DigiTech Whammy 5: User Manual

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of the new Whammy™ pedal. The 5th generation Whammy offers the latest in DigiTech tone-bending technology, along with classic Whammy pitch-shifting effects and true bypass operation for guitar and bass. The additional Classic/Chords switch allows you to select between Whammy modes for chords and single notes, for more solid tone-bending effects.

The Whammy interface features the same pitch-shifting options as the original Whammy that you are accustomed to, along with some additional adjustments from the Whammy DT.

Features:

• Whammy pitch-shifting effects
• Classic Whammy interface
• Classic/Chords switch
• True bypass operation
• MIDI In jack for remote control of Whammy effects
• AC power adapter included

Included Items:

• Whammy Pedal
• AC power adapter
• Instruction Manual
• Warranty Information and Registration Card

If any of these items are missing, please contact DigiTech or CORTEK Corp. immediately.

Safety and Compliance

Important Safety Instructions:

• Read these instructions.
• Keep these instructions.
• Heed all warnings and notices.
• Do not use this apparatus near water. ⚠️
• Clean this apparatus only with a soft, dry cloth.
• Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
• Do not install near heat sources (radiators, heaters, ovens, amplifiers).
• Route the power cord to prevent it from being stepped on or pinched.
• Disconnect from power during thunderstorms or when unused for long periods. ⚡️
• No user-serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified personnel. Opening the chassis will void the warranty.
• CAUTION: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose to rain or moisture.
• Refer to unit labels and manufacturer information.

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and the product specifications indicated in the Declaration of Conformity. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

• This device may not cause harmful interference, and
• this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Avoid using this device in strong electromagnetic fields.

• Use only shielded interconnect cables.

Disposal

Do not dispose of this apparatus with general waste. Follow electronic waste disposal procedures according to current legislation for treatment, recovery, and recycling. Users in EU, Switzerland, and Norway can return used electronics free of charge to the retailer or designated collection points. For other countries, contact local authorities for proper disposal methods to protect the environment and health.

Declaration of Conformity

Manufacturer: DigiTech

Address: 59 Hwagok-ro 61gil, Gangseo-gu, Seoul 07590, Republic of Korea

Product: Whammy 5

This product complies with the following specifications:

• Safety: IEC 60065-01+amendment I
• EMC: EN 55022:2006, EN 55024:1998, FCC Section 15

Additional Information: The product cited here complies with the requirements of: Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC, EMC Directive 2004/108/EC, RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC, WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC, Regulation EC 278/2009.

Regarding Directive 2005/32/EC and Regulation EC 1275/2008, this product is designed, manufactured, and classified as professional audio equipment and is therefore outside the scope of these directives.

Contact: DigiTech or CORTEK Corp. at support@digitech.com

Warranty

DigiTech is proud of its products and offers the following warranty:

1. To validate, register online at www.digitech.com within ten days of purchase.
2. DigiTech warrants this product, when used within the United States, to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and maintenance.
3. DigiTech's liability is limited to repair or replacement of defective parts, provided the unit is returned with an RMA. All parts and labor are covered for one year. Contact DigiTech for an RMA number. The company is not responsible for damages caused by the use of this apparatus in any circuit or system.
4. Proof of purchase is the buyer's responsibility.
5. DigiTech reserves the right to make design modifications without obligation to apply them to previously manufactured units.
6. Unauthorized opening or modification by non-authorized personnel, or use with voltages outside specifications, voids the warranty.
7. This warranty replaces all other express or implied warranties. DigiTech assumes no other obligation or liability.

Note: Manual information is subject to change without notice. Information may not be entirely accurate due to undocumented product changes.

Guided Tour / Detailed Description

The DigiTech Whammy 5 features a large expression pedal, various control knobs, switches, and indicator LEDs. The top panel includes controls for effect selection and mode switching, while the rear panel houses input/output and power connections.

