TC Electronic Plethora X5: 127 TonePrint Pedalboards in 1!

Yep. The TC Electronic Plethora X5 TonePrint pedal board. 5 pedal slots for assigning effects, 127 pedalboard presets, 75 stored TonePrints. I show you how to set up a pedal board. Super easy. What a monster of tonal possibilities!
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[@adamkulikowski7337]

Pure genius created that interface. No 500 pages manual needed, just 2 minutes looking at you setting pedalboard chain. Thanks!

[@karlboman]

Wow, this is pretty much the ideal multi-fx pedal for me. Love that you answered my questions about the volume pedal and loop fx placement almost immediately! Thanks :)

[@milk_bath]

Hell Yes, I wasn't expecting this so soon! This is a MUST WATCH.

[@FrankBerdini]

I’ve been waiting for this from TC Electronics for awhile. Exactly what I need, great demo Bill!

[@ChrisDeJuanMusic]

Yes!!! This is exactly the multi-effects pedal I've been waiting for! A few other pedals inserted in the FX loop and good to go! This will def reduce cables, power supplies, size and weight of my pedal board!

[@chordsoforion]

All excellent points!

[@rtsmudge7251]

I was thinking of saving for one of these. I am absolutely sold on the idea of getting one now. Thank you very much. An excellent video sir.

[@vikingsofvintageaudio7470]

Thanks for such a great demo of this pedal!

[@124612]

Great video on using this pedal. Wonderful.

[@johnfrewin7717]

Cool clear demo thanks👍🎸

[@KipCount]

Awesome. Thanks for walking through this. What I really want to see is how integration works with putting dirt pedals AND an Iridium in the loop. Hopefully there's further content coming on this unit. Thanks again!

[@kylesmith5893]

i was just thinking this. can i put a drive infront of the amp pedal in the fx loop?

[@cowieguitartuition3134]

Great demo, thank you. This pedal is a game changer.

[@BTsMusicChannel]

Until the cheap TC electronic switches fail...

[@SSRT_JubyDuby8742]

Quality breakdown 😎

[@patshep68]

I've been waiting for the Fractal FM3 forever, this looks interesting, I don't use a ton of effects, but I'd love to have less clutter and great sounds in my little home studio/bedroom... was great to see somebody using this

[@Dobroz99]

Thanks so much great help!

[@FuzzImp]

Yeah I love mine! It gets great tones!

[@shitmandood]

Got one coming in today and can't wait to start messing with it!

[@chordsoforion]

Sweet!!

[@TH3_FURY]

A plethora of effects indeed...Nice review !

[@marpymellow3805]

Thanks for the excellent demo Bill. I suspect there are going to be a lot of individual TC effects pedals on the 2nd hand market very soon!

[@pancakes1983]

Kinda of happy they didn't include overdrives \ distortions etc as that tends to over complicate things and takes away from the other effects (plus it's better to bring your own favourite gain pedal)

[@dezertson2011]

For $499.00? No way.

[@rkb2092]

Exactly why I'm interested in it.

[@daanstam4692]

I see them adding OD / DS pedals after tone print versions of those effects come out.. I'd actually like that!

[@pancakes1983]

Daan Stam it would be cool if they came out with that same chassis with just gain pedals (light to really heavy)

[@stuffnuns]

overdrives are analog, which is why they’re not in there.

[@JRP3music]

I like this device, because it would clean up on cables and provide exact settings I need for some songs without having to bend down and manually change things. A pedal device mimicking a rack.

[@simongorelik92]

i love watching your vids

[@limerot]

Would be cool to listen to the speaker cab in the TC (maybe with a preamp in the efx loop), and if it is IR or something generic. Thanks for the upload!

[@chordsoforion]

it is pretty generic. the only option at this point is on or off.

