DigiTech HarmonyMan - Guitarist

DIGITECH HARMONYMAN'249; i - | : i / ' : i ' { :! . .1 I L\- , r . i

OigiTech HarmonyMan ''24eDigiTech's latest intelligent pitch shifter pedal is the best yet forguitarists, being the first to generate accurate harmonies fromsimple chord strummingbg Paul Dag

merican effects specialistDigiTech has longbeen atthe forefront of intelligent

pitch shifting, producing asuccession of harmony-generatingdevices since the eighties. Thecompany has constantly refinedand improved the art ofcreatingartificial harmonies, making theprocess appropriately easier anduser friendly. Even so, untilrecently a modicum of musicalknowledge concerning keys andscales was required to obtain thebest results on voices orinstruments, so many DigiTechdesigns were accordingly aimed atMlDl-equipped keyboard players.This situation changedsignificantly last year with thelaunch ofthe Vocalist Live 2 andLive 4 pedals, which enabledguitarists to generate accurateand authentic soundingvocalharmonies s implyby strumming

suitable chords at the same timeas singing.

Now DigiTech has put thesesmart multi-voicing abilities topurely instrumental use via theappropriately namedHarmonyMan stompbox. Thisuses the company's exclusivemuslQ note detection and chordrecognition technologytoautomatically add various optionsof one or two harmony parts to theoriginal guitar lead line, as well asprovide other pitch shifted effects.The principal process involved isthat the pedal analyses the chordsbeingplayed prior to a solo andthese then determine the correctharmonies that can accompanythe latter.

True to DigiTech tradition, theHarmonvLVlan rs U5-maoe -somethingof an increasingexception inthese days ofChineseproduct domination. It adopts the

twin-treadle format alreadyemployed on that other'male'in the floor effects range, theJamManlooper. The newcomeris an equally solid piece ofwork,with a cast metal casingcapable ofwithstanding almost any on-stageabuse. The unit's substantialweight ensures minimaimovement underfoot, the non-slipfactor further helped by supergrip rubber strips on the base.

Dimensions are akin to a closelyspaced pair ofstandard sizedstompers, although theH armonyMan sits signif icantlyhigher. The sloping front halfhosts two sizeable squareswitches, while the businesssection is safely out of the way,occupyingthe rear half.

Contrasting its impressivecapabilities, the HarmonyMan'slayout is comfortingly minimal.The main feature is the Harmonv

TheRivals

The BOSS PS-5 Super Shift($151) crams a lot into thecompany's classic compactpedal format, offering intel l igentharmonies and other pi tchrelated effects, Costingappreciably less, Behringer'sUS6OO Ultra Shifter/Harmonist (S,35) is a plast icpackaged, unashamed copy ofthe BOSS in terms of featuresand functions. Also fromDigiTech is the well-usedWhammy pedal (5,199), now inits third incarnation and st i l lfeaturing treadle control led divebombs, 6ends and var iousharmony modes.

Key display, an elliptical LEDarray presented in circle offifthsformation, with musically relatedkeys sited next to each other.When the musTQ function isengaged, the display indicates theautomatic harmonykeydetermined by the most recentlyplayed chords, constantlyupdating its response accordinglyas dhese change. With muslQdisabled, the last manual key isshown and used to produce scale-based harmonies.

A pair of multi-position rotaryselectors governs twoindependent voices. Both offertwo intelligent shifting modes(triad-centred and scalic) thatmove to comDliment chordpatterns, plui fixed (chromatic)and detune alternatives. A11selections are shown in theaccompanying display windowsand options for each include thirdand fifth harmonies above orbelow, octave up or down, a twooctave drop, unison,12 semi-tonepitch shifts either way plus fourdetune variations.

Amix pot provides avariableblend ofthe original guitar signaland the additional harmonyvoices, with the balance rangingfrom no effect to effect-only.Touchbuttons select the muslQand store facilities, the lattercommitting current controlsettings to a choice offourmemories, these user presetsbeingrecalled via the relevantMemory S elect footswitch.

