TC Electronics 3rd Dimension Chorus

TC Electronics 3rd Dimension Chorus

A pedal from the Twilight Zone?

by Chris Loeffler

How the Boss DC-2 has flown so low on the radar for decades is a mystery to me; I assume it has something to do with its relative rarity and the overuse of chorus in the 80’s that led guitar players to shun it for decades. The good folks at TC Electronic obviously have harbored a love for the circuit for some time, and recently released their version of it in their new budget line of effects under the name 3rdDimension. The TC Electronic 3rd Dimension Chorus is a true bypass analog chorusing effect with mono inputs and outputs that is powered by a standard 9v adaptor (not included).

What You Need to Know

TC Electronic 3rd Dimension Chorus features four buttons that activate varying levels of a delayed signal that create a chorusing effect when paired against the direct signal. Unlike most chorus effects, which rely on modulation to create space and movement, this chorus effect is relatively static, sounding more like a sonic thickener than a wobbly special effect.

The four buttons turn on slightly different delay times, and each has its own flavor and perceived level of depth. The more you run at a single time, the bigger the chorus effect. Like trying to dance to describe a color, the only way to truly understand how the different modes sound individually and stacked is to hear them, so I’ll let this video do the talking…

For those not counting, the ability to mix and match the four chorus modes creates 16 unique chorus modes, and one of the most unique things about the format of the pedal is how repeatable and reliable it is. Knobs can drift or get bumped by an errant cable during transport, but the four buttons turn on the exact same effect, every time.

A big part of the appeal of the original Boss DC-2 was the true stereo outputs, which created a wall of space that was nothing short of magical, so it is curious that TC Electronic made the decision to recreate the effect without that feature. The result is, ironically, the opposite of the pedal’s name… a two dimensional chorusing effect that sounds great but lacks the wow-factor and room-consuming sonics of its inspiration.

Limitations

The 3rd Dimension not being stereo is a big miss.

Conclusion

The TC Electronic 3rdDimension Chorus is a sturdy, incredibly affordable chorus effect that nails the sound of the original Boss DC-2 (sans the stereo output).  -HC-

Resources

 TC Electronic 3rdDimension Chorus Prodcut Page

Buy the TC Electronic 3rdDimension Chorus on Reveb ($89.99 MSRP, $69.99 Street)

____________________________________________ 

Chris Loeffler is a multi-instrumentalist and the Content Strategist of Harmony Central. In addition to his ten years experience as an online guitar merchandiser, marketing strategist, and community director he has worked as an international exporter, website consultant and brand manager. When he’s not working he can be found playing music, geeking out on guitar pedals and amps, and brewing tasty beer.