TC Electronic Finalizer Plus

Well, this is somehow hard to tell: using a mastering tool is not an easy task, so you wouldn't expect this unit to be easy to use. On the other hand, there are some presets you could use as a basis for your work, and there is the "Wizard" mode which will try to set the thing up depending on your requirements and on the source material. The manual is typical TC, no unecessary words, but everything is explained in a comact and clear way, directed at the experienced user.

If you ever worked with one of the newer TC rack units (FireworX, M6000), you'll instantly understand the UI. There are dedicated LEDs or LED chains for all important facts about the operation of the unit (like input and output level, normalizer limiting, expander/limiter activity and compressor gain reduction separated for the three bands). I like it.

I use the Finalizer in a somewhat unconventional setting, namely in the master chain of my live setup to drive the mains with it. It is fed by a Behringer DDX3216 via digital i/o and then feeds the main amps or master eq via digital or analogue out.

Getting a clear yet punchy live sound at any volume level and with any source material is a problem most any artist has to fight, and it does especially become a problem if you can't bring along your own two sound guys, and if the sound people in the places you play have some very unconventional philosophical approaches to sound engineering.

I have created several presets (like lounge-style, superflat, thight, aggressive) to accomodate different kinds of venues and music. When we hit the stage, I load the right preset, adjust the main level with the Finalizer's dial, and off we go.

People have complained about a typical "Finalizer" sound. Yes, the Finalizer has a unique sound characteristic of its own (as do almost all treasured devices I'm aware of).

I also use the Finalizer to do rough mixes of our concerts (HDR into DDX3216 into Finalizer digitally into computer). Sometimes, I spend a lot of time to replicate the rough mix sound with very advanced mastering software. Sometimes, I do the proper mastering with the Finalizer, too.

Unfortunately, the Finalizer is not 32-bit-ready. For this, I subtract one point.

Well, it never crashed or otherwise failed on me. Of course I use it without a backup - don't really need a studio-quality mastering processor when playing small clubs ;)

They have a compression primer online which is better than any open material on the www combined...I once wanted to get a new software for my FireworX (which, according to their site, is free), which they wouldn't send me, instead wanting to sell me a memory card with the stupid software at an exorbitant price...

For studio applications, going in and out of the computer is something you'd have to consider...if you want to do this, you get a mastering tool which is (in comparison to the alternatives) easy to handle and gives you a very distinctive sound, which you may or may not like.

For my specific application, it is basically luxury: most digital consoles of today have a master compressor and multiband parametric eq, only lacking the multiband option. On the other hand, if you *really* need the perfect live sound, you might want to have an additional 1/3 oct graphical eq and perhaps a feedback killer, and for this you'll need additional devices (ok, the graphics eq should go after the compressor but before the limiter, so you need another limiter as well). And they don't even do 24 bit.

Well, but basically it's a reliable device which sounds great, and having a Finalizer in your live rack gets heads turning, at least from the people who know what it is...

Easy? Come, come now...Nobody said it would be easy. The manual is quite brief. Why? Because they expect you to do what I had to do. Spend many beautiful days, and weeks, and months inside your studio with it, listening (carefully) to the changes you make to your mix- master with it. Listen to the .5 db boost of the normalizer thru the big speakers, the medium speakers, the little speakers. Tweak it more. Tweak it back. Now with slower compressor attack on the bottom. Listen. Maybe the input isn't hot enough. Listen. Could be a limiter crossover issue. How about that Dynamic eq? Hey, I know...more eggcartons (cardboard) on the ceiling. :-) Now with that .5 db boost on the normalizer. Back up with the threshold on the bottom band of the compressor. Listen. Whoops, listen to one tweak at a time. Go back. Listen. Needs a higher ratio on the high band and use the D. EQ to hold down the 10k. Didn't check it thru the little speakers first. Too bright! Will my girlfriend hang out with me while I do this? Why am I wearing clothes? Where's my beer?! Ahhh, that's what it needed ...more beer. Sounds Awesome! I'm a player that just wanted to make his music sound right. I had no idea there were so many variables. Now I'm something of a mastering engineer and I've learned a lot. Be prepared to go to school with pretty much no teacher but your ears and your unrelenting dedication to making your music sound as good as your sitch can make it.

I'm an electric violinist that mostly programs sequencers and then puts the violin on that. I run mixes from Alesis Adat XT20's and an XT with lots of outboard processing thru a Tascam M3500 board to the Finalizer to an Alesis Masterlink. My big speakers are 4 way Infinity's, JBL 4208's medium, and Infinity SR 10's little thru various power amps. I'm not gonna tell ya everything. No sttings etc. Uh Uh. You go bury yourself in your scene and work it out. I had to. I mix lightly with the T.C. and master as lightly as possible as well. You can certainly slam it but there is a tradeoff...for me and my gear and knowledge anyway. But you CAN make it what you want it to be with this piece. I don't have any way to compare it to a rack of Avalon, Manley, or Summit gear....but I have submitted my work here and there. They rate the recording quality right up there with the playing. I hope that's a good thing. :-)

No problems at all. Would love to put together a tour and put this at the FOH. RuMbLe!! Security lockouts as well! Ever had somebody ambush your show?

Never needed them.

I am into all the great guitar players and that role is where I've tried to take my violin playing. Please don't ask me to play like some kinda...violinist. I've learned so much from my faves...Prince, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and TOMMY BOLIN RULES!!!!!!!! If ya wanna check him out try t.bolin.com for starters. A 9+ cause it has brought me so close to making my material sound professional and serves so many functions...tidbit...a great A/D converter. Happy Anal..izing :-)

The manual assumes you know something about Compressors and Limiters, but that is a very likely assumption if you are going to fork over the kind of money as this unit costs. It's a very straightforward design and has a "Wizard" mode that will automatically design the units parameters around the signal that you are putting thru it. Wide variety of connections: ADAT, TOS, SP/DIF, Analogue, AES/BU. Lots of room to save your preset edits. Room for a PC RAM card.

The unit sits between a digital mixer and a DAT machine, but I can select outputs to put the data stream into my PC when needed. I can do individual tracks or the whole mix. Very transparent, VERY nice compression, lush EQ. Haven't heard anything better to date.

Very nice quality. It can be used at a gig for live sound reinforcement, but most usage will be studio. Can't rate the reliability till I own it a few more months.

Company has a website and I am in the process of asking about an upgrade now. Manual is on line as is some FAQ files.

I have a home project studio that I have been converting into a digital PC based workshop piece by piece. The Finalizer has been in my sights for a while because of it's reputation. It's a great addition to the studio and the reputation is deserved. I notched the rating down a little because of the price (list is $2800 !!), but it makes such a huge difference in the quality and speed of one's work that it is like the difference between a PC and a typewriter.