Digitech Whammy V
This is high on the list of HornFX favorites. The Whammy pedal has been around for a long time and has been heard in a great many contexts. With their latest model, Digitech have surpassed their previous efforts and created something truly special. With all new circuitry and a new collection of settings, many agree that this is the best Whammy yet. Do yourself a favor. Try this pedal. It is a must have for your board.
External Control: MIDI
Cost: $$
HornFX Review
Interface: 4/5
Overall, the interface is very simple to use. However, in a live setting you have to scroll through many settings to get to the one you want. The value of the whammy pedal itself cannot be understated, as this adds a whole bunch of variability. One of the biggest negatives of this pedal, is that there is no dry/wet signal knob. This does make the blend between ranges with some instruments worse than others. Its lack of a second set of settings as in the DT version of this pedal does not change the overall usability of the interface.
Versatility: 3/5
This pedal not only does many fixed intervals and transposed pitches well, but it has wonderful tonal and articulation reproduction, making this a pedal that can do more than just change notes. You can convincingly become another instrument, which is a major advantage.
Tonal reproduction: 4/5
For trumpet and saxophone, the lower octave (trombone sound for trumpet and baritone sax sound for saxophone) are terrific, with incredible tone reproduction AS WELL AS articulation. Although the upper octave mimics a soprano beautifully, the trumpet signal makes the output very thin and synthesized. It should be noted that this pedal does not have a warm tone (it is quite sterile).
Tracking speed: 5/5
One of the best tracking speeds and harmonic accuracy available on the market today.
Complexity: Medium
Live application: 4/5
Switching to settings that are any distance apart on the pedal is a pain unless you use its midi functionality, but once again the whammy pedal itself adds so much in a live element that its overall live application is great. It cannot be overstated how much the quality reproduction of sound makes enhances this pedal’s usefulness.
Reviews
Ariel Wiznia, Saxophone - “Although I have only been using the Whammy V for a month, I use it very often in the studio and have added it to my live rig. The versatility is amazing; after owning a multi-effects pedal previously that had harmony, I can say the difference is astonishing. What I like the most is how responsive it is. You know when you hit the pedal that the range is the expected one and the tone is just so similar to my alto and baritone saxophones. I usually put this pedal first in my chain, with a Source Audio Stingray and a LINE 6 DL4 following it.
Product Information
Next generation pitch shifting algorithms
Classic and Chords shifting modes
True Bypass
10 Whammy settings
9 Harmony settings
2 Detune settings
Rugged metal chassis
MIDI input
9V DC power adapter included
The legendary Whammy pedal is the premier pitch-shifting pedal for any guitarist’s board, and it only gets better with time. In addition to the classic Whammy sound, we’ve added chordal Whammy pitch-shifting and true bypass.
Whammy artists have won over 60 Grammys® using its unique pitch-shifting sound to enhance their music. Its songs echo the hallways of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame® and generate acclaim on over 700 million albums around the world. There is no doubt why Whammy is one of the most common sights on guitarists’ pedalboards.
The Whammy can bring new depth to your artistry. Turn your solo into raging, rebellious screams of tone or tame your crowd with highly expressive, ambient chordal bends. Energize your audience with a scratchy note frenzy, bring them in and out of the sound tunnel with musical bursts, or carry them through an existential exploration of full-fretboard pitch translation. The Whammy puts expression into the expression pedal.
Don't be the last guitarist without a Whammy! The iPB-10 unleashes the ability to create and control guitar effects like never before.
Product info from the Digitech website.