The TC Electronic DC30 PREAMP brings the legendary sound of a 1965 British Top Boost AC30 amplifier to your pedalboard in a compact and versatile dual-channel guitar preamp. Powered by TC Electronic's advanced AMPWORX modeling technology, the DC30 faithfully recreates the distinctive chime, warmth and dynamic response of one of the most iconic amplifiers in rock history. With independent channel controls, selectable pre/post boost, an official Celestion 2x12 Alnico Blue cabinet impulse response and dedicated outputs for direct recording, amplification and headphones, the DC30 delivers authentic vintage-inspired tone with the flexibility required by modern guitarists.

Legendary British Amplifier Tone

The DC30 PREAMP captures the unmistakable character of the classic 1965 Top Boost AC30, an amplifier that helped define the sound of British rock music. Its distinctive combination of sparkling cleans, rich harmonic overtones and expressive overdrive has been associated with legendary artists including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Queen and The Who.

Using TC Electronic's sophisticated AMPWORX modeling technology, the DC30 recreates the sound and response of the original amplifier circuit with exceptional attention to detail. The result is a responsive and musical playing experience that captures the character of the original while providing the convenience and versatility of a modern pedal-based setup.

From shimmering clean tones and articulate rhythm sounds to harmonically rich crunch and singing lead tones, the DC30 offers a wide range of classic British guitar sounds suitable for both vintage-inspired and contemporary music.

Advanced AMPWORX Modeling Technology

At the heart of the DC30 is TC Electronic's AMPWORX digital amplifier modeling technology. Developed with a focus on faithfully reproducing the original amplifier, this technology models the individual components and interactions within the classic circuit to capture its characteristic tonal response.

Rather than simply reproducing a static amplifier sound, AMPWORX is designed to recreate the dynamic behaviour and tonal characteristics that make the original amplifier so expressive. This allows guitarists to explore the distinctive clean and driven sounds associated with the classic British amplifier design.

Dual Channels with Independent Controls

The DC30 PREAMP features two independently controlled channels, allowing guitarists to switch between different tonal settings during a performance. Both channels are based on the clean channel of the original amplifier, with the red channel offering additional gain and a slightly different voicing compared to the green channel.

In the default Dual Channel mode, the CHANNEL footswitch toggles between the green and red channels, making it easy to move between contrasting sounds without adjusting the controls manually.

For guitarists who prefer conventional stompbox operation, the DC30 can also be switched to Bypass mode by pressing the BOOST and CHANNEL switches simultaneously. In this mode, the pedal operates as an on/off effect using the currently selected channel, providing additional flexibility for integration into an existing pedalboard.

Selectable Pre and Post Boost

The integrated boost circuit provides two distinct approaches to enhancing your guitar sound. In PRE mode, the boost is positioned before the amplifier modeling stage, functioning similarly to a vintage overdrive pedal placed in front of an amplifier. This pushes the modeled amplifier harder, producing additional saturation, sustain and harmonic richness.

In POST mode, the boost is applied after the amplifier modeling stage. This increases the output level without fundamentally changing the character of the amplifier tone, making it ideal for raising your volume during solos or featured passages.

A dedicated Boost Gain control on the rear panel allows the amount of boost to be adjusted to suit your playing style and performance requirements. Once configured, the boost can be engaged whenever additional drive or volume is needed.

Authentic Celestion 2x12 Alnico Blue Cabinet Simulation

To complete the classic amplifier experience, the DC30 includes an official impulse response of the legendary Celestion 2x12 Alnico Blue speaker cabinet. These speakers are closely associated with the distinctive sound of vintage British combo amplifiers, contributing their characteristic warmth, clarity and musical midrange response.

Using convolution-based impulse response technology, the DC30 reproduces the sonic characteristics of the original speaker cabinet with remarkable accuracy. The integrated cabinet simulation provides a complete amplifier and speaker sound when connecting directly to a recording interface, mixing console or PA system.

By combining detailed amplifier modeling with an authentic Celestion cabinet impulse response, the DC30 delivers a convincing vintage amplifier experience without requiring a traditional amplifier and speaker cabinet.

Flexible Outputs for Stage, Studio and Practice

The DC30 PREAMP offers three dedicated output options, making it suitable for a wide variety of guitar setups.

The DI output includes the integrated cabinet simulation and is designed for direct connection to a PA system, mixing console or audio interface. This allows guitarists to achieve a complete amplifier sound without microphones or a physical speaker cabinet, making it particularly useful for live performances and studio recording.

The standard OUT connection provides the amplifier signal without cabinet simulation. This makes it suitable for connection to a guitar amplifier, a traditional speaker cabinet setup or the effects return of an amplifier, where the external speaker provides the final tonal character.

A dedicated HEADPHONES output includes the cabinet simulation, providing a convenient solution for silent practice and private monitoring. This allows guitarists to enjoy the complete modeled amplifier sound without disturbing others.

Intuitive Controls and Pedalboard Integration

The DC30 combines authentic vintage-inspired styling with a practical control layout designed for immediate access to essential sound-shaping functions. Its controls follow the familiar approach of the original amplifier, allowing guitarists to adjust their sound intuitively.

Dedicated footswitches provide convenient control over channel selection and boost activation, while the selectable operating modes allow the pedal to function either as a dual-channel preamp or as a conventional stompbox effect.

Whether used as the foundation of an amplifier-free pedalboard, connected to a traditional guitar amplifier or integrated into a recording setup, the DC30 provides a flexible solution for musicians seeking classic British amplifier tone in a compact pedal format.

Key Features

• Dual-channel guitar preamp recreating the sound of a classic 1965 Top Boost AC30 amplifier
• Advanced TC Electronic AMPWORX digital amplifier modeling technology
• Faithful recreation of classic British amplifier tone and dynamic response
• Two independently controlled channels with different gain characteristics and voicings
• Green channel for classic clean amplifier tones
• Red channel with additional gain and an alternative tonal character
• Dual Channel mode for switching between two amplifier sounds
• Selectable Bypass mode for conventional stompbox operation
• Integrated boost circuit with selectable PRE and POST operation
• PRE boost mode for increased amplifier drive, saturation and sustain
• POST boost mode for additional output volume without changing the core amplifier tone
• Dedicated rear-panel Boost Gain control
• Official Celestion 2x12 Alnico Blue speaker cabinet impulse response
• Convolution-based cabinet simulation for authentic speaker characteristics
• Dedicated DI output with cabinet simulation for direct connection to PA systems and audio interfaces
• Standard OUT connection without cabinet simulation for use with guitar amplifiers and effects loops
• Dedicated headphone output with cabinet simulation for silent practice
• Independent footswitch control for channel selection and boost activation
• Vintage-inspired control layout for intuitive sound adjustment
• Suitable for amplifier-free pedalboards, direct recording and traditional amplifier setups
• Versatile design for live performance, studio production and home practice