DreamTommy
Member
Hi All,
I ordered the Digitech RP1000 for testing. After over two weeks, I love the unit. The signal to noise level is very good and the quality and variety of effects are very good as well!
It took some back and forth with tech support to address concerns that I was obsessing about, but Digitech support was excellent! In fact, it was by route of real-time chat sessions that were accessible whenever I had a question and I had a personal e-mail address for conversing. Quality tech support is a-typical for most manufacturers today!
As noted, the RP1000 sound and effects quality is very good, but what sold me, is the fact that this unit is a switching system, that lets me use the 4-cable method. I found it integrated well with my DSL40C and 412 Cabinet. Tech support told me that they wanted to build a system that could integrate into an existing system, rather than replace it and I concur! Well done Digitech. I wanted my core tone to shine, and this device compliments it nicely!
Though I am mainly bypassing Amp/Cabinet mods and using my core sound, I hear a lot of good tones from the Amp/Cab mods, so I may be implementing some of them too.
The biggest downside initially to the RP 1000 from the factory, was level between the RP, it's loops and my Marshall amplifier. In essence, we are talking about gain stages! Remember, you have the amp preamp stage, the power amp stage, and the RP preset and master volume stages, so you have to really work at balancing it all out. It doesn't take long, and you can use the same technique for each of the presets. Plus, you can find tutorials on YouTube.
I did find 1 big issue to be aware of and that is if you deselect a preset, meaning turn it off, you go into BYPASS mode, where your true amp sound is heard. The concept of a BYPASS switch is wonderful, but please read on...
The "Good" BYPASS scenario: If prior to deselecting a preset, thus entering BYPASS mode, and the RP's Amp Loop button is selected (meaning you are including your amp preamp with the 4-Cable method in the RP signal chain), you can adjust all volume levels completely between your Amplifier and the RP's volume.
The "Bad" BYPASS scenario: This could be a big problem! If you have Amp Loop off on the RP, like perhaps when you want to use the RPs Amp/Cab Mods and avoid stacking pre-amps (meaning going direct to your amplifier power-amp), and you deselect a pre-set (meaning you are bypassing the RP), you will hear 100% of your power amp volume. In this scenario, the RP is going direct into your Amplifier's power amp section and you have NO control over levels. This could be dangerous!
Because the actual RP Bypass function has no volume adjustment, If you accidentally de-select a preset when using the RP Amp Loop in the off position, you may blow out somebody's ears because the amplifier may be too loud.
I don't have a solution for this! If anybody has a work around, or an idea how to manage BYPASS volume when Amp Loop is off, I'd love feedback! I don't necessarily foresee this being an issue, but in the heat and excitement of a big gig, and if you are not experienced or seasoned with the RP, you could accidentally deselect a pre-set and cause damage to your speakers or your ears. Furthermore, when Amp Loop is off, having the ability to attenuate the volume going to your power-amp would be a perfect solution!
I ordered the Digitech RP1000 for testing. After over two weeks, I love the unit. The signal to noise level is very good and the quality and variety of effects are very good as well!
It took some back and forth with tech support to address concerns that I was obsessing about, but Digitech support was excellent! In fact, it was by route of real-time chat sessions that were accessible whenever I had a question and I had a personal e-mail address for conversing. Quality tech support is a-typical for most manufacturers today!
As noted, the RP1000 sound and effects quality is very good, but what sold me, is the fact that this unit is a switching system, that lets me use the 4-cable method. I found it integrated well with my DSL40C and 412 Cabinet. Tech support told me that they wanted to build a system that could integrate into an existing system, rather than replace it and I concur! Well done Digitech. I wanted my core tone to shine, and this device compliments it nicely!
Though I am mainly bypassing Amp/Cabinet mods and using my core sound, I hear a lot of good tones from the Amp/Cab mods, so I may be implementing some of them too.
The biggest downside initially to the RP 1000 from the factory, was level between the RP, it's loops and my Marshall amplifier. In essence, we are talking about gain stages! Remember, you have the amp preamp stage, the power amp stage, and the RP preset and master volume stages, so you have to really work at balancing it all out. It doesn't take long, and you can use the same technique for each of the presets. Plus, you can find tutorials on YouTube.
I did find 1 big issue to be aware of and that is if you deselect a preset, meaning turn it off, you go into BYPASS mode, where your true amp sound is heard. The concept of a BYPASS switch is wonderful, but please read on...
The "Good" BYPASS scenario: If prior to deselecting a preset, thus entering BYPASS mode, and the RP's Amp Loop button is selected (meaning you are including your amp preamp with the 4-Cable method in the RP signal chain), you can adjust all volume levels completely between your Amplifier and the RP's volume.
The "Bad" BYPASS scenario: This could be a big problem! If you have Amp Loop off on the RP, like perhaps when you want to use the RPs Amp/Cab Mods and avoid stacking pre-amps (meaning going direct to your amplifier power-amp), and you deselect a pre-set (meaning you are bypassing the RP), you will hear 100% of your power amp volume. In this scenario, the RP is going direct into your Amplifier's power amp section and you have NO control over levels. This could be dangerous!
Because the actual RP Bypass function has no volume adjustment, If you accidentally de-select a preset when using the RP Amp Loop in the off position, you may blow out somebody's ears because the amplifier may be too loud.
I don't have a solution for this! If anybody has a work around, or an idea how to manage BYPASS volume when Amp Loop is off, I'd love feedback! I don't necessarily foresee this being an issue, but in the heat and excitement of a big gig, and if you are not experienced or seasoned with the RP, you could accidentally deselect a pre-set and cause damage to your speakers or your ears. Furthermore, when Amp Loop is off, having the ability to attenuate the volume going to your power-amp would be a perfect solution!
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as I said I did the same thing using an old Boss volume pedal with my old 4210 - and yeah it does mean you can properly drive the preamp section now.
