The TC Electronic TC 1280 Stereo Digital Delay was a professional-grade digital delay unit developed for high-precision studio and installed audio applications. Its design prioritised exceptional sonic transparency, operational reliability, and ultra-fine control over delay time parameters. While digital in function, the TC Electronic TC 1280 offered a uniquely musical and open sound character, due in part to its distinctive A/D converter architecture. Unlike conventional converters of the period, the TC Electronic TC 1280’s converters did not use traditional brick wall filters. This resulted in less phase distortion and more natural transient handling, contributing to a more analogue-like response.
The TC Electronic TC 1280 featured stereo operation with independently adjustable delay channels, capable of total delay down to 30 microseconds and resolution steps as fine as 5 microseconds. Delay times could be entered or displayed in milliseconds, feet, metres, frames or half-frames, offering unique flexibility for audio, broadcast and installation workflows. The delay time display also functioned in utility mode to show software version, resolution, device ID, security lock status and memory presets.
The internal digital path was based on dynamic differential 18-bit conversion at a high 1 MHz sample rate. This architecture provided over 100 dB dynamic range and extremely low total harmonic distortion of less than 0.05% at 1 kHz, 0 dBu. Frequency response was flat from 20 Hz to 20 kHz within ±0.5 dB, and group delay within this range remained below 5 microseconds, ensuring excellent phase coherence.
Standard stereo delay memory was 625 milliseconds, expandable directly on the motherboard by up to 2.5 seconds. With the optional ME80 memory expansion card, total delay time could be extended to 10 seconds in 625 millisecond increments. Delay settings could be stored in any of four onboard memory presets, with a non-volatile memory system preserving data through power cycles. A security lock function was provided to disable front panel delay adjustment, helping prevent unauthorised changes in fixed-installation scenarios.
Control options included rear-panel MIDI I/O with implemented SysEx functionality, allowing remote control over delay parameters. A quarter-inch remote jack also offered external control. In the event of power loss, the TC Electronic TC 1280 featured total relay bypass, maintaining signal integrity through the unit. A five-segment LED meter on the front panel indicated headroom at the input stage.
The chassis was built for durability, using plated cadmium-coated steel with a 3 mm anodised aluminium front panel. The unit occupied 1U of rack space and measured 483 mm x 44 mm x 294 mm, with a weight of 5 kg. It was equipped with a universal power supply, selectable for 100, 120, 220 or 240 VAC operation at 50/60 Hz, and compliant with international EMC and safety standards.
Designed for critical environments, the TC Electronic TC 1280 delivered surgical delay control and pristine audio quality, while offering flexible integration into both studio racks and installed systems. Its combination of performance, durability and sonic transparency made it one of the most respected digital delays of its class.
Features
- Unique converter design without brick wall filters for more natural sound
- 18-bit dynamic differential AD/DA conversion at 1 MHz sample rate
- Delay resolution down to 5 µs, with total in/out delay as low as 30 µs
- Delay times displayable in milliseconds, feet, metres, frames or half-frames
- Standard memory of 625 ms, expandable to 10 seconds stereo
- Four user memory presets with non-volatile storage
- Security lock to disable front panel delay changes
- MIDI control with SysEx implementation
- Total relay bypass in case of power loss
- 5-segment LED headroom meter