DigiTech JamMan

You have to understand how this thing works. That's the secret. I've heard about problems with reliability and I can't comment on that but some of the problems come down to the sequence of operation. If you want to start from the beginning by playing directly into it then when you lay down the first track, you need to tap out the tempo and make sure that the tempo beat is audible. From there, when you step on the record pedal, you need to wait one bar before starting. It makes sense but it is not obvious. When you overdub, you have your original rhythm guide. Here is a typical exercise.

. Turn up the tempo metronome volume.
. Choose a new track.
. Tap the tempo with the stop/tempo pedal.
. Press the record pedal and wait a bar of tempo beats.
. Record your masterpiece.
. Stop pedal to stop.
. Undo is press and hold the stop pedal.
. To overdub, press the start button then when your loop comes around again, press the start pedal again (there are other ways too).

As far as loading wav files via the PC is concerned, you must copy one of the .xml files into the same folder as that which you want to transfer to. Secondly, in order for the wav to synchronize properly, you need to open it up and edit the tempo value. Yhe way to do this is simple and requires a simple use of a calculator but a superb dewcription of how to do this is found at the following web address: http://www_dot_normbowler_dot_com/jamman/. No, I don't know the guy. Thirdly, you must convert any stereo wav files to mono or you'll have problems. Use a freeware program to do this.

Well, here's another thing. 44.1kHz...fine if you allow a little headroom. You see, if you are maxing out all the time then you will meet some distortion. The manual says that you should just let the input peak LED flicker occasionally when you are recording. I disagree. I believe that you should just turn the volume down enough that you barely DON'T clip at max strumming power. Maybe others have had faulty gear but thankfully, I haven't. I'm actually really happy with the sound.

Here's one I can't answer yet. All works fine so far.

Can't comment, as it ain't broke. Here's a hint though. Buy a Laney amp. Their quality of customer care is 10/10. I had a problem with the FX loop and also (seperately) whinged about my reverb being too quiet. They fixed the FX loop problem and as a personal touch, changed the balance on the reverb. Fair play (I appreciate their work).

So far, I'd buy it again if it was stolen. It's a nice bit of kit. One thing I like is that it doesn't have amp modelling to mess you about. Also, in a parallel FX loop, it doesn't seem to suffer from phase cancellation. It's solidly built too. My gripe is that it doesn't have an On/Off switch.

I bought a Digitech 'JamMan' looper/phrase sampler after selling an Epiphone Les Paul Custom about 15 months ago. As far as using it, recording loops and over dubbing new tracks onto the original was fairly easy. the manual is pretty clear, and explains what all the buttons do. I did find that quite a few had several functions, which made it difficult to memorise without having to refer to the manual. This thing didn't work long enough for me to really explore its settings.

Originally, I was using a Washburn w-166 pro through a boss ME-50 effects processor, into the Jamman, and output to my VOX AD30-VT amp. "Is it noisy?" it's the opposite, after just over a year there's no sound whatsoever coming out of it!

Ahh, this is the catagory I was waiting for!!! I bought this thing just over a year ago on an impulse buy. I'm just learning how to play guitar and couldn't really get much out of this product so it went into the cubbard ready for a time when I could actually play and make use of it. I'd say in total I've used this maybe 10 times in all.

I can play a little now so I thought I'd have another go with it, only to find when I got it all setup there's no output coming from it. If I turned the loop level right up full and my amp right up I could just make out the saved loops, that was when I first tried it... now it's dead completely! I got in touch with Digitech by email explaining it was just out of warranty, they give me an address and number for the UK which turned out to be a probation service!!

This thing cost me ??250 just over a year ago, Ive hardly used it and now all it's good for is the bin! I'm finished with anything Digitech, I'll never buy another thing made by them.

As stated above.. dunno about if it had still been within the warranty period, but now... I tried to get it repaired by taking it back to my local dealer, he had no luck with contacting Digitech either. An address I was given by Digitech for their UK distribution turned out to be a Probation Service! all I can assume here is the firm has changed address and telephone number, or shut down.

I play moslty classic rock/blues, and have been playing for a couple of years. I've changed my gear more times than I can remember. At the minute I own a new Michael Kelly Patriot Premium with EMG's (its the guitar I'll be burried with!), a no name plywood Les Paul look alike with a bolt on neck!, and a no name Parlour acoustic. a VOX AD30VT amp, Boss ME-50 floor effects, just bought a Boss BR-600 8 track recording studio and I also own a VOX 'JamVox' guitar/computer interface.

