TC Electronic RH450, RS210, RS212 Review Thread

[Fishheadjoe]

Based on my 2 week stint with these cabinets, if I was to buy one first, it would be the 2x12. It will give you more bottom end, of which you probably wouldn't get from the 2x10 and you could eq the mids and highs to match your sound. Once funds are available, I would then get the 2x10. The 2x12 only weighs 4 lbs more than the 2x10.
Hope that makes sense.
Fishheadjoe

 

[onkelpo]

Hi, just a quick question to the RH450 owners.
I'm very interested in just the head and it ticks all the boxes for what I need/do, but my only concern is I've heard a couple of comments in reviews etc that suggest the amp could have been more powerful than it's 450 watts.
Does anyone find it lacking in power/volumn, especially with non TC cabs ?

 

[loend68]

I haven't used anything other than the TC cabs, but I have never lacked for power, even at a large outdoor gig.....

 

[petersland]

Hi, just a quick question to the RH450 owners.
I'm very interested in just the head and it ticks all the boxes for what I need/do, but my only concern is I've heard a couple of comments in reviews etc that suggest the amp could have been more powerful than it's 450 watts.
Does anyone find it lacking in power/volumn, especially with non TC cabs ?

I'm in Australia and bought the complete rig (from 2 diferent Dealers). RH450, RC4, RS210 and RS212.
I was not part of the Test pilot program and like you, the head ticked all the boxes for me.
I sold my LMII and 2 x 410 EA cabs to purchase this rig and haven't looked back.
Absolutely nothing wrong with my previous rig, just liked the TC amp features and portability.

IMHO the RH450 is a BIG 450watts @ 4ohm.
If you can try one, do so.

Cheers,

Pete

 

[John Wentzien]

Outdoors this weekend at a LOUD biker bash, I had to turn it almost half-way up!
Lots of room to spare.
The drum monitors were 2 big JBL stacks that were cranked.
I didn't even need any bass in the monitor to keep up on stage.

 

[onkelpo]

Thanks for the replies and pretty sure it will be fine.
All my cabs are 4 ohms and I only ever us one for any gig so will be drawing on full power if needed.
I did try the amp briefly in a store a while back and liked what I heard but never pushed it.

 

[ettsn]

Picked up one of the RH450 heads tonight. Too late to play through cabs at any real volume, but through the headphone out, I was impressed at the tones I was able to get. I'll crank it up using a pair of pre-Fender SWR Goliath Jr IIIs tomorrow (at my practice space) and report back...

 

[clarksouter]

I am a TC test Pilot and love this rig and am making arrangements for keeping it when the testing period is over. Just wanted to suggest to ettsn that you switch out the HOSA Speakon cables that come with the rig for a pair of Mogami speaker cables. (two 3 ft ones will do.) I was using the Mogami's for many years and continued with the TC rig. I decided to try the standard cables on a gig and switched them back after one set because my sound lost so much detail. This rig tends to be a little on the dark and punchy side and the Mogami's tend to even that out with their better signal flow character.

Cheers

Clark-

 

[ettsn]

I didn't buy the cabs (yet, at least ). I'm playing it through my SWR GolJr IIIs. My cables are some monster (well not Monster, lol) 12ga garden hoses that have almost immeasurably low resistance, especially at three feet. Forgot the brand, but they weren't cheapies. Thanks for the advice though!

Paul

PS- Nice Warrior!

 

[ettsn]

Played a rehearsal tonight using my RH450 into a pair of Goliath Jr III cabs. It KILLED. My guitar player was complimenting my tone (not typical by any means) and my drummer was duly impressed. I was getting room shaking volume, tones that ran the gamut from clean hi-fi to warm and fuzzy down to crunchy grit and everything in between. The tuner was nice, as was the compressor (damn fine compressor -- maybe the best I've ever used). Silly easy setup and the memories made my settings quite repeatable -- find a tone you like, program her in for posterity.

I love, love, love this amp. Probably the best bass amp I've ever used. And I wasn't involved with the test pilot deal at all, I paid for this one. I'd do it again in a bat of a hummingbird's wing.

