
is active

INPUT PPM

Range:

-60dBFS to
0dBFS.

COMPRESSOR
GAIN
REDUCTION
METERS

Indicates the
amount of
Compressor gain
reduction.

EXPANDER
INDICATORS

Indicates
when the
Expander is
active.

LIMIT LEDs

Indicates when
the Limiter is
active.

7

FUNCTIONS SECTION

MAIN PAGE

This key gives you access
to edit the entire signal flow,
from Input to Output.

TOOLS

Press this key and gain
access to the following tools:
Flow meter, Peak meter,
Phase correlation, DIO
(monitors Digital In/Out
signal) and Calibration.

WIZARD

Use The Wizard to quickly
find the optimal settings for
your program material.

UTILITY

MIDI, Security, Memory
management and much
more is located here.

PROGRAM SECTION

RECALL

Recall presets.

STORE

Store and name presets.

COMPARE

Compare the sound you
have right now with either a
level compensated bypass
or the original preset.

BYPASS

Bypass the signal process­ing.

CONTROL SECTION

OK

Confirm operations
and switch individual blocks on/off.

HELP

Get help on selected display func­tion.

BLOCK < >

Select which block to edit in the
Main page.

MENU up/down
Vertically oriented menu selector.

PARAMETER < >

Moves cursor horizontally for
selection of parameter to be modi­fied.

BAND < >

Select between the three bands
on the Com/Lim/Exp pages.
Select which band to modify in the
EQ block.

WIZARD

BLOCK ON/OFF

MENU

PARAMETER

BAND

QUICK STORE

ADJUST

BLOCK

HELP

RECALL

MAIN PAGE

STORE

TOOLS

COMPARE

WIZARD

BYPASS

UTILITY

FUNCTIONS

PROGRAM CONTROL

-1 -0.5

-2

-2

0

-1

-1

OUTPUT

L

L

R

R

INPUT

GAIN REDUCTION LIM

EXP

Normalizer LIM

SOFTCLIP

HI

MI

-10-12-14-16-18-20-22-24-0-26-3-28-6-30-9-32

-12-18

-36-44-48-60 -40

-24-30-40-60

-8

-24 -20

-24 -20

-16

-16

-6 -5

-12

-12

-4

-8-8-10

-10

-3

-6

-6

-2

-4

-4

dB

dB

dB

ADJUST wheel

Sets parameter values and
preset numbers.

8

REAR PANEL

The Sync In
This word clock Input gives you the following functions:

- External reference for A/D or D/A

- External reference for Sample Rate Conversion

- External reference for Digital Inputs

The Input impedance is 75 ohm. A BNC to RCA Phono converter plug is included with your Finalizer for con­nection with equipment carrying BNC word clock connectors.

If you are connecting the Finalizer to unbalanced equipment, you must tie pins 1 and 3 together in the cable
ends away from the Finalizer.

Please refer to page 52 for soldering instructions of the different cable types.

Main

Power

Switch

Power

Input

Balanced

XLR

Inputs

Balanced

XLR

Outputs

Serial

no.

Digital In/Out

AES/EBU

S/PDIF, ADAT

Tos-link

Wordclock

Sync
Input

MIDI

In, Thru, Out

Pedal/

Fader

Input

9

SIGNAL FLOW

Notes regarding the signal flow:

Since the Finalizer is using 24 A/D-D/A converters, Dithering is available on Digital Outputs only.

10

FINALIZER SETUP

Setup with an Analog mixing console and a Digital
recording device.

1. Connect the Analog Output of your mixer to the Analog Input of
the Finalizer.

2. Connect the Digital Output of the Finalizer to the Input of your
Digital recording device.

3. Connect the Analog Output of the Finalizer to your
monitor system.

Example 1

Example 2

Setup with a Digital mixing console and a Digital
recording device

1. Connect the Digital Output of your mixer to the Digital Input of
the Finalizer.

2. Connect the Digital Output of the Finalizer to the Input of
your Digital recording device.

3. Connect the Analog Output of the Finalizer to
your monitor system.

Finalizer Setup

The Finalizer is carefully designed to optimize the overall level and enhance the energy and clarity in your mix.
The use of the three band Compressor, Limiter and Expander makes the dynamics section of the Finalizer very flexible, while
maintaining the fidelity of the original material. The dynamics section, in a combination with a Normalizer and a five band
Equalizer, gives you a very powerful tool, to finish the last details of your mix.

Because the Finalizer can be used with different applications, we propose a couple of different setups.

