TC Electronic RH750 It’s been just over three years since TC Electronic released their game-changing class-D bass amplifier, the RH450. Time to meet the newest addition. he launch of the sleek where it has now become a mini- 200 Hz (bass) and 1600 to 4000 mode. The SpectraComp and stylish, yet powerful jack input. The other controls Hz (treble). As before, these remains unchanged on this new and versatile RH450 back remain the same, with the frequency centres are adjusted amplifier and as before uses a Tin 2007 attracted a host RH750 retaining the shift mode by turning the appropriate spectral or multi-band approach of big-name endorsees such as functions, mute, tuner, TubeTone control while in shift mode. (For to compression, essentially Steve Bailey, Janek Gwizdala, feature and three memory the uninitiated, the shift button compressing each of the low-, Chris Minh Doky and, most presets of its predecessor. Those activates a ‘second layer’ of mid- and high-frequency bands recently, Level 42 bassist Mark eye-catching red LED indicator features for each digital control.) individually rather than as King. It also spawned two further rings are, of course, present and The most obvious new addition, one. The benefit here is a more additions to the range, the correct, meaning that there however, is the SpectraComp/ ‘musical’ use of compression Classic 450 and the Staccato ’51, are certainly no points lost in TweeterTone control. While which is smoother and has less the latter of which was styled and the appearances category; the SpectraComp used to be a effect on the natural dynamics in EQ’d to Tower of Power bassist RH750 looks fantastic and, as we secondary feature of the gain your playing. Turning the digital Rocco Prestia’s specifications. know from experience, is often a knob (accessed via shift mode), control indicates the amount The Danish company has now real talking point at gigs. it now has its own dedicated of compression applied to the added the RH750 (as debuted control. Although it was never signal, while Auto Make-Up by Mark King at the London Features a particular hardship to make Gain automatically compensates Bass Guitar Show) to its range The RH750 has essentially the adjustments to compression for any drop in volume. – a more powerful update of same feature set as the RH450 settings on the RH450, we When used in shift mode, the RH450, with a few added but with some useful additions. did find it more user-friendly the SpectraComp knob allows bonuses along the way. The four tone controls – bass, to have this control so readily adjustment of the TweeterTone This update is physically almost lo-mid, hi-mid and treble – accessible. Its addition has feature. This new addition is identical to its predecessor but is remain the same and as before also allowed the TweeterTone designed to be used in place finished in black rather than dark are sweepable parametric feature to be added to its shift of the tweeter control that is grey. The only other noticeable bands, meaning that the centre difference is the addition of frequency of each EQ band “The most obvious new addition is the an extra control added to the can be adjusted to taste. The SpectraComp/TweeterTone control. While front face: a SpectraComp/ only difference between the TweeterTone rotary control. RH750 and its predecessor is SpectraComp used to be a secondary feature of This has forced the previously that the default frequency on the gain knob (accessed via shift mode), it now has front-mounted ¼” headphone the bass and treble controls socket to the rear of the unit, has been changed from 280 to its own dedicated control.” 52 Bass GuitaR MaGazInE TC Electronic_1nw.indd 1 09/05/2011 12:12 TC ELECTRONIC RH750 PRICE: £849 found on the rear (or side) of is almost identical to the RH450 of tones we desired, and with most bass cabinets. According and contains an auto-sensing minimal work we quickly set to the manual, ‘TweeterTone is switch mode power supply that up presets for straight-ahead a far more intuitive and much will accept any mains voltage fi ngerstyle playing, with a high- better way of adjusting the high- from 100 to 240 volts – a handy mid boost to help cut through, frequency content. By using feature for those who travel a sizzling slap tone which TweeterTone, you do not simply abroad with their amp. Th ere utilised the TweeterTone turn the tweeter up and down is also a Speakon/jack speaker control and a healthy dose in level – you also get a much connection, Remote In (for the of compression, and a third more musical and pleasant HF optional footswitch), Digital Out preset that was EQ’d and adjustment. And instead of (for high-quality connection compressed specifi cally to having to fumble around on to DAW applications such as work well with a set of eff ects the back of the cabinet, you can Pro Tools or Logic), Aux In (for pedals. Switching between the TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION simply use the TweeterTone MP3 players), Insert Pre/Amp presets with the footswitch knob right there on the front I/O (can be used as an eff ects (available separately) was TC ELECTRONIC RH750 panel.’ It sounds good to us and loop or to link two amplifi ers seamless – indeed, when using PRICE: £849 we found it to be an eff ective together) and a balanced DI the programmable presets Built in: Denmark feature. Th e good news is that with a Pre/Post switch – this the footswitch is very handy, Controls: Bass, lo-mid, hi-mid, treble, TweeterTone adjustments are switch is also used for the Digital allowing for quick changes as TweeterTone, SpectraComp, 3 x stored as part of the memory Out connection. Th e only new well as a great mutable tuner programmable presets, TubeTone presets, meaning diff erent addition is the headphone facility. Power: 750 W (1200 W peak) levels can be added for diff erent socket, which has moved from Obviously, one of the main Dimensions: 275(d) x 290(w) x 66(h) patches. the front panel and is now a ⅛” benefi ts of the RH750 is the mm/10.8” x 11.4” x 2.6” As on the earlier models, the mini-jack connector. As before, added oomph of the 750 watts Weight: 4 kg (8.8 lb) RH750 features a TubeTone the headphone amplifi er also (1200 W peak). Th e RH750 can control which emulates the plays back any audio connected be connected to up to three of WHAT WE THINK entire preamp and power amp to the Aux In connection, TC Electronic’s RS cabs (we Plus: A great update of an already sections of a valve amplifi er. As meaning that you can easily jam tested it with two RS210 cabs) great bass ampli er. The added these are located before and after along with your favourite songs. or any other cab combination headroom will only be required by the tone controls respectively, with a 4 ohm load. While we some users, but the TweeterTone TC claim that this off ers a more Sounds suspect the RH450 would feature is a worthy addition. We love ‘realistic and fl exible recreation With the EQ controls set remain more than adequate for the ease with which user presets can of the actual tube sound and fl at, the RH750 off ers a most users, it’s good to know be made and altered. response’. Using this feature transparent tone – a very that the extra headroom is Minus: None certainly adds undeniable faithful reproduction of available in this model for those Overall: A solid addition to the range, warmth to the tone and it can the natural sound of your that need it. which will appeal to a broad audience. also be used to add varying levels instrument, something we of dirt/grind if needed. In shift Conclusion CONTACT DETAILS found tremendously appealing. TC Electronic mode the TubeTone control As Mark King commented Th e RH750 is beyond doubt operates as a preset level control, Tel: 0800 9178926 while talking about the unit at a worthy addition to the Web: www.tcelectronic.com allowing you to adjust the level of the London Bass Guitar Show, impressive TC Electronic the currently selected memory ‘I don’t use any EQ because I range. Wisely, they haven’t BGM RATING OUT OF FIVE program. As before, this is a very like the sound of my basses and tinkered with the design too useful feature and allows for I just want that amplifi ed nice much – it has certainly proven BGM RATING louder preset patches that come and clear.’ itself popular over the last three in useful for solos or slap breaks. Th e RH750 is versatile years – and have merely added Th e rear panel of the RH750 enough to cater for the range usable features such as the TweeterTone, and improved the overall user experience by giving the SpectraComp its own dedicated control. Unless you simply have to have the TweeterTone and the extra headroom, there’s not quite enough to encourage existing RH450 users to upgrade, but we suspect that this update of the popular model is aimed more at those bassists who haven’t yet taken the plunge, or have been holding out for a more powerful model. At £849 RRP the RH750 is not signifi cantly more expensive than the RH450, and although this is clearly a high-end piece of equipment, we believe it is priced sensibly.