 

[Chris Willshire]

Hi again--

I've finally completed 2 test videos which test the RH450 w/ various cabinets and then test the RS210/212 combo I have w/ a couple different amp heads. Here's the Youtube link to part 1. Part 2 to follow in the next day or so. I'll also post detailed notes. Enjoy!

Chris Willshire

 

[Chris Willshire]

SPEAKERS (all tested w/ the RH450 head)----------

1. RS210 w/ JBL218 vs RS210 w/ RS212

Picked groove--
Pretty close overall. Mainly just the difference between the speaker sizes.
Adding the JBLs in place of the TC 2x12 is nice and punchy.

Slap groove--
No major difference, other than the obvious addition of extra low end w/ the
18s replacing the RS212s.

I would love to see TC Electronics create an RS218 to go with the RS210!


2. RS210 vs Ampeg SVT 410-HE

(I didn't use the TC 2x12 in this configuration--just kept it to the 10" cabs)

Ampeg SVT 410-HE --a bit more low end overall, but maybe due to having 4 10s vs only 2 10s.
Good overall natural EQ.

RS210- a bit more clarity on the slaps, but too midrangey for me on this default setting compared to the Ampeg.

I'm curious as to what 2 of the RS210 cabs sound like compared to the Ampeg 410, as
that would be a more even comparison. I'm sure that would compensate some for the overall midrangey-ness which I didn't like as much. If anyone is able to do this comparison, please let me know what you think.

3. RS210 AND RS212 vs Ampeg SVT 410-HE
(not on the video)

Adding the RS212 makes the comparison w/ this model of Ampeg much more close than the above test w/ only the RS210. These 2 setups are fairly comparable in this situation.

The low end response of the Ampeg still holds it's own though in this situation. This supports what I noticed above, that the Ampeg 4x10 has better bass response than the TC 2x10 by itself. Therefore, using 4 10s on the Ampeg is comparable to the RS210 and RS212.

Add'l comments--

Unfortunately, I didn't have ability to plug a good mic into my camcorder, so all I have
on this video is the built-in camera mic. I think this comparison still serves it purpose, but
the differences I describe were much more noticeable to my ear when I was playing than
what ultimately comes across on the video. Hopefully these notes will help when the differences aren't as obvious when watching. There were definitely some very noticeable differences though when comparing some of these models!


I also use a Sansamp RBI by Tech21 as part of my setup. It is connected pre-RH450, so it
sweetens and fattens the tone before sending it to the RH. However, for test purposes, I did not use it for this video.

I hope this has been helpful. If you have any further questions or comments, you can email me at---

[email protected]

Cheers,

Chris


Here's the link again in case this reply isn't near my original post--

 

[petersland]

Played a rehearsal tonight using my RH450 into a pair of Goliath Jr III cabs. It KILLED. My guitar player was complimenting my tone (not typical by any means) and my drummer was duly impressed. I was getting room shaking volume, tones that ran the gamut from clean hi-fi to warm and fuzzy down to crunchy grit and everything in between. The tuner was nice, as was the compressor (damn fine compressor -- maybe the best I've ever used). Silly easy setup and the memories made my settings quite repeatable -- find a tone you like, program her in for posterity.

I love, love, love this amp. Probably the best bass amp I've ever used. And I was involved with the test pilot deal at all, I paid for this one. I'd do it again in a bat of a hummingbird's wing.

Hey Paul,
When I read your posts, I have to realise it's not me posting.
I agree 100% with you.
I too am not a Test Pilot (unfortunately they've been given a bad rap).
I purchased the Head, footswitch, 210 and 212 cab.
Although a little aprehensive of my cab choice at first, I too am smiling from ear to ear after last night's rehearsal.
My first rehearsal was OK, but some tweaking at home (mainly reducing the lows and compression on my presets), got me roaring last night.
All band members were so impressed with the rig, and they've heard me with several over the last 2 years.
I think I am finally cured. I have finally found "my sound".
I am over the moon at not only the sound, but how transportable and stupid easy the setup is.
Presets! Oh my God! Bassists can finally enter the 21st Century and TC got it right on their first attempt.
I can now stop trying and looking for a rig and concentrate an more important things like more instruments (sorry Dear, I meant Family)
Rock on TC Electronic.
Pete

 

[ettsn]

Absolutely. I'm strongly considering picking up the 212 (and maybe also a second 212 or a 210), although I really like how it sounds on my Goliath Jrs. Love the idea of 12s, and a 412 setup (two 212s) would pound I think.

