Ugly Guitar Truth: TC Electronic Flashback 2 Delay And Looper

TC Electronic has been hard at work lately. You'd be hard up to name a pedal producer that has put out more new product than TC Electronic. Just a few months ago, they release a entire line of 'value' pedals. Now, they are issuing an update to the Flashback Delay. The Flashback 2 makes some changes to the acclaimed original. So, whats changed? Lets take a look...

Double Down

If you are familiar with the TC line of effects, then you are probably familiar with their "Tone Print" editor. This allows you to edit functions that may not be available manually. Not only that, but you can save your custom setting on the "Tone Print" setting. The Flashback 2 has taken away some of the settings to make room for two more custom, Tone Print setting on the mode selector switch. What you wont see on the front of the Flashback 2 is LoFi, Ping Pong, and Slapback. These features are probably still available via the Tone Print editor, but not available manually.

Tapping That

I neat feature that in included in the Flashback 2 is the ability to set the tap tempo with your guitar. After triggering the pedal to 'listen' to your guitar, the pedal with sync itself to the rhythm of you right hand. For those that have trouble setting a steady rhythm with your foot, this could be your answer. It also allow for you to set the rhythm on the fly without an addition tap switch pedal, so its a space saver as well. You can use a normal tap tempo pedal, but to do that you need to use one side of the stereo input, so it can only be used in mono. You may ask, "Why not just use to switch on the Flashback to set tap tempo like a regular delay?" Well, the foot switch on this pedal has other things to do...

Smashing

New to the Flashback 2 is the Mash function. This basically turns your foot switch into an expression pedal. Listening to demonstrations of the function, it's clear that the effects you can create with this feature very interesting. Being able to summon self osculation sound in real time while you can continue playing is very impressive considering you can do all this with a single compact pedal. What might be even more interesting is that you can combined the Mash function with the shimmer effect to be the envy of all you shoegazing friends.

Conclusion

This update brings a well loved delay up to date with the addition of shimmer. While the Mash function is innovative, its usability may be limited. BOSS have done similar functions with the Space Echo and Giga-delay, but the option to customize the function of Mash is at least novel. I believe that TC Electronic has done an excellent job at updating one of their best pedals.  

Ugly Guitar Truth: Boss MD-500 Modulation Effect Pedal

Along with the RV-500 Reverb and Katana Mini, Boss announced the MD-500 modulation pedal. It sport the same frame of the RV and DD 500 pedals, but it specializes in modulation effect such as Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Classic Vibe, Vibrato, Tremolo, Dimension, Ring Mod, Rotary, Filter, Slicer and Overtone. If that seems like a huge list of various effects, it is. So is this unit a shiny new 10/10. Let's take a look at what we know and what we can gather.

Inspiration

I think that most of us know realise that the BOSS 500 series is heavily influenced by the Strymon line of effects. The Timeline, Big Sky, and Mobius are legendary in their own right and few choose to compete with them in the compact, powerful, dedicated, floor-based effect market. By no means do I mean that BOSS cloned the Mobius, but the format and function of the 500 series sync up with flagship Strymon pedals pretty well. BOSS has put their unique touch on all the pedals in this line. They've also put great thought into the features and effect that went into this pedal. Although it share some characteristics with the more established pedals, the MD-500 is a stand-out in its own right.

Something New, Something Old

This brand new pedal has a list of feature that stretches long. Included in those are some that are familiar with  those who know their BOSS pedals. The Slicer and Dimension effects hearken back to pedals of BOSS' past. Long loved effects that have found a home with those that desire eclectic, vintage tones and those that want unique, creative effects. Also available in this unit is an effects loop. Place it before or after the main effect, the loop can be set to be triggered by the Control/Tap foot switch. Don't let the simple layout of the pedal fool you, this pedal fully editable.

More Than Meets The Eye

On the surface you get a powerful modulation pedal, but that's just scratching the surface. Each effect is deeply editable through an LCD screen or by linking to a computer and using BOSS' effects editor. All of these features are packaged into an unassuming, attractive frame. What make this particular pedal special, is the fact that it does so many different effects. Where the DD-500 does delay and the RV-500 does reverb (and a little delay) this pedal does so much. It's hard to say that a ring mod and rotary effect are related, but there they are sharing space on the same pedal. That's where this pedal shines. Where you may not use tremolo on every song, you very well may find one of the many effects available in this unit that you do need. So where as the DD-500 might replace your delay and the RV-500 could replace you reverb, the MD-500 might well well take several pedals off you board.

Conclusion

The MD-500 is something that the market has been looking for. Does it complete kill the Mobius? It's hard to tell since the pedal is currently only in pre-sell. Personally I think that the Mobius is a little more exhaustive. However, the MD-500 is offering a lot and the price seems like a bargain compared to similar units from Strymon and Eventide. It will be very interesting to see how this pedal stacks up with established top dogs in this section of the market.

