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Digitech RP500
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Digital Effects Unit, 9 stompbox-style buttons and expression pedal, Amp and cabinet modeling (as well as a modeling bypass switch), wah, compression, distortion, effects, delay, and reverb stompbox models, dual XLR outputs with ground lift switch + 2 1/4" outputs with amp/mixer switch, USB port for recording/X-Edit preset maker, 100 user and 100 factory presets.
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Searched Digitech RP500 in Reviews
Great multi effects pedal and more! 
| Ease Of Use |
The Digitech RP500 is a great pedal! this - to me - is the easiest to operate of all multi effect processors in its price range! The main interface has alpha-numeric readouts one frame with two characters (for the selected patch or value of a parameter) - and another eight character panel for the preset/parameter name.
there is a matrix that that has 6 knobs that allows you to tweak parameters by selecting categories with the up and down "edit" buttons - amp model, effects, wah etc. -. just scroll down to what category you wish to modify then with the knobs corresponding to the various parameters, its a piece of cake!
editing patches is easy! when you are pleased with the sound, just press the "save preset" button, name it (using the knobs) and select where to save it. you can also do this with the X-edit software package that comes with it, simply hook the pedal and computer with a USB cable and open the program! it is also very easy to update the firmware, just hook it to any computer and download and run the installer! My RP500 has the latest firmware - which adds a 20 second looper!
It has five foots switches that can toggle compressors, distortion, effects, delay and reverb. these can also switch presets in preset mode.
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| Sound |
I have used this pedal with anything from an artcore, to strats, les pauls, and super strats. they all react a bit differently according to pickups so you can have a low gain sound with the same preset on an hollow body, and it will scream on a guitar with EMGs. I have used this with every kind of amp imaginable, from a micro-cube to a ahlf stack to a fender tube 1x12 to a bass amplifier to an acoustic amp, and you can get a good sound out of anything!
Also, you can use the "amp/cab bypass" feature that - for all presets - will disable all amp modeling. this is good if you want it for just effects!
In the overdrives department, we have many models ranging from simple tube screamers to over the top distortion and metal pedals. these sound very organic and are good boosting an amplifier whether its a modeled one in the pedal or in amp/cab bypass boosting a tube amp!
The selection of amplifier models is what really caught my attention! There is everything from fenders and marshalls, recitfiers, soldonos, peaveys, voxes. You name it!! My favorite of course, there is a Carvin legacy model!! it sounds very very accurate. you can get the perfect vai and even early satch sounds from it!! also impressive is the Vox AC30-tb model. with you picking dynamics you can go perfectly clean to a lush and harmonically rich overdrive! The Vox model also, unlike competitor MFX pedals, this has that fabled Vox "shimmer" to it, you really have to hear, or better you, play this model!
The effects section is great, there is everything from mellow chorus, to chugging flanger, and also some very unique - and some bizarre! there is a full list on the digitech website so I will not go into great detail about each one. but I will say each is a great reproduction of the original and you do NOT lose any of the tweakability . in fact, there is actually more in many cases! and best of all: there is the FULL whammy pedal in this, every function of the whammy IV is in this pedal!! quite honestly, it actually tracks quicker then the whammy IV, which is crazy but true! also to complement the Whammy pedal, the is a full harmonizer that will track every interval in every key and model, even harmonic minor!!
Good selection of delays as well! analog models, a digital delay, reverse, mod and more with up to 5 seconds of delay time!
There are also many great and highly tweak-able Reverb models, courtesy of Digitech's sister company, lexicon! from subtle fender style spring reverb to big gilmour style hall reverb and all in between!
There are three different Wah models. Including a cry baby, Vox, and a full range sweep. you can also tweak the sweep!
You can assign ANY parameter to the expression pedal. as well as two separate LFOs!
All of these can be modified in the X-edit software that comes with this pedal, which can give even more options!
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| Reliability |
This pedal is built like a tank, featuring mechanic vacuum switches and a full metal body I would not think twice about bringing without a backup! nothing has every broke, and if I am not stupid with it, nothing ever will! This pedal will support my full weight of 220lbs standing and I imagine it could take quite a bit more due to its intelligent form!
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| Customer Support |
I have not directly dealt with Digitech although according to all accounts they have been helpful to everybody else!
