Digitech Whammy

The Digitech Whammy is a pitch-shifter effects pedal manufactured by Digitech. It gives musicians the ability to shift the pitch of their electric guitar up or down in real time by rocking a treadle pedal up and down with their foot, similar to how a wah pedal affects the tone of a guitar based on the position of the treadle.

Digitech WH-1 Whammy

Overview

The WH-1 Whammy pedal, the original whammy, first manufactured in 1991, remains the most sought-after. [cite web
last =
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title = Ebay
work = Popular Items
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url = http://popular.ebay.co.uk/ns/Musical+Instruments/Whammy.html
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accessdate = 2008-03-03]

Controls

It is controlled by a rocker and a single rotary knob, from which 16 presets could be selected; five "Whammy" effects, nine "Harmony" effects, and two "Detune" effects.

;Harmony effects
*Second up - third up
*Minor third up - third up
*Third up - fourth up
*Fourth up - fifth up
*Fifth up - sixth up
*Fifth up - seventh up
*Fourth down - third down
*Fifth down - Fourth down
*One octave down - one octave up

;Detune effects
*Shallow
*Deep

;Whammy effects
*One octave up
*Two octaves up
*Two semi-tones down
*One octave down
*Two octaves down

Notable users

Notable musicians who have made use of the WH-1 Whammy include:
*Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine. [cite web
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authorlink =
coauthors =
title = 1. Tom Morello, Guitar - b. Effects, Live
work = The Official Rage Against the Machine Equipment Page
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url = http://penguinguitars.tripod.com/RATM/index.html#tom-studio-effects
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accessdate = 2008-03-03]
*Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead. [cite web
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authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Jonny Greenwood: Guitar Effects
work = Just...Radiohead
publisher =
date =
url = http://www.sigur-ros.it/franz/RHG/Jonny/jonnyeffects.html
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accessdate = 2008-03-03]
*Steve Vai. [cite web
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authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Vai.com: Live Gear
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url = http://www.vai.com/Machines/livegear_firegarden.html
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accessdate = 2008-03-03]
*Joe Satriani. [cite web
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coauthors =
title = Satriani.com: 2/1/03@Fillmore
work =
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url = http://www.satriani.com/2000/road/lwpg.cgi?dir=2003-02-01/;start=9
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accessdate = 2008-03-03]
*The Edge of U2. [cite news
last = Gill
first = Chris
coauthors =
title = Close to the Edge
work =
pages =
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publisher = "Guitar World"
date = 1997-09
url = http://www.sibcorp.com/writehitsongs/u2.html
accessdate = 2008-03-03]
*David Bryant of Godspeed You! Black Emperor. [cite web
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coauthors =
title = effects: Dave
work = gear
publisher = angels-gone.com
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url = http://www.duke.edu/~drw5/gybe.htm
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accessdate = 2008-03-03]
*Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin. [cite web
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authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Signal Routing
work = Jimmy Page's Guitar/Effects/Amps Floor System
publisher = petecornish.co.uk
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url = http://www.petecornish.co.uk/jptt.html
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accessdate = 2008-03-03]
*Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine. [cite web
last =
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authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Kevin Sheilds: My Bloody Valentine
work = The Guitar Rig Database
publisher = guitargeek.com
date =
url = http://guitargeek.com/rigview/77/
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doi =
accessdate = 2008-03-03]
*Dimebag Darrell of Pantera. [cite web
last =
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authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Dimebag Darrell: Pantera
work = The Guitar Rig Database
publisher = guitargeek.com
date =
url = http://guitargeek.com/rigview/415/
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-03-03]
*David Gilmour of Pink Floyd. [cite web
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authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Gilmourish >> The Division Bell 1994
work = Gilmourish
publisher = Gilmourish.com
date =
url = http://www.gilmourish.com/?page_id=31
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accessdate = 2008-04-17]
*Kirk Hammett of Metallica. [cite web
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authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Metclub >> Kirk's amplifiers and effects
work = Metclub
publisher = Metclub
date =
url = http://www.freewebs.com/montyjay/kirkamps.html
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-07-10]

Digitech Whammy II

Overview

The Digitech Whammy II featured a black chassis (in contrast with the series' now famous 'Ferrari red' colour).

