DigiTech RP500 Guitar Multi-Effects Switching System & USB Recording Interface
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The simplicity of a stompbox. The control of an effects switching system.
Get the best of both worlds with the DigiTech RP500 Guitar Multi Effects Pedal. The RP500 features a Pedalboard mode that allows you to turn on and off individual stompboxes and effects by pushing buttons 1-5. You get the expressiveness of stompboxes and you can change them from preset to preset. Next take the Amp/Cabinet Bypass button that defeats the internal amplifiers and cabinets leaving you with only stompboxes and effects and you have a switching machine. Save each combo in a preset for a uniquely switchable pedal setup found only in pro switching systems.
The RP500 Multi Effects Pedal is built like a tank, from a cast metal chassis to the 9 vacuum-style switches. A large 10 character LED display makes for easy stage use topped by an built-in expression pedal to control wahs, volume, Whammy™ and other parameters.
Your sound is king so having control of your sound is imperative. The DigiTech RP500 pedal gives you the control to express yourself the way you want—no longer will the lack of control stand in the way of your expression.
*Other product names modeled in this product are trademarks of their respective companies that do not endorse and are not associated or affiliated with DigiTech or Harman International Industries, Inc. Ibanez Tube Screamer, Voodoo Labs Sparkle Drive, Guyatone Overdrive, ProCo Rat, MXR, Boss Metal Zone, Roger Mayer Octavia, Demeter Fuzzulator, Arbiter Fuzz Face, EH Big Muff Pi, Dunlop Cry Baby, Vox, Clyde McCoy Wah, MXR DynaComp, TC Electronic, EH Electric Mistress, EH Small Stone, Boss Octaver, Unicord Univibe, Fender Opto Tremolo, Vox Bias Tremolo, Maestro Echoplex, Fender Twin Reverb, EMT, Fender Tweed Deluxe, Fender Bassman, Fender Blackface, Twin Reverb, Marshall Super Lead, Mesa/Boogie, Hiwatt, Fender Tweed Champ, Soldano, Jensen Blue Backs, Celestion, Johnson Amplification and VHT Amplification are trademarks of other manufacturers and were used merely to identify products whose sounds were reviewed in the creation of this product.
Features
- Exclusive Pedalboard mode changes the RP500 into 5 individual stompboxes and effects
- Amp/Cabinet Bypass turns the RP500 into a true effects processor that works with your amp's tone
- Heavy-duty vacuum switches for program changes, effect on/off changes, bank up and down, tap tempo and tuner
- Bright LEDs display program status and effect on/off
- Large 8 character LED display for program name, bank name, and tuner
- Large 2 character display for program number and tuning reference
- Built-in expression pedal controls the RP500's internal wahs, volume, Whammy™, and other parameters
Get everything you need to rule stage or studio. Call or click today to order.
