Songwriters... Meet your New Songwriting Partner - The Trio+ Pedal

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In this video I experiment with the Trio+ Pedal from DigiTech - a 'band-in-a-box' type pedal that has certainly been designed with songwriters in mind.
ABOUT BENNY
Hi, I'm Benny. My passion for music and creativity stretches across multiple disciplines and art-forms. I am a founding member and songwriter / lap-slide guitarist for one of Australia's best and most bearded country-bluegrass-folk bands, THE GREEN MOHAIR SUITS. To date the Mohairs have released 4 full-length albums and tour both nationally and overseas.
I am also the Founder and Head Producer of SILAMOR STUDIOS, a boutique studio specialising in Composition for Film, TV and Interactive Media. I write extensively across various instrumental and lyric-based genres and has been commissioned for major projects by Adobe, Cathay Pacific and Audible. I currently release original songs under the name SILAMOR.
I am also passionate about education and have taught song and lyric writing as well as film composition for JMC Academy, Collarts and the Australian Institute of Music. I design and regularly facilitate workshops on creative process and innovation.
MUSIC LINKS
Names of Birds (Keppie and Benny)
open.spotify.com/track/1VIKzX...
The Green Mohair Suits
open.spotify.com/artist/7M3Zf...
SILAMOR
open.spotify.com/artist/5HOpa...
www.silamor.com/music
#songwriting
#howtowritesongs
#howtowriteasong
#songwriting
#guitar
#songwritingtips
#effectspedals
#pedalsandeffects
#digitech
#trioplus

[@sonexdeluxe]

A couple things to note about this pedal. There is a 3 button pedal that connects to it so you can control it with your feet while keeping the main pedal on a desk to work with your hands. Also, you have to play simpler chord patterns. It will not follow you if change chords too fast. Also, when fingerpicking, you may have a better result if you teach the band by just playing the root changes.

[@drothberg3]

I bought one of these a few years ago. I played around with it a bit, and now it's sitting in my closet. It's amazing, but I found that it actually kept me from practicing, playing and making actual music.

[@peterdavenport5882]

Hi Benny, I’ve been using the Trio plus for years and wouldn’t be without it. Great tool. As soon as I have any new song ideas I put them down on the Trio plus, creating and sequencing the Intro, verse, chorus and bridge sections, I then play around with different styles, improvising and writing lyrics. I used this for my songs on a recent songwriting course with Keppie. Great Video. Amazing pedal.

[@drummermomcjs]

Thank you so much Benny this inspired many many ideas. This certainly looks like a fun addition for my studio in the future. For now however, I will used the tools that I have at present and do with them what you have done with this tool. I always learn so much from you and Keppe, thank you.

[@stads185]

Amazing tool, but beware the plastic shafts on all the pots. I once toppled and stepped on the knobs and they literally all snapped off, making mine immediately into a songwriter’s doorstop.

[@peterkiefel4324]

Agree this is a great tool. I gave up on drum machines years ago as there is so much "up front" work, the motivating idea is long gone... I used this pedal to help write and demo 5 songs for a virtual recording project with my old high school band from the 80s. We are now well dispersed (Melbourne, Sydney, Indiana USA), and so jamming is not an option. I got really strong grooves down on the basic demo ( drum, vox, guitar), and now everyone is overdubbing their parts. Of course, the drummer didn't like this, so I applied a high pass filter to turn the Trio drum track into a very tinny click track for him and he's happy! I don't use the bass line generated by Trio, but I enjoy the immediacy of drum groove options!

[@DanteS-119]

just use a daw and have some templates at the ready?

[@peterkiefel4324]

@DanteS-119 I'm old school. I use 4-track cassette whenever possible, otherwise i use my tascam model 12 which has same "portastudio" workflow! One of our songs is called "rock n roll old farts" given my band formed in 1982!

[@Mindermaniac]

I've seen videos on the regular TRIO pedal and the later TRIO+ pedal for almost 6 years nnow, but I never knew how well it works as a songwriting tool. I think I'll get one now that I've seen this unbiased review. I hear a very useful and inspirational simple to use pedal, much more than just a looper! Fantastic stuff!

