TC Electronic PLETHORA X3 & X5 Firmware UPDATE 1.4.3 | Deep Dive

[@PedalPlatform]

Get your X5 from redir.love/l47us9oJ and your X3 from redir.love/sYpGIUd3 (affiliate links!)

[@elquesaez9180]

Hello, can you make a video teaching how to use dotted eight with the plethora?? I use the 8+4 setting, but not sure if this in the correct

[@leszekszczypiorowski3161]

The best video about the new upgreat of Plethoras. Thank you. Hope they will add an EQ toneprint one day...

[@GillRockatansky]

There's a video that shows you how to make an EQ toneprint. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bH65layInqete5osi=Zw0QbmHUfv1br2-e

[@PedalPlatform]

Thank you, and yeah that would be cool! 😬

[@thesesmallboxes]

Good to see you Filipe! Thanks for the plethora (cough) of tips, tricks, and good info!

[@alexanderdmitrukov4729]

Thanks a lot for your plethora updates reviews. Really helpful.

[@jlmartin63]

Estava esperando por esse vídeo, sabia que vocês fariam e que seria muito útil

[@TheToneWork]

I really wanted to like the Plethora. My first barrier is TC Electronics as a company. Their website and general communications is not very good. It was really hard to get even the most basic information about the Plethora. The second issue I have is support. It's taken quite a bit of time to get these fixes. Great video. You make it sound good and could almost convert me if the company could their communications and support together.

[@priorwitness]

I'm seeing this late. So not sure if you'll see this either :) I have to say I agree with you and feel you. I wonder if you've already sold it as of seeing this comment. I do really like the unit in general. There are certainly some effects I'm not a fan of. The majority, though are pretty darned good. I treat my unit as sort of a fill in for all the effects that I use on occasion, but hot damn it takes up a chunk of space on my board. It pulls 600mA, so using it with a pedal board power supply is a pain as most only go up to 500mA. I may or may not move on. There are some effects that I'm not sure I can go without: Sentry Noise Gate, the Compressor is just fantastic, and the Sub n Up can create some really unique octave tones that i enjoy as well. Plus, the delays and reverbs in this thing are just incredible bang for the buck.

[@PJD02915]

THANK YOU! Without your videos I would have sold my X5 weeks after getting it.

[@joshvcrawford]

I was just thinking about selling off my x5 b/c it didn't have a global tap tempo. It would have been difficult to do b/c the effects sounds so great. TC swooped in and saved the x5 for me just in time.

[@sprucat]

Nice to see you!

[@simonford4760]

Thank you - excellent as always. Do you have plans for a video on the TC Ditto Plus? There is a woeful lack of documentation.

[@GillRockatansky]

A lot more ass and vigorous knob tweaking than usual, Mr Clooney. 😂 I'm very happy with the update, but I'll have to figure how I'm going to map it on a Maschine mk3. Thanks to your vids I now have an X5 in 4(5?) cable method to a Trace Elliot Super Tramp Quad Chorus stereo amp with a fresh valve, with a Nova Drive so my OD and distortion are midi controlled too. Your vids have been instrumental in vastly improving my sound, so thank you.

[@PedalPlatform]

Sounds like a great rig! (pun most definitely intended!) 🤣

[@GillRockatansky]

@@PedalPlatformDo you have any plans to showcase the midi potential? Before I started putting tracks together with midi in mind there was a lot of futile searching for tutorials, most were synth based. The guitar ones focused on midi control pedals, so I was thinking it would be interesting to see the same piece of music played twice, once with changes sent via pedal and then with the same changes being sent from a DAW.

[@karlkitchen1382]

YES! This helps immensely! Still no "2-button to EXP Jack", though. I was kinda hoping they would add in a setup such that a 2-button momentary footswitch could do up/down board navigation. Looks like I'm gonna have to DIY a 2-button MIDI footswitch after all. Other than that, I'm loving the Plethora X5! The new signal chain: Input > Empress Buffer > TC Hypergravity Compressor (yeah, there's one in the Plethora, but I like compression at the head of the chain and I set up a Toneprint for clean boost in the Plethora version) > "drive section" (EHX Nano Big Muff Pi > Hot Wax, both looped thru a Silencer) > Tonex > Plethora X5 (with an Ernie Ball VP Jr volume pedal in the Insert loop) > Radial ProD2 stereo DI

[@dpmills]

Now I wish that I had tried vigorous tweaking in the first place, alas…(much thanks for being the best explanation of what’s new, again!)