[@Mark_Thompson_Author]

Fabulous instruction - very clear... I bought one a while ago - still unopened due to lots of other commitments, but having seen your demonstration, I shall be opening the box when I return home in early June, and setting up... Thanks for a really easy to understand explanation of this amazing pedal. 5 stars!! (From Mark in England, a pedal board user...!) @MarkTwrites

[@InspiretoVictory]

I like you. You seem like a good person. I am now subscribed.

[@peterdanner2336]

God I can’t wait to try one of these. Been waiting a long time for this to emerge. No sign of firm retail price or release dates yet

[@kalkidasofficial]

Peter Danner aprox 400 usd.

[@peterdanner2336]

efarjes - saw that on one or two articles but I truly don’t know how they would release at that price point with color displays and countering the stomp market of theirs they are killing with this. I was thinking $499 or $599. Fingers crossed.

[@ejRecording]

@@peterdanner2336 same here was thinking they could get 5 or 600 for it but have to compete with 450$ line 6 pod go that was just released

[@calebsorenson8849]

I commented on the original announcement video an tc electronics replied saying around $400USD in April

[@martinkrauser4029]

@@peterdanner2336 TC is owned by Behringer. They own the largest audio electronics facilities in the world, so they're profitable even at that price.

[@jeremyjoris7468]

Are the effects true stereo (meaning dual mono) thus preserving the stereo image produced by stereo effects placed before in the chain? Or do the effects in the Plethora sum the signal to mono?

[@tnol2]

Amazing!

[@Tirso425]

I need it to add effects to a synth, I currently have a project with 6 midi channels from the synth: is it possible to select one or more different effects for each midi channel?

[@simms75]

For those saying they will stack 5 reverbs or 5 delays, TC-E mentioned on their Facebook page the other day that might not be possible due to a limited amount of processing power on board. Whilst the software will let you do it, the results may start to get choppy.

[@s.r.b.4582]

really? that's a bit disapointing, it would have been so nice :o

[@JRP3music]

I don't really need this, but I may get it anyways to make switching out sounds faster vs having to bend over and change some settings.

[@NONAME-GIVEN]

Great video. Thanks. So..... where does the Strymon sit in the pedal array? I know it's in the effects loop but did you place it after comp/chorus? Can you assign it to a certain spot? etc......... Also, what happens to stereo effects placed before drive? Since drive pedals are mostly mono?

[@lexusmaxus]

Beast of all beasts super pedal

[@freddyb7519]

Fees or not...must be nice getting awesome gear to check out b4 the general public. Sweet. Hard work and effort pays off!

[@richardwilliams1310]

Nice partner to the Orange Terror Stamp or Mooer Preamp Live or maybe a Line 6 HX Stomp to essentially give you more effects blocks

[@pedalscapes]

Very Nice! Cheers :)

[@qqg]

I play among other stuff, the Chapman Stick (which can have a stereo output, for bass and melody strings). Do you think the stereo input on the Plethora could be leveraged to have two separate effect routes?

[@chordsoforion]

No, you can't create multiple effect paths, at least not in the current version of the firmware.

[@timbaugh1944]

I think this is a product I can use - great demo Bill. TC should pay you commission - I have bought quite a few pedals after your demos .. :-)

[@chordsoforion]

I am glad they are working out for you! Although, I try to stay away from paid promotions at this point, I have sold quite a few TC pedals on my Amazon affiliate links, which is cool.

[@Moigle1]

No mention of the Mash switches? I'm curious how this could be used.

[@christallica]

hello, how good is this and very practical, now .. it sounds the same as if you had the same individual pedals with the same settings?

[@NickWCU10]

My Plethora 5x was just delivered after 5 months of waiting.---And it does not power up! The 5 LED stomp lights just keep lighting up one by one. Anyone have that issue?

[@lance134679]

Interesting that there are lots of digital multi-effect pedals in the market, but this one is going to compete very well, even without any distortion effects.

[@shckltnebay]

CDR-70

[@gtrman69777]

Every time I see this guys name I think it says Chords of Onions. LOL.

[@MrAjhaley86]

He is the Onion Knight from GoT so it makes sense.

