The DigiTech Snake Charmer Tremolo is a tremolo e-pedal for iStomp users, introduced in September 2012 as part of DigiTech's "Stomp-tember" run of releases. It is a software effect that loads onto the iStomp platform rather than a conventional stompbox, and it produces the pulsating volume-modulated guitar sound that tremolo is known for. Guitar Interactive Magazine, which covered the launch, noted that tremolo is "a guitar effect that all guitarists know and love"1.
DigiTech pointed to the classic recordings the effect appears on. As the announcement put it1:
"The Snake Charmer Tremolo delivers that classic,pulsating volume-modulated guitar sound heard on records like TheSmiths'"
For more on the effect type itself, see the site's page on tremolo pedals. DigiTech has also made standalone tremolos, such as the DigiTech Hardwire TR-7, a stereo tremolo/rotary/vibrato pedal announced for August 2010.
Controls
The Snake Charmer carries four knobs, each shaping a different side of the tremolo effect1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Speed | Regulates how slow or fast the tremolo pulsates, from a slow throb to a fast oscillation |
| Depth | Controls the degree of the effect, from a subtle modulation to volume completely on and off |
| Waveform | Changes the "shape" of the tremolo sound, from a choppy square wave on and off to a smoother pulsating sine wave and many other variations |
| Spread | Can turn the effect into a panner, a feature Guitar Interactive Magazine described as exclusive |
The Waveform control is the one that most changes the character of the effect: a square wave setting gives the hard, choppy on-off stutter, while a sine wave setting gives a smoother swell. The Spread knob goes further than tone shaping, converting the volume modulation into panning for players running a stereo setup1.
Price and release
The Snake Charmer was available in September 2012 at an introductory price of $0.99. After the introductory period the price changed to $7.991.
The Snake Charmer is an e-pedal for the iStomp, not a standalone pedal. It was announced in September 2012 as being for iStomp users1.
Videos
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Questions
Does the Snake Charmer Tremolo work without an iStomp?
The Snake Charmer was announced as a tremolo e-pedal for iStomp users, meaning it runs on DigiTech's iStomp platform rather than as a standalone stompbox. Guitar Interactive Magazine introduced it in September 2012 as 'the new Snake Charmer Tremolo for iStomp users', so an iStomp is the hardware it was made for.
How much did the Snake Charmer e-pedal cost?
It was available in September 2012 at an introductory price of $0.99. After the introductory period the price changed to $7.99, according to Guitar Interactive Magazine's announcement.
Can the Snake Charmer be used as a stereo panner?
Yes. Guitar Interactive Magazine reported that it can be turned into a panner using the Spread knob, a feature the magazine described as exclusive to this e-pedal.
When did DigiTech release the Snake Charmer Tremolo?
DigiTech released the Snake Charmer Tremolo in September 2012, as part of what the announcement called DigiTech's Stomp-tember 2012 introductions for the iStomp.
Sources (1)
- DigiTech 'Stomp-tember 2012', Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2012-09-10