[@PedalPlatform]

There's nothing like a good bit of vigorous tweaking! 😬

[@guidovandersluis6550]

Hi, thx for your explanation. It saved me a lot of time! As to wishes: I use the x3 with a midi controller with limited intelligence. I’d like to have a setting in the x3 which tells that when switching between boards the boards always will come up the way you programmed it instead of in the way you left it last time. Hope this one will be put on the tc list. Thx!

[@xicoescuroII]

Congratulations for another great job. I'm still wondering.... A X3 for my bass guitar board???? Maybe not so long.... 😊

[@francisfallon]

Thank you

[@michaelgkane]

Great video as usual, thank you! I noticed you are using an ampworx pedal. I just picked up the JIMS 800 and have an X5. How do you have your signal path going? Are you running the DI out into the input of the plethora? Thanks!

[@PedalPlatform]

Yup, when I'm running the X3 I'll plug it after the DI out of the Ampworx. On the X5, I'll insert it into the effects loop (X5 FX Send -> Ampworx In | Ampworx DI Out -> X5 FX Return) for extra flexibility. Thank you for the kind comments! 🙏🏻

[@schoolofrockcresskill5811]

Question. I would like to activate the tuner with a single midi pedal. Do you know of a device that could turn the tuner on and off via midi after this recent update?

[@tornadoluke]

I'm still missing an EQ function. Even the only 109 usd Nux Mighty Plug pro has a 10 band Equaliser which is very useful in creating a sound. IR's are kind of the same but not being able to assign an IR per board prevents that from being an option.😢

[@davidpaine2830]

Hi, Excellent tutos on the Plethoras. Thank you. I'd be really excited to know if there is a list of which effects in the units are actually stereo, without having to try them all.. Cheers

[@whssy]

Basically anything before the effects loop.

[@mfeif]

Woot! 🎉

[@tarheeltone]

@pedalplatform I have an X3. When I select a BPM and go to the next board, it changes every other board to that same BPM. How do I turn that off? Thank you!!!

[@Lucjan-Siedlarczyk]

Hi, it's possible to reduce from 28 programs to 15 program in plethora x3? I am asked because i have problem with controlling plethora via midi with boss es-5. But when I put midi chanel to OMNI and put command to plethora from boss it's work nice but sometimes plethora get midi command which should get TONEX. But when I put midi channel in tonex to 16 and reduce plethora program to 15 then plethora don't get midi command which i put to tonex

[@azcoyote007]

EQ and Envelope Filter are my next big hope. Good gets this time though for sure!!!!

[@shearn666]

I still don't understand people's obsession with tap-tempo, but there is some stuff I can use here. As always, kudos to you, Sir! Your videos are helpful AND entertaining.

[@gerrykavanagh]

how else do you set the tempo for any rhythmic delay like quarter note or dotted 8th

[@Daanguitarhero]

Sync with the drummer, while playing. Is hard with a dial knob

[@BourkeTommy]

Could the restore point be a way to share presets across plethora users too?

[@davidroden3799]

Although I was able to update the firmware and create a backup via Restore Point / System Export, The System Import fails. Hoping that someday you are able to make a video about this export/import feature.

[@davidroden3799]

Does the X5 have DSP limitations like the Line6 HX Stomp? That is, are there some pedal combinations on the X5 that can't be used because the available DSP won't support it? Thanks for your videos. Really helpful.

