TC Electronic TC2290 User manual

TC 2290
DYNAMIC DIGITAL DELAY + EFFECTS CONTROL PROCESSOR
OWNERS
MANUAL
Authors: Jesper Ranum & Kim Rishøj
Copyright 1986
OF DENMARK
t.c. electronic

CONTENTS
1
2
3
INTRODUCTION
1.1 How to use this manual
FEATURES
2.1 TC 2290 Dynamic Digital Delay
2.2 TC 2290 Design Philosophy
2.3 On TC 2290 Sound Quality
QUICK STEP-BY-STEP TUTORIAL
3.1 Quick Installation
3.2 Set Input Gain
3.3 The Factory Presets
3.4 Recalling a Preset
3.5 Modifying a Preset
Setting Delaytime
Setting Feedbacklevel
Storing Your Own Presets
Setting Volumes
6 Three Kinds of Modulation Effects
7 Making Dynamic Effects (dyn)
i Making Chorus/Flanger/ADT Effects (dly)
1
1
hobo
Making Panning Effects (pan)
Tailoring TC 2290 to your own requirements
The 10 Presets You Have Made
aO
REFERENCE GUIDE CONTENTS
on QO ao A
10
11
12
INSTALLATION
FRONT PANEL DESCRIPTION
REAR PANEL DESCRIPTION
TC 2290 COMMANDS LIST
PERFORMANCE HINTS
8.1 MIDI with TC 2290
8.2 Sampling
8.3 Options
APPENDICIES
9.1 Factory Presets List
9.2 Modulation Charts
9.3 Block Schematic
9.4 Special Number List
9.5 Assign Keycode List
9.6
Technical
Spec.
TROUBLESHOOTING, SERVICE
t.c. electronic APPLICATION NOTES
GLOSSARY

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Thank you purchasing the TC 2290 Dynamic Digital Delay and Effects
Control Processor.
You have become the owner of a very capable & flexible piece of
equipment with absolute superior sound quality.
1.1 How to Use this Manual
This is a thick manual, but you don't have to read it all in order to get
very good usage of the TC2290. Regard it rather as a manual you can
consult when you need to.
To get started there is the quick tutorial which shortly explains how to
set-up the TC 2290, its basic features, some of the factory presets as
well as giving you 10 further preset sounds through a number of small
rehersal setting examples.
Any time you want to find out more about a specific subject you can
refer to the reference guide where the controls, connections and practical
use of the TC2290 are explained in greater detail.
The appendix chapter contains lists which you need to consult in order
to make optional settings (special) and program your own keys, the
Assign Keys.
In the t.c. electronic application note section you will find more about
selected applications, the TC2290, the effects, practical performance
set-ups and hints, personalization of the TC2290 as well as some general
notes.
Ending the manual is a glossary, which will help those of you having
trouble keeping up with some of the ‘technical’ terms.
1.2 Keynames and References
The frontkeys appears by <Keyname> in brackets e.g. <DELAY ON> or
<ENTER>.
Sometimes you need to make a cross-references to find out more about
a subject. For example [4.3] is chapter 4, section 3.
And hey - Good luck. Don’t be ’delay’ed by our smalltalk.

