MILLENNIA TCL-2 Plugin

Twin Topology Opto-Compressor/Limiter with added M/S Mode

High Resolution. Immaculate J-FET and Class-A Tube Modeling

Thank you for using the Millennia Media TCL-2 Twincom plugin. The original TCL-2 hard- “With the emergence of 24+ bit digital audio, recording engineers are faced with a new
ware design was the result of meticulous listening tests on numerous circuit, topology, and requirement for undistorted dynamic range. The TCL-2 meets this challenge exceptionally
packaging designs. The TCL-2 is a finely tuned instrument intended for critical professional well.” *
applications.
Twin Topology is a Millennia-exclusive design technique that combines 50V discrete sol-
We feel the hardware TCL-2 is the world’s most sonically neutral analog Opto-Compressor, id-state amplifiers and 400V vacuum tube amplifiers in the same chassis. Tube or sol-
and we have meticulously modeled that transparency within our software. id-state audio paths are selectable from a front-panel switch. This dedicated two-circuit
design offers the flexibility of applying distinctly different characteristics to your processed
sound.

*Adapted from the Millennia TCL-2 hardware manual

Developed under license by Brainworx GmbH Germany for Plugin Alliance LLC USA.
 MILLENNIA TCL-2 Plugin
Twin Topology Opto-Compressor/Limiter with added M/S Mode
High Resolution. Immaculate J-FET and Class-A Tube Modeling

(1) THRESHOLD CONTROL “THRESHOLD” (6) CHANNEL IN SWITCH “DYN IN”

Conductive plastic rotary potentiometer offering variable compression threshold. When fully Pushbutton switch which selects channel status. When switch is depressed and correspond-
Counter-Clockwise, the compression threshold is least sensitive. Threshold range is ing LED is illuminated, audio signal will be processed by dynamics functions. When switch is
approximately -20 dB to +20 dB. Threshold is most sensitive when control is turned fully not depressed and LED is not illuminated, audio signal is not processed by dynamics func-
Clockwise. tions. This is not a “hard-wire” bypass. Audio signal is always in the active circuit path regard-
less of this switch’s status.
(2) ATTACK CONTROL “ATTACK”
Conductive plastic rotary potentiometer offering variable attack timing. When fully (7) METER FUNCTION SELECT SWITCH “METER IN=GR/OUT=LEVEL”
Counter-Clockwise, the fastest attack is achieved (2mS). When fully Clockwise, the slowest Pushbutton switch which selects meter function. When switch is depressed and
attack is achieved (lOOmS). corresponding LED is illuminated, meter indicates the amount of gain reduction. When switch
is not depressed and LED is not illuminated, meter indicates output level (0 VU = +4 dBu).
(3) RELEASE CONTROL “RELEASE”
Conductive plastic rotary potentiometer offering variable compression release timing. When (8) TWIN TOPOLOGY SELECT SWITCH “TT”
fully Counter-Clockwise, the fastest release is achieved (lOOmS). When fully Clockwise the Pushbutton switch which selects the corresponding channel as a complete vacuum tube
slowest release is achieved (3 seconds). compressor or a complete solid state compressor. Not a gimmick. Twin Topology is designed
around two world-class, musically optimized Class-A amplifiers — one amplifier is based on
(4) RATIO CONTROL “RATIO” twin triode vacuum tubes, while the other is based upon all discrete J-FET servo amplifiers.
Conductive plastic rotary potentiometer offering variable compression ratio. When fully It’s like having two distinctly different compressors in one chassis. When switch is depressed
Counter-Clockwise, the lowest and most gentle ratio is achieved (2:1). When fully Clockwise, and LED is illuminated, the channel is operating as a solid state compressor. When the switch
the highest and most pronounced ratio is achieved (30:1). A compression ratio of approxi- is not depressed, the channel is operating as a vacuum tube compressor. Because of the
mately 10:1 (or higher) is typically called “limiting.” TCL-2’s unique shunt design, the dynamic processing chain leaves little or no detectable sig-
nal path artifact when in-circuit.
(5) MIX TRIM “MIX”
Parameter only available in the plugin version of the TCL-2. This allows you to control the
amount of original signal being blended with the processed signal, effectively providing the
option of parallel compression within each channel of the TCL-2.
 MILLENNIA TCL-2 Plugin
Twin Topology Opto-Compressor/Limiter with added M/S Mode
High Resolution. Immaculate J-FET and Class-A Tube Modeling

