Riff-Step | DigiTech Whammy Enhancer
Riff-Step™ by Step Audio takes the DigiTech Whammy, the most popular pitch-shifting pedal of all time, and multiplies its sonic potential. Riff-Step lets you hear notes that aren’t normally available on the Whammy, then sequence those notes into elegant harmonies and improbable riffs.
Riff Step works with all four modern Whammys - 4, 5, DT, and Bass
With this powerful new controller and patented technology, you can do anything from ripping Van Halen licks while holding a single note, to creating embryonic mindholes. But don't mistake Riff-Step for a noise machine, it’s a serious compositional tool, providing complementary counterpoint to melodic lines.
Riff-Step™ transforms the DigiTech Whammy pedal into a Pitch-Shifting Sequencer.
Whammy normally slides between 2 different pitch shift or harmony intervals, such as Octave Down and Octave Up harmony.
Riff-Step accesses every available pitch shift and harmony interval, even those not normally available on the Whammy, then lets you arrange those intervals into sequences of up to 16 steps. You cycle through sequences using one of Riff-Step's 8 Modes of Operation.
Riff-Step works with all 4 modern DigiTech Whammy pedals: Whammy 4, Whammy 5,
Whammy DT, and the new Bass Whammy.
Note: the Whammy 4 switches between intervals more abruptly than the other 3 versions, and has a more "techno" sound
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16 killer presets let you jump right in and start jamming!
But that's just the beginning .:. making your own presets is where the action really is, and Riff-Step lets you modify the stock presets and even store 112 more.
Riff-Step's bright LED display and intuitive interface make creating and modifying sequences easy and fun!
Riff-Step's Owner's Manual explains everything.
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• Switching presets on-the-fly is simple.
• Making your own presets is super easy and fun to do, and you don't need a computer, just use Riff-Step's LED display.
• At every step of your sequence, choose from Whammy’s full range of pitch shift and harmony intervals, chromatically, through multiple octaves.
• You can preview your sequences in real-time!
• Riff-Step works all by itself, but can also be controlled with MIDI .:. MIDI Clock Sync, Program Changes, Control Changes, you can even rock Riff-Step with a Keyboard!
• You don't need to know anything about MIDI to use Riff-Step .:. just connect a single cable to the stock Whammy and Rock! On!
In 2-Step™, 1-Step, and Different Whammy Settings modes, you manually step through the sequence.
In Tap Tempo, One-Shot, and MIDI Clock modes, Riff-Step automatically cycles through the sequence.
In MIDI Control Change and Synth Keys modes, an external MIDI controller is used to control Riff-Step.
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In 2-Step™ mode, you step through the sequence using the STEP Button, but instead of advancing once each time the button is pressed, Riff-Step moves one step when you press down, and another when you release. When the end of the sequence is reached, it starts over at the beginning.
This is Riff-Step's biggest innovation, and a much more natural and intuitive way to play along with a live band and shifting tempo. You control the speed of the sequence rather than it controlling you.
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If you want to modulate during a solo, use 1-Step to move through up to 16 different intervals.
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Riff-Step lets you select your favorite Whammy settings in any order you want.
No more bending over on stage like a Knob Goblin!
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Tap in a tempo and hear looping sequences of shifted pitches. While one loop is playing, you can cue up another for perfectly smooth transitions.
Play a riff against the looping layer of shifting pitches and harmonies to hear sounds you never thought possible!
Trigger a single pass through your sequence, or "stack" one-shots by pressing multiple times to repeat. Keep the sequnce looping by holding down the STEP button.
Great for "laser" effects. You can also add riffs to your songs by triggering slower One-Shot sequences at regular intervals.
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MIDI Clock is a powerful tool to remotely control Riff-Step's timing and synchronize sequences with over 100 other guitar effects, as well as drum machines, synthesizer sequencers, DAW's, recording software, lighting rigs, and more.
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Use any device that sends MIDI Control Change [CC] messages to slide through your 1-Step or Different Whammy Settings sequences.
Create custom expression control curves by selecting non-linear sequence intervals
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Riff-Step even lets you control the Whammy with a MIDI keyboard ~ tickle the ivories to slicken your licks!
Synth Keys mode works whether or not a looping sequence is playing, allowing you to manually accent your riffs
The joys of sequencing are no longer a synth-geek secret. Riff-Step gives guitar players access to bleeding-edge sounds, and allows discovery of unexplored audio frontiers by providing meta-fretboard counterpoint to melodic lines.
Riff-Step also produces a wide variety of out-of-this-world sound effects including laser pitch sweeps, bombdrops, and musical sparkles to sweeten your mix. To that end, Molten Voltage produced a smiley tune that's sprinkled with Riff-Step ear candy (G-Quencer is Riff-Step's predecessor).
Stellar feat. Riff-Step™ | Ear Candy!
Does Riff-Step work with my DigiTech Whammy?
Riff-Step works with the stock : Whammy 4, Whammy 5, Whammy DT, and the newer Bass Whammy. (no mods required).
When you first turn it on it will ask you what Whammy type, then automatically load the 16 presets for that version. You can always switch the Whammy type later.
Note: the Whammy 4 switches between intervals more abruptly than the other 3 versions and has a more "techno" sound
Why are you stepping on Riff-Step so much?
Because in 2-Step™ mode, you advance through the sequence with the button. It moves one step when you press down, then another when you release, which is a way more natural way to groove along with the music. That's the setting used in the live shots in the main video. We intentionally sped up the drums as so you could hear how easy it is to stay in time.
There are other modes where the sequence loops automatically, and other modes where you press once and release a "burst" of pitch shifts.
Can I just choose presets on the Whammy?
Yes, you can step through the Whammy presets you want in any order you want, as well as telling the Whammy to be engaged or bypassed. No more bending over on stage like a Knob Goblin!
Can Riff-Step be controlled with MIDI?
Yes, Riff-Step can be controlled by any MIDI controller. Riff-Step stores 128 presets that can be recalled with standard MIDI Program Changes. Riff-Step can also sync to MIDI Clock. There's lots of built in MIDI functionality, but Riff-Step can also control the Whammy by itself.
Riff-Step is powered by standard "BOSS" type 9-volt DC, 2.1mm, 200mA min., tip negative power supply (sold separately). Current draw ~ 150mA. Always use a discrete or isolated power source.
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4.8" (122mm) Wide x 2.9" (74mm) Deep x 2" (51mm) Tall
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Road-ready MIDI Machinery™, built in Oregon, USA by Step Audio.
Riff-Step Owner's ManualDigitech and Whammy are trademarks of Harman Music Group Inc. which is unrelated to Step Audio.
© 2020, Step Audio. Patented. All Rights Reserved.