2.0 FEATURES
TC 2290 Dynamic Digital Delay
Soundquality, Studio and Stage
The
100
dB
dynamic
range,
20-23000Hz
soft
roll
off
frequency
response
and
1
MHz
samplerate
are
part
of
the
t.c.
electronics
design
philosophy.
In
the
studio
it
means
no
compromise
where
recordings
for
compact
disc
are
concerned,
and
to
the
performer,
the
100
dB
dynamic
range
means
crystal
clear
sound,
eliminated
hiss
and
the
headroom
for
all
the
‘punch’
needed.
TC 2290 Effects
The
TC
2290
features
a
large
number
of
dynamic
echo
effects
allowing
you
to
add
delay
echo
and
repeats
controlled
by
your
playing.
Numerous
delay
modulations
allows
you
to
create
exiting
chorus,
ADT,
syncronized
flanging,
even
chorus
effects
on
long
delaysettings.
The
stereo
panning
facilities
create
new
ways
of
using
the
stereo
image
dynamically.
Also
the
modulation
effects
can
be
made
simultaneously
to
make
effects
like
a
‘dynamic
echo
chorus
with
stereo
panning’.
An Effects ’System’
The
built-in
connections
to
control
other
equipment
enables
very
practical
‘total’
performance
systems
to
be
set
up,
Controlling
all
the
TC
2290
delay
effects
simultaneously
with
5
external
effects
racks
or
pedals
as
well
as
MIDI
controllable
effects
(&
keyboards).
All
of
it
is
remote-
controllable
with
simple
‘press
a
button’
commands
from
e.g
the
TC
0144
SRC
stage
remote
control
panel.
100 Preset Sounds & Personal Control
All
music
performers
come
across
the
wish
to
make
some
specific
change
of
settings
‘at
the
push
of
a
button’.
100
Preset
sound
combinations
certainly
helps
doing
easy
changes.
But
often
there
is
more
to
it.
'
would
like
a
simple
remote
delaytime
setting
button’,
a
‘bypass’
or
maybe
a
‘change
volume
key’.
That
is
why
we
have
included
a
number
of
‘programmable’
keys
and
personalization
facilities.
This
also
means
that
any
key(s)
on
the
front
of
the
TC
2290
are
readily
made
remote
keys
when
you
need.
New
Effects,
Half
a
Minute
Delay
and
other
options.
The
software
control
of
the
TC
2290
and
membership
of
the
TC
Software
Club
will
allow
you
to
add
new
effects
and
controls
with
the
TC
2290
through
the
simple
change
of
a
low
cost
‘softwarechip’.
The
TC
2290
has
the
facilities
for
adding
options
like
half
a
minute
delay
memory
with
no
sacrifice
in
soundquality,
connections
to
your
needs
whether
it
be
remote
controls,
computer
sequencer
or
control,
or
maybe
the
next
generation
of MIDI.
Sa’Sa’Sampling’ampling’ampling (option)
With
extra
memory
for
longer
delaytimes
fitted,
the
sample
record
and
playback
option
really
becomes
a
usefull
tool
for
recording,
modifying
and
playing
back
sequences
of
sounds
live
and
in
the
studio.
Up
to
100
preset
samples
can
be
recorded
and
played
back
in
various
extractions.
When
shifting
back
and
forth
between
delay
echo
and
sample
effects,
the
sampled
sounds
can
remain
unaffected
‘in
memory’.

2.1 TC 2290 Design Philosophy
Soundquality
At
t.c.
electronics
we
realised
that
there
is
a
genuine
need
for
a
digital
delay
capable
of
meeting
the
studio
demands
for
compact
disc
quality
recordings.
Also
for
live
performances
a
high
quality
delay
unit
were
missing.
A
delay
unit
capable
of
doing
better
than
‘hiss
and
clip’
of
the
precious
details
and
the
‘punchy’
parts
of
live-music.
The
vital
soundquality
of
the
TC
2290
was
specified.
Integrating Effects
A
tendency
within
digital
audio
equipment
is
an
ever
increasing
complexity,
not
only
in
the
effects
provided
but
also
in
the
control
of
them.
What
was
lacking
was
the
means
to
integrate
previous,
new
and
coming
effects
into
a
‘system’
that
can
be
set
up
and
used
in
a
simple
and
troublefree
manner.
The
inclusion
of
the
external
effects
control,
the
TC
LINK
and
MIDI
provided
the
answer
to
this.
The Future
We
also
found
that
there
is
a
need
for
a
piece
of
equipment,
that
is
capable
of
lasting
longer
than
the
typical
short
product
lifetime
of
most
delay
units.
Software
programmability
of
all
TC
2290
effects
and
control
and
the
facilities
to
add
hardware
options
provided
the
answer
to
this.
With
low-cost
software,
adding
new
effects
and
interfaces
is
possible.
Effects
and
interfaces
with
capabilities
beginning
to
appear
limitless
as
time
goes
by.
The
32
seconds
optional
delaytime
for
sampling
possibilities
is
a
‘hardware’
option
example,
others
are
future
interface
possibilities
through
a
built-in
option-bus
connector.
Reliability
Finally
the
TC
2290
had
to
be
able
to
meet
the
stringent
demands
of
an
on-the-road
life
or
24
hour
studio
use
for
many
years.
This
called
for
a
durable
construction
with
reliable
topquality
Components
for
a
lasting
and
troublefree
operational
lifetime.
Easy
serviceability
through
full
documentation
(Service
Manual)
fault-diagnostics
software
and
easy
identification
of
Components.
2.2 More On TC 2290 Sound Quality
See application note 2290-apn.01