Controls

It is controlled by an expression pedal and a button which selects the settings, which are nearly the same as the WH-1. Its effects are as follows:

;Harmony effects
*One octave down - One octave up
*Fourth down - Third down
*Fifth up - sixth up
*Fourth up - fifth up
*Minor third up - major third up
*Second up - third up

;Detune effects
*Detune;Whammy effects
*One octave up
*Two octaves up
*Two semitones down
*One octave down
*Two octaves down

also has the ability to store one preset setting

Notable users

Notable musicians who have used the Whammy II include:
*Herman Li of DragonForce. [cite web
last =
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authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Current Main Live and Studio Equipment
work = Herman Li
publisher = Biography
date =
url = http://www.dragonforce.com/herman_li.php
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-03-03]
*Buckethead. [cite web
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authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Buckethead FAQ v 1.0
work = Buckethead
publisher = FAQ
date =
url = http://www.bucketheadland.com/faq/index.html#anchor1786483
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-04-06]

Digitech XP-100 Whammy-Wah

Overview

The XP-100 Whammy/Wah was more complex, incorporating both whammy and wah-wah possibilities.

Controls

It is controlled by a rocker, and a button which selects the 29 different presets; "Volume" effect, five "Wah-Wah" effects, six "Auto Wah" effects, eight "Whammy" effects, and nine "Harmony" effects.

List in categories (with "modulation action of the pedal"):

;Volume effects
*01 - Volume Pedal - "volume"

;Wah
*02 - Original Cry Wah - "wah frequency"
*03 - Cry Wah 2 - "wah frequency"
*04 - Dark & Deep - "wah frequency"
*05 - Sweet Spot 1 - "wah frequency"
*06 - Sweet Spot 2 - "wah frequency"

;Auto Wah effects
*07 - Original Cry Auto - "sensitivity"
*08 - Envelope Filter - "sensitivity"
*09 - Brass Attack - "sensitivity"
*10 - Original Cry Auto - "attack time"
*11 - Envelope Filter - "attack time"
*12 - Brass Attack - "attack time"

;Whammy effects
*13 - Up 1 Octave - "pitch shift"
*14 - Up 2 Octaves - "pitch shift"
*15 - Up 2nd - "pitch shift"
*16 - Down 2nd - "pitch shift"
*17 - Down 4th - "pitch shift"
*18 - Down 1 Octave - "pitch shift"
*19 - Down 2 Octaves - "pitch shift"
*20 - Down 6 Octaves - "pitch shift"

;Harmony
*21 - Down 1 Octave, Up 1 Octave - "harmony pitch"
*22 - Down 4th, Down 3rd - "harmony pitch"
*23 - Up 5th, Up 6th - "harmony pitch"
*24 - Up 4th, Up 5th - "harmony pitch"
*25 - Up minor 3rd, Up major 3rd - "harmony pitch"
*26 - Up 2nd, Up 3rd - "harmony pitch"
*27 - Down 4th, Up 5th - "harmony pitch"
*28 - Up 5th, Up 1 Octave - "harmony pitch"

;Detune effects
*29 - Detuner - "detune amount"

Notable users

Notable musicians who have used the XP-100 include:
*Munky and Head of Korn. [cite web
last =
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authorlink =
coauthors =
title = The Definitive Korn Pedalboard Thread
work = Korn
publisher = Gear guide
date =
url = http://www.korn.bhlabs.com/kornboard/index.php?showtopic=98207
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-03-03]

Digitech Bass Whammy

Overview

The Bass Whammy was a Whammy pedal built for bass guitar. It featured same chassis as the Digitech Whammy II, but blue. It features different harmony options than the other Whammy models.

