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Amazon:Digitech RP500 Multi-Effects Pedal
Summary
Digitech RP-10 Guitar Signal Processor/Foot Controller! View and Download DigiTech RP-10 owner's manual online. Guitar Signal Processor/Foot Controller and Preamp. RP-10 accessories pdf manual download. Digitech RP-10 Pdf User Manuals. View online or download Digitech RP-10 Owner's Manual, Manual. Digitech RP-10 Pdf User Manuals. View online or download Digitech RP-10 Owner's Manual, Manual.
- Pros: Nine rugged, metallic footswitches in total which allow for much greater hands-free control. Plenty of amp models, cabs and effects, with a “matrix” editing system and a user-assignable expression pedal.
- Cons: No drum machine, the expression pedal can be a little stiff and the amp models are noticeably less responsive than the real thing.
- Overall: A mid-sized to large unit that is suitable for extensive gigging. There might be better options in terms of sounds, but they will be more than enough for the majority of players.
I run the RP355 into my laptop and use Audacity for recording. As I think you just figured out you have to install the Digitech RP driver so it appears as a device that you can point the recording software at. I haven't used Reaper, but I would recommend Audacity - free, simple and very capable.
Full Review
The Digitech RP500 is the second-largest member of the RP series, making it a definite option for players looking for something to use as a gigging companion. Digitech’s smaller units generally fall a little short of being up to the task, but they get pretty much everything else right. The extra size looks set to be the RP500’s savior, allowing it to offer everything on the smaller units with the added bonus of genuine hands-free capabilities. But does it deliver?
Full-Sized Features
Depending on your outlook, the fact that the Digitech RP-500 includes the same features as the smaller units such as the RP355 is either a great thing or it means you’re parting with extra cash just for the luxury of a bigger box to fit everything in. You do get more preset locations, with 100 user slots and 100 factory ones, as well as 53 amps, 22 cabs and 72 effects – more than on any of the smaller units. Aside from a handful of extra amps, cabs and effects, you get pretty much everything you do on the biggest unit in the series, the RP1000.
The rigid, metallic construction and the size of the unit are the first things you’ll notice out of the box. The Digitech RP500 is almost 20 inches long, which gives it plenty of room to house five main footswitches along the bottom row, two at either side of the display and a large expression pedal on the right hand side. The construction quality of the footswitches is much better than on the smaller units because the shallow buttons are replaced with rugged metallic versions which are evenly spaced apart. You’re much less likely to hit one accidentally thanks to the extra room on the pedal.
[tabs][tab title=”Pic 1″][/tab][tab title=”Pic 2″][/tab][tab title=”Pic 3″][/tab][/tabs]There are a total of 55 amp models included on the Digitech RP500, with extras like the Dreadnought and Jumbo Acoustic taking the total higher than on the 355 (which “only” includes 32). Along with a whole host of Digitech amp models, you also get versions of classics like the ’74 Orange OR 120, Mesa Boogie’s Dual and Triple Rectifiers, the Marshall JCM200, Fender’s vintage Tweed, Blackface and Brownface amps and others like the ’96 Matchless HC30. They all use the Digitech AudioDNA2 processing, allowing for accurate representation of the original amp sounds. Although you’ll still be acutely aware that you’re hearing a replication, unless you happen to have 55 classic amps in your basement the amp models are invaluable. The 22 cabs are matched up to the amps automatically, but you can make up your own combinations too.
You also get 72 cool effects on the Digitech RP500, and these are also modeled on classics from throughout electric guitar history. There are plenty of options for compressors, wahs, distortions, flangers, choruses, phasers, delays, reverbs, envelopes, tremolos, vibratos and pitch-shifters, as well as a 3 band EQ. This is a veritable catalogue of legendary sounds, from the pitch-shifting fun of the Boss OC-2 Octaver to the Electro-Harmonix Small Stone phaser and the DOD Classic Fuzz distortion pedal. Plus, there are plenty of Digitech effects scattered across the different groups.
