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TC Electronic’s Flashback Delay Pedals Compared

Man demonstrating TC Electronic Flashback Delay pedal

TC Electronic produces numerous pedals beloved by guitarists, one notable series being the Flashback delay pedals. If you’d like to get your hands on one of the Flashback pedals but don’t know which one suits your needs, this guide is for you. Let’s go over each and discuss the differences between TC Electronic’s Flashback delay pedals.

Flashback Mini Delay


TC Electronic Flashback Mini Delay Guitar Effects Pedal

The smallest and simplest delay pedal in this series is the TC Electronic Flashback Mini. It features a simple three-knob layout with Delay, Feedback, and FX Level controls. However, where this pedal really shines compared to other delay pedals is the TonePrint feature. With TonePrint, you can upload different delay pedals directly to the Flashback Mini.

Does the Flashback Mini Delay suit me?

If you want a simple, compact, yet powerful delay pedal, you may want to consider the Flashback Mini. It packs a lot of punch into a tiny package, making it perfect for those who occasionally use delay. Even then, you’re not limited to one type of delay, thanks to TonePrint, which gives you access to a range of delay effects.

However, if you like switching between different delays, you’ll probably want to pick up a different pedal. The Flashback Mini doesn’t offer as great flexibility as the others in this lineup do.

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Flashback Delay


TC Electronic Flashback Delay TonePrint Series Guitar Effects Pedal

The Flashback Delay is the most popular in its family thanks to its size and capabilities. It features four control knobs, including Delay, Feedback, FX Level, and various preloaded delay types. And, of course, it comes with TonePrint installed so that you can import other delay effects.

Does the Flashback Delay suit me?

If you just wanted a bit more flexibility than the Flashback Mini offered, the Flashback Delay might be for you. This pedal is perfect for guitarists who switch between delay types on occasion, but if you want to change through presets quickly, you may want to consider one of the larger delay pedals.

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Flashback X4 Delay


TC Electronic Flashback X4 Delay & Looper Guitar Effects Pedal

At a glance, you know that the Flashback X4 delay pedal is quite different from the previous pedals. It features four footswitches instead of one and knobs for Delay Type, Delay Time, Feedback, Delay Level, and Looper Level.

Does the Flashback X4 Delay suit me?

The Flashback X4 Delay is suitable for live performers who need to switch between different delay times quickly. You can instantly change between other delay presets using a looper or the tap tempo feature with your feet. However, if you already have a looper or your delay needs are simple, the Flashback X4 may be excessive.

 

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Flashback Triple Delay


TC Electronic Flashback Triple Delay Guitar Effects Pedal

The Flashback Triple Delay allows you to play up to three different delays at the same time. So, unlike the previous pedals, the Triple Delay’s main appeal is the ability to layer delays on top of each other. You have the option to store the presets independently and turn them off and on while keeping them in sync with the tap tempo footswitch.

Does the Flashback Triple Delay suit me?

If you like the idea of stacking layers of delays and experimenting with the effects, the Flashback Triple Delay could be for you. However, if layering delays isn’t appealing to you, you have little reason to choose the Flashback Triple Delay over any previous pedals. It’s also worth noting that this pedal does not have a looper function, unlike the X4, so you would need a separate pedal if you wanted it.

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The Delay Pedal For Your Needs

By now, hopefully, you have a better understanding of the differences between the pedals in the TC Electronic Flashback series. If you would like to browse more guitar effects pedals, check out our extensive line of effects. 

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How To Make Your Guitar Sound Like A Bass

Ibanez guitar and EHX Bass 9 Bass Machine against rainbow gradient background

Emulating bass tones with your electric guitar can be handy for certain songs and tracks. However, you may not want to go buy a bass and learn how to play it. Luckily, you can make your electric guitar sound like a bass using several methods. Let’s cover them.

1. Electro-Harmonix BASS9 Bass Machine Guitar Effects Pedal


EHX Bass 9 Bass Machine guitar pedal

The EXH Bass 9 Bass Machine was designed to transform your guitar signal into a variety of bass tones, and it does a heck of a good job of doing so. With nine different bass tone options, you have a world of bass potential under your fingertips. Watch the video below to see for yourself the impressive potential of the EHX BASS9 Bass Machine.

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2. Electro-Harmonix Micro POG Polyphonic Octave Generator


Electro-Harmonix Micro POG Polyphonic Octave Generator Guitar Effects Pedal

The Electro-Harmonix Micro POG is an excellent way to make your guitar sound like a bass. Simply turn the “Sub Octave” pedal up and turn “Dry” and “Octave Up” all the way down. You’ll end up with a signal one octave lower than normal, and you’ll achieve that bass sound!

