The Solo HD has attributes that make it a solid practice resource and a useful tool for creative composition. Overall, if a looper of this size will do the job for you, the Solo HD has plenty to recommend it.
Pros
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Compact size.
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Sound quality.
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Massive potential amount of storage.
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Large number of memories.
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Auto Record feature.
Cons
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Learning curve.
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It’s still basically a 13-year-old design.
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The JamMan Solo HD is DigiTech’s new compact looper pedal, replacing the XT version. Apart from the slight logo change, however, the only difference seems to be improved high-definition audio performance courtesy of a powerful next-generation 32-bit A-D/D-A audio converter.
The pedal offers up to 35 minutes of stereo looping by itself, but features a memory card expansion slot that takes Micro SD/SDHC cards to deliver a further 32 hours of recording time, as well as 200 memory slots to complement the 200 already onboard.
There are various mono and stereo modes of connectivity, plus an aux input that you can use to import music from other sources. A USB socket enables transfer of loop files to and from a computer running the JamManager HD loop librarian software, which is a great resource for organising and archiving loops.
An additional pair of sockets offers the JamSync facility, which allows multiple JamMan pedals to be synchronised together for more looping flexibility for the single user, or to open up the possibility of ensemble looping, with individual players synchronised to each other.
(Image credit: Future / Phil Barker)
In initial use, the pedal isn’t exactly intuitive, so a dive into the manual is essential. But there’s a host of useful facilities onboard and once you get your head around it, it’s business as usual.
The first step in recording a loop is to choose a numbered memory location, noting that the first 15 locations come factory-filled with rhythmic loops to play along with. Beyond those, the pedal has nine onboard rhythm patterns that you can use as a metronome when recording loops.
You can initiate looping by using the footswitch through its standard record/play/overdub sequence, or you can use an Auto Record feature that initiates recording the moment you start playing. For those with less-than-perfect timing, Auto Quantize is designed to keep things tight.
Verdict
(Image credit: Future / Phil Barker)
The Solo HD has attributes that make it a solid practice resource and a useful tool for creative composition.
The massive amount of sampling time and memories may be its strongest asset, especially for anyone who performs to pre-recorded backing tracks, in that it can store loads of audio for instant playback – just add the external footswitch for practicality.
Overall, if a looper of this size will do the job for you, the Solo HD has plenty to recommend it.
Specs
PRICE: $249 / £239
ORIGIN: China
TYPE: Stereo looper, recorder/phrase sampler
FEATURES: Onboard rhythms, 200 memory slots, 10 mins individual max loop time, 35 mins total loop time, JamSync linking feature, librarian software
CONNECTIONS: Standard inputs (R, L/mono), standard outputs (R, L/mono), standard footswitch input, 1/8” stereo Aux input, 1/8” Jam Sync in, 1/8” Jam sync out, USB, card slot
Trevor Curwen has played guitar for several decades – he's also mimed it on the UK's Top of the Pops. Much of his working life, though, has been spent behind the mixing desk, during which time he has built up a solid collection of the guitars, amps and pedals needed to cover just about any studio session. He writes pedal reviews for Guitarist and has contributed to Total Guitar, MusicRadar and Future Music among others.