I would pay someone to steal it! and put the insurance money towards a Boss GT-10. I love nothing about it and hate everything. (Q: "Does it help you make music"?) pah yeah right... "Anything else you'd like to share?" yeah DON'T BUY ONE, IT'LL BREAK JUST OUT OF WARRANTY!!! there are far better products out there for recording/looping, I can't see me ever recomending anything made by Digitech based on my experiences with this product.

Loopers aren't nearly as straight forward as other pedals but this is easy enough once you figure out the process. The LCD display is something the Boss RC-20XL doesn't have but I wish it did.

This was the first looper I bought (I ended up returning it for a Boss RC-20XL) and I wasn't very excited about the sound quality. I know it has 44.1 kHz sampling but the playback from the JamMan just sounds lifeless to me. On top of that, I also had a lot of trouble matching the beginning and end of a loop - a problem I haven't really had with the Boss looper. And unlike the Boss looper, the JamMan doesn't seem to have a "fade out" stop mode - just "stop when I press stop" and "stop at the end of the loop". I have two more gripes about this pedal but I'll get to those later.

I didn't keep around long enough to find out. When you register your pedal, DigiTech extends your warranty to 5 years. I assume you could rely on it.

Never dealt with them.

In addition to my sound quality concerns, I was also disappointed with the actual build quality of the looper. Maybe mine was a fluke but the blue paint job was inconsistent and the pots had a lot of "dead space" in them. You had to turn the loop level up to 3 or 4 before the audio actually started to come in. And that problem wasn't just with the loop level knob, it was with all of them.

My final gripe is the XLR input. When I first bought this pedal, I thought that was a nice feature but now that I have had a chance to fool around with loopers more, I prefer having a second 1/4" phono input. That way, you can connect more than one instrument at once. Bass or keyboard anyone? If I ever want to use an XLR mic, I'll connect mic->mixer->looper. If you have an XLR mic, you probably own a mixer or some sort of converter.

On a positive note, I do like that the JamMan is expandable and comes with 24 minutes worth of memory. I also think the rhythms might be a little better than the ones built into the Boss loopers and I think the time signatures are more flexible too. Too bad those were the only redeeming factors for me. I had high hopes for this pedal.

I own both the JM and the Boss RC20XL. Interface design is very similar. 90% of what you want to do can be done with the 2 footswitches which control loop start/stop, tempo set, play/overdub, undo, and erase. I also have the optional footswitch for the JM which lets me change loop numbers with my feet.

I give it a 9 instead of a 10 becasue loopign can get complicated and you need to read the manual to use all the advanced features. But ease of use overall is great.

It also has a missing feature -- the Boss pedal has an auto fadeout which the JM lacks and I miss.

Sound quality is excellent. The JM samples at 44.1kHz, which is CD quality. it has a low impedance (XLR) mic input in addition to the instrument input, so you can do high quality vocal looping.

I gave it a 9 instead of 10 because it is mono, not stereo. Stereo would be perfect!

Metal case, built like a tank. I have had zero problems.

Digitech offers excellent customer support through their website. http://www.digitech.com/products/JamMan/JamMan.htm

I love the JM and recommend it highly. Check out my web article on advasnced looping techniques using the JM. Includes explanation of some of the mysterious settings in the LOOP.XML file.

http://www.normbowler.com/jamman/

10 This unit is very easy too use. I agree with other reviewers that what you put in is basically what comes out. I have the optional pedal which allows you to scroll up and down between loops. You can also press another loop before the loop that is playing ends and that loop will play when the first loop finishes.

I had the Boss RC20 and I compared it with this unit when I first got it. I thought that the loops were alot clearer on the digitech. I also found the pedal easier to get a more accurate loop. If you find that the unit is changing your sound then you may want to look at how you have it wired up. If you set the levels correctly you will get the same sound you put in. I use this with electrics and acoustics, vocal mics and electronic keyboards. It is a great way to do backing tracks with a keyboard. For a mono unit your loops remain amazingly clear dispite several overdubs. I recently did a show where all the backup tracks were on the looper. It was in a church. It worked great. Another use for this unit is transfering old records to your computer. Handy

So far so good. I have the 2 gb card and that opens up alot of possibities.

I am a music educator as well as a gigging musician. This unit is a must have tool for a music teacher or for any musician. There is nothing like having the ability to instantly hear yourself. A great learning tool.

Once you start and get comfortable with this product it can be invalueable

I have had problems with two units, both same problem. In the middle of practicing I will lose my guitar input. I can play with the amp for months and never have a problem and then when I start using my Jam Man more frequent the input from my guitar will be lost while the background loop will continue playing.It doesn't happen all the time just enough to piss you off.

The company doesn't really see your product they send it to a contractor to fix it

I wish I could do something about it, I payed $300 and I just want it to work like its supposed to.