[@adamscenna]

Great video! I do a similar process, but in my DAW. This pedal seems a lot easier than jumping through lots of menus. Great way to experiment quickly. ❤ the channel. Thx from Detroit

[@jimbrennan1181]

I'm sold. I just ordered one from Sweetwater. I really like the idea that you can move through the styles and come across things that you'd never think of, and then move those ideas back to what you're really looking for.

[@mkhud50n]

4 track recorders are great for songwriting.

[@jeffrey.a.hanson]

This is vastly different. This is like a cowriter. It doesn’t make sense until you use it.

[@titmusspaultpaul5]

This looks like such a great tool. Thanks for the video.

[@jkvcrdr]

I love your G & L!

[@WahrheitMachtFrei.]

I've had a Trio+ for a while and meant to use it to start writing songs but always got distracted by other things... Thanks for the inspiration again.

[@SHTMusik]

For songsriters I would suggest the Zoom R8 (or one of the othrr R series) . You have a drum machine, a sequencer for looping verse snd chorus sections and it's all wav files that you can easily be imported to your DAW. I made a video explaining why I own currently 5 R24s. Spoiler: they are out of production and they are my favorite Zoom multitrack recorder.

[@levous2]

Beautiful songwriting improv man

[@iamanovercomer3253]

I am here because I seen your G&L ASAT CLASSIC ‼️ I'm a Fender guy who just played a G&L FULLERTON ASAT CLASSIC and it's much better built than fender and it's now the guitar I want.... totally love the guitar ❗

[@htws]

Yeah, I love that guitar - it's the only telecaster I've ever owned

[@iamanovercomer3253]

​@@htwsi have a fender 🇺🇸 strat and looking for a different sound, so fender telecaster is my pick . BUT fender has gotten too corporate and I started looking at G&L and when I played both a fender professional 2 telecaster and G&L FULLERTON ASAT CLASSIC. Well G&L is a better built guitar than fender and it's on steroids ‼️ I still love fender BUT...G&L IS the one

[@joehanbury1135]

Fun fact: You may or may not know this but G&L is an American guitar manufacturing company founded by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Dale Hyatt in the late 1970s. Leo Fender sold his eponymous company Fender in 1965. He designed and produced instruments for Music Man in the 1970s through his company CLF Research. When relations with Music Man soured, G&L was created to continue operations apart from Music Man. The G&L name comes from two founders' first names, George Fullerton and Leo Fender.

[@MyKoolTV2042]

Fantastic… would have loved this years ago! Thank you

[@theinfamousarmyof1band481]

It's never to late.

[@mushin0247]

sold ! WOW I love it ^^

[@professordeb]

Hey, that was super helpful...thanks! I've owned this pedal for a few years, but never thought about using it in quite this exploratory creative way. This is the best "how to" video I've seen for the Trio+. I've watched many others, but most lean more technical than creative.

[@JuannyBoy2023]

How have you used it?

[@professordeb]

@@JuannyBoy2023 Well not like this. More with coming at it with a set idea and finding what comes close to that. This is more open-ended and exploratory.

[@JuannyBoy2023]

@@professordeb yeah, makes sense.

[@sterlingmcvay2469]

I have it. It's a useful Creative Tool - I'd Hoped that they would Take it to the Next Level as a LOOPER, but they didn't. It was Headed in the Right Direction, for me I Like to be able to have: 1.) An Intro; 2.)Verse 3.) Pre-Chorus; 4.) Chorus 5.) Break/Middle 8/Solo; 6.) Outro.... , So, that's 6 Different PARTS.... , It would be Great IF these Companies making Loopers would GET THAT....

[@dominicminasi8105]

Love it

[@theinfamousarmyof1band481]

The Trio+ pedal is the most significant piece of gear I purchased as a guitarist and I believe that it was instrumental in becoming a better guitar player and a songwriter. Neither are great but they are considerably better because I purchased and used a Trio+ pedal. Great video btw!

