The Big Lloyde TC-3 Compressor is a compressor pedal handcrafted in America, the maker's third pedal project following two earlier pedals1. Pedal of the Day's reviewer, Mike B, summed it up as "A great-sounding compressor in a neat and tidy pedal package, the TC-3 gives the big fellas a run for their money," adding that it adds sparkle to your tone without any coloration to speak of1.
The controls: Level, Mix, Sustain, Presence and Attack
The TC-3 carries five controls: Mix, Level, Sustain, Attack and Presence1. Each does a distinct job, and together they cover the usual compressor questions of how much squashing, how loud, and how bright.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Master output volume control1 |
| Mix | Dial in as much or as little compression as is called for in any musical situation1 |
| Sustain | Turning it up brings sustain, a more compressed sound with added sensitivity, and it also works as a gain control, which can add noise into your signal the more it is cranked1 |
| Presence | Controls the high end of the pedal, adding in more treble and clarity when turned up1 |
| Attack | Listed among the pedal's controls1 |
The Mix control is the one that sets the TC-3 apart from simpler compressors: because you can blend the compressed signal against the dry one, you can keep the natural attack of your playing underneath the squash. Mike B called it out directly: "The Mix is great, too, as you can dial in as much or as little compression as is called for in any musical situation"1.
Relay bypass and the two modes
The TC-3's switching is relay true bypass using what the reviewer describes as the superior Carling footswitch. The feature is called Relay Bypass and consists of two modes, set by holding down the bypass switch while powering up the pedal1.
- Mode 1: the pedal remembers if it was on or off when the power was last shut down, and returns to that state when powered up again1
- Mode 2: the pedal automatically defaults to the off, or bypassed, state when powered up1
Which mode the pedal starts in depends on how you power it up: hold the bypass switch down while applying power to set the mode. Mode 1 recalls the last state, Mode 2 always starts bypassed1.
Power, jacks and build
The TC-3 can run on an internal battery via a battery snap, or from an external DC jack, so it works either on a one-off battery or a pedalboard supply. All three jacks, input, output and power, are top mounted, which keeps the pedal's footprint tidy on a board1.
The build details the review lists:
- Durable enclosure by Pedal Parts Plus1
- Alpha potentiometers1
- 1% metal film resistors1
- Top quality film capacitors1
- Through hole plated PCB, manufactured in the USA1
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's review is the published verdict on record for the TC-3. Mike B's overall take: "A great-sounding compressor in a neat and tidy pedal package, the TC-3 gives the big fellas a run for their money." He also described it as "a mighty nice little piece of gear, adding sparkle to your tone, without any coloration to speak of," and closed by hoping the maker's third pedal project "continues in the craftsmanship and quality of the first two"1.
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Questions
Is the Big Lloyde TC-3 true bypass?
Yes. The TC-3 uses relay true bypass switching built around a Carling footswitch, which Pedal of the Day's reviewer described as superior. The relay bypass feature has two modes, and which mode you get is set by holding down the bypass switch while powering the pedal up. In bypass, the compressor is removed from your signal path entirely.
Does the Big Lloyde TC-3 run on a battery?
It can. The TC-3 has an internal battery snap as well as an external DC jack, so you can power it either way. The input, output and power jacks are all top mounted, which helps when fitting the pedal onto a crowded pedalboard.
What are the two relay bypass modes on the TC-3?
Mode 1 remembers whether the pedal was on or off when the power was last shut down, and returns to that state when powered up again. Mode 2 always defaults to the off, or bypassed, state when the pedal is powered up. You choose between them by holding down the bypass switch while powering up the pedal.
How do I switch bypass modes on the Big Lloyde TC-3?
Hold down the bypass switch while powering up the pedal. That sets which of the two relay bypass modes it uses: Mode 1, which recalls the on or off state from the last time power was shut down, or Mode 2, which always starts bypassed when powered up.
Where is the Big Lloyde TC-3 made?
The TC-3 is handcrafted in America. Pedal of the Day's review notes that it uses a through hole plated PCB manufactured in the USA, a durable enclosure made by Pedal Parts Plus, Alpha potentiometers, 1% metal film resistors and film capacitors.
Can the TC-3 blend dry and compressed signal?
Yes. The Mix control lets you dial in as much or as little compression as a musical situation calls for, blending the compressed signal against the dry signal. Pedal of the Day's reviewer highlighted it as one of the pedal's strengths.
Sources (1)
- Big Lloyde TC-3 Compressor, Pedal of the Day (pedal-of-the-day.com), 2015-06-06