TC Electronic M5000, User Manual, Page: 3 / 203

MAINFR. INTRO
M5INTRO
Rev 1.0 Page 2
THE M5000 MAINFRAME CONCEPT
WHY A MAINFRAME ?
The purpose of the mainframe concept is the flexibility to keep up with the ever evolving state
of technology. New inventions developed because of the advancing needs of professional
engineers can be implemented in the mainframe without he need to scrap a valued piece of
equipment. Furthermore, only one user interface is needed to control several modules, i.e. the
front panel of the ATAC is controlling one module at the time, although all modules installed
are active. (Shown on fig. 1 is M5000).
Fig. 1
HARDWARE
The modules are installed in 4 slots placed on the rear panel. Each module is held in with only
2 screws which makes replacement of hardware for updates and upgrades very easy. Once
placed into the slot the module is connected to a high speed
24 bit audio bus. 24 bit makes the
M5000 well prepared for the future as 24 bit conversion is not likely to be exceeded for many
years to come. The AD/DA converter features 18 bit resolution 64 times oversampling in, 20
bit out. The 24 bit audio bus features up to 64 audio channels which makes the M5000
"patchable" for almost any purpose (fig. 2).
SOFTWARE
As the M5000 is totally software controlled it is essential that also the software is easily
exchanged. New algorithms and programs will be available to you in different categories.
Some of the programs will be created by other M5000 users and will be available as public
domain software, i.e. users can share programs/sounds for free. Other programs and
algorithms will be created by well known engineers and musicians. There is more information