DigiTech Synth Wah

The DigiTech Synth Wah is an envelope filter pedal from DigiTech's X-Series line. It offers seven different synth effects, including envelope filters, synth tones and filter sweeps, in a single stompbox. DigiTech's own listing describes the X-Series Synth Wah as "considered by many to be an industry standard in adding spice to a riff."¹

What it does

The Synth Wah sits in the filter family: it listens to how hard you play and opens and closes a filter in response, which is what an envelope filter does, and it layers synth-style tones and automatic filter sweeps on top of that. The seven effect options cover envelope filters, synth tones, filter sweeps and more, according to RockBoard's PedalPedia's product listing.¹

If you are after a straight auto-wah without the synth voicings, DigiTech also makes the Envelope Filter 440.

Power and practical notes

The pedal is analog and runs from a 9V DC center-negative supply, drawing 200mA. That current draw is higher than many compact pedals, so a standard low-current daisy-chain output may not be enough; a supply with adequate current per output is the safe choice.¹

The Bass Synth Wah

DigiTech also makes a bass-specific version, the Bass Synth Wah, a natural fit for players building a board around bass pedals. It covers seven synth and wah effects including envelope filter, synth tones, filter generators and octave shift. One feature sets it apart: it can be run inline with your current pedals, or in parallel with your bass tone, to create combinations of bass and synth sounds.²

Bassist Charlie Jones, known for his work with The Cult and Siouxsie Sioux, described using it on the "They Follow You" bass solo³:

Charlie Jones, in an interview for BOSS³

That chain shows how the pedal sits with other effect types: into distortion and then delay for a lead-style bass voice.

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