TC Electronic launches Plethora X1 Bluetooth multi-effects pedal

December 10, 2024 · 4 sources

TC Electronic has unveiled the Plethora X1, the smallest unit in its Plethora family of multi-effects pedals, Guitar World reported on December 10, 2024. The pedal puts 14 of the company's effects into a single-footswitch stompbox and connects to the TonePrint app over Bluetooth and USB-C¹.

The X1 carries 14 effect types drawn from TC's mainline pedals: Hall of Fame 2 Reverb, Flashback 2 Delay, Helix Phaser, Viscous Vibe, Sub 'n' Up Octaver, Brainwaves Pitch Shifter, Corona Chorus, HyperGravity Compressor, Mimiq Doubler, Vortex Flanger, Pipeline Tap Tremolo, Quintessence Harmonizer, Sentry Noise Gate and Shaker Vibrato²³⁴. Guitar World describes them as divided into two banks of seven "Boards," each with an A slot and a B slot, selected with a rotary control and adjusted with three knobs marked A, B and C¹⁴. Seven TonePrint effects come loaded from the factory: Hall of Fame 2, Flashback 2, Sub 'N' Up, Corona Chorus, Viscous Vibe, Quintessence and Pipeline².

The single footswitch serves five functions: standard on/off, A/B switching between two effects, latching, momentary, and TC's MASH pressure-sensing mode¹³. A 1-inch color LCD shows what is loaded²¹. The pedal has stereo inputs and outputs on 1/4-inch jacks, analog-dry-through, and selectable true or buffered bypass². It runs on a 9V DC power supply drawing 250mA, sold separately².

Guitar Pedal X lists a recommended retail price of $179². Guitar World reports the pedal at $179 from Sweetwater and compares it with the Line 6 HX One at $299, noting the HX One offers 250 Helix effects and a second footswitch¹. MusicRadar notes the X1 does not have amp modeling⁴. TC Electronic has promised regular firmware updates bringing new boards and TonePrints¹.