RP500 Guitar Multi-Effects Switching System & USB Recording Interface Specifications:
- Stompboxes based on:
- Compressor / Sustainers:
- Boss® CS-2Compressor / Sustainer
- DigiTech® Main Squeeze Compressor
- MXR® Dynacomp™
- Wah / Volume: Dunlop® Cry Baby Wah™
- DigiTech® Full Range Wah
- Vox® Clyde McCoy Wah™
- Volume Pedal
- Distortions & Overdrives:
- SCREAMER (Based on an Ibanez® TS-9)
- TS 808 (Based on an Ibanez TS-808 Tube Screamer)
- SPARKDRIVE (Based on a Voodoo® Lab Sparkle Drive®)
- OD OVERDRIVE (Based on a Guyatone® Overdrive OD-2)
- DOD 250 (Based on a DOD® 250 Overdrive/Preamp)
- RODENT (Based on a Pro Co RAT™)
- MX DISTORTION (Based on an MXR® Distortion +)
- DS (Based on a Boss® DS-1™ Distortion)
- GRUNGE (DigiTech® Grunge®)
- ZONE (Based on a Boss MT-2 Metal Zone®)
- DEATH METAL (DigiTech Death Metal™)
- GONKULATOR (Based on a DOD® Gonkulator Ring Modulator)
- 8TAVIA (Based on a Roger Mayer Octavia™)
- FUZZLATOR (Based on a Demeter Fuzzulator)
- CLASSIC FUZZ (Based on a DOD Classic Fuzz)
- FUZZY FACE (Based on an Arbiter® Fuzz Face™)
- BIG PI (Based on an Electro-Harmonix® Big Muff Pi®)
- DigiTech Redline Overdrive
- Amplifiers & Acoustics:
- 57 CHAMP Based on a '57 Fender® Tweed Champ®
- 57 DELUXE Based on a '57 Fender® Tweed Deluxe™
- 59 BASSMAN Based on a '59 Fender® Tweed Bassman®
- 62 BROWN BASSMAN Based on a '62 Fender® Brownface Bassman®
- 65 TWIN REVERB Based on a '65 Fender® Blackface Twin Reverb®
- 65 REVERB(Based on a '65 Fender Blackface Deluxe Reverb®
- 65 JTM-45(Based on a '65 Marshall® JTM-45
- 68 SUPER LEAD PLEXI Based on a '68 Marshall 100 Watt Super Lead (plexi)
- 68 JUMP PANEL Based on a '68 Marshall Jump Panel
- 77 MASTER VOLUME Based on a '77 Marshall Master Volume
- 83 JCM800 Based on an '83 Marshall JCM800
- 93 JCM900 Based on a '93 Marshall JCM900
- 01 JCM2000 Based on an '01 Marshall JCM2000 (Solo Channel)
- 62 AC15 Based on a '62 Vox® AC15
- 63 AC30 TOP BOOST Based on a '63 Vox AC30 Top Boost
- 69 HIGH WATTAGE Based on a '69 Hiwatt® Custom 100 DR103
- 81 MARK IIC Based on an '81 Mesa Boogie® Mark II C
- 01 DUAL RECTIFIED Based on an '01 Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier
- 99 LEGACY VL-100 Based on a Carvin® Legacy VL-100
- 96 MATCH HC-30 Based on a '96 Matchless™ HC30
- 88 SLO-100 Based on an '88 Soldano SLO-100
- Gibson® GA-40
- Peavey® 5150® II
- Roland JC-120
- Sunn® 100S
- Randall® HT-100
- DIGITECH SOLO DigiTech® Solo
- DIGITECH METAL DigiTech Metal
- DIGITECH BRIGHT CLEAN DigiTech Bright Clean
- DIGITECH CHUNK DigiTech Chunk
- DIGITECH CLEAN TUBE DigiTech 2101 Clean Tube
- DIGITECH CRUNCH DigiTech Crunch
- DIGITECH BLUES DigiTech Blues
- DIGITECH FUZZ DigiTech Fuzz
- DIGITECH SPANK DigiTech Spank
- DIGITECH HIGH GAIN DigiTech High Gain
- DIGITECH MONSTER - Maxed out gain
- DIGITECH "TWEEDFACE" — Tweed preamp w/Blackface power amp
- DIGITECH "65 Blackface Bassman" — '65 Blackface preamp with Bassman power amp
- DIGITECH STONERROCK — Thick, sludgy distorted amp tone
- DIGITECH DARKMETAL — Responsive, tight metal tone
- DIGITECH TRANSISTOR — Solid state transistor amp sound
- DIGITECH BROWNSOUND — Hot rodded '80s stack tone
- DIGITECH MOSH — Chunky metal tone with just the right amount of sizzle