(9) STEREO LINK SWITCH “STEREO LINK” (11) METERS

Pushbutton switch which selects the stereo link function. When switch is depressed and LED Large (and very expensive!) Sifam true audio level meters offering superb ballistics and
is illuminated, both channels will respond to the channel with the highest compression activity. accuracy. A custom back-lit dial face provides oversized numerals for clear readability.
When the switch is not depressed, each channel’s dynamics operates independently. The Backlighting also provides a pilot light function.
sidechain controls (threshold, attack, release, ratio) remain individually adjustable and are not
stereo linked. Stereo tracking can be tightened by reducing the ratio setting of the channel (12) OUTPUT GAIN CONTROL “OUTPUT GAIN”
driving hardest. Conductive plastic rotary potentiometer offering variable output gain level. When fully Count-
er-Clockwise, the output gain is fully attenuated (off). When fully Clockwise, the output gain is
(10) M/S SWITCH (Plugin only, available on stereo channels only) at maximum. Up to 10 dB of make-up gain is available when fully Clockwise.
By activating the M/S switch, the TCL-2 plugin internally splits the stereo signal into M (mid)
and S (side) channels. M/S is also referred to as Sum & Difference. You can now treat the (13) POWER SWITCH “POWER”
dynamic range of the M and the S channels individually, allowing for tweaks simply not Rocker switch for switching AC line power on and off. This completely bypasses the plugin.
possible with a standard Left / Right compressor.
NOTE:
You may want to try the M & S Solo Buttons of the Brainworx bx_digital EQ. Listening to M The TCL-2 Twincom is based on pure Class-A all vacuum tube and pure Class-A discrete
& S in solo mode will help you understand the basics of what M/S really is. The bx_digital is all-transistor amplifier designs. Both topologies perform best after reaching a stable,
available from Plugin Alliance. warmed-up condition.

All TCL-2 factory adjustments have been performed when unit is fully warmed-up;
at least one-half hour after turning unit on. During TCL-2 warm-up period, user may find that
certain adjustments may drift slightly, including the 0 dB meter reading when in “GR” (Gain
Reduction) mode.
 MILLENNIA TCL-2 Plugin
Twin Topology Opto-Compressor/Limiter with added M/S Mode
High Resolution. Immaculate J-FET and Class-A Tube Modeling

DYNAMICS PARAMETERS (14) Plugin Alliance Toolbar

Threshold Range -20 dBu to +20 dBu, continuously adjustable “KEY” ICON
Attack Range 2 mS to 100 mS, continuously adjustable Opens the plugin Activation Dialog
Release Range 100 mS to 3.0 sec, continuously adjustable
Compression Ratio Range Min: 1.4 to 1, Max: 30 to 1, continuous “WRENCH” ICON
Dynamics Bypass on Each Channel? Yes Shows information regarding the plugin version, software specifications, and
Meter Gain Reduction -or- VU Switch? Yes user account.
Stereo Link Switch? Yes
Mid/Side Processing Yes “?” ICON
Twin Topology Selection Switch Switch In = FET Amplifiers Opens a dialog thorugh which one can access the plugin’s help documentation,
Switch Out = Vacuum Tube Amplifiers online product page, or any available updates.

“$” ICON (When Applicable)

If you’ve purchased your Millennia TCL-2 using the Plugin Alliance Installment
Payments option, the “$” icon, links to your account so you can make a payment
on your Lease-License

For More Information

Please Visit:
Millennnia Media Website: mil-media.com
Plugin Alliance Website: plugin-alliance.com