The TC Electronic TC 1380 Multitap Digital Audio Delay was a high-performance, rackmount digital delay processor tailored for professional broadcast, studio, and installed audio environments requiring multiple independent outputs from a single input source. Designed with the same sonic philosophy as the TC Electronic TC 1280, the TC Electronic TC 1380 employed a distinctive A/D converter design that intentionally avoided traditional brick wall filters. This design choice allowed for a more natural, non-digital sound quality, enhancing transients and preserving musicality.
At its core, the TC Electronic TC 1380 was a multitap delay system capable of delivering one input signal to three independently adjustable outputs. Delay times could be controlled with extremely fine resolution, adjustable in steps as small as 5 microseconds. with a minimum output time of 30 microseconds. Each output delay was settable in user-defined increments of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 or 1000 microseconds, up to a base maximum of 1250 milliseconds per channel. With the optional memory expansion card, the delay time could be extended up to 20 seconds per channel.
The digital engine of the TC Electronic TC 1380 featured dynamic differential 18-bit AD/DA conversion running at a 1 MHz sample rate. This design achieved a dynamic range greater than 100 dB and total harmonic distortion less than 0.05% at 1 kHz, 0 dBu. Its frequency response was linear from 20 Hz to 20 kHz within ±0.5 dB, and group delay remained under 5 microseconds, ensuring excellent phase integrity across the audible spectrum.
Delay times could be displayed in milliseconds, feet, metres, frames or half-frames, and a digital readout on the front panel offered additional utility displays such as software version, resolution setting, unit ID, and security lock status. The front panel controls could be locked to prevent unauthorised tampering, while delay settings remained accessible via rear-panel MIDI with full System Exclusive command implementation. Four memory preset slots provided quick access to user-defined setups.
The TC Electronic TC 1380 also featured mute functions and a full relay bypass mode that automatically engaged in case of power loss, preserving signal continuity. Its rugged 1U rackmount chassis was constructed with a plated cadmium-coated steel body and a 3 mm anodised aluminium front panel. The unit measured 483 mm x 44 mm x 294 mm and weighed 5 kg. Power was supplied via a universal voltage input switchable between 100, 120, 220 and 240 VAC at 50/60 Hz. It conformed to multiple international EMC and safety standards, including FCC Part 15 and IEC 60065.
Intended for critical professional use, the TC Electronic TC 1380 offered high-resolution multitap delay capabilities with pristine sound quality and flexible integration, making it a trusted tool in time alignment, sound reinforcement, and complex studio processing applications.
Features
- Multitap delay with one input and three independently adjustable outputs
- Unique converter design without brick wall filters for natural sound
- 18-bit dynamic differential AD/DA conversion at 1 MHz sample rate
- Delay resolution down to 5 µs, with minimum output delay of 30 µs
- Delay increments selectable in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 µs
- Standard memory of 1250 ms, expandable to 20 seconds per channel
- Delay times displayable in milliseconds, feet, metres, frames or half-frames
- Four user memory presets with non-volatile storage
- Security lock to disable front panel delay changes
- MIDI control with full SysEx implementation
- Total relay bypass in case of power loss
- Digital display with utility functions and LED indicators