[@santosmadrigal3702]

I believe the cellphone and the internet stripped everyone of creativity and individualality . Really ? What is so creative about something that's programed ?

[@theinfamousarmyof1band481]

@@santosmadrigal3702 for those of us who aren't musical geniuses or prodigies like you it helps our creativity.

[@santosmadrigal3702]

@@theinfamousarmyof1band481 I respectfully disagree with you . Creativity is from the mind and heart . A computer does not have creativity and a heart . And it's mind ... it's programmed . This device will make it so everybody comes up with the same idea , how creative is that .

[@theinfamousarmyof1band481]

@santosmadrigal3702 the trio pedal didn't come up with my guitar riff or chord progression it gives me an opportunity to try something on my guitar without having a band. I guarantee you if you give me a trio+ and you a trio plus we will come up with vastly different results.

[@santosmadrigal3702]

@@theinfamousarmyof1band481 hmmm... Is that a challenge ? I am responsible for lots of cool music and meny live performances . I'll put my creativity against a computer anytime .

[@CavyWheek]

This is really cool! I don't hang out with other musicians, so this would be a great addition to my little studio. Thanks Benny!

[@spencergroup]

Not sure I want a pedal to write my bass and drum lines but I can definitely see it as a useful tool in terms of getting ideas and assist songwriters in composing.

[@cgibbinsuk]

As a strictly bedroom guitarist, this it the best guitar pedal or tool I’ve ever owned

[@rr13431]

It seems to work well, however…. I would save the $400 and just create some quick loops in my DAW. Once you have the MIDI files you can easily change out the instruments and you can have as many tracks, vocals, effects, etc as you want. The downside of the DAW is the paralysis from too many choices. To fight that I suggest you make a plan to only use a few instruments, then stick with it. Happy songwriting!

[@alainvb8786]

Hello . Je compléte La trio est super . Pour info en appuyant sur les petits bouton de section . Au départ ils sont vert . En appuyant dessus ils deviennent rouge et monte les cymballes ou la ryde ... avec bouton en haut a gauche on modifie le tempo de tout l ensemble loop comprise guitare ou autre . Sans modification de la hauteur . ,GÉNIAL... Mais ATTENTIONsi vous réduisez le tempo . Vous ne pouvez plus faire d overdubs ! Au pire garder ce tempo envoyer la piste sur un jamman stéréo. Et vous aurez votre tempo pour faire des overdud sur le jamman .... Si vous inserer le footwich fx3 . Il y a 3 options . La plus interressante . Vous pouvez en cours de route coupez la batterie . Ou la basse ou les deux ....l autre option changer style ect.... ensuite plein de possibilité de branchement . Et de sorties . Le mieux prendre sortie guitare seule envoyer sur ampli ou table mix et sortie Batterie basse sur table mix sur piste differente vous jouez sur les panoramique de chaque pistes avec une petite reverb . Envoyer le tout sur jamman stéréo digitech . Et vous n avez plus qu a faire des overdub piste enregistrée du jamman pour chanter faire solo ect.... ou préparer vos ryhtme sur jamman pour vos concert .... Car le trio n a que 11 pistes de mémoire x 5 sections de 270 secondes ! Ou alors changer la carte sd du trio .. Et c est SUPER .prêt a vos marque . 1/2/3 TRIO 😉🎶🎸🎸 j ai eu d occaz pour 120 euro avec le fx3 ! Musicalement

[@janortiz880]

I can confirm that this is the best tool ever made for songwriting. I've been able to finish songs in a way that I haven't done before. You don't need a drummer or bassist anymore to complete song arrangements. Magical!

[@jeffrey.a.hanson]

I got this a few years back when writing in Keppie’s groups and it blows away every artist I’ve wrote with. It’s hard to show its capabilities in one video and it looks more complicated than it is.