[@mattgilbert7347]

I've come around on this unit. Selling off my Flashback 2, Brainwaves, Sub 'n Up, Quintessence and a few others. Buying a couple of drives (Minstrel for that valve preamp thing), the Plethora, and hopefully a modified Blackstar KT88 10th Anniversary amp to replace my Bassbreaker15. Bye bye lots of digital stomp boxes, hello one big digital stompbox smorgasbord!

[@mrjtibor]

Hi! Have you tried cab sim? In case yes, how did it sound?

[@TheAtheistworld]

So u can have multiple delays simultaneously? Can they be fully editable like in TC Triple Delay?? Big thnx❤

[@zoomzoom3950]

I like the sounds, the many effect options, display and the size, but no amp switching and only 5 blocks? So close, but the PlethoraX5 still won't replace my G-System + Nova Drive.

[@drile00l80]

Question - the pedal order is left to right vs right to left? Thanks for making the video! I've been dying to see a real demo of this.

[@chordsoforion]

Yes, pedal order is left to right.

[@IsothermeMusic]

That left to right order is so counter-intuitive. I’m naive here regarding integrated multieffects pedalboard units, but is this common?

[@stk7778]

@@IsothermeMusic Good point. I find that multifx units go left to right but actual pedal boards right to left. i wish this thing came out three years ago. i have too many pedals on my two boards lol

[@simms75]

TC-E have already said they are looking at adding the option for both right-left and left-right in an early firmware update - it is already one of the most requested features (source: their FB page)

[@0neirogenic]

Nice demo Bill. One of these with my Ditto x4 and I'll be in ambient heaven. Are you making a performance with video with the Plethora? Would really like to see some of the mash and expression features explored.

[@chordsoforion]

I posted the 1st performance video last Friday here on the channel. I should be posting another soon, this time using the basic patch that I demoed in this vid - so it will utilize the expression pedal.

[@BadMofoMusicCritic]

How does it sound? Are we getting the same quality of effects as the stomp boxes? Everything looks great, but it's pointless if it doesn't sound inspiring.

[@mattgilbert7347]

My thoughts exactly. I'm wondering if there's been any compromise on tone. In theory, there shouldn't be as these are basically algorithms with a few other essential components. But I wonder - why make a bunch of your best selling pedals basically redundant for those who would want to use 3 or more of them? Seems like more testing and investigation is required, especially given the new business model at TC...I miss Tor :(

[@TexasTunesmith]

On the Flashback, is there a way to select if you want quarter note, dotted eighth, etc on the unit or do you have to use the editor software?

[@johnbanks5106]

TexasTunesmith I’m interested to know this too

[@TexasTunesmith]

We may never know....

[@jeremycharlerie7523]

I love it!!!! When is the release date for this unit?! Thank you once again for walking through the Plethora X5.

[@ejRecording]

later this year i read

[@mariefive5981]

Hi, great video! One open question: Does it include organs sounds like in B9/C9 ir Mel f.i?

[@chordsoforion]

No it does not.

[@RadityoPramAdi]

great unit, but the way signal chain is ordered may confuse some..

[@EnochDark]

These thing needs to come out before I spend more money on other pedals.

[@idiotradar1]

Can you run fishman triple play direct into it and access the sounds

[@chordsoforion]

I don't believe so.

[@rickarnett8758]

A boost and a looper would be great. How about showing us the onboard Unitune tuner? Does it not exist yet?

[@hairnation68]

I like it. Looks like a great new piece of gear. I have an HX Effects. Still think I lose some tone going through it. May try one of these and see.

[@kevinmusso2397]

Thank you for this demonstration. So great to watch a fellow player that really understands how to effectively share new products.

[@chrisparker238]

can you tell me what the physical dimensions are of the pedal? I don't see that info on the TC website. Thanks and great demo as per usual.

[@chordsoforion]

I put them in another comment somewhere around here. Something like 11" long. There is a quick start guide on their web site that has that kind of info.

