DIGITECH
iSTOMP
to hear audio clips of the pedal at
premierguitar.com/may2012
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BY JOE CHARUPAKORN
Laptop-based live effects setups have been around for a while now, but as smartphones and tablet computers increasingly
play an integral role in many a musician’s
studio setup [check out “iPhone Recording
App Roundup,” April 2012], it’s only fitting that effects manufacturers are finding
ways to integrate these devices into the gigging musician’s live rig. Last year Digi Tech
released the iPB- 10 pedalboard, which lets
you dock an iPad into a pedalboard and
use it to control the effects. The company’s
recently released iStomp takes this concept
and reduces it to a single-pedal format.
To take advantage of the iStomp’s features, you’ll need to access the Digi Tech
Stomp Shop app via an Apple device—
iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad running iOS
4 or later. Once connected, you can choose
from a growing library of virtual pedals,
priced from 99¢ to $9.99. These pedals can
then be transferred from your Apple device
to the iStomp. Currently there are 24 selections available, including pedals inspired by
classics like the Ibanez Tube Screamer, Pro
Co Rat, Boss CE- 2, and Boss DM- 2, among
others. In case you want to check out a pedal
before committing to a purchase, there’s a
Try mode that lets you take any pedal for a
free five-minute spin. Additionally, there’s
a Play feature in the app that plays back a
sample of the selected pedal to give you an
idea of what it sounds like.
Knobs are for Kids
The iStomp’s stealthy, sleek black design
features a utilitarian control panel consist-
ing simply of four knobs to control the
effect parameters and an on/off footswitch.
The knobs are intentionally unlabeled to
accommodate the different pedal types
and their specific parameter functions. For
example, a time knob is integral to a delay
pedal, but offers no use on a dirt pedal.
Included with the iStomp are pre-printed
reusable labels that correspond to specific
pedals and have the knob functions clearly
listed. Even though there are four knobs,
not all pedals will need all four knobs to
control the functions. For example, the DM
Delay label displays repeat rate, intensity,
and level, while the Opto Tremolo label
only displays speed and depth. The iStomp
also comes with three blank labels should
you wish to create your own, although
if you’re familiar with the basic layout of
effects, you probably won’t need to use
these labels. And if you leave your Apple
device connected, you can see the “pedal”
and its knob names onscreen.
Stomping the pedal into
overdrive
For this review, I tested the iStomp with an
Ernie Ball/Music Man Axis Sport going in
front of a Mesa/Boogie Lone Star Special’s
clean channel. I started with the Redline
overdrive, which is pre-loaded into the
iStomp, and is a staple from Digi Tech’s
legendary RP line of multi-effects. Right