- 2101 CLEAN TUBE DigiTech GSP2101TM Artist Clean Tube
- 2101 SATURATED TUBE DigiTech GSP2101 Artist Saturated Tube
- DIRECT No amp model
- DREADAUGHT ACOUSTIC
- JUMBO ACOUSTIC
- Cabinets:
- CHAMP 1X8 Based on a 1x8 '57 Fender® Tweed Champ®
- DELUXE 1X12 Based on a 1x12 '57 Fender Tweed Deluxe®
- DELUXE REVERB 1X12 Based on a 1x12 '65 Fender Blackface Deluxe Reverb
- BRITISH 1X12 Based on a 1x12 '62 Vox® AC15 w/20W Vox Speaker
- BLONDE 2X12 Based on a 2x12 '57 Fender Blonde Bassman®
- TWIN 2X12 Based on a 2x12 '65 Fender Blackface Twin Reverb®
- BRITISH 2X12 Based on a 2x12 '63 Vox® AC0 Top Boost w/ Jensen® Blue Backs
- BASSMAN 4X10 Based on a 4x10 '59 Fender Tweed Bassman®
- BRITISH 4X12 Based on a 4x12 Marshall® 1969 Straight w/ Celestion® G12-T70
- GREENBACK 4X12 Based on a 4x12 Marshall 1969 Slant w/ Celestion 25W Green backs
- FANE 4X12 Based on a 4x12 Hiwatt® Custom w/ Fane Speakers
- BOUTIQUE 4X12 Based on a 4x12 '96 VHT® Slant w/ Celestion Vintage 30's
- VINTAGE 4X12 Based on a 4x12 Johnson® Straight w/ Celestion Vintage 30's
- DIGITECH SOLO 4X12 4x12 DigiTech® Solo
- DIGITECH BRIGHT 2X12 2x12 DigiTech Bright
- DIGITECH METAL 4X12 4x12 DigiTech Metal
- DIGITECH ROCK 4X12 4x12 DigiTech Rock
- DIGITECH ALT 4X12 4x12 DigiTech Alt Rock
- DIGITECH VINTAGE 4X12 4x12 DigiTech Vintage
- DIGITECH CHUNK 4X12 4x12 DigiTech Chunk
- DIGITECH SPANK 4X12 4x12 DigiTech Spank
- DIGITECH SPEAKER COMP 4x12 DigiTech Speaker Compensation
- DIRECT No cabinet model
- FX Models:
- Chorus Stompbox Models based on:
- Boss® CE-2 Chorus
- DigiTech Dual Chorus
- DigiTech Multi-Chorus
- TC Electronics® Chorus
- DIGITECH GLISTENING Chorus
- Flanger Models based on:
- MXR® Flanger
- DigiTech® Triggered Flanger
- Electro Harmonix® Electric Mistress™
- ADA® Flanger
- Phaser Models based on:
- MXR® Phase 100
- DigiTech® Phaser
- Electro Harmonix® Small Stone™
- Pitch Models based on:
- DigiTech® Whammy™
- DigiTech® Pitch Shift
- DigiTech® Detune
- DigiTech® IPS
- Boss® OC-2 Octaver™
- Vibrato/Rotary Models based on:
- DigiTech® Vibrato
- DigiTech® Rotary
- DigiTech® Vibro/Pan
- Unicord UniVibe™
- Tremolo Models based on:
- DigiTech® Tremolo
- DigiTech® Panner
- Fender® Opto Tremolo™
- Vox® Bias Tremolo
- DIGITECH SCATTERTREM — Dual tremolo effect
- Envelope/Special Models based on:
- DOD® FX25 Envelope Filter
- DigiTech® Auto Yah™
- DigiTech® YaYa™
- DigiTech® Synth Talk™
- DigiTech® Step Filter
- DigiTech® Sample & Hold
- Delays:
- Digital Delay
- Analog Delay
- Pong Delay
- Modulated Delay
- Tape Delay
- Reverse Delay
- DM Analog Delay - based on Boss® DM2 Analog Delay
- Echo Plex - based on Maestro EP-1 Tube Echoplex
- Reverbs based on:
- Lexicon® Ambience
- Lexicon® Hall
- Lexicon® Room
- Lexicon® Studio
- EMT Plate - based on EMT® 240 Plate Reverb
- Spring - based on Fender® Twin Reverb™
Review Snapshot®
by PowerReviews(based on 93 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
75%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Good selection of effects (3)
- Versatile (3)
Cons
Best Uses
- Performances (4)
- Amateur recording (3)
- Outdoor events / games (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Experienced (3)
Most Liked Positive Review
Excellent Sound and Durability... Lots of Fun...
