DigiTech Hardwire Series TR-7

The DigiTech Hardwire Series TR-7 is a digital tremolo, rotary speaker and vibrato stomp box from DigiTech, part of the HardWire extreme performance series¹. It packs seven effects into one pedal, ranging from traditional tremolo to a detailed rotary cabinet simulator, and it was announced in June 2010 with availability from August 2010²³.

What sets the TR-7 apart from most tremolo pedals is its true stereo I/O. It carries two inputs and two outputs, so you can plug in a second guitar or run into two amps, which opens up stereo panning and rotary sounds that a mono tremolo pedal cannot do¹².

The seven modes

The TR-7 features seven effects: Tremolo, Opto Tremolo, Bias Tremolo, Duo Tremolo, Rotary, Vibrato, and VibroPan¹². RockBoard's PedalPedia describes the four tremolo types as emulating "anything from warm amp-like pulses to helicopter chop, or separate 2 trems at once"⁷.

The Rotary mode gets its own description from DigiTech: it "produces the sound Organ players have enjoyed long before guitarists plugged in," with a treble and bass rotor that move at different speeds for an extra lush sound⁷. The pedal also contains what RockBoard's PedalPedia calls a "stunning Ultravibe mode with slow phasey goodness and a liquid-like vibrato"⁷.

Opto versus bias tremolo

These two modes model the two classic ways amps produced tremolo. Opto tremolo emulates the photocell circuit associated with vintage Fender amps, while bias tremolo is based on the Vox sound, where the amplifier's tube bias is modulated instead¹⁸. Premier Guitar's reviewer found both "very satisfying"¹.

Controls

Alongside its speed and depth controls, the TR-7 has a multi-function Modify knob whose job changes with the mode. In the Opto and Bias modes it works as a tone control; in the tremolo modes it changes the shape of the wave; in other modes it controls chorus, phase and dry level⁹⁸. Delicious Audio's reviewer noted that the pedal lacks a knob to control the overall level of the effect, which Premier Guitar also flagged as a possible concern for some players¹⁸.

Power and connections

The TR-7 runs on a single 9V battery or a 9 VDC power input, drawing 630mW, with the PS200R available as an optional power supply⁹. Pedal of the Day reported a battery life of 5.25 hours⁹. Input impedance is 1 MOhm in stereo and 500 kOhm in mono with the effect on, and output impedance is 1 kOhm with the effect on⁹.

Like other HardWire pedals, the TR-7 ships with tour-oriented accessories: green gaffer tape, Stomplock knob guards and a hook and loop pad for pedalboard mounting³. It is true bypass, with constant high-voltage operation that DigiTech credits for tonal quality and noise reduction¹².

What reviewers said

Reviews were mixed, with the tremolo modes drawing praise and the vibe and rotary sounds dividing opinion¹⁸.

• Premier Guitar's reviewer found the Opto and Bias tremolo modes "very satisfying," but called the Uni-Vibe-style sounds "very disappointing, a cold and digital sounding facsimile"¹.
• The same reviewer felt the Rotary setting "lacked the lush warmth of other pedals that do a better job of emulating that sonic territory and made me wish for the real thing"¹.
• MusicRadar's verdict listed a "fine selection of tremolo sounds" among the pedal's pluses¹⁰.
• Guitar World's Paul Riario called it "a simple and powerful tool that's just right" for players who need "a host of lush, deep vibro-variations"⁴.
• Delicious Audio's Howard Stock found the basic tremolo "inspiringly warm and initially the most compelling sound," and called the Opto and Bias modes "a revelation"⁸.
• Pedal of the Day's Justin named the Ultra Vibe mode "my favorite setting and the one I use most"⁹.

The pattern across reviews: the tremolo modes were the pedal's strength, while the rotary and vibe emulations drew the sharpest criticism from Premier Guitar even as other reviewers enjoyed them¹⁸.

Videos

Click to load

Click to load

Click to load

Questions