The latter is also used formanually settingthe correct keyand scale, rather than the muslQautomatic alternative. This isachieved by strumming a chord

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122 Guitarist January 2oo9

while holding down thefootswitch. Output is actuallymuted duringthis process,making it ideal for use on songsthat startwith a solo. Its oartnerpad turns the harmony functionon or off, the latter mode beingtrue bypass. Continued pressureengages the onboard tuner, withthe Voice I display windowshowing the appropriate note,while an independent row ofLEDs shows flat or sharp status.

The rear panel is fully occupiedby standardjack connectors. Thefirst is labelled clean input, as theHarmonyManrequires anunadulterated audio signal forchord recognition. Next come thesend and return sockets forthedistortion loop that enables anappropriate pedal to beconnected, so harmonies can bedirtied up as required. Thesidechain input typicallyaecommodates a second guitarproviding the relevant rhythmwork and this then creates theharmonies for the solo performer,rather than the latter. Adjacent tothis jack is thru, which delivers aclean feed to the rhythm player'sampli f ier. whi le an accompanyingground lift switch is included toeliminate potential humproblems. Last in line are the mainleft and right outputs, the formerbeingused for mono operation.Unlike DigiTech's singlestompers, the HarmonyManemploys mains-only operationand the necessary nine-volt wallwartpower supplyis included inthe package as standard.

SoundsConnectingup is simple andsetting the optimum operatinglevel is equally easy. Next comesatuningcheck, as correctpitch isimportant to ensure the bestresults. With these tasksaccomplished it's time to selectvoicingsviatheVoice I and 2controls and start strumming.Once the key and scale areautomatically established, theharmony footswitch can beoperated to add either one or bothvoices to the lead line. Theirvolume canbe varied against thelatterviathe mix control. Turninsthis al l the way up leaves just theharmonies audible, creatingsomewhat odd results, butrevealing their excellent auralquality and tracking abilities.With the balance set to a morerealistic ratio, the additionalvoices blend well with the

DIGITECH HARMONYMAN 9249l' i' rt['; il

The HarmonyMan employs mains-onlyoperation and the necessary nine-voltwall wart power supply is included

original, creating abig andimpressive sound.

The wide-ranging menu ensuresplenty offun f inding rhe r ightchoice for the job, not to mentiona degree ofconfusion. Even so, theHarmonyMan proves to bepleasingly intuitive in operationand it's nice not to have to thinkabout music theory and insteadsimply enjoy the very appeal ingend results. Usingthe memoryselect it's possible to progressivelyadd the second harmony, creatinga iayeringeffect that's great forbuilding a solo.

VerdictDigiTech's Vocalist Live pedalshave proved a resounding successand the HarmonyMan should alsoprove popular. However, guitarharmonies aren't as essential asthe vocal variety and need to beapplied sparingly and tastefullyto ensure maximum imoact. Thisdifference makes theHarmonyMan more of an effectspedal than its vocal equivalents,

so the value for money factor isaccordingly lessened.

That said, this super sturdypedai offers a lot ofperformancefor comparatively little and has tobe the most user-friendly guitarharmoniser around, not tomention the best sounding. Thiscombination must make it awinner for anyplayerwho fanciesan aurai threesome! lE

TheBottomLineWe l ike: High quali tyconstruct ion: v isual d isplay:excel lent sounds and pr iceWe disl ike: Wide voicing choicecan cause some confusionconcerning which is best forthe job - otherwise very l i t t leGuitarist says: This has to bethe simplest and mostaccurate guitar harmoniser todate. del ivering excel lent andeffect ive results from a rugged,competit ively priced package

DigiTechHarmonyMan

PRICE: 5249ORIGIN: USATYPE: Intelligent pitch shifter pedalFEATURES: Chord-determined two-partguitar harmony, two independent voices- each with tour Oitch shiILing types. fourcustom memory locations, distortionloop, tunerCONTROLS: Voice 1 and 2 rotar,selector switches, mix roiary control,muslQ and memory store touch switches,ground lift switchFOOTSWITCHES: Harmony onloff ,mem0ry setectPATCHES: Four user-preset memo'iesMlDl: NoCONNECTIONS: Standard jacks forolean input, distortion send and return,sidechain input and thru, output left(mono) and righiPOWER: 9V DC power supply (included)EXT CONTROLLERS: NoSound Technology 01462 480000wwwdigitech,com

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January 2OO9 Guitarist 1il3