At the 2012 NAMM Show, DigiTech announced the iStomp pedal, a guitar stompboxe that lets you program the effect pedal with any sound you want – and change it at any time.
The iStomp connects to an iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad, enabling musicians to load the effect of their choice into the iStomp.
The iStomp pedal connects to an Apple iOS device using the DigiTech Smart Cable that comes with the iStomp. Once connected, the DigiTech StompShop provides two of the most popular requested effects, the DigiTech Total Recall Delay and the DigiTech Redline Overdrive with the initial purchase.
The app also offers access to additional effects that iStomp owners can browse, try out, and purchase for their stompbox. The iStomp pedal has four knobs to control effects parameters, which change their function according to which effect is loaded.
iStomp makes trying out new sounds easier, too. Instead of having to go to a music store or look for online demos that might have been done with unfamiliar gear, a guitarist can try any pedal in the iStomp online store for free for up to 10 minutes – in their own home, using their own guitar and amp. Approximately 24 pedals will be offered initially, and the selection will expand to include exclusive pedals from DigiTech, officially licensed pedals from other manufacturers and classic legacy DigiTech and DOD products.
Multiple iStomp pedals can be authorized to the same iTunes account, allowing customers to purchase an effect once from the in-app store, and then load it into any iStomp pedal registered to them. All purchases are saved within the app, making it easy to build up a wide ranging effects collection.
The DigiTech iStomp will begin shipping in January 2012 at $229.95 suggested retail. The iStomp pedal comes with an iOS authorization cable, power supply and the two initial downloads. Additional downloads are available starting at $4.99 each.
For the price, only being able to connect to iOS devices seems a bit restrictive. The idea itself is pretty cool – I’ve always been surprised by the lack of a load-your-own-effect, simple digital stompbox on the market (that doesn’t need a degree in programming to use like that line6 one).
This seems stupidly overpriced for a single pedal.
Agreed. In a world where plenty of new Boss pedals can be had for $60 – $80 that work straight out of the box (and many more can be had used for a fraction of those prices), I don’t get the business case here. They should’ve adopted the Gillette Razor model: sell you the hardware for a stupidly low (read: loss) price of $49.99 and focused instead on the software as the profit centre.
It also doesn’t look terribly robust.
would have been useful if there were sound examples in the video. i think calling it overpriced for one pedal is missing the point but i doubt i’d buy it, having to connect an i device if i want to change the sound is a bit annoying.
Thought 1 – That’s kind of neat
Thought 2 – Oh, but I’d need 5 or ten of them
Thought 3 – If I had 5 or 10, I’d really rather just have one nice rack mount processor that did all that and more
Thought 4 – Five of these would cost $1150, which is about $300 more than an Eleven Rack could be had for. The Eleven Rack offers WAAAAAAAAAAY more functionality and tone options.
Picked this up for $99 and I absolutely love it. Honestly cane be beat. I would pay 2Xs the price. Other pedals are cheaper… but i can switch between multiple pedals. Awesomeness! I honestly don’t see how anyone could have a problem with this. Even 5 of them would only cost $500.