For the TonePrint concept to work—and
not inhibit creative applications of the technology—downloading the TonePrint sounds
themselves had to be a fast and uncomplicated process. And with the exception of a
few hiccups here and there, it was as simple
as using the included cable to plug the pedal
into my Mac’s USB port (you can just as
easily use a PC), visiting the dedicated section of the TC Electronic website, selecting
a TonePrint, and clicking the download
command. The interface is well-designed,
concise, informative, fun to explore, and
conducive to experimenting with different
effects, which is really the point.
While the downloadable TonePrints are
the real news with these pedals, it’s worth
noting that each is a more-than-capable
device on its own. And if plans to expand
the TonePrint library come to fruition, the
ability to continuously modify the performance of these pedals well into the future is
what will make them special.
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Flashback Delay/Looper
Of all the TonePrint pedals, the stereo
output-equipped Flashback is the most versatile. As of this writing, there are 12 artist
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Tap tempo
subdivide
switch
TonePrint presets from guitarists including
Pete Thorn and Bumblefoot, as well as five
TC Electronic factory TonePrints available
on the Flashback page. But there are also
nine switchable delay modes on the pedal
itself, including a TC2290-inspired delay,
analog- and tape-style delays, a lo-fi setting,
a modulated delay, and slap, ping-pong,
and reverse settings. The looper, meanwhile,
can handle up to a 40-second loop in mono
or a 20-second loop in stereo. So even without TonePrint presets, the Flashback gives
you a lot of ways to explore echo.
Some of the most inspiring built-in
modes include Mod (modulation), which
adds a slight and very pleasing vibrato effect
akin to Echoplex tape warble that sounds
fantastic on hanging, slow-strummed chords
and slow- to medium-tempo arpeggios.
Tape mode has many similar qualities with
the addition of a fairly authentic-sounding
high-end decay, while Lofi mode sounds like
a tape delay that’s done about 40 years on
a fishing boat—very nice for skuzzy garage
rock. Slap mode worked beautifully for a
pass at “Guitar Boogie Shuffle” and a few
other greasy rockabilly runs. Loop mode is
about as easy to use as a looper can be. To
Nine delay
modes and a
loop function
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