TC Electronic M3000 User Manual
M3000
STUDIO REVERB PROCESSOR
USERS MANUAL
a
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1 Read these instructions.
2 Keep these instructions.
3 Heed all warnings.
4 Follow all instructions.
5 Do not use this apparatus near water.
6 Clean only with dry cloth.
7 Do not block any ventilation openings.
Install in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions.
8 Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators,
heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including
amplifiers) that produce heat.
9 Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or
grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades
with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug
has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide
blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If
the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult
an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10 Protect the power cord from being walked on or
pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles,
and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
11 Only use attachments/accessories specified by the
manufacturer.
12 Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when
unused for long periods of time.
13 Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Servicing is required when the apparatus has been
damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or
plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects
have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been
exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally,
or has been dropped.
• This equipment should be installed near the socket
outlet and disconnection of the device should be easily
accessible.
• Do not install in a confined space.
• Do not open the unit - risk of electric shock inside.
Caution:
You are cautioned that any change or modifications not
expressly approved in this manual could void your authority
to operate this equipment.
Service
• There are no user-serviceable parts inside.
• All service must be performed by qualified personnel.
WARNING
• To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not
expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
• This apparatus must be earthed.
• Use a three wire grounding type line cord like the one
supplied with the product.
• Be advised that different operating voltages require the
use of different types of line cord and attachment plugs.
• Check the voltage in your area and use the
correct type. See table below:
Voltage Line plug according to
standard.
110-125V UL817 and CSA C22.2 no 42.
220-230V CEE 7 page VII, SR section
107-2-D1/IEC 83 page C4.
240V BS 1363 of 1984.
Specification for 13A fused
plugs and switched and
unswitched socket outlets.
The lightning flash with an arrowhead symbol
within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert
the user to the presence of uninsulated
"dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure
that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a
risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral
triangle is intended to alert the user to the
presence of important operating and maintenance
(servicing) instructions in the literature
accompanying the product.
b
NOTE
Certificate Of Conformity
TC Electronic A/S, Sindalsvej 34, 8240 Risskov, Denmark,
hereby declares on own responsibility that following
product:
M3000 Digital Signal Processor
That is covered by this certificate and marked with CE-label
conforms with following standards:
EN 60065 Safety requirements for mains
(IEC 60065) operated electronic and related
apparatus for household and similar
general use
EN 55103-1 Product family standard for audio,
video, audio-visual and entertainment
lighting control apparatus for
professional use.
Part 1: Emission.
EN 55103-2 Product family standard for audio,
video, audio-visual and entertainment
lighting control apparatus for
professional use.
Part 2: Immunity.
With reference to regulations in following directives:
73/23/EEC, 89/336/EEC
Issued in Risskov, December 2002
Anders Fauerskov
Managing Director
EMC / EMI.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
the limits for a Class B Digital device, pursuant to part 15 of
the FCC rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in residential installations. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on. The user
is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and
receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit
different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV
technician for help.
For the customers in Canada:
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian
ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la
norme NMB-003 du Canada.
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SAFETY &
CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY a-b
INTRODUCTION
Table of contents 3
Introduction 5
The Front Panel 6
The Rear Panel 8
The Signal Flow 9
BASIC OPERATION
Recall 10
Recall & Snapshots 12
Store 13
The Reverb Wizard 14
I/O - The Signal Page 15
Levels Menu 17
Routing 18
Routing & Studio Setup Examples 19
Utility and MIDI 20
MIDI Monitor 22
Full MIDI Implementation 22
Tempo 23
Edit 24
Dynamic Morphing 25
REVERB
VSS™ Introduction 26
VSS™FP - Film and Post 30
VSS™SR - Surround 32
Reverb programs
VSS™3 33
VSS™ Gate 35
VSS™ FP 39
VSS™ SR 42
C.O.R.E 45
REV 3 46
ADDITIONAL EFFECTS
Delay 47
Pitch 47
EQ 48
Chorus-Flanger 49
Tremolo 50
Phaser 51
Expander/Gate 51
Compressor 52
De-esser 53
APPENDIX
The Reset Page 54
Self Test 55
Troubleshooting 56
Glossary 57
Technical Specifications 58
MIDI Implementation Chart 59
Soldering Instructions 60
PRESET LIST 61
TC Electronic, Sindalsvej 34, DK-8240 Risskov - tcdk@tcelectronic.com English version Rev 3 - SW - V 2.04
Prod. No: 606067513
Main Features :
VSS™ technology giving you
- Real room simulation - giving the ability to simulate
the response of actual rooms.
