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10 ways of ADDING a PLETHORA X5 to your guitar RIG | Deep Dive
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- Опубліковано 17 сер 2024
- Integrating a multieffects unit in a guitar rig can present a few challenges. In this video, I'll show you 10 ways of adding a Plethora X5 to your pedalboard or guitar setup.
Where do you place your distortion pedals with regards to the multieffects? And your external delays or reverbs? What should your guitar signal path look like?
Learn the advantages and pitfalls of using different setups in this ultimate guide to adding a Plethora X5 to your rig.
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Plethora X5 Boost + EQ: • TC Electronic Plethora...
Plethora X5 Quick Tones, part 1: • TC Electronic Plethora...
Plethora X5 Quick Tones, part 2: • TC Electronic Plethora...
Plethora X5 Quick Tones, part 3: • TC Electronic Plethora...
Plethora X5 Quick Tones, part 4: • TC Electronic Plethora...
DOD Carcosa Fuzz: • DOD Carcosa Fuzz - Qui...
4 Cable Method: • 4 CABLE METHOD Tutoria...
NUX Roctary: • NUX Roctary - Quick To...
Ver este vídeo em Português: • 10 setups para integra...
\\ Timestamps \\
00:00 Intro
00:29 Setup 01
01:41 Setup 02
02:36 Setup 03
04:15 Setup 04
06:23 Setup 05
08:15 Setup 06
10:10 Setup 07
11:26 Setup 08
12:50 Setup 09
14:46 Setup 10
17:46 Housekeeping
#tcelectronic #plethorax5 #pedalboard
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Hi Filipe !!! Gostaria de te fazer uma pergunta. Me perdoe se a resposta está nos vídeos, mas como não tenho o pedal em mãos, não consigo compreender tudo. Tenho um Walrus Acs-1 e ele possui um amplificador para cada saída ( no caso saída stereo , dois amps )
É possível usar a plethora ligando Acs-1 no loop do pedal e ainda assim obter o som stereo ( um amplificador para cada lado?)
Pergunto isso pq plethora tem o mimiq e gostaria de deixá-lo na ordem após o simulador de amp, no caso, após o fx loop na plethora. E assim poder abrir mais o som stereo do Acs-1
Obrigado !!! Grande abraço !!!
I have just acquired a used Plethora x5 and was mooching around YT looking for an idiot's guide to the unit, and oh boy, do I reckon I've struck gold with your channel!
In less than one hour, I've updated the firmware, learnt how to create a boost effect without an extra boost pedal, understood the multiple options for connecting to amps etc, and thereby seen that what I hoped I actually might do with the Plethora is entirely feasible - to create a dual function, always-on, light-weight gigging rig that accommodates electric and electro-acoustic guitars in a wet/dry/direct to PA sound space. Haven't got all the extra components worked out yet, but as you say: there is so much fun to be had in the experimentation.
Thank you so much for the inspiration, and of course the high quality and very accessible videos. Cheers!
Idiot's guide or a guide by an idiot? 🤣 Hope you have fun with your new toy! 😁
Dude! I just got a Plethora x5 and then found your channel while trying to dig into it. You have spent a whole lot of time with this processor. Thanks for all the info!!.
Thank you so much for the clear explanations and diagrams, I love your channel. As an acoustic guitar player and singer, I have my plethora set up in a yet a different configuration which gives quite a bit of unexpected flexibility. I basically use the plethora to make two separate effect loops, one for guitar and one for my mic. The guitar signal runs between the input and the FX send in the effects loop of my amp, while the mic signal runs between the FX return and the output. Depending on the song I can select a board with a different number of pedals for guitar and voice, as long as the overall number of pedals is five. Being able to put the insert at the beginning or end, makes that I even have the option to go either full guitar or full microphone. Still experimenting with it, but it seems to work brilliantly.
Thank you for the kind comments! 🙏🏻 And that is a really cool way of using the Plethora, just illustrates how impressively flexible this little box is. Thank you! 🙏🏻
This seems like the best solution to cover the pedal “must haves” and then you can add all the fun, weird and unique pedals with it.
Thank you Filipe! I think I am going to try setup 8.. but adding a preamp pedal (JIMS-800 that needs to go into the poweramp if I am not mistaken). It will go after the SEND of the amp into the plethora - so can get all the delays on after - and then into the RETURN of the amp to push the power amp... we will see how that works!
@Pedal Platform
Setup 11: In the box / Out of the box 4CM.
Equipment used: TC Plethora (experimental virtual board: NGATE, [FXloop 1-2], CHOR, DEL, RVRB, LOOPER), Presonus ioStation 24 (audio interface), Laney LFR-212 (powered FRFR 2x12).
1) Gtr to Mono Input of Plethora
2) Plethora FX Send to ioStation (audio interface) Input 1
3) ioStation Output 1 to Plethora FX Return
4) Plethora Mono Output to XLR input of LFR-212 (powered FRFR).
Use the Main of the ioStation to adjust overall volume of the powered cabinet (in this example LFR-212). On your PC initiate a stand-alone amp sim like NeuralDSP, TH-U, etc. Use an actual quality IR instead of cab sims, please. IMHO the cab emulation in the Plethora is garbage as it is in most plugins too. Either load quality IRs in the stand-alone product or with your DAW or another program like BlueCat's Patchwork stand-alone, instantiate an instance of Two-Notes WOS and roll with that. Disable all FX in the plugin to start. I gave you an example board for the Plethora above. This puts the Noise Gate before the ampsim, and all the mod/del/verb FX after the "mic'd cab" section (the FX loop of the Plethora).
Experiment from their but ALWAYS either power off your FRFR or at least reduce the Main Volume via the audio interface BEFORE moving cables or otherwise making drastic changes. You've been warned, serious equipment damage can occur if you Fubar connections. Regards and be well.