[@PedalPlatform]

It does have some limitations, but in my experience they're not easy to come across in "regular" use. Off the top of my head, as an example, it'll only let you load 4 Hall of Fame Reverbs, and when you do, the list of what you can load into the 5th slot becomes limited to low CPU stuff. But I have been able to stack an octaver into a pitch shifter into a harmonizer and top those up with delay and reverb, so in general use the limits are quite reasonable (... if you can consider stacking said octaver into a pitch shifter into a harmonizer reasonable in any way! 😆)

[@robertchapan1390]

Hello. Having a issue with my X5. Hopefully you can help. When I connect X5 to Toneprint app in my Samsung phone... works fine, no issues. But, when I connect to my Samsung tablet, that's the issue. It does connect but when I use the X5 to change an effect or anything it will change on unit AND tablet, BUT when I change anything on app on tablet, it doesn't transfer to X5 unit. I'm stumped. Another question is... when you triple step on 1 or 2 to cycle through boards, can you adjust the time the board name and # of board is visible before changing to actual board. It changes so quickly

[@priorwitness]

I'm just letting you know i'm kind of in the same boat. I've never been able to connect to my Plethora X5 consistently via an Android device over Bluetooth. I've also never been able to save boards via Bluetooth. I gave up and i just run a USB cable from the Plethora to my PC whenever I need to make major updates of any kind.

[@filipzo]

A question.... the fact that they introduced midi clock sync it means that also the loopers are synced? I Have a Ditto X4 that I use because of the midi clock sync... If the Plethora Loopers work that way now... IT'S BIG. Are they synced? Fingers crossed.

[@murisan3589]

I'm also interested in this. Is the looper synched? Meaning when having an external clock can we press the pedal at any time within a measure and have the loop recording start exactly on the 1st beat of the next measure?

[@paulmountenay3212]

I’ve tried to upgrade to the new firmware meticulously following instructions (like 10x) nada, nothing, no changes whatsoever.

[@jedmarsillo]

This seems like a great update. Thanks for your great coverage of the TC plethora X5/X3. Do you think the Plethora will ever be able to send midi messages not just recive them and send midi thru?

[@PedalPlatform]

Unfortunately no, the thru port is hardwired, so no midi out capability 😞

[@jedmarsillo]

@@PedalPlatform OH well. I still love my X5. It's such a great grab and go board.

[@faben70]

Does anyone use the TonePrint app on multiple devices? I use it on my desktop Windows PC and on my Android phone. TonePrints that I have created and stored on the Plethora are not recognized by the app running on a different device than the one I used to create and store it. I get the message "The TonePrint you have selected on the pedal is unknown to the app" when using the desktop app and selecting a board that uses a TonePrint I created with the Android app. I imagine that user TonePrint data are in the app data. Aside from the multiple devices scenario, what if I have to replace my phone / PC? Do I lose the ability to edit my own TonePrints? I understand the need to protect artist's TonePrints, but an import / export or backup / restore functionality of User TonePrints should be available (and it should also work across different versions)

[@oz_90]

Hi everyone. I'm trying luck here since couldn't get any help on Reddit. I have a Plethora X5. The pedal is nice but I'm getting frustrated when tweaking it on the go. I’m trying to connect from two Android phones, but a message keeps popping up when trying to find my Plethora: This app collects location data to enable a Bluetooth connection with a Bluetooth enabled pedal and uses this location data to keep the pedal connected even when the app is closed or not in use. I've already granted access to the location always, but the message keeps popping up. Both phones are running Android 11. Does anyone know how to fix this?

[@mehdidekerckhove4874]

Hi. First of all, thank you for your videos. It's very helpfull. I have a question very important for me: I want to create a board with a hypergravity compressor, a hall of fame reverb default, a second hall of fame plate, a flashback 2 delay tape 8. And when I want to add a flashback 2 delay dyn 8, I can't because it is grayed. Could you help me please, I've just changed my Plethora X3 for a X5 to have these 5 pedals under my foot and not to have to switch to another board. thank you in advance.

[@mehdidekerckhove4874]

I think I've found why it doesn't work this way: a chaining issue. It works in this order: compressor, reverb, delay, delay and reverb

[@michaelgkane]

Any suggestions for an expression pedal?

[@RileySullivan]

I’m so happy to see an update, but still now parallel signal path. I feel like that could be something that they can add, since it is a digital pedal. Do you happen to know where we can submit feature requests to TC Electronic?

[@PedalPlatform]

Try the MusicTribe forums, I think that's the easiest place to do it. That said, I know that parallel paths has already been requested (also by me 🤣), just not sure it will be on the roadmap...

