TC Electronic Flashback 2From real comments

Verdict distilled from 41 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment51%
PROS 51%
CONS 49%

Rank based on 41 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want deep, versatile delay tones (TonePrint, Crystals, Tape) at a budget price
  • You're open to exploring expressive MASH control or external footswitches for tap tempo
  • You want a compact pedal that also includes a basic looper

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need to run the looper and delay effects simultaneously
  • You rely on built-in audio-sensing tap tempo without an external switch
  • You want to chain two independent delays within a single preset

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

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Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
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Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
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Distortion at high settings
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Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
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Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
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MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
TC Electronic Flashback 2
Excellent value for moneyDeep TonePrint customizationGreat sounding Crystals and 2290 modesCan't use looper and delay simultaneouslyLost built-in audio tap tempoMASH feels gimmicky to some
TC Electronic Flashback 2
Excellent value for money
Deep TonePrint customization
Great sounding Crystals and 2290 modes
Can't use looper and delay simultaneously
Lost built-in audio tap tempo
MASH feels gimmicky to some

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Exceptional value multi-delay with deep TonePrint customization. Multiple commenters call the Flashback 2 the best sub-$300, even sub-$150, multi-delay available, citing its TonePrint depth, editor software, and artist presets like Wall Of Echoes and RitDelay. Buyers picked units up used for $80-100 and still felt they got a premium-sounding pedal, noting Crystal and 2290 modes sound especially good for the price versus pricier rivals like the EHX Canyon or Strymon DIG.

MASH expression control is polarizing and takes real practice to use well. Several users found MASH confusing at first, disabled it, or called it gimmicky and rarely useful in mixes, while others loved it once they saw it demonstrated properly and even added a footswitch to bring it back. A couple of owners also reported the MASH switch physically getting stuck over repeated use, pushing them back to the non-MASH original Flashback.

Missing built-in tap tempo and looper/delay overlap frustrate live and creative users. Commenters repeatedly note the FB2 dropped onboard audio-tempo tapping in favor of MASH, forcing reliance on an external tap switch many find less essential. Others are frustrated that the looper and delay effects can't run together, that delays can't be chained in series within one preset, and that switching modes during looping cuts the loop, limiting layered ambient or live-performance use.

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