RP 500

[MusicChad]

Anybody have any experience with the Digitech RP500? I read something the other day that caught my attention regarding how impressed some people have been with the RP1000... I was at a local guitar shop recently and noticed that they had a used RP500 that looked brand new for about $125... Two questions:

1) Anybody know what differences there are between the RP500 and RP1000 (not so much “features” as I can read that of the digitech website – but more in terms of “sound quality” etc. Like how the POD X3 and X3 life have the same amp models but different forms... etc.)

2) Anybody know how this MFX would compare to something like a Boss GT-10 or X3Live?

I dumped my GT-8 a while back because I was unhappy with the sound. I’ve invested quite a bit now in individual pedals, etc. so that I can use my tube amp, etc. etc. However, I’m finding that I still am enamored with the idea of the “magic box” that does all the effects, overdrives, amps, etc. really well. I still have trouble believing that with all the technology out there, that DSP units can’t “compete” effectively with more traditional analog setups... Please note that for me, I am in pursuit of “pristine tone” more so than “convenience”, “cost”, or “volume”... Granted, I don’t have unlimited space or funds and am intrigued by the convenience, flexibility, and so forth, but am %100 certain at this point that my current rig sounds HEAD AND SHOULDERS above the tone offered in my GT-8 and therefore COMPLETELY making it worth giving up the “flexibility” and “wide variety” offered by the GT-8... I SO enjoy playing my newer rig...

However, I keep hearing people going NUTS over the Fractal Audio stuff, and am now hearing that the new RP stuff is killer as well... Do you think this is true or is it simply the “flavor of the month”?

I'm just thinking that for the price of one nice overdrive pedal, I could pick up the RP 500 --- that could be a lot of bang for the buck - or it could be another multi-effect unit that is "cool" but doesn't get me "excited" about how it sounds...

Any thoughts?

[scooteraz]

My experience so far has been that the better digital units, sound wise, are also much more expensive. I have yet to see a fractal in person, but at the price point, it had better be stunning. The POD stuff is really good. Haven't been as impressed with other digital modeling as I have the Line6, but even with Line6, so far I have not been as happy as I have with "analog" gear.

My guess is that the RP500 you see is someone's cast off because they found it unexciting. But, for a $125, that is the price of about 0.5 boutique pedals, so you could try and if you don't like, re-sell.

[Outlaw_Twanga]

I would skip the RP500 friend.

I have one laying around here somewhere. got some faults within the first week of owning it,

Pros:
Its tough always good.

Amp/cab bypass is a great feature if you only want to use the effects into your amp.

err some of the models do sound pretty good Like the Ac30 sim (got a real convincing edge 370ms delay going on) or the acoustic sims.

heap of effects always helpful if you've already got a great sounding amp if not...

Cons:
had some Comp and the Deluxe Rvb speaker sim on, doing some chicken pickin then the sound just cut to white noise cannot turn it off unless you switch banks.

Footpedal has a learning curve to it can't press it all the way down or the wah will turn automatically on, No matter how soft you rock and there is no way to turn it off without pushing down again. Once your foot hits that sweetspot BANG *Waaaaah* not cool if you doing clean volume swells.

the X3Live and GT10 do and offer so much more and perform better too.

In Christ
John S.

[Micter]

Sorry I'm late here but every digitech MFX unit since the RP250 have had software issues up to and including the GPS1101 (which I own) I would stay away from these products. They don't do much in the way of software updates to fix these issues. The GSP1101 has never had a firmware update period.

[Crunchyriff]

Don't you just love how some companies stand behind their products?

[MrMike]

I've had great results with my 1101. There's a guy that works at Digitech that has been doing a bunch of beta updates that are phenomenal.

[MusicChad]

Well, I passed on this for now... I still love the idea of a some kind of MFX unit. In practice, however, I have found the process to be frustrating at best... Unlike some here, I am NOT currently in a position where I am required to play "direct". I have used Boss GT products for a number of years but am currently becoming increasingly pleased with my tone using a real tube amp and some great stomp boxes... I still reviewing the last of my individual pedals, but should have something pretty "locked in" soon. (obviously, good tone is a never ending quest) I put my pedal board together with what I had to see if it would work - and it really really does... Once I finish "reviewing" all my pedals I'll put it back together again and am skeptically anticipating being completely ecstatic with my tone! I thought the sound improvement was significant with my old stomp boxes and cannot wait to hear what it all sounds like with the new!