If you are using an X5 with an IR pedal make sure you turn off the X5’s cabinet simulation. Could not figure out why everything sounded weird
This was just what I needed. I think I can add 1-2 more to yours - output of there plethora direct into a PA with the IR loader/cab simulations - no amp situation. Thank you so much. This was an awesome video. Looking forward to your other plethora videos.
Thank you! 🙏🏻
Absolutely love this, many thanks for your efforts, Filipe! I'm just diving into your channel in the wake of my fresh and entirely unplanned acquisition of the Plethora. I dig your down-to-earth, totally unhistrionic delivery as well as your distinctive sense of humour! The deep dives into the the possibilites of the mighty TonePrint concept are greatly appreciated. With a couple of TC TonePrint series pedals already under my hood, I know what I'm looking at but there's a vast world yet to be discovered for me. I have to find a way to integrate my existing pedals into a complex board with the Plethora and thanks to you, I'm much more aware of the potential starting points. I'm only a night-time home armchair explorer (when the kids are asleep) slowly getting back to some noodling and tweaking but the TC stuff has always been a great inspiration - the Plethora just seems to offer a fantastic marriage of tweakability and the ease of use. Keep up the good work, ko-fi time now...
Thank you for the support and kind words, it's all really appreciated. 🙏🏻The Plethora is indeed a compact sized powerhouse, and I hope you have fun with it - armchair, stage, wherever 😉
Bro, you seriously do the best, most detailed videos; you’re awesome!
Thank you, really appreciated! 🙏🏻
Thank you sooooo much for set up #3!! That was a game changer for my set up. My normally amazing boost/drive pedal sounded horrible until I used your suggestion. Your "nerdy" explanation was really helpful! Thank you!
Awesome! I'm really happy it helped!🙏🏻
Best video i've seen explaining all the possibilities when it comes to pedal board set ups! Great and clear use of graphics... really appreciate your effort in making such a clear video! This Plethora X5 really looks like a great solution... gonna get me one! :) Great playing too! Thanks again
Thank you Chris! 🙏🏻
“But hey, you can’t have fun without cables.” Truth!
I mean... you can, but... at some point you'll need cables. 😶
I love the production value of your channel and I think is way underrated. Your in-deep analisis of the plethora has helped me a lot. Thank you!
Thank you for the kind comments, really appreciated! 🙏🏻
Hi, my compliments for this beautiful video! I kindly wanted to take advantage of your courtesy to know what kind of connection I can use if I want to use a volume pedal with the Plethora X5! I'll try to explain myself better: I'd like to put the volume pedal in the send and return of my Laney head because I'd like to maintain the same distortion as my tube head at both low and high volumes! But I would like to place the modulation and ambient effects in the Return of my head! I can't find a way to do the routing I described above! I kindly ask you if you can explain to me if it's a possible routing to do and how to do it! Thanking you for your possible response and all the best for you!
Thank you!
Best wishes! 🎶🎶🎶🎸🎸🎸🙏
Good lord. Your videos on the x5 are brilliant. Not sure if you are making commission from TCE but you should be lol. After selling my 3rd Mobius I was looking for a wysiwyg style pedal. I’ve had many TCE pedals before (still have their tuner) and their products are uniformly good to great. The interesting thing about the Plethora, to me, is you can make it as complicated as possible if one wishes. Thanks for all the vids on this product. 👍🙏
Hi Jim, thank you so much for the kind comments, they are really appreciated - and I'm really glad you enjoyed the videos! 🙏🏻
Love your videos,they've helped me a lot with my plethora setup,although this one is on another level,great stuff 😁👍🤟
Thank you so much, I'm really glad you like them! 🙏🏻
definitely setup 7, So I can use the likes of the Hypergravity before the preamp and using all the time based stuff between the preamp and poweramp.
Also, I should have said, Awesome video!. There needs to be more like this!.
Yup!
Thank you for doing this video! it was very helpful in understanding this mutli-pedal in incorporating in different scenarios! Also, I appreciate how you split the video with the diagrams and the plethora. Good stuff, keep it coming!!!! :D
Excellent, glad it was helpful! 🙏🏻
Hi Filipe, very interesting video. I also just bought the X3, but also the two notes from revolt with cab sim. Reason for this was to reduce weight and space for live performance. The X3 has all the fx I need and the two notes all the crunchy and distorted sounds. How should I setup my signal chain if I would go ampless. Now I have put the X3 in the fx loop of the two notes, but I was wondering if there’s a better way. The sound is pretty good but I had it better with my Marshall amp. Thank you for your answer
Great videos on the Plethora. Very helpful. Thanks man.
Glad you like them!
05 setup makes the most sense to me. That's where I would put all the time based effects anyways. And have my wah and drive pedal in the front of the amp. But apparently it doesn't sound good that way??
If it works for the sound that you have in your head, then it sounds good!! 😃 Lots of people have been doing it for years, and that's why the FX loop is there in the first place. With high headroom power amps, it works beautifully. Personally, I find that if I'm playing a cranked Marshall and want "clean" effects, then I have to place them further on down the chain.
This is all about providing options for different setups that do different things, and there are no right or wrong ways of doing any one thing. Just options :)
Cool video; very informative!
I'm planning a silent-stage rig built around theBoss IR-200 and the Plethora X5. I want it to give me a huge stereo sound. The Boss IR-200 has a stereo effects loop, but apparently the Plethora's effects are mono. Maybe I'm just old, but I can't quite wrap my head around how to wire these for best results in stereo for live performance. The Boss IR-200 effects return apparently requires a TRS cable to connect to outboard stereo gear. Wouldn't the send also need to be a stereo cable? (Old and confused!)