[@RileySullivan]

@@PedalPlatform I’ll give that a try, thank you for the advice. If you requested it, then I’m sure it’s on their radar. You make the best Plethora videos on KZbin. TC Electronics knows that too. Keep up the incredible work! 🤘

[@PedalPlatform]

Thank you for the kind comments, they're really appreciated! 🙏🏻

[@rovenordiales]

Board loading just got faster or is that because of midi?

[@ukguitarnoodle]

My tap tempo stopped working on Flashbck. Odd.

[@zile20584]

Refering to 3:20, does anybody know how to throw in a couple of null messages between PC and CC? I have problem with configuring which pedal on the board will be turned of or on with m-vave chocolate midi foot switch.

[@PedalPlatform]

The "null messages" I was referring to are any messages you can send from the controller not intended to do anything on the Plethora, just to give it a bit of breathing time for the buffer to catch up... so any messages you can put in between your PC and the CC, either destined to another (unused) channel, or a CC the Plethora doesn't recognise, should do the trick.

[@zile20584]

I put 8 null messages between PC and CC’s and the problem stil exists. Don’t know what to do…

[@KurtLorenz]

❤❤❤

[@RainMakeR_Workshop]

No idea if you'll see this or not. But do you think it would be possible to use the Plethora x5 to create a Crybaby effect? I'd like to shrink my pedalboard and I think the Prethora with an Expression pedal could do that. Ideally with only one foot control pedal, but I need a Wah.

[@kevinbeckman1983]

Look through his other vids, lol

[@RainMakeR_Workshop]

@@kevinbeckman1983 I did. couldn't find anything. And I'm not going to trawl through that many videos for one answer.

[@gjk282]

Thanks, I've been asking myself the same question an could not find an answer

[@gweeboyoda]

You might be able to adjust a Hypergravity to work kinda like a wah. He has a video on how to turn the Hypergravity into a 3-band EQ. A wah is kinda just a peak EQ, so make an expression (or mash) move the peak. You'd set the mid band to whatever range of freqs you want the peak to move over. I haven't tried anything like this, and if I didn't already have wah covered extensively, I might give it a go, but that's a starting point.

[@veerchasm1]

Once they add the Ampworx pedals to the X5 it will be an awesome platform

[@jesterraj]

the quick swap doesnt work with this new update....can u confirm on the X3?

[@PedalPlatform]

Try checking Settings / Global / Product Settings and see if you have board switching on switches 1+2 / 2+3 active, as it conflicts with quick swap. Only one of them can be active at a time.

[@danielhunsinger8017]

Awesome video and I'm very happy you exist. Thank you for that. Anyway I'm having trouble figuring out how to change boards. So If I send a MIDI command, what do I send to change the board to Board 1? And what about if I want to go to board 3? So my question is How to do directly go to a board you created? I know how to make MIDI move the boards up and down but that is useless if your building a patch to play a song and need board lets say 5 and your currently on board 1. I want a direct way to go to Board any number I want. Thank you so much up front, your videos are awesome. I just found you I just got a X5.

[@paulsharp5473]

Mine won’t update to 1.4 just sits on 1.3

[@sidez81]

You seem to be the guy to ask. I have the X3 but still want to use an expression pedal (i.e. Hotone press or Donner viper) Is there any way to get something like that to connect to the midi directly like 1/4 jack to midi plug and will it work or do I have to have a midi controller as well? Thanks 🙂

[@001mladen]

good for TAP tempo.... but no pedals added... no Infinite pedal, no Spark booster, no BodyRez for acoustic.... PITY

[@paulsharp5473]

Can boards be selected with Program change messages?

[@tornadoluke]

Yes of course

[@asynchronicity]

If you have three separate delay types loaded, they can be configured to run in parallel and not just in series, correct?

[@PedalPlatform]

Sorry, series only 😕

[@asynchronicity]

@@PedalPlatform Nooooooooo…..😶😐🫤😑

[@PedalPlatform]

... yeah, would be awesome to have a parallel path. That's been on the user request list since release, but no word on if it's going to be implemented. 😕

[@Smart-Alex]

Thanks for all you do for us Plethora users! I wish they included a drive and boost to make it a true all-in-one. I guess I need to keep dreaming :)

[@77channel90]

me too here !!!!!!!

