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Post subject: Effects pedal for the beginner (DigiTech RP-150)
Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 6:35 am
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If you are novice guitar player (like me) you may be a bit overwhelmed by the number of effects pedals available on the market today. I want to learn what the different types of effects do -- what they sound like. Buying an example of every different type of effects pedal is not economically feasible (at least not for me).

If you're in the same situation you may want to look at the DigiTech RP-150 Modeling Guitar Processor. I just purchased one and I'm having a ball playing with it. It has 48 effects models built into it (you can use up to 11 at a time). It also models 17 different amps and 12 different cabinets. This means I can try a lot of different effects/amp/cabinet combinations without spending cubic megabucks.

Some of the features that led me to choose the RP-150 include:

* It's cost effective. This means it fits my budget.
* Models the type of effects that I'm interested in.
* Has 50 factory presets and 50 user presets.
* Allows you to create your own presets (either from scratch or using one of the factory presets as a starting point).
* A USB interface that allows you to upload and download presets.
* Built-in drum machine/metronome. Limited but still useful.
* Free software that allows you to create presets on your PC or MAC.
* User contributed presets that you can obtain for free.

A couple of features that may save you money if you are just starting & haven't purchased any gear:

* A built-in chromatic tuner accurate to 0.5 cent.
* Stereo headphone output. What you have here is a free headphone amp or, if you have a powered speaker system (like those for PCs), a guitar amp (actually, 204 of 'em).

The RP-150 has many more features/functions than I've mentioned here. For detailed information you can go to DigiTech's web site where you will find a PDF copy of the RP-150 User Manual that's available for downloading. You can also hear demos of all 50 factory presets and a demo of the drum machine.

All-in-all I consider the RP-150 a good deal. It solves my problem of learning what different effects do without having to spend a fortune.

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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 7:32 am
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Yes you can do a lot with it, and it can help point you to what you may eventually want. :)
Or you may find you really like the sounds you are getting from the digitech and not need anything else ! :D

My mate went that route, and he was always fiddling with it trying to get just the sound he was after.
Recently he bought a a couple of analogue pedals, a VOX wah and a ts-808 and put the digital digitech pedal away. Those two were all the effect he wanted, at least for now !

I went the separates route to start. I looked at what effects the players I was trying to emulate were using to get an idea of what I needed. And yes it sure was expensive! Especially the one Boss digital pedal I have, that try's to emulate a Lesley speaker.

Guess it really comes down to what you like, I find I prefer the sound of analogue pedals to the digital ones.
But that will come with time, as you visit the music shops to test drive various bits of equipment to discover what fits best for you!

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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 8:29 am
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Great post and recommendation.


My personal opinion on those multi-fx pedals is not so good. They sound canned to me.

I would recommend going to a Music Store and checking them out before you buy.

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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 9:19 am
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Great idea to start out with a floor effects processer. Cost effective and very versatile. I eventually went the route of analog stompboxes for the fun of it. Great hobby. But, I would recommend the RP150...great box.

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Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 12:59 pm
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jeffo46 wrote:
I own the RP50 and it's just as good and much more easier to use than the 150. I did buy the 150 when it first came out but the instruction manual was not highly detailed and thus it was very confusing as to how to adjust some of the settings.


I'm wondering if they have updated the manual since you last looked at it? I found the documentation to be straight forward but that could just be me. I may have had an advantage in that I downloaded a copy of the user guide and read it over a couple of times before I bought the 150.

BTW, I'd be happy to answer any questions you or anyone else may have regarding the operation or usage of the 150. However, if you ask me how to create a preset that sounds like SRV playing Little Wing I'm going to duck & run. :?

Doug

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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 11:04 am
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jeffo46 wrote:
I own the RP50 and it's just as good and much more easier to use than the 150. I did buy the 150 when it first came out but the instruction manual was not highly detailed and thus it was very confusing as to how to adjust some of the settings.


Sorry....I have to reaaallllly disagree. I'm not a novice and have plenty of pedals and a pretty nice pedal board that includes Barber, Exotic,, and Analogman pedals to name a few.

I had the RP50 to twittle with at home. It was OK mind you, but I gave it to someone and purchased the RP150. Big difference in reverbs for sure....hey....their Lexicon. It is an overall superior product in sound and capabilities. The one drawback to the 150 is the limited types of overdrive/distortion. The 250 and 350 up the ante by providing more models of the well known types.

As far as ease of use...well...I guess each to his own. The 150 is easier than most, albeit, so is the 50.

Don't get me wrong, the RP50 is a great tool to have, but it is not "just as good and much more easier to use than the 150."


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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 11:24 am
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I am with Chet on this, many of the multi effects pedals do sound as said canned or shall I say electronicaly discowee thats a made up word :oops: For someone just getting into using effects I think you are better off getting a single pedal or two.

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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 12:08 pm
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NOT THE MOST DURABLE OF EFFECT PROCESSORS.........DON"T LET THE METAL SHELL FOOL YOU>
Seriously, I have one I do not gig with....anymore.
The pedals inside that offer the resistance are attached with office clips. Yeah I said it. Open yours up if you don't believe me. I had to reattach them several times already.
They are small black metal clips with the little "wings" taken off of them, They are used to clip stacks of paper together for a binder type of use.
I like Digitech's sounds and it's an alright little unit, but I gotta be honest so someone else doesn't have the same issue. Step on those pedals the wrong way, (not even roughly) and it releases and scrolls through the settings ...quickly. I don't even have to tell ou the stupid story of what happened during a gig.
I've owned this one for about 3 years, MAYBE they changed it since, but I doubt it.
Just lookin out for the rest of you.


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