11

Example 3

Mastering from DAT to DAT

1. Connect the Digital Output of DAT #1 to the Digital Input
of the Finalizer.

2. Connect the Digital Output of the Finalizer to the Digital
Input of DAT #2.

Using the Finalizer with ADAT and BRC

1. Connect the Finalizers optical out to the ADATs optical in.

2. Connect the ADATs optical out to the Finalizers optical in.

3. Enter the In section of the Finalizer (Main page) and set the

"Clock" to "ADAT".

This will force the Finalizer to follow the clock of the ADAT.

Note: This is only possible when using the Analog Inputs of the Finalizer.

Example 4

FINALIZER SETUP

12

Preset banks

Factory
presets

Your own
presets

The Finalizer contains two different preset banks. A RAM bank
and a ROM bank.

Finalizer PLUS :

The ROM bank holds 28 presets
The RAM bank holds up to 128 presets.

Finalizer 96 :

The ROM bank holds 30 presets
The RAM bank holds up to 128 presets.

The RAM preset bank is located after the ROM bank. This means
that you scroll through the ROM presets to enter the RAM bank.

For fast RAM/ROM access use the BLOCK keys
to switch between the two banks.

Note: When previewing in the RAM bank you will not see the
empty RAM spaces.

Factory/User presets

RECALL

Select which blocks to load from
new preset.

Preset name

Preset number

ROM bank

RAM bank

Recalling a preset

Press the RECALL key in the Program section and
scroll through the presets using the ADJUST wheel.
Press OK to recall when you find the desired preset.

You are able to search for another preset before recalling it. This
is called previewing. Until you press OK you are previewing. At
this point your OK key is blinking, indicating that the preset dis­played is not yet recalled (active).

The Recall Display

In the Recall display, you will see an information section at the
bottom of the screen. In this section you are able to see which
blocks are activated in the current preset. In the upper right
corner, you see an indication of which bank you are previewing.

Partial Recall

It is also possible to recall separate sections of a preset. This is
extremely useful when you want to combine, lets say your
favorite settings of the Normalizer from one preset, with your
favorite EQ settings from another preset.

Exercise 1:
How to make a Partial Recall

Scenario: You love preset no. 3 but would like to use the
Normalizer from ROM preset no. 6.

- Select ROM preset no. 3.

- All  is now highlighted (transparent) in the Recall display.

- Use the PARAMETER keys to select the Normalizer block.

- Use the ADJUST wheel to select ROM preset no. 6
and press OK.

The Normalizer from preset no. 6 is now recalled into
preset no. 3.

Short info about the preset

128 RAM

PRESETS

28/30 ROM

PRESETS

13

STORE

Storing a User preset and handling preset names

Storing a preset with the same name:

- Press the STORE key

- Select a location for your new preset using the ADJUST wheel

(You can store your preset in the RAM bank only, and the Finalizer therefore automatically selects this bank)

- Press OK and the preset is stored with the same name at the selected location
Storing a preset with a new name:

- Move the cursor, using the MENU keys, to select the name line

- Type the new preset name. (Select letters with the ADJUST wheel and confirm each letter with OK.

Note that you can always move the cursor using the PARAMETER keys)

- To store the preset with the new name select DONE in the Letterbox and press OK

Store location

What is stored where?

Global parameters

Global parameters (or system parameters) are not affected by
preset recalls. The parameters include:

- Input and Output blocks on the Main page (except Lo-cut):
Formats, I/O levels, Insert Enable and Dither.

- Parameters in the Utility page.

- Parameters in the Tools Digital out page.

To reset the Global parameters, follow the guidelines on page 42
of this manual.

Preset parameters

Preset parameters may change with every preset and when the
Wizard is invoked. They are modified in most Blocks of the
Main page. Exceptions are the In and Out Blocks. (However, Lo­cut in the In block is also part of a preset).

Preset name

Letterbox

Cursor arrows

CAPS LOCK
Indicator

Place cursor here and press OK
to finalize the store operation

Note: Asking for an External Insert is part of a preset. Enabling
a specific External Insert is part of the Global parameters.
When an Analog Insert is specified, the I/O interface levels are
stored with the preset.

Using a Memory card:

Insert the card. The Finalizer will now autodetect your card and
the Store and Recall facilities will be attached to the memory
card. The Finalizer will now use the memory card as its RAM
bank. When you remove your memory card, the Finalizer will
switch back to the internal RAM bank.

If the format of the memory card is not correct, the Finalizer will
detect this immediately. The card will automatically be formatted
the first time you save or dump information to the card.