Also, where do you suggest placing a wah-wah? before the Plethora, in the the Plethora's effects loop or before the Boss IR-200?
Hi Dan! That sounds like it'll be a great, versatile rig (no pun intended!). While I don't have a Boss IR-200 with me to test this out (Santa Claus, are you listening?!), let's look at a couple of scenarios - and start by clearing a couple of things up:
- IR-200: only the FX return is stereo; the FX send is good old mono. From what I can see from its block diagram, this happens because the Amp simulator engine and noise gate are mono (one amp at a time), the Cab Sim engine is dual mono, and the Ambience engine can be made to be dual mono (process each cab separately, as if each cab in its own room) or stereo (both cabs in the same room);
- Plethora: the effects *are* stereo, it's only the FX loop that is mono. The result is that the effects you use pre-loop are going to be summed to mono before the sound goes out to the loop; but everything after the effects loop goes back to being full stereo!
So with that in mind, and only considering the IR-200 and the Plethora with no other pedals, you can:
Option 1, using the Plethora as if in an Amp's FX loop:
- Guitar -> IR-200 Input
- IR-200 FX Send -> Plethora Input (mono)
- Plethora Output (stereo) -> IR-200 FX return (stereo, y-cable)
- IR-200 Outputs (stereo) -> speakers / amps / recording device / etc
This will make full use of the Plethora's stereo effects, especially if you don't use the Plethora's FX loop; on the downside, you're placing all the Plethora's FX after the IR-200's amp sim, and this might not be what you want;
Option 2, using an approximated 4 cable method:
- Guitar -> Plethora Input;
- Plethora FX Send -> IR-200 Input;
- IR-200 FX Send -> Plethora FX Return;
- Plethora Output (stereo) -> IR-200 FX Return (stereo, y-cable);
- IR-200 Outputs (stereo) -> speakers / amps / recording device / etc
This will give you a lot of flexibility, because it'll allow you to use some of the Plethora's effects before the Amp sim (compressor is a good candidate), and the rest of the Plethora's effects will return to the IR-200 in glorious stereo.
Hope this helps, please let me know if there's anything that still needs a bit more clearing up! 🙏🏻
Wow; thanks! I am old and very analog! All of my amps are tube-amps! But now living overseas where my 110VAC/60 cycle tube heavyweights don't comfortably work, I'm way outside my comfort zone in trying to be a digital guitar slayer!
Your explanations are SUPER-helpful and I am so grateful!
Maybe I'm the first to dream up this particular silent-stage rig solution because you're the first and only guy to tackle the logistics involved in making these two units work together.
In your option 2, it would seem that I could choose to put my wah-wah anyplace in the chain, right? (before the Plethora's input, in the Plethora's effects loop, before the IR-200 input, before or after the amp sim, or in the IR-200 effects loop). If none of those possibilities sound good, I may as well hang it up and learn to play tennis!
I'll let you know how it all works out! Again, thanks for your help!
Your wah should be fine anywhere before the IR-200, so either first in line before the Plethora, or in the Plethora loop before the IR-200. Test it out and see what sounds better to you, with both the wah on and off. Some wahs benefit from being the first in the chain, others suck tone like crazy when you turn them off and they don't have a buffer before them, so... trial and hopefully not much error 😁
@@PedalPlatform Thanks for this also; I'll let you know what works best once my new gear arrives and I complete my experimentation. Hopefully others will benefit from reading about my experience trying to make this rig work! (Hopefully Santa has an IR-200 planned for you and your channel!)
Good video! I have my Plethorax5 in the wet side of my W/D\W rig. It’s the best sounding rig I have ever owned in 40 years. Deluxe Reverb dry and Ethos pre w/Ethos powered cabs. I will try your #9 method for recording!!!
I bet that sounds glorious! 😄
I've been considering the Plethora 5X for my rig...I have a recently acquired RJM PBC/6X loop switcher and Friedman IR-X preamp pedal essentially functioning as my amp. I'll be using a fuzz and a couple of other dirt pedals in the PBC loops, and have been considering a multi effect unit for modulation, delay, reverb, compressor, etc, and controlling the with PBC's midi. Would the Plethora work well in this setup? Would it be in a loop of the PBC, or just connected by midi? Or is it not really a viable option?
Awesome condensed information!
Glad it was helpful!
First of hall, hat's off! Second, I have a question (For Philip or anyone that can help), if I want to use a distortion pedal, but to have the octaver and compressor (used as a volume boost) before the distortion, do I just plug in the distortion in the fx loop and then set the fx loop to start after the compressor and octaver? I tried it, but the compressor doesn't boost my signal, it just makes a minor change at the tone and adds hissing but does not boost the volume?
The signal chain I tried is guitar > X5 input, X5 fx send > distortion input, distortion output > X5 fx return, X5 output > amp input.
Is this a right or wrong way to do it if I want to boost the volume of my distortion with the compressor? And if wrong, please help on how to do that, I'd appreciate it. Is it wrong to put it before the distortion if I want it as a volume boost? I tried upping the db on the compressor but it doesn't increase the volume of the distortion when I turn the compressor on.
Awesome, thanks for the video, I can imagine the amount of work you put in this! :)
Yes, but can you also imagine the amount of fun I had while doing it? 😁😁😁
Ohhhh, forgot to add….you had me up until number 8 😍
🤣
Brutal, o Plethora parece ser uma alternativa bastante interessante a ter vários pedais de efeitos. Talvez daqui a uns tempinhos pense em agarrar uma caixinha destas
É mesmo. Flexível, compacto, excelente qualidade de som - basta juntar drives. 😉
I don’t understand!
When you have 2 amplifiers in your diagram, you only show the guitar plugged into one of them?!
How does the Plethora amp work?
