NAMM SHOW 2026 REVIEW
What a week it was at the 2026 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California! Between January 22–24, the DigiTech booth was one of the can’t-miss spots on the show floor, howling with performances, and artist signings, and visitors to the booth had chances to experience the new DOD Badder Monkey firsthand. Yes, it’s true we were dressed as Zookeepers handing out stickers, barrels of monkeys, t-shirts, and more. We had so much fun at the NAMM show this year.
At our booth, fans and gearheads lined up to catch live demos and mini-sets from top players such as FREEKBASS, Terence Hansen, Hedras, and Eric Martin showcasing everything from jaw-dropping Whammy bends to building songs using the TRIO+ and JamMan Solo HD that had attendees stopping in their tracks. While NAMM itself featured star appearances and performances across multiple stages — from rock legends to rising virtuosos — DigiTech made sure its corner of the action was just as electric, with scheduled signings and meet-and-greet moments with MonoNeon, Vernon Reid, and Doug Wimbish that gave visitors a chance to chat with the artists behind the pedals.
Highlights included in-booth showcases, and hands-on opportunities to dial in effects, and plenty of community energy as players of all styles swapped tips and tricks. Across the wider show, NAMM celebrated its 125th year with a massive lineup of performers, education events, and gear reveals — and the charge at DigiTech helped underline just how vibrant the future of effects and live performance remains. If you haven’t had a chance to visit NAMM before, we hope to see you at the 2027 NAMM show or at one of the several pedal shows DOD / DigiTech will be attending this year.
Product Spotlight: DigiTech Whammy DT
Since DigiTech has been a leader in pitch-shifting technology since 1989, with the introduction of the Whammy WH-1, we thought it would be a good time to discuss a few of our other Whammy pedals throughout the years. This month, we would like to spend time on the flagship of the Whammy Family, the DigiTech Whammy DT. Let’s dive into it.
Few pedals have earned legendary status like the DigiTech Whammy, and the Whammy DT takes that iconic pitch-shifting legacy to an entirely new level. At its core, the Whammy DT delivers the expressive, harmony-rich pitch bends players have loved for decades, but with a powerful twist—Drop Tune capability built right in. That means you can instantly shift your entire guitar up or down in semitone increments without touching your tuning pegs. From subtle detunes to full octave dives, plus classic Whammy intervals and chord-friendly harmony settings, the Whammy DT is built for modern versatility. True bypass and DSP bypass options ensure tonal integrity, while the rugged red chassis keeps the unmistakable Whammy vibe alive on your pedalboard.
What truly sets the Whammy DT apart is its incredible ease of use. The layout is intuitive, with dedicated knobs for Whammy and Harmony selections, along with a separate Drop Tune footswitch that works independently of the expression treadle. This dual-function design allows you to use the Drop Tune feature on its own—perfect for quickly switching between standard tuning and, say, Drop D or even down a full step during a live set. The momentary and classic switching options give players flexible control styles, whether you want the pitch shift active only while pressing the switch or toggled on traditionally. Plug it in, select your interval, and you’re off—no menu diving, no complicated programming, just immediate creative control under your foot.
In a crowded world of digital pitch processors, the Whammy DT stands out because it doesn’t just emulate—it inspires. The tracking is fast and musical, maintaining clarity even with aggressive bends and dramatic octave sweeps. Whether you’re channeling Tom Morello-style dive bombs, adding subtle harmonies for lead work, thickening riffs with detuned layers, or crafting massive down-tuned metal tones without swapping guitars, the Whammy DT handles it all with confidence. It bridges the gap between studio flexibility and stage practicality, making it a must-have for players who demand both innovation and reliability. The DigiTech Whammy DT isn’t just a pedal; it’s a creative weapon that expands what your guitar can become.
Notable Artists who use the Whammy DT:
• Steve Vai
• Phil X
• Jack White
• Tim Henson (Polyphia)
• Daniela Villarreal (The Warning)
• Dimebag Darrell (Pantera)
• Zakk Wylde (Pantera, Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne)
• Nina DiGregorio (Influencer)
Check out this video from our friend Bax-shop giving his first review of DigiTech Whammy DT:
Vintage Pedal Spotlight: DigiTech XP100 Whammy / Wah
Born in the experimental pedal heyday of the 1990s, the XP-100 combined two beloved effects — the pitch-shifting Whammy and the expressive Wah — into a single floor unit that stood out in a sea of one-trick pedals. Beyond its main pitch and wah functions, the XP-100 also offered volume control, auto-wah and multiple harmony/detune sounds, plus a handy onboard tuner — a rare collection of tools in one stompbox. Players could choose from around 29 presets and shape their tone in real time with the foot-controlled expression rocker, giving them everything from subtle octave shifts to wild pitch dives and filter sweeps.
Unlike basic wah or whammy pedals, the XP-100 was essentially a Swiss Army knife for tonal experimentation. Its ability to shift pitch up and down, add harmony intervals, and modulate wah-type filters meant creative players could explore weird and wonderful sounds without stacking multiple pedals. The built-in volume mode and tuner made it a practical choice for players on stage or in the studio, while its rugged build reflected its role as a versatile workhorse. Back in the day it was considered collectible and somewhat rare, partly because it was discontinued long ago but remains valued by enthusiasts and gear nerds.
Artists
Though not as widely discussed as some of DigiTech’s later Whammy models, the XP-100 found its way onto the rigs of several notable players looking for pitch and filter flexibility, while Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails has been documented using it in touring setups. Korn’s James “Munky” Shaffer and Brian “Head” Welch also included one on his board, showing the pedal’s reach across genres from alternative and industrial to nu-metal. Guitarists like John Scofield and Mike Vennart (Oceansize) have praised its creative options, especially for textural playing and effects layering.
XP-100 vs. Whammy 5th Gen
In the Darker Red corner, we have the vintage powerhouse — the DigiTech XP-100 Whammy Wah – referred to by many as the Whammy 3 – is a true ’90s multitool that packed Whammy pitch bends, harmonizer settings, wah, auto-wah, volume control, and even a built-in tuner into one bold, futuristic floor unit. With nearly 30 preset effect combinations and a expression pedal to sweep everything in real time, the XP-100 was made for players who wanted to experiment. Its pitch tracking had that unmistakable early-digital character — sometimes gritty, sometimes glitchy — but always musical in the right hands. It wasn’t just a Whammy; it was a creative playground in a single box.
In the Red corner, the DigiTech Whammy 5th Generation represents refinement and focus. While it doesn’t include wah or volume modes, what it does offer is dramatically improved pitch-shifting technology. With polyphonic tracking, modern Whammy models can shift full chords smoothly — something older units struggled with. Add true bypass, MIDI control, and streamlined operation, and you have a pedal built for today’s stage and studio demands. It’s less about being a Swiss Army knife and more about mastering one craft: expressive, precise pitch manipulation.
So which one wins? That depends on the player. If you love vintage character, multi-effect flexibility, and that quirky ’90s DigiTech vibe, the XP-100 still holds a special place. If you want clean tracking, advanced harmony options, and modern connectivity, the Whammy 5th Gen is the clear evolution. Either way, both pedals represent different eras of innovation — and both continue to inspire creative guitarists chasing sounds beyond the ordinary.
Herer is a video of Nick Granville going through the Whammy / Wah XP-100 and some of his favorite sounds:
How about a bonus video from our own Jim Pennock and Sonic Drive Studio at 42 Gear Street, giving a complete history about DigiTech and the DigiTech Whammy pedal:
— Until next time, keep creating! —