Note: This will destroy all exsisting information on the card.

Card types

S-RAM Type 1 PCMCIA cards, with a minimum of 64 KB and a
maximum of 2 MB memory.

14

MAIN PAGE Input

Select the In section on the Main page using the
BLOCK keys.
The global level controls should be set to optimize the
performance of the 24 bit A/D converter in the
Finalizer.

The In block is divided into two pages accessible by
using the MENU keys. The Input choice in page 1
enables or disables other parameters such as External
Insert and Sample Rate Conversion and the Input
choice should therefore be carried out as step no. 1.

Please note that the DSP MODE 48/96 is available
only in the Finalizer 96.

Basic operation

Press the PARAMETER keys to move the cursor, and turn the
ADJUST wheel to change values.

Page 1

This page is identical to page 1 in the Out block

Considerations setting up the Input page:
Maximum A/D performance

When converting from Analog to Digital, maximum A/D
performance is crucial to maintain the maximum quality. In order
to achieve this, the A/D converter should be given the best
operational conditions. Setting the clock of the converter is one of
the points where you have to carefully consider your choice.
The ideal situation for any converter is to use the internal clock of
the converter itself. This will ensure a minimum of artifacts like
jitter.

Input Sample Rate and Sample Rate Conversion (SRC)

When a Digital Input is used, the transmitting device and the
Finalizer need to run at the same Clock Rate, or Sample Rate
Conversion (SRC) must to be used.
If the SRC is off, you have to set either the Finalizer in External
Clock mode, or the transmitting device must get a Clock Rate
from the Finalizer running in internal clock mode.
To test the Digital connection, try listening for a minute or so to a
sine tone at e.g. -18dBFS generated by the transmitting device. If
you hear no distortion or glitches, youve probably got it right.

INPUT

Input type
select

Clock
select

Digital Output
formats

I 2I 1 NORMALIZER EXPANDER COMPRESSOR LIMITER OUTPUT

Left/Right
Input level

L/R Fine
adjust

LoCut
Frequency

Sample Rate
Conversion
on/off

In page no 1 In page no 2

Insert

Mode selector

15

MAIN PAGE Input

Sample Rate Conversion may be applied to the AES/EBU,
S/PDIF or Tos-link Input. The Input Sample rate is asynchronous,
with the Output of the Sample Rate Converter locked to the
system Clock source.
Internal references at 44.1and 48 or an external Word Clock
signal may be used to drive the Sample Rate Converter.

Sample Rate LEDs
When a Digital Input is used, and the signal is recognized, one of
the three yellow Rate LEDs light up. If no signal is present, and
youve selected a Digital Input or Insert, all three LEDs will blink.

Note: Blinking LEDs indicate an error condition. The Outputs of
the Finalizer are muted.

Digital Input Formats and levels

Several Digital Input formats are supported: AES/EBU, S/PDIF,
Tos-link and ADAT. If you select ADAT format, you are allowed
to pick two independent tracks for processing in the Finalizer.
Format conversions between any of the mentioned formats are
available.
Level calibrations are easily maintained in the Digital domain.
However, with a Digital Input selected, level and balance
adjustments may be performed digitally in Input page 2.
When a Digital Input is selected, the Clock selection defaults to
EXT DI (External Digital In). This selection may be overruled as
explained in the Sample Rate.

Mode 48/96

Mode 48 gives you a maximum frequency response of 24kHz.
Mode 96* (Double Sample Rate) gives you a maximum
frequency response of 48kHz.

Unlimited Up and Down Sampling

Sample Rate Conversion between all Sample Rates is possible.
Input Sample Rates of 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96kHz is accepted and
can be up/down-sampled to 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96kHz.
This up and down sampling feature is available from software
version 3.50 and up and requires a minor hardware upgrade.
Please contact your local dealer for further information regarding
upgrade procedure and upgrade fee.
The new hardware is installed from factory in Finalizer 96Ks
with serial no. 1214250 and above. To see if the new hardware is
installed: Install the 3.5 software and reboot the unit. If the
Up/Down sampling logo appears during power-up, both software
and hardware is installed

Note: Software 3.5 will operate on Finalizer PLUS and old Finalizer
96K, but the up/downsampling feature is available only in
conjunction with the hardware update.

Example 1:
You have a Digital signal at a Sample Rate of 96kHz present on
the Input and you wish to have a signal at a Sample Rate of

44.1kHz on the Output.

- Select Digital Input type: S/PDIF, AES/EBU or Tos.

