Digitech Drop Tune Pedal

[DeadandBuried]

Thinking of getting this as I've just started tracking demos on a Telecaster which usually had 10's in drop b. It sounds good against humbucker guitars but at the moment I can't commit to it being fully set up with 12-56's which is what I usually use.

What I'd like to do is get the Drop Tune pedal, put the guitar in drop d and then set the knob for 3 semi-tones which essentially would be drop b output wise.

Has anyone got one of these? Is the tracking good or is there a bad latency? If the band want me to play live with it (they normally have 2 guitarists who have humbucker guitars) I could use it too, I know a lot of bands use it for 1-2 songs they play a tone down or something and can't justify bringing out another guitar.

Any input appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: Digitech Drop Tune Pedal

Has anyone got one of these? Is the tracking good or is there a bad latency?

I tried using pitch shifters for downtuned stuff because I don't like the feel of the bigger gauge strings and never bothered to set-up my guitars towards downtuned music. I must say the tracking was not perfect with the units I have tried it with. There was latency going on unfortunately, it wasn't much though, but it still bothered me. There seemed to be a slight delay of the sound comming through when downtuning using pitch shifters and I was not pleased with it even if it was only a fraction of a second. I tried multi effects like the Zoom G7.1ut in the hope of them not having the issue because of better processors, but it had the same issue with latency.
I must say that it is a couple of years back since I last tried it, and there may be newer units out there that can do the trick without any latency issues. If there are units out there who can put out downtuned tones in as good as real time, I'd like to hear about it too!!

 

[Aceman]

Re: Digitech Drop Tune Pedal

I have been researching this HARD lately for a variety of reasons.

The latest crop have been extremely well received it seems, and there does not seem to be any legit latency issues anymore. The Digitech Drop is seen (from what I have read/watched) the go-to for straight up drop tuning. It does one trick and does it well. Fastest tracking, chords/notes, least tone coloring, any drop interval.

The EHX Pitch Fork is the other contender. Way more bells/whistles. Still, seems to be just fine for straight up pitch change.

I have not played any of them, but suspect I'll try the EHX. I'm looking for a little more than just pitch change.

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: Digitech Drop Tune Pedal

Great to hear the newer units have worked the flaws of the old ones out Aceman! If they are indeed performing that good I'll need to get one in the near future! I guess a Digitech Drop would be enough for me since I would only use to downtune. Thanks for sharing!

 

[DeadandBuried]

Re: Digitech Drop Tune Pedal

From what I've been reading the Digitech would appeal to me more than the Pitchshift. I like to keep things simple. Put the guitar in drop d then adjust the pedal for whatever tuning I need. Hit the knob and play!

I wonder if anyone has ever used it to record with. I obviously know a proper set up guitar is better but for those who don't have the funds/storage space to house another guitar then this is another option to look at.

 

[Edington]

Re: Digitech Drop Tune Pedal

I've got one o' thems. Nice sounding pedal, but to me it starts sounding more artificial from around 3 or 4 semitones and lower. Also, don't know if I've got a faulty model but mine is really noisy, as I don't have a noise gate yet this is quite a problem. It was a few years ago I bought it, so it's likely they've fixed these issues by now.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Digitech Drop Tune Pedal

Check out the new vids on Youtube. Some exciting stuff!

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Digitech Drop Tune Pedal

If I was in the market, I'd get the Digitech Drop. I'd probably also only drop a max of 1.5 steps to keep is feeling and sounding as natural as possible.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Digitech Drop Tune Pedal

I think, based on what I have read, being under distortion sounds way better. Or not as colored/digitized etc.

And I only need to get from E to D, or Eb to Db so one whole step is good for me.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Digitech Drop Tune Pedal

Yep, or Drop D to Drop C.

Seems like an easy way to kick it into Mick Mars gear.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Digitech Drop Tune Pedal

Yep, or Drop D to Drop C.

Seems like an easy way to kick it into Mick Mars gear.

That would be one of my reasons....

 

[DeadandBuried]

Re: Digitech Drop Tune Pedal

This may also seem like a stupid question but where in my signal chain would I put the Drop Tune? First thing after the guitar or after my tuner? As if its first I'd be tuning to drop d but after it'd be whatever I've dropped down to.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Digitech Drop Tune Pedal

Way back when, I had a Whammy IV. Whenever I set it less than an octave down, like emulating drop B or whatever, it was the deadest, most artificial sounding thing ever. I attributed this to the frequency coming from the amplifier being different than what the guitar was producing.

Does the Drop address this?