The Digitec RP500 is an excellent sounding multi-effects pedal that is durable and a great choice for guitarists who want to expand their sonic capabilities. I mostly play classic rock-style music on electric and found...Read complete review
The Digitec RP500 is an excellent sounding multi-effects pedal that is durable and a great choice for guitarists who want to expand their sonic capabilities. I mostly play classic rock-style music on electric and found the many classic amp simulations to be very accurate based on my prior knowledge of tube and solid state amps. In the past, I've owned a pre-CBS Fender Bandmaster, a pre-CBS Fender Twin Reverb, Music Man HD130 stack, and a Marshall stack. I've also jammed a lot with a friend's Randall and Roland JC120. These days, I mostly play acoustic guitar and have invested most of my money in high-end equipment in that area. I wanted something inexpensive and versatile for periodic live electric jamming and recording. I purchased the RP500 after comparing it with similar products from Vox, Line 6, Boss, Behringer, and Zoom. In the end, I really liked both the RP500 and Vox Tonelab. The Line 6 and Boss certainly were competitive. In the end, I felt the RP500 had the most features and quality. The RP500 is very easy to use. I spent about three hours initially to become acquainted with its features. My anaylsis of the modeled amp sounds is mostly based on how well I felt the simulation captured the "breakup" sound of a tube amp. Digitec seemed to pay close attention to these nuances. Of course, nothing sounds better than a quality tube amp, but the RP500 does an excellent job of paying homage to the classic amps. I cannot comment on metal "shredding" sounds of the RP500, because I don't have the experience. In terms of durability, the pedal is made of high quality steel. The individual footswitches are not labeled with stencils or stickers, the labels are actually countersunk into the steel. I've played the pedal through two 15-watt Roland Cube amps (clean settings) in a stereo setup. It sounds excellent. You might consider this for an inexpensive rig. If you want to use the excellent amp modeling simulations, I would suggest you have an amp with a pristine clean channel, so as it won't compete or get muddy with the actual amp distortion. I also play the RP500 through an inexpensive Vox Valvetronix with amp modeling turned off. The RP500 allows you turn off all amp simulations and just use the myriads of effects. I was familiar with many of the modeled effects of the RP500--especially the Electro Harmonix, boss, and MXR boxes. I will say the RP500 effects I've used certainly sound great. The RP500 also comes with Cubase recording software. It was very easy to setup and record in stereo, but I was already familiar with Cubase. The unit's computer editing software is also excellent and easy to use. Criticisms? A basic looper and metronome/drum patterns would've been nice. Other than that, the RP500 has many features and sounds for me to paint my sonic landscapes. There are many surprises, and I feel like a famous rock star who has countless amps and effects at my disposal. It's nice to dream....