Controls

;Harmony effects
*One octave down - One octave up
*One octave down - Fourth down
*Fourth down - third up
*Fourth down - fifth up
*Fifth up - sixth up
*Fifth up - octave up;Whammy effects
*One octave up
*Two semitones up
*Two semitones down
*Four semitones down
*One octave down

;Detune effects
*Detune

Notable users

Notable musicians who have used the Bass Whammy include:
*Justin Chancellor of Tool. [cite web
last =
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authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Bass Player Magazine
work = No Limits - An Interview with Justin Chancellor
publisher =
date =
url = http://www.bassplayer.com/article/no-limits/jul-07/29662
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-03-03]
*Brian Gibson of Lightning Bolt. [cite web
last =
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authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Earthunder 2
work =
publisher = Lightning Bolt
date = 2005-09-09
url = http://www.laserbeast.com/photos/090405/Lightning-Bolt-Earthunder-2.jpg
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-06-14]

Digitech Whammy IV

Overview

The Whammy IV; the current fourth edition, is closer to the "WH-1" in terms of design but with several new features, such as MIDI control and a 'Divebomb' feature.

Controls

The controls are identical to the WH-1 controls, along with two new presets, "Divebomb" and "Droptune".

Harmony effects
*One octave down - one octave up
*Fifth down - Fourth down
*Fourth down - third down
*Fifth up - seventh up
*Fifth up - sixth up
*Fourth up - fifth up
*Third up - fourth up
*Minor third up - third up
*Second up - third up

;Detune effects
*Shallow
*Deep

;Whammy effects
*Two octaves up
*One octave up
*One octave down
*Two octaves down
*Dive bomb - three octaves down
*Drop tune - two semi-tones down

Notable users

Notable musicians who have used the IV Whammy include:
*Jack White of The White Stripes and The Raconteurs. [http://www.backstage-lounge.com/story.asp?storycode=5693 Jack White interview with Backstage Lounge] ]
*John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers. [http://www.ratsound.com/cblog Roadies in the Midst - Touring with the Red Hot Chili Peppers] ]
*Matthew Bellamy of Muse. [http://musegear.fobbedoff.net/ MuseGear: Matt Bellamy Effects] ]
*Omar Rodriguez-Lopez of The Mars Volta and At the Drive-In. [http://theplunk.cjb.net/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=831&fullsize=1 Edwin's Photo Gallery: Click image to close this window ] ]
*Ed O'Brien of Radiohead. [ [http://www.sigur-ros.it/franz/RHG/Ed/edeffects.html Just...Radiohead: Ed O'Brien Equipment] ]
*Ichirou Agata of Melt-Banana. [ [http://billtmiller.com/meltbanana/mb_mideast_btm_0628z.jpgPicture of Agata's effects board] ]
*Dan Deacon [ [http://www.sonicitchmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/dan-deacon.jpgPicture of Deacon with equipment] ]

Notes

External links

* [http://www.digitech.com/products/Pedals/Whammy.php Digitech's page on the Whammy]
* [http://www.harmony-central.com/Effects/Data/DigiTech/WH1_Whammy-1.html Harmony Central's page on the WH-1]
* [http://www.harmony-central.com/Effects/Data/DigiTech/XP_100_Whammy_Wah-1.html Harmony Central's page on the XP-100 Whammy/Wah]
* [http://www.harmony-central.com/Effects/Data/DigiTech/Bass_Whammy-1.html Harmony Central's page on the Bass Whammy]
* [http://www.harmony-central.com/Effects/Data/DigiTech/Whammy_4-1.html Harmony Central's page on the IV Whammy]
* [http://www.brendonsmall.com/MUSIC/bs%20-%20Track%2015.mp3 MP3 of Brendon Small using a Digitech Whammy IV]