TC Electronic DC30 Preamp Modeling Guitar Pedal

Great, Great Britain

Faithfully reproducing the iconic British tube tones of the classic 1965 VOX Top Boost AC30 with advanced TC Ampworx modeling tech, the DC30 Preamp from TC Electronic delivers the authentic tone, touch, and feel of a vintage tube amp. Sporting two channels (green for clean rhythm, red for more gain), you can handle everything from blues and jazz to rock and metal.

Each channel features independent gain, volume, and EQ controls for perfect tonal shaping. An integrated boost is included with it's own footswitch, and you can select either Pre or Post boost modes from the rear panel, with Pre boost allowing you to drive the amp model harder, with a distinct mid-frequency hump. Both the DI output (ideal for PAs, mixers, and interfaces) and the headphone output (ideal for silent practice) offer IR-based simulations of a Celestion 2x12 Alnico Blue cabinet, for the sound of a real vintage combo amp. And as a pedalboard-friendly platform, the DC30 Preamp will take drive pedals like a champ.

The original VOX Top Boost AC30 that DC30 built upon is a British amp classic, and among its most notable users you also find a host of the finest British bands in the history of rock �n' roll. The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Queen, The Who, and many more brought this amp to the stage and studio to shape the sound of their music.

The AC30 has a distinctive British tube amp sound, with crunching leads and rhythm guitar and warm cleans. The DC30 delivers that same sonic character, now with modern enhancements for even further versatility.

Right out of the box, the DC30 is set to Dual Channel mode. Both channels are modeled after the AC30 clean channel, though the Red channel offers more gain and a slightly different voicing. This configuration keeps the pedal engaged at all times, granting instant access to each of these unique sonic profiles.

However, if you prefer a more traditional stompbox experience, TC Electronic also incorporated a Bypass mode. Entering this mode allows you to simply stomp the pedal on and off, allowing you to switch between bypass and the channel used before entering Bypass mode.

The cabinet speaker plays a crucial role in any combo, and thanks to the advancements in convolution-based IR technology, TC Electronic can now capture the essence of the past with exceptional precision and authenticity. To give you the true sound of the original, they joined forces with Celestion and incorporated the official Celestion impulse response of the popular Alnico Blue 2x12 speaker cab. It's an excellent match that reproduces every nuance of your riffs and solos with equal amounts of ease and elegance.

DC30 features a boost circuit just like the original. To enhance its versatility, the pedal offers a selectable Pre or Post boost mode. In the Post mode, the boost circuit functions as a volume boost, elevating the output level without introducing any alteration to your core tone. It simply provides a transparent and pure increase in volume, allowing your original sound to shine through.

Switching to the Pre mode repositions the booster before the amp modeler in the signal chain. This setup drives the amplifier with greater intensity, simulating the effect of a vintage tube screamer placed in front of your amp. This introduces a touch of grit and character, delivering a tasteful vintage-style drive. With either setting, you precisely control the Boost gain amount with a small trim pot next to the Pre/Post boost switch.

The DC30 offers three independent outputs, all of which can be used simultaneously for a three-way split. You get a DI output ideal for front-of-house (FOH) and PA systems, a line out, and a headphone out for silent practice. The DI and headphone outputs both feature cab simulation of a Celestion Alnico Blue 2x12 cab, while the line out sends a pure, amp-modeled tone, allowing you to send the line out to an optional external IR loader if desired.

TC Electronic DC3PREAMP Specs

Input Impedance	1 Megohm
Output Impedance	1 Kilohm
Audio Circuit Type	Digital (Modeling)
Buffer	Buffered Bypass
Controls	6 x Rotary Knob (Normal, Brilliant, Level, Bass, Treble, Cut) 1 x Low-Profile Trim Pot (Boost Gain) 1 x 2-Way Switch (Pre/Post Boost) 2 x Footswitch (Boost On/Off, Channel)

USB I/O	1 x Mini-USB Female Input/Output
Audio I/O	1x 1/4" TS Hi-Z/Instrument Input 1x 1/4" TRS Line Output (Balanced) 1x 1/4" TRS Line Output (DI Output, Balanced) 1x 1/4" TRS Headphone Output

Power Source	AC Adapter with Power Brick (Not Included)
DC Input Power	9 VDC at 300 mA
Operating Current	300 mA

Color	Blue
Material of Construction	Metal
Dimensions	5.4 x 4.5 x 2" / 13.7 x 11.4 x 5.1 cm (D x W x H)
Weight	1.09 lb / 0.49 kg

Package Weight	1.73 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)	7.5 x 7.3 x 4.25"