The Free The Tone FT-2Y Flight Time is a digital delay pedal from Japanese maker Free The Tone, introduced as the successor to the FT-1Y Flight Time, which ended production in 20161. It runs on a 32-bit DSP processor and accepts both instrument and line-level signals12. Free The Tone describes it as a unit on which the company concentrated its latest technologies, with dramatic improvements in sound quality over the FT-1Y1.
What it is based on
On That Pedal Show, the presenters placed the FT-2Y in a direct line from a studio classic6:
"the front of a TC 20 to 90 which is the fabled rackmount digital delay"6
They described the pedal as inspired by the TC 2290 rackmount digital delay, potentially going a bit further, put in pedal form6. Delicious Audio's product page frames it the same way: the successor to the FT-1Y that ended production in 2016, running on a 32-bit DSP processor12.
How the FT-2Y differs from the FT-1Y
The FT-1Y Flight Time was itself a high-end digital delay pedal, launched with MIDI support, a tap input feature, and high-pass and low-pass filters7. The FT-2Y keeps the digital delay concept but upgrades the platform. Pedal of the Day reported that Free The Tone "improved upon the analog circuit, the digital control and even the power supply along the way"3, and Delicious Audio notes dramatic improvements in sound quality over the FT-1Y1.
A practical addition for players:
- Instantaneous switching between Preset 1 and Preset 2, giving two vastly different delay options at a footswitch3
- A Delay Phase function, listed by the maker among the pedal's features5
The controls: modulation, filter and subdivisions
Pedal of the Day's review highlights the depth of the control set, describing the pedal as having "modulation and filter controls and subdivision choices for days"3. In other words, the FT-2Y carries over the filter shaping the FT-1Y was known for (its high-pass and low-pass filters73) and adds modulation and a wide range of rhythmic subdivisions, so a player can dial in everything from a dark, filtered slapback to a modulated, tempo-synced repeat pattern.
On That Pedal Show, the presenters treated it as a do-it-all digital delay, one they would pair with an analog-voiced delay up front in the chain, and commented that Free The Tone makes lovely high-end pedals with unity gain bang on6.
The power supply requirement changed
The maker's current product page lists a DC9V AC adapter with a current draw of about 400 mA5. When the pedal was reviewed in 2017, the specification was DC12V at approximately 400 mA maximum, supplied through a dedicated AC adapter (FA-1220D-JA for the USA, with UK and Europe variants)3. A player buying or powering a used unit should read the voltage marking at the DC IN jack, since shipped units differ.
The FT-2Y-S Sugizo signature model
Free The Tone also sells the Sugizo Signature Flight Time FT-2Y-S, a collaboration model with guitarist Sugizo8. It is a digital delay in the same Flight Time line8:
- First sold in limited quantities in July 2022, then re-released by popular demand8
- The re-release differs from the limited model in included accessories, but the body specifications and appearance are the same8
- The included certificate carries Sugizo's hand-signed signature9
- Power is the same as the standard FT-2Y: a DC9V AC adapter with a current draw of about 400 mA95
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Questions
What is the Free The Tone Flight Time FT-2Y based on?
It is the successor to the Free The Tone FT-1Y Flight Time, a digital delay pedal that ended production in 2016. On That Pedal Show, the presenters described it as inspired by the TC 2290, the fabled rackmount digital delay, potentially going a bit further, in pedal form. It runs on a 32-bit DSP processor and accepts instrument and line-level signals.
How does the FT-2Y differ from the FT-1Y?
The FT-2Y succeeds the FT-1Y, which ended production in 2016. Free The Tone concentrated its latest technologies in the new unit, with dramatic improvements in sound quality over the FT-1Y. Pedal of the Day reported that the analog circuit, digital control and power supply were all improved along the way, and that the FT-2Y adds instantaneous switching between two presets.
What is the Delay Phase function?
Delay Phase is a function listed by Free The Tone on the FT-2Y's product page. The maker gives it as one of the pedal's features alongside its digital delay engine, but the product page does not detail how the phase control behaves in use.
Did the power supply requirement of the FT-2Y change?
Yes. Free The Tone changed the power supply specification for FT-2Y units shipped from September 2024 and advises using an AC adapter matching the voltage printed on the DC IN terminal. The maker's current product page lists a DC9V AC adapter with a current draw of about 400 mA, while a 2017 review listed DC12V at approximately 400 mA maximum.
What is the FT-2Y-S Sugizo signature model?
The FT-2Y-S is a Sugizo signature version of the Flight Time digital delay, a collaboration model between Free The Tone and the guitarist Sugizo. It was first sold in limited quantities in July 2022 and later re-released; the re-release differs from the limited model in included accessories, but the body specifications and appearance are the same. The included certificate carries Sugizo's hand-signed signature.
Sources (9)
- Free The Tone Flight Time FT-2Y Delay, Delicious Audio, 2021-09-27
- Free The Tone FT-1Y Flight Time review, MusicRadar, 2015-10-10
- Free The Tone FT-2Y Flight Time Digital Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2017-08-09
- Free The Tone FT-2Y Flight Time Digital Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2017-08-06
- FLIGHT TIME / FT-2Y｜Products 商品紹介｜Free The Tone, Free The Tone
- That Pedal Show, That Pedal Show (YouTube), 2017-08-18
- Free The Tone FT-1Y Flight Time Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2016-02-17
- SUGIZO SIGNATURE FLIGHT TIME / FT-2Y-S｜Products 商品紹介｜Free The Tone, Free The Tone
- FLIGHT TIME FT-2Y-S｜CUSTOM SHOP カスタムショップ｜Free The Tone, Free The Tone
