DigiTech RP500

Bought new in 2008, wanted it as an effect board for my tube amp. I looked at a few other boards such as the Vox tonelab, Line6 X3, and the Boss GT10. I chose this because it had the option to run it as a standard amp/pedal modeler but also with a push of a button it became a pedal only board. So when using it with my amp I could use my amps tone with the pedals of this, without having to turn of each amp model. It has all the standard effects: compression, distortion, overdrive, chorus, flanger, phaser, delay, reverb... but along with some other cool ones. Whammy, pitch shifter, talker (talk box simulator), wah, rotary, tremolo, and many more.
Another great thing about this is some of the amp models. It has some that no other modeler I've found has, such as the Randall RG100 and the Mesa Boogie Mark IV (up until the Axe FX added it).

UTILIZATION

Like all Digitech modelers it was very easy to setup and get passable tones from. Most of the presets are ok and easy to work off of. This is pretty basic, pick the amp, the cab, the pedals, put the settings in and go. Some more advanced modelers get deep into things like tube bias, power tube sag and many other deep options that are to advanced for most players. That is where this shines, the simplicity.

SOUND QUALITY

The sound is the only thing that didn't do it for me. While it does have a ton of great options they just aren't the greatest sounding. I owned a few of the pedals this modeled. I ran both into my amp and A/B'ed them back and forth to compare them and they just were too different to compare. I was pretty disappointed. I was able to get some pretty cool sounds using this as an amp modeler, but it just didn't have a great feel to it. Nice amps have a indescribable feel to them when playing through them, most modelers can't even attempt to copy this. This RP500 was just very uninspiring feeling so I ended up selling it.

OVERALL OPINION

Even though I ended up selling it I'd recommend it to beginners to modeling. It's easy to use, has tons of options, and doesn't sound bad, just not to my standards. It's very easy to setup and most of the factory presets are pretty good sounding.

No need to return it. All effects are present. Note the harmonizer which allows interesting simulation of 12 strings, the famous and infamous whammy settings maladd (haha detuuuuune the effect). The big plus is that in addition to being usable mode multi-effects pedalboard AND, it is also possible since the update, make a damn good looper. Besides the plethora of connectivity, the USB plug to turn it into sound without latency map (yes, tested and approved under guitar rig). Brief. Abused do so complete. Note that simus hi gain amps sound great. Absolute disgrace to those who dare say otherwise. We must connect the AC on a sound system or powered speakers for neutral understand !!! Obviously if one is beast enough to go through the grain of an amp + hp his shit, obviously it sounds cold and mushy or acid.

UTILIZATION

Being able to move from a simple button on a pedalboard (or activates up to five effects as if they were activated DEDICATED pedals on each of the 5 switches) has a multi effects or moving from one sound has the other nearly 200 recorded sounds. It's happiness. But even more when we pass by the sound editor, very well done and much more ergonomic than direct editing on the pedal, which is still not bad anyway.

SOUND QUALITY

As do most guitarists, the absolute error is to mix amp sims has an amp sound. And usually it gives résiltats of shit, it must be said. How many times I killed some friends or great lovers amp has lamps with my sounds taken directly from the sound system or powered speakers. It must be said that the multi effect can happily be used without the amp sims so intending to those who want a max editable effects and accessible without losing the color of their amp. It was the base that why I bought it. And then I got into the direct connection to the PA system. And there, another world opened up to me. I loved the hi gain amp sims, because even without the heat lamps are kept that side board and law. And I play strong or weak I keep the same sound, with almost no other parasite than my hand, my microphone and my jack. Fabulous!

OVERALL OPINION

I used it for a good year to do an EP at home and craft. Then I discovered the pod xt live pod HD500 then that even taped me even though the effects are noticeably better at Digitech. I hesitated to definitively separate me an amp to pass only by Sim as now do a lot of groups. The sound difference is minimal for a much smaller cost. My back says thank you too.

I also hesitate to keep my long digitech and even make me fart RP1000. But after buying a Variax 500 in line 6 pod hd both + and xt live ... Can not go back. I have so many possibilities in sound material ... A pure delight.

on the other hand, it is September 2014 and Thomann has proposed € 185. A RP500 which cost almost € 300 there is little, it's a bargain sacred. Hard to find a less than 150 € OCCAZ (aside in poor condition, but it is super strong!)