Controls:

1. Expression Pedal: Controls the amount of pitch bend for the selected Harmony, Whammy, or Detune effect. Pushing the pedal forward (toe down) increases the pitch bend; pulling it back (heel down) decreases it. ?➡️⬆️ / ?⬅️⬇️
2. Harmony LEDs: Illuminate when a Harmony effect is selected. These effects have a dry signal mixed with the effected signal. ??
3. Classic/Chords Switch: Switches between the classic Whammy algorithm (Classic) and the modern Whammy DT algorithm (Chords). 'Classic' is ideal for single notes, while 'Chords' is better for full chords. ?️ / ?
4. Selector Knob: Selects one of the Whammy, Harmony, or Detune effects. ?️
5. Whammy LEDs: Illuminate when a Whammy effect is selected. These effects do not have a dry signal mixed with the effected signal. ??️
6. Detune LEDs: Illuminate when a Detune effect is selected. The expression pedal controls the amount of detuned signal mixed with the dry signal. ??️
7. Status LED: Illuminates when an effect is active. The LED is off when the effect is in bypass. ✅ / ?‍♂️
8. Effect On/Off Switch: Activates or deactivates the Whammy, Harmony, or Detune effect. ? / ?
9. Power Input: Connect the included AC adapter here. Do not use any other adapter. ?
10. Output Jack: Connect to the input of another pedal or an amplifier. ?
11. Instrument Input Jack: Use this jack to connect your instrument. ??
12. MIDI Input Jack: Connect external MIDI devices here to remotely control the Whammy. ?️?

Connections

Connecting the Whammy pedal is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Connect your instrument to the Instrument Input jack. ??
2. Connect the Whammy's Output jack to your preferred distortion pedal or amplifier. ?➡️
3. Optionally, connect the MIDI Out from a MIDI controller to the Whammy's MIDI In port. ?️?➡️?️?
4. Connect the included AC adapter between an AC outlet and the Whammy's Power jack. ?
5. Turn on your amplifier and set the volume to your desired level.
6. Use the Effect On/Off switch to activate the effect, press the expression pedal fully (toe down), and turn the Selector knob to choose your desired effect.

Diagram Description: The connection diagram shows a guitar connected to the Whammy's input, the Whammy's output connected to a distortion pedal, and then to an amplifier. A MIDI controller is shown connected to the Whammy's MIDI input. The power adapter is also shown connected.

Effects

Whammy Effects

This group of effects will bend your input signal up or down depending on the effect setting you have chosen. As you move the expression pedal forward and backward, the pitch will bend from the original input tone (heel up) to the tone specified by the selected effect setting (toe down).

Presets:

• 2 OCT UP: Bends the input note up two octaves. ⬆️2️⃣
• 1 OCT UP: Bends the input note up one octave. ⬆️1️⃣
• 5TH UP: Bends the input note up 7 semitones (a 5th interval). ⬆️5️⃣
• 4TH UP: Bends the input note up 5 semitones (a 4th interval). ⬆️4️⃣
• 2ND DN: Bends the input note down 2 semitones (a 2nd interval). ⬇️2️⃣
• 4TH DN: Bends the input note down 5 semitones (a 4th interval). ⬇️4️⃣
• 5TH DN: Bends the input note down 7 semitones (a 5th interval). ⬇️5️⃣
• 1 OCT DN: Bends the input note down one octave. ⬇️1️⃣
• 2 OCT DN: Bends the input note down two octaves. ⬇️2️⃣
• DIVE BOMBO: Bends the input note down three octaves. ⬇️3️⃣

Harmony Effects

This group of effects adds harmony to your incoming signal. Both the harmony note and the input signal are mixed as if you were playing two guitars at once. As you move the pedal forward and backward, the harmony note will bend between two intervals specified by the selected effect setting, but the input signal will remain unchanged.