3.0 A QUICK STEP-BY-STEP TUTORIAL
You want to get started without reading the whole manual.
That's why we made this little guide, which will take you to the heart of TC
2290 functions quickly and with little effort. You will end up having made 10
presets of your own.
Whenever you want to find out more about a specific subject you can refer
to the Reference Guide Part of this manual
Check Voltage Setting
This should be set to the standard of
your country. The guarantee does not
cover damages caused by improper
installation, so check this properly.
Remember you can find out more
about installation in sec. [4.0].
If the voltage setting is OK then
connect the mains cord and switch Fig.3.0 Here a voltage selection
on the <POWER>. All displays light up of 220V is shown. (Indicated by
and the last accessed preset # the small arrow). 110V users
automatically appears. should use the 120V setting.
3.1 Quick Installation with a Musical Instrument
Plug in your instrument to the <JACK INPUT> on the rear
INPUT panel. Output to your amplifier is taken from the <JACK
OUT LEFT> if mono. If you want to use the exciting stereo
ett sound possibilities of the TC 2290 then also connect the
6 PEEN ON <JACK OUT RIGHT> to the input of your second amplifier.
z
E 3.2 Set <INPUT GAIN> Correctly
INPUT GAIN
Turn up the volume of your instrument and turn down the
volume(s) of your amplifier while the <INPUT GAIN> is
adjusted so that the red LED (+3dB) of the PPM meter only
flashes during the very strong passages of your playing.
Now set the volume(s) of your amplifier(s) to your level (and
Fig.3.2 equal levels if stereo).
3.3 The Factory Presets
We have shipped the TC 2290 off the factory with 20 useful presets, which
are present at the Preset Numbers 80 to 99. All presets below 80 are non-
protected copies of preset 80 and are available for your own presets.
In this section we will use some of the factory presets to take you quickly
through many of the TC 2290 functions.
In appendix [9.1] you will find a list Covering the factory presets.

3.4 Recalling a Preset
KEYBOARD PRESET
To recall preset 80, press:
<PRESET> <8> <0> <ENTER>
Note
that
when
the
<PRESET>
key
is
[7
pressed, the green LED above the
<PRESET>
key
starts
blinking.
This
shows
[4
|[5|[e]
that the numeric keyboard is now available
for the preset function. When entering the
<8> and the <O> on the numeric keyboard
the
values
'8'
and
then
‘80'
are
shown
Daz
PRESET
STORE
blinking
in
the
preset
display.
Nothing
happens
to
the
sound
until
you
terminate
by
pressing
the
<ENTER>
key.
At the moment you press <ENTER?> all
displays
and
settings
change
to
the
values
Fig.3.4
Numeric
Keyboard
of
preset
80.
and
the
Preset
Section
TC
2290
DYNAMIC
DIGITAL
DELAY
+
EFFECTS
CONTROL
PROCESSOR
COB: GS BM BA |)
HY = TUTE ; y vi l
Fig.3.5 The displays of preset 80, a ‘long echo' effect with the delaytime
of 1023mS.
Now
the
preset
is
recalled.
If
your
connections
are
properly
made,
you
should
hear
a
‘long
echo’
effect
as
a
single
repeat
of
all
that
you
are
playing.
Please
note
that
the
delay
signal
appears
with
equal
strength
but
phase
reversed
to
left
&
right
channel
in
this
preset.
To
make
the
delay
signal
appear
with
equal
phase
to
left
and
right
outputs,
the
»DELAY«
and
»DIRECT«
led
of
the
panning
section
must
be
lit,
and
the
»PAN«
value
in
the
output
section
must
be
50.
More
about
this
in
section
5.5.5.
eee
Turning Delay Effects On/Off (Bypass)
Simply press the <DELAY OND> key. (fig.3.2)
When
you
turn
off
the
delay
effect
the
echo
immediately
‘stops’.
Note
that
there
is,
unlike
most
other
delays,
no
repeat
of
what
you've
just
played
when
turning
on
the
delay.
Also,
imagine
that
you
are
playing
with
a
long
echo,
and
the
echo
did
not
stop
immidiately
when
bypassing,
but
finished
the
echo
repeat.
This
and
other
useful
methods
of
bypassing
are
possible
with
your
TC
2290.
But
take
it
easy,
we
will
try
more
important
things
first.
3.5 Modifying a Preset
As soon as a preset is recalled, you can make instant changes to any of
the parameters you want. You can then either choose to ‘forget’ these
changes (just recall another or the same preset again) or you can store
your
modified
settings
under
a
user
preset
number.
For
now
we
will
try
mening
some
modifications
of
preset
80
and
store
those
changes
in
preset
1.

3.5.1 Setting Delay Time
The
delaytime
of
preset
80
is
1023
milliseconds
(1.023
seconds)
and
we
will
assume
that
you
want
to
decrease
this
to
make
a
shorter
echo
delay
time,
say
400
mS.
cone
Using
the
<UP>/<DOWN>
keys
In the DELAY section you must press one of the
|
Yigg
<UP>/
<DOWN>
keys.
Pressing
either
of
them
once makes the green LED above the
<UP>/<DOWN> start blinking.
CI
Now
by
pressing
<DOWN>
the
delaytime
decreases a ‘step’ (1 millisecond = 1/1000
second). Holding the <DOWN> key the value will
a spe LEARN ý
continue decreasing as long as you hold or until 'O'
MOCC E
Similarly pressing <UP> increases step-wise when
pressed or continuously when hold.
Fig.3.5.1 The Delay Section
TC 2290 can ’<LEARN>’ the Beat
To
set
the
delaytime
to
the
rythm,
simply
press
the
<LEARN>
key
at
the
beat-rate.
The
delaytime
will
be
set
to
the
time
elapsing
between
your
pressings.
The
yelow
TIME
LED
indicates
this
beat
or
echo
repeat
rate.
Using the Numeric Keyboard KEYBOARD
You may find it valuable and faster to use the numeric
keyboard to change to a specific delaytime. As soon as
one of the DELAY <UP>/<DOWN> keys are pressed the
green LED above starts blinking, showing that the
numeric keyboard is available for this function.
So instead of holding the <UP>/<DOWN> keys, you can
enter an exact value on the numeric keyboard.
For
example
to
change
to
400
mS
delaytime
:
ae
Press : ; Comments:
<DELAY UP> ; tells 2290 that the Numeric
Keyboard is wanted for this
function’.
> Green LED starts blinking, to show ‘keyboard available’
<4><0><0>
:
Now
enter
the
delaytime
wanted
on
the
Numeric
Keyboard,
> the Delaytime Display shows what you are entering.
<ENTER> - The moment you press <ENTER> the value is accepted.
The
green
LED
continues
blinking
indicating
that
the
numeric
keyboard
is
still
available
for
the
delaytime
setting,
so
you
could
enter
another
value,
terminated
by
<ENTER>
if you wanted.
For now let's stick to the '400mS' setting so that we're talking about the
same ‘sound’ as we continue.

3.5.2 Setting Feedback Level
cena
fe
NS
Dee
eh
2
5
ee
eS
Assuming
you
have
succeded
in
making
the
'400mS'
delaytime,
which
is
a
medium
echo
time,
a
shorter
single
‘echo
repeat’
should
now
be
audible.
It
is
a
straightforward
echo
effect
without
any
modulations
or
feedback.
Now,
to
give
the
sound
a
bigger
impression
we
will
make
the
echo
repeat
a
number
of
times
instead
of
just
once.
The
parameter
taking
care
of
this
is
the
FEEDBACK
LEVEL.
With
this
control
the
delay
echo
output
is
fed
back
to
the
input
of
the
delay
to
make
the
echo
‘recirculate’
or
‘repeat’
a
number
of
times.
Since
we
want
more
repeats
we
now
go
to
the
‘FEEDBACK
SECTION’
(-
strange
isn't
it
?)
and
find
the
value
'
0’
which
means
‘no
feedback’.
a
aaaaaaaaaaasuluaaauaaaasasasauauatluaassssaatuult$luss$$lt$t$tuu$l$lu$llllliÂÃõÁl
The
Feedback
’LEVEL’
is
<SELECT>’ed
Note
that
there
is
a
‘3
point’
display
above
the
FEEDBASK
<SELECT>
key
:
'LEVEL''HIGH
&
'LOW'.
The
point
corresponding
to
‘LEVEL'
is
lit
showing
that
we
are
ke
looking
at
the
FEEDBACK
LEVEL.
pH
The
'3
point’
display
covers
the
fact
that
the
feedback
E
section
<UP>
/<DOWN>
keys
and
display
are
also
used
to
set
the
‘colour’
of
the
repeats
of
the
echo
by
Cc)
setting
the
HIGH
and
LOW
feedback
filters.
For
now
we
want
to
set
the
feedback
LEVEL
and
this
[a]
=e
is
<SELECT>’ed
allright.
If
you
have
pressed
NS
ees
<SELECT>
by
mistake
then
press
again
until
the
E
‘LEVEL’
is
selected.
n
Fig...
The
Using
the
<UP>/<DOWN>
Keys
Feedback
Section
me
Se
cee
cee
tad
See
ieee
ie
Ae
a
As
the
current
Feedback
Level
of
preset
#80
is
'
O
it
can't
get
much
lower,
so
press
the
feedback
section
<UP>
key
a
number
of
times
to
get
more
feedback.
The
value
increases
by
one
each
time
you
press
the
<UP>
key.
Reaching
a
value
of
'10'
a
second
repeat
of
your
echo
will
be
audible.
By
holding
the
<UP>
key
until
'55'
is
reached
several
repeats
will
be
clearly
audible.
a
Using
the
Numeric
Keyboard
to
set
Feedback
Level
nn
Let's
say
you
want
the
Feedback
Level
to
be
‘50’.
Using
the
numeric
keyboard
is
a
fast
way
to
set
this:
Press : : Comments:
<FEEDB.UP>
-
tells
‘Numeric
Keyboard
is
wanted
for
this
function’,
-
green
LED
starts
blinking,
to
show
‘keyboard
available’
-
the
Feedback
Display
shows
what
you
are
entering.
<5><0>
.
enter
the
feedback
wanted
on
the
Numeric
Keyboard,
.
The
moment
you
press
<ENTER>
the
value
is
accepted.
<ENTER>
Notice
the
similarity
to
the
Delaytime
setting
using
the
numeric
keyboard.
Any
<key>
below
a
green
LED
is
capable
of
‘catching’
the
keyboard
in
order
to
enter
exact
values.
No
values
are
'entered'
unless
you
remember
to
terminate
with
the
<ENTER>
key.

If
you
are
on
the
right
track
your
display
should
now
look
like
this:
TC
2290
DYNAMIC
DIGITAL
DELAY
+
EFFECTS
CONTROL
PROCESSOR
‘Bi
aa
tel
mi
o
LA A
v v
You
have
now
created
a
'medium/fast'
echo
effect
with
several
repeats.
3.5.3 Storing Your Own Presets
We
will
now
store
(in
preset
no
1)
the
settings
that
you
have
just
created.
To
do
this
we
use
a
key
sequence
similar
to
recalling
a
preset
except
that
<STORE>
is
pressed
instead
of
<ENTER>:
Press : ; Comments:
<PRESET>
;
to
get
the
Numeric
Keyboard
for
this
function,
; green LED starts blinking, showing ‘you've got it’
the Preset Display shows the numbers you are entering.
<1>
Now
enter
the
preset
#
on
the
Numeric
Keyboard,
:
When
you
press
<STORE>
the
frontsettings
are
stored.
<STORE>
The
moment
you
ended
the
store
sequence
by
pressing
<STORE>
a
new
preset
1
was
created,
and
the
current
preset
number
changed
to
preset
‘OT,
your
new
preset.
Now
that
you
have
stored
your
settings
you
can
explore
with
other
settings,
before
you
continue.
But,-
don't
store
another
setting
into
preset
1
just
yet
as
you
will need
this
when
you
continue.
Unsuccesful Store
If
you
omit
the
<PRESET>
key
in
the
store
sequence
the
error
#
4
(which
means
‘wrong
store
sequence’)
will
appear
in
the
delay
time
display.
If
you
try
to
store
in
the
presets
80-99,
you
will
get
error
#
3
which
means
‘preset
protected’
-
the
presets
are
protected
against
store
attempts.
Just
store
your
sound
in
another
preset
below
‘80’.
More about Store & Recall
You
can
find
out
more
about
storing/updating/copying
and
moving
presets
in
the
reference
guide,
where
you
will
also
find
more
about
recalling
presets
[5.9].
With
a
so
called
‘special
number’
the
number
of
presets
that
are
protected
can
be
altered
-
more
about
this
in
appendix
sec
[9.4]