TC Electronic MegaReverb PowerCore

I am using this Reverb plug-in in a dual PowerCore, serial linked set up with a Mac Pro G5 running OS 10.4.11 with Logic as my main DAW (some REASON, LIVE and CUBASE apps) using a separate, dedicated firewire buss. My main plugs are TC stuff, Line 6 POD Farm for guitar / bass and occasionally, Apple's excellent Logic plugs - especially the EQ's, Limiters and delays. The other firewire bus is dedicated to my Apogee Ensemble DA converter.

I mainly record rock / alt country / acoustic stuff. I find the TC plugs do a great job. The only real competition, IMHO are the UAD stuff. Frankly, I prefer just about every TC reverb over the Dreamverb in UA. But, honestly, they are all very, very good.

It's so simple to get a great sound - even the presets are pleasant and appropriate. Every parameter is easily tweaked, saved, compared and gauged. This particular verb is exceptionally lush and extremely musical. Automation is supported in Logic but I rarely use it for 'verbs. The Powercore hosts the protection and, I can move it to other systems by uploading the license to TC and using the dongle / ilok protection.

My STRONG advice to anyone considering the PowerCore route is to make ABSOLUTELY SURE that you have a separate and dedicated firewire bus (not a port, a bus) for powercore. I had unworkable issues when I tried to share firewire bandwidth with my Ensemble. Crashes, clicks, freezes, etc., All of that went away immediately when I installed a new firewire bus. This is a lot of processing power, it needs it's own dedicated line in to the system.

This is a geat big finishing verb with lots of options for plates, halls, rooms, etc., This could easily be the only verb you would ever need. It plays nice with drums, guitars, vocals, keys, etc., Honestly, there are more sounds here than I had in my entire catalog of rack / digital gear just 10 years ago. Just make sure you send thru a bus - don't use it in a channel strip - unless that's the crazy sound you're going for... I use this verb, the underappreciated Fabrik R and the probably even better DVR2 on almost every mix.

Since it's an included, free plug in all of the X8 systems, it's hard to complain about price. While not as lush or surgical as the VSS3 from the 6000 system - it's also $500 less cash outlay. I can hear a difference but... This is not a particularly hungry plug but it is a reverb so your mileage may vary. Honestly, for an included plug in a system you can pick up for around a grand with a ton of processing power at your disposal, it's hard to say anything bad but this:

TC's support is pretty much non-existent. There are user forums, FAQ's and help from the community but I have never had any support / e-mails answered, etc., from TC. Also, TC's plugs are more expensive than UAD's - but, they're also more flexible and diverse, in my opinion.

I have not had any problems, glitches, etc, since installing a new firewire bus. On that note, this may not be the best system for iMac or notebook users who also use a firewire interface or firewire hard drive. If you're using USB for those applications, no problems.

Playing/writing music as far back as I can remember. I play the computer mostly, but still play guitar, bass, percussion, and anything else that'll make a noise. I use/d this plug-in with Nuendo 2 and now with Cubase SX3. I work primarily writing music for film and television. I have an Intel 3.6Ghz P4 with XP. Primary listening setup is RME hdsp96/52 going into a Scope card and out to Mackie HR824 monitors.

Interface is easy as it can be. No problems installing. Never automated the plug-in. Usually will automate the send to it, not the actual plug-in. The copy protection is the hardware Powercore... without it the plugin will not work and sometimes it won't work with it either... but I'll get to that.
Very easy to get a good sound out of it. Don't think you need a manual for this.

Sounds great. It's my favorite reverb plug-in when it works. Presets are fine and it's easy to make your own. THE MAIN PROBLEM IS IT CRASHES. The plug-in will lose sync with the host within 5 mins or less. The 1st software version it actually worked more than not. There have been 3 upgrades since I purchased the Firewire Powercore. The performance has gotten worse with every update.

It is not worth the price tag. At least the firewire version isn't. Tech support has been awful to say the least. I would complain about something and they would list my complaint as sloved without doing anything. Then i would complain again until I got kicked out of the system. Finally I got in touch with TC in the US and sent my powercore in to be tested. I sent it UPS next day. I waited 10 days to call. I called and got the response 'it arrived today'. WHAT? Then I got 'well, actually it could have arived any day last week, it just wasn't logged in until today.'

The end result is this: if they make it work I'd buy another one. If they don't... then I'll just keep writing bad reviews until they do.