[@TheBladepolisher]

Wow . . . . A lot of people complaining about the limits of this pedal. Maybe they should be checking their level of patience and exploring the possibilities a little deeper. I would never work with anyone on my songs who'd give up so easily. Digitech did an excellent job with this pedal. As a quick resource to lay down an idea, you can't go wrong.

[@eamonnmccormack1304]

Have one, great little device for songwriting. Pity they did not put a tiny little built in mic for lyric singing ideas. Then it's complete.

[@lucyfuir6386]

I see this being more useful for somebody who is busking.

[@JaffaRoad]

It’s like a light version of Band in a Box software. Just go with the software it so flexible.

[@JaeBedford]

This is a dream pedal

[@hegemonycricket2182]

This can be a good practice tool as well. You can use it as a metronome, and work on guitar solos, etc.

[@ratatatuff]

Funny thumbnail. "Finally - A Pedal for songwriters"? The Trio+ has been on the market for about 8 years. Good video though.

[@htws]

Haha, yeah... certainly not a 'new' pedal, my use of the word 'finally' was referring to the the fact that its the first pedal I've ever seen that has been designed specifically with songwriters in mind, as apposed to ALL other pedals which are designed for guitarists and instrumentalists. Glad you enjoyed the video

[@carelvangreunen3915]

Can you record this back or save it for a backing track?

[@andymjflemming]

Does it stack up as a live performance tool?

[@jamieb7799]

It sounds like it doesn’t like responding to finger picking as there are too many notes in a short space of time for it to interpret. Which is why I think you got a techno style beat. I assume it would love basic chords that it may interpret better stylistically. Then embellish it later. Cool video, really enjoyed it and very interesting pedal. Thanks 🙏

[@davidq2865]

great video. does this have an input of a 4 track so i can record directly to it?

[@migrantfamily]

It was entertaining.

[@Jimmyjames738]

Is this a new version of the pedal or the same one that came out years ago? I was going to buy one for the exact reason you’re using it. Nice ✌️

[@Seppleberry]

As a singer and songwriter you need a Boss BR-80. Best device for everything. Pocket size, 2x AA batteries, drums, 8 Tracks recording (64 phantom). And it's not a toy but a real tool with unbelievable features. Stand alone and everything you'll ever need.

[@Angela-jy8um]

I love this! Can it plug into a keyboard and work the same way? I play keys.

[@jaguarjames7734]

yes you can no problem

[@paulpellico3797]

so, and this is my problem with all of the "loop" tools...how do you change keys or sections of your songwriting? obviously, the box will follow for the one intro of the section, but after that, you're finished is there a way it learns MORE than a small loop or can follow an entire song?????

[@sonexdeluxe]

This pedal allows you to record 5 separate parts for your song. Maybe intro, verse, bridge, chorus, outro. You can program those parts to play however many times you want and in whatever order you want. However, you can record each part in a different key and/or different timing.

[@gabriel.andreato]

Amazing pedal

[@JpeterZoom-gt3pn]

What a grest idea this pedal is!

[@jeremyacton4569]

I do not relate well to tech when thinking about music or trying to find new music. It always comes down to playing with the toy, and " I wonder what this patch sounds like?", instead of just going into the music fractal that one finds inside. I might still be too musically dumb to use the Trio+, but different ways for different folks, I guess. I struggle to press record and get a song down into my PC, and my DAW knowledge is still noob level. To write a song I put away all my multi effects, stompboxes, and even my electric guitars, and go back to acoustic nylon string. Then amplified nylon. Only when it works on nylon, do I try an electric guitar, for phrasing and bends etc, and only then will I think of effects, percussion, arrangement etc.

[@sonexdeluxe]

I get inspired by using effects when writing. Not always but it depends on what I'm trying to do, like riff based music.

[@Chris_music_channel]

This is a good point for those of us who want to create on the fly with full ensemble to get ideas flowing. Would love to see the new AI update for this. But I still can’t see paying $300-400 for this unless it has AI generated content with more authentic sounds.

[@michaelneppel1748]

How does the tempo work? Does it morph the drums to your playing or Quantize it or are you starting with a click?