Hey man, me again, sorry to send so many questions.
I'm changing my board around. I have plethora and katana mk2.
If I want some drive pedals after the plethora compressor but still in the front of the amp, and a looper at the very end within he FX loop.
is it a case of going; guitar > X5 in > X5 Send > Drive pedals > Katana In > Katana FX send > X5 Return > X5 Out > looper > Katana FX Ret.
Then moving the position of the FX loop on the plethora to split it, so that modulation fx are in the loop, as we discussed before?
Sounds about right 😆👍🏻
Great video! Do you have a video on how to use the TonePrint app with the x5 in detail by chance?
Just got mine yesterday evening. Where the hell is the manual?? Trying to update the firmware and it didn't even have a readme file with it.
There is no manual at this point. To update the firmware you connect it to your computer, drop the firmware file into the Plethora folder (might take a few moments to show up), then eject the drive and power cycle the Plethora. For the basic functionality, check my Plethora playlist for the "10 tips" video, then the "1.2 firmware" video, hotknobz, etc. 👍🏻
@@PedalPlatform I'll do that right now. Thanks!
Very helpuful video and well explained, i was hoping to see an example using the Midi because i keep on reading about the latency, not a big deal, I'm still deciding whether to buy it or not....
Thanks man, your videos are great......
Thank you for the kind comments 🙏🏻 I haven't yet created any videos with MIDI, but I'm thinking about how I can create something useful about it. In the meantime, I'd strongly suggest checking out Alec Bourne's channel for everything MIDI related: ua-cam.com/channels/CVADUz5PMc0FeCfiklOl8A.html. He might have what you're looking for. 😉
@@PedalPlatform Thanks a lot, i'll have a look.....
Super helpful thank you.
Thank you Rory! 🙏🏻
Is this something I can add to my bluguitar mercury amp and tun on and off the effects and still utilise my amps sounds only if I wish?
Great video - thank you! A wah would be the first in the signal chain?
Usually it is, but it can also be fun to throw it after the overdrives / distortions for a much more throatier sound. 😉
Excelent video this is exactly what i was looking for! Great job explaining very easy to watch and understand, keep up the great work. How do you think the plethora would work with a bass guitar?
Hi Adam, thank you for your kind comment! The Plethora works just fine with a bass guitar, you might have to tweak the toneprints to get what you want but otherwise it'll work. The only caveat is that it doesn't allow for a parallel "dry" signal path - everything is processed in series from input to output, so if your signal chain depends on layering effects on top of a clean signal, you'll need a parallel mixer. If you don't need a parallel path, it's great. 😉
How would you implement the x3 with no loop?
Can u help me how I connect my plathora x5 with boss fs7 footswitch?
Awesome video, I've applied the schema on 11:28 I use a Marshall Silver Jubilee with lead channel always on, Why If I put the "FX Loop" pedal the distorted channel sound clean?
Recheck your cabling on the Plethora's FX Loop, and make sure the FX loop is turned on. From your description, it sounds like your Marshall's preamp is being bypassed, i.e. your guitar sound is going into the Plethora, then being output directly into the amp's FX return without doing the preamp "loop". If you post your signal chain I can help troubleshoot it 👍🏻
How to place the plethora when you have an overdrive and distortion and when i want to use the noise gate og the plethora.. my amp has no fx loop
Try setup 2, stacking the drive and distortion before the Plethora, then running the noise gate on slot 1 and whatever effects you also want after that 👍🏻
Muito bom video! Obrigado. Eu estou a usar o 4-cable method, mas apesar de ter o FX-loop activado (p.e.x entre a pos 3 e 4), nao aparece os indicadores nos respectivos displays. Sou so eu? Bug or feature? estou com firmware 1.3.11
Obrigado!
Obrigado pelas palavras de apreço :) Os indicadores só aparecem quando se ligam os jacks no loop, será por isso? No meu estão a aparecer corretamente, tb com firmware 1.3.11...
@@PedalPlatform era isso mesmo, qd tem os jacks metidos aparece os indicadores. Obrigado pelos vídeos que tem postado, muito informativos. 👍
very instructive video, i´m thinking of getting a compressor/boost pedal , i thought of placing it first in front of the plethora, you advice to place it after, yes? also i´m thinking of adding the mood pedal by chase bliss audio, is a time modulation pedal with weird "loop" capacitties, you advice to place it through send/return section, yes? a fuzz pedal would be first in line for sure from what i can understand
Personally I tend to prefer them just before the amp - unless you want to place if before your other drives. 😉 There are no rules for this, it's all about what works better for you and your specific rig, so take my setups as a suggestion and start experimenting from there. 😄 But yes, I would probably try the Mood in the Plethora's effects loop and see how that works. 🙏🏻
Hi Filipe. Thanks a lot for such help on Plethora (just bought an X3 and a Kofi ;-). I'm playing on accoustic guitar (Taylor). What would be a good Plethora board for it ? thanks again !
Hi Pascal, thank you so much for your support 🙏🏻
Depending on style, a good starting point could be a gentle Hypergravity compressor on slot 1, maybe a light chorus or a doubler / detuner effect with the Brainwaves on slot 2 to add a bit of size, and finish with some Hall of Fame reverb on slot 3. Lots of possibilities there... 😁
Thanks a lot !, I will experiment asap 😉
Drive pedals + X5 + EQ200 + amp with loop. No drive from the amp. Which choice is best for sonic lushness in mono?
