TC Electronic Plethora X5

[oo_ee_oo_ah_ah]

I spotted the power supply point also. This will need 9v 600mA which is more than my power brick can do (I don’t know if it is possible to use a doubler cable to combine two 400mA outputs which is the highest it can do).

It's not just possible, it would be ideal. I am looking at doing exactly this to operate a Plethora using two of the 300mA outputs on my T. Rex Chameleon. Well, that is, if I decide to get the X5. I want to see some bass demos of it before I make a buying decision.

 

[ChubbyJerk]

I’m still bamboozled by everyone saying $500 isn’t a good deal. Five absolutely interchangeable pedals that can be reordered on the fly with a movable FX loop. It’s essentially impossible in the analog realm.

Maybe you could replicate it with a handful of Source Audio pedals and a MIDI switcher but you’re looking at probably closer to $800 and all that MIDI programming.

At $500, it costs far more than it's worth to me. YMMV.

That's more than twice the cost of a new B3n. That doesn't have a loop, but it has all the drives and amp / cab sims that make one unnecessary (to me). Again, YMMV.

The coming-soon Pod Go has even more to offer, including an FX loop, amp-out, headphone out, USB audio interface, etc. And all the sorts of drives and amp sims that the Plethora doesn't. And that's cheaper than $500 too.

And if you don't like the Pod Go because you want something to integrate with an existing board, you have the HX Effects and HX Stomp. They're over $500, but I think the HX beats TC in every category except for octaves. The Plethora looks a little smaller and is a decent chunk cheaper, so maybe...

I don't know. To me, $500 seems to be asking too much for what it gives you. It looks cool, but a feature and price comparison with other products on the market leaves me a bit underwhelmed overall, and just kinda wondering where it really fits in. It seems like it can't compete with the B3n on price or the HX / Pod Go on features.

 

[Allegrus]

It fits in with anyone looking to do the following:

1. Keep their own preferences for Overdrive/Distortion/Cab Sim
2. Experiment heavily with comboing modulating effects
3. Store a wide(overwhelming IMO) variety of configurations
4. Access to a level of effect modifications that are rare (or non-existent?) in this format

I think #4 is the biggest selling point of this product because it's true that you already get 1-3 in different products for less. The Toneprints aren't just adjusting standard controls, it's literally access to a library of different tones for each effect; in practical terms, each toneprint itself is equivalent to one typical stomp box.

It's correct to say it doesn't compete with other multi-box style floor units because it's in a league of it's own. It's not a preamp, it's not a cab sim, it's not a DI ... so it's wrong to try to compare it to those kinds of units. If you want to make valid comparisons, you obviously should be limiting your comparisons to other floor units that allow you to combine numerous modulation effects to a similar degree.

 

[larrygs]

Well according to Sweetwater it will be on stock from 2 to 3 months, so, April will not be the release date so far.
So, sit down and wait.

 

[ctmullins]

I put my pre-order in with Sweetwater, and was told mid-May. Waiting!

 

[MojoPenguin]

Just bought a Bass and the YYZ pedal, I will wait May for that and make myself a Bday present lol

 

[Jantelagen]

It fits in with anyone looking to do the following:

1. Keep their own preferences for Overdrive/Distortion/Cab Sim
2. Experiment heavily with comboing modulating effects
3. Store a wide(overwhelming IMO) variety of configurations
4. Access to a level of effect modifications that are rare (or non-existent?) in this format

I think #4 is the biggest selling point of this product because it's true that you already get 1-3 in different products for less. The Toneprints aren't just adjusting standard controls, it's literally access to a library of different tones for each effect; in practical terms, each toneprint itself is equivalent to one typical stomp box.

It's correct to say it doesn't compete with other multi-box style floor units because it's in a league of it's own. It's not a preamp, it's not a cab sim, it's not a DI ... so it's wrong to try to compare it to those kinds of units. If you want to make valid comparisons, you obviously should be limiting your comparisons to other floor units that allow you to combine numerous modulation effects to a similar degree.

It does have cab simulation for DI. I also wouldn't factor Toneprint into the cost. They're free with the app and are only individual presets that you tweak via software. Much like Source Audio and other digital pedals that you have to load presets into. When not comparing to full multifx units, if you have a tablet or a way of changing presets then effects pedals such as the Source Audio would be a better value vs having a lot of effects that may or may not be useful for bass. Source Audio has the better digital modeling too. You could add the SA AfterShock for dirt and still be around $500. Makes sense to compare to others in the market imo

At $500, it costs far more than it's worth to me. YMMV.

That's more than twice the cost of a new B3n. That doesn't have a loop, but it has all the drives and amp / cab sims that make one unnecessary (to me). Again, YMMV.

The coming-soon Pod Go has even more to offer, including an FX loop, amp-out, headphone out, USB audio interface, etc. And all the sorts of drives and amp sims that the Plethora doesn't. And that's cheaper than $500 too.