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3. DigiTech Whammy DT


DigiTech Whammy DT Drop Tuning Guitar Effects Pedal

Another great pedal option for achieving a bass effect is the Digitech Whammy DT. This versatile pedal includes ten whammy settings and nine harmony settings for incredible tone-crafting capabilities. And thanks to its intuitive layout, you’ll find that you’ll be creating bass sounds soon after dialing into the pedal!

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4. TC Electronic Sub N Up Octave Pedal


TC Electronic Sub N Up Octaver Guitar Effects Pedal

The TC Electronic Sub N Up Octaver is another cool pedal you can achieve bass sounds with. Dial into this octave generator to get old-school bass tones with the monophonic octaver. You also get access to a world of other octave tones, giving you some fascinating playing potential.

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5. Boss GP-10GK Multi-Effects Processor Pedal


Boss GP-10GK Guitar Effects Processor Multi-Effects Pedal with GK-3 Pickup

Emulating a bass tone using an octave pedal is a fantastic way to replicate bass tones. However, for a more realistic sound, consider getting a MIDI pickup and a processor. With the BOSS GP-10GK, you can quickly turn your guitar tone into any instrument you’d want – including bass. You’ll be shocked at how great your tones will sound! For truly impressive bass emulation, you should purchase a MIDI pickup and a processor like the BOSS GP-10GK. 

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Dial Into Bass Tones

As you can see, you have several options to emulate bass tones using your electric guitar. Take a look at our suggestions and see which one is right for you and your playing!

If you would like to do more browsing, check out our extensive line of guitar effects pedals.

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How To Learn Guitar: Tips For Beginners

Man playing guitar. Tips for how to learn guitar.

So, you want to learn guitar. Welcome to the wonderful world of playing! Since you’re new, you want to get started on the right foot. There are many bad habits that you can pick up that will be difficult to shake off down the road, so here are our 5 best tips for beginners wanting to learn guitar.

Tip #1: Focus on Technique

If you look at any of your favourite guitarists, regardless of whether they play heavy metal or classical tunes, they all have one thing in common: good technique. They can achieve seemingly effortless solos and chord progressions because they mastered playing the guitar with good technique. A well-structured practice routine will help you build proper technique and motor skills. Now, you might be wondering – okay, but how do I start? We suggest that you download apps like Uberchord or Fretello and watch the best YouTube channels for guitar lessons. Nowadays, there is a vast treasure trove of knowledge online, and practically everything you could ever want to know about the guitar is easily accessible. However, we also strongly recommend getting a professional guitar teacher as well, as they can point out your gaps and personally guide you through your guitar journey.

Tip #2: Take It Slow

You may envision yourself as shredding riffs at lightning-fast speeds, but don’t even bother trying to learn how to play fast. First, you need to master good technique, and trying to go fast as a beginner is just going to frustrate you. Instead, concentrate on precise fingering and hitting the right notes. Once you achieve good technique, speed will happen on its own.

Tip 3# Learn Music Theory

If you’re like many, you’d rather skip music theory. It seems dry and bland when you’d rather be creatively expressing yourself. However, most guitarists who neglect to learn music theory all run into one major roadblock – they start to plateau. You can grow as a guitarist by disgesting small bits of music theory. If you feel like you’re not making any progress, learn a little theory, then explore what you’ve learned in your playing.

Tip #4: Play Covers

I cannot stress this enough: Playing covers is one of the best ways to learn the guitar. Not only do you get to cover your favourite songs, but you get to learn about the elements that make these songs successful. Luckily, you can learn songs easily online through YouTube videos and other resources.

Tip #5: Keep Learning

Your guitar journey doesn’t have an end to it. There are always new tricks and techniques to learn! Give it time, don’t give up, and soon enough, you’ll become a great guitar player. Happy playing!

Resources For Beginner Guitarists

If you would like more resources for playing the guitar, here are other posts we’ve made:

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4 Best Headphones For Guitar Amps

Woman wearing Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT

Let’s get this out of the way – nothing beats plugging into your guitar amp and cranking it high. That being said, sometimes your neighbours and roommates deserve some peace and quiet, especially at night. To keep on jamming without getting noise complaints, you’ll want to invest in some headphones. With so many models available, the choice can be difficult. To help, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best headphones for guitar amps. Rock on!