If by no drive from amp you mean really squeaky clean, you can easily plug everything in the front and be happy that way. If you like to walk up to the edge of breakup and get the amp compressing / then I'd start thinking 4 cable method with drives before the Plethora, maybe even splitting the EQ-200 to have one channel before the pre-amp, and another one in the loop. It'll get complex rather quickly, but also quite fun and versatile 😁
@@PedalPlatform Thank you! I just finished trying out X5 in loop only and it was great having drives in front. I just rewired for 4CM again I am going to put channel B in the loop for a final volume boost. A will go at the end of my drive train headed into the amp input. Really trying to see how much passing through the unit twice changes or degrades the sound. If it is noticeable I will head back to having everything in the front of the amp. It’s a single channel amp with master volume from Dr Z.
@@PedalPlatform wired it up tonight. It’s going to be a fantastic setup this way. The B channel on the EQ in the loop could be a final boost or tone shape. I have so much to learn about EQ now. Lol. Thanks again!
I am very disappointed that the send return is mono.
Brother, plathora keeps the original dry guitar signal safe and allows to mix wet/effects with it ?? Right? Kinda individual parallels..Thnxx ❤
Replied here to your other comment: ua-cam.com/video/-Zn_YxJgKEQ/v-deo.html&lc=UgzKQGWKNm94babBgdd4AaABAg.9n7QErhnVen9n9Y50bZnd2
Can it b used without an amp?
It doesn't have built-in amp sims or drive pedals, but if you have an external one like a Vox Valvenergy, Strymon Iridium, etc, you're good to go.
Can you use a switcher pedal to access different boards on the Plethora?
Is there any way to use the sentry noise gate as 4 cable method (like the real one)? or it simply works as input-output before or after fx loop of the plethora x5?
Unfortunately no, as you say it's just a simple input - output job. 👍🏻
Hi Filipe. What's the best way to split the guitar signal from mono to stereo? It is of course about Plethora x5. :) Is it possible in Plethora without any effect?
The Plethora does the splitting by default, no need to do anything else. 😉 The only thing to keep in mind is that if you use the effects loop in the middle of the chain, it sums the pre-fx loop signal back to mono, runs it through the loop, then splits it again for the outputs.
@@PedalPlatform Thank you Filipe. I made a mistake somewhere. I know about loop and mono. I'll take care of it after the holidays. I'm just leaving :)
Hello, mr. Plethorian (You previously liked that Mick, so...). I have a very remotely connected request (asking for Your help, that is) since I know You know a thing or two about midi and You have a Boss DD 200. Could You please tell me how to setup the DD 200, when controled by a midi controler, that it, on some changes, turns DD 200 effect off (to bypass, not power off...), turns on the effect and changes patches /presets on the other? If that is possible, of course. Anyway, thank You very much! Goran.
Hi Goran, my video schedule is running really late, but that is exactly one of the videos I want to create, not just with the DD-200 but a few other 200 series as well. I'll try to do it asap.
Thank You very, very much! Looking forward to it! Thanks!
Love your videos, I've learned so much. I do have a question on the four cable method using the x5. Where would you put a volume pedal? I have a Ernie Ball jr
Thank you for the kind comments! 🙏🏻
Where you put your volume pedal depends on what you want it to do / not do in your particular rig. Obviously the volume pedal can only directly affect what's before it, *but* because it's a volume control it can affect how the effects that follow it will behave:
- If you put it before your drives (including the amplifier's preamp, if you're using it for gain), it will kind of double up the guitar's volume control, and you can use it to reduce the gain of the following stages. This allows you to swell into the drives / distortions in a very natural way, and 95% of the time my volume pedal would end up somewhere before drives, probably after a buffer or any always-on tone shaping pedals, etc. Reducing the volume with the pedal will change the character of the following drives.
- If you put it after the drives / first in the amp's FX loop, you'll get a volume control that won't change the character of your drives / distortion, only the volume (caveat: if you're driving your power amp hard, this will reduce the amount of power amp distortion and change the character of your sound, as well as the volume). It shouldn't affect the character of the delay or reverbs that follow it in the loop, though, and you'll be able to swell / change volume without affecting the tails;
- if you put it last in the chain, you'll effectively have a master volume for your rig (same caveat as before: if you're driving the power amp, it might change the character of your sound as well as the volume). The side effect to this is you won't be able to swell in and out while keeping your delays and reverbs, which might sound unnatural.
Give these options a try, and see which one feels better for you. If you know what to look out for when you're testing it, it'll make it easier to figure out the ones you prefer. Oh, and if you put it first in the chain an experience some tone suck, put a buffer before it.
Hope this helps! 😉
@@PedalPlatform Thanks so much. That really helps.
In the Plethora - Where in the signal chain, do you place the loop?
Not trying to be deliberately vague, but the answer to that depends entirely on context, and how many effect slot do I want before / after.
As an example, if I'm doing a 4 cable method, I tend to split between slots 2/3 or 3/4; that way I can keep a compressor and a phaser / vibe in the front, followed by another chorus / flanger based mod + delay + reverb in the loop. But I want an old school sound, I might bring all the effects to the front and place the loop after slot 5. It really depends on the intended result.
@@PedalPlatform I set up using your 4-cable method. I tried the looper at the end of the effects chain, but in this configuration - when I enabled my overdrives - they distorted the looped audio. What I’m trying to do, is use the Plethora Looper, to record clean, and play back clean rhythms while I work on my overdriven and spfx leads
Interesting... the looper at the end of the chain should do exactly what you'd like it to do, i.e. stay clean. Can you post up your signal chain so I can try and find out what's going on?
@@PedalPlatform having trouble uploading a picture to youtube comments
Can you do a video about the Plethora X5 with a Boss IR200? I think these two pedals would be a pretty complete rig on their own. Your thoughts?
