We often work alone or want to expand our options on stage. For rehearsing, practicing or even playing live, any kind of help is very welcome. DigiTech® presents its JamMan Solo®, a small, compact and easy-to-handle pedal that lets us store samples in multitrack format, so we can put together different pre-recorded phrases (simple or complex) that can be triggered at any moment during our rehearsal or live show.
What is the JamMan Solo?
It is a pedal designed for guitarists and bassists who want a compact loop-recording system. It has 99 internal memory locations that can store up to 35 minutes of loops, plus an expansion slot for SD memory cards with another 99 locations that allow about 16 hours of loops to be recorded. It also has USB connectivity and can be synced with the free JamManager™ software, downloadable from DigiTech®, which lets you organize and store loops on a PC or Mac, as well as quickly create JamLists to use at gigs.
What can it do?
It is a phrase/loop sampler we can use in rehearsals, songwriting and live shows.
• It records rhythm loops and lets you record layered solos on the fly in a completely "hands-free" style.
• You can load bass lines, drums, harmonies, etc. into the JamMan, creating an entire backing band.
• It lets you speed songs up or slow them down without changing the pitch.
• It contains 10 internal rhythm loops (plus applause).
And what does that mean in practice?
Practicing
Well, imagine you want to practice, for example, scales or chord progressions. It's fine to do it on your own, but being able to practice over backing tracks gives you much more feel. And, even better, you can listen afterward to what you've done. Picture this: you trigger a rhythm pattern provided by the pedal (it has a few with bass, drums, etc.), say a blues; then you adjust the tempo and start running through your rhythm guitar ideas, varying the chord progressions or techniques you're practicing; once you've done that, you do it again, but this time recording. Now it's time to listen to the rhythm track, but this time it will include our rhythm guitar. If you still feel like practicing, start working on scales over your recording. Record and listen to the final result, learn from your mistakes, and keep what sounds best to use in your live phrases.
In the rehearsal room or on stage
The number of options the JamMan gives us is endless. You just have to combine its tools with your imagination. To give a practical example, we could mention its ability to hold a series of pre-recorded samples/loops that can be triggered at exactly the right moment: for the intro of a song where you want to double your guitar, or for a solo where it helps to add a fifth, a third, a killer phrase, etc.
Conclusions
At first glance, it may seem like a tool designed for beginners. And it is certainly a great help for them. The possibilities it offers for study and practice are exceptional. Having ready-made rhythm tracks in very different styles, with the ability to change the pitch and speed (tempo), makes the JamMan Solo a perfect practice tool. And since everything we do can be recorded, students can review their progress and listen carefully to what comes out of their practice sessions.
At intermediate and professional levels, we shouldn't underestimate this little guy. It's great for refreshing our run-throughs, over the provided tracks or over ones we create ourselves. Also, by putting in the necessary time, you can prepare specific loops or phrases for live shows that will give a performance that unexpected touch of brilliance.
In my case, I started testing it without much enthusiasm and ended up exploring every last corner of its possibilities with all my curiosity and attention. I think it has a lot going for it: it's perfect for practicing, and you can do some very interesting things live. I liked it. Try it and draw your own conclusions.
Technical specs and pedal controls
CARD MEM LED: Tells us whether we are working with loop memories on the SD/SDHC card or with loops in internal memory.
SINGLE LED: This yellow LED indicates that the active phrase memory is set to play back only once. Single phrases can be converted into loops, and vice versa.
LOOP LED: Indicates that the active phrase memory is set to play back continuously (in a loop). Looped phrases can be converted into single phrases, and vice versa.
Display: Shows information about our loops, memories, recording status, etc.
Power input
Loop select buttons
RHYTHM LED: This red light comes on when we select the rhythm guide track for recording and playback.
TIME SIG LED: Guide for tapping in the tempo for a new loop memory location.
Aux input: For feeding in signals from a portable CD player, an MP3 player, etc. Recording is done in mono.
PDL TEMPO LED: Sets the tempo when you tap the footswitch rhythmically.
RHYTHM LEVEL: Volume control for the rhythm guide.
Guitar input
Store: Lets you save and copy recorded loops and changes to loop attributes onto the memory card.
Status LED: Indicates the status during recording, playback and overdubbing. Are we recording, playing back, can we edit what we've recorded?
Footswitch jack: Lets you connect a footswitch for remote selection of loop memories, tapping in the loop tempo, and undo and erase functions.
Footswitch: Starts recording and switches between playback and overdubbing. Also used for tapping in the tempo of a new phrase, as well as for undo and redo.
USB port: 5-pin mini-B USB connector for connecting to a PC or Mac.
TEMPO button: Sets the tempo of a new loop or changes the tempo of an existing one.
Output: To your amp, mixer, headphones, etc.
LOOP LEVEL: Loop output level control.
SD memory card slot: Card size: 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, 8-32 GB.
Total loop memory: 3 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 16 hours.
