What's a loop pedal?
Most stompbox pedals are supposed to alter and enhance your existing tone, but loop pedals are different. They let you record a short musical phrase, then automatically play it back, leaving you free to jam along with the instant accompaniment. So, who needs a loop pedal? Maybe you just moved to a new place and haven't met any local musicians yet. Maybe you're a singer/songwriter who wants to fill-out the sound but keep the act small and stealthy. Maybe you're an egomaniac who just can't trust anyone else to back you up properly. Let's hope not. In any case, DigiTech's JamMan pedal handles all the traditional looping duties, with some added new features for even more fun.
Expanded storage holds more loops
Loop pedals have been around a long time. In fact, DigiTech's original PDS800 was first developed more than twenty years ago. At the time, it stored about eight seconds of audio. With today's new digital storage technology, eight seconds seems pretty small. The JamMan includes a 128MB Compact Flash card, which holds over 24 minutes of sound. Jump up to the maximum 2GB capacity, and you can store more than six hours of looped audio! When you consider most loop patterns are only four to sixteen bars long, and DigiTech will store 99 loops on a card, you can build up a pretty impressive set list. From small, repeatable phrases, to full-length backing tracks, the JamMan does it all!
A plethora of ports for all your input sources
The JamMan features several input connections for capturing and looping all of your music. Use the 1/4-inch instrument input with adjustable level control to get a solid signal from guitars, basses, and keyboards. You can bang out a bongo beat on your acoustic guitar, then lay down a chord progression as it loops. Solo over that, and your song is starting to come together. Plug a microphone into the XLR input and add a melody, then stack some backing harmonies. Pretty soon, you've got a full choir behind you. Want to jam along with your favorite MP3 or CD tracks? No problem. The miniplug input accepts any line-level source, and it even includes a vocal remover for use as your own personal karaoke machine. Need more space? The onboard USB connection lets you export and manage all your loops, right on your computer.
Flexible tempo and metronome for more creative possibilities
There are plenty of ways to experiment with loop layering, but the JamMan's additional features really open up the creative possibilities. Let's say you've just laid down some loops, but your adrenaline was pumping and now it's feeling a little rushed. Just slow down the tempo, and all the loops respond. There's no need to search for a new key, because the pitch is not changed. You can speed things up just as easily. If you're having a tough time nailing a tricky riff, just record it at a comfortable tempo, then crank it back up to speed. The built-in metronome with multiple time signatures will keep you locked into the groove as you stack your parts. Each loop can be set to have between two and fifteen beats per measure, and you can use either a basic click track or the high-quality onboard drum samples to get you in the pocket.
Hands-free operation with optional footswitch
For practice or recording purposes, the JamMan gives you everything you need to loop your music, right out of the box. If you plan to play live, though, you may want to add the optional FS3X footswitch for on-the-fly, hands-free operation. With the FS3X, you can set up the auto-record function to store your next loop as soon as you start playing. It also lets you scroll through your loop locations in memory, so you can add or subtract parts as you go, without stopping the live performance. With 99 available loops, you have the flexibility to tailor your performance to any situation. If the crowd is into the acoustic part of your set, keep things simple with a chord progression, a three-part harmony, and a little solo work. If they're responding more to a full-band sound, cue up a drum groove, bass line, and that funky horn part you've been saving for a special occasion. There's no way all those musicians would fit up on the little coffee house stage, but the JamMan lets you carry the whole band around in your gig bag!
Included accessories
The DigiTech JamMan includes a 128MB Compact Flash card and an AC power adapter.
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