I will, as soon as I can get my hands on an IR200... Boss, if you're listening... 😁
Great video! If I get the X3, should I just put it before my UAFX Dream 65 Amp Pedal? Thanks
Depends on what the rest of your rig is, and if you want stereo, etc. If you do want stereo, pristine clean effects, plug the UA before the X3; if you're good with mono, and want / don't mind the effects getting some amp compression/ crunch, put the X3 before the UA 😃
@@PedalPlatform Appreciate the reply. I have some Overdrive pedals as my first pedal from the guitar. As I want stereo, then I will plug the UA before the X3. So Guitar->Overdrive Pedal->UA->X3. :)
I hooked my BIG MUFF into the fx loop. Much better sound!
have to assume NOISE GATE in slot 1 is the main spot for it. phaser, compressor, octave pedal etc should all be before....?
Yes, and no :) It all depends on the sound you're looking for, how noisy is your rig, etc. Examples:
- If your amp is noisy when you're not playing, you might want the noise gate close to the end of the signal path (but before reverbs and delays, unless you want to gate these too! - hey, it worked for drummers in the 80's!)
- I love a distorted phaser sound (phaser into overdrive, or into amp input), but sometimes I want a clean phaser between my delay and reverb... or even after the reverb to make everything psychedelic;
- The compressor near the beginning of the chain is great to "condition" your guitar signal, or squash it, etc, but try a very light one at the very end of the chain - hey, instant amp sag!, great to breathe some life into low volume playing, or stiff solid state power sections;
- Octaver (or any other pitch effect) before distortion will create more intermodulation distortion, like it would when playing two notes on the guitar; Octaver (or other pitch effects) *after* the distortion will sound like two separate guitars playing two separate notes (as long as it can track them... 🤣 otherwise it sounds like a potentially glorious mess)
So yeah... experimentation is the key :)
@@PedalPlatform Right on, man. Thanks. I will keep experimenting. Right now I like having my JHS Overdrive between X5 FX SEND and AMP INPUT vs. having it at the very front between GUITAR and X5 input. I am still unsure how the actual signal flow is working so I'm still learning. I have the SENTRY noise gate (high gain guy, always have a gate) in the first pedal slot on X5 and have the internal loop of X5 in between positions 2 and 3. Noise gate is first and then in number 2 I have compressor or the sub n up, or phaser something that would "normally" be in front vs. the loop. This X5 HAS VERY CLEAN PROCESSING. No coloration. It's pretty obvious when stuff sounds like sh*t if it is in the wrong location. Rule of thing for me has always been verb/chorus/delay in LOOP, however, I have ALWAYS USED RACK GEAR, always. This is the first time I am adding pedals, ever. Aside from a TS9 and a GATE that would always be in front, I have never used pedals... ever.
Yup, my preferred location for overdrives is also just before the amp, especially if I'm using it as a gain boost and not just for clipping. But you're right, the Plethora is really clean, it has awesome buffers + converters, and it plays well with amp FX loops (as long as the FX loops are decent, of course...), so you should have an easy transition from rack gear, and in a much smaller package...
... until you start adding even more pedals, that is 😆
Brilliant stuff! I like the progression of rigs you go through. So…😁 😉 how might you cable the Plethora with another multi board, something like a Boss GT-5, where you have amp sims, and distortion effects the Plethora doesn’t have. Clearly the GT-5 “belongs” in front, but, since each has a send loop, the possibilities seem boundless!! 😛
PS: My Plethora is on a FedEx truck somewhere, headed in my direction.
Thank you! 🙏🏻 You're right, there are more than a few possibilities there, but the easiest way to integrate the whole thing might be to think of the GT-5 as an amp that happens to have a bucketload of drives and effects. So as an example, a 4 cable method integrating both of them could be:
Guitar -> Plethora In;
Plethora FX Send -> GT-5 In;
GT-5 FX Send -> Plethora FX Return;
Plethora Out -> GT-5 FX Return
If, on the other hand, you want to integrate both the Plethora and the GT-5 with an amp that also has an FX Loop...... now that's another story! 🤣 But to be honest I think I'd keep that simple, eventually using the GT-5 in 4 cable method, and include the Plethora after the GT-5 Out and the amp's FX return. 😉 If I get my hands on another multifx with a loop I'll have a go at putting some setups together.
And congratulations on your new Plethora, bet you can't wait for that FedEx truck to get there 😁
Mine just arrived yesterday and I've been getting to know it and using it with a Vox ToneLab EX in the loop or even before it (as it has stereo out - but the compressor is quite poor on the ToneLab so not really using it that way for the time being). It's quite useful as you can use the amp sims from the Vox and the Cab sims from the Plethora.
I've also experimented with parallel amping - with the Vox signal going out to the amp direct parallel to the signal from the Plethora. Not too impressed with the results that way though.
Quite honestly I think I will still be finding new things this board can do two years from now.
For such a seemingly simple board, it's stupidly versatile 😁 Hope you enjoy it! 🙏🏻
Fabulous job here Clooney, if I could subscribe 3 times over I would.
Thank you! 🙏🏻 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Your videos on the Plethora and TC stuff are top tier, thank you so much. Question for you. I am trying to do setup #10, except I have a Suhr Reactive Load IR instead of a Torpedo Captor. I'm finding that output signal (line level) from the Suhr is a little hot for the Plethora, even though it seemed just fine on my stand alone HoF 2 reverb pedal. Through the Plethora, I'm getting some bad distortion and maybe clipping on my effects. Have you had any issues like this before with the Plethora, is the output from the Torpedo also line level? Do I need to just change input level on the Tone Print 'Router' tab for each effect, or is there a better solution? Thank you again!
