NONLIN2
by TC Electronic · Reverb · Envelope-based effects reverb
Not rated yet
NONLIN2 is an envelope-based reverb from TC Electronic's System 6000, for gated, reverse and other shaped reverb effects.
Attack and release controls set the envelope, and a Twist parameter pushes the sound into more radical territory; the developer lists it at $199.
Best for: Drums, Vocals, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Pop, Rock & Indie, Ambient & Cinematic.
Keywords: gated, reverse, hardware emulation, sound design, ambience, drums, vocals, classic, digital classic, licensed emulation, cinematic, extreme, mixing, percussion, preset-driven, snare, synths, tight, wide.
What it does
NONLIN2 is TC Electronic's native version of the NonLin2 algorithm from its System 6000 hardware. Instead of a natural decay, you shape the reverb with an envelope, so it can build, hold and cut off rather than simply fade.
- Envelope: a graphical envelope, similar to a synth's, with attack (how long the reverb takes to build), hold (a constant level for up to 500 ms) and release (how it stops), for gated, reverse or compact ambience.
- Twist: a set of modulation options with names such as Aircon, Kazoo and Radiator that warp the reverb into unrealistic textures.
- Density: a higher-resolution diffused response, plus a classic low-density option closer to the old hardware.
- Filters and levels: fully adjustable high- and low-cut filters, independent input and output levels, and width adjustment.
- Mono to stereo: processes mono sources into a stereo reverb.
- Presets and recall: presets from producers and engineers, full DAW automation and project recall.
The current version is 1.1.0. This is a newer native release, not the older TDM or PowerCore NonLin2. TC Electronic's own product pages currently return a 404 error, so the details here come from KVR, Sweetwater and Sound On Sound.
Source: TC Electronic product page
When to use it
NONLIN2 is the better tool when shaped, gated or reverse reverb is the point rather than a side option. Compared with Valhalla VintageVerb, whose Nonlin mode gives you that effect within a general reverb, NONLIN2 has a full envelope with attack, hold and release plus the Twist modulations, but it costs four times as much. Unlike FabFilter Pro-R 2, it is not meant for natural rooms and halls at all. Next to Relab's REV6000, which covers broad System 6000-style reverbs, NONLIN2 is TC's own version of one special-effect algorithm.
- Best for: gated snares and toms, dramatic percussion, reverse reverb swells, tight vocal ambience and sound design.
- Genres: electronic, pop, 1980s-style rock and cinematic sound design.
- Look elsewhere if: you want a natural room or hall; TC's VSS3 or VSS4 HD, Pro-R 2 or VintageVerb fit that better.
- Tip: go beyond drums: Sound On Sound found the Twist modulations rewarding on other sources too.
What producers say
Sound On Sound found it unlike any other reverb plugin and well worth exploring past the classic gated-drum use.
- Sound On Sound (2024, System 6000 Native bundle) said "I honestly can't think of another plug-in" like it, and called the Twist modulation unrealistic but "fun and rewarding".
- Overall bundle verdict: Sound On Sound said the System 6000 algorithms "turned out to be ageless", while noting the bundle asks for time and money.
Where to buy
- PluginFox: $99 (regular $199)
- Best Service: $99.50
- KVR Audio: $199 (Developer's listed price on KVR; TC Electronic's own product page was unreachable (404))
Tutorials and reviews
- NonLin2 Stereo Effects Reverb for PowerCore 6000
- Marc JB from Bimbo Jones and NonLin2 From TC Electronic
Similar plugins
- GateVerb by Solid State Logic · Gated reverb · $49
- CSR Inverse Reverb by IK Multimedia · Reverse reverb · $49.99
- Glow by Wave Alchemy · RMX16-style digital reverb · $23
- RP-VERB 2 by Rob Papen · Algorithmic reverb with reverser · $93.08
- Lexicon 480L Digital Reverb and Effects by Universal Audio · Digital reverb · $39
- REV6000 by Relab Development · Algorithmic reverb emulation · $149
- VSS3 by TC Electronic · System 6000 space simulation reverb · $99.50
- VSS4 HD by TC Electronic · System 6000 true-stereo reverb · $124.50
- Pulse by Wave Alchemy · PCM-60-style digital reverb · $23
More from TC Electronic
- VSS4 HD by TC Electronic · Reverb · $124.50
- VSS3 by TC Electronic · Reverb · $99.50
- TC 8210 by TC Electronic · Reverb · $69
- TC 2290 by TC Electronic · Delay · $99.50
- TC 1210 by TC Electronic · Chorus · $99
- DVR 250 by TC Electronic · Reverb · $99.50
- Brickwall HD by TC Electronic · Limiter · $74.50
- Master X HD by TC Electronic · Compressor · $75