T.C. electronic - Finalizer 96K Audio component

The legendary hardware Finalizer 96K, originally released in the late 1990s / early 2000s, was designed as a true integrated digital mastering chain. It combines in a single unit equalization, multiband dynamics processing, limiter, expander, normalization, stereo image processing, and sample rate conversion.

This is a particularly interesting device for mastering, mixing and finalizing recordings, but also for a studio installation that combines analog and digital equipment.

It delivers real presence, punch (notably on kicks) and thickness to electronic music or tracks that are a bit too timid.

All settings can be stored in memory and recalled via MIDI messages.

The TC Electronic Finalizer 96K is still an interesting machine for anyone who wants to work with an autonomous hardware mastering processor, not relying exclusively on plug-ins.

Its large display, high-resolution bar graphs and front-panel controls allow immediate visualization of levels and gain reductions and direct work on the machine.

Key features
- Processing up to 24-bit / 96 kHz
- 24-bit A/D and D/A converters
- 3-band dynamics processing
- Multiband compressor
- Multiband limiter
- Multiband expander
- 5-band parametric equalizer
- Dynamic equalizer / De-Esser
- Normalizer with Soft Clipping
- Spectral Stereo Image: independent stereo image control across three bands
- Mid/Side encoder/decoder (M/S)
- Digital Radiance Generator, intended to reproduce an analog-type harmonic coloration
- Possibility to insert an external analog processor in the signal chain
- Real-time sample rate conversion
- Wizard function to facilitate automatic tuning of the processing
- Phase analyzer, Peak Hold Meter and calibration signal generator
- Factory presets and 128 user memories.

Analog inputs and outputs on balanced XLRs, with a maximum level of +22 dBu.

For digital: AES/EBU on XLR, S/PDIF coaxial RCA, S/PDIF optical Toslink and ADAT Lightpipe, with Word Clock input. The unit also includes MIDI In/Out/Thru and a PCMCIA slot for saving/exchanging settings.

The Finalizer 96K accepts frequencies of 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96 kHz and allows sample rate conversion. When operating at 96 kHz, its analog frequency response extends to about 45 kHz (-3 dB).

Physical characteristics
- 19-inch rack format – 1U
- Dimensions: 483 × 44 × 208 mm
- Weight: approximately 2.35 kg