While it was fun to go into explicit detail about my custom built partscaster, I thought it might be useful to post a review of something somebody might actually be looking for. And, of the gear I’ve bought in recent times, the TC Electronic Ampworx DC30 is definitely a favorite.
- Background
- TC Electronic Ampworx DC30 chorus pedal: tech specs
- Construction
- TC Electronic Ampworx DC30: tones
- TC Electronic Ampworx DC30: demo
- TC Electronic Ampworx DC30: conclusion
Background
As somebody who’s old enough to be federally protected against ageism in the workplace, it’s no surprise that I favor the sound of tube amps. Since I got my Laney VC15-110 some years back, after years of hybrids and solid states, it’s been it.
As long as I’ve been playing, there’s been talk of amp sims. In my earlier years, my old Zoom 707 had it. They sounded shit. I mostly shied away from them.
However, you couldn’t help but avoid the chatter of the past few years where amps-in-a-box now have some pretty legit examples.
So, when this old fart thought about doing something with a band again, and thought about the hassle of bringing an amp on the subway, he gave it some serious thought.
Research
From the outset, I knew I wouldn’t get a direct pedal version of my beloved Laney. So, I thought about how the VC15 was Laney’s take on Vox’s AC15. But that was unlikely to have a pedal version either. But, the AC15 is basically a scaled down take of the AC30. That’s an amp popular enough to have a pedal version. That’s what I started looking for.
When I started searching there were two that kept standing out:
- Universal Audio Ruby ’63
- TC Electronic Ampworx DC30
The Universal Audio range from which the Ruby comes is broadly well-regarded. However, when I looked at their own demo video, I was put off by the amount of stuff it does. I’m a very simple man. I’m not interested in pissing about with a bunch of settings that only me and other losers notice.
Thinking about toan holistically
Which leads to one thing I was mindful of when it came to amps-in-a-box: you’re still reliant on the sound engineer, whatever desk they’re putting your amp-in-box into, and their desk settings, and then whatever speakers are coming out of the desk and the coustic shape of the room.
All of which leads me to my belief that the ballpark of what you like is fine for live shows. The audience doesn’t care. A bajillion ways to tweak you toan only matters if you want to spend time pissing about with that at home instead of actually playing.
So, the cost and simplicity of the DC30 is what won me over.
Additionally, I was familiar with the TC Electronic brand, so I knew it would be a reliable piece of gear.
After waiting patiently for a used one to appear on Reverb…I struck! I want to believe I got the first ever used DC30 in the United States.
TC Electronic Ampworx DC30 chorus pedal: tech specs
| Construction material | Metal enclosure, plastic knobs, standard metal switches |
| Voltage | Your standard 9 |
| Power | A 9V battery, or the standard “BOSS” connection from the mains |
| Controls | Normal, brilliant, level, bass, treble, and cut, with boost controls to the front |
| Any other cool stuff? | Cab sim for a 2×12 Celestion Alnico Blue combo, headphone jack, and separate outputs for going to an amp or into a DI box/desk |
Construction
Although it was bought as used, I would definitely have said it looked “as new” if anybody had been around to ask about that.
As I already expected from TC Electronic, it’s perfectly solid box. It has a weightiness to it that I appreciate. Additionally, its two foot switches feel absolutely secure.
The thing about plastic knobs on pedals is that they’ll always feel flimsy in the context of a metal enclosure and metal buttons. In saying that, there’s definitely a lightness to the touch on the DC30’s knobs, but they don’t feel like they’ll fall off or anything.
TC Electronic Ampworx DC30: tones
When I opened it, the most immediate output I had to hand was my Samson monitors. I plugged it all in, centered all the knobs, and…wow. I did not expect that, in the best way possible, even having been a stereotypical man and didn’t read the instructions.
I immediately messaged the Reverb seller to share my delight.
When I calmed myself down enough to read the instructions and explore it a bit more, things only got better.
The main thing that got my attention was the boost switch and settings. There’s a toggle at the front side of the pedal that allows two different approaches to the boost function
- PRE, to emulate an overdrive pedal, for more gain and mids
- POST, to emulate a booster pedal, which just makes it louder
Also on the front side is a tiny know to dial in how much boosting you want your boost switch to do.