[@matthewmcguigan4293]

Nice review. Bottom line... Will we see more of the Plethora in the future, or is it outmatched by other effect units? Access to the toneprint library and cab sims has piqued my interest as a potential "end of the signal chain" effect for live play. If it's also good enough to hit a DAW for recording without a serious need for effects within the recording software... Then wow.

[@MrNickRowe]

Hope I can afford one just for the reverb and delay stacking

[@steveroberts1861]

Nice. But I know the HofF has a lot more parameters than 3. Can you access these ?

[@8Junio76]

Through the tone print application

[@truthfactreality6814]

CAn the midi switch channels on my Marshall jvm?

[@chordsoforion]

I would say no, as it only has MIDI in and thru.

[@9008071]

I have a nova system, I use a separate drive, would it be a good idea to change to a plethorax5?

[@chordsoforion]

If the Nova system provides you will the sounds you are looking for, then there is no need to switch.

[@jonathanjkemp]

Can you show how the tuner works? I can't see anyone mentioning that on any demo videos of this. Many thanks.

[@chordsoforion]

I have not seen any way to use the tuner that is mentioned. I may be missing something, but I wonder if it is something they are adding? They did tell me that there will likely be more features by the time it is available for purchase.

[@koltonk2713]

@@chordsoforion yes, I just heard the latest firmware update adds the tuner and other features m

[@enzonuestro1721]

when he waited for the 7 sec delay i though i paused my video lol

[@geofflowther2458]

Well, you know what it's like... you wait for ages for a 7 second delay then two come along at once.

[@mattheimbaugh5471]

I want one!!

[@Open_Eyes_Open_Heart]

this could be your whole modulation chain in one bite

[@carl-petergors2997]

Hi. Intresting. How many drive/distortion effects are loaded ?

[@chordsoforion]

None currently.

[@steveliberty]

Seems like the Plethora X5 and the Iridium were made to go together. Simple, almost traditional user interface, with minimal tweaking needed. I've read the Plethora might be selling for $399 - that seems a bit too high from my perspective, given the pricing of the Line6 POD Go and the HX Stomp. But it should be a very nice box.

[@larsc888]

You're wrong, it's worse than you think. It's going for $499.0!

[@steveliberty]

@@larsc888 Ouch! Some companies just don't care what the rest of the market looks like - and they can price themselves out of the market. $499 is nutty in my opinion.

[@arithehurricane]

Wow this is great. Does it handle guitar EQ too?

[@ptrisonic]

Bill, How does it handle any "tails" - option to leave on? Thanks, Pete.

[@chordsoforion]

Good question - I will pull mine out and give it a try.

[@KipCount]

What are the dimensions of the Plethora?

[@michaelpoenar]

I wish they added more knobs to each 'pedal', maybe three for each that you can assign parameters to so that people can tweak easily on the fly but other than that, I hope to see more stuff like this from TC since their tone print software is so powerful

[@stevewise3286]

@Michael Poenar - Hi Michael, In "edit" mode, you do get three knobs to adjust the key parameters of each effect.

[@michaelpoenar]

@@stevewise3286 Hey Steve! Definitely saw that, but sometimes you just need to have more immediate control instead of edit, then parameter change

[@SmoothToast39]

Could you please give us the pedal dimensions? Planing to build a board and buy this thank you!

[@chordsoforion]

Dimensions (H x W x D) 298.5 x 116 x 53 mm (11.8 x 4.6 x 2.1"). Here's the link to the quick start for more: media63.music-group.com/media/PLM/data/docs/P0D9M/PLETHORA%20X5_QSG_EN.pdf

[@SmoothToast39]

@@chordsoforion Thank you a lot!

[@rile2494]

Quick question if I may how are you powering the pedal and how many mA? Because there was one review on the pedal and he ran it at 500 mA and worked just fine but it requires 600 mA?

[@chordsoforion]

I've been using the supply that came with the Plethora. It does say 600mA on the unit, but will likely try it with my Strymon Zuma PS.

[@rile2494]

@@chordsoforion Thank you! Did you try it with 500mA if it worked fine?