Easy to use, The boss is better though.

Does not change sound at all.

I have had this thing for 2 years and it has broken twice to the point of having to send it back for repair.

It's ok but it will cost you to get the unit fixed.

I bought the Boss and the digitech at the same time because I wanted one for bass and one for guitar and coulden't make up my mind. I was intruiged by the lexicon techmology in the digitech but Boss is a way better pedal in general. Now I really wish I would have got 2 boss pedals. Do not buy this hunk of crap.

After a few minutes I was up and running with the jamman and had no issues. Pretty simple.

Manual is very clear.

The one thing I have seen others say is "It changes your tone"......
I dont see were they are getting this from....?
Everything that goes in comes out the same for me.

I am using this with a Yamaha 335 style set neck electric and a '68 fender champ as well as a USA big muff.

I havent really had an issue at all.
I had experianced the same issue someone said about the unit sounding like a record skipping....
That can come from the audio quantising function on the Jamman.
WHich can be bypassed.

I would go without a backup.

Never delt with them. so 5.

I give this unit high marks for the extra options and such.
I bought the $40 pedal an am happy I did it provides a few needed foot control options.

I only wish it had a MIDI sync jack of some kind for syncing to a drum machine.

I had a Boss RC-20XL and disliked it very much.

This thing is well worth the money and the time it takes to learn it.
Like all looper's it can be temperamental if your not patient with it.

Get one dang it!

this pedal is a little tricky. you definitely have to read the manual on this one.

I found that this pedal sucked my tone right out. I play a g&l LB-100 bass through a 70's Ampeg SVT and an Ampeg 810e cabinet. Through the jamman my tone is thinned-out and less distinct. I also notice a slight air hum coming throught the jamman. Maybe this pedal can reproduce guitar signals better than bass, but I haven't tryed. All the digitech material I've read said that this pedal is suitable for bass but I definitely would not use it for a performance. Like an earlier review said, this would be an excellent songwriting tool. Since tone doesn't really matter. It's really one of the most versatile pedals I've ever used, it just doesn't reproduce my tone very well.

I only had this pedal for about six months and never had any problems, but who knows shen it will break down.

never had to deal with DigiTech.

Like I said earlier, this pedal is an excellent songwriting tool. It's pretty user-friendly. But it's tone reproduction is less than ideal. It would be great for jamming in your bedroom, but not onstage.

It is pretty easy to use - I'd say it's got a learning curve of about an hour or two, if you have read the manual and are paying attention. My only real gripe so far is that, if you set the tempo and then record your first track, but mess it up, you have to erase it all and re-set the tempo again. Not a big deal, but it would be nice to be able to undo the first take too.

If you're planning on using this for live performances or recording, you really, REALLY need to go try this unit out. It will DEFINITELY change your tone (as in, I can roll the tone knob from one extreme to the other on my strat and hear no difference when I'm running through the JamMan). Some may be okay with this - most people will not notice, and it will really only affect the subtleties of your playing. If you're planning (as I was/am) on using this pedal simply for songwriting, then this really isn't a big deal - it helps you sketch out how you want your song to sound, and it's more portable than aa computer with an audio interface, and much more convenient. For this purpose, the pedal does quite well. But try it out, and listen for tone-suck.

Seems pretty sturdy. I've only have mine a few months now, but it's been perfect so far, and I see no cause for concern.

No idea.

I've been playing about 7 years on electric, and 10 years on acoustic. I play everything from shred to soft rock.
I run a strat through the GT8 with this pedal in the GT8's effects loop (works beautifully that way, I can pull the Looper in and out of my signal chain with the touch of one button, and when it's out of the chain, it won't affect my tone at all) into a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe.

This can be a great unit, depending on what you want it for. I feel that three things could be added to make this pedal almost perfect.
1) A tempo input in bpm. It would make it so much more useful as a songwriting aid if I didn't have to use a metronome/my computer to determine what tempo my riffs are played at.
2) Stereo-freaking-inputs and outputs! I also use a boss GT8, which can create some really awesome stereo effects, and I lose it all when I run through the looper.
3) No more tone suck. But i've also tried the Boss LoopStation RC20XL (basically the exact same looper, but in red, with less storage space), and it sucks the tone just as bad, if not worse. If it were lost or stolen, I'd probably go A/B this JamMan with a LoopStation to see which one is clearest, and then buy that one.

Although it does have its weaknesses, the LoopStation can be an excellent songwriting aid, if that's what you're looking for. You will have SERIOUS trouble using it with a drummer, unless the drummer somehow has a metronome playing right next to his/her ear, due to the auto-quantize feature.