Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 3 stores. Prices updated .

Average Price: $78

Budget/Beginner

$100

$301+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Capture your musical genius in real-time with the TC Electronic WireTap Riff Recorder. This sleek, compact pedal effortlessly integrates into your setup, ensuring that no riff or melody escapes unrecorded. Designed for simplicity, the WireTap lets you focus on your creativity without the fuss. Whether you're shredding on your guitar, laying down bass grooves, or experimenting with synths, this pedal records your ideas with crystal-clear quality. It's the perfect tool for musicians looking to document their spontaneous moments of inspiration.

Key Features:

  • High-fidelity recording ensures your ideas are captured with crystal-clear clarity.
  • Simple plug-and-play operation for ease of use.
  • Compact size makes it an unobtrusive addition to any pedalboard.
  • Ideal for guitar, bass, and synth players.
  • Records your musical ideas directly into your rig without interrupting your creative flow.

Product specs

Brand TC Electronic
Model WireTap Riff Recorder
Finish White
Year 2016 - 2025
Categories Loop Pedals and Samplers

FAQs

How does the TC Electronic WireTap Riff Recorder differ from traditional looper pedals?

The WireTap Riff Recorder is designed specifically for capturing and storing riffs and song ideas, rather than creating layered loops. It allows you to record up to eight hours of audio and transfer the recordings via Bluetooth to a mobile app for easy organization and playback.

Can the TC Electronic WireTap Riff Recorder be used live for looping performances?

While it's possible to use the WireTap live, it is primarily designed for recording and saving riffs rather than creating live loops. Its main function is to capture ideas quickly and efficiently for later use.

Does the TC Electronic WireTap Riff Recorder require a specific power supply?

The WireTap Riff Recorder requires a standard 9V DC power supply, similar to most guitar pedals, with a center-negative polarity. It does not run on batteries, so an external power source is necessary.

How easy is it to transfer recordings from the TC Electronic WireTap to a computer?

Transferring recordings from the WireTap to a computer is straightforward. You can use the WireTap app to sync recordings via Bluetooth to your smartphone, and then export them to your computer for further editing or sharing.

Is the TC Electronic WireTap Riff Recorder compatible with bass guitars?

Yes, the WireTap Riff Recorder can be used with bass guitars. It captures audio from any instrument with a 1/4-inch output, making it versatile for both guitar and bass players.

ProGuitarShopDemos

ProGuitarShopDemos

TC Electronic WireTap Riff Recorder

Video thumbnail for TC Electronic WireTap Riff Recorder by ProGuitarShopDemos

TC Electronic WireTap Riff Recorder

ProGuitarShopDemos

ProGuitarShopDemos

Video thumbnail for Wiretap Riff Recorder Demo by Ariel Garcia by TC Electronic

Wiretap Riff Recorder Demo by Ariel Garcia

TC Electronic

TC Electronic

Video thumbnail for TC Electronic Wiretap Riff Recorder Pedal Demo by Sweetwater by Sweetwater

TC Electronic Wiretap Riff Recorder Pedal Demo by Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for Wiretap Riff Recorder TC Electronic by Science of Loud

Wiretap Riff Recorder TC Electronic

Science of Loud

Science of Loud

Video thumbnail for Ditto Looper vs. Wiretap Riff Recorder by TC Electronic

Ditto Looper vs. Wiretap Riff Recorder

TC Electronic

TC Electronic

Video thumbnail for Wiretap - official product video by TC Electronic

Wiretap - official product video

TC Electronic

TC Electronic

Video thumbnail for TC Electronic | Wiretap Riff Recorder Demo by Guitar Factory Parramatta

TC Electronic | Wiretap Riff Recorder Demo

Guitar Factory Parramatta

Guitar Factory Parramatta

Video thumbnail for TC Electronic WireTap Riff Recorder Bass Demo by The Bass Channel

TC Electronic WireTap Riff Recorder Bass Demo

The Bass Channel

The Bass Channel

Video thumbnail for Mike Fonte demos the TC Electronic Wiretap Riff Recorder by TC Electronic

Mike Fonte demos the TC Electronic Wiretap Riff Recorder

TC Electronic

TC Electronic

Video thumbnail for WireTap Riff Recorder Demo by TC Electronic

WireTap Riff Recorder Demo

TC Electronic

TC Electronic

Video thumbnail for TC Electronic Wiretap Riff Recorder | Wiretap Riff Recorder review and demo by Steven twangs