Best Headphones for Guitar Amps

1. Sennheiser HD 650 Open-Back Headphones


Sennheiser HD 650 Open-Back Professional Headphone

Designed for serious audiophiles, the Sennheiser HD 650 open-back headphones deliver crystal-clear sound. The lightweight aluminum voice coils ensure excellent transient response, and the elliptical design provides maximum comfort. And with a frequency of 10Hz to 41kHz, these headphones cover the entire guitar spectrum and more. Since these are open-back headphones, it’s worth nothing that these aren’t as quiet as their closed-back counterparts.  However, if you’re serious about your sound, the Sennheiser HD 650 open-back headphones are some of the best you can get.

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2. Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT Bluetooth Headphones


Audio Technica ATH-M50xBT Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50XBT Bluetooth headphones are one of the most popular studio-quality headphones on the market. Supporting frequencies between 15Hz to 28kHz, these headphones are well-suited for guitar players.  These headphones produce sound reproduction from 45mm large-aperture drivers with rare-earth magnets, and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils. Together, they are designed to provide both clear audio and rich, deep bass. For comfort and convenience, the ATH- M50xBT headphones feature padded noise-isolating earcups and include a 3.5mm audio cable for a wired connection, if desired. Get hear the depth of your music with the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT Bluetooth headphones today!

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3. AKG K240 MKII Headphones


 AKG K240 MKII Studio Headphones

 

The AKG K240 MKII is one of the best headphones for guitar amps at an inexpensive price point. Featuring Varimotion technology for enhanced bass response, these stylish headphones sport great sound and a frequency response of 15Hz to 25kHz. And thanks to its self-adjusting headband system, these headphones sit comfortably on just about any head size. For affordable and high-quality headphones, pick up the AKG K240 MKII today!

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4. Sennheiser HD 280 PRO Headphones


Sennheiser HD 280 PRO DJ Headphone

The Sennheiser HD 280 PRO headphones are an excellent inexpensive option for guitarists. With a frequency range of 8Hz to 25kHz, these headphones deliver a natural and warm sound. And thanks to the generous padding, the HD 280 PRO headphones are incredibly comfortable and suitable for long periods of time. If you’re on a budget and still want great sound, put on the Sennheiser HD 280 PRO closed-back headphones!

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Keep On Rockin’

No matter which pair you opt for, you’ll have one of the best headphones for guitar amps. So, you’ll be able to plug in and enjoy playing. And your neighbours will thank you for it, too. 

Want to browse more headphone options? Check out our entire selection of headphones!

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Best Guitar Effects Pedals For Metal

Metal band playing at concert.

Face-melting riffs. Savoury crunches. There’s nothing quite like metal. If you’re looking to dive into the dirty world of metal music, you’ll want some pedals under your belt to achieve your sound. To help in your quest, we’ll go over the best guitar effects pedals for metal. 

Best Guitar Effects For Metal

There are several effects metalheads rely on to deliver dirty riffs. Some of the most popular guitar effects are as follow:

  • Distortion
  • Compressor
  • Delay
  • Harmonizer

Distortion


Keeley Filaments High Gain Distortion Effects Pedal
Keeley Filaments

If there is any guitar effect metalheads need, it’s undeniably distortion. However, when it comes to the best metal distortion pedals, declaring a subjective winner is impossible. Distortion is a very personalized effect, and every guitarist wants different things from a distortion pedal. Whether you want face-melting distortion or a satisfying crunch depends entirely on you. That given, we can still go over some of the most popular distortion pedals amongst metal guitarists. Since distortion is such a broad genre, we’ll go in-depth over our picks.

Best Distortion Pedals

Pro Co Rat 2 Overdrive Pedal

The Pro Co Rat 2 is a unique pedal, described as 45% distortion and 55% fuzz. Many famous guitarists love this pedal, including James Hetfield and Kurt Cobain, thanks to its incredible versatility. No matter if you crave sweet and soft or crude and vulgar tones, this pedal has you covered.

Keeley Electronics Filaments Distortion Pedal

The Keeley Electronics Filaments distortion pedal delivers both aggressive high gains and gentle distortions for the best of both worlds. You also have access to incredible tone-crafting capabilities thanks to its 7 methods of EQ shaping.

BOSS MD-2 Mega Distortion Pedal

For modern metal guitarists, the BOSS MD-2 Mega Distortion pedal is the beast you need. This box delivers extreme, low-end distortion suitable for modern metal guitarists. If you’re a new-school metalhead, you’ve gotta head your hands on the BOSS MD-2.

Compressor


TC Electronic HyperGravity Compressor Guitar Effects Pedal
TC Electronic HyperGravity Compressor

A simple compressor pedal can make a massive difference in your tone. This guitar effect tightens up otherwise mushy tones, leaving you with sharp, defined sounds. If you don’t have one of these in your arsenal, you may be shocked at the difference it can make in your playing.

