The Poly Effects Digit Quad Delay Reverb is a multi-effects delay and reverb unit built around a touch screen. Instead of a row of knobs for fixed controls, the Digit lets a player select effect building blocks, arrange and connect them on screen, and fine tune their parameters, with modules hosting Auto Swell, Reverb (Mono/Stereo), numerous Delays, Filters, Tremolo, Cab Sims and many more effects1. It is a stereo pedal with four outputs and MIDI, aimed at players who want to design their own signal chains rather than step through fixed modes.
The screen, knobs and switches
The core of the Digit is its touch screen. Pedal of the Day's review describes it as "wildly interactive," performing the majority of the pedal's functionality: selecting effects building blocks, arranging and connecting them, and fine tuning parameters1. The screen measures 5″, and the reviewer found navigation quick, "flying around the 5″ touch screen at lightning speeds"1.
Around the screen, the physical controls split the work:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Touch screen (5″) | Selects effect blocks, arranges and connects them, fine tunes parameters1 |
| Left knob | Fine tuning, changing the selected value a little (Fine)1 |
| Right knob | Changing the selected value a lot (Coarse)1 |
| Left and Middle switches | Assignable based on the block in use; assist with tap tempo, momentarily taking effects out of the chain and more1 |
The Digit ships with presets already loaded. "The Digit comes loaded with a nice long list of presets, but when turned on, it's in the Default Preset mode," Pedal of the Day notes, so a player can start from the factory sounds and edit from there1.
Inputs, outputs and MIDI
The Digit is a stereo pedal with room to spare: it has stereo inputs and 4 total outputs1. Four outputs mean effects can be sent to more than one destination, which suits the ambient and studio setups the pedal is aimed at.
For MIDI, the Digit carries MIDI Input and Output on TRS jacks, and Poly Effects includes 2 x 5-pin DIN adapters so it can plug into standard MIDI equipment. Pedal of the Day called the included adapters "nice touch there"1. Players building a MIDI-controlled board can read more on the MIDI Pedals page.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day reviewed the Digit in June 2020 and came away enthusiastic, with a caveat about the learning curve1:
"An ambient creator's dream pedal, it's got a bit of a learning curve, but once you dig in, you're not going to want to dig out."
The reviewer's picture is of a deep, configurable unit: the touch screen architecture rewards time spent building chains, and the assignable switches and four outputs suit players who route effects in unusual ways. For players comparing touch-based delay and reverb units, the Digit sits alongside other Poly Effects designs covered on the Delay Pedals and Reverb Pedals pages1.
Videos
Red Means Recording
Do Noise
Pedal of the Day
Questions
Does the Poly Effects Digit have MIDI?
Yes. The Digit carries MIDI Input and Output on TRS jacks, and Poly Effects includes two 5-pin DIN adapters in the box so it can connect to standard MIDI gear. Pedal of the Day called the included adapters a nice touch in its 2020 review.
Is the Poly Effects Digit stereo?
Yes. The Digit has stereo inputs and four total outputs, which lets a player route effects to multiple destinations, such as two stereo amps or a mixer and an amp at the same time.
What effects can the Digit run besides delay and reverb?
Its modules host a long list of effects beyond delay and reverb: Auto Swell, mono and stereo Reverb, numerous Delays, Filters, Tremolo, cabinet simulations and many more, all arranged on the touch screen as building blocks.
Does the Poly Effects Digit come with presets?
Yes. Pedal of the Day notes that the Digit comes loaded with a long list of presets, and that it starts up in Default Preset mode when turned on.
How big is the Digit's touch screen?
The Digit has a 5-inch touch screen, which Pedal of the Day's reviewer described as the core of the pedal, handling the majority of its functionality.
Sources (1)
- Poly Effects Digit Quad Delay Reverb, Pedal of the Day, 2020-06-27