[@htws]

No click - you just set up a groove with your instrument and the pedal detects a tempo based on your playing. There is also a tempo knob that allows you to ramp up or down at any point

[@StokesMusicStudiosOnline]

I have the predecessor. It's great if you play simply while teaching it. One downside is it doesn't handle syncopation well at all.

[@bryonbair7974]

It does a little too much, if you know what I mean. At what point is the gear doing most of the work?

[@Angela-jy8um]

Wow, there's a surprising amount of negative comments on here. Bummer! I'm glad you posted. I think the pedal could be fun! Maybe you can write a song about all the pedal haters. Lol. 😂

[@PeterTheis]

Can you play an entire song structure, or only a shorr section?

[@sonexdeluxe]

This pedal allows you to record 5 separate parts for your song. Maybe intro, verse, bridge, chorus, outro. You can program those parts to play however many times you want and in whatever order you want.

[@LynnColeMusic]

This is so cool. Does it have to be a guitar, or would it work with my keyboard too?

[@FrankMindBodySoul]

It even works with a harmonica.

[@turkmusik]

Now all you need is ChatGPT to write lyrics for you, and some loops from Logic to fill in the rest. Autotune your vocals and you are done!

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

I find that machine a bit generic. How I write songs. If I’m out and about, I’ll sing the melody into my phone. Then I use a Boss RC-5 and record a rough demo with guitar, bass, added to the drum loop. Then I’ll record a higher quality demo in garage band with full arrangement plus vocals. Ideas come to me all day long and I always remember the good hooks and forget the bad ones.

[@shtacson]

It's nice to see a musician who is not wearing teenie weenie beanie and also playing on G&L instead of fender

[@wonderfullife3108]

It looks a lot of fun but I think the problem with loopers if you end up continually building on a small section of a song. For me its more productive to work out the whole structure of the song with a basic instrument before you start introducing other instruments.

[@sonexdeluxe]

I have one of these pedals and they are great...but...this pedal is old and discontinued. There are no updates to it.

[@user-cx7kg6ok9b]

In my experience, the Trio+ doesn't deal with arpeggios so well. You're better off playing them as straight chords to get the drum/bass going, then record the arpeggios in the looper.

[@dasczwo]

considering how OLD that pedal is: when will sombdy finally put ai where i actually need it?

[@mrfomiatti5515]

Idea? Ai as a songwriting tool?

[@ponzo1967]

I would have to run it through eq and a compressor because the sound is unacceptable.

[@rodnyg7952]

my songwriting partner for over 30yrs is any pen and paper

[@patwalden78]

Pedals like 7 years old no?

[@thevagabond8978]

This pedal has been out for years. I found it a little glitchy

[@budwudd]

Listen to more music and train yourself in thinking like a producer instead of buying an expensive box that tells you what to do.

[@martinmartin8871]

I had the first version of this box and it didn't follow my right hand well. I grew up playing rock piano and congas which can often times put a back beat in or a syncopated off beat. I reference that because it has informed my songwriting right hand immensely over the 4 decades. To get those little 20 ms. gallops, in some of my songs, in time, that TRIO doesn't do well. I believe there is a huge market for precision tempo following. Ableton doesn't come close either with their Follower. Some of us are born to play original riffs, melodies etc. We need a tool to help. Think worldwide wammer jammers up to sophisticated Bach tempos and his mathematical phrasing.

[@Virtual-Media]

isn't all that pretty much standard in modern DAWs?

[@bwashburn1972b7]

Kinda changes the phrasing

[@RobertHopkinsArt]

I can see single guitarist's using this at art-fairs and flea markets standing on street corners while the crowd walks by..

[@philfrite5324]

Sounds like a yamaha keyboard from the 80s...

[@joewalsh8217]

This has been out for over a decade

[@michaellassley30]

I've heard nothing other than 4/4

[@officialWWM]

This AI stuff is getting out of hand :/

[@sonexdeluxe]

This pedal is not new

[@officialWWM]

@@sonexdeluxe so what? It’s still using AI technology! I have a little Spark practice amp that’s 4 years old and does similar tricks 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@sonexdeluxe]

@@officialWWM that is sooooo out of hand. 😆🤣 The sky isn't falling.

