The TC Electronic Flashback Delay and Looper is a compact digital delay pedal from TC Electronic that also doubles as a looper. Announced in 2011 as part of TC Electronic's TonePrint pedal line, it offers 7 seconds of delay time and, in the words of the launch press release, "every delay type one could ever wish for"1. Premier Guitar's reviewer called the stereo output-equipped Flashback "the most versatile" of the TonePrint pedals reviewed alongside it2.
Delay modes and looper
The Flashback carries nine switchable delay modes on the pedal itself, including a TC2290-inspired delay, analog- and tape-style modes, modulation, reverse and slapback2. The launch announcement described the range as running "from TC Electronic's legendary 2290 delay to old-school tape echo"1.
Premier Guitar's reviewer went through the modes in detail2:
| Mode | What the reviewer found |
|---|---|
| Mod | Adds a slight vibrato effect "akin to Echoplex tape warble" |
| Tape | Similar qualities plus "a fairly authentic-sounding high-end decay" |
| Lofi | Sounds like an aged tape delay, suited to "skuzzy garage rock" |
| Slap | Worked for rockabilly runs, including "Guitar Boogie Shuffle" |
| Reverse | Fun, though the repeats had "a vague, but perceptible digital quality" |
The looper can handle up to a 40-second loop in mono or a 20-second loop in stereo2. Capturing a loop is done by holding down the footswitch for the duration of the chord progression or picking pattern you want to loop2.
TonePrints
TonePrints are artist- and factory-created delay settings that can be loaded onto the pedal, extending it beyond the modes printed on the box. At the time of Premier Guitar's review there were 12 artist TonePrint presets from guitarists including Pete Thorn and Bumblefoot, as well as five TC Electronic factory TonePrints available on the Flashback page2.
Flashback 2 and Flashback X4
The Flashback line grew into two later versions. The Flashback 2 packs what Pedal of the Day called "TC's entire delay legacy into a single compact and affordable stompbox," with new algorithms, a Crystal delay mode and eight other delay options including Tape, Modern, Analog, Modulated and Reverse, plus three total TonePrint slots3. The reviewer found that "for such a small enclosure, TC has really packed a LOT into this machine"3.
The Flashback X4, announced in September 2012, was described by TC Electronic as "the next generation of the smash hit Flashback Delay and Looper"4. Premier Guitar's later review noted that TC Electronic "heeded the clamor from its sizable online community of users and created a more expansive Flashback"5.
The X4's headline features, from the announcement4:
- 12 delay types
- 4 TonePrint slots
- Independent loop and delay engines
- 40-second looper with undo function
- Expression pedal input
Guitar Interactive Magazine reported that the X4 offers "12 delay types plus 4 TonePrint slots executed in exquisite world-renowned TC Electronic quality"64, and Vintage Guitar's news item added a 40-second loop, TonePrint functionality, three presets, a dedicated tap-tempo and an expression input7. Premier Guitar's review also listed stereo input/output, MIDI jacks to clock-sync the delay and an expression pedal input5.
A key difference from the original: on the X4 the looper can be used at the same time as the delay, which the original Flashback did not allow5. Delicious Audio's review described two modes of operation, Delay Mode and Looper Mode, and 16 delay types8.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar's review of the original Flashback found a lot to like across the delay modes, with the tape-style high-end decay and the Echoplex-like modulation drawing specific praise, though the Reverse mode's repeats showed a faint digital quality2. The same reviewer found the X4's looper "a vast improvement over the original Flashback looper simply due to increased control," and noted that it records up to 40 seconds with almost limitless layers5.
On the X4's design, Tore Mogensen, Product Manager for Guitar at TC Electronic, said the company built it as a response to players who wanted more from the Flashback format4. Pedal of the Day's take on the Flashback 2 was that its dense feature set opens "new worlds of sonic discovery" in a small box3.
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Questions
How long a loop can the TC Electronic Flashback record?
The original Flashback Delay and Looper can record up to a 40-second loop in mono or a 20-second loop in stereo. You capture audio by holding down the footswitch for the duration of the passage you want to loop. The later Flashback X4 also offers a 40-second looper with an undo function.
What are TonePrints on the Flashback?
TonePrints are delay settings created by TC Electronic and by guest artists that you can load onto the pedal, giving it sounds beyond the modes printed on the enclosure. At the time of Premier Guitar's review there were 12 artist TonePrint presets from guitarists including Pete Thorn and Bumblefoot, plus five TC Electronic factory TonePrints.
Is the TC Electronic Flashback stereo?
Yes. The original Flashback Delay and Looper is a stereo delay and looper pedal with stereo output. In looper use, stereo recording halves the available loop time to 20 seconds, against 40 seconds in mono.
How many delay modes does the Flashback have?
The original Flashback has nine switchable delay modes on the pedal itself, including a TC2290-inspired delay, analog- and tape-style modes, modulation, reverse and slapback. The Flashback 2 keeps a similar spread with its Crystal mode plus eight other options, and the X4 expands to 12 delay types.
Sources (8)
- TC Electronic Introduces TonePrint Effect Pedals, Guitar World, 2011-06-22
- TC Electronic TonePrint Pedal Reviews: Delay & Effects, Premier Guitar, 2011-03-15
- TC Electronic Flashback 2 Delay & Looper, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2024-10-19
- TC Electronic Announces Flashback X4 Delay and Looper, Premier Guitar, 2012-09-20
- TC Electronic Flashback X4 Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2013-02-04
- TC Electronic Announces Flashback X4 Delay and Looper, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2012-09-20
- TC Electronic Introduces Flashback X4 Delay and Looper, Vintage Guitar magazine, 2012-09-28
- Pedal Review: TC Electronic Flashback X4 Delay/Looper, Delicious Audio, 2013-01-11