Hi Chandler! Thank you for the kind comments 🙏🏻 I don't have direct experience with the Suhr, but I've never had an issue with the Plethora running out of headroom with the Torpedo. Does that happen even with the Boost switch off and a low setting on the DI Level knob? 🤔 The thing with setting the input level on the TonePrints router tab is that it happens after the A/D conversion, so if you're having a headroom problem it would probably be happening before that stage. Can you record an example and link it here? 😕
@@PedalPlatform thank you for your reply, really appreciate it. I was afraid that this might be the case :( I think the Suhr’s output is a little weird. I do have the boost switch off and I tried turning down the DI knob, but the Suhr doesn’t sound as good without that knob turned up to the edge of clipping (this is what the Suhr manual suggests as well). The clipping / distortion does go away when I turn down the DI knob, just doesn’t feel or sound nearly as good. Kind’ve a bummer because I’ve been running a HoF2 reverb between the Suhr and my audio interface for a long time and it works beautifully, and I was hoping this unit would be the same. I may try to upload some clips for you if you are curious about what I’m hearing. I think the Suhr output is just weird, and there may not be enough headroom on the Plethora 🤷♂️
Hello. Just got my pedalboard up and running with the X5 on it. I have 2 questions regarding the Bluetooth & app. First... seems like when I close the toneprint app, it loses the X5. When I reopen app, I have to reconnect. Am I missing something or is that the way it works? Second... in the app, I was under the impression when I press the "boards" section, I would be able to pick the board I wanted to use and it would be sent to the X5 instead of having to use the switch to go up and down. Again, it doesn't work like that... it says to edit through the app. Again, am I missing something?
Hi!
Answer #1: Yup, closing the TPEditor can lose the connection if the iPad can't keep it running in the background, and you have to reestablish connection;
Answer #2: You're not missing anything - you can edit board names and change their order from the app, but switching / populating effect slots has to be done from the pedal itself.
Hope this helps!
@@PedalPlatform so if im on board 8 and want to go to board 30, have to flip the switch up 22 times? That kind of sucks. Hopefully something that be done with the app in the future. Would be great to just scroll your phone/tablet to change a board via Bluetooth. Thanks for the quick response.
If you have activated the board switching via switches 1+2 / 2+3 or by triple tapping switches 1 / 2 (check your global settings), you can tap (3x on 2, or 2+3 together) up once to get into board change mode, then just tap switch 3 to go up board one each time. You still have to tap a lot, but it's easier than flicking the switch.
Or you can go MIDI and make a direct switch 😁😁😁
@@PedalPlatform thanks.
Hello, sorry for my english cause I'm a french...
Thank you for your videos,
I'm interrested by the TC Plethora, I would like to use it with my Helix rack Unit from line 6, witch is associed to my amptube by the 4 cables method, to drive the TC by midi in order to bypass some effects with a programm change.
Is it possible to do that?
Thank you
Hello Nicolas, pas de problème avec ton Anglais 😄 Yes, it is possible using CCs 102 to 106 for slots 1 to 5. I'll be publishing a full Plethora X3 MIDI video guide tomorrow, and the X5 is basically the same with extra slots, so check back tomorrow if you want to see the rest of the stuff!
@@PedalPlatform Thank you for your answer. I'm ready for next video.
Does this equipment contain all the functions of the pedals Hall of Fame2 Reverb and Flashback Delay2?
I have Flashback x4 and Hall of fame, and I think about chanchig this pedals for a Plethora.
Hi! It has *almost* all of the functions of the originals: it doesn't have analog dry-through, and the delay doesn't yet sync to incoming MIDI clock. I believe that's on the roadmap for a future firmware update, but not guaranteed yet. Other than that, all the editing parameters are the same, and it has a lot more space for toneprints and presets, as well as being able to load more than one instance at a time.
What effect is at 0:30 seconds in?
Compressor > Noise Gate (acting as a swell) > Delay > Chorus > Reverb 😁
@@PedalPlatform slick
Is it possible to do 4-cable method with a mixer? I'm going to mic my practice amp to a Tascam 4-track recorder and was wondering if that effects loop and the mic might then be useful for setting up the Tascam in a similar way. Currently waiting for the Mic to arrive to see if that will work or not...having some difficulty visualizing it currently...
Good question - and the answer is I'm not sure. Are you trying to get the second half of the Plethora to run time based effects for everything in the mixer, before the Tascam?
You could try this:
Guitar > Plethora In
Plethora FX out > Amp In
*don't use the Amp's fx loop, just mic the speaker and run that into the mixer*
Mixer out > Plethora FX return
Plethora Out > Tascam
That should work, but with major caveats: you might get ground loops, because you're electrical connecting your amp to your mixer, so I'd strongly suggest using a good DI box with ground lift to return from the mixer to the Plethora; and you'll get everything in the mixer running back into the Plethora in mono, on a single track.
If you're okay with all the caveats, give it a try. 😉
@@PedalPlatform I'll probably have to spring for a DI box, that would be the only thing missing for trying this out. Thanks for the steps!
No problem! 🙏🏻
Would you use a Wah (cry baby or bass Wah) before the plethora or in one of the loops?
Good question, and the answer would depend on the complexity of the setup and / or how tone sucky the wah pedal might be. I'd probably try it in 3 main different positions, subject to tweaking according to results:
- first in the chain, to get the most interaction between the wah circuit and the instrument. Of course, if it's a tone sucky wah with a passive instrument, this might be a horrible idea, which would lead to...
- wah after the first buffer / always-on pedal - which could very well be in the Plethora's loop. But if for some reason it doesn't sound / feel right in the loop, then...
- right before the drive section, which for me would probably be after the Plethora.
These are just some options; if your drive section lives inside the Plethora's loop, then that could be the ideal place for it; if you prefer the wah sound after your drives, try that too. So many possibilities, so little time... 😁
Also I saw that this has midi, would this work well with the boss ES 5?
Haven't tested them together, but since the MIDI spec is standard it should work just fine. 😉
how would you place a treble booster in relation to the amp and the plethora x5?