When the Digitech RP500 was originally released there was no in-built looper, but a firmware update changed that. You now get a 20 second looper with the unit, and it’s actually arranged in a much more standardized fashion than it is on the smaller unit. There aren’t dedicated switches, so you have to use the “Up” and “Down” footswitches (which usually allow you to change presets) to control it. Holding the “Up” switch for a couple of seconds activates the looper, and the “Down” switch is used for recording, playing back and overdubbing. Unlike on the smaller units, you don’t have to hold a switch down when you’re overdubbing, making the operation of the looper much simpler.
You also get plenty of options for connectivity with the Digitech RP500. The back panel includes stereo 1/4 inch outs, a pair of XLR outs (with a switch to minimize hum from ground loops), a headphone jack, an auxiliary input, a 1/4 inch input and a USB port. You can use the USB port to alter your sounds using the included X-Edit software and to backup your presets. The pedal also comes with Cubase LE4 in case you want to do some recording.
In Use
There are two basic modes you can use with the Digitech RP500, and the default one means the footswitches work just like individual stomp-boxes. In Pedalboard mode, from left to right you can activate or deactivate the compressor, distortion, chorus/FX, delay and reverb effects with a simple tap of a switch. The “Up” and “Down” switches choose a preset in this mode. In Preset mode, the five main footswitches choose a preset and the “Up” and “Down” ones are used to select a bank of five presets.
The “matrix” display in the center of the unit is used for editing the preset sounds. For basic customization, you can simply adjust the two left-most dials to browse the pre-programmed tone and effects libraries (which each include 40 style-specific configurations). If you want to get more technical, the up and down “Edit” buttons are used to select a row on the matrix, and then the first knob selects a specific effect from within that group. Pressing the knob in activates the effect, and fine changes to parameters are made with the remaining dials. The parameters are detailed above the dials, so it’s really easy to use. If you’re new to multi-effects, reading the manual is advised though.
There are a couple of minor issues with the Digitech RP500. Firstly, there is no drum machine. As this is included on the smaller units, the fact that you don’t get one when you spend more money seems to betray common sense. It isn’t the biggest issue, but it’s one that wouldn’t have been much hassle to get right. The sounds are also notably less responsive than the real things, and although this is to be expected to a certain degree, other modelers such as Line 6’s POD HD series do a better job. Finally, the expression pedal can also be a little stiff, and doesn’t have much room for parameter adjustment because of its small size.
Overall
The Digitech RP500, when set up correctly, can be used effectively in a live setting. You get all of the benefits of the smaller units with additional sounds and heavy-duty pedals. This makes switching between presets and adjusting the components to your sound much easier during a gig. There may be a few minor issues, but overall it offers all of the plus-points of the RP series without the fiddling and accidental-pressing that is common with the smaller units. If you’re a serious gigging musician, this is the smallest RP pedal you should consider, but for bedroom players there are cheaper options that are more than suitable.
Buy on Amazon:Digitech RP500 Multi-Effects Pedal
Dieter's
RP10
MAIN & FAQ PAGE
last update: 2011-03-06
FAQs
Firmware-upgrade for the RP10
Manual download
Troubleshooting (hard reset, lithium battery)
Links to other related RP10 sites
Firmware upgrade and other parts at myWebshopnow!!!
RP10 UPGRADE-SECTION:
Q: How can I find out the installed firmware version of my RP10?
A: Switch on the unit while watching the display. The firmware version in shown there while boot up. E.g. the display shows '1.80' – that means firmware version 1.80
Q: What was the latest (and final) firmware version for the RP10?
A: Version 2.40 was the latest and final version.
Q: Where can I get the 2.40 firmware-upgrade (RP12 Upgrade) for my RP10?
A: Email me! I have it available! The upgrade comes with a very detailed installation manual in English or German! If you want to buy the upgrade visit mywebshop here!
Q: When I install the 2.40 firmware-upgrade in my RP10 - will it be the same as the RP12?
A: No, but it will be nearly the same - see the next question please.
Q: Which benefits do I get by installing the 2.40 (RP12 upgrade) firmware in my RP10?
