The TC Electronic Pipeline Tap Tremolo is a tremolo pedal, the effect that rhythmically rises and falls in volume. TC Electronic announced it in June 2017 as its "eagerly anticipated tremolo pedal," and Premier Guitar's press release called it "the final piece in their modulation pedal puzzle"1. It reached stores on July 1, 201712.
What sets the Pipeline apart from a basic tremolo is timing control: tap tempo, a Subdivision knob, a sequencer and TonePrint support, which TC Electronic describes as delivering "vintage and adventurous tremolo sounds"3.
What the Pipeline does
At its core the Pipeline is a tremolo with two built-in waveforms. Vintage mode covers "all the soft sine waves of old school American amp tremolos," while Square mode goes to "the uncompromising Square edges of harder musical genres," as TC Electronic's press release put it1. On That Pedal Show, Tore Lynggaard Mogensen from TC Electronic described the pedal as "2 trems in one, and a sequencer for up to four subdivisions"4.
The TonePrint side extends that further. The TonePrint software "lets you build your own customised waveform shape," so you can draw a tremolo curve that neither preset mode covers2.
Controls and tap tempo
The pedal keeps a familiar three-knob layout alongside its timing features:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Speed | Sets the tremolo rate2 |
| Depth | Sets how far the volume swells2 |
| Volume | Sets overall output level2 |
| Subdivision | Splices the tempo into seven rhythmic accents5 |
| Mode toggle | Three-way mini switch selecting the Vintage and Square waveforms2 |
Tap tempo is handled by the footswitch. As gearnews.com's Jef described it: "you just hold down the footswitch for two seconds, the light then turns green, and you can tap the desired tempo." Guitar Interactive Magazine's Jonathan Graham noted that "the footswitch is tap tempo-enabled for fast tempo adjustments"52.
The Subdivision knob works off the tapped tempo, so set your speed by foot first, then use the knob to slice that tempo into one of seven rhythmic accents5.
Price and where it sits
The Pipeline launched in 2017 at $129.99 MAP, which gearnews.com listed as an RRP of USD 129.991. In gearnews.com's December 2025 buying guide to tremolo pedals, Julian Schmauch lists it at $83.00 USD, with £76.00 and 89.00 EUR alongside6. That places it in the middle of a field the same guide spans, from the TC Electronic CHOKA Tremolo at $26 up to the Origin Effects Deluxe 61 at $3576.
Reviewers at launch were positive about the design. Jef at gearnews.com summed it up2:
"Overall, this looks like a well thought-out modern version of a Tremolo effect with all these added controls for timing"
For players comparing options, the Pipeline's combination of tap tempo, subdivisions and TonePrint editing puts it among the more feature-heavy entries in TC Electronic's tremolo line, sitting alongside the simpler TC Electronic Pipeline naming family and the budget CHOKA3.
Videos
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Questions
How do you set tap tempo on the TC Electronic Pipeline?
Hold down the footswitch for two seconds. The light turns green, and you can then tap the tempo you want. The footswitch is tap tempo-enabled for fast tempo adjustments, so you can retime the tremolo mid-song without bending down to the pedal.
Does the Pipeline Tap Tremolo support TonePrint?
Yes. TC Electronic lists TonePrint support on the Pipeline, and the TonePrint software lets you build your own customised waveform shape. It also gives you control over both the Vintage and Square modes, altering the shape of the tremolo's waveform to make it more or less choppy.
When did TC Electronic release the Pipeline Tap Tremolo?
TC Electronic announced the Pipeline Tap Tremolo in June 2017 and it became available on July 1, 2017. Premier Guitar described it as the final piece in TC Electronic's modulation pedal puzzle.
What is the difference between the Vintage and Square modes on the Pipeline?
The two modes change the shape of the tremolo's waveform. Vintage covers the soft sine waves of old school American amp tremolos, while Square gives the uncompromising edges suited to harder musical genres. The modes are accessed via a three-way mini toggle switch, and TonePrint lets you alter how choppy the waveform is.
How much does the TC Electronic Pipeline Tap Tremolo cost?
At launch in 2017 the Pipeline carried a price of $129.99 MAP. As of December 22, 2025, gearnews.com's tremolo buying guide lists it at $83.00 USD, with £76.00 and 89.00 EUR given alongside.
Sources (6)
- TC Electronic Releases the Pipeline Tap Tremolo, Premier Guitar, 2017-06-09
- TC Electronics Pipeline Tap Tremolo pedal, gearnews.com, 2017-06-09
- PIPELINE TAP TREMOLO, TC Electronic
- That Pedal Show, That Pedal Show, 2017-07-28
- TC Electronic Lays Down a Pipeline Full of Tremolo, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2017-06-14
- The 9 Best Tremolo Pedals for Any Budget: Vintage Pulses and Modern Vibes, gearnews.com, 2025-12-22
