TC Electronic TC 1210 Instruction Manual

TC 1210 SPATIAL EXPANDER + STEREO CHORUS/FLANGER

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

CONTENTS PAGE

INTRODUCTION 1
FEATURES 2
THE SOUND IMAGE OF TC 1210 2
OPERATIONAL DESCRIPTION 4
DESCRIPTION OF CONTROLS 4
HOW TO GET STARTED 6
SETTING SAMPLES 7
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION 8
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 8
SERVICE 9
OPTIONS 10
OTHER TC PRODUCTS 10
APPENDIX, THE HAAS EFFECT 10

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of the TC 1210. We are sure you have made a
sound investment, with which you will enjoy many sessions.

BEHIND THE TC 1210

The reasonings behind the TC 1210 have been to make the ultimate surround
sounding chorus/flanger for the studio and for on-stage use, a goal we are sure, you
also will realise has been reached.

Built on experiences with our TC STEREO CHORUS FLANGER pedal, with which
we have enjoyed a shear stream of encouragements from practically everyone who
have had the opportunity (including the utmost capable musicians in the world) the
TC 1210 takes you some steps further into creating a wealth of fascinating and well
sounding spatial stereo chorus sound-images.

TC Electronic is a well reputated audio-processing electronics firm started in 1976,
now with more than 100 manpower-years of combined skills within high quality audio
processing developments and manufacturing.

FEATURES

A new non-digital sounding high quality analog differential bucket principle has been
developed for the TC 1210 featuring much improved performance over traditional
implementations.

Advantages of the double chorus units are:

1. Totally new static and dynamic spatial stereo chorus and flanger images, by
cross couplings and links between the two units.

2. Delaypanning.

3. Stereo input possibility.

4. Mono compatibility.

5. Possibility of making chorus and flanging simultaneously.

6. Even making live quad-output spatial chorus sounds are possible.

7. Possibility of using the TC 1210 as two separate chorus/flangers.

Technically it features:

1. Analog sound resolution quality with low noise and distortion figures.

2. Line input and output levels.

3. “Active transformer” balanced XLR inputs and outputs as well as

4. High input impedance instrument level jack inputs as well as low impedance
jack outputs.

5. Unity-gain characteristics making it very easy to patch in or insert.

manufactured to the high standards professionals demands:

High quality components in reliable low-noise and high slewrate constructions.
Quality fibre glass doublesided pcb.
All packed in a rugged steel construction with black anodized aluminum front 19”
rack mounting.
Plugable board construction and component identifications for fast service.

THE SOUND IMAGE OF TC 1210

The TC 1210 actually consists of two complete stereo chorus flangers combined with
phase shifts and an advanced common circuitry to link and crossmix the units in
carefully controlled modes and combinations.

The principal ideas behind these combinations take their roots in the so called “Haas
effect” or “principle of first arrival”:

Sound travels through air with a speed of approx. 340 m/sec. and it is our brainwork
with the sound arriving at slightly different times to each ear directly from the source
and the reflections of the sound, (reverberations) arriving a little later, that enables us
to tell from where the sound originated.

--- that is, we hear a sound source as coming from the position from where the sound

source has its shortest distance, or “arrives first” ---

By introducing delays in a stereo system we can move our experience of the position
of the sound sources. In some respects these delays needed, are so short, that we
merely regard them as phase shifts. This is one of the basics of most so called
EXITER-effects, in which a slight and static broadening of the stereo image is
created (primarily in the treble range).

The careful combinations of phase shifts and delays within the TC 1210, enables a
variety of STATIC SPATIAL EXPANSIONS, wide broadenings and psychoacoustic
enhancements of the stereo image to be created.

By unbalancing the delays and phase shifts within the TC 1210 it is possible, with the
left and right channels volumes remaining unchanged, to shift the appeared
origination of the sound from left to right and vice versa. Modulating the delays
introduces a dynamic shifting panning image. These effects can be heard with the
TC 1210 “STATIC and DYNAMIC DELAY PANNING” effect setting samples.