- Set the Sample Rate Conversion SRC to On.

- Select Mode48.

- Select Output Clock frequence 44.1kHz.
You now have a Clock Rate on the Output of 44.1kHz

Example 2:
You have a Digital signal at a Sample Rate of 44.1kHz present
on the Input and you wish to have a signal at a Sample Rate of
96kHz on the Output.

- Select Digital Input type: S/PDIF, AES/EBU or Tos.

- Set the Sample Rate Conversion SRC to On.

- Select Mode96.

- Select Output Clock frequence 96kHz.
You now have a Clock Rate on the Output of 96kHz

Example 3:
You have an Analog signal on the Input and you wish to have a
signal at a Sample Rate of 96kHz on the Output.

- Select Input type: Analog.

- Sample Rate Conversion is automatically set to Off.

- Select Mode 96.

- Select Output Clock frequence 96kHz.
You now have a Clock Rate on the Output of 96kHz.

Clock - Sample Rate

Select which clock you want the Finalizer to sync to.
Mode 48: Internal 44,1, Internal 48, External sync. or External
Sync, AES/EBU, S/PDIF or ADAT.
Mode 96*: Internal 88,2, Internal 96, External sync. or External
Sync, AES/EBU, S/PDIF or ADAT.

Optical - Digital Output Formats

The available Output formats are determined by the Input and
Insert selections. Optical Outputs may be chosen between ADAT,
Tos-link and Thru.

- When ADAT is selected, you may assign the Finalizer
signals to any two ADAT channels.

- When Thru is selected, the Optical Output is a copy of the
Optical Input, regardless of format.

* 96kHz is only available in Finalizer 96. MODE 96 must be
selected.

16

MAIN PAGE Input

Page 2

Use the MENU keys to switch between page 1 and 2

Analog Input Level

When Analog Input is selected, Analog gain up to +26dB, or
attenuation to -6dB before the A/D converters may be applied.

For professional signal interfacing, the Level control should
normally be positioned between -6 and +6dB corresponding
with a 0dBFS signal at +22 to +10dBu. If you need more than
6dB gain you should consider raising the Output of the
transmitting device.
For consumer signal interfacing the Level control should
normally be positioned between +18dB and +6dB.
When Analog Input is selected the Clock selection defaults to
INT 48 (Internal 48kHz). This selection may be overruled as
explained in the Sample Rate section.

Fine Balance

Set the balance of the Left/Right channels.
Ranges: 0 to -3dB Left/Right.

LoCut

The LoCut filter is global, and is used to filter out any sub-bass
frequency or DC contents in the current signal.

Note: The LoCut filter might introduce occasional overshoots
when Hot signals are Input.

Finalizer & ADAT

When using the Finalizer in a setup with ADATs there are a
couple of recommendations to keep in mind.
There are two different situations: An ADAT setup with BRC
(Big Remote Control), and an ADAT setup without BRC.

If the BRC is not connected, the ADAT should be slaved to
incoming Finalizer Clock. Use the following:

1. Connect the Finalizers optical out to the ADAT optical in.

2. Select "Digital in" on the ADAT.
The ADAT will now use the Finalizer clock.

Note: Slaving the Finalizer to the ADAT clock will reduce the
Finalizers A/D converter performance.

When using the Finalizer with ADATs and a BRC it is
recommendable to use this setup:

1. Connect the Finalizers optical out to the ADAT optical in.

2. Connect the ADATs optical out to Finalizer optical in.

3. Enter the In section of the Finalizer (Mainpage) and set the
"Clock" to "ADAT".

This will force the Finalizer to follow the clock of the ADAT.

Note: This is only possible when using the Analog Inputs of the
Finalizer.

The ADAT is forced to follow the clock of the BRC. In order to
synchronize the Finalizer to the ADAT, the clock of the ADAT
is used as master clock in the Finalizer.

Insert - External Insert

Instead of internal processing, one of the two Insert points may
be set up for external processing. The Ext. Insert may be
Analog, AES/EBU or S/PDIF depending on your Input choice.
When a Digital Input is selected only an Analog Insert can be
used.

Note: Asking for an External Insert is part of a preset.
Enabling a specific External Insert is part of the Global
parameters - set in In page 1.
When an Analog Insert is specified, the I/O interface levels are
stored with the preset.
If a preset containing an Ext. Insert is recalled, but no Ext.
Insert is available in your current setup, the External Insert is
disabled but still shown in the Insert page, until you change the
Insert configuration in the In or Out page.

17

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