TC 1210
by TC Electronic · Chorus · Spatial expander and chorus-flanger
Not rated yet
TC 1210 recreates the TC 1210 Spatial Expander rack unit, with two independent chorus-flanger engines and Haas-based stereo widening.
It also adds static widening and psychoacoustic enhancement while staying mono-compatible; the developer lists it at $99.
Best for: Guitars, Keys & Synths, Vocals, Mix Bus. Genres: Rock & Indie, Pop, Electronic & EDM.
Keywords: chorus, flanger, wide, acoustic guitar, mono-compatible, enhancement, organic, vocals, metering, synths, backing vocals, bus processing, clean, full mix, mix bus, mixing, preset-driven, pads.
What it does
TC 1210 recreates the TC 1210 Spatial Expander and Stereo Chorus Flanger rack unit, which TC says it modelled from the original schematics and measurements, including its analog circuitry.
- Dual engines: two independent chorus-flanger engines for wide, organic modulation.
- Spatial widening: Haas-effect widening, static widening and psychoacoustic enhancement.
- Sigma LFO meter: shows the modulation movement visually.
- Mono-compatible: designed to collapse to mono cleanly.
- Presets: signature presets from producers and engineers, such as Acoustic Guitar Widened, Dramatic Wide Chorus and Stereo Spread.
- DAW integration: input/output metering, full automation and project recall.
The current version is 2.1.0. An optional desktop controller is sold as TC1210-DT. Neither source mentions a demo. TC Electronic's own product pages currently return a 404 error, so the details here come from KVR and reviews.
Source: TC Electronic product page
When to use it
TC 1210 is the pick when you want width and modulation in one unit, from a subtle spread to obvious 1980s chorus and flanging. Compared with Arturia's Chorus DIMENSION-D or UA's Studio D Chorus, it adds flanging, a second engine and Haas widening, so it takes a little more setting up. Unlike TriceraChorus, it is built around widening a source rather than lush, multi-voice chorus. TAL-Chorus-LX is free and covers Juno-style chorus, while TC 1210 reaches further into stereo imaging.
- Best for: widening clean guitars, acoustic guitars, synth pads and backing vocals.
- Genres: pop, rock and electronic music, especially 1980s-style sounds.
- Look elsewhere if: you need a precise mid/side imaging tool rather than a modulation effect, or a simple Juno chorus (TAL-Chorus-LX).
- Tip: the named presets, such as Acoustic Guitar Widened, are a fast starting point; Mixdown found they work well for what they say.
What producers say
Users and the review we read like the sound a lot; the main complaint is price.
- Sweetwater users rate the TC1210-DT bundle 4.3 out of 5 from 4 reviews; one called the chorus "so natural sounding".
- Mixdown said the presets work "phenomenally for their namesakes" in its review of the controller version.
- Criticisms: one Sweetwater buyer gave it 2 out of 5 and called it over-priced.
Where to buy
- KVR Audio: $99 (Developer's listed price on KVR; TC Electronic's own product page was unreachable (404))
- Best Service: $99.50
Tutorials and reviews
- TC Electronic TC1210-DT Desktop-controlled Plug-in Demo
- TC 1210 Spatial Expander Native Plug-In - Sound Example
- TC Electronic TC1210-DT
- Mashti - TC 1210-DT Signature Preset "Mashti Acoustic Rhythm Guitar"
- Tue Madsen - TC1210-DT Signature Presets
Similar plugins
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- Dytronics Tri-Stereo Chorus by Universal Audio · Stereo chorus · $199
- SD-D Chorus by Slate Digital · Vintage chorus emulation · $99
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