Introduction to the Digitech Trio+
The Digitech Trio+ Band Creator & Looper pedal is an innovative effects unit that can take any guitarist’s playing and songwriting to the next level. This pedal builds on the success of the original Digitech Trio pedal by adding more sounds, styles, and improved audio tracking. At its core, the Trio+ serves two main functions – an intelligent band creator and a full-featured loop station.
For the band creator side, the Trio+ listens to your guitar playing and generates realistic bass and drum accompaniment that matches the chords and rhythm you play. It provides a huge range of musical genres and styles to choose from including rock, blues, pop, metal, country, jazz, and more. The Trio+ features upgraded audio tracking algorithms compared to the original Trio, allowing it to lock onto your playing quickly and follow along seamlessly.
On the looper side, the Trio+ gives you all the tools you need to record, overdub, playback, and manipulate loops. It can store up to 30 minutes of recorded loops and has handy functions like undo/redo to fix mistakes. Loops and recordings can be exported for use in other devices.
The Digitech Trio+ is perfect for guitarists, singer-songwriters, solo performers, and anyone looking to quickly flesh out song ideas with a full backing band. It’s great as a practice tool, for composing new material, or enhancing live performance. The Trio+ takes the original concept of the Trio pedal even further by integrating a professional loop station and offering expanded sounds and styles.
How the Band Creator Works
The Digitech Trio+ utilizes advanced audio recognition technology to listen to your guitar playing and generate a realistic backing band in a variety of musical styles. The pedal’s AI engine analyzes your chords, rhythm, and musicality to produce complementary bass and drum parts that match the song you are playing.
When you engage the Trio+’s Band Creator, it will begin listening and detecting the key you are playing in. Once it has determined your key, it will start generating stylistically appropriate bass and drum accompaniment tailored to your guitar input. The pedal offers a wide selection of musical genres and styles to choose from including rock, pop, blues, country, metal, jazz, folk and more. You can easily switch between genres with the onboard control knobs to find the perfect groove for your music.
The Trio+ allows for deep customization of the generated band’s instrumentation. You can select acoustic, electric or synth bass types. For drums, options include live acoustic drums, electronic drums, brushes, percussion and more. This allows you to craft a backing ensemble suited to your musical taste and the song at hand. The Trio+ also allows control over the band’s intensity, complexity, and variations to keep the auto-generated parts dynamically engaging.
Overall, the Trio+’s intelligent accompaniment technology provides guitarists with a versatile backing band that listens, analyzes, and adapts itself in real-time to match your playing style and musical needs. The wide range of genres, instruments, and controls give you the flexibility to easily craft professional quality accompaniment.
The Looper Functionality
The Digitech Trio+ includes a full-featured looper that gives you a ton of capabilities for recording, layering, and manipulating your guitar loops.
The looper can record up to 5 minutes of audio in mono or nearly 3 minutes in stereo. This gives you plenty of space to record multiple layered loops or even full songs. The recording is seamless and latency-free, so everything you play will be captured exactly as you perform it.
One of the best features of the looper is the ability to overdub. This means you can record on top of your original loop while it continues playing. So you can lay down a rhythm guitar part, then solo over it, add vocal harmonies, percussion sounds, or anything else you want to build up the loop. The undo/redo function lets you go back and fix mistakes or remove the latest overdub if you don’t like it.
The Trio+ makes it easy to save your loops and recall them later. You can store up to 99 loops internally. The loops are also exportable via the USB port, allowing you to transfer them to a computer. You can then archive them or import them into a DAW for further editing and manipulation. This makes the Trio+ looper an ideal sketchpad for song ideas that you want to develop later.
Overall, the looper provides pro-level features in a compact pedal. With its pristine audio quality, storage capabilities, and creative overdub abilities, it’s a powerful tool for writing, practicing, and performing.
Using the FS3X Footswitch
The Digitech Trio+ can be used with the optional FS3X footswitch for hands-free control while playing. This allows you to control different functions of the Trio+ without taking your hands off the guitar.
The footswitch connects to the Trio+ via a standard 1/4" cable and provides the following capabilities:
- Start and stop recording loops hands-free
- Control playback and stop loops with your feet
- Use the footswitch for undo/redo when overdubbing loops
- Start and stop the Trio+ band accompaniment
- Switch drum fills on/off during performance
Having a footswitch makes using the Trio+ much more convenient when you need both hands on the guitar. It’s great for live use when you want to trigger loops and control the band backing track while playing.