TC Electronic Wiretap Riff Recorder | Wiretap Riff Recorder review and demo

Steven twangs

Steven twangs

Reviews

PROS

  • Syncs easily with iPhone, supports .wav format

  • Compact size, minimal pedalboard space required

  • Fast, hands-free recording of song ideas

  • Up to 8 hours of recording time with USB connectivity

  • Dual-recording method captures raw and processed sound

  • Records at studio quality (24-bit 44.1KHz mono)

  • Volume normalization when sending recordings to iPhone

  • Affordable price point

CONS

  • No firmware or app updates from TC Electronic

  • Cannot be used as a live looper due to lack of foot controls

  • No tempo control without exporting to computer

  • Lacks volume controls and LCD menu readout

  • Sorting through recordings can be cumbersome

  • Bluetooth connectivity and app reliability issues

  • Requires pedal removal from pedalboard for file transfer

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about TC Electronic Wiretap Riff Recorder.

Features and functionality

  • The pedal can store up to eight hours of audio, allowing for multiple takes and parts, unlike standard loopers which typically hold a single loop.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Ideal for re-amping, users can record dry signals and later experiment with different amp and mic setups without re-recording.

    Source
  • The Wiretap is not recommended for playing along to backing tracks, as its intended use and connectivity may not support this reliably.

    Source
  • The Wiretap Riff Recorder is confirmed to work well with bass guitars, effectively capturing and playing back the signal without significant fidelity loss.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • The app provides Bluetooth transport controls, enabling users to play, stop, loop, rename, and delete recordings directly from their phone.

    Source
  • Bluetooth connectivity issues are frequently reported, making the app unreliable for consistent use.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Correct power supply is crucial; using a 9V AC supply instead of DC may damage the pedal.

    Source

Comparisons

  • It offers distinct advantages over the Ditto, such as extended recording time and organization features, making it superior for those needing more storage and flexibility.

    Source
  • The Digitech Jamman Stereo offers a more reliable alternative for storing and recalling loops without relying on Bluetooth, unlike the Wiretap.

    Source
  • Compared to other loopers, the Wiretap may not excel as a looper but shines as a dedicated recording pedal, particularly for capturing riffs and ideas.

    Source

User experience

  • Some users report a pop noise when triggering from the app, suggesting a brief pause before recording audio.

    Source
  • Some owners have experienced significant frustration with app reliability and connectivity, impacting their overall satisfaction with the Wiretap.

    Source
  • Users have successfully utilized the Wiretap with bass guitars during amp and effects demos, indicating its versatility across different instrument types.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Quick Hit: TC Electronic Wiretap Riff Recorder Review - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The TC Electronic Wiretap Riff Recorder is a nifty solution for musicians wanting to capture ideas on the fly. This compact pedal allows seamless recording during jams without interrupting the creative flow. Its standout feature is the accompanying app, which offers intuitive file management and sharing capabilities via Bluetooth and USB. With no length restriction other than its eight-hour memory, it records in CD-quality audio, ensuring your riffs are preserved in high fidelity. While it may solve a problem you didn't know you had, the Wiretap's ease of use and thoughtful design make it a worthy addition to any musician's toolkit.

positive

TC Electronic Wiretap Riff Recorder review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The TC Electronic Wiretap Riff Recorder is a must-have for any musician keen on capturing song ideas with ease. Beyond its compact footswitch design, it offers up to eight hours of high-quality recording, easily surpassing smartphone capabilities. The integration with a dedicated app for idea management and sharing is a highlight. However, its reliance on mains power might be seen as a luxury for some. Overall, it's a great tool for those serious about songwriting without the hassle of complex setups.

positive

TC Electronic WireTap Riff Recorder Review - Guitar Gear Finder

guitargearfinder.com

The TC Electronic WireTap Riff Recorder stands out as a practical solution for musicians eager to capture fleeting moments of inspiration. With its easy-to-use interface and impressive 8-hour recording capacity, it excels in providing quick access to recording without the fuss of additional gear. While not a substitute for a looper, it complements one by focusing on recording rather than playback. Its app enhances functionality, offering Bluetooth sync and editing capabilities, though it may not connect to older iOS devices. Despite minor drawbacks like the lack of foot-operated playback, it remains an excellent value for songwriters seeking simplicity and efficiency in capturing ideas.

