The DigiTech Expression Factory was inspired by 7 of the world’s classic expression pedals. Introducing Expression Factory, the pedal that lets you metatarsally modulate a whole pedal board of classic expression pedals. From Wah and Whammy to rare, sought-after pedals like the A/DA Flanger and DigiTech’s own highly collectable Space Station Synth Swell.
Thanks to 2-in-1 concentric controls, you can tweak 3 key controls of each expression effect and season them with your choice of seven classic distortion stompbox models piped in from the DigiTech DF-7 Distortion Factory.
Add Flexible Output Mode, a cast metal treadle and a sleek carbon fiber finish and you have an industrial-strength tool for anyone who likes to tread a treadle.
EX7 Models are Based On:
Dunlop Cry Baby Wah*
Vox Clyde McCoy Wah*
DigiTech XP300 Space Station
DigiTech Whammy
Unicord Univibe*
Leslie 145 Rotary Speaker*
ADA Flanger*
* PLUS: 7 classic distortion models!
* And – it’s a volume pedal
Model Details:
Based on Dunlop Cry Baby*
One of the most popular iterations of the Wah pedal with a slightly thicker tone than a Vox(R), reminiscent of late ’60s and early ’70’s Guitar Gods.
Frequency Range, Q (Shape), Volume controls; Xpression pedal changes Wah effect.
Based on Vox Clyde McCoy Wah*
The 1966 original. Though it was designed for the guitar, it was initially aimed at trumpet players, which is why horn player Clyde McCoy’s name graces the pedal today.
Frequency Range, Q (Shape), Volume controls; Xpression pedal changes Wah effect.
Based on DigiTech XP300 Space Station/Synth Swell
The most popular tone from a very rare pedal, Synth Swell packs an entire outer-space string orchestra into your guitar, let you create other-worldly effects and flourishes via the expression pedal.
Pitch Shft, Chorus/Pitch Balance, Swell Attack Time controls; Xpression pedal changes input level (volume swell).
Based on DigiTech Whammy
The one and only, to use an expression. Smooth pitch bends, rich detuning, deadly dive bombs and fast-tracking harmony shifts, just like the original.
Whammy Shift, Tone, Wet/Dry controls; Xpression pedal changes pitch shift.
Based on Unicord Univibe*
The chorus standard since the late 60’s for adding lush depth and dimension. True to the original, our model also offers both vibrato and chorus.
Chorus/Vibrato, Intensity, Volume controls; Xpression pedal changes modulation speed.
Based on Leslie* 145 Rotary Speaker
Add the meticulously modeled sound of the Leslie 145 rotary speaker. This is as real as it gets without lugging a 160-pound cabinet around with you.
Drive, Min Sweep, Max Sweep controls; Xpression pedal changes rotary speed.
Based on the ADA Flanger*
The Holy Grail of all flangers with a dramatic jet-engine fly-by sweep. Rarer than a 7-string Strat – and its optional foot controller is even harder to find!
Range, Speed, Enhance controls; Xpression pedal changes sweep.
Includes Built-in DF-7 Distortion Factory Pedal!
Distortion model based on Ibanez TS-9* / cabinet model based on Fender* 1965 Deluxe Reverb* 1×12
Distortion model based on DOD Overdrive/Preamp 250 / cabinet model based on Marshall* 4×12
Distortion model based on Boss DS-1* / cabinet model based on Johnson 4×12
Distortion model based on Pro Co Rat* / cabinet model based on Fender Bassman* 2×12
Distortion model based on Boss Metal Zone* / cabinet model based on Johnson 4×12
Distortion model based on DigiTech Metal Master / cabinet model based on VHT* 4×12
Distortion model based on EH Big Muff pi* / cabinet model based on Marshall* 4×12 with 25-watt Celestion*
DigiTech, X-Series, CIT, Metal Master, Synth Swell, Whammy, Space Station, Johnson Amplification, Distortion Factory and Expression Factory and DOD are trademarks of Harman International Industries, Inc.
*Other product names used here are trademarks of their respective companies and are not associated or affiliated with DigiTech. They are trademarks of other manufacturers and were used merely to identify products whose sounds were reviewed in the creation of this product.
Weight: 5.4 lbs.
