The TC Electronic Plethora X5 is a digital TonePrint pedalboard: a floor unit that gathers TC's stompbox effects into one box, with five footswitches that behave like the switches on individual pedals. TC describes it as "all of your favorite TC stomps in one unit," covering pitch tracking, compression, modulation, noise gating, reverb and delay1. It was released in 20202 and TC calls it the company's flagship product1.
The idea is that you build virtual pedalboards inside the unit. You create boards, populate them with any of the TC TonePrint pedals, and load each pedal with any TonePrint from the library or your own, with up to 127 custom boards storable1. Guitar World's review counted 12 onboard effects at the time of writing34, and TC positioned it less as a full rig replacement than as an add-on to your existing drive pedals, thanks to its pedalboard-friendly size4.
What it does and how it is controlled
At the time of Guitar World's review, the onboard pedals were the Hall Of Fame 2 Reverb, Flashback 2 Delay, Sub n Up Octaver, Sentry Noise Gate, Hypergravity Compressor, Brainwaves Pitch Shifter, Corona Chorus, Vortex Flanger, Quintessence Harmony, Mimiq Doubler, Shaker Vibrato and Pipeline Tap Tremolo6. Each pedal slot holds any TonePrint from TC's library or of your own making, with 75 TonePrint slots per pedal6.
The five footswitches are TC's MASH switches, which are pressure sensitive: each one lets you control your effects in real time by mashing down on the footswitch1. At launch, MusicRadar noted that five of the effects offered the touch-sensitive MASH Expression feature11. There is also an EXP input for hooking up an expression pedal to control any effect, or to add a volume pedal anywhere in the board's signal chain1.
| Control or connection | What it does |
|---|---|
| 5 MASH footswitches | Switch effects like individual pedals; press harder for real-time expression1 |
| Three black knobs | Effect parameters; assignable to any parameters via Hot Knobz from Firmware 1.212 |
| EXP input | Connects an expression pedal for effect control or a volume pedal in the chain1 |
| Play / Edit toggle | Two toggle-switched operating modes6 |
| MIDI In / Thru | Assignable MIDI channels and CC mapping from Firmware 1.212 |
| USB | Connection for updates and TonePrint management6 |
Operation is straightforward, in Guitar World reviewer Trevor Curwen's experience, using the two toggle-switched modes, Play and Edit6. Other features include a tuner, tap tempo, a selectable global cabinet simulation, and stereo inputs and outputs, with TC fitting what it calls true stereo to its flagship641.
Guitar World's review flagged two quirks: the "back to front" display might throw a curveball to some players, and at the time of writing no user manual was available, with some functions not yet implemented6.
Firmware updates and added features
TC promised a host of feature updates throughout the Plethora's lifespan when the unit was announced4, and it followed through. The free Firmware 1.2 update, released in December 2020, was described by Gearnews as giving existing users a nice set of new features to play with2.
- Two new TonePrint pedals: the Helix Phaser and Viscous Vibe
- A Tape Deck Looper
- Hot Knobz, assigning the three black knobs to control any effects parameters on the board simultaneously, with real-time tweaking in play mode
- Expanded MIDI CC controls, with assignable MIDI channels and a CC mapping chart in the global settings menu
- Optional dual footswitch controls13
- Nine new cabinet simulations
The looper is worth noting for buyers checking older coverage: Guitar World's review, written before the update landed, said a looper was "said to be coming soon" in firmware6; the Tape Deck Looper then arrived with 1.212.
How it differs from the alternatives
TC itself pushed back on calling the Plethora a multi-FX. Responding to speculative comments at launch, the company said players should not "think of it as a multi-FX" and that it is a "different thing" to the G-System14. In practice it is a pedalboard of TC stompboxes rather than a programmable rack-style processor, and Gearnews saw its value as an add-on to your existing gear that integrates with the best parts of your amp and effects, rather than a replacement for a full rig5.
It sits at the top of a range. MusicRadar's review of the smaller Plethora X1 noted that the larger X3 and X5 models were found online for $349 and $459 respectively8, and the X5's 298mm-wide frame was enough for Guitar World's reviewer to caution that it may be on the large side for smaller pedalboards15. GuitarPlayer's buying guide lists 127 effects and a 1.1kg weight for the X510, while Guitar World's effects roundup counts 12 effects3.