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
RP 500 review
I am a 36 yr old guy in southwestern Colorado who gigs out regularly in two local bands. Between the two I cover the gamut of rock, pop, reggae, psychedelic rock, country and...Read complete review
I am a 36 yr old guy in southwestern Colorado who gigs out regularly in two local bands. Between the two I cover the gamut of rock, pop, reggae, psychedelic rock, country and a little jazz - no hardcore metal (although plenty of hard rock and loud distorted guitars of course). Both bands also perform originals and are involved with recording projects in their respective studios. I live for syrupy class A tube distortion and those 3-D tube cleans and this clunky hunk a junk sucks the life outa' both. Obviously processed tone and slow response to the point of cutting off your attack. have to compensate with the compressor to get your attack back and there goes your tone more. If your a solid stater this may work for you, I sounds ok in stereo through a decent solid state amp. Wha's are flat and lifeless - no sweet spot. Effects are ok not that great but in the mix sound decent. Adds a fair bit a noise to the signal chain. If you have a solid state buffer (solid state preamp might work), this unit will sound significantly better. I used to plug it into an old 80's era analog Ibanez multi effect rack unit so I could slave in into the patch channel and it sounded quite a bit better through the buffered circuitry. It is very easy to program and operate, it is pretty bullet proof as well. It survived drunk dancers spilt drinks and other abuse. I played out with it for about a year, using it in just a few songs and as a really big floor tuner. I used to call it my floor tuner sarcastically. There are better multi effects processors for the money. But if you want a simple all in one solution that sound a heck of a lot better than just a solid state amp & is tough and versatile this may do it for ya. If you want a good multi effect unit to add nuance and versatility to your already awesome tube amp sound - keep looking - nothing beats analog but other digital units get a lot closer. Whenever considering anything digital always look for the best & highest resolution AD & DA converters you can find, I currently use a Zoom 9.2tt for my floor multi unit. You can still hear digital artifacts in certain instances, but for the most part it sound pretty darn real and it does not suck tone like the digitech did. My RP 500 I gave to my Dad who uses it in his band in San Fran. He plays a small 15 watt solid state amp and the RP series are very simple to program and understand so it is perfect for him. And everyone lives happily ever after the end.
Reviews
Reviewed by 93 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-10
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Pros
- Gets The Job Done Nice
- Good Selection Of Effects
- Versatile
Cons
- None at this time
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Events
- Performances
Comments about DigiTech RP500 Guitar Multi-Effects Switching System & USB Recording Interface:
It's a pretty nice unit. Good selection of effects and the sound is really good for what you get. Customization is easy.
I haven't tried any of the recording to PC yet, so I am not sure of those features yet.
Pros
- Compact Design
- Excellent Sound Quality
- Good Selection Of Effects
- Responsive
- Versatile
Cons
- No Looper
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Events
- Home Studio
- Performances
- Professional Recording
Comments about DigiTech RP500 Guitar Multi-Effects Switching System & USB Recording Interface:
What a masterpiece. I mean really digitech out did themselves. this unit is so good it is comparable to the old RP-1s. great sounds, wide range of effects, iv had this unit for a year now and cant imagine life without it. BUY THIS UNIT!!!
Pros
- Rugged Build
Cons
- Difficult To Use
- Excessively Complex
- Poor Model Sound
- Poor Sound Quality
- Unresolved Firmware Bugs
Best Uses
- Performances
Comments about DigiTech RP500 Guitar Multi-Effects Switching System & USB Recording Interface:
My need for this thing was very simple and limited: I wanted to use the DigiTech Whammy and Harmonizer effects in my recording studio, and perhaps the looper for practicing. I had no illusions about the amp and analog effect models, but I figured that the proprietary DigiTech digital effects running off the same AudioDNA2 engine as the stand-alone effects would at least be OK.
Wrong.
The harmonizer effect has some bug in the RP500's firmware that many have complained about, but DigiTech says they are not bugfixing, presumably because this model is at the end of its marketing cycle and it's not worth it for them.
The X-Edit external editing program is not bad, but it is extremely hard to see because of the tiny fonts in the menus.
I actually have many of the original analog effects and amps in my studio, and they sound NOTHING like the DigiTech models of them in the RP500. What the models are actually from, I can't guess.
For setting up some fuzzy high-distortion live performance stuff, I imagine this has its uses and it's a solid, rugged unit that looks like it would survive stage use, but it's just not a product that has much place in pro-grade recording, especially if DigiTech doesn't fix its screw-ups.