[@77channel90]

all the processing power , no drive?? !!!??? Please someone of TC , please hear what we need.

[@Jonassonk]

It is not an all-in-one by concept. The Plethora series was and is all the toneprint modulation and wet effects in a box (as a concept). There are no drive toneprint pedals. But it pairs wonderfully with something like an HX Stomp where you got amp sim and drive and then get easy hands-on and footswitch acces to all your modulation/wet effects (+ looper + tuner). The new Ampworx pedals are also great pairings the you just need a drive like the MojoMojo. It is all about how you want your gear. Some artist have a PodGo/Helix as main and then a Plethora + amp Sim and drive too (also if the Line 6 dies, they have the other as backup live!)

[@Smart-Alex]

@@Jonassonk I understand the concept, I own one. I just said it would be nice.

[@TheVoiceofUnreason]

Hey great info as always, I've just got my hands on a second hand X5 & was wondering if you would know how I could perform a full factory reset to take it back to the original out of the box status as it were? 😎🤘

[@PedalPlatform]

In edit mode, scroll down to settings, global, and one of the options should be factory reset! 👍🏻

[@Flowers_Die]

Just waiting for the fuzz or overdrive for this thing. I have a plethora x5

[@tornadoluke]

There's an efx loop so you can use your favorite dirt box and set some efx in front of them (compressor) and some behind such as noise Gate and time based efx.

[@whssy]

Just get an overdrive, a distortion and a fuzz and put them in the loop. Analog distortion is better to my ears anyway and I think TC agrees. This was exactly why I bought one of these units because there are no resources wasted on distortion type effects processing. You're better off that way as you'd probably want to stack them anyway and there are only so many footswitches even on an X5.

[@Flowers_Die]

@@whssy i have i anez overdrive pedal (the green one) but I think having a complete set of presets would be amazing

[@nathanguy981]

"This is still a family channel..." 😂

[@peterhughes8699]

Thanks for this video and I'm also glad TCE has not abandoned Plethora. These updates are useless to me. I have no use for Global Tap tempo. The whole point of Tap tempo is to apply it to specific songs and solos. Ditto Midi - have no use for that either. I request TCE make updates most customers will actually use and value. Like more pedals added ::)

[@nathanguy981]

I hope that the next release has something in it for you. In the meantime, this release fixes all of my main problems with my X5 and means I can integrate it fully and finally into my rig. It is everything I have asked TC Electronics for 🙏

[@Jonassonk]

These were the features most Plethora users have been asking for (believe it or not) - then there is an Infinite, who knows :)

[@paulsharp5473]

It’s a pity it doesn’t receive midi over Bluetooth

[@tornadoluke]

Correct. I use a Widi Jack for that.

[@peterhughes8699]

This update appears to only have value if you use midi control. Useless if you don't

[@whssy]

Not true. But if you do use midi control (which I don't) it has substantially greater value.

[@Daanguitarhero]

No not true, you can set tempo to all effects when tapped and have a dedicated tap tempo button which also works as a tuner. And some more

[@prophetsofpraise5206]

😆

[@manuelsicuranza7584]

It sucks huge amounts of tone. The overall quality of the effects is super unbalanced (ex. nice delay, disgusting flanger). Important things and effects are missing. That's enough to sell it. That's bad because it has potential.

[@majkon93]

what do you mean it sucks tone? more than 3 TC separate pedals do (for example chorus, delay, reverb)?

[@manuelsicuranza7584]

It means that you can hear it well with your ears: if the device is not there, the difference is quite a lot.

[@barryjones3915]

its absolutely insane how horribly set up their website is. there is no fucking way to sort updates by latest to oldest. its making me pour through it all myself looking date by date. i wanna sell this fucking thing on principal alone. if you're going to get into fancy digital shit dont half ass it. basically abandon everyone after you sell them this shit and spend zero on making the app or your website user friendly. im starting to hate tc

[@marceli155]

Are you cold ? change your brain! pls

[@asynchronicity]

Are you dumb? Nothing can be done.🤷‍♂️

[@KurtLorenz]

❤❤❤