The TC Electronic Alter Ego V2 Vintage Echo is a compact digital delay pedal that packs recreations of classic echo machines into a small box. Announced in September 2014, it followed the larger Alter Ego X4 Vintage Echo, moving nine of that pedal's echo sounds into the compact form factor known from TC Electronic's original Flashback Delay1. MusicRadar's review counts 11 delay types in the small pedal2.
The delay sounds were reproduced in partnership with ProGuitarShop, and TC Electronic's product page says the pedal combines the best features and sounds from the original Alter Ego and the Alter Ego X43. Among the sounds are recreations of the most sought after echo units of the past, such as the Echorec, the Space Echo and the Echoplex4.
Vintage echo machines in a compact digital pedal
Although the circuit is digital, the pedal's modes are modeled on analog, digital and tape delays of the past6. TC Electronic's product page describes the range as running from sweet saturated Echoplex repeats, to the unique magnetic drum delays of the legendary Echorec, to a modulated take on TC's own 2290 delay unit3.
Pedal of the Day's 2015 review listed the modes as follows6:
| Mode | Modeled on |
|---|---|
| EREC 2 | Binson Echorec 2 |
| DMMC | Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man chorus sound |
| T ORG | Tel Ray Organ Tone |
| 2290 M | TC Electronic 2290, modulated |
| REV M | Reverse, modulated |
| BDM2 | Boss DM-2 |
| CKAT | Watkins Copikat |
| EP1 | Maestro Echoplex 1 |
| SP | Roland Space Echo |
Two further positions cover the built-in looper and the TonePrint slot42. The pedal also carries an audio-tapping feature for setting delay times by ear3.
At launch, MusicRadar reported the Alter Ego V2 streeting at around £138 in the UK5. In North America it was available exclusively at ProGuitarShop4.
The controls and the TonePrint slot
The pedal offers the standard array of delay controls: decay, tone, mix and delay type, plus a subdivision switch that selects between quarter notes, dotted eighths and a dual-delay combination2. Pedal of the Day counted four control knobs on the unit they reviewed6.
Also included is a single TonePrint slot for firing up sounds from TC's library of presets via the TonePrint app or a computer, or for making your own sounds using the TonePrint Editor2. The pedal connects to a computer over USB for TonePrinting and firmware updates6.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Decay | Sets how long the repeats last |
| Tone | Shapes the character of the repeats |
| Mix | Balances dry and delayed signal |
| Delay type | Selects the vintage echo mode |
| Subdivision switch | Quarter notes, dotted eighths or a dual-delay combination2 |
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's review found the Alter Ego V2 broadly appealing, whatever your background in vintage delays2:
"The Alter Ego V2 is equipped to appeal to just about any player, whether you're well versed in vintage delays or not."2
Pedal of the Day's reviewer felt the pedal stacks up nicely against the rest of TC Electronic's pedal lineup, calling it another gem in a classic lineup of delay pedals6.
"all of which stack up against the rest of their pedal lineup nicely"6
How it differs from the Alter Ego X4
The larger Alter Ego X4 Vintage Echo came first, and the V2 moved nine of its echo sounds into the smaller Flashback-style enclosure1. Where the X4 offers four TonePrint slots, three assignable presets, tap tempo and a 40-second looper, the V2 carries a single TonePrint slot and a built-in looper in a more compact box7. Both pedals share the choice between true and buffered bypass2.
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Questions
Does the TC Electronic Alter Ego V2 run on a battery?
Yes. MusicRadar's review notes the pedal offers nine-volt battery and power supply operation, so it can run on a standard 9V battery or an external supply.
Is the Alter Ego V2 true bypass?
It gives you a choice. MusicRadar's review describes a choice of true or buffered bypass, so you can set the pedal to either switching mode.
Does the Alter Ego V2 have stereo inputs and outputs?
Yes. The pedal has stereo inputs and outputs, and Pedal of the Day notes it can be run in stereo or mono depending on your setup.
Does the Alter Ego V2 have a looper?
Yes. The announcement press release describes a built-in looper alongside the echo sounds, so you can layer phrases without a separate looping pedal.
Which vintage echoes does the Alter Ego V2 recreate?
Its modes include recreations of the Binson Echorec 2, the Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man chorus sound, the Tel Ray Organ Tone, a modulated take on TC's 2290, a reverse modulated delay, the Boss DM-2, the Watkins Copikat, the Maestro Echoplex 1 and the Roland Space Echo.
Where can you buy the Alter Ego V2 in North America?
At launch in September 2014 the pedal was available exclusively at ProGuitarShop in North America, as a limited partnership release between TC Electronic and ProGuitarShop.
Sources (7)
- TC Electronic Launches Alter Ego V2 & T2 Vintage Echo, Premier Guitar, 2014-09-22
- TC Electronic Alter Ego V2 Vintage Echo review, MusicRadar, 2015-01-22
- Alter Ego Vintage Echo V2 by TC Electronic, RockBoard PedalPedia (www.rockboard.de), 2026
- TC Electronic Announces Alter Ego V2 Vintage Echo and T2, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2014-09-22
- TC Electronic unveils Alter Ego V2 Vintage Echo and T2 Reverb, MusicRadar, 2014-09-24
- TC Electronic Alter Ego 2 Vintage Echo, Pedal of the Day, 2015-09-17
- TC Electronic Alter Ego X4 Vintage Echo review, MusicRadar, 2014-08-18
