"The DigiTech WH-1 Whammy pedal resulted in Tom Morello selling more units compared to the sum of all early adopters collectively, altering the landscape of guitar effects"
In the world of music, the DigiTech Whammy pedal, introduced in 1989, has left an indelible mark. This groundbreaking pitch-shifting effect revolutionised the way guitarists could manipulate pitch in real-time, opening up a new realm of expressive effects beyond traditional distortion and wah.
The Whammy pedal quickly became a favourite among many prominent musicians, including Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave), The Edge (U2), Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), and a host of others such as Billy Corgan, David Gilmour, Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield of Metallica, Scott LePage, Joe Satriani, Kevin Shields, and Steve Vai.
Tom Morello, known for his unique pitch-shifting sounds and effects that mimic DJ scratches and synth noises, has been a staunch advocate of the Whammy, even preferring his original WH-1 to this day. The Edge, on the other hand, has been known to hoard WH-1 pedals, utilising them to create signature shimmering pitch bends and layered guitar textures that have contributed significantly to U2's atmospheric sound.
Jimmy Page, while not as publicly associated with the Whammy as Morello or The Edge, adapted the pedal to add distinctive effects and pitch shifts to his sonic palette during live performances and recordings, expanding his musical horizons.
The Whammy pedal's ability to shift pitch up or down by precise musical intervals (2nds, 4ths, 5ths, octaves, etc.) made it a staple on many guitarists' pedalboards. Its influence extends to shaping the sound of modern rock, alternative, and even experimental music by offering new creative possibilities for lead guitar lines and solos.
The original WH-1 Whammy pedal, while primitive by today's standards and prone to glitching and audio artifacts, remains highly valued among professionals due to its iconic sound. Its robust construction and features, including a rotary switch for selecting presets, a Bypass footswitch, and a variable wah-style foot treadle, make it a reliable and versatile tool for musicians.
DigiTech, recognising the Whammy's popularity, released more compact versions like the Whammy Ricochet, making the pedal accessible to a wider range of players without sacrificing its iconic sound. The company also created an expression pedal called the Whammy, which included pre-programmed presets for ease of use.
One of the popular Harmony presets on the Whammy pedal emulates pedal steel bends, while the Detune presets have a lush and organic sound due to their unpredictable wavering. The Whammy presets themselves are 100 percent wet and provide 2nd down and 1- or 2-octave up or down settings.
The original WH-1 Whammy pedal requires a 9.75-volt AC power supply, which can be supplied by its stock wall-wart adapter or a pro-quality power supply like the Truetone 1 Spot Pro CS12. The pedal has a mono input, a Wet Added output, and a Dry Out jack.
In the late '80s, DigiTech introduced the IPS33 Smart Shift Intelligent Pitch Shifter rack-mount processor, a testament to the company's commitment to innovation in the field of pitch shifting.
Subscribing to our website can save you money, and this article first appeared on our website. For those seeking to explore the world of pitch-shifting effects, the DigiTech Whammy pedal remains a must-have tool, continuing to shape the sound of modern music.
- The DigiTech Whammy pedal, introduced in 1989, left an indelible mark in the world of music, revolutionizing pitch manipulation for guitarists with its groundbreaking pitch-shifting effect.
- Tom Morello, known for his unique pitch-shifting sounds, is a staunch advocate of the Whammy, preferring his original WH-1 pedal even today.
- The Edge, of U2 fame, utilizes multiple WH-1 pedals to create signature shimmering pitch bends and layered guitar textures that significantly contribute to U2's atmospheric sound.
- Jimmy Page, while not as publicly associated with the Whammy as Morello or The Edge, has adapted the pedal to add distinctive effects and pitch shifts to his live performances and recordings.
- The original WH-1 Whammy pedal, despite being primitive by today's standards, remains highly valued among professionals due to its iconic sound and versatile features.
- DigiTech, recognizing the Whammy's popularity, released more compact versions like the Whammy Ricochet and an expression pedal called the Whammy, incorporating pre-programmed presets for ease of use.
- The Whammy presets themselves are 100 percent wet and provide 2nd down and 1- or 2-octave up or down settings, including a popular Harmony preset emulating pedal steel bends and Detune presets with a lush, organic sound.
