DigiTech 2120 VGS Artist

I owned an RP-12 for about 3 years (1997?) and I loved the thing. That machine can kick some ass. The worst thing though by far was the delay between patches and the difficulty of editing the patches (digitally; i.e. pulling the damn thing into your lap and pressing scroll buttons to get through the different menus... pain in the ass.)
The 2120 relieved all this. 2 processors makes for nice patch changes (although not PERFECT... but whatever), and the buttons I had on my RP-12 became a nice digital scroll knob and multiple "page" and editing knobs. The FX are sorted into their own menus with multiple pages for each, so editing the thing becomes a breeze (comparativly... if you're used to stompboxes, you're in for some hell).... This is all without the fact that I no longer have to lie on the ground or something to edit my floor processor... ahhh a rack mountable.
I gave it an 8, however, because Digitech still has not made a perfect machine. The menus take time to get used to, and the options (and abbreviations) can be tricky to get a hold of. Definatly up there though.

As with the RP-12 (and many digital FX processors), this unit rocks. The sound can produce anything from a shimmer to a grumble. The EQ is amazing (one of the most useful tools on the thing), and the combination of tube AND solid state distortions is fantastic (can even use dual distortions - 1 tube +1 solid state)... My RP-12 had only solid state, so this 2120 brings me into a whole new realm of sounds.
The reverbs and delays and choruses and phasers and everything else are all up to Digitech par. They are great.
By the way, I am running the 2120 with a Les Paul DC Standard 98, and patching my RP-12 (even more sounds, yay) through the FX loop. Oh yeah, thats another great thing. It has an effects loop which can be put in at any FX stage after the preamp.
Which brings me to my last sound point. You change change the order of the FX (unlike RP-12), so the sounds become even more unlimited.
Basically, if you want the best tone and the most combinations, choose the 2120. Too many variations for me to even handle.
Really, I find that digital is the only way to go, unless you're playing vintage.

I've never had a problem with it, but my 12 has done a lot of weird stuff before, so I give it a 9. I don't trust it 100% (its digital, ya know). Backup, yes I would.

I upgraded the unit to v2.10 immediatly after I got it (v2.03) and I just emailed Digitech with my address and it was at my door within 3 days. Amazing. Thanks Digitech.
It was actually easy to install too...
Repairs I wouldnt know. Someday it will probably fall off my table or something and then Digitech wont be there (so I've heard). But when that happens maybe I will write another review.

Lately I think I've decreased in playing ability. I dont want to get into the FX/noFX debate or anything, but I truly think I would be a better player if I had little or no FX.
This has little to do with the system though, which is nontheless great. There are a few things I wish it had, like truly SEAMLESS patch shifting, and the ability to use more effects at once. 8.

This unit requires time and dedication to operate well but the reward is WELL WORTH IT. That is the downside to the ultimate flexibility, you can't just plug in, turn a few dials (although the controls are easy and amp-like) and have a Marshall/Mesa sound, but it's in there.
Editing patches is very easy, compared to similar units due to the amp-like controls. I give it a 9 for ease of use in comparison to similar preamps

EXCELLENT. The presets are mostly garbage, made to show off the effects capabilites in a low volume setting (like a store). However if you play with it you can get any sound. One important thing to know is that most of the presets are set with the digital leve (the percentage of the signal which is routed through the digital effects section) at 100%. Roll that off to 10-20 percent for your distorted rhythms, put in some reverb (you ever whished you could have a high-reverb sound without it taking over your signal...this is it) and you'll swear you're playing a Tube head...except when you switch to a clean setting