And if you don't like the Pod Go because you want something to integrate with an existing board, you have the HX Effects and HX Stomp. They're over $500, but I think the HX beats TC in every category except for octaves. The Plethora looks a little smaller and is a decent chunk cheaper, so maybe...

I don't know. To me, $500 seems to be asking too much for what it gives you. It looks cool, but a feature and price comparison with other products on the market leaves me a bit underwhelmed overall, and just kinda wondering where it really fits in. It seems like it can't compete with the B3n on price or the HX / Pod Go on features.

The TC Plethora looks to be a solid multifx but the price isn't appealing for me vs the competition. As mentioned, Line6's HXFX is designed for the same purpose (at $650 or $400-500 used) and has up to 9 effects, 2 fx loops, dirt/distortion/fuzz, third party IR's, pre amps, touch capacitive switches, access to Helix Native, constant updates and support etc. The Line6 POD Go would be more direct competition but its $450 while offering more. A TC Plethora used at a lower price would be good deal

 

[Allegrus]

It does have cab simulation for DI. I also wouldn't factor Toneprint into the cost. They're free with the app and are only individual presets that you tweak via software. Much like Source Audio and other digital pedals that you have to load presets into. When not comparing to full multifx units, if you have a tablet or a way of changing presets then effects pedals such as the Source Audio would be a better value vs having a lot of effects that may or may not be useful for bass. Source Audio has the better digital modeling too. You could add the SA AfterShock for dirt and still be around $500. Makes sense to compare to others in the market imo

Let me be clear .. I'm not saying it shouldn't be compared to others in the market, but the comparison needs to be fair. You may not feel that Toneprint shouldn't be factored into the cost ... but that feature IS a part of what you are paying for, so it's completely reasonable to consider it part of the value of the unit. The toneprints are a cost to the company to create, maintain and host to it's customers ... for SURE it's part of the cost and business case for these units.

The question here isn't if $500 is an unreasonable price because the price is whatever TC says it will be and what is reasonable is subjective. The question is what it's worth to an individual and if there is a business case for enough individuals that find that value to make this product successful. I believe the answer is yes, there is a business case there because of the unique features and competitive pricing.

 

[MojoPenguin]

It's not cheap yes. It does compare favorably when you factor the price of 5 pedals and a quality screen though.

 

[millahh]

The more I'm seeing on this, the more I'm becoming convinced. Tuner has been added via firmware, and doesn't need a dedicated footswitch. Vibe, phaser and looper coming later this year via another firmware update. And the interface seems to be fairly intuitive as these things go. And hopefully bluetooth control will work more consistently than beaming via the toneprint app (since beating behaves differently from phone to phone). I only sparingly use modulation/timing effects (aside from subtle always-on reverb), bt like having a wide variety available, so it could be perfect for me.

The on thing I'm still unclear on is is whether he "mash" on a switch can be made to act as a momentary switch...which is a huge feature for me for tremolo, where I like being able to do short "stutters"...

 

[Unlord]

I have been using several TC pedals myself and absolutely love 'em. The Corona chorus just appeals so much to me. The Sub 'm Up tracks like a mofo and is, in my opinion, so much better than anything else I've tried. Now I can ditch all of them and replace 'em with one small box. Saves space on the pedal board, is more modular, more flexible, much more versatile. And I am so glad there's no drive pedals in there. Because I don't like TC drive pedals and rather keep using my Source Audio Aftershock. Price is steep, but reasonable to me. I will have one on order.

 

[Daniel Piper]

The Plethora, going to plan, is going to be an amazing product. I love TC effects, and I think this is going to be a very effective tool.

My hope is that the more niche toneprint pedals - spectracomp, trinity and arena reverbs etc - will be included in the lineup

 

[larrygs]

For those of you who preorder the X5, do you have any estimated delivery date?

 

[jimfist]

no envelope filter included (yet)...no overdrive/distortion included (yet).

 

[ctmullins]

For those of you who preorder the X5, do you have any estimated delivery date?

I asked my Sweetwater rep on May 1, and was told “end of May”.

no envelope filter included (yet)...no overdrive/distortion included (yet).

You haven’t been paying attention. “No overdrive/distortion” is an explicitly stated and intentional design feature.

 

[larrygs]

@ctmullins thanks, hope it does not get delayed again.

 

[jimfist]

I asked my Sweetwater rep on May 1, and was told “end of May”.



You haven’t been paying attention. “No overdrive/distortion” is an explicitly stated and intentional design feature.

And envelope filter?

 

[ctmullins]

And envelope filter?

Won’t know ‘til I get mine and plug it in....

 

[larrygs]

Hey guys, any of you received now a new shipping date? Some people are getting September as estimated shipping date.

 

[ctmullins]

I just heard from my Sweetwater rep - my preorder will ship next week!