t.c. electronic FireworX - reverb quality:

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cubbyhouse

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I want a hardware module that can deliver nice quality (acoustic) reverbs for a nice price. The price range I’m into is the same as a new t.c. electronic FireworX module – a module that many recommend! But what about the reverb quality in that module, compared to the dedicated M3000 reverb module from the same manufacturer?
 
I have both and can conclusively say that they are 2 completely different animals. The Fireworx is great for extreme effects and has some algorithms to die for, even the reverbs are good but a little harder to get right. 24 bit effects and 24 bit DSP make it it a monster in terms of quality. The 8x8 matrix for housing and chaining the algorithms makes it an 'endless' creative tool. It has the DARC 3 chipsets and if I had any complaint it would be the wet/dry mix on the global page or the lack of and that it's pitch shifting is not the best in the world, so you do need to get into this baby. Has incredible power tool and the presets alone are to die for. The killer on the club circuit.

The M3000 uses VSS-3 (Virtual Space Simulation) technology. " processors running all the DSP at 24 bit with 24 bit effects. This box is, quite simply, stunning. It can emulate vintage reverbs and efx to post pro mastering efx. Beautiful and a winner if you want a variety of top quality reverbs etc..It does not have the efx pallette of the Fireworx and is not meant to. The reverbs are , in my optinion, better than some of the Lexicons and you would need tro go to the higher end Lexs to have the same quality and if you did that then you might as well get the M5000 and blow those away as well. Only the 960L would top these but at 12 gees it better do.I have lexicon PC91 and the M3000 and I find the 91 gets less and less use the more I delve into the M3000. Almost all the post production houses I know have an M3000 in their arsenal.
 
Sorry about the rant.
For acoustic(natural sounding) reverbs, get the M300. :D
 
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I thought the M300 used the same engine as the FireworX, only a little less features and something smaller ?
Is it thát different ? And is it really more going into the M3000 way ? :confused:
 
The M3000 uses the DARC chip with Motorolla 80 MIPS chips- 2 engines.

The Fireworx uses the DARC 3 chip and is single engine.

Same technology and boards with updates and additional chipsets.

I think that TC build according to what the product is meant to do. The Fireworx is an all in one efx box so does not need the type of processing power of the M3000 as this is predominantly reverb based and is centred around room simulations etc.. so needs dual engine processor chips.

IMO, one of the best companies out there. Even their D2 delay unit is better than some of the more upmarket toys and costs half the price. Their 6000 surround box is lovely and sells at half the price of the Lex. Generally, an all round top notch manufacturer.
 
FYI: I have a FireworX module :) but as I read the M300 is different (and rather following the M3000 - or did I misunderstand this ?) maybe it could be interesting for reverb to have such an M300 too. I'm using the analog Soundtracs mixer (remember) so this could be an interesting buy !? As I see 2nd hand prices for M300 are "only" $250-300...
 
No prob pal !! It could have been a misunderstanding from me...
Cheers. :cheers:
 
That was also ± the (new) price of the FireworX module, 'though there was a price drop of the FireworX lately which makes it cost "only" ± $1200 I think.
 
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