TC Electronic Plethora X5chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Several users criticize the PC/Mac editor and lack of clear manuals, saying they had to figure things out by trial and error or via third-party videos instead of official guides. One notes the editor is also not screen-reader accessible.

@rhyswilliams6306

Thanks for your great informative videos. I have (and enjoy using) a Plethora x3, upgraded with the latest firmware and Infinite Sustainer. I can load the Sustainer in 1, 2, or all 3 slots on the X3 and they will work fine in any combination but ONLY if the chain order is in the default setting of ‘left to right’. If I change the chain order to ‘right to left’ (my preference) then only the Sustainer loaded in the middle slot works. I can add them into the slots and they appear OK but they won’t work (won’t sustain a note). I have read some stuff that says the R to L can be a problem for some effects on the Plethora. Is that correct?launch

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August 6, 2026

@drichards-2024

I feel sorry for TC Electronic. They used to have some really amazing gear. But with their focus on Tone Print technology and their purchase, they just aren't the company they once were. Moreover, they have had difficulty keeping up with the other vendors' technology for quite a while. I was a happy G-Major/G-Major 2 user, and aspired to own a G-System. I thought about getting a Plethora, but since their editor software is not screen reader accessible, that isn't an option. There is really no reason to beat them up for not providing an accessible editor, though, I think they are fighting for their existence in a highly competitive modeler world. Best of luck, guys!launch

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August 4, 2025

@dudarstmein

Hello and thanks for the informative video. I want to squeze a question here if i may. My Plethorax3 does not work as a first stereo pedal in a signal chain. Let me explain that . If i plug a mono signal say form an equalizer pedal to the PX3 and than take a stereo out with both outputs to a stereo source (say a headphone amp with stereo ins and outs) , it has somehow an impaired dry signal ( 100 percent right and no sound on left or vice versa) if you engage an effect on PX3 than it becomes a perfectly balanced stereo . When I plug another stereo pedal like a Line6 M5 first and connect both outputs of that pedal to the both inputs of the Px3 than to the source , everything works perfectly. The signal is stereo whether you engage any effect or not. Is there a reason for that ? Sorry for crowding up your comment section but i think you are the most knowledgable person on those units.launch

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July 2, 2025

@אריק-צ5ר

After banging my head on the wall for 24 hours trying to edit the Plethora X5, I figured out NOT to use the software but just program straight into the board and I was on my way. I am using a POD Go for dirt, amp, IR and I put the X5 in the POD Go effects loop. The effects are A LOT better than POD Go. Tap tempo to control Delay , press and hold the Tap Tuner switch and there is a great tuner, effects level knobs assigned. Yeah this will work.launch

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March 3, 2024

Users find triple-tapping footswitches to change boards impractical in a live setting, especially with shoes on or when a footswitch is in 'mash' mode, and wish for simpler bank up/down controls.

@filippovalentino5508

Hi, great video, really useful! Thank you.\n\nWhen you explain Change boards without using the toggle switch, it is a method that live cannot be used because it takes too long to select the desired program.\n\nIs there another way within Plethora to do this or is a midi pedal board required?\n\nmaybe is it possible from the exp output?\n\nThank you!launch

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October 24, 2024

@navinadv

Granted the Plethora is a nice concept and I like TC sounds ever since I got my Nova System. I just wish they had simpler ways to bank up and down because hitting a foot switch 3 times with shoes on is not easy in a live setting especially when the same foot switch is “mash” enabled. \n\nI wish there were simpler ways to get into a Tap Tempo, Bank up and Down, and having both Volume and expression pedals at the same time. A sloping front like the Boss ES8 would also help.launch

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April 15, 2020

@freezingCode

$399 USD would have made this more appealing, but it's probably still a fine deal at $499 USD. I do agree wit Lee that I would have expected those knobs to do something even when not in edit mode. -I guess I'm OK with the little switch to flip through boards, aside from MIDI being capable of doing that as well. Realistically I won't be using more than one or two of preset boards anyhow, but that's just me -> just playing guitar as a hobby in my free time at home.- Commenter @Rasmusraaby mentioned you can triple tap foot switches 1 and 2 to move between boards. I'll admit I was only listening to this in the background while working on something else, so I could have missed this bit, but does this have the ability to run using the 4-cable method -> have certain effects in front of the amp while others are routed through the amps effects loop?launch

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February 27, 2020

Multiple commenters point out the unit lacks a dedicated EQ function, which they consider a notable gap for a modern all-in-one effects unit, with one calling its absence 'a poor picture' for the company.