Presets:

• OCT DN/OCT UP: Harmony varies between one octave down (heel up) and one octave up (toe down) from the input note.
• 5TH DN/4TH DN: Harmony varies between a fifth (heel up) and a fourth (toe down) below the input note.
• 4TH DN/3RD DN: Harmony varies between a fourth (heel up) and a minor third (toe down) below the input note.
• 5TH UP/7TH UP: Harmony varies between a fifth (heel up) and a major seventh (toe down) above the input note.
• 5TH UP/6TH UP: Harmony varies between a fifth (heel up) and a sixth (toe down) above the input note.
• 4TH UP/5TH UP: Harmony varies between a fourth (heel up) and a fifth (toe down) above the input note.
• 3RD UP/4TH UP: Harmony varies between a third (heel up) and a fourth (toe down) above the input note.
• MIN 3RD UP/3RD UP: Harmony varies between a minor third (heel up) and a major third (toe down) above the input note.
• 2ND UP/3RD UP: Harmony varies between a second (heel up) and a third (toe down) above the input note.

Detune Effects

This group of effects creates a copy of your input signal, changes the pitch of the copied signal, and mixes it back with the original signal. As you move the expression pedal forward and backward, the percentage of this detuned signal varies. With the pedal in the heel-up position, you will only hear the original dry signal. As you press the pedal down, more detuned signal will be mixed with the dry signal.

Presets:

• SHALLOW: The copied signal is only slightly detuned relative to the original tone. ?
• DEEP: The copied signal is heavily detuned relative to the original tone. ?

MIDI Functions

The Whammy has a MIDI input for receiving incoming MIDI data. MIDI messages can select a Whammy effect and set whether effects are active or in bypass. You can then use MIDI CC messages to control the Whammy's expression pedal position.

MIDI Channel

The Whammy can receive MIDI messages on one MIDI channel, or on all of them (Omni). The following steps describe how to access or change the MIDI channel:

1. Disconnect the Whammy pedal from power. ?
2. Press and hold the Effect On/Off switch while powering the unit back on. One of the effect LEDs will begin to flash, indicating the active MIDI channel. Release the pedal at this point. ?
3. Using the table below as a reference, turn the Selector knob to choose your desired MIDI channel.
4. Press the Effect On/Off switch again to exit MIDI configuration.

MIDI Program Change

The Whammy uses MIDI Program Change messages for effect selection. You can select effects in both their active and bypass modes. The following illustrations show how MIDI Program Change messages are distributed in Classic and Chords modes.

Distribution of Effects to MIDI Program Change (Classic Mode)

Distribution of Effects to MIDI Program Change (Chords Mode)

Continuous Control MIDI

MIDI Continuous Control (CC) messages can remotely control the Whammy's expression pedal position. MIDI CC 11 adjusts the expression pedal position. A value of 0 corresponds to the heel-down position, while a value of 127 corresponds to the toe-down position (pedal pressed).

Expression Pedal Calibration

In the unlikely event that the expression pedal does not respond correctly, or the note does not produce the proper pitch bend or return to the correct tone, you may need to recalibrate the pedal. The following steps describe how to perform this expression pedal recalibration:

1. Turn off the Whammy pedal. ?
2. Press and hold the WHAMMY effect switch while turning the unit back on. This will activate MIDI configuration and calibration mode. One of the WHAMMY effect LEDs will flash, indicating the active MIDI channel. Release the pedal at this point. ?
3. Press the expression pedal all the way down (toe down) and then all the way up (heel up) at least twice. The 4 HARMONY LEDs will illuminate sequentially (from 5TH UP/7TH UP to OCT DN/OCT UP) as you press the pedal, indicating that the pedal is being calibrated. ?⬇️➡️?⬆️
4. Once completed, press the WHAMMY effect switch again to exit MIDI configuration and calibration, and return to normal operation.

Technical Specifications

Manufacturer Information

DigiTech
59 Hwagok-ro 61gil, Gangseo-gu, Seoul 07590, Republic of Korea

DigiTech and Whammy are trademarks of CORTEK Corp.

Copyright CORTEK Corp. – All rights reserved.

Instruction Manual for Whammy 5021752-B

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