I definitely regret buying this device and recommend against it.
Pros
- Durable
- Good Selection Of Effects
- Responsive
- Versatile
Cons
- Set up is time consuming
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Events
- Home Studio
- Performances
- Professional Recording
Comments about DigiTech RP500 Guitar Multi-Effects Switching System & USB Recording Interface:
Quality unit with a nice selection of effects combinations. The pre-sets can be tailored but it takes time to dial in your specific sounds. Switching from one effect to another is immediate once you set up your banks. I created my favorite 12 presets and moved them to banks 1, 2 and 3. I purchased a second RP500 for back up and set it up the same way but have never had to use it. My oringinal unit is 2 years old and still sounds and looks as good as it did when I bought it. Very durable and sounds great out of a Marshall MG.
Comments about DigiTech RP500 Guitar Multi-Effects Switching System & USB Recording Interface:
If you want an upgrade or a multi-effects pedal that is fluid combined with your own effects pedals, I recommend this one! I honestly believe you will not be disappointed!
I have to say that I am blown away at all the features on this thing! 100 factory presets along with 100 user presets, all tweakable to your liking, you can find the tone your after...I honestly believe it! After the update, you get a 20-second looper. There's also software to edit each of your presets on your computer. You can turn the amp/cabinet off and just go with effects or bypass the pedalboard completely and use your own effects pedals.
Honestly, this thing is built tough! Love the feel and sound of stomping on the switches! Lol! Makes me feel like a pro! Lol!
To be honest, in my opinion, with as much as this thing can do, I believe the price is just right!
Comments about DigiTech RP500 Guitar Multi-Effects Switching System & USB Recording Interface:
Love my RP500!
It has EVERYTHING you'll need. Presets are very good in general. Some do require editing to make them better sounding, and this is easily done if you read the manual and learn to twitch the settings. The tuner is great. Remember to upgrade to version 2.0 of the firmware via USB and an internet conexion: this will give you a 20-second looper which works great too!
This think is a tank. Yes: A TANK!
Great value for the price!
Comments about DigiTech RP500 Guitar Multi-Effects Switching System & USB Recording Interface:
LOVE IT!!!
The tuner is excellent.
Playing in all modes sounds great - I have been playing mine in pedal board mode, straight to the mixing board lately, having the sound come back to me through a monitor.
I have been tweaking my pedals quite a bit too. The chorus effect, on most pre-sets, is way too crazy/deep, but can be easily modified to make a lush but subtle change to the sound. Also, the reverb choices are nice and editable too. I have been using "RODENT" distortion the past few weeks - it has great attack and nice crunch. The compressor is nice to use during solos.
It took me a while to start tweaking the sound, but now I am confident to turn the knobs at will.
I do not know about the other available pedals, but I would recommend this one.
STEEL!!!
Decent...
Comments about DigiTech RP500 Guitar Multi-Effects Switching System & USB Recording Interface:
Overall this a nice unit, it greatly simplifies my live setup while providing tonal flexibility and it's great for practicing at home. But like a Swiss Army Knife, there are some tools that are great and others that are weak. For example, IMO the wah-wah sound doesn't compare to my Morley, you just don't get the depth on any setting. Also, there are leveling problems between clean and distorted tones that are difficult to overcome - takes a lot of tweaking within the patch and still not as effective as switching on a traditional stompbox or amp channel switch (not enough boost for leads). As for the "mileage may vary" factor - I've found that it can sound very different depending on the amp you use. In my experience it sounds best in front of a clean amp like a Fender DR. On my Fender DR it is surprisingly musical; the effects respond nicely to my playing and the distortions drive the amp beautifully, just like the traditional stomps did. So this is my main gig setup for the rock/pop/blues/funk covers I play. It does tend to color the tone once you add effects to the chain, not a lot but you might want to use the on board EQ to compensate, depending on your own taste. I don't use the on board EQ live because I prefer to EQ on my amp and not have to engineer EQ's for every patch combination I use. But on some amps, it can be dreadful, especially through the effects loop - like on my Soldano HR50 only the chorus and delays sound good; same with some Marshalls I've tried to use in the studio and I'm not thrilled with the tone runing the unit in front of those amps either. Probably a matter of extensive tweaking which doesn't appeal to me; I'd rather play than have to engineer settings for every possible setup I use. With the Fender DR - done and it's a nice simple gig rig. I have never used it live going directly through a PA or power amp using its amp modeling; I consider that my backup plan if my DR goes out. Recording with modeling directly into Logic or GB, it's directly compatible and sounds good although I prefer mic'ing an amp. I would definitely recommend this product but also advise that if you plan to use it live, test it out on your amp first while having it hooked up to x-Edit (easier to go through all the parameters). I am giving it a 4 because of the headphone jack issue.