@theoversouls

I've had one since they came out and done a bunch of gigs with it. I call up boards via MIDI for each song. I love the unit and sound, but the software and documentation are sore spots for me. I do wish it had an EQ built in.launch

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March 1, 2024

@ulrichweber3944

Hi, thanks for the guide. In fact, an EQ function should be on board these days. That's a poor picture of TC E. I'm not aware that they have an EQ pedal, but that's no reason not to withhold such a function for such a device. A BOOSTER could be more easily crafted from an EG by simply turning up the output instead of bending the compressor. But I think an EQ is essential. I have now ordered the device. It will then show whether it stays or goes back.\nThat's where I accidentally found his older ZOOM G3. These are 3 pedals in one housing and significantly more functions are integrated. Maybe that's another idea as an effects section for pedal distortion pedals, Cheers.launch

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September 29, 2022

Users report the unit cannot route effects in parallel, which one commenter calls a dealbreaker for a wet/dry/wet rig, causing issues like reverb or chorus not being heard properly with kill dry settings enabled.

@MYGAS21

2 questions: 1) Are there any routing options, e.g. parallel routing? 2) Can the expression be possitive for one effect and negative for another? Lets say I have the expression possitive on a pitch shifter and a tremolo's rate, but as I raise the pitch and tremolo rate, I want it to fade out with a negative volume: getting the volume lowered as the others are raised. Thanks!launch

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February 5, 2022

@mojotronix3994

Bought one, but then realized it doesn't have the option to route effects parallel. it is useless in my wet/dry/wet rig. Hoping they will fix this in the next update. If there ever is one. I can't seem to get TC to confirm if/when an update will happen.\n\nIf I set delay/reverb/chorus on kill dry, the latter two won't be heard unless delay in turned on. Then, I won't hear either until the delayed signal comes in. Pretty unusable.\n\nPLEASE fix!launch

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May 20, 2021

A couple of users report the unit seems to color or affect tone even with all effects turned off, comparing it to a subtle flange, which made one commenter reluctant to keep it on their board.

@PikaStu666

Does anyone have an issue with the Plethora X5 colouring your tone even when everything is turned off? It's like there's a subtle flange effect even when all the effects are off / unit is in bypass mode (I've tried all three bypass settings in the menu). \nI just can't get on with it on my pedalboard due to this issue...launch

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October 28, 2024

@ChrisDeJuanMusic

Thanks for this video, love those ambient sounds! Love the sound and concept of this unit... really want to get one! One question I have tho... when all pedals are off does this unit still alter/colour the tone of your Amp? I'm concerned about this because I use a Roland JC120 with a Fender Jazzmaster for extra clear clean tones and wouldn't be happy if this unit when bypassed messed too much with my amps tone! Im concerned about this because this is exactly what happens with the PodGo, due to this I never use the PodGo in conjunction with my Amps (PodGo is great to plug straight in to a PA or an interface, but not to a guitar Amp in my experience) ...hence I'm looking to buy a Plethora X5! Any info would be much appreciate, thanks 👍🏼launch

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August 24, 2021

One commenter describes a serious issue where using the internal effects loop with the four-cable method causes a full bypass instead of killing sound if something fails, risking a full-volume signal blasting into the power amp.

@lukeraimondi7117

My guitarist has one as well, one issue he is faced is when you use the four cable method using the internal effects loop it will completely bypass the loop if anything goes wrong instead of killing the sound. This is a major problem because if there's any connection issue with the preamp section of your amp in the loop, if something goes wrong you have a full volume signal going directly into your power amp which will essentially blow out a venue.launch

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January 28, 2022

One long-time TC Electronic user reports multiple mini footswitches failing across different TC pedals within a year of light home use, and criticizes the company for not honoring warranty replacements for the known issue.

@bradybishop3273

Man I love this channel but I have to get this off my chest. I own the Hall Of Fame, Vicious Vibe and the Polytune by TC Electronics and all of the mini foot switches failed on every one within a yr on all pedals. I probably engaged the vicious vibe 10-15 times and it failed. The Polytune within a week and the Hall Of Fame lasted about 1 yr. No gigs, all home use in a climate controlled area. I know there is a tedious fix for these but I think TC should honor a warranty or exchange on these known faulty switches which they do not. That being said I will never buy anything TC Electronic again.launch

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January 30, 2022

A commenter notes the unit lacks basic MIDI CC send features needed to control amp channel switching or external pedal switching, limiting its usefulness as a full rig controller compared to competitors.

@nudsh

I want to buy one, but there are still issues that need to be addressed for it to even match up to the HX effects. It needs basic MIDI controller features like MIDI CC send to control amp channel or external pedal switching. I'm surprised that wasn't in first release. That makes it in simplest form a complete mini board that can switch your amp channels. This + my Synergy rig is gold, but I need channel switching for two SYN2 racks and four 2 ch pre's.launch

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May 31, 2022