Update: after about a year, my pedal was subject to an unfortunate electrical mishap. I was able to return it to the shop and it was sent back to the digitech shop in Utah, where not only a capacitor was fixed, but other issues I hadn't mentioned were fixed (a ferrite thing at the aux in and headphone in). I must say, even though I had to wait about 6` weeks after i took it back, it came back, and works great, all I had to do was pay the shipping!
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| Liked about it |
Great tones in all situations!!
Simple interface makes making any sound a snap!!
Think about all the money and hassle you are saving!! the is likely more then just a few thousand worth in equipment in this 250$ box!! no extra cables, batteries, 200 patches!?! what more could you want!
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| Didn't like |
If I HAD to find anything, it would probably be, I wish I could use the "four cable method" where i can use the effects in the amp's FX loop and the overdrives in front. but that has never been a concern for me!
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| Overall satisfaction: |
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5.0 |
By fwd0120 Aug 20, 2010
Last updated: June 29, 2011
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Makes it Hard for me to Get an Actual Pedalboard Setup
| Ease Of Use |
The presets on the RP500 aren't really great, so don't judge the unit simply by listening to them. Tweaking the unit is easy after a few times. There's an effects matrix on the face of the unit, telling you which effect is which, and the 10 character display is very readable except for when there is really bright sunlight.
The patches could be placed side-by-side on the five primary buttons located at the bottom side of the unit, or scrolled through the up and down buttons on the upper right. The five "effects" buttons are really genius, especially when running direct to the amp, where effects could be turned off individually like a real pedalboard.
Getting great sounds from the unit is easy when you know exactly what you would like to hear. Otherwise, you could get sample presets using the tone and effects library (silver knobs 1 and 2).
Firmware upgrade is a must for version 1.2 units to fix some bugs on some features such as the Redline OD and shaky tuner. There are currently two official upgrades for this, Ver. 1.4 which fixes the bugs, and Ver. 2.0 which adds a 20-second looper to the unit, along with the 1.4 fixes.
One plus that performing musicians might like with the RP500 is that it could be connected straight to the PA using the XLR outs with ground lift switch. Additionally, it has dual outputs for 1/4" jacks for connecting to two amplifiers for stereo operation or, again, straight to the PA for convenience. What's so cool is that you can do all of this simultaneously: use the XLRs for a direct-to-the-board sound, and the dual 1/4" outputs for monitor speakers onstage.
The USB port is for recording, editing patches, and upgrading firmware. With the supplied software, it's easy to start recording guitars and editing new patches using your computer. These added pluses really make me smile, especially because I like easy connectivity with computers :)
Overall, I can say that this unit is very easy to program especially for a first-time owner like me, and with the features, live playing and setting up pains can be less excruciating. :)
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| Sound |
Using the unit as a virtual stompbox yields really great sounding effects, especially the modulations and reverb. OD models such as the TS9 and 808 can be used to push the overdrives of amps to yield that compressed, "exploding" lead guitar sound, or even the amp models for a more saturated feel.
Amp models have been praised as being faithful to the vibe of the originals, but they could only be ran through the effects return of the amp to get clearer results. If you like the tone of your amp, just run it in front, and set the modeling to direct.
I am particularly delighted with the unit because of the warm and natural sounding amp and effects models, and how easy it is to get great sounds once you learn how to manipulate the unit.
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| Reliability |
The chassis is made out of metal. I stand on the unit with my two feet (I weigh 190 lbs.) and this does not seem to damage the unit at all. The vacuum-style switches are really tough, and feel solid.
The only thing I don't like about the unit is the underside, where the metal cover and rubber feet are. While I am confident that the cover won't fall off, it kinda rattles every time I set it on the floor, plus one of the rubber come feet had come loose, and so I just glued it on with superglue. Other than that, I'd trust my show on this thing.
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| Customer Support |
I've heard about how Digitech has been helpful with customers, but I haven't tried contacting them yet, since I've never had any technical problems with the RP500 yet.
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| Liked about it |
1. Great amp models
2. Lovely effects
3. Relatively cheap for what you're getting
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| Didn't like |
1. Cover rattles a bit when set on floor
2. Rubber feet could have been much more secured onto the underside
3. Bugs on firmware 1.2 (which could easily be fixed with some upgrading)
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| Overall satisfaction: |
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5.0 |
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internal use: spec34 spec237
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