What reviewers said
Reactions were mixed but generally positive. Gearnews wrote at launch that "The Plethora seems to pack a lot of sounds and useful functionality into one box," while doubting it would seriously impact HX Stomp sales5. Guitar World's overall verdict on the range was that "The unit offers a great opportunity to add a range of effects to your rig, but may be on the large side for incorporation" into smaller boards15.
"The Plethora seems to pack a lot of sounds and useful functionality into one box."
In Delicious Audio's best pedals of 2020 poll, the Plethora X5 finished in 26th position with 1 point162. Guitar World's launch coverage suggested its pedalboard-friendly size and ability to serve as an addition to a complement of drive pedals could see it adopted by players who would not otherwise buy a multi-effects unit4.
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Questions
Which TonePrint pedals are on the Plethora X5?
At the time of Guitar World's review the onboard pedals were the Hall Of Fame 2 Reverb, Flashback 2 Delay, Sub n Up Octaver, Sentry Noise Gate, Hypergravity Compressor, Brainwaves Pitch Shifter, Corona Chorus, Vortex Flanger, Quintessence Harmony, Mimiq Doubler, Shaker Vibrato and Pipeline Tap Tremolo. The Firmware 1.2 update added the Helix Phaser and Viscous Vibe as TonePrint pedals, and TC said further firmware updates would bring more.
Is the Plethora X5 true bypass?
It offers a choice of true or buffered bypass, set per your needs. Guitar World's spec listing also notes a built-in tuner, tap tempo, a selectable global cabinet simulation, 127 boards and 75 TonePrint slots per pedal.
Does the Plethora X5 have a looper?
Yes. The free Firmware 1.2 update of December 2020 added a Tape Deck Looper, along with the Helix Phaser and Viscous Vibe TonePrint pedals, Hot Knobz, expanded MIDI CC controls, optional dual footswitch controls and nine new cabinet simulations.
Is the Plethora X5 the same as the TC G-System?
No. When the Plethora was announced, TC Electronic responded to speculation by saying players should not think of it as a multi-FX and that it is a different thing to the G-System. It is a TonePrint pedalboard built around TC's stompbox effects rather than a rack-style multi-effects processor.
How much does the Plethora X5 cost?
At launch in 2020 it was expected to land around $399. Guitar World's review lists it at $498, while MusicRadar's later review of the range cites $459, and a December 2024 Thomann listing showed $329. Prices have moved over the unit's life, so treat these as dated snapshots.
Sources (16)
- PLETHORA X5, TC Electronic
- TC Electronic PLETHORA X5 1.2 Update adds Helix Phaser, Viscous Vibe and more, gearnews.com, 2020-12-19
- Best multi-effects pedals 2026: replace your rig, Guitar World (www.guitarworld.com), 2022-08-25
- TC Electronic's Plethora X5 TonePrint Pedalboard might just be the multi-effects pedal you've been waiting for, Guitar World, 2020-02-20
- TC Electronic Plethora X5 multi-FX board: Preorders open on Thomann, gearnews.com, 2020-02-28
- TC Electronic Plethora X5 review, Guitar World, 2020-11-17
- TC Electronic debuts the Plethora X3, a downsized version of its feature-packed multi-effects pedal, Guitar World, 2022-05-26
- "Once set up to taste, its utility is astounding": TC Electronic Plethora X1 review, MusicRadar, 2025-03-27
- TC Electronic PLETHORA X1: TonePrint Stompbox With 14 Legendary Guitar Effects & MASH Footswitch, gearnews.com, 2024-12-10
- Best multi-effects pedals 2026: do-it-all multi-FX, GuitarPlayer (www.guitarplayer.com), 2021-11-10
- TC Electronic's new Plethora X5 will give you 127 pedalboards in one, MusicRadar, 2020-02-20
- TC Electronic adds two classic TonePrint pedals to the Plethora X5's effects line up with new Firmware 1.2 update, MusicRadar, 2020-12-18
- TC Electronic adds the Helix Phaser and Viscous Vibe to the Plethora X5 in comprehensive TonePrint Pedalboard update, Guitar World, 2020-12-18
- TC Electronic launches the Plethora X5 multi-effects pedal, Guitar.com, 2020-02-20
- TC Electronic Plethora X3 TonePrint Pedalboard review, Guitar World, 2022-12-12
- The Best Guitar Pedals Of 2020 according To The Internet Experts, Delicious Audio, 2021-01-21