A: By installing the 2.40 firmware you get the following benefits:
First is the introduction of 3 new effects algorithms, giving the RP10 a total now of 36. These new algorithms include 3 new effects: Smooth Whammy, Smooth Pitch, and Harmony. Smooth Whammy is a new Whammy module with increased performance characteristics, creating a much smoother Whammy effect. Smooth Pitch is a single voice diatonic pitch shifting module with significantly improved tracking. And last but not least, Harmony is a single voice Intelligent Pitch Shifting effect, giving RP10 owners true 2-voice harmonizing solo lines. With the addition of new effects, Version 2.40 also improves the existing Wah effect, giving it a more realistic sound and response.
Along with new effects and algorithms, Version 2.40 sports all new presets. These presets are taken directly from Digitech's RP12 effects processor. Version 2.40 presets span several different playing styles ranging from Alternative to Metal to Country to Jazz/Fusion We even included some new presets designed specifically for Bass guitars. These are logically laid out in the RP10's 25 banks, with 2 banks of 5 presets dedicated to each style. Speaking of banks, the user will now have the ability to custom name these banks, a definite. And with the addition of new presets, Version 2.40 increases the RP10's memory to 256 presets, 128 User/128 Factory. 2.40 Upgrade is a must for any RP10 owner.
The new features as summary:
- New Factory Presets
- Increased Memory (128 User/128 Factory presets)
- New effects including Harmonizer, Smooth Pitch Shift, and Smooth Whammy
- Improved Wah Wah
- Improved Tuner
- 3 New Effect Algorithms (36 total)
- Custom Bank names
Q: Will I lose my presets after installing the Legend 2.40 firmware in my RP10?
A: Yes, because after installing you have to execute a hard reset.
If you want to keep them, consider a bulk MIDI dump or individual program dump. (I don't know, though, if patches written on lower firmware versions will seamlessly load back into a RP10 with the latest firmware 2.40). So best is to write down your most important settings on paper.
RP10USER-MANUALS:
Q: Where can I download the user manuals for the RP10?
A:Here:
German RP10 user Manual
English RP10 user Manual
Digitech Rp10 Power Supply
RP10 TROUBLESHOOTING:
Q: How do I recognize that the internal battery gets weak?
A: Best would be to measure the voltage with a voltmeter. If you don't have one:
- The unit doesn't hold the presets while switched off.
- The display might show garbled characters
I recommend replacing the battery every 3 years.
Q: How do I measure the voltage of the internal lithium battery?
A: Execute these steps:
- Pull the power cable!
- open the unit and locate the RAM-chip marked with U43
- Measure the DC voltage with a voltmeter at PIN16 (-) and PIN32 (+)
- The voltage should be 2.7VDC or higher. If it is lower, replace the battery.
- close the unit
Q: After replacing the lithium battery of my RP10 I get confuse characters on the display. What can I do?
A: Execute a hard reset
Q: How do I execute a hard reset at my RP10?
A: If you execute a hard reset you will lose your presets! Execute these steps:
- Connect the power supply to the mains power but leave the plug disconnected from the RP10
- Now connect the power plug at the RP10 WHILE pressing down the “Name” button
- An asterisk will appear next to “Digitech”
- Release the “Name” button
- Press (and release) the “Program up (▲)” button
- The display shows “Resetting Please wait...”
- Wait until the display shows 'Set pedal down (forward), press 1'
- Press the pedal down (forward)
- Press button 'Mod 1'
- The Display shows 'Set pedal up (back), press 2'
- Set the pedal up (back)
- Press button 'Mix 2'
- Now the unit is reset and the pedal is calibrated
Links to other related RP10 sites
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/guitar_effects/digitech/rp10/index.html
http://www.squest.com/Windows/Instruments/DigiTechRP-10/index.html
http://www.wholenote.com/v6869--DigiTech-RP-10
http://www.ps2netdrivers.net/manual/digitech.rp10/
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~bruce.james/RPEdit.html
Digitech Rp10 Review
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