Personally, I only had interest in the PRE setting.
The DC30’s channels
The DC30 has two channels, a red and green, each with its own voicing. And yes, they’re definitely distinct, but an audience member wouldn’t notice or care.
My line of thought with it is that the red channel would be my “base” channel, and if I needed something quieter for a verse, I could switch to the green channel. This would eliminate the need for the attenuator pedal that was on my board.
The final discovery of the instruction manual was the most impactful for this pedal, and my ongoing efforts to streamline my rig.
Just one more thing…
I learned that the DC30 has a bypass mode.
My original idea for the DC30 was that it would live in my pedalboard bag, and onstage, I’d just put it on the floor next to my pedalboard, with my amp safely at home.
However, upon learning that it has a bypass mode, I started to think about having a permanent place for it on my board. When I’m playing though my amp at home, I could just bypass it.
In the context of pedalboard real estate, as noted above, two channels meant I didn’t really need my attenuator. And the boost pedal did exactly what I used my EQ pedal for. And I only ever used those two pedals live anyway – which was exactly what I bought the DC30 for.
So, with a quick game of pedalboard Tetris, the DC30 had a permanent spot on my board, and it’s good for pissing about at home, or on stage.
TC Electronic Ampworx DC30: demo
When thinking of what to play to demo the DC30, I opted for a song from my old band, Nerve Centre.
The song is called Ain’t No Shame (listen on the Spottyfry so I can earn a middle finger from their CEO). It’s the one song I could think of where I used the now defunct attentuator and EQ pedals, as well as my amp’s overdrive as the base sound.
Here’s the gear I used to put this demo together.
- Dell 3100 Chromebook
- TC Helicon GO SOLO audio interface
- Beyerdynamic DT-240 Pro headphones (discontinued)
- RF40 custom partscaster
- Pig Hog instrument cable
- Fender Ombre instrument cable
- Ernie Ball Regular Slinky guitar strings
- Dunlop Gator Grip 1.14mm picks
- Hotone Tuner
- Palmer BatPack 8000 (discontinued)
TC Electronic Ampworx DC30: conclusion
In summary, I was blown away by this amp-in-a-box. It goes far beyond what I thought an amp from a pedal would sound like based on my experience with the Zoom GFX707 number of years ago.
While I researched the right amp-in-the-box for me, I had to adjust my brain a little. I had to really remind myself that as long as I’m satisfied and enjoying it, the audience probably doesn’t give a shit.
Does it sound like a real AC30? Well, which one?
And which one, paired with what mic, to what desk, to what EQ settings, to what speakers in what shaped venue, to an audience that gives how much of a shit?
My point being, there are so many variables between the guitar sound you hear directly, and what the audience hears, relentless tweaking is pointless.
And finally
And finally, if you’re wondering how far I got with the original intention of the pedal, well, nothing happened. I’m still not playing beyond my basement. However, I’m in a more comfortable place in terms of gear if anything otherwise happens.
| Pros | Cons |
| Tone! I like the sounds it makes. An audience won’t care. Everyone wins. | Tone! Purists will whine that it doesn’t sound exactly like a specific model they heard through a specific recording. |
| Price. While it’s not the cheapest AC30 in a box, $150 new is still very affordable for what it is. | I honestly don’t have any more cons. My point above is subjective, but I can’t think of anything I’d change about its functionality. |
| Simplicity. I’m a simple man. I don’t need infinite features to consider. I need to play my guitar. |
Shortly after receiving my DC30, I went ahead and recorded a whole EP with it. I can’t remember the last time I recorded electric guitar with mics! Regardless, I was delighted with the outcome.
Where to buy
If you’re ready to start shopping for the DC30, I’d recommended checking for used deals on Reverb.
If you don’t see any bargains, and you’re seeing the same price everywhere for a new one, I’d recommend buying from Sweetwater because they send you candy, so why not? Drop my guy, Stephen, an email to see if he can do anything for you.
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