TL Audio C1 - different models?

[Klaseed]

Heya -

I've been seeing two different models of the TLA C1 / HHB Classic 60. One (presumably older) has square VUs, and the other (presumably newer) with round VUs.

Does anyone know if the differences go beyond the cosmetic? Is the circuitry the same?

Thanks.

[Dot]

HHB rebranded TL Audio from '98 - '03. The HHB line has been discontinued.

The original TL Audio C1 had square VU's. The new TL Audio C1 was re-released and also has round VU's http://www.tlaudio.co.uk/tlaudio/docs/products/c1.htm

While the circuitry is the same in all of those boxes, there were minor "performance enhancing" changes made with the newer models. The best place to find out exactly what those changes were would be to contact TL Audio.

There's an original TL Audio C1 from the mid '90's on Ebay right now.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=23793

[entropy]

Hey Klaseed,

As far as I'm aware, the changes were purely cosmetic. If anyone has any info that is different, I'd love to know what changes were made.

If you are in the market for one, I have an original (square vu's) C1 in pristine condition that I want to sell. Haven't thought of a price so if you're interested, make me a reasonable offer. I have also just replaced the valves.

Peace

[K.C.]

entropy why are you selling it ?

I thought they were considered one of the better brit compressors for neutral 2 buss use.

Perhaps you could give us some idea of the sound of the pres and the compressor ?

[Klaseed]

Here's what TLA said about the differences between the two models:

"The differences are mainly cosmetic, although the newer C-1 (with round meters) also has gold plated ceramic valve bases, Sovtek valves and a 6mm front panel (the original had Chinese valves, nickel bases and a thinner 1.5 mm steel front panel). Circuit design is the same for both versions."

[entropy]

entropy why are you selling it ?

I thought they were considered one of the better brit compressors for neutral 2 buss use.

Perhaps you could give us some idea of the sound of the pres and the compressor ?

I'm just getting rid of a few of my mix toys 'cause i need some new writing tools, (new mac, roland varios, maybe a v synth etc).

I really do like the C1, for the money it's a great comp and that is the strength of it IMO. The pre's are so so, a little bit gritty but the compressor is really smooth.

Most of the work I was doing was mix stuff for urban music, hip hop, breaks, d & b and I'd use the C1 across the mix buss or across the synth subgroup just to take a little sharpness off those spikey synth sounds. I find the attack a little on the slow side and unlike, say the Drawmer 1969, it doesn't like being driven too hard. The compressor was good for knocking off transients without colouring things but it's not what I'd call a creative compressor that you could mash beats with.

The only thing I've tracked through it with any sucess is again, synth stuff, where I've wanted to take a little sheen off the sound and a couple of times of used it with a u87 to take a backing vocal.

BTW, I've used the cheaper TLA gear, (the ivory range) and it's not scratch on the the classic range. It seemed to me that to get anything happening on the ivory gear you really needed to wring the hell out of the pots and I certainly wouldn't strap one across my mix.

[K.C.]

Cool, thanks much for the info. I can pick an original one up for $600 and it sounds like it would be worth it.