This is a fully digital multi effect processor integrating audiodna2.
We can edit the sounds via usb pc software x-edit in the box provided.
No MIDI

UTILIZATION

The booklet provides is entirely in English - I acknowledge that I swam a little the first hour but then ca is childish, especially with the software. You plug the USB mlutieffet by and it becomes a sound card.

SOUND QUALITY

The effects are very realistic and it has a multitude of choices (the chorus to distortion through the wha wha, the whammy etc. ..)
The simultaneous amps are superb.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had two days but it is a pure joy. Most in this product is that you can use it without the amp models and use them as pedals well. Then there is a choice between five types of effects (compressor, distortion-chorus-delay-reverb).
I bought 269 euros in a country next door to us with shipping offered.
For that price I am pleased to have this multi purpose.

- What are the effects or types of effects available?
Simu amp, cab, flanger, chorus, phaser, wah, tremolo, vibrato, rotary, filter, EQ, compressor, reverb, delay, noise gate and automatic volume ... I probably forget!

- What technology is used? (Analog, digital, tube ...)
It''s digital, but with a system of bypass quite impressive!

- Are they edited? Via an editor Mac / PC?
Driver + Cubase LE for PC, I do not know for Mac, but see the digitech site!

- What is the connection? (Audio / MIDI)
no MIDI, USB output, stereo jack with interuptor mix / amp and stereo XLR output (great thought!)

no effects loop, I personally do not need it ^ ^

UTILIZATION

- The general configuration is it simple?
YES! I had a lot of multi effect that squared me because: it sounded but it was either the factory or was it sounded simple, but not at all!
There are LED to tell us what effect is on, it was enough to make knob level and footswitch are numerous, so use is very practical!

- Publishing of sound effects or is it easy?
ouiiiiiii quite simple! sought and found 5mn ^ ^
A great truck, take a ds 1: The parameters will be changed so tone, volume and gain (like the original), if we take a Dynacomp, such a threshold and an output volume ... So emulation is pushed to the original configuration of the effect!

- The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
you need to download the French version on the site! but not really need a manual, except for how to reset it and possibly know what this model is ex: mx phase => phase 100!
otherwise it is very intuitive!

SOUND QUALITY

- Effects are they effective, responsive and realistic enough?
With a history of madness amp simulators (tri ac, SansAmp) I did not expect much from a 500 rp! error! emulated its just great! there is choice and the simulations are not bad at all! I had a tiny terror, orange and simulation approaches it, I had a randall rg 50 tc, the same! good substitute for a mesa that either, but it's more than correct! and far less synthetic than line6 (sorry spider ^ ^)

- Which instruments do you use?
SG and Melodymaker, Blackstar HT5 amp

- Which ones you prefer, you hate?
at the base, I was looking for a multi purpose ... and therefore has several effects pedals, JUST EFFECTS! Unfortunately there are very few and even fewer in my price range (nova system ...) So I was really drunk GT8 me! impossible to get anything at all! then I switched to my 50 ... not too bad but distorts the sound, then lack of footswitch what!
Father is very convenient, not super expensive, super-efficient, easy to use ...! the effects sound really good and is close to the original (I could compare a few) we chose a Dynacomp, a DS1, a phase 100, and it sounds a crybaby!
then the best would still be the "ampbypass!" that's awesome! it was just the effects and nothing else! noted a small decrease in volume with the sound of the amp ddirect no effect compared with the sound of the amp without the rp, and a tiny channel saturated breath ... but no big distortion, nothing really embarrassing what!

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?
1 week, it's rib! I think it's strong enough stuff ...

- What is so special that you like most and least?
Plus, the ampbypass and quality effects,
least, there is no format "pocket"? I abuse not ... it is smaller than GT8

- Have you tried many other models before buying it?
yes yes a lot: korg, boss, other digitech, line6 ...

- How would you rate the quality / price?
I buy OCCAZ € 200, knowing that I did not want too many cable and it made me * st to ch 150 for a delay, a flanger 80, 70 a comp ... bah I'm delighted!

- With experience, you do again this choice? ...
For now, I do not think there is better in this price range ... so yes of course, I would do this choice!

I have outlined, but if you have specific questions / additional, please!