Great question. I'd probably start experimenting with it like I would with any other boost / overdrive, and place it just before the pedal / amp I want it to push. So, hypothetically, if my signal path was something like:
Guitar > Fuzz > Plethora In (4CM) > Overdrive > Amp Input > (...)
If I only wanted the treble booster to push the Fuzz, I'd make it
Guitar > Treble Booster > Fuzz > Plethora > (...)
If I only wanted it to push the amp:
Guitar > Fuzz > Plethora In > Treble Booster > Amp in > (...)
If I wanted the option of pushing both Fuzz or Amp, I'd experiment with the first option (boosting *through* the Plethora - which, again, should be fine, it's mostly a matter of personal preference), or even consider moving the Fuzz into the Plethora's loop:
Guitar > Plethora In > Treble Booster > Fuzz > Amp in > (...)
This is all hypothetical, of course, and the main thing is about experimenting to see what works better for you. There are no rules, only guidelines, and those are really just a starting point for your own sound :)
@@PedalPlatform thanks for the answer, i'll probably get a plethora sometime soon and experiment with it then! :)
Awesome, hope you have fun with it!
How about using two amps with plethora?
It can easily be done, it just depends on where you want your split to happen. Here are a couple of options:
- if you want to only use one of the preamps, and have the other amp just power the speakers, you can use a typical 4 cable method and plug the Plethora's Stereo Output to the 2nd amp's FX return;
- if on the other hand you want to use both preamps, then you can place the Plethora in front of both amps (setups 1 or 2, if you have other pedals), and use the stereo outs to plug into the input of both amps.
In both cases, you'll need to pay attention to any possible ground loops that can be established when connecting two amps, and if needed use transformer isolators between the Plethora and the amps.
hi. what would i like to know is if there's a ground loop hum. plethora has its own adapter and other effects-pedals are connected to another by isolated outputs. when i put my guitar straight into my amp it's the less noise even if the gain is high. if i plug in some pedals powered by adapter and are only connected in front of the amp it creates current noise. noise gets lower by turning the gain down a bit. when i've connected reverb and delay with effects loop it created ground loop. is that because outputs of the iso-brick isn't isolated after all? it was mooer iso 8. i was wondering, if i connect few pedals in front of the amp powered with palmer iso-brick adapter and plethora with its own, will there be the ground loop? tnx.
Hi Andy, I've never experienced any ground loops related to the Plethora alone and I've also never tried the Mooer Iso 8, but ground loops are a bit of a pain to deal with and can involve some trial and error. A good isolated power supply is essential, and I do keep the Plethora on its own original power supply just to make sure it's as happy as it can be. I also keep everything plugged into a single power strip coming out of only one wall plug, to keep a common ground to all the devices. Hope this helps. 🙏🏻
First, I wanna thank you for your reply. So, when you have more pedals you do have more power supplies and you don't have ground loops, that's the answer that I wanted to hear :) because I don't wanna invest in something and have problems. Thank you. Btw... you sound really good.
Thank you! 🙏🏻
I’m also having issues with what could be a ground loop hum, but I’m using a Fender engine room v12.
My plethora will make a (decending beeping noise) when installed on the board, no beeping noise when it’s just guitar - plethora - amp.
And no beeping noise when the running the pedalboard without the plethora.
Customer service has no answers or suggestions for me, just AI generated paraphrasing of some irrelevant parts of the manual and ALL CAPS denials that it’s the plethora without any sensical or logical reasoning as to why.
hello, any hint when a new firmware will be available? thx
Hi Mauro, sorry, can't comment on that... 😶
@@PedalPlatform thanks for feedback! I have a humble proposal: please share a teaser, even without fixed release date. It will please existing customers and hook new ones... ;) This pedalboard has some magic...
The plethora uses an analog dry through, so the dry signal goes through analog, unaltered and unconverted. I dont know where you heard its being converted to digital, but thats just not true. Only the wet effect part of the signal is processed digitally and added back in at the end. Ofcourse if you use all wet effects you lose the analog dry through.
I also don't know where you got your information from, but I know where I got mine. Try this:
- run some 96 KHz white noise through it in both true and buffered bypass, and measure the output with a spectrum analyser. In true bypass you get the full frequency response, up to close to 48 KHz; in buffered bypass, it drops off above 20 KHz, indicative of the brickwall anti-aliasing low pass filter before the AD converter;
- while you're at it, test for the latency difference between true and buffered bypass - with all effects off, nothing in the FX loop, and without a looper inserted in the chain (both of which will activate the buffered bypass mode). In my case it goes from 2 samples to around 116 at 96 KHz. If it had analog dry-through, there would be no difference between both modes, because analog buffers don't cause latency. AD/DA converters, on the other hand, do.
Oh, yes, and I've also been a beta tester since before the Plethora X5 was launched to the public. 😉
@@PedalPlatform I *thought* heard it in a video on the TC Electronic channel, but I believe you if you say you've measured it somehow ;).
@@PedalPlatform I just watched the TC vids again, and ofcourse, I was wrong! The individual pedals are mostly analog dry through. Just looking at the rest of your vids, and see some awesome toneprint toturials there! Definite follow!!
Thank you Bart! Hope you enjoy your stay! 🙏🏻
@@PedalPlatform & got you a coffee for the effort ;)
“The lick”at 7:50
Are you sure it’s 7:50? I was talking at that point, and I wouldn’t dare sing on video… 😬
I got better results running ol school BIG MUFF Through FX loop
Rumour has it this guy lost the top of his head in a tragic guitar-related accident.
🤣 I've already fired the intern responsible for the incident, regular service should be resumed on the next video. 🤣
@@PedalPlatform Hahahaa poor intern! I hope you weren't too harsh with them