[@Uselesslesbigay]

For a 400$ pedal? You’re better off just using an online generator

[@KonradWalsh]

can you share a good example?

[@KennCrawford]

You lost me at it detects the key and tempo.... so it's just one more way to dull our creativity senses. 🤨 I can find and jam to a backing track on KZbin quicker and easier because I don't see that pedal as a songwriting tool, I see it as more of a distraction... it's a performance "let's shoot a KZbin video of me playing" tool. I really enjoy your videos and lessons, but this one seems counterproductive to building and exercising your creative muscles 😔

[@RolandDeschainee]

no point ai does it faster

[@jessenashvillejames150]

No Country? I'm out.

[@johnDBoone]

There was a country seeing but it wasn't country. But it wasn't good. Of course what they are pushing these days is more pop infused. I can see where it could be helpful when you don't have other musicians to bounce ideas off. But.. Na. Not something I would use.

[@ozzie-sk9dh]

Looks like something to waste time on when you should be writing songs 😂

[@_leivo]

Creativity is dying

[@richardervins]

Nice gimmick for amateurs with no talent and too much money. Surely nothing for serious song writers. 🤭

[@raphaelgarritano7882]

technology is amazing. However the less work you do as amusician the weaker you become, the sloppier you can be and also delusional about your lack of talent and discipline. The Beatles, the greatest band that ever existed, never let technology do the work for them.

[@BLMSASH]

This has a irritating bass tone

[@Catalyst1764]

In the current climate you're actually encouraging writers to use AI as a crutch? Not something I'd advise.

[@WheezyJoe]

AI is here and it’s not going away.

[@rnbvret]

Being afraid of AI is not going to prepare you for the reality that it's not going away.

[@denisblack9897]

Using AI automatically makes your stuff very average 😅 Dont do it, its for useless people

[@s3any1977]

I disagree. I play to downloaded pre-created backing tracks, all the time for practice, scales, solos, timing. I also use Acid Pro to create my own tracks and play guitar over. This is how solo musicians have created music for years. This is just a tool which makes writing music easier. It's not a crutch.

[@gandankthegreen9369]

You do realize that AI has been in musical equipment for a long time right? Effects pedals down to looping stations. Nothing new G

[@NewFalconerRecords]

Nah, you haven't sold me at all. If anything, this thing would just get in the way with all its complicated knobs and buttons. You totally lost me with the "indie" idea. The whole purpose of indie is that it's basic and grass roots. It just ended up grating on me and making me angry. It's a pity, because I love all your other videos.

[@sonexdeluxe]

He was not using the pedal correctly. With this pedal it is crucial to dumb down your progressions to maybe half notes to teach the band the progression. His playing was too busy for the pedal to come up with a decent rhythm track. I know, this is still limiting but the pedal can be lots of fun if used properly. I di like recording song ideas on it. Then I use the 2 outputs to record into my DAW. Then I can replace both the bass and drums as I see fit.

[@jeremyacton4569]

@@sonexdeluxe so it sounds like one has to 'play to the machine' and not just play, and one must dumb oneself down to teach the machine, when one could've just played or programmed one's own ideas.

[@sonexdeluxe]

@@jeremyacton4569 I guess you could look at it that way. In my experience with programming anything, it takes waaay too much time. This pedal is simple to use if you just understand how to use it, just like any other pedal you use. I find it extremely helpful for the same reason he posted about it, it's great for helping with ideas. It's also great for practicing. You can teach the band a progression, lay down the loop track and now you're set to practice all kinds of things. Not to mention, you can find tons of cover songs online that others have created.

[@officialWWM]

No. The purpose of “indie” is simply to release your own music “independently”. I.e, no label.

[@DJ2109]

lmao theres like two knobs

[@user-ti2kr4ul5b]

Hey