[@briankeithwaters]

You bail on your EBow? I remember you comparing a new device to the ebow. Is this the same thing your using at the beginning?

[@chordsoforion]

Bail on my EBow? Never!!!

[@briankeithwaters]

@@chordsoforion So what are you using at the beginning? Is it in production yet?

[@chordsoforion]

It's the Aeon that I mentioned in the video. It's been around for about 1.5 years. I did a demo of it, and a recent comparison with the EBow and the Joyo Infinite Sustainer.

[@EmilioConesa]

I wonder if it’s got an analog path like their other pedals do.

[@chordsoforion]

Do you mean analog dry-through? That's a good question. It does have true bypass, but the user guide says nothing about dry-through.

[@EmilioConesa]

@@chordsoforion Yes, analog dry-through. I know the D/A converters on most modern equipment are fantastic but I can still hear them. Maybe not in a mix... Or maybe I'm a victim of confirmation bias? That's why I sold the H9. TC Flashback and HOF does have it but this one does not. The Source Audio Collider is probably my next Delay/Verb purchase then. It has an analog and parallel effects. Thanks for the review.

[@Mesa3077Boogie]

Love that TC finally made it here but I have not been wow'd enough by any of their algorithms to justify the purchase. Don't get me wrong, great stuff by TC but I am sticking with source audio and strymon

[@OverJam52]

Mesa3077Boogie imagine Strymon coming with their version of this...

[@Mesa3077Boogie]

@@OverJam52 ya that would be DOPE!

[@OverJam52]

Mesa3077Boogie I know. They would kill the game. Don’t know what they’re doing...

[@jacobbrown1690]

eventide H9 is better than strymon.

[@basicnoise]

Can't wait to stack five triple delays :D

[@ricklewis5804]

basicnoise The delay pedal is the flashback 2. That isn’t a triple delay device.

[@jamesmurphy5444]

I was thinking the same thing but we will have to settle for stacking 5 Flashback x2’s

[@crisepuyao7722]

I need this in my life man! Just one question: what kind of cab emulator does it exactly includes?

[@chordsoforion]

I have not seen any information about the specifics of the cab emulator. In the pedal, it is just a global on or off.

[@crisepuyao7722]

Chords Of Orion ok, I understand, thank you so much!

[@skyrocketdaydream]

Does it have tap tempo or can you set the BPM?

[@chordsoforion]

Tap tempo is available depending on the TonePrint in use. Also, delay times can be sho in ms or bpm.

[@ede8000]

Hmm, 3-band/graphic/parametric eqs seem to be a bit of an omission. EQ toneprints would be ace.

[@pauldazeley]

On gearnews.com they are saying it's going to be USD 399 retail available later this year.

[@shitmandood]

Really? Damn that's a very reasonable price. I was expecting $1000, usually out of my price range.

[@GwilymJames]

Why is the delay purple and not flashback blue? 🤔

[@chordsoforion]

Whoa, just checked the video, and KZbin must have shifted the color. The actual color of the delay IS blue.

[@sunn0877]

So you could basically set this up to be a 5 delay version of the flashback triple delay but also with an FX loop and the ability to revisit and edit the indidicidual delay lines? Imagine if they included a ditto looper toneprint with decay feature!!

[@chordsoforion]

Exactly! And TC has said they will be adding in a looper. I am definitely hoping it has a decay option!

[@sunn0877]

@@chordsoforion Well that's got me thinking!

[@koltonk2713]

Hoping the looper will be able to function while still getting a couple other effects (pre or post looper)

[@JeffreyTheTaylor]

OK now that we have a price point of $400 we can start to see a use case. It still seems to me that if you have a multichannel amp that handles all your gain but lacks on-board reverb and you also use some delay and compression this might be quite the solution. I would still like to see the insert circuit used with TS type overdrive or boost pedals tho. Thanks for the Frippertronics in a box bit!