[Micter]

I've had great results with my 1101. There's a guy that works at Digitech that has been doing a bunch of beta updates that are phenomenal.


Ya I am running bv48 but for Digitech to not have ever releases an update is ridiculous dont you think? The digitech brown sound amp model is worth the update alone. The new stompboxes are pretty cool too. I have always (and continue to) have had problems with the controller interface. If the patch originally was set up for volume control it's fine but if I try to change a patch that wasn't originally set up with the foot controller for volume it won't take affect. The problem coming out of tuner mode is a joke IMO. I know the beta updates fix that but for digitech to just allow the product to be released with that issue and never formally address it is crazy!

[scooteraz]

Well, I passed on this for now... I still love the idea of a some kind of MFX unit. In practice, however, I have found the process to be frustrating at best...

I am wondering about the new Line 6 MFX unit. But, I am thinking that like so many things, the emulations contained therein are not as nice as a good analog unit. I think that will change, but for now...

[MusicChad]

I with you on this scooteraz... I'm surprised that with the DSP technology that is out there, they haven't come up with something totally killer that wipes out the need for analogue gear... Not unlike how computers have wiped out the need for typewriters...

[Micter]

Don't you just love how some companies stand behind their products?

Oh ya! and I always buy their products and recommend their products to my friends! LOL

[scooteraz]

I with you on this scooteraz... I'm surprised that with the DSP technology that is out there, they haven't come up with something totally killer that wipes out the need for analogue gear... Not unlike how computers have wiped out the need for typewriters...

You mean, how CDs wiped out the need for vinyl :hmm: or ....:embarassed:

Typing was never an analog activity. So, I don't think that an apt comparison, but point taken. We have digitized movies and TV. As well as voice communication, etc. I think the problem with guitar sounds is not that it cannot be done well. But that it is not properly profitable to do so. You have to remember that the Line 6 products are selling at a price point of of $500 for the current X3 Live and the new M13 stomp box modeler is at the same price point. So, they sell it to GC (or what ever) for about $350-400. They purchase the item from their subcontractors for about $50 -100. But considering R&D and advertising, that is where the price needs to be to make a profit that will attract investors.

If they up the cost of the device to 100-150, the price of the finished unit to us will go up to about $750. Adding better models and processing will be expensive. So sales will be down, and you get the spiral. I am guessing (but holding judgement until I actually hear one live) the AxeFX is probably very very close to being there. And if you listen to Lincoln Brewster, he is there with the POD X3 (though it could be argued that we listen more to his music than his tone, and that his tone is ok but his music is great - but I have thought that of any number of artists playing through conventional gear as well).

[MusicChad]

And if you listen to Lincoln Brewster, he is there with the POD X3 (though it could be argued that we listen more to his music than his tone, and that his tone is ok but his music is great - but I have thought that of any number of artists playing through conventional gear as well).

GREAT point! To some degree I wonder if this has something to do with why I have enjoyed playing straight into a real amp rather than a modeler... With a modeler (Particularly the GT-8) there are like a bazillion things you can change. While it is totally cool that you can change them, it led me to a place of always being dissatisfied with my tone and spending HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS trying to "tweak" it to make it better. On one hand, I intensely enjoyed being able to tweak those things, but on the other hand, I think I pretty easily got lost in "tweakville" and would discover that I had just spent a few hours "tweaking" and that my actual tone wasn't significantly "better" as much as it was just "different"... ...AND... I still couldn't play that new chord I was wanting to learn...

With just an amp, it's like, OK, too loud or too soft? How is my bass mids and treble? OK... ...so I guess I need to learn that chord now or work on my technique... In other words, I've taken the tone as far as it can essentially go and I start focusing on the artistry again rather than the "setup"...

Just like a person may overlook the tone of a player to and enjoy the artistry, I think as a PLAYER, I need to be careful not to get lost so much in the tone that I forget to PLAY...

[Micter]

ANALOG=GOOD

digital=not good







rofl

[scooteraz]

ANALOG=GOOD

digital=not good







rofl

You're just baiting me. I will not rise to the bait, I will not rise to the bait.....:wasntme:




rofl

[Micter]

You're just baiting me. I will not rise to the bait, I will not rise to the bait.....:wasntme:




rofl

Awe come on, take the bait!

:hmm: