DigiTech RP1

I bought my first one in 1997 and the second one in 2013, both have been reliable .

One draw back, the transformer is located too close to the display screen, so I put in some heat resistant washers and slightly longer screws to solve that problem and it worked .

Even though the unit is 31 years old, this floor unit still sounds great and has been reliable.
It has only 75 user programs / patches, great effects algorithms and are high quality modulations, reverbs and delays.
I pump in the distortions and overdrives from another multi effects unit and some times I gain stack the distortion from the RP-1 to get a rectified sound. I also have either a 1980's Rockman or Arion Hot Watt 2 in the effects loop for over kill distortion.

One program in particular, C as called Pink Zebra, has a Flanger that is exactly like Eddie Van Halen's VH 1 Lp Flanger sound used on Ain't Talkin' About Love, Mean Streets and The Cradle Will Rock , you just have to put the Flanger in negative polarity .... and with slight adjustments, that 1970's MXR Flanger sound is yours !!!!

Compared with the newer multi effects units, this is basic unit, but it sounds great.
You just have to go thru the owner's manual, be patient and you can get great sounds with this device. You have to be patient and build the programs from scratch .

The RP-1 has easy MIDI mapping that can make this unit become a Controller sending out MIDI program changes, CC messages to control other devices effects parameters. If you find one, you can easily do a Google search and find an Owners Manual to understand THE RP-1.
● 24 effects algorithms, 9 at a time .
● Has 75 user (1-75 ) / 75 factory presets (76-150) .
● Transmits / Recognized 1-128 .
● Has the ability to control 4 external devices
● Has a programmable effects loop, that can be activated manually or with an external MIDI controller command.
● Has 4 types of speaker simulations.
● Features a MIDI In, MIDI Out, MIDI Thru Jack's.
● Only 1 input, two outputs for stereo operations .
● Stereo input jack .
● Programable local or global continuous controller assignments.
● Has Infinate Repeat mode on all delays

Prices for this unit is going up due to the fact that the RP-1, was the first of its kind; the first MIDI Multi Effects Floor Unit with the ability to be a MIDI controller and the flexibility of a Rack system.

Many of the older Digitech and Boss multi effects floor units are starting to become collectors items, especially the RP-1.

The RP-1 is great for someone on a budget and a great way to be introduced into the World of MIDI Implementation.

Bought this effects box from EBAY for $50 USD. I wanted a sturdy multi-effects box that I could kick around a little.

Very sturdy, and doesn't move around on the stage when you're playing. You can move it with your foot, but it won't follow the cord......Also love the effects, especially the clean country effects. Digital delay is fantastic, separate preamp volume and gain controls are magnificent. Very durable, and easy to change effects, add effects, layer effects. Can be programmed from the computer as well, through midi interface. raunchy sounds really kick, too.

wish it had a foot pedal volume control and effect control, but for the price I surely cannot complain. Need to have the manual handy to remember the patches, but easy to change

excellent metal case, controls are sturdy, parameters are easy to work with, power supply is internal, and so just needs a power cord like a computer.

Definitely a top notch pedal. great for practice, stage, studio. Changing on the fly is seamless, with no buzz or pop

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

MiDi-stereo effects pedal built 90s.
Part analog preamp (compressor, gate, distortion, EQ, volume, simulator HP) followed by an effects loop and digital effects (chorus, flanger, reverb time).
Everything is programmable (75 presets) via a screen ergonomic enough.
Mechanical and electronic high quality, a true American-made tank.

UTILIZATION

Configuration quite simple as long as you read the instructions (in French) and spend time maniper because there are many possibilities.
Ergonomic navigation.

SOUND QUALITY

I use a Fender Strat U.S. and a tube amp.
Part analog preamp (compressor, gate, distortion, EQ, volume, simulator HP) is very good programmable: no breath, acts to boost the compressor body and gives her the potato, it is well worth individual pedals, including included in distortions.
Digital effects are outdated and means (chorus and flanger frankly insufficient time and reverbs are a little better, but it lacks a vibrato / tremolo, and a wah pitch) making use of the RP1 only mediocre.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought my first RP1 nine in 1993 and as the screen fades, I have to buy a second hand April 94, in new condition for only 40 €! Why this duplication? I explain.
On the basis of a strato very versatile and a tube amp, I need to play with my group lead, many different sounds tacky repertoire rock, pop, country, etc ... about fifty pieces, sometimes with two different sounds for one piece; ear demanding I finalize each with its individual adjustment end of the whole chain from the guitar (micro switch, tone) to the amp (jack In low or Hi, gain, bright, equalizer, volume), through the effects of the different sounds to be properly leveled them so I better have a maximum of programmable parameters.
But if the effects are digital RP1 means making use only mediocre, the programmable analog preamp section is very good, not breathing, acts to boost the compressor gives body and potato sound.
So I placed the head of the line RP1 to a very good digital rack effects (TC Electronic GForce), which alone produces sounds less pêchus.
The RP1 allows me, in a single pedal to have 75 special settings (75 presets user) to a string consisting of a good analog preamp stage (especially compressor, distortion, and volume) associated with a program of digital rack controlled via MIDI, so I do not gymnastics manually adjust the settings buttons pedal compressor, distortion, boost, EQ and volume.
In addition, exchange and backup between 2 presets are provided RP1, easy and useful.
In summary, the RP1 is a rugged, ergonomic, which combines an excellent MIDI pedal and a good preamp / analog programmable effects.

sotie 1992 Digitech multi effect revolutionizing
Compressor - Distortion - Chorus - Reverb - Delay - Flanger - noise gate - picth - 10 band equa - hp sim
multi effect pedal
Afternoon: in - out - thru
Audio: 1 in, out: left / rigth mono, headphone jack, FX send return.

UTILIZATION

Small but adequate screen for editing sounds and effects is easy to use
English manual

SOUND QUALITY

excel patch factory are famous (150 programs including 75 users)
for saturation, the big sound of today is not the appointment, but adding a good pedal for this purpose loop that pulls well

I play
Gibson Les Paul 78
Robert Howard amended (+ piezo Fishman added Powerbridge great acoustics ...)
Faith Eclipse Venus 12-string guitar Cutaway
Takamine EG128 classic SCBK
CASIO MG 510 MIDI Guitar (Guitar rare nowadays 87, colaboration Roland and Ibanez) I just mounted 3 DiMarzio ... that happiness ...

Fender Jazz bass (Bartolini micro)
Shine bass 8 strings doubled

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for ten years and still works since birth ... 1 switch broke and I customized a little grunge (see photo)
I also use

PreSonus (made in USA I specify)
one BlueTube (preamp lamp)
BlueMax one (compressor)
one acoustic Q (preamp lamp simply monstrous or acoustic bass)

In the series Boss I
FBM 1 Fender Bassman 59;
FDR 1 Fender 65 Deluxe Reverb-Amp
FRV-1 Fender dream
MT2 - Metal area

By pedals or rack I have tried a lot of stuff over the years between the Line6 really means is that for my taste, Zoom I even speak, even last generations Digitech ... I deeply regret that too many brands tarnish their image with product Made in china ... unless they put the price (some Lexicon, TC electronc, Digitech) I will stay on my old RP1 which retains its identity sound made in USA ... that for a price today widely used and provide affordable, I'm just happy.