positive

Review - TC Electronic Wiretap Riff Recorder - Bass Musician Magazine, The Face of Bass

bassmusicianmagazine.com

The TC Electronic Wiretap Riff Recorder is a handy tool for musicians looking to capture and organize their musical ideas effortlessly. Its simplicity is a major plus, with straightforward recording features controlled by a single footswitch. The ability to store up to eight hours of riffs and sync them with a smartphone app via Bluetooth offers modern convenience, allowing users to categorize, edit, and share their creations easily. However, getting familiar with the device might require a quick glance at the manual or online resources. Overall, the Wiretap is praised for its practicality and functionality, making it a valuable addition to any musician's toolkit.

positive
Add

4.0 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 19 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
miguel_angelo

New best friend

I read a lot of bad reviews on it, saying the volume was too low or too loud, that the app was unreliable, etc.

My experience so far as been flawless and perfect. It sits in the end of my entire signal before the Deluxe Reverb. The signal it records is obviously very tinny (hasn't been amplified yet), but it actually normalizes your signal once you send it to your Iphone via Bluetooth. That's brilliant!

The app works like a charm, the only thing I can point is that if I'm sending a very big riff (like 5 minute riff) to my Iphone I can't let it automatically lock or turn off the screen, as it will stop the transfer.

I haven't even uptaded the firmware and I'm not having any trouble, so I don't see why I should.

If TC folks wanted to make this even more awesome with future firmware, they should include a cab sim alongside with the normalize process, THAT would be killer.

Did I mention it's dirt cheap??? got it new for 49€ in Amazon.

From Gear Setup
beeflin

Straightforward high-resolution mono recording

Press the footswitch and a 24-bit 44.1KHz mono recording starts. Press again and it stops and is ready to record another one. 8 hours recording time at studio quality right on your pedalboard. To recover your recordings, plug it into your computer using a Mini USB connector. Simplicity itself. Two drawbacks: (1) the files that come over the USB cable have numbers and no dates so you have to listen to them to figure out which is which. (2) the optional Bluetooth-to-phone transfer software has the most unreliably, crashy Bluetooth connectivity I've ever seen, and is basically unusable except for a few very small files.

So, verdict: brilliantly effective as long as you ignore the app!

From Gear Setup
michael_crooijmans

Handy but...

Its quite handy to be honest but connection via bluetooth could be better aswell as interaction with the pedal. Minor is you need to take the pedal off from the pedalboard, hook it up for power and usb in order to acces whatever you recorded, without being able to transfer it to yuor pc. Also keep in mind available software updates. Recorded stuff is solely approachable via app/bluetooth App is poor in user friendly to name one.

joris_van_dorpe

too expensive for what you get

Honestly I think it's more useful to spend the 100 euros into the cheapest focusrite and just record your sessions into a pc or use a cheap zoom recording mic.

Just not worth the money tbh

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Stephen Carpenter uses TC Electronic Wiretap Riff Recorder

Stephen Carpenter

Guitarist

Deftones

...
Verified via Tcelectronic

on the tc electronic website, it states stephan uses this pedal

See how Mark King Level 42 uses TC Electronic Wiretap Riff Recorder

Mark King Level 42

Singer, Bassist

Level 42

...
Verified via YouTube

At 2:15 in this video the Wiretrap Riff Recorder is visible.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use TC Electronic Wiretap Riff Recorder, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

Show yours
miguel_angelo

miguel_angelo

Gear IQ 984

carlos_carrillo

carlos_carrillo

Gear IQ 163

carlos_carrillo

carlos_carrillo

Gear IQ 163

carlos_carrillo

carlos_carrillo

Gear IQ 163

jamesnotjim

jamesnotjim

Gear IQ 367

thedreadpirateknoberts

thedreadpirateknoberts

Gear IQ 246

alex_coma86

alex_coma86

Gear IQ 285

beeflin

beeflin

Gear IQ 351

E

eightstorywindow

Gear IQ 87

thquib

thquib

Gear IQ 151

More TC Electronic Looper Effects Pedals

Similar

Gear Guides

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    luxiu
    luxiu

    Gear IQ 44626