The hands-free control allows you to focus on your guitar playing rather than bending down constantly to adjust the pedal. Things like starting and stopping loops at the right time become much easier.
Overall, the footswitch adds a lot of flexibility and improves the user experience of the Trio+ significantly. It’s highly recommended for getting the most out of the pedal in both practice and live performance situations. The hands-free control takes the Trio+ to the next level.
Sound Quality and Customization Options
The Digitech Trio+ generates surprisingly realistic bass and drum parts that sound like a real rhythm section is playing with you. The drum sounds in particular are high quality and nuanced, with different hit velocities and articulations on the cymbals and hi-hat. This helps the accompaniment feel more "human" rather than robotic and machine-like.
There are a few different kits to choose from including rock, pop, metal, acoustic, and electronic. Each kit is tailored for its respective genre with appropriate sounds – heavy crunchy drums for rock/metal or crisp acoustic drums for mellower styles. Beyond the stock kits, you can deep edit the drums using the Trio Manager software.
The bass also impresses with a diverse set of electric and upright tones. You can pick the right bass sound for the style, from a punchy P-bass for funk/rock to a smooth upright for jazz. There’s even a synth bass option for electronic music.
To shape the overall band sound, the Trio+ offers a 3-band EQ plus reverb for the drums and bass. The EQ lets you cut or boost the lows, mids, and highs while the reverb adds a nice bit of ambience. You can really dial in the perfect tone whether you want a tight clean sound or a big washy effect.
For even deeper customization, the Trio Manager software unlocks additional editing capabilities. With Trio Manager you can tweak the bass and drums in granular detail – everything from room ambience and compressor settings to the exact drum velocities and groove feel. It also allows you to load in custom songs and loops to jam along with.
The software makes it easy to keep the Trio+ updated with the latest sounds and features too. Overall, between the onboard controls and Trio Manager software, you get powerful tone shaping and customization for crafting your ideal backing band.
Digitech Trio+ vs Other Pedals
The Digitech Trio+ enters a competitive market of looper and band creator pedals, but manages to stand out with its unique combination of both functions.
Compared to dedicated looper pedals like the Boss RC-30, TC Electronic Ditto X4, and Electro-Harmonix 360, the Trio+ holds its own when it comes to core looping capabilities. It can record up to 5 minutes of loops, features unlimited overdubs, and has straightforward controls for starting, stopping, and undo/redo functions. While some looping purists may want more granular editing control offered on higher-end loop stations, the Trio+ provides a satisfying looper experience for most users.
Where the Trio+ pulls ahead of the competition is its integrated band creator. Rather than just looping your own playing, it generates professional-sounding bass and drum accompaniment that automatically follows your guitar in real time. This adds a whole new dimension to practice and performance compared to a traditional looper pedal.
The Trio+ significantly outpaces the previous Digitech Trio pedal with double the loop time, twice as many drum grooves, additional amp/cab models, and more genres like pop and metal. It’s a major upgrade over the original.
Compared to other dedicated band creator pedals like the Singular Sound BeatBuddy, the Trio+ offers a wider range of musical styles and more advanced part generation powered by artificial intelligence. The BeatBuddy provides more direct editing of the drum beats, but lacks the bass accompaniment and integrated looper the Trio+ offers.
Overall, the Digitech Trio+ strikes an ideal balance of looping flexibility and intelligent band creation that makes it a versatile pedal for practice and live playing. Its combination of features outpaces the competition in its price range. For guitarists looking for professional-grade backing tracks with the freedom to loop their own playing, the Trio+ hits the sweet spot.
Using the Trio+ for Practice
The Digitech Trio+ can be an invaluable practice tool for guitarists looking to develop their timing, rhythm, and improvisation skills. By providing intelligent bass and drum accompaniment, the Trio+ gives guitarists a realistic band to play with at any time. This allows practicing skills like:
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Developing Timing and Rhythm – The Trio+ forces you to play in time with the generated bass and drum grooves. This is great for developing your internal clock and getting your rhythm skills tight. Playing along with the band parts trains you to lock in and hold a steady groove. You can start slow with simple grooves and increase the difficulty as your rhythm improves.
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Improvising and Soloing – Having backing tracks generated on the fly lets you improvise and solo over complete band arrangements. You can practice improvising over different styles and grooves, helping build your lead chops. The Trio+ band provides a harmonic foundation to solo and jam over during your practice sessions.
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Trying Out Song Ideas – An invaluable aspect of the Trio+ is being able to quickly try out song ideas. You can use it to test out riffs, chord progressions, and melodies. The Trio+ essentially fleshes out your musical ideas into full arrangements. This allows you to hear how your song ideas sound with a real-sounding band. You can quickly try out arrangements and sections to build songs.
