The TC Electronic Brainwaves Pitch Shifter is a compact polyphonic pitch shifter: Guitar.com described it at its unveiling as "a modulation unit with two independent voices, four polyphonic pitch effects and an innovative MASH footswitch"1. Pedal of the Day's reviewer called it "an exceptional pitch-shifting effect, with studio-grade algorithms"2. It sits among octave and pitch pedals alongside TC Electronic's other pitch units such as the Sub 'N' Up and the Quintessence Harmony.
The four pitch modes
At the heart of the pedal are four pitch effects: Pitch, Wham, Detune, and V1>V21. In Pitch mode, you can add up to two additional voices to your signal, which is what makes the pedal polyphonic: it can track chords rather than single notes1. Pedal of the Day's reviewer summed up the range as "a variety of polyphonic effects including whammy and detune, plus a bunch of other" effects2.
The Mix knob blends in the amount of effect, and the reviewer found it keeps the sound balanced "even at extreme settings"2.
The MASH footswitch
The Brainwaves' most distinctive control is its pressure-sensitive MASH footswitch. Guitar.com explained how it works: "Like an expression pedal, you can step on this footswitch for a moment to bend pitch-shifted notes", and the effect varies with each parameter the pedal offers1. Pedal of the Day's reviewer grouped it with the pedal's "studio-grade algorithms, 4 octave dual voices" as one of its standout features2.
TonePrint slots
The pedal carries three TonePrint slots that can be configured via the TonePrint app, which gives access to signature effects from artists1. That means the pedal's settings can be swapped for artist-designed versions without touching its knobs.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's reviewer, writing in January 2023, called the Brainwaves "an exceptional pitch-shifting effect, with studio-grade algorithms" and thanked TC Electronic for "another impressive and intriguing" pedal2.
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Questions
What does the MASH footswitch do on the Brainwaves?
The MASH footswitch is pressure sensitive. Like an expression pedal, you can step on it for a moment to bend pitch-shifted notes, and the effect it applies varies with each parameter, so what MASH does changes depending on the mode or setting you assign it to.
Is the TC Electronic Brainwaves polyphonic?
Yes. Guitar.com described it as a modulation unit with two independent voices and four polyphonic pitch effects, and Pedal of the Day's reviewer called it a pitch pedal that masters a variety of polyphonic effects, including whammy and detune.
What is the difference between Pitch, Wham and Detune modes?
The Brainwaves offers four pitch effects: Pitch, Wham, Detune and V1>V2. In Pitch mode you can add up to two additional voices to your signal. Wham and Detune cover whammy-style pitch dips and detuned doubling, as part of the pedal's polyphonic effect set.
How many voices can the Brainwaves play at once?
The pedal runs two independent voices, and in Pitch mode you can add up to two additional voices to your signal, according to Guitar.com's report on the pedal.
Can the Brainwaves load artist TonePrints?
Yes. The pedal has three TonePrint slots that can be configured through the TonePrint app, which gives you access to signature effects from artists.
Sources (2)
- TC Electronic unveils Brainwaves Pitch Shifter, Guitar.com, 2019-02-07
- TC Electronic Brainwaves Pitch Shifter, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2023-01-27
