- Lexicon JamMan
The JamMan is an audio looping device manufactured by Lexicon in the mid 1990s. The idea for the JamMan began with modifications Gary Hall had devised for the Lexicon PCM-42 that allowed him to play into a long, looping delay whose clock could be synchronized to an external source. (Hall, who worked for Lexicon in two different periods, was the primary architect of the PCM41 and PCM42, as well as the non-reverberation effects that first appeared in the 224X and became better known in the PCM70.) Bob Sellon extended the concept considerably, starting with elaborate PCM42 modifications and eventually working with several others at Lexicon to arrive at the JamMan.
The product allowed
musician s to record musical phrases at the touch of a button which were then played back, looping indefinitely. The musician would typically use the looping audio as a backing track providing a virtual backing band. The device also allowed MIDIdrum machine s and sequencers to be synchronized to them providing additional accompaniment. By pressing a button on the floor pedal, the device begins recording a rhythm (8 seconds of memory comes standard, but an upgraded 32 second memory chip is a common upgrade). When the musician is finished playing the part to be looped, simply press the tap button on the floor again and the machine does two things immediately: replays the part from the beginning looping it indefinitely while sending a MIDI clock signal to a drum machine which kicks in right on time and is synchronized to the rhythm part. You may then select another tone on your amp (usually distortion) and play a solo over your own rhythm with drum accompaniment. It is an invaluable tool for songwriting, lead guitar improvisation and working out difficult passages when learning new songs.The JamMan is a 1U rack mounted unit that is controlled using 1 or 2 footswitches or via MIDI.
Digitech has also put out a new version of this old classic.Joseph Arthur is one of the notable users of the JamMan.Keller Williams is one of the most innovative acts to use this effect and it can be heard on many of his albums and always at his live show.Nick Robinson has used a jamman as an integral part of his live performances for many years.
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