Guitar World Verdict
If you’re on a budget but want to explore a full variety of high-quality effects or if you have ever-changing needs for your pedal rig, it offers a great way to get maximum bang for your buck in the effects department.
Pros
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Provides 15 different high-quality TonePrint effects with full parameter control.
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Three control knobs provide instant access to assigned parameters.
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Innovative MASH footswitch mode allows expressive parameter control by varying pressure upon the footswitch.
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Detailed programming via free TonePrint Editor app.
Cons
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Only one effect is available at a time, although TonePrints can be changed quickly.
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No overdrive or distortion effects.
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What is it?
Judging by the abundance of effects that the TC Electronic Plethora X1 TonePrint Loader makes available to guitarists, it is obvious that TC knows what it means to have a plethora.
Just the same, if having too much of a good thing brings you joy, then TC Electronic’s Plethora will bring much delight with its many desirable and stellar-sounding effects – each offering a wealth of options.
The Plethora X1 is basically a single-effect version of TC’s previous powerful and versatile Plethora X3 and X5 multi-effects units. The X1 provides the equivalent of 15 different TonePrint pedals that can be accessed one at a time, consisting of compression, delay, gate, modulation, pitch shift and reverb (but no overdrive/distortion) effects, each complete with a full range of adjustable parameters.
Three assignable parameter knobs allow adjustments on the fly – just like using a standard pedal – and users can download artist TonePrints or program their own TonePrints in greater detail using free desktop or mobile TonePrint Editor apps.
Usability & Build Quality
The Plethora X1 is housed in the same compact-size pedal enclosure as other TonePrint pedals like the Flashback 2 and Hall of Fame 2 and features the same four-knob control configuration.
It’s sturdy and roadworthy, with a high-quality no-click footswitch, and bulletproof side-mounted stereo ¼-inch input and output jacks. The rear panel houses a 9-volt/250mA minimum power input jack, recessed Connect switch for linking the pedal with a mobile device via Bluetooth and a USB C jack for downloading firmware updates or connecting the pedal to a desktop computer for editing functions.
The pedal’s knobs consist of three assignable parameter controls (A/B/C) and the Board Selector rotary switch with seven detented positions. A mini toggle switch allows users to scroll up or down through TonePrints (such as Hall, Plate, Room, etc. TonePrints for the Hall of Fame 2 Reverb pedal) or secondary footswitch functions accessed by also holding down the footswitch.
Navigating TonePrints, footswitch settings and parameters is fast, easy and intuitive, helped considerably by the color display that packs a ton of info into its small, brightly lit space.
Users can easily customize the performance/functionality of the footswitch. Bypass modes include latching (typical on/off function), momentary (effect is on only when footswitch is held down) and momentary + MASH (effect on when footswitch held down, selected parameter also responds to pressure upon footswitch).
Secondary footswitch modes include MASH (pressure upon footswitch adjusts parameter settings), A/B (toggles between A and B TonePrint slots to access all 15 TonePrints), Tap Tempo (for Flashback 2 delay, Vintage Echo and Pipeline Tap Tremolo effects only) and Ramp (for morphing between Viscous Vibe rate settings). Other settings like Kill-dry on/off and true/buffered bypass are accessible only via the TonePrint Editor app.
Usability and sounds
All of the 15 TonePrints in the Plethora X1 match the sound quality, performance and versatility of their standalone pedal counterparts 100 percent. The reverbs are every bit as lush and three-dimensional; the delays are crisp and organic; and the chorus, phaser, flanger, tremolo and vibe have the same character and depth.
It’s more of a chameleon-style effect that can be whatever you want it to be at a moment’s notice
All of the effects are highly useful on their own merits, although perhaps the Sentry Noise Gate seems a little underwhelming due to its “blue collar” tool functionality compared to the whiz-bang nature of things like the reverb and pitch shift/harmony effects. However, if you ever find yourself in a situation where a noise gate is essential, it’s nice to have this effect immediately on hand.
And that truly is the essence of the Plethora X1. It’s more of a chameleon-style effect that can be whatever you want it to be at a moment’s notice (as long as that isn’t overdrive or distortion). If you’re indecisive about the pedals you want in your rig or you may occasionally need a certain effect to temporarily spice up your sound, the Plethora X1 offers a cost-effective way to have it all.
The X1 even makes it easy to switch to a completely different effect in between songs. You could also consider it a demo for other TC TonePrint pedals that can help you decide which dedicated pedals might work best as permanent additions to your rig before you decide.
Verdict
The TC Electronic Plethora X1 provides a true plethora of effects – 15 different TonePrint effects, to be exact, which would cost over $2,000 if you bought each TonePrint pedal separately.
Guitar World verdict: If you’re on a budget but want to explore a full variety of high-quality effects or if you have ever-changing needs for your pedal rig, it offers a great way to get maximum bang for your buck in the effects department.
Specs
Launch price: $179/£159
Type: Multi-effects pedal (one effect at a time)
Controls: A, B, C Parameter control dials, 7-way board selector switch, 2-way toggle switch for loading factory TonePrints accessing secondary footswitch functions and bypass settings, MASH footswitch
Connectivity: 2x 1/4" inputs, 2x 1/4" outputs, Bluetooth, USB, standard pedal size 9 V center negative power input
Bypass: Switchable
Power: 9V DC, 250mA min
Dimensions (W x D x H): 72 x 122 x 50 mm.
Options: None
Contact: TC Electronic
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