- Spaciousness - the ability to create a wide and natural
sonic image and avoid the massive “wall of reverb”.
- Piano correctness - the ability to keep the signal in
100% correct pitch, even when engaging extensive
effects processing.
- Modulation Free - the ability to keep the signal
100% free of sound deteriorating modulation.
- Add Modulation - the option to add modulation to the
tail of the reverb in order to add life and feel to the
sound.
- With control of the Early Reflections you have the
ability to simulate all relevant parameters of
true ambience.
Reverbs
- VSS™3
- VSS™Gate
- VSS™FP
- VSS™SR
- C.O.R.E.
- Rev 3
Congratulations on the purchase of your new M3000.
We hope, that you will have as much pleasure using it as we had making it.
The objective of the M3000 has been to make the best reverb unit ever heard.
Utilizing the existing reverb technology to its limit didn’t satisfy the developers at TC, and we had to come up with an entirely new way of
thinking about reverb. This is now known as the VSS™ Technology.
The M3000 is first and foremost a reverb unit, but we have also included a long list of well-known, tested and loved algorithms from other
TC products as listed below.
- The M3000 is based on TC’s award-winning Dual Processing system, which gives you numerous options of combining the different
preset-algorithms.
- See the M3000 as two separate machines connected via a flexible routing system. The routings are; Serial, Parallel, Dual Input,
Dual Mono, Linked and Pre-Glide.
- The M3000 comes with 600 high grade factory presets (500 Single and 100 Combined), using our new VSS™ technology in
combination with well known algorithms from other TC Products.
- Store your favorite presets in the internal RAM bank. Up to 250 Single and 50 Combined user presets can be stored.
- Store your favorite presets on a standard PCMCIA-card, and you have your own “tools” with you wherever a M3000 is
available. Depending on the size of the card you can store up to 250 Single and 50 Combined presets.
INTRODUCTION
5
The algorithms in the M3000 are :
Additional Effects
- Delay
- Pitch
-EQ
- Expander
- Compressor
- Chorus/Flanger
- Tremolo/Panner
- Phaser
- De-esser
66
THE FRONT PANEL
SETUP SECTION
I/O
Input/Output.
Sample Rate.
Select Status bit Output.
Dithering.
ROUTING
Setup the internal routing
of the 2 Engines.
LEVELS
Input/Output Analog levels.
Digital/Input level.
UTIL/MIDI
Adjust the viewing angle of the display
for better comfort.
Security lock.
Glide Time setting.
Card handling.
Pedal Input.
MIDI.
SECONDARY FUNCTIONS
Help
(online help function)
MIDI Monitor (Monitors all MIDI ch. at the same time)
POWER + MEMORY CARD
POWER SWITCH
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 M3000.
This delay time is to avoid
switching off the device by
accident.
PCMCIA-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.
PPM + INDICATORS
PPM METERS
Ranging from -40dB to 0dB.
OVERLOAD
Indicates if internal overload
occurs.
SAMPLE RATE INDICATOR
48000Hz
44100Hz
32000Hz
MIDI IN
MIDI receive indicator.
CARD
Indicates presence of a valid
memory card.
TEMPO
Beats per minute indicator.
MORPHING
Indicates on-going morphing
between the two Engines.
7
ENGINE 1 OR 2
RECALL
Recall/activate the program
you have selected.
STORE
Save and name your
current preset. The M3000
holds 500 single factory
presets and up to 250
Single user presets.
EDIT
Enter the edit mode.
BYPASS
Individual bypass key for
each Engine.
Secondary functions
(with SHIFT activated)
Recall Wizard
Find a preset that matches your application
Delete preset
The fast (and only) way to delete presets
COMBINED 1+2
RECALL
Recall/activate Combined
presets.
STORE
Save and name Combined
presets. The M3000 holds
100 Combined factory
presets and up to 50
Combined user presets.
EDIT
Engine out level.
Dynamic Morphing.
BYPASS
Bypasses the entire device.
SNAPSHOTS 1-4
Quick Store/Recall of
Combined presets.
Secondary functions
(with SHIFT activated)
Recall Wizard.
Delete preset.
CONTROL SECTION
OK
Confirm operations.
SHIFT
Press to access secondary
functions
(Text below the buttons).
CURSORS
Move between parameters.
ADJUST wheel
Set parameter values
and preset numbers.
Secondary functions
(with SHIFT activated)
Cancel
Jump to the top or the bottom of the present displayed
parameter list.
THE FRONT PANEL
88
THE REAR PANEL
Notes:
To accommodate international regulations, we have also added a back panel power switch.
You do not need to use the POWER switch on the rear panel. Leave this POWER switch on and use our
Easy-Touch POWER switch on the front.
Be sure to select Channel Input in the I/O display when only one Input is used.
Pin 2 is »hot« on all XLR’s (AES Regulations).
If you are connecting the M3000 to unbalanced equipment, you must tie pins 1 and 3 together in the cable
ends away from the M3000. (Please see Soldering Instructions on page 61).
By connecting a momentary pedal to the External Control Input, you can control any one of four different
features: Engine 1 bypass, Engine 2 bypass, Engine 1+2 bypass or Tap Tempo.
Main
Power
Switch
Power
Input
Balanced
XLR
Analog
Inputs
Balanced
XLR
Analog
Outputs
Serial
no.
Digital
In/Out
AES/EBU
S/PDIF
Wordclock
RCA
MIDI
In,Thru,Out
External
Control
Input
Digital
In/Out
ADAT
Tos-link
9
THE SIGNAL FLOW
Notes regarding the signal flow:
As shown in the block diagram signals are present on all Outputs all the time.
You can dither to 22, 20, 18, 16,or 8 bit. (See the I/O section on page 15).
The Digital Input gain circuit is capable of »lifting« the signal level. This is a very useful feature if you e.g.
are feeding the M3000 with a DAT recording that is not fully leveled to 0dB.
10
Bank indicator
(RAM/ROM/CARD)
Engine 1
Engine 2
Algorithm type Primary parameter
Edited flag
Preset number
The Recall Displays
The Recall displays are the "homepage" of the M3000. Whenever you exit any other display this is where you return to.
As illustrated below the Recall display holds a few of the most important parameters for each of the two Engines at the same time.
Engine 1 is always displayed in the upper section and Engine 2 in the lower.
The "Edited flag" shows an E when you have changed a parameter in the preset. (See ill.)
Recalling a Preset
Press the RECALL key on Engine 1 or 2 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).
Use the CURSOR keys (or the other RECALL key) to access the
other Engine.
You can also use the Wizard to recall presets.
(See "The Wizard" on page 14).
If you wish to return to the original preset after
editing various parameters without storing your
changes, simply press the RECALL key on the
appropriate Engine followed by OK.
Primary parameters
Preset name
Recall Display
Combined Recall Display
Routing mode
RECALL
10
11
Preset banks
SINGLE
Factory presets
Your own presets
COMBINED
Factory/User Presets
The M3000 contains four different preset banks plus
two additional Card banks.
Single ROM bank:
This bank contains 500 Single factory presets. The presets are
available from Engine 1 and Engine 2.
Combined ROM bank:
The Combined bank contains 100 Combined factory presets.
The presets are available from the Combined Recall.
Single RAM bank:
This bank can hold up to 250 of your Single presets.
Combined RAM bank:
The Combined RAM bank can hold up to 50 of your Combined
presets (see Combined presets).
The RAM banks are located after the corresponding ROM banks.
Scroll through the 500/100 ROM presets to enter the RAM bank.
Note! Until you have stored one or more presets in the RAM bank
the RAM bank will not be accessible.
Card banks:
Use a standard PCMCIA and you have a portable RAM bank
containing up to 250 Single presets and 50 Combined presets.
Use a S-RAM Type 1 PCMCIA with min. 64KB and max. 2MB
of memory.
Press SHIFT and turn the ADJUST wheel one
click clockwise or counter-clockwise to jump to
the next preset section.
Example:
You have recalled any ROM preset between 1 and 250.
Press SHIFT and turn the ADJUST wheel clockwise one
click and you are now previewing preset 251.
Press SHIFT again and turn the ADJUST wheel
clockwise one more click.
You are now previewing ROM preset 500.
Opposit moves are possible by pressing SHIFT and
turning the ADJUST wheel counter-clockwise.
Combined Recall
A Combined preset consists of a specific preset in Engine 1;
a specific preset in Engine 2 and the routing between them.
Get acquainted with the different routings of
the two Engines. Routing is an important
setting when using both Engines.
(See "Routing" page 18).
As the standard Recall display, the Combined Recall display
holds a few important parameters: The preset name; the Decay
time for the two presets and the selected routing.
To Recall a Combined preset:
Press the Combined RECALL key and scroll through
the presets using the ADJUST wheel. Press OK to
recall when you find the preset you wish to use.
The preset number and the OK key will blink while you are previewing, indicating that the shown preset is not yet recalled.
250 RAM
PRESETS
500 ROM
PRESETS
50 RAM
PRESETS
100 ROM
PRESETS
RECALL
Your own card presets
250 CARD
PRESETS
50 CARD
PRESETS
1212
Exercise 1:
How to recall a preset
Select Engine 1 or 2 or the Combined 1+2 by pressing the corresponding RECALL key.
Turn the ADJUST wheel to scroll through the presets. While
scrolling you will see both the preset number in the display and
the LED of the OK key is blinking. At this point the preset is not
yet recalled (active). Select ROM preset #5 and press OK to
Confirm. Preset #5 is now recalled.
Exercise 2:
How to take a Snapshot
Press the Engine 1 RECALL key. Select e.g. preset #26
using the ADJUST wheel.
Press OK to confirm.
Press the Engine 2 RECALL key. Select e.g. preset #28
using the ADJUST wheel.
Press OK to confirm.
Press SHIFT followed by SNAPSHOT STORE key #1.
Your Snapshot is now stored.
To see that it works:
Recall two different presets in Engine 1 and 2.
Now press SNAPSHOT key #1, and once again you have
recalled preset #26 into Engine 1 and preset #28 into Engine 2.
Snapshots
The SNAPSHOT keys, located between the Combined
1+2 and the control section, are actually four fast
RECALL keys. Switch between your favorite Single
presets or Combined presets with the touch of a single
key or use the SNAPSHOTS as four compare keys.
A Snapshot will always include both presets and their Routing
just like a Combined preset.
With the Snapshots you are able to switch between completely
different configurations with the touch of a single key.
Store a Snapshot
When you want to store a Snapshot of your M3000 setup, press
SHIFT followed by one of the four SNAPSHOT keys.
Recalling a Snapshot
Recall of a Snapshot is very easy as well: Simply press the
relevant SNAPSHOT key and the M3000 has recalled the entire
setup.
RECALL & SNAPSHOTS
Index feature in the Recall Mode
Press and hold down the RECALL key on either Engine 1 or 2. A preset index display will pop up.
This feature gives you an overview over the Single ROM presets and enables you to quickly access the desired
type of presets.
If the current recalled preset is in the range of 1 - 250,
the overview will cover this range only.
If the current recalled preset is in the range of 251 - 500
the overview will cover this range only.
13
STORE
Storing a User preset and handling preset names.
Storing a RAM preset with the same name:
- Press the relevant STORE key (Engine 1, 2 or Combined 1+2)
- Use the ADJUST wheel to select a location for your new preset. (You can store your preset in the RAM bank).
- Press OK to store.
Storing a RAM preset with a new name:
- Press the relevant STORE key (Engine 1, 2 or Combined 1+2)
- Select a location for your new preset using the ADJUST wheel. (You can store your preset in the RAM bank
- Move the cursor to the new name line and write the new preset name.
(Select letters with the ADJUST wheel and confirm each letter with OK)
- Select DONE and press the OK key to store name and preset.
Store location
Exercise 3 :
Entering a new name step by step using the Letterbox
Changing the name of a preset is a part of the store operation.
For this exercise select Engine 1 by pressing its RECALL key.
- Press the STORE key and you will see the display similar
to the one illustrated above.
- The M3000 automatically suggests a RAM location where
you can store the preset. Choose one yourself by turning the
ADJUST wheel.
- Use the CURSOR keys to select the name line. Use the
ADJUST wheel to select a letter and press the OK key to
confirm each letter. To change caps select CAP and
press OK.
- Finish the operation by selecting DONE in the letterbox and
press OK to store.
Combined Store
The procedure of storing a Combined preset is exactly the same
as when you store a normal preset.
Note: A Combined preset stores the routing of the Engines along
with the preset.
New preset name
Letterbox
Cursor arrows
CAPS LOCK
Indicator
Place cursor here and press OK
to finalize store operation
Using a Memory Card:
When inserting a memory card you gain access to the card bank.
You can store up to 250 Single and 50 Combined user presets on
a card depending on the size of the card.
By using the card handling features in the UTIL/MIDI menu you
are able to copy a selection or an entire preset bank to a card or
the other way around.
Card types
S-RAM Type 1 PCMCIA cards, with a minimum of 64 KB and a
maximum of 2 MB memory.
NOTE ! If the card holds other information than M3000 presets
info, the card will automatically be formatted the first time you
save or dump to the card.
THE REVERB WIZARD
Press SHIFT and WIZARD to enter the Wizard function.
Use the CURSOR keys to select the different filters
and the ADJUST wheel to select filter parameters.
Set the three different categories as you desire and try out the
proposed presets. The Reverb Wizard will show the name and
number of the proposed preset.
Scroll through the presets using the ADJUST wheel and press OK to
recall.
At first you might think of this feature as “too easy” or a feature for
users less than professionals. Please don’t! If the presets suggested by
the Wizard are not the perfect choices in your opinion, they will at
least give you a very good starting point.
The Reverb Wizard is a unique guide that helps you
find the optimal factory preset for your program material. By selecting an algorithm and the instrument type
you wish to apply the reverb to, the Reverb Wizard
suggests a selection of relevant presets.
The Wizard is easy to access and simple to use.
Try the Wizard and listen what presets our creative
staff suggests for your specific application.
Select between Music or Post
production application
Engine 1 or 2 or 1+2
Select instrument or environment
Select the size of the reverb
Dial to select between the
presets that utilize the search
criteria. And press OK to recall
Name of the selected preset
Number of presets
utilizing the search
criteria
The Wizard Display
Press SHIFT and WIZARD to enter The Reverb Wizard.
14
15
The Signal page
In the Signal page you select the Input source plus other features.
Use the CURSOR keys to change cursor position, and the
ADJUST wheel to change values.
Input
Select Input source Analog or Digital format.
AES/EBU
- Digital AES/EBU can run up to 24 bits. Use the
balanced XLR Digital Input/Output for this connection.
AES/EBU should run balanced 110 Ohm cables. If the “Digital”
Sample Rate LEDs on the front panel are blinking, no clock is
present or the M3000 cannot lock to the incoming Clock.
S/PDIF
- S/PDIF are sometimes limited to 20 bits. All TC equipment output 24 bit on SPDIF outputs, and process 24 bit from
SPDIF inputs. Use the RCA jacks Input/Output for this connection. S/PDIF should run unbalanced 75ohm cables. If the
“Digital” Sample Rate LEDs on the front panel are blinking, no
clock is present or the M3000 cannot lock to the incoming clock.
Tos-link - Optical Tos-link uses the S/PDIF Digital format. Use
the Optical Input/Output for this connection. Tos-link uses
fiberoptic cables. If the “Digital” Sample Rate LEDs on the front
panel are blinking, no clock is present or the M3000 cannot lock
to the incoming clock.
ADA
T - When setting ADAT channels, use the CURSOR keys to
change position and the ADJUST wheel to select channel
number. It is possible to select two ADAT channels, process them
and send them out on two different ADAT channels.
Press the I/O key to setup various I/O parameters.
Move the marker using the CURSOR keys and turn the ADJUST wheel to change values.
If the “Digital” Sample Rate LEDs on the front panel is blinking,
no clock is present or the M3000 cannot lock to the incoming
clock.
Note: The 4-6 unprocessed channels of the ADAT are not passed
through the M3000.
Optical Thru
When the Optical parameter is set to Thru the Digital Input signal
(DI) will pass directly and unprocessed to the Digital Output (DO).
Clock/Sample Rate
The Clock parameter determines what source the M3000 is using
as Digital clock. The M3000 can use:
- Internal 44.1kHz
- Internal 48kHz
- Sync. - the M3000 will lock to the incoming Digital
Sample Rate (from the selected Digital Input) or the
External Sync (word clock).
- Clock - which means that the M3000 is will lock to the
selected input format.
- Digital - If AES/EBU or S/PDIF is selected as your Input
source, the M3000 will automatically switch the
Clock parameter to Digital.
The M3000 is capable of using its own internal clock while using
audio from the Digital Input. This means that you can use the
M3000 as master clock when working in a Digital setup. The
M3000 will automatically switch to the appropriate clock when
you select Input source.
Note: The External Sync Input recognizes standard Word Clock
from 32kHz to 48kHz.
Here you can freeze mix to 100%
Select Status Bit Output:
S/PDIF or AES/EBU standard
Sample Rate:
44100Hz,
48000Hz or
from Digital Inputs
Input selector
Channel select
Dither from 8-22 bits
on Digital Outputs.
Signal will be present on all
Outputs, all the time
I/O - THE SIGNAL PAGE
1616
The setting of MIX and CH (channel) parameters,
combined with the selected Routing mode (see page 18-
19), should be carefully considered to match the
situation in which you use the M3000.
CH (Channel)
The Channel parameter selects which channels the M3000 are
using for Input. The three possibilities are:
Stereo (STE) - Signals on both Left and Right Input will be
processed.
Left Input (L) - Only the signal present on the Left Input will
be processed.
Right Input (R) - Only the signal present on the Right Input will
be processed.
MIX
MIX - 100%. The Mix parameter of all presets will be 100%,
meaning that no direct signal will pass through the M3000.
The BYPASS keys will in this case work as mute in this case.
MIX - MIX. With this setting you can combine the dry signal
with the effects. In this case the BYPASS key will work as a
dry/wet switch.
Note: When the Engines are set to Serial Routing, the Mix
parameter at Engine 1 will still be adjustable.
Status Bit
This selector changes the Channel Status bits of the Digital
Output between professional and consumer format. When AES is
selected, the M3000 will output the professional AES/EBU
standard, and when S/PDIF is selected, the M3000 will output
the S/PDIF consumer standard.
The default setting is AES/EBU but some Digital consumer
products refuse to accept this professional standard.
In that case change to the S/PDIF consumer standard.
Example: If you are using a non-professional DAT machine as a
receiver of the M3000 Digital Output, and you cannot make it
accept the Digital Input, change the Status bit Output format
from AES/EBU to S/PDIF.
Note: The different Status Bit standards do not affect the quality
of the Audio Output from the M3000.
Dither
The M3000 can output dither from 8 through 22 bit resolution to
off. The dither type is TPDF (Triangular Probability Density
Function).
The M3000 is using internal 24 bit resolution and 24 bit
A/D-D/A converters and dither is therefore only present on the
Digital Outputs. It is recommendable to avoid using dither until
the final stage of a production.
Usually you would put the finishing touch on your production
with a TC Finalizer. If this is the case dither should be applied
with the Finalizer - not the M3000.
I/O - THE SIGNAL PAGE
17
Press the LEVELS key to access this menu.
To achieve optimal performance of the 24 bit A/D converters in the M3000, the correct setting of these levels is important.
Please check the technical specifications of the connected device. The Input Peak meter should read approximately -6 to -3dB for
maximum performance.
As illustrated below the Input/Output levels are displayed in dB as well as in two more visually oriented "bars".
The levels for the right and left channel can be adjusted individually or simultaneously.
Use the CURSOR keys to select either the L or R channel, and the ADJUST wheel to change value.
Placing the cursor between the L and the R enables you to adjust the left/right levels simultaneously.
Note! The Digital In level is capable of gaining +6dB.
Digital Input gain
Place cursor between L and R to adjust simultaneously
Input gain
and sensitivity
(Consumer/PRO)
Output gain
and level
(Consumer/PRO)
LEVELS MENU
Ranges
Analog Inputs
Consumer range: -16dBu to +10dBu
Professional range: -6dBv to +16dBv
Analog Outputs
Consumer range: -10dBu to +16dBu
Professional range: -16dBv to +6dBv
Digital Input Level
Adjust the Digital Input from: -16dB to +6dB.
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Serial
The serial mode is a stereo Input/Output
routing. It gives you two independent
effects in the same signal path. Please
understand that the entire Output from Engine 1 is fed into the
Input of Engine 2.
A common use of this particular routing could be
selecting a De-esser; a Compressor or a Chorus in
Engine 1 and a reverb or delay in Engine 2.
Parallel
The Parallel mode is a stereo Input/Output routing. Both Engines
will work as stereo effects and their Output
will be mixed down to a stereo signal. With
this routing, the M3000 can be used as two
parallel effects on the same stereo source.
You may also set the I/O menu to left Input to get two
independent stereo out effects on the M3000 from a single send on
the mixer.
Dual Mono
Using this mode you actually split the
M3000 into two independent mono effect
units. Use left Input/Output to connect
Engine 1, and right Input/Output to
connect Engine 2.
Linked
When you select the Linked Routing, the
two Engines will link together. This
means that the preset in Engine 1 will be
copied into Engine 2 and the Edit pages
will lock together. The Linked Routing is indicated by the two
EDIT LEDs which will be lit simultaneously. Left and Right
channel audio paths are completely separated in this routing.
Use this routing when you need e.g. two similar EQs,
De-essers or Compressors.
ROUTING
Press the ROUTING key in the "Setup section" to choose between six different routings. Use the CURSOR keys to
select a new routing followed by the OK key to confirm your choice. A small pop-up window will tell you that the
routing has changed.
Please note that how the selected Routing works, is highly affected by the settings of the Channel and MIX
parameters in the I/O display. (Please see page 16).
Dual Input (Split mode)
The Dual Input mode is a Dual Mono
In/Stereo Out routing. Left In is always
attached to ENGINE 1 and Right In is
attached to ENGINE 2. Using this
routing enables you to get two different effects with separated
Inputs; e.g. connect Aux 1 from your Mixer to Left In and Aux 2
to Right In. You now have access to two separate effects with a
common stereo Output. Set the individual preset Output volumes
to achieve the correct balance of the effects.
Preset Glide
When the Preset Glide Routing is
selected, the M3000 will perform preset
changes by crossfading the current effect
and the new preset. This gives you a very smooth change of
effects, e.g. allowing a Delay to keep repeating while a Chorus is
being faded in.
The Glide time is located in the Utility menu (see UTIL/MIDI).
Note: Only one Engine is available while the M3000 is in the
Preset Glide Mode.
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ROUTING & STUDIO SETUP EXAMPLES
Use two sends on your mixing console
Dual Input mode
Recall two different effects. Try recalling a gated reverb for, let’s say a snaredrum, in Engine 1
and a nice long hall type reverb for vocals in Engine 2. Using two different sends on your mixing console, you can now use the M3000 as two effect units sharing the same output.
And - not to forget - you are saving a set of return channels.
Create your own Vocal Reverb
Serial mode
You probably always wanted to have a long bright reverb on your lead vocal without “esses«
hanging for seconds. You can do this with the M3000. You simply connect a
“De-esser” and your favorite reverb in serial. The De-esser will cut away all sharp transients
in the signal.
If you want your vocal to have a unique “live feel”, or the reverberated signal to be slightly
detuned, simply connect the Pitch Shifter or Chorus in series with the reverb.
There are numerous applications in this mode - try them out.
Two individual inserts on your mixing console
Dual Mono mode
In the Dual Mono mode you are able to use two completely separate mono effects at the
same time. It can be Equalizers, Compressors, a De-esser or whatever you can imagine.
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Display
Viewing Angle:
Adjust for best contrast on the LCD display.
Preset glide:
Glide time
This parameter sets the Glide time of the incoming preset. The
parameter is only active when Preset Glide routing is selected
(See Routing on page 18).
In the MIDI section you are able to see the MIDI setup
of both Engine 1, Engine 2 and the Combined section
at the same time.
MIDI Input
Channel
Sets the Channel of which the current Engine will respond to.
When set to Omni, the M3000 will respond to all channels.
When set to Off, no MIDI will be received.
Filter
Sets whether the current section of the M3000 should respond to
MIDI Control changes (CTRL) and MIDI Program changes
(PROG) or not e.g. when Filter is set to PROG the M3000 will
only respond to MIDI Program changes.
PrgOffset
With this parameter, you are able to add to or subtract from the
incoming Program change; e.g. if the incoming Program change
is 123, and the Offset is set to +1, the Program change will now
be 124.
How to move around
In the UTIL/MIDI menu you always move by pressing
the CURSOR keys and change values by dialing the
ADJUST wheel.
UTILITY/MIDI
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Note: If you should forget your PIN-code, please enter the Reset
page (see page 54). This will release the M3000 from the locked
state. (You do not have to run any of the reset functions).
Memory Backup
Format Card
This function will format and erase the inserted PCMCIA card.
Press OK twice to confirm this action.
Warning: This action will overwrite ALL existing presets on the
current card.
Memory Copy
Copy From
Decide where you want to copy from and to.
“Single to Card” copies from the Single preset RAM bank to the
card. Card to Single copies the other way around. “Comb. to
Card” copies from the Combined preset RAM bank to Card, and
“Card to Comb.” copies the other way around.
RAM start
Select the preset number you want to start to copy from in the
selected RAM bank (Single or Combined).
Card Start
Select the preset number you want to start to copy from to the
card.
No of Presets
This parameter sets the number of presets to be copied
Execute Copy
Select this parameter and press OK twice to carry out the
selected copy action.
Memory to MIDI
Press OK to dump the all presets to a MIDI device such as a
sequencer.
External Control Input
When connecting a momentary pedal to the External Control
Input, you can use it to control any one of four different features:
Engine 1 Bypass, Engine 2 Bypass, Engine 1+2 Bypass, or Tap
Tempo.
Program Bank Change
M3000 holds 500+100 presets. Standard MIDI Program changes
range from 1-128. Therefore you must assign the incoming
Program changes to one of the following banks:
ROM 1 : 1-128 RAM 1 : 1-128
ROM 2 : 129-256 RAM 2 : 129-250
ROM 3 : 257-384 Card 1 : 1-128
ROM 4 : 385-500 Card 2 : 129-250.
When set to “external”, all banks can be accessed through the use
of controller 0 which acts as bank selector.
Sys-Ex ID
Sets the Sys-Ex ID number of the M3000.
Note: The M3000 is always ready to receive information via
MIDI dump from an external device. Be aware of this and avoid
overwriting your presets by accident.
MIDI Output
Channel
Sets the sending MIDI channel of the M3000.
Filter
Sets whether the current section of the M3000 should send out
MIDI Control changes (CTRL) and MIDI Program changes
(PROG) or not. e.g. when Filter is set to PROG the M3000 will
only send out MIDI Program changes.
Offset
With this parameter you are able to add to or subtract from the
outgoing Program change. e.g. the outgoing Program change is
preset 123, and the Offset is set to +1 the outgoing Program
change will now be 124.
Security
Security Lock
Press OK while this parameter is selected to security lock the
M3000. When locked, you will have to dial the PIN-Code shown
below to access the M3000.
Your PIN-CODE
Set your own PIN-code for the Security lock by dialing the
ADJUST wheel.
UTILITY/MIDI
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need two presets simulating the two rooms.
To simulate the transition between the rooms you wish to lower
the Output of the first preset while increasing the Output of the
second preset. For this scenario you can use a MIDI remote
device with manual faders. E.g. a Peavey PC 1600.
- Use the M3000 in an aux. setup with a mixer.
- Use the Parallel or Dual Input routing mode.
- Press I/O to enter the I/O display and select Mix=100%
- Recall the presets you wish to use in the two Engines.
- Go to the MIDI input section in the UTIL/MIDI menu and
select MIDI channel 1 for Engine 1 and MIDI channel 2 for
Engine 2. (Any channels could be used).
- Setup the two faders you wish to use on the MIDI controller.
Assign e.g. fader 1 to MIDI channel 1 and MIDI fader 2
to channel 2.
- The MIDI range on fader 1 should be: 127-70 and on
Fader 2 the range should be set to: 70-127. Setting up the
faders this way lets you decrease the Output of Engine 1
while increasing the Output of Engine 2. We found that for
this specific operation the value of 70 gives a smooth
cross-fade, but experiment with this setting according to
your application.
- The MIDI controller number for the Output is 11 and
therefore both faders should naturally be assigned to
controller no. 11.
Now you can perform a manual smooth fade between the two
engines that exactly applies the scenario.
MIDI MONITOR & MIDI IMPLEMENTATION
Program changes
Channel pointer
»MIDI MONITOR SCREEN«
Note on/off
Controllers
System exclusive
MIDI Monitor
Press SHIFT followed by UTIL/MIDI to access MIDI
Monitor.
In the MIDI Monitor, you are able to see all MIDI messages
received by the M3000. The actions are displayed according to
the current channels.
Prog. Displays program changes.
Note Displays Note On/Off.
Ctrl Displays Control changes
Sys-x Displays System exclusive commands
Chan Displays the MIDI channels
Press any key to exit MIDI Monitor.
ll MIDI Implementation
The M3000 features full MIDI implementation giving
you control of all parameters via an external
MIDI controller.
For a complete list of MIDI controller numbers please
visit our web site at www.tcelectronic.com and go to
the download section.
This is useful in numerous situations. Here is a post
production example showing you how to utilize the full
MIDI implementation of the M3000.
Exercise 4:
Two persons have a conversation in an elevator. The elevator
stops, and the two persons step out into a hall still talking.
You want to use a preset with a short decay time for the
“elevator-scene” and another with a longer decay time for for the
“hall-scene”. To simulate the surroundings of the two rooms you
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