Best Compressor Pedals

Delay


TC Electronic Flashback Delay TonePrint Series Guitar Effects Pedal
TC Electronic Flashback

Delay is an awesome effect that can thicken up your lead tones and make you stand out. Without this effect, your lead tones can sound thin and watery, and adding a delay pedal is an easy fix. To help solidify your leads, let’s go over the best delay pedals for metal.

Best Delay Pedals

Wah-Wah


Dunlop Cry Baby 535Q Multi-Wah Guitar Effects Pedal
Dunlop Cry Baby 535Q

Wah-wah pedals are used by legendary guitarists worldwide. This effect alters the tone and frequencies of the guitar signal to achieve the onomatopoeic “wah-wah” sound. You manually step on this pedal for the higher-pitched “wah” noise and release for the “wu” sound. However, achieving your desired wah effect takes time and practice. Let’s go over the best wah-wah pedals for metal.

Best Wah-Wah Pedals


Get Down ‘n’ Dirty

While metal generally keeps things simple in terms of effects, these essential guitar effects will take your playing to the next level. Want to browse more pedals for metal? Browse our extensive line of guitar effects pedals.

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5 Best Mini Pedals For Your Precious Pedalboard Space

The best mini pedals

Your pedalboard real estate is like an apartment in Manhatten – extremely valuable and limited in space. Given this, every addition to your pedalboard needs to bring something strong tone-shaping capabilities to help you craft your sound. Luckily, there are some great options that not only give you excellent sound but save on precious pedalboard space. Let’s go over our picks of some of the best mini pedals.

1. Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini Overdrive Pedal


 

Ibanez TSMINI Tube Screamer Mini Guitar Effects PedalThe Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini is a bite-sized version of the iconic Tube Screamer pedal. Don’t be fooled – it may be smaller, but Ibanez did not compromise on tone when making the TS Mini. Known for its rich midrange growth and versatile touch sensitivity, the Tube Screamer Mini is a welcome addition to any pedalboard. Plug into the Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini today and experience big sounds. 

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2. TC Electronic Hall of Fame Mini Reverb Pedal


TC Electronic HOF (Hall of Fame) Mini Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal

The TC Electronic Hall of Fame Mini packs big sound into a miniature stompbox. With TC Electronic’s preloaded hall reverb, this pedal is great on its own. However, since it also has TonePrint enabled, you can load the effects of the original HoF pedal into it. So, whether you crave spring, hall, room, plate or the amazing lush cathedral reverb, you’re covered. Discover the vast creative possibilities of the TC Electronic Hall of Fame Mini.

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3. Dunlop CBM95 Cry Baby Mini Wah Guitar Effects Pedal


Dunlop CBM95 Cry Baby Mini Wah Guitar Effects Pedal

One of the guitar world’s most beloved effects is available in a small package. The Dunlop CBM95 Cry Baby Mini Wah pedal is the perfect addition for any pedalboard that doesn’t skimp on tone or usability. This mini beast comes equipped with the legendary Fasel inductor, a full sweep range, and three internally adjustable voicings—Low, Vintage, and GCB95. Save precious space without sacrificing tone and put a CBM95 Cry Baby Mini Wah on your pedalboard.

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4. Dunlop FFM6 Band of Gypsys Fuzz Face Mini Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal


Dunlop FFM6 Band of Gypsys Fuzz Face Mini Guitar Effects Pedal

The Dunlop FFM6 Band of Gypsys Fuzz Face Mini replicates the legendary lost fuzz tone from Jimi Hendrix’s performances for the Band of Gypsys. Woo the masses with this snarling and aggressive tone honed by Hendrix aficionado. No matter your pedalboard setup, you can make room for the Dunlop FFM6 Band of Gypsys Fuzz Face Mini Distortion.

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5. Electro-Harmonix Nano POG Polyphonic Octave Generator Guitar Effects Pedal


Electro-Harmonix EHX Nano Pog Polyphonic Octave Generator Guitar Effects Pedal

Octave effects have long been beloved by guitarists, especially when combined with fuzz. Now, guitarists get four distinct octave voices to adorn the dry signal with the Electro-Harmonix Nano POG. With this mini jewel, you get the same beloved sounds as the other POG pedals but in a pedalboard-friendly package. Create unique octave tones with the Electro-Harmonix Nano POG!

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Same Tone, Smaller Package

With any mini pedal on our list, you don’t sacrifice tone for a tiny footprint. Each one offers superior sound and tone-crafting capabilities while saving you pedalboard real estate. Pick up one of the best mini pedals from our list or browse more guitar effects pedals today!

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