The TC Electronic 2290 P Dynamic Delay is a digital delay pedal that puts the company's classic 2290 Dynamic Digital Delay rack effect, first released in 1985, into a stompbox format12. TC Electronic has been one of the industry front runners in delay, best known for the studio-classic 2290 rack unit3, and the 2290 P is a modernized reissue of that machine4.
For a player, that means a deep delay unit rather than a simple three-knob pedal. It offers up to 9.999 seconds of delay time5, 128 presets2, stereo operation, MIDI integration, tap tempo with subdivisions, and a feedback loop for inserting other effects into the wet signal2. It also goes beyond straight delay: like the original 1985 rack unit, it offers chorus, flanger, tremolo, vibrato, phaser, panning, ducking and compression2.
A 2290 rack delay in pedal form
The original TC Electronic 2290 Dynamic Digital Delay was a rack delay unit released in 19853, and Guitar Pedal X describes it as a machine with an illustrious history5. The 2290 P recreates the 1985 2290 Dynamic Digital Delay + Effects Control Processor in pedal form67. Visually, the pedal opts for a retro aesthetic with classic digital displays and control buttons5.
TC Electronic's own framing, quoted by MusicRadar, is that the recreation was deliberate but not slavish2:
"We carefully recreated the original 2290, but we also added modern features, improved bits and pieces and expanded selected effect parameter ranges particularly with the guitar-playing experience in mind,"2
Guitar World reported that the aim was a modern update suitable for a contemporary setting without compromising the original's "soul and characteristic sonic profile"5.
Controls and features
The front panel is organized into sections, as detailed by Guitar Pedal X8:
| Section | Controls |
|---|---|
| Delay Time | 1 to 9999ms, Invert, subdivisions (Off / Straight / Dotted / Triplets) |
| Delay switch | Direct or Reverse mode |
| Preset | Preset and Store controls over 128 presets (64 x A+B) |
| Select switch | Delay / Pan / Dynamic modulation target |
Three on-board footswitches let you punch the pedal in and out, browse banks and tap the tempo9. The rear panel carries the MIDI jacks, stereo ins and outs with a dedicated stereo switch, an expression pedal jack for off-the-cuff parameter changes, and USB-C for firmware updates and computer use5.
Other features reported by the press:
- Full-featured tap tempo with a wide selection of subdivision options, preset/bank/global control and sync to MIDI clock9
- Four different ways to control delay time4
- Stereo dynamic delays, with delayed notes controllable independently from the original8
- A guitar-friendly Feedback Loop for inserting additional effects into the wet signal2
- 128 presets loaded out of the box, created by TC Electronic and by influential artists and producers9
Expression pedal and MIDI
An expression pedal can be connected to control any effects parameter, and up to three parameters simultaneously2. Delicious Audio highlights this as a standout: you can connect an expression pedal to control any parameter, and not just one but any three at once4.
The 2290 P is ready to integrate with MIDI-based setups seamlessly9. Its MIDI implementation covers preset, bank and global control, and tap tempo can sync to MIDI clock9, which makes it at home on a larger MIDI pedalboard.
Price and availability
The 2290 P was available at launch from retailers such as Sweetwater in the US and Andertons in the UK25. MusicRadar and Guitar World both reported a US price of $34925, while Gearnews listed it at $185.00 / £169.00 / 198.00 euro1. The published prices disagree, so treat $349 as the figure from the two outlets that reviewed it in detail.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's verdict was that TC Electronic has reinvented a classic device, bringing it into modern times without losing any of the original's revered sound9. Gearnews found that the classic '80s digital delay, the added control features, and the FX Loop integration could make it a winner1.
MusicRadar's take was more measured on usability: it is one for the tweakers and deep editors, and with all the options available there is going to be a learning curve for most delay pedal users2.
The original rack unit's reputation gives the pedal its pedigree. A 2016 Pedal of the Day review of TC's Nova Delay called the 2290 "possibly the best delay ever"10, and Delicious Audio has described TC Electronic as best known for the studio-classic 22903. Reviewers of the 2290 P itself found it faithful to that legacy, with one describing it as looking and sounding retro, its classic '80s digital delay character, added control features and FX Loop integration potentially making it a winner41.
The 2290 P is a deep-editing delay workstation rather than a set-and-forget pedal. If you want a simple TC delay, the company's compact pedals cover that ground; the 2290 P is aimed at players who want the rack unit's modulation, ducking and compression options in pedal form2.
Videos
Andertons Music Co
TC Electronic
TC Electronic
Questions
How long a delay time does the TC Electronic 2290 P have?
The 2290 P offers delay times from 1 to 9999ms, which is just under 10 seconds. That range is set in the Delay Time section, which also includes an Invert control and subdivision options covering straight, dotted and triplet timings.
How many presets does the TC Electronic 2290 P store?
It stores and recalls up to 128 presets, arranged as 64 banks of A and B. The pedal ships with a library of 128 presets already loaded, created by TC Electronic along with influential artists and producers.
Can I use an expression pedal with the TC Electronic 2290 P?
Yes. There is an expression pedal jack on the rear panel, and an expression pedal can control any effects parameter. In fact, it can control up to three parameters simultaneously, which makes it useful for live swells and real-time delay manipulation.
Does the TC Electronic 2290 P work with MIDI?
Yes. The 2290 P has MIDI jacks on the rear panel and integrates with MIDI-based setups. Its tap tempo can sync to MIDI clock, and preset, bank and global parameters can be controlled over MIDI.
How much does the TC Electronic 2290 P cost in the US?
MusicRadar and Guitar World both reported a US price of $349 when the pedal launched in October 2023. Gearnews listed it at $185.00 at the same time, so the published prices disagree.
Is the TC Electronic 2290 P based on the original rack unit?
Yes. It is a pedal reissue of the 1985 TC Electronic 2290 Dynamic Digital Delay + Effects Control Processor rack unit, a studio classic from the 1980s. TC Electronic describes it as a careful recreation of the original with modern features added.
Sources (10)
- TC Electronic 2290 P, gearnews.com, 2023-10-26
- TC Electronic brings a classic '80s rack unit to a pedal with the 2290 P Dynamic Delay, MusicRadar, 2023-10-26
- Pedal Review: TC Electronic Flashback X4 Delay/Looper, Delicious Audio, 2013-01-11
- TC Electronic 2290 P Digital Delay, Delicious Audio, 2024-01-17
- TC Electronic unveils 2290 P Dynamic Digital Delay pedal, Guitar World, 2023-10-26
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2023-10-30
- TC Electronic revives '80s Delay classic the 2290 in pedal form, Guitar.com, 2023-10-26
- Best Effect Pedals 2023, gearnews.com, 2023-12-18
- TC Electronic 2290 P Dynamic Digital Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2024-01-30
- TC Electronic Nova Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2016-01-02
