In my years of playing guitar, one thing I’ve been known for is having too many gadgets for my own good. I had more effects pedals than I knew what to do with, but each one had a specific part in shaping my sound at the time. These days, young guitarists have it much easier with advances in technology, bringing those same effects models into the digital age in more compact and convienent ways. The latest cool example of this technology comes from Griffin who recently released their StompBox multi-function foot controller for iOS devices.
The StompBox itself is a 4-switch foot controller with a single cable out. That cable connects to your iOS device of choice (4th generation iPod touch, iPad, iPad 2, or iPhone 3G through 4), while a separate GuitarConnect Cable is included in the package that connects your 1/4″ guitar input to the 1/8″ line-in/headphone jack on your device. That breakout cable also has an output jack that you can connect to headphones for monitoring, an amp if you wanna get loud, or a mixer for live sound or recording applications. There’s also a 1/4″ jack on the back of the StompBox that you can use to add an expression pedal, such as a volume or wah pedal, to give you additional control and flexibility with your sound. Download the free iShred Live app and you’re rockin’ out in no time.
Within the iShred app, you can assign the different effects to the switches on the StompBox, switching multiple effects on or off with one stomp. The app has just about every type of effect you could want, from distortion to chorus, flanger, delay, compressor, even a tuner and metronome. You can assign any of the effects to a group, which you would then switch between with the foot controller. Dial in your sounds for clean, rhythm, and lead, and change between them with a single stomp instead of the effects pedal stomp I found myself doing during songs.
And there’s an interesting non-musical application for the StompBox as well. Griffin also has a teleprompter application for the iPad called Qscript, and the StompBox is compatible with that as well. This would let you control text-scrolling speed or presentation slides with one foot while keeping your attention on your audience.
The StompBox is available now for $99. For more information, check it out at Griffin StompBox
UPDATE: I recieved one of these as a birthday gift, and I’m in the process of taking it for a test run. I’ll put together my thoughts in a review once I give it a good once over and see if it goes to 11 🙂
