A Time Base Corrector (TBC) stabilizes video signals by correcting timing errors. When a video signal’s timing drifts — common with VHS playback, long cable runs, or signal processing chains — the image can roll, tear, or lose sync entirely.

Why It Matters for Glitch Art

In a chain of multiple devices, timing errors compound. A TBC placed strategically in your signal chain can stabilize the signal enough to prevent unwanted sync loss while still allowing intentional glitch effects to pass through. Some mixers (like the Videonics MX-1) have built-in TBCs.

When to Use One

• When your VHS player’s output is too unstable for your mixer
• When chaining multiple devices causes sync loss
• When your capture card drops signal from extreme glitching
• When you want to clean up a signal before a specific device in your chain