REVIEW: DigiTech iPB-10
Check out the latest programmable pedalboard from Digitech. Nice display, huh? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a multi effects unit with a display that big. Wait a minute, is that… nah, it couldn’t be… wait, it is! Well I’ll be! The iPB-10 actually holds an iPad, clutching the groundbreaking Apple tablet device to its metallic bosom like, well, like I did when I got my iPad a few weeks ago. DigiTech knows that multi effect units – even their own – have always suffered from cramped screens, but a full-colour, oversized display would be prohibitively expensive to add to such a device. With the iPB-10, DigiTech lets Apple take care of that aspect so they can focus on what they do best: making kickass effects and amp simulations.
REVIEW: DigiTech Lyra
The Eternal Descent graphic novel series created by writer/musician Lexi Leon is kickass anyway you look at it, but especially from a guitarist’s point of view. A supernatural tale of epic proportions, it features among its list of characters the members of Static X, Atreyu, Firewind and Shadows Fall and Lord Shred himself, Joe Satriani. There is music to accompany the graphic novels too, composed and performed by the very talented Leon with legendary producer/engineer Eddie Kramer (you know him – he’s worked with Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, KISS and about a billion more). The DigiTech Lyra is designed to take several of the tones used on the Eternal Descent recordings and present them in easily accessible stomp box form, either for fans of the series or just for those looking for some interesting and unique tones sculpted by some very talented folks.
COOL GEAR ALERT: DigiTech iPB-10
Check out the latest programmable pedalboard from Digitech. Nice display, huh? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a multi effects unit with a display that big. Wait a minute, is that… nah, it couldn’t be… wait, it is! Yup, the iPB-10 actually holds an iPad, clutching the groundbreaking Apple device to its bosom like, well, like I did when I got my iPad a few weeks ago. The iPB-10 also includes an effects loop and an amp loop with ground switch, so you don’t need to sacrifice the loop feature to the ‘four cable method’ – you can hook your preamp into the unit via the amp loop while also using the effects loop as it was intended. Nice touch!
COOL GEAR ALERT: DigiTech Whammy DT
All hail the DigiTech Whammy! I used to have a Whammy II, a very cool pedal that I no longer felt I needed when I got a multi-effects unit from another brand, so I got rid of it. Well of course I quickly got the sellers’ remorse over that one. I haven’t bought a DigiTech Whammy to replace it yet but I’m gonna find it hard to resist the new Whammy DT. Check out these new additions:
‘Shift Down’ and ‘Shift Up’ modes for changing the tuning down by as much as seven steps or an entire octave up or down.
Momentary switch for ‘hammer-on’ and ‘pull-off’ effects – step on it to alter the pitch, and lift your foot off to retun immediately to the regular unaltered note. Trillorrific!
True bypass
FS3X input for hands-free selection of Whammy and Drop Tune settings
MIDI input
Sounds awesome, no? More info at DigiTech.com.
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I write for Gibson.com, Australian Guitar, Australian Musician, Mixdown Magazine (including my instructional column, 'Unleash Your Inner Rock God,' which has been running since 2007), guitarworld.com, Tone Deaf, Beat and The Brag. I started I Heart Guitar in 2008. I've been playing guitar since I was 8 years old, and I've been writing for magazines since I was 18 (I'm 33 now). I've also worked as a guitar teacher (up to 50 students a week) and a setup tech. I live in Melbourne, Australia. You can check out my guitar playing at Reverbnation or on YouTube.
You can email me at iheartguitarblog@gmail.com