No doubt this unit is packed with great features. Nice modeling, good stompbox selections and parameter tweaks both on board and with x-Edit s/w; gets a "4" IMO only because there are some limitations on the ordering of multiple effects.
I've had this unit for 3 years. It's very solid and gig worthy, absolutely no complaints there. The metal switches can be stomped on like a traditional stompbox with no worries. I've played dozens of shows (mostly bars) with it and it can take a fair amount of abuse. Like anything electronic, don't pour a beer on it and expect it to pull through. But it can take it's fair share of normal "accidents" without getting shot. I do have one big complaint on quality - the headphone jack is very weak. This pedal is absolutely perfect for learning songs - plug in a MP3 player and headphones and you can jam away - so I use this feature a lot. The problem I've had is that after less than a year of owning the pedal I started hearing a delay in the phones with one channel cutting out. If I jiggled or repositioned the headphone plug it would "fix it" but wouldn't stay put. So I had the unit repaired under warranty (took several weeks) and it was good for another year and now it's starting again. In my book this is a serious flaw since using the headphone jack is a big reason I bought this - the ability to practice without driving the wife crazy.
Great value when you think about all the effects and stompboxes you can replace or not buy.
Comments about DigiTech RP500 Guitar Multi-Effects Switching System & USB Recording Interface:
Overall I would recommend this product. I have owned separate stomp boxes and a few BOSS multi effects units and this is the most versatile and user friendly of them all. Just needs a longer power cable.
I use this unit as a stomp box pedal board only. I have turned off the amp and cabinet models.
It is very versatile and has great sounding effects. I don't compare them to the original stomp boxes. I just find one with the sounds I like and store them. I especially like the fact that each patch has separate effect controls.
I started off with an RP355 but I it has too many features (looper, learn a lick) that can be inadvertently turned on when you don't need them. I sold the rp355 and purchased the rp500. Much better control and effects.
This unit is built well and seems to be versital. I did extend the power supply wire because the original is a little too short.
I was lucky because I purchased my rp500 for a great price.
Comments about DigiTech RP500 Guitar Multi-Effects Switching System & USB Recording Interface:
Tried all suggest setting from various forums, volume issue not tweakable when in pedal board only mode and clean tone sucksSet RP500 up as a Stomp box only board (love the stomp box overdrive and distortions). However there is a big volume drop and muddy clean tone. Plug the unit into the front of an amp clean channel then turn it on and then toggle the bypass switch. notice the volume drop. Also the guitars natural clean tones degrade when the pedal is engaged. Pedal board clean tone is not same as when bypass switch is on. Muddy clean tone. When all overdrive or distortion pedals are set at equal volume and one switches between them the volumes drops or increases. No way to tweak this. Inconstancy between stomp boxes. No good If one uses plays effects always and with amp and cab settings or one overdrive or distortion pedal at a time they will be happy. Still cant get over how bad cleans are when pedals disengage. Seems cleans would go directly into bypass mode this would at least give one back there guitars natural clean tone.Good
Good if it does what you want