The basics of a chorus-sound is the mixing of a signal with a modulated, delayed
part of the same signal.
The modulation of the delay brings with it a slight shifting pitch, the added delay part
of the signal gives the imagination that more than one voice is sounding - hence the
name “chorus”. Furthermore the mixing of the two parts produces a “comb-filter”-like
frequency response.
Arranged in the right proportions this brings with it a nice broadening of the sound. ­TC 1210 contains not only one, but two such units.

Two chorus/flanger units brings the possibilities of creating chorus and flangings
simultaneously as well as creating some even more exiting chorus effects, some of
them with the nice features of the single chorus unit enhanced, some of them with a
totally new stereo image.

Combined with the spatial image creation circuitry within the TC 1210, you create a
variety of dynamically moving SPATIAL CHORUS and FLANGER images. Spatial
excitations bound to be heard to image.

OPERATIONAL DESCRIPTION

The TC 1210 has two general modes of operation:

1. Normal mode (stereo or mono input - stereo output)

2. Separate mode (2 separate channels each: mono input - stereo output)

1. In normal mode the TC 1210 is a two preset unit where the two presets can be
used singly or combined.

2. In separate mode the TC 1210 is divided into two independent chorus/flangers.
It is possible to link the LFO’s and the bypass of the two channels, thereby
enabling the TC 1210 to synchronize the effects used on different tracks or
instruments.

DESCRIPTION OF CONTROLS

FRONT PANEL CONTROLS:

BYPASS: Switches the effects in and out.

INPUT SENS.: Controls the headrooms of the channels.

Adjusts the input and the output level simultaneously,
automatically giving the TC 1210 an 1:1 input/output gain
ratio.

PPM METER: Shows the headrooms of the channels.

INTENSITY: effect MODE 1: Controls the amount of direct (clean) signal.

effect MODE 2: Controls the amount of effect signal.
effect MODE 3: Controls the amount of signal regenerated.
effect MODE 4: Controls the amount of inversed signal re-

generated.

SPEED: Controls the rate of sweep from one sweep every ten

seconds to ten sweeps every second.

WIDTH: Controls the depth of the delay modulation from o to 100%,

DELAY: Controls the length of the delay time from approx. 0.65 to 12

mS.

INPUT MODE SWITCHES:

STEREO INPUT: Disables the mix of inputs 1&2 to allow

stereo or separate input signals.

SEPARATE INPUT: Divides TC 1210 into two separate

mono in/stereo out chorus/flangers.

LINK MODE SWITCHES:

CROSS OFF: 1. IN NORMAL MODE:

Switches off the cross mixings of the channels.

2. IN SEPARATE MODE:
Disables the bypass link of the two channels.

SWEEP SYNC.: 1. IN NORMAL MODE:

Synchronizes the two LFO delay modulators in-phase.

2. IN SEPARATE MODE (and both channels on):
Mixes the LFO delay modulators of the two channels.

REAR PANEL CONTROLS & CONNECTIONS:

IN 1: XLR balanced left (mono) input.

IN 2: XLR balanced right input.

OUT 1: XLR balanced left output.

OUT 2: XLR balanced right output.

INPUT 2: 1. IN NORMAL MODE:

Right Input.

2. IN SEPARATE MODE:
Channel 1 input.

INPUT 1: 1. IN NORMAL MODE:

Left input.

2. IN SEPARATE MODE:
Channel 2 input.

OUTPUTS 2: 1. IN NORMAL MODE:

Right output.

2. IN SEPARATE MODE:
Channel 2 left & right outputs.
Stereo jack wiring: LEFT OUTPUT = TIP, RIGHT OUTPUT =
RING.

OUTPUTS 1: 1. IN NORMAL MODE:

Left output.

2. IN SEPARATE MODE:
Channel 1 left & right outputs.
Stereo jack wiring: LEFT OUTPUT = TIP; RIGHT OUTPUT =
RING.

DIRECT MUTE: Switch that mutes the direct part signal of the unit.

EX. SPEED: Stereo jack to short the LFO sweep range 5 times.

EX. BYPASS: Stereo jack to connect external bypass control.

FUSE

110/220VAC MAINS VOLTAGE SELECTOR.

3 PIN IEC MAINS PLUG.

HOW TO GET STARTED

1. Before connecting power cord to the mains, check that the voltage selector on
pack panel is set at the appropriate range.

2. Connect input signal source(s) and select INPUT MODE:

If mono signal sources use any of (or more to mix) the inputs.

If stereo signal source use IN1 for left and IN2 for right and press STEREO to
separate the left and right channels.

If two separate sources use IN1 for source 1, IN2 for source 2, press Stereo to
separate the left and right channels, and press SEPARATE and CROSS OFF
to make TC 1210 function as two independent chorus flangers.

3. Connect outputs to a stereo- or two separate power amps:

If using the TC 1210 as one (mono/stereo in & stereo out) unit:
OUT1 = left, OUT2 = right

If using the TC 1210 as two separate (mono in - stereo out) effects, the
jackoutputs are used with the left outputs on the tips and the right outputs on
the rings.

4. Adjust both the INPUT SENS gain controls so that the (yellow) odB PPM led
flashes as input signal is provided, the red +3dB led should flash only on high
peaks of the input.

5. Set the desired sounds:

Start with the setting samples and build your own sounds from them. Effect 1
and 2 are indicated on with their LFO LED’s flashing red/green.

SETTING SAMPLES

1. SPATIAL EXPANDER

2. CHORUS I

3. CHORUS II

4. DOUBLER

5. FLANGER I

6. FLANGER II

7. DELAY PANNING

SOUND 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
CONTROL SETTINGS:

BYPASS ON ON ON ON ON ON ON
INTENSITY 3 6 6 3 5 3 6
MODE 1 2 2 1 3 4 1
SPEED - ,5 ,2 ,5 ,1 ,2 ,5
WIDTH 0 3 5 3 1,5 6 1
DELAY 6 4 6 6 4 6 6

STEREO (ON if input signals in stereo, OFF if in mono)
SEPARATE (used only when using 1210 as two independent choruses)
CROSS OFF ON ON
SWEEP SYNC ON

BYPASS ON OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF
INTENSITY 6
MODE 1
SPEED ­WIDTH 0
DELAY 5

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

The TC 1210 contains two complete chorus flangers along with special linking and
spatial enhancement circuitry to obtain the effects described.
Active transformer balanced XLR inputs and outputs are provided along with
singleended jack in and outs.
Separate channel PPM (headroom) indicators and “unitygain” levelmatching circuitry
to accommodate a wide range of input signals.
Provisions for the mixing and link of the two units are provided, as well as ex. bypass
and speed controls.
In the signal path only high slewrate and low noise circuitry constructions are used.
Separate supply lines for signal path and controlling circuitry.
For low noise and endurable long life all switching is done electronically, controlled
by mechanical switches and a common logic circuitry.
Double sided fibre glass boards with printed component identification on main board
for easier service-identifications.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Dynamic range 100 dB (110 dB Bypass)

Frequency response (bypass) 10 Hz to 100 KHz (+0,-1 dB)

- - - 5 Hz to 150 KHz (+0,-3 dB)

- - (effect on) 20 Hz to 20 KHz

THD 0 dBm, 1 KHz (bypass) typ. 0.001%

0 dBm, 1 KHz (effect on) typ. 0.03%

Input connections, high level, balanced

Termination IEC standard, pin 2:+, pin 3:- XLR w. lock
Input impedance, differential 20 KOhm balanced or unbalanced
Input impedance, common mode 20 KOhm
Common mode rejection ratio (50-100Hz) typ 50 dB
Max. input signal 1 KHz +22 dBm

Input connections, low level, unbalanced

Termination Jack (phone-plug) unbalanced
Input impedance 1 MOhm//100pF
Max. input signal 1 KHz +16 dBm

Output connections, balanced

Termination IEC standard, + pin 2, - pin 3, ground pin 3, XLR
Zout, differential 50 Ohm
Zout, common mode 10K Ohm//100 pF
Max. output signal, R1=10 KOhm +27dBm (50Vpp)

R1=600 Ohm +21dBm (25Vpp)

Output connections, low level, unbalanced

Termination Jack (phone-plug) unbalanced
Output impedance 100 Ohm
Max. output signal, R1=10 KOhm +21dBm (25Vpp)

Channel seperation (at 1KHz, typ.) 70 dB

Differential delay 0.66 to 22 mS

Sweep range 30 times

Crossmix cancellations typ. 40 dB

LFO speed range 0.1 to 10 Hz

10 sec. to 0.1 sec.

(with EX. SPEED shorted) 50 sec. to 0.5 sec.

External speed control

Termination: (tip channel 1, ring channel 2) jack stereo plug for down shift of LFO
frequency by pedal control
or voltage control 0 to 10V
with a sensitivity of -2.13 volts/octave (no shift at 5V)

External bypass control

Termination: (tip channel 1, ring channel 2) jack stereo plug for control by shorting to
ground (=bypass, open circuit = effect on) or by logic control (0V=bypass, open
circuit or 10 to 20V = effect on)

Mains voltage VAC 200 to 240 or 100 to 120, selectable
power consumption 18W
Mains fuse, 110V 125 mA (T)

220V 63 mA (T)

Dimensions (WxHxD) 482x44x185 mm (19x1.75x7.3”)

Weight 3,5 Kgs.

SERVICE

Service schematics and adjustment procedures are available from our distributors
provided a signed “for service only” request is made on your studio/shop letterhead
paper.
The two delay cards are interchangeable and are available as service-cards only
(due to special trim-equipment needed to optimize performance).
Please contact your dealer for service instructions.

OPTIONS

Handles
TC DUAL REMOTE SWITCH, remote switch w. 2 foot switches and LED-indications.

OTHER TC PRODUCTS

TC ELECTRONIC produces a wide range of effects pedals and a number of RACK­mountable units, including a line of PARAMETRIC EQUALIZERS.
Please contact your dealer for further information.

APPENDIX 1, THE HAAS EFFECT

The principal ideas behind these combinations take their roots in the so called “Haas
effect” or “principal of first arrival”:
Thankfully, most of us are born with the gift of being able to hear quite easily from
where in a circular sphere around us a given sound originates.

Try fix your eyes on a point right in front of you, then close your eyes, and notice the
position of a sound source near you, then turn around and stop where you hear the
same sound image again, open your eyes and see - the fixpoint is right in front of
you. - From this we can conclude that you can tell quite precisely from where a
sound comes - No matter that wherever you were in your circular movement the
sound source still sounded with unchanged volume.

Sound travels through air with a speed of approx. 340 m/sec. and it is our brainwork
with the sound arriving at slightly different times to each ear directly from the source
and the reflections of the sound, (reverberations) arriving a little later, that enables us
to tell from where the sound originated.

--- Thus is, we hear a sound source as coming from the position from where the

sound source has its shortest distance, or “arrives first” --­This is even true with later arrivals of the sounds being higher volume than the
originals.

Speaking in terms of a stereo image it is possible to give the imagination that a
sound comes from the right hand speaker even if the volume of the left hand speaker
is higher, provided that the left hand signal arrives a little later.

This effect can be heard in the TC 1210 “DELAY PANNING” effect, in which it is
possible to alternate the origination of the sound with the volume remaining
unchanged.

In some respects the delays needed to move our experience of the position of sound
sources are so short, that it is more correct to speak about phase shifts instead of
delays. This is the basics of most so called exiters, which are capable of producing
some static stereo images.

With the TC 1210 you play on the astonishing capabilities of our ears distinguishing
quite easily the origination of a sound.
TC 1210 combines delays and phase shifts with two powerful chorus/flangers
creating a variety of dynamically moving images.