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Ugly Guitar Truth: BOSS Katana Mini

On the heels of the announcement of the new 500 series pedals from BOSS, BOSS has also put forward a new Katana amp. In addition to the 50 watt combo, 100 watt combo and 100 watts head, BOSS will add a mini, 7 watt version to the line up. The Katana series has been praised since it's introduced. The mini version looks to be a desk top version with a 4 inch speaker. Is this a solid solution to those that are want for space or in need of low key practice gear? Let's look at the facts...

It's Small

Less than 10 inches wide and under 3 pounds, this amp is aptly named. It is also priced at half of the next size in the line up. The amp is impressively small. Small amps are not know for known for having the best tone. However, this amp is housed in a specially designed ported cabinet with a custom designed 4 inch speaker. Other features that you wouldn't think to see is a three band EQ, three channels, and delay. The amp might be tiny, but the feature list is impressive for its size.

It Stands Out

I've previously written about the Vox Pathfinder 10 and how impressive it is for its size and price. I'm very interested in seeing how these two amp compare. Considering that the Vox has very limited features, the BOSS seems to have the very clear advantage. The amp modes make this tiny amp one of the most flexible compact amp in its price range. You'd have to triple the price to find an amp in its size and better feature set. Out of the gate the Mini make a strong case for anyone looking for an extremely portable amp.

It Has A Lot To Live Up To

The Katana line has been praised by many. Not only is it one of the best values on the market right now, but many have preferred the Katana over much pricier amps. While lacking some of the key features the Katana line have been noted for, you still get three amp modes. If these are related by more than just name, then the Katana Mini is offering a serious price at this price point. 

Conclusion

Many, are critical of these smaller amps and their ability to be more than a novelty. I have been very skeptical of any combo featuring a speaker under 10 inches. However, the 6.5 inch speaker in the pathfinder 10 was surprisingly able to produce quality tones. These amp wont be able to fill a large room, but these amps are built for quick, portable jamming. Barring a major flaw, these amps are poised to bring the Katana value and acclaim to the mini, battery-powered, super-portable amp market.

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Ugly Guitar Truth: BOSS RV-500 Reverb

What many have considered a long awaited debut, BOSS has announced their first additions to the 500 series pedals. The RV-500 Reverb has been anticipated since the release of the original 500 pedal, the DD-500 Delay. While the DD-500 was a welcome update to the DD-20, the RV-500 (along with the MD-500) has now established a line of pedals that are poised to compete with Strymon and Eventide. With 32-bit processing, and 96 kHz sampling rate, the hardware under the hood is virtually matchless. 12 modes and 21 reverb types that are all highly customizable leaves little to be desired. The feature stack on this is impressive, so whats the ugly truth...

It's actually Not That Ugly

Visiting local music stores is a little bit of a hobby of mine.When I see a well stocked effects pedal display case, it is akin to visiting an art gallery. There are hints of style and theme (or lack there of) and you can tell the difference between pedal manufactures like artists' motifs. BOSS, for the most part, stopped stylistically somewhere in the 80's when they introduced their compact pedal line and the familiar shape of most BOSS pedal that we know today. The 500 series however complete redesigns the look of their pedals. The inspiration of the redesign clearly comes from some of their competition. The three button layout, knob layout, and even the stamped aluminum enclosure all seem rather similar to other high-end, powerful effect units. Did BOSS copy other effects? Well, that word does have a lot of stigma attached to it in the effects market, but yes they totally did.

It's Not A Big Sky Clone

Obviously, some of the exterior element of the pedal have been "borrowed", but this pedal is not trying to be a Strymon Big Sky or a Eventide Space. What it is trying to do is complete crush those exact pedals and any others that may stand to rival it. When Line 6 released the DL4 delay in 1999. BOSS took their time and came out with the DD-20. Like the 500 series. the DD-20 was on the front end of a whole line of pedals that would follow the same twin pedal format. I actually debated those two delay pedals back when they were two of the most powerful delays on the market. My decision then was the DD-20. The BOSS pedal beat the Line 6 in features and performance. It also cost less. It did take nearly four years after the DL4 to come to market, but when it did, it came to win. 

Too Soon?

If you remember when the DD-500 came out, it debuted at the same time as the RV-6. Needing a reverb pedal, I bought a RV-6. It has been my primary reverb ever since. While there was a sizable chunk of time between RV-5 and RV-6, it has barely two years between the RV-6 and RV-500. While two years is the standard dwell time between modern consumers and smartphones, many guitarists don't typically replace their pedals every other year. (I've been using my DD-20 for nearly 10 years.) However, there is probably little cross over is those that would buy the RV-6 and the RV-500 despite their apparent similarities. Instead of a update to their compact pedal, The RV-500 serves to entice the players considering other high-end, powerful units. 

Conclusion

I won't lie, I was very excited about the announcement of this pedal. This is probably the most exciting pedal announcement in the last 18 months. It seems that BOSS has been on a roll. The DD-500 was a huge step forward for them, the Katana amps are being praised over higher price competition, and now we get a powerful Reverb at a fraction of the cost of comparable units. It is hard to imagine that the RV-500 reverb will be anything other than great success.

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