The TC Electronic Flashback 2 Delay is a digital delay pedal, a sequel to TC Electronic's best-selling Flashback, announced in June 2017 and available from early July that year at $169.9912. It is a two-in/two-out stereo delay and looper pedal that can be run in either mono or stereo34, and its headline feature is MASH: a pressure-sensitive footswitch that acts as an expression pedal when you hold it down35.
Alongside the familiar delay types, the Flashback 2 adds a new Crystal algorithm that shifts pitch up an octave through each feedback loop, and TC Electronic revised the tape and analog emulation algorithms from the original pedal3. MusicRadar's review summed it up as "A versatile delay pedal elevated by that MASH feature"6.
What the Flashback 2 does
The Flashback 2 is an updated version of the previous Flashback delay pedal, which TC Electronic described as "a modern twist on the know-how and legacy of TC Electronic's legendary 2290 Delay, featuring 7 seconds of delay and a cherry-picked selection of the very best delay sounds out there"7. The original offered 6 seconds of delay8. Gearnews characterized the Flashback 2 as "more of a refining of the old Flashback that make it more versatile"3.
What is new on the Flashback 2:
- MASH, a pressure-sensitive footswitch that works like an expression pedal35
- Crystal delay, a new algorithm delivering the octave sounds from TC Electronic's Sub'n'Up pedal3
- Revised tape and analog emulation algorithms, which TC Electronic says sound even more realistic than before3
- Three TonePrint slots instead of the single TonePrint preset on the original35
MusicRadar's buying guide listed the Flashback 2's wide variety of delay effects as a plus point9.
The controls: four knobs and a subdivision lever
The Flashback 2 has four knobs for Delay, Feedback, Level and Mode, plus a small subdivision lever in the center of the pedal for changing the delay subdivisions39.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Delay | Sets the delay time |
| Feedback | Sets the number of repeats |
| Level | Sets the delay volume |
| Mode | Selects the delay type |
| Subdivision lever | Switches the delay subdivisions |
Gearnews noted that with only delay time and feedback controls plus a subdivision switch, using the pedal is straightforward4.
MASH: the footswitch that works as an expression pedal
MASH is the Flashback 2's standout feature. TC Electronic describes it as a pressure-sensitive footswitch that brings expression control to the pedal by responding to how hard you press it5. If you hold it down, it acts as an expression pedal: depending on the preset selected, one or more parameters can be changed3. The MASH functionality is shared with TC Electronic's Hall of Fame 2 reverb pedal3.
On That Pedal Show, the presenters explained the idea behind MASH on the Flashback family10:
"they came out with these mash switches which is basically an expression pedal in the foot switch itself"10
That Pedal Show10
MusicRadar's review called MASH the pedal's USP, a pressure-sensitive footswitch allowing expression-pedal style control6. Pedal of the Day described MASH as adding an expression pedal to a world-class delay stompbox that responds to your touch11.
One thing to know: the pedal supports audio tap tempo, but MASH needs to be disabled for that to work1.
Power and connections
The Flashback 2 runs as a two-in/two-out stereo delay and looper pedal4. Input 2 can be used to add a tap controller footswitch for tap tempo3. The pedal can be run in either mono or stereo3.
Audio tap tempo requires MASH to be disabled, so if you want both features you will need to choose between them or use an external tap switch on input 231.
History and versions
The Flashback line began with the original Flashback, a digital delay drawing on TC Electronic's 2290 rack delay legacy with 6 seconds of delay time78. The Flashback 2 followed in 2017 as the sequel, announced in June and available from early July at $169.9912.
The family has since expanded:
| Version | What it is |
|---|---|
| Flashback 2 | The standard stereo delay and looper pedal, released 201734 |
| Flashback 2 X4 | A 4-switch version of the Flashback 2, updated in 2019 with 3 MASH footswitches, new Crystal, Analog and Tape delays, 6 delay presets, a 40-second looper and MIDI12 |
| Flashback Mini Delay | A compact version; the Flashback 2 Mini, introduced in December 2019, is based on the Flashback 2 and was among the first mini pedals to feature MASH switches1314 |
| Flashback Triple Delay | A three-delay version of the line7 |
The Flashback 2 X4 carries the MASH footswitch technology over from the Flashback 2, with three pressure-sensitive footswitches, a subdivision knob with 11 tempo settings, stereo ins and outs, and MIDI connectivity1516.
Videos
Sweetwater
TC Electronic
TC Electronic
Questions
How many TonePrints can the Flashback 2 hold?
The Flashback 2 Delay provides three dedicated TonePrint slots for saving your favorite TonePrints, up from a single TonePrint preset on the original Flashback. TonePrint is TC Electronic's system of artist-designed and custom effects settings that you beam to the pedal.
What is the Crystal delay on the Flashback 2?
Crystal is a new delay algorithm added on the Flashback 2. It shifts the pitch of the repeats up an octave through each feedback loop, which TC Electronic says creates an other-worldly shimmer. The octave sounds come from TC Electronic's Sub'n'Up octave pedal.
Can you use a tap tempo switch with the Flashback 2?
Yes. Input 2 on the Flashback 2 can be used to add a tap controller footswitch. The pedal also supports audio tap tempo, but MASH has to be disabled for that to work.
What is the difference between the Flashback 2 and the original Flashback?
The Flashback 2 is a sequel to the best-selling Flashback, refining it with the MASH pressure-sensitive footswitch, a new Crystal delay algorithm, revised tape and analog emulation algorithms, and three TonePrint slots instead of one. The original Flashback offered 6 seconds of delay and drew its sounds from TC Electronic's 2290 rack delay.
Is the Flashback 2 stereo?
Yes. The Flashback 2 is a two-in/two-out stereo delay and looper pedal, and it can be run in either mono or stereo depending on your setup.
Sources (16)
- TC Electronic releases Flashback 2 Delay pedal with MASH footswitch and Crystal Delay, MusicRadar, 2017-06-20
- TC Electronic Unveils the Flashback 2 Delay, Premier Guitar, 2017-06-20
- TC Electronics Flashback 2 delay pedal: Now with more mash, gearnews.com, 2017-06-21
- The Best Budget Effects Pedals for Electronic Music Production, gearnews.com, 2025-07-02
- FLASHBACK 2 DELAY, TC Electronic
- TC Electronic Flashback 2 review, MusicRadar, 2018-04-11
- FLASHBACK DELAY by TC Electronic, RockBoard (PedalPedia), 2026
- TC Electronic Flashback Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2014-06-01
- Best delay pedals: add extra dimension to your tone, MusicRadar, 2022-05-17
- Boss MD-200, Stone Deaf PDF-1X, GCP Comfortably Plum, TC Flashback II x4, That Pedal Show (YouTube), 2019-11-05
- TC Electronic Flashback 2 Delay & Looper, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2024-10-19
- FLASHBACK 2 X4 DELAY, TC Electronic
- TC Electronic releases the Hall of Fame 2 Mini and Flashback 2 Mini, Guitar.com, 2019-12-13
- TC Electronic launches Hall of Fame 2 Mini Reverb and Flashback 2 Mini Delay, www.gearnews.com, 2019-12-13
- TC Electronic brings its MASH footswitch tech to the Flashback 2 X4 Delay pedal, MusicRadar, 2019-07-26
- TC Electronic Flashback 2 X4 Delay pedal: Now with MASH and TonePrint, gearnews.com, 2019-07-26
