Yamaha DG Stomp

Very easy to use. There's a knob for almost every parameter. It's like using a real amp and pedals and unlike the Line 6 Pod, you got more controls for the FXs. This is the easier processor I have worked with and the only reason I didn't give it a ten is because you really need the manual to access deeper programming functions like footswitch functions, tuning fonctions and external control settings.

The sound quality is exceptional. I use it with a Yamaha Pacifica or a Ibanez Artist and almost always DI in a Mackie 1202VLZ or in a Roland VSR-880. I have a Mesa/Boogie Subway Rocket and a Boss VF-1 and they're gonna stay in the closet now! I tried every amp simulator since two years and nothing comes close to it. It feels really tube-like and natural. I record a lot of different styles for different artists and the results are always great. Whether it is jazz, funk, rock or alternative, it have done the job. Since I use it a lot for digital recording, I have been very attentive to noise and this thing is less noisy than an amp. Even close to computer monitors, I didn't have any problems.

It is build like a tank. The casing is metal, the footswitchs too, and the general construction is A-1. I'd use it on a gig without a backup. Yamaha products are always reliable and this one is no exception. The only thing that pisses me off is the inevitable(?) wall wart.

Usually, Yamaha is a company with good service and very customer-oriented. I didn't have any problems or inquiries for this product but I don't think I'll have problems. Patches are already disponible on their web site and the DG amps had a free upgrade for v2.0 on the web so, I except the same for the DG Stonp.

THIS IS THE PRODUCT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR! If it were lost, I'd buy a new one immediately. I searched a good preamp/fx for DI since two years and nothing was good enough to do the job. I needed something good enough for the studio and tough enough for using live. I wanted something easy to use but with programming capabilities and precise control over FXs. I played tube amps for a long time ( I own a Mesa) and I needed something with dynamics and tube-like tone. The DG stomp is all that and more.

This is a Yamaha digital preamp with effects. It is brand new, and LOADED with features. Eight amps in one. The amp models ARE REAL! They look, sound, feel, smell and taste real.

Effects: compressor; chorus; flange; phase; rotary speaker (organ leslie) tremelo; tap tempo; digital delay; tape echo; spring, plate, and hall reverb; speaker simulator, tuner, and Wah.

Absolutely the most verstile pre-amp I have ever laid my mits on. Beats Johnson J, Line 6 pod, anything digitech makes. If you connect an optional yamaha fc-7 expression pedal, you can configure it to control up to eight parameters. I mainly use it for wah. The pedal is good and heavy, and had a feature so you can press down to turn it on and off, much like a cry baby wah. VERY NICE.
The Stomp is a mono or stereo unit, and has a switch for high or low output pickups. Has headphone jack, expression pedal jack, digital out (coaxial), MIDI in and MIDI out. The Stomp has four big metal true bypass type switches to either turn off/on effects, or to chose patches. I personally use a digitech control 8 midi controller with expression pedal to control patchs and volume, and use the Stomp buttons to toggle effects.

Unlike most digital "processors", there are no menus to hassle with. Almost EVERYTHING is readily accessible by knobs which FEEL like amp knobs. The knobs to control the gain, master volume, bass, mid, treble, and presence are chicken-head knobs.

I play everything from Nirvana, to Metallica, Live, Creed, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Hendrix, Santana, Allman Brothers, Cream- to Jazz, to classical guitar, to praise and worship music in church. This is absolutely versitile. I can get ANY SOUND I want. I have a Parker Nitefly running into the Stomp, running into a Trace Elliot Boxer 65 bass amp. Perfect. When I play out (usually at church related functions) I just take my Parker, Stomp, digitech controller, and fc-7 expression pedal. If you are familiar with Pentecostal Churches, you know we get LOUD. This pre-amp is great quiet and loud. The church has a crate 100 watt bass amp that sounds pretty good. I love the ease of use, sound, and portability.

My Parker has s/s/h, and piezo saddle pickups for acoustic. The pickups and the combinations thereof truly compliment the Stomp. I can sound like an acoustic, like a fender strat or tele, les paul, prs, and a lot more. Again, the amps are REAL.

One of the things I LOVE is the rotary speaker leslie effect. Turn down the tone knobs on your guitar, use the neck/middle pickups, and it DOES SOUND LIKE A LESLIE. My favorite Deep Purple song is "Lazy" because the use of the leslie. I can now also make the sound.

This preamp is QUIET, which is extraordinary, considering there is no noise gate.

The distortion on lead 2, when ran through a bass amp (like my friend's Hartke half stack) sounds B R U T A L. LIKE THE RANDALL WARHEAD. I can also get mesa sound, marshall sound, fender, vox, on and on. They really sound real. The clean channels are C L E A N, even cranked.

There are eight amp models; Clean 1&2, Crunch 1&2, Lead 1&2, and Drive 1&2. The amp models are not named, because they are palettes. You can TRULY shape the sounds.

There are 90 factory (unalterable) patches, and 90 user (alterable) patches. Unlike most preamps I have had/tried, many of the factory presets are excellent. I especially like the marshall plexi patch.

If you want tube amp sound, this is it. If you want solid state, this is it. If you want everything in between, this is it.

The thing weighs like four or five pounds. Very solid. Every switch and knob feels like good quality.

I would not think twice about the quality and reliability of this unit. This is my only setup.

I e-mailed Yamaha when I first heard about this unit. I asked them about thirteen questions, and they e-mailed me the next day with answers.

I Personally think yamaha is an excellent company, and enjoy thier support.

If it were lost or stolen, I would be upset, because I WOULD ABSOLUTELY go out and buy another.

This unit lacks nothing I wanted.

If you are looking for an all in one unit, I would urge you to go to your yamaha dealer, and spend some time checking this out. Compare it to other manufacturers.