The delay engine has an interface quirk related to this “normal” setting. You actually set the delay using the tap button. If the delay time knob is in the “normal” position, the delay time you tap is what you get (and you can fine-tune it by turning the delay knob). However, if the delay time knob is not at normal, then the time you tap gets varied by the amount the knob is offset from normal, which is annoying until you realize what it’s doing. Advice: leave the knob at 12 o’clock and tap your delays and be done with it.
TC tells us that the M350 is “Perfect for Computer Recording … Through the included software, the user can control and edit the M350?s parameters stand-alone and in any AU/VST environment. “
The demo unit didn’t include a CD, so I followed the link to “control software” where I was able to download the Vyzor Control Software for OS X. I installed it, connected the unit to my M-Audio MIDI gizmo, and ran the software. I was then asked for a serial number for the software (!!), which is NOT the same as the unit’s serial number. How to get a serial number? Follow the link where you’re asked for an e-mail address and your name.
Note to TC: You’ve just annoyed me. The Vyzor software has one purpose: to control this particular box. So why do I need to register it and get a serial number? It’s not like I can use the software to control my LXP-5? No! So, please: drop the stupid serial number.
I haven’t had a chance to play with the control software yet. I hope that it offers reasonable control of things like reverb time, kinda like how a Lexicon MRC makes the LXP-1 and LXP-5 units actually usable.
Another potentially interesting use of this box is as a plug-in for a DAW, using the S/PDIF I/O. The note above mentions “the user can control and edit the M350?s parameters stand-alone and in any AU/VST environment. ” There’s a comment about this: “For more information about availability of an Audio Units version of the Control Software, please click here.” So I clicked there, and we’re told that “We hope to have the Audio Units version available for download from our webpage in march 2007.” Well, it’s the lusty month of May, so I’ve filed AU support for the device under vaporware. (Maybe by the time it’s real, I’ll have figured out how to use Logic 7.)
About the control software, called Vyzor M350, apparently written by a third party.
The product’s web page tells us that, “through the included software editor, parameters and preset recalls may be fully automated or real-time controlled.” Ignoring the awful syntax of “may be real-time controlled,” I downloaded the software, and installed it on my MacBook Pro.
As I noted before, for whatever stupid reason TC requires you to get a serial number for the software. So I registered for the software, and it asks for my name and my e-mail address. I expected to get an e-mail with the magic serial number, but no, I just get to a web page with the serial number. So the deal here: print that web page so you don’t lose the number and have to re-register. Why ask for an e-mail address?
NB that the promised Audio Unit support still has not materialized, although there is VST support if your DAW software can use it.
After getting a serial number, I connected an M-Audio USB Uno MIDI interface to my MacBook Pro, then connected the MIDI tails to the M350. I ran the software and it asked me which MIDI port to use, so I selected the Uno and it seemed to recognize the M350. I was able to fetch user presets from the box. The main window of the program has an image of the M350, which, when clicked, opens up a large photo of the front panel and all of the user interface controls are clickable and changeable. However, after changing a few controls the software (which was v1.00) crashed. Restart, re-set MIDI port selection, open up the front panel, play a bit, crash again.
I did about five or six cycles of this, until I got pissed off and checked the TC Electronic web site and sure enough, there’s a v1.3 of the control software. I downloaded it, read the READ ME FIRST.pdf file, which told me that I needed to update the firmware in the M350 to work with the new software. OK, that’s fine … except the disclaimer: “The M350 software upgrade can only be done using a PC running Windows. (emphasis theirs) We have only tested it under Windows XP, but it may also work under other versions of Windows.” On the next page, we’re told, “Please note, the software update cannot be made under Mac OS X. (again, emphasis theirs) This is not a deliberate choice on the side of TC Electronic. We know a lot of studios and musicians use the Mac.”
In other words, go fuck yourselves, Mac users. This is an EXCELLENT reason to take the unit out of the rack, put it back into the box, and return it.
Oh, I figured that I had nothing to lose by at least installing and running the v1.3 software without doing the firmware update, so I did.
And it turns out that what’s labeled as v1.3 on the web site still shows up as v1.0 when one does “About Vyzor M350 …”
Ooops. Somebody at TC needs to, you know, get that sorted out.
Gotta dig out the ThinkPad and do the FW upgrade. I suppose I could try it under Parallels, as the new v3.0 has some excellent hardware support (I can talk to a Silicon Labs serial JTAG dongle using a Prolific USB-to-RS232 converter with the SiLabs software running in Parallels).
Poll! Should I do it from the Mac under Parallels, knowing that I could brick the M350?
Check out the discussion on the TC M350 in the Sound Reinforcement forum.