Love this setup. And it weighs a fraction of what my rack rig weighed (I mean, probably 20kg less!). Tossed the head and all cables in a backpack, and I was cruising.

I hate that a few people got bent out of shape over the Test Pilot deal. I think it was a great idea -- basically beta testers, but of a finished product. Call 'em market research testers. I wish people would kiss and make up on that deal, and recognize that this setup is very good. Perhaps not perfect, perhaps not everyone's cup of tea, but very very good.

Paul

 

[ettsn]

Nice video, Chris (and I dig your Folio stuff too!). I commented on Youtube some of the sound differences you're hearing: aside from having twice as many 10s, the Ampeg is also on the floor. Coupling will enhance bass frequencies and dull treble. The opposite is true for your tc 210. Being up high, closer to ear level will bring out the treble, but being more than 2 feet off the ground has it completely de-coupled.

Your sound with the 218 is thumptastic. The 10s give it definition, while the big boys do the shaking.

If Folio makes it out to Atlanta, I'd go see you. I'm a waver from way back (Missing Persons, Blondie, etc). Good stuff.

 

[Tom7]

SPEAKERS (all tested w/ the RH450 head)----------

1. RS210 w/ JBL218 vs RS210 w/ RS212

Picked groove--
Pretty close overall. Mainly just the difference between the speaker sizes.
Adding the JBLs in place of the TC 2x12 is nice and punchy.

Slap groove--
No major difference, other than the obvious addition of extra low end w/ the
18s replacing the RS212s.

I would love to see TC Electronics create an RS218 to go with the RS210!


2. RS210 vs Ampeg SVT 410-HE

(I didn't use the TC 2x12 in this configuration--just kept it to the 10" cabs)

Ampeg SVT 410-HE --a bit more low end overall, but maybe due to having 4 10s vs only 2 10s.
Good overall natural EQ.

RS210- a bit more clarity on the slaps, but too midrangey for me on this default setting compared to the Ampeg.

I'm curious as to what 2 of the RS210 cabs sound like compared to the Ampeg 410, as
that would be a more even comparison. I'm sure that would compensate some for the overall midrangey-ness which I didn't like as much. If anyone is able to do this comparison, please let me know what you think.

3. RS210 AND RS212 vs Ampeg SVT 410-HE
(not on the video)

Adding the RS212 makes the comparison w/ this model of Ampeg much more close than the above test w/ only the RS210. These 2 setups are fairly comparable in this situation.

The low end response of the Ampeg still holds it's own though in this situation. This supports what I noticed above, that the Ampeg 4x10 has better bass response than the TC 2x10 by itself. Therefore, using 4 10s on the Ampeg is comparable to the RS210 and RS212.

Add'l comments--

Unfortunately, I didn't have ability to plug a good mic into my camcorder, so all I have
on this video is the built-in camera mic. I think this comparison still serves it purpose, but
the differences I describe were much more noticeable to my ear when I was playing than
what ultimately comes across on the video. Hopefully these notes will help when the differences aren't as obvious when watching. There were definitely some very noticeable differences though when comparing some of these models!


I also use a Sansamp RBI by Tech21 as part of my setup. It is connected pre-RH450, so it
sweetens and fattens the tone before sending it to the RH. However, for test purposes, I did not use it for this video.

I hope this has been helpful. If you have any further questions or comments, you can email me at---

[email protected]

Cheers,

Chris


Here's the link again in case this reply isn't near my original post--

Interesting video; thanks for taking the trouble to get it out there for us to see.

I agree about the "midrangy" character of the 210, it would have been interesting to see if you could compensate well enough with the amp's EQ. Otherwise, all we've learned is that we don't want to buy the RH450 with a 210 and use them at default settings.

 

[Andy Brown]

I hate that a few people got bent out of shape over the Test Pilot deal. I think it was a great idea -- basically beta testers, but of a finished product. Call 'em market research testers.