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Many, many of the models do sound passable, and you're likely to find something here that you'll like. Just don't expect to like everything, and you'll be pleased with what you find. Most of the other reviewers give a good overview of what's available, so I won't merely repeat their reviews.
However, one thing that has only been mentioned peripherally is that this thing is a MAJOR TONE SUCK. I've had this problem in the past with other DigiTech pedals. The EX-7 is not true bypass. What's more, it seems that it is digitally processing your signal, EVEN WHEN NOT ENGAGED. I can't even use the darn thing as a Volume Pedal without having it suck all the life out of my instrument.
If you do purchase an EX-7, do yourself a favor and also budget for a true bypass loop, so that it will not digitally suck out your tone when you're not actively using it.
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Okay, this is not good.
As pointed out by other (multiple) users, this is not a "plug-&-play" pedal. There are a *lot* of functions packed into a tiny interface, and there's little meaningful visual feedback, especially if you're in the middle of a performance ("uh oh, now what was model #5 again?"). That's assuming you can even read the tiny knobs in the typical dim lighting onstage.
Best advice I can give is to find one, maybe two, useful sounds which are worth dedicating to this pedal. There are plenty of nice sounds that can be coaxed out of the EX-7, but if you try to use it for all — or even more than one — of them interchangeably, you're merely asking for confusion and headaches.
Also, I'd read that the early models had problems with overly stiff buttons for the toe and heel switches, so I made it a point to get an EX-7 that had been manufactured relatively recently. I even tested it in the store to make certain there wouldn't be a problem. What I failed to take into consideration was that I tested it on the floor of the showroom, but my pedalboard has a tiny bit of flex in it. Consequently, I'm stomping on this thing three or four times just to turn the effect and amp models on and off. I think I cracked my pedalboard last night. Grrrrrrr…
I'm not taking the EX-7 back, but I'm definitely retiring it as a "studio only" device.
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Seems built pretty well. I don't really have any reservations about taking it out on the road (at least, not in terms of build quality).
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I've been playing a variety of instruments since the '70's, and have owned several recording and project studios since the 1980's. I purchased the EX-7 for use with a couple of my guitars (vintage Fender Tele & Vox Tempest XII, primarily), as well as my 10- and 12-string Chapman Sticks.
I thought the EX-7 would be a workable "swiss army knife" effect. I don't have many of the original boxes after which its effects were modelled, and wouldn't use those particular effects often enough to warrant buying the originals. In this case, the EX-7 does provide a workable solution.
Most aggravating are the "ease of use" considerations — which pretty much relegate this as a studio-only box — and the annoying digital sound quality. As I said above, I'm not taking this one back to the shop because it isn't entirely worthless. However, it is going to spend most of its life on a shelf, waiting for an instance when one of those particular "special" sounds is called for.
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Mech (08/15/2006)
Pretty quiet pedal with no popping between channels. I purchased the optional FS3X control pedal and it keeps me from stage diving while preforming.
I liked ALL of the settings. I was especially impressed with the tone I got from the Leslie rotovibe. However, I am not really familiar with the space swell or whammy, so I really don't have anything to compare on these two channels.
The wahs sounded really good. I bought this pedal mainly as an option of having an adjustable wah and thought the other modeling options woudl be a bonus. I am not disappointed. Great wah and two usable chorus like effects, not to mention a great flange!!
Although some have complained about the ease of use, I really don't know what their issues are. Toe down – heel down. Pretty simple form most. Maybe a little tougher for some (if you are struggling with this procedure, I advise to get off the herbal enhancements).
The editing makes a great difference and would like to see digitech find a way to "save" patches. Without this option, your use of this pedal might be limited.
Manual was pretty simple.
Every setting starts with dials set at 12 noon. The expression pedal does give you some control. The sounds were really good. I didn't see this thing sucking any tone from my sound.
I have never had trouble with Digitech and this thing looks really solid.
Although the sound quality is great, I was pretty disappointed that saving presets was not an option. Come on Digitech, hear our cries!! Because of this I can only give it an 8.
I would probably NOT buy another if this were lost in hopes that the next model would have a save option. THAT WOULD BE THE PEDAL TO HAVE.
Until then, I will have to make this one work.
kevsig (03/12/2006)