The Trio+ makes practicing much more engaging and rewarding. By providing an intelligent band to play with, it helps build key musical skills for guitarists. The pedal transforms aimless noodling into focused, productive practice time.
Using the Digitech Trio+ Live
Taking the Digitech Trio+ into a live performance setting opens up some great possibilities for enhancing your shows as a solo artist or guitarist. Here are some tips for getting the most out of the Trio+ pedal in live situations:
Integrating with Other Effects Pedals
Since the Trio+ is a standard guitar pedal, it can easily be incorporated into a pedalboard setup alongside other effects like distortion, delay, reverb etc. Place the Trio+ early in your signal chain so the pedal can analyze your raw guitar sound for creating the backing tracks. The Trio+ output can then be sent to other effects pedals down the chain.
Running Direct or Using Live Mics
The Trio+ has stereo outputs that can be connected directly to a PA system or audio interface. This allows pristine audio quality. Alternatively, you can mic up the Trio+’s amp/cabinet outputs if going for a more traditional guitar amp sound. Using multiple mics on the guitar cab and the Trio+ cab captures the blend.
Syncing with a Live Drummer
The Trio+ can synchronize to a live drummer using its audio sync function. Simply connect the drummer’s audio out (overhead mic or direct out from e-kit) into the Trio+. It will analyze the playing and sync the generated bass/drum parts. This allows seamless integration with live percussion. The Trio+ can match grooves and adapt fills/breaks to the drummer in real-time.
By creatively integrating the Trio+ into your existing pedalboard, PA/amp setup, and with live musicians, you can take your live performances to the next level. The Trio+ makes it possible to have a full backing band at your fingertips as a solo artist!
Who Is the Digitech Trio+ Best For?
The Digitech Trio+ is an extremely versatile pedal that can benefit a wide range of musicians. However, it really shines for certain users and playing scenarios:
Guitarists
The Trio+ is designed first and foremost for guitarists. It excels at listening to your guitar playing and generating complementary bass and drum parts in real time. This makes it an indispensable practice tool and accompaniment for guitarists playing any style from rock to country.
Songwriters
Any guitarist who writes original songs or wants to explore song ideas will get great mileage from the Trio+. You can quickly flesh out a chord progression or riff into a full song with a complete backing band. The Trio+ fosters creativity and spontaneous songwriting.
Solo Performers
Gigging musicians who play smaller solo shows can utilize the Trio+ to provide a full backing band sound. This allows solo instrumentalists and singers to sound bigger than just a lone performer. The Trio+ brings consistency and high quality backing to otherwise solo gigs.
Certain Genres Work Best
While the Trio+ covers a wide range of musical genres and styles, it’s best suited for mainstream rock, pop, country, folk, and blues. The pedal may struggle with very technical or extreme metal genres, given the limitations of its auto-generated parts. But for most popular music genres, the Trio+ handles accompaniment admirably.
So in summary, the Digitech Trio+ is a versatile pedal that can provide great value to guitarists, songwriters, and solo performers, especially those playing mainstream music styles. The auto-generated band allows users to sound like a full ensemble at the stomp of a switch.
Conclusion
The Digitech Trio+ is an incredibly versatile and powerful pedal that can take your guitar playing, songwriting, and live performances to new heights. After testing it extensively, I’m thoroughly impressed with its capabilities as both a band creator and a looper pedal.
The band creator functionality works seamlessly to generate realistic, high quality drum and bass accompaniment that automatically follows your playing. With a huge variety of styles to choose from, you can quickly sketch out song ideas or jam along with a full backing band. It’s an invaluable tool for practice and solo performers.
The onboard looper performs admirably as well, providing up to 5 minutes of loop time with all the standard features you’d expect like overdubbing and undo/redo. Integrating the looper with the band creator opens up even more possibilities.
While the Trio+ may not provide the same deep editing and customization as its predecessor, it more than makes up for it with the upgraded sounds, intuitive controls, and streamlined workflow. The addition of Bluetooth and the Trio Manager app allow you to easily load in custom loops and songs too.
Overall, the Digitech Trio+ is an outstanding option for guitarists looking for an all-in-one solution for practice, songwriting, and performing. Its flexibility and ease of use make it accessible for beginners, yet it has the depth for more advanced players. If you’re looking to take your playing to the next level with a virtual backing band, the Trio+ is easy to recommend.