I agree 100% - some people don't get that this is only a 'free' deal for three months. I'm definitely going to be keeping this rig or buying a new one. This stuff is the real deal, especially for my situation. It's not for everyone (then again what is?), but I know a lot of guys and gals dig the system entirely.

 

[Chris Willshire]

Nice video, Chris (and I dig your Folio stuff too!). I commented on Youtube some of the sound differences you're hearing: aside from having twice as many 10s, the Ampeg is also on the floor. Coupling will enhance bass frequencies and dull treble. The opposite is true for your tc 210. Being up high, closer to ear level will bring out the treble, but being more than 2 feet off the ground has it completely de-coupled.

Your sound with the 218 is thumptastic. The 10s give it definition, while the big boys do the shaking.

If Folio makes it out to Atlanta, I'd go see you. I'm a waver from way back (Missing Persons, Blondie, etc). Good stuff.

Thanks for the kudos on our FOLIO tracks! It's always nice to know when someone appreciates all the hard work which goes into writing and recording an album. We're currently writing material for our first full-length--we have 12 demos in the can so far, w/ more to go......

I'll have to try the RS210 vs the Ampeg 410 raised off the floor for a more even comparison. I wish I'd thought of that when shooting the video. I'm not much of a techie and haven't tried testing gear like this before. Fortunately, I'm learning lots just by reading posts and sharing tips with other bassists like yourself. Thanks for the tip!

Cheers,

Chris

 

[Chris Willshire]

Interesting video; thanks for taking the trouble to get it out there for us to see.

I agree about the "midrangy" character of the 210, it would have been interesting to see if you could compensate well enough with the amp's EQ. Otherwise, all we've learned is that we don't want to buy the RH450 with a 210 and use them at default settings.

Hi Tom--

I'm happy with the overall sound of the RS210 when I use my main setting on the RH450s EQ. I'd say it can compensate quite well for the general midrangey character of the default settings. It would have been a good idea to try to compensate for the EQ difference on the video. In general, I was just really curious to see how my different setups compared to each other in their unaltered, natural settings. I'm impressed w/ the overall versatility of the RH450 and the ability to get the kind of tone I'm looking for though.

Cheers,

Chris

 

[Chris Willshire]

Here is part 2 of my video comparing the RH450 and RS210/212 cabinets with a couple of other models of amps and cabinets. This video uses the RS210/212 configuration with the RH450, an Ampeg SVT-II head, and a Gallien Krueger 400RB III amp.





Notes--

AMPLIFIERS (all tested w/ the TC Electronics 210/212 configuration)--

1. Gallien Krueger 400 RB III vs RH450

To my ears, the GK is too thin and midrangey compared to the RH450. . The "Tubetone" and "Spectracomp" functions on the RH really make a difference in providing a fuller tone with more balls!

2. Ampeg SVT II vs RH450

Using all flat EQ, I like the Amgeg more as it has a slightly better low end response and more warmth overall. That would of course make sense for anyone who prefers a tube sound b/c the Ampeg is a tube amp and the RH450 is not. I'm sure similar models of tube amps would provide similar results. But then, that's without using the RH450 Tubetone feature. I did another test off camera (since the focus of the video is to compare
default amp settings) with my normal live setting on the RH450, which includes the Tubetone feature, and the results were very comparable, which is impressive considering that the RH450 is emulating a tube sound and isn't actually a tube amp. I'd say that this feature will definitely give you your tube fix when you're craving that warmth!


Add'l comments--

Unfortunately, I didn't have ability to plug a good mic into my camcorder, so all I have
on this video is the built-in camera mic. I think this comparison still serves it purpose, but
the differences I describe were much more noticeable to my ear when I was playing than
what ultimately comes across on the video. Hopefully these notes will help when the differences aren't as obvious when watching. There were definitely some very noticeable differences though when comparing some of these models!


I also use a Sansamp RBI by Tech21 as part of my setup. It is connected pre-RH450, so it
sweetens and fattens the tone before sending it to the RH. However, for test purposes, I did not use it for this video.

I hope this has been helpful. If you have any further questions or comments, you can email me at---

[email protected]