TC Electronic C400XL Dual Gate Compressor

Dual engine compressor or gate. Balanced digital (AES/EBU) and XLR. De-essing function. 5 People rated this product:

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Manufacturer's Description for TC Electronic C400XL Dual Gate Compressor

The C400XL is a supreme Dual Gate/Compressor specially designed for audio professionals on the road. Combining award-winning multiband compression technology with an extremely fast and intuitive user interface as well as a super silent click free gate, the C400XL is made for the uncompromising live engineer.

Multiband dynamics technology
The C400XL uses advanced TC Electronic multiband dynamics technology to compress any source - from vocals and percussion to guitars and even keyboards. If you want the sound of a full band/one band compressor you can do that too; even de-essing and de-hiss is an option. The inherent transparency of the multiband compressor brings out the qualities of the source material, yet secures a firm and consistent level. The optimized and super-fast gate offers a click free and high precision gating of any source.

Three strikes and you're in
The C400XL stands out in three distinct areas that make it the ideal unit for the live circuit. First there is the sound quality - this quality is ensured by source-based multiband compression and ultra fast gating. Another great aspect of the C400XL is its versatility - adapt to any source, analog or digital, decide on gate, compression or a combination, and C400XL is up for the task at hand. And finally there is the intuitive, fast use of C400XL - source-based compression, intuitive user interface and a mix knob for parallel compression makes for a fast, professional unit.

Intuitive - yet advanced
Like the C300, C400XL features a TC Electronic exclusive 'Mix' knob allowing parallel compression without complicated routing schemes.

To assure smooth operation, C400XL is equipped with high resolution input, gain reduction metering and threshold LED indication. Choose between true dual mono for superior channel separation, stereo or serial operation. C400XL features brickwall limiting for peak stop and hot levels prevention.

Analog and digital connectors
C400XL is the ideal choice for parallel compression, gating and/or compressor applications. A C400XL channel transforms from multiband compressor to ultra fast gate and back at a flick of a switch. Gate and compressor functions can be serial or parallel at the choice of the engineer, thus allowing e.g. awesome combinations of compressor and gate on a snare drum giving that tight and snappy impact sound. Balanced Analog (XLR) and Digital AES/EBU (XLR) connectors make C400XL the perfect solution for any pro sound engineer looking for high-end compression/gates to complement his analog or digital console.

Main Features
Balanced analog XLR

Balanced digital (AES/EBU)

Precision gating - ultra fast and click free

De-essing

Dual engine compressor or gate

High resolution input and gain reduction metering

Threshold LED indication

True dual mono, stereo or serial operation

Brickwall limiting for peak stop and hot levels

Dual band expansion for non-percussive sources zZounds is an authorized dealer of TC Electronic and TC Helicon products.

Digital Input and Output
Connector: XLR (AES/EBU)
Formats: AES/EBU (24bit)
Sample Rates: 48 kHz. (44.1 kHz only @ Digital Input)
Processing Delay: 0.08 ms @ 48 kHz
Frequency Response DIO: DC to 23.9 kHz +/- 0.01 dB @ 48 kHz

Analog Inputs
Connectors: XLR balanced (pin 2+, pin 3-)
Impedance, Bal / Unbal: 20 kOhm / 11 kOhm
Max. Input Level @ 0 dBFS: +21 dBu
A to D Conversion: 24 bit, 128 x oversampling bitstream
A to D Delay: 0.9 ms @ 48 kHz
Dynamic Range: Typ < -110 dB, 22 Hz to 22 kHz
THD: Typ < -102 dB (0.0008 %) @ 1 kHz, -1 dBFS
Frequency Response: +0/-0.1 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Crosstalk: Typ < -115 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Analog Outputs
Connectors: XLR balanced (pin 2+, pin 3-)
Max. Output Level: +21 dBu
D to A Conversion: 24 bit, 128 x oversampling bitstream
D to A Delay: 0.58 ms @ 48 kHz
Dynamic Range: typ < -110 dB typ, 22 Hz to 22 kHz
THD: typ < -94 dB (0.002 %) @ 1 kHz, +21
Frequency Response: dBu+0/-0.1 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Crosstalk: typ < -100 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Environment
Operating Temperature: 32 degrees F to 122 degrees F (0 degrees C to 50 degrees C)
Storage Temperature: v-22 degrees F to 167 degrees F (-30 degrees C to 70 degrees C)
Humidity: Max. 90 % non-condensing

Control Interface
MIDI In/Out: 5 Pin DIN

General
Finish: Anodized aluminum front. Plated and coated steel chassis
Meter: 2 x 6 LED's in each channel
Dimensions (WxHxD): 19 x 1.75 x 4.2 in. (483 x 44 x 105.6 mm)
Weight: 3.3 lb. (1.5 kg) (auto-select)
Mains Voltage: 100 to 240 VAC, 50 to 60 Hz
Power Consumption: <15 W
Warranty parts and Labor: 1 year

TC Electronic and TC Helicon Warranty

TC Electronic Warranty

If you have additional warranty questions, please call the manufacturer at 519-745-1158

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Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 (5 ratings) Rate and Review This Product

Read 1 TC Electronic C400XL Dual Gate Compressor Review

"Sliced bread slips in ratings to #2! TC on top!"

Sound: Bravo TC, you have made my life complete! Well, at least in terms of compression & for a very reasonable price. I do mostly live sound with more than a couple of channels - and these things work and sound absolutely fantastic... no kidding. I live in a low-budget world with only rare appearances of super high-end outboard gear - and was caught in the dilema of either using rather poor sounding compression to get the dynamics under control - or - sometimes losing the 'life' in the sound with cheap compressors. These solve the dilema, period. Ok, I actually have the discontinued C300 versions without xlrs, but the multiband digital processing is the same. Even with high-ratio settings - they sound great. Feature: Yeah, you lose the attack & release controls, but they did a great job on their presets - and you pick up the ability to 'mix' the processed and unprocessed signals back in the output... I don't think you'll find that anywhere else in this price range. You can also set it up for parallel processing for gating and compression in one unit. If this is a compromise, I'll take it! Ease of Use: Super easy to use, great visual feedback with the metering. I thought the lack of attack & release time controls would be a problem, but it turns out that I do not miss them. Quality: I've had a bunch of TC gear, it's all been excellent quality. Value: They should triple the price, but then all of us who need lots of channels of this stuff couldn't afford it. I wish they hadn't discontinued the C300 because it would be adequate for many people and it was even cheaper.. but the C400xl is still a bargain. Manufacturer Support: On the one or two occasions I have contacted them in the past for questions, they got back to me quickly and with relevant answers. Don't know how they'd do on repair cause my stuff hasn't broken. The Wow Factor: Ok, I suppose they could have made it out of Saturnian Plasma Crystals or something, but instead it's a real piece of gear. Maybe they could have put some sort of backlighting into the panel. But I respect the high quality switches, knobs, beefy construction, clean design & all that. On the other hand, when I hear what it does for me- I could imagine a wall calendar featuring just different pictures of this thing, it's that sexy! Overall: I recently bought a digital mixer with full onboard dynamics. It also sounds pretty good, so for many channels it does the trick. But for the most important channels, I'll stick with these.

Style of Music: Rock, Worship, Folk, etc

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Read 1 TC Electronic C400XL Dual Gate Compressor Review