"It's not often that we come across new ideas that seem genuinely useful and practical, but this looks like it could be one".
The DigiTech iStomp pedal is an entirely new concept in guitar stompboxes that allows musicians to program the effect pedal with any sound they want – and change it at any time. Offering almost limitless sonic possibilities, the iStomp connects to an iPod Touch®, iPhone®, or iPad® enabling musicians to load the effect of their choice into the iStomp from the Stomp Shop App. This month Guitar & Bass magazine give their verdict.
"So on we go, holy pilgrims of tone, questing for that last piece of the puzzle. But what's this? It seems DigiTech has heard of our travails and has sent forth an answer to an to our anguished cries. Behold: the iStomp".
"Rather than trying to be a complete rig, the iStomp confines you to downloading a single pedal into the internal circuitry of the unit, after which you remove your iOS device and leave the iStomp to do its business like any other stompbox. Put it in your existing chain and it behaves like a high-quality, purpose-built effect.
"But why don't you just buy a normal pedal instead? Well, if you decide you want a change then all you need do is download another effect into the iStomp (available from £2.99 from iTunes) and the pedal is completely different - so you can experiment away without costly investments in new pedals".
"Both the supplied effects are pretty cool. The delay has a tap tempo; it provides clean digital repeats, and does lovely wild oscillations when you fiddle with the knobs. The Redline is an aggressive, beefy overdrive with plenty of oomph and teeth that can coax oodles of musical feedback out of a good amp"
"You can audition any of the other effects for 5 minutes by selecting them form the menu on the Stomp Shop App. Among our favourites were the Amp Driver, the Vintage Tape Delay, and the Stone Phase".
"The iStomp has impressed us. The less-is-more approach feels like it will actually work in real-life settings, and the built-in ability to change your rig or dabble with new pedals for less than the cost of a magazine is very tempting".
"Could this really be the final part of that age-old puzzle? Maybe..."
The full review can be found in the May issue of Guitar & Bass magazine (Vol 23 No 8) on sale now. The DigiTech iStomp is also available now at £159 RRP.
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