[@graysonwilson-cacciapalle7989]

I run a dual amp setup for a bass/drum duo, bass amp and guitar amp ala Royal Blood. I have limited space as is on my pedal board, but I want more modulation effects than I have currently- this seems like a perfect solution for me! I could replace my POG as well as my other modulation pedals with this, pretty excited about the possibilities this would open up for my rig! Don't care for cheaper multifx units I've had in the past, but this has everything I'd want and nothing I wouldn't, and seems to do it extremely well.

[@lalitgangle3994]

Can i use it for my acoustic guitar

[@chordsoforion]

yes!

[@DavidMorisset]

And we come full circle again and again and again.

[@johnbanks5106]

David Morisset what do you mean? For younger players.

[@DavidMorisset]

John Banks multieffect pedals going in and out of favor. I still have a Vox Tonelab with the preamp valve, still sounds awesome 😎

[@mrbungle8493]

You can choice to set the delays as parallel or serial?

[@casenowie]

Not at the moment. No parallel (but maybe later with updates.)

[@chordsoforion]

That is my hope!

[@stuffnuns]

The readout screen on the board is really well done. Roland, please note.

[@80Days]

Hey Bill, how do you think it compares to the individual pedals? Is it a good representation?

[@chordsoforion]

I think it compares pretty well to the individual pedals.

[@80Days]

@@chordsoforion Thanks, I'm so tempted..!!

[@bonsaibloom]

Can you set the pedals in parallel? Or is it always in series?

[@chordsoforion]

Currently always in series. I hope they add parallel via a firmware update, but we'll see.

[@bonsaibloom]

@@chordsoforion aww man, definitely hope they do, it would add so much versatility

[@FreshBagelz]

Are there any overdrives or distortions in this pedalboard?

[@kalkidasofficial]

MrHinkey yeah! All of it.

[@chordsoforion]

No, not at this point, although, I would expect that to be added later on in a firmware update. Here's what is available as of today: Hall Of Fame 2 Reverb, Flashback 2 Delay, Sub n Up Octaver, Brainwaves Pitch Shifter, Corona Chorus, Hypergravity Compressor, Mimiq Doubler, Vortex Flanger, Pipeline Tap Tremolo, Quintessence Harmony, Sentry Noise Gate, Shaker Vibrato

[@diegoos5202]

Hello, 1. Can you change subdivisions for flashback delays whitout using de app?, 2. Does the flashback 2 pedal in plethora include the loop?. Thank you.

[@savanaviolenta]

Good but i have all the pedals available in Plethora x5, except Shaker vibrato and Sentry noise gate which I'm getting next month, but I can see this pedal board getting evolved into maybe Plethora X10, who knows

[@chordsoforion]

It will be interesting to see if this turns into a real "platform".

[@chaoticembrace6984]

Great demo and review!!!.....this thing will change the dynamics of stomps , with firmware updates , this baby will live and grow for a long long time !!!...

[@JeffHendricks]

So the effects order goes left to right? That's sort of confusing if everything else on your board is R to L. Otherwise, though- good stuff!

[@chordsoforion]

I hear ya on that, however, all of my multi-effects units/amp modelers go from left to right when ordering an effects chain. Werid.

[@gunhedd5375]

For comparison, the Line 6 M13 allows you to choose Left to Right, or Right to Left. (I’ve only set that once and forgot all about it.)

[@martinkrauser4029]

This could be addressed in a firmware update. Does it have a USB interface?

[@JeffHendricks]

@@martinkrauser4029 Yes, and yes.

[@wheresallthezombies]

Way can you make presets with it?

[@chordsoforion]

Perhaps I am misunderstanding your question. This video was me showing how to make a pedalboard preset. You can store 127 of them.

[@wheresallthezombies]

Chords Of Orion oh maybe I just misunderstood or something. I’ll just watch it again. Thanks for responding.

[@-_AjB_-]

If you don't want to sacrifice one of the slots for effects loop, why not just daisy chain to your extra effects pedals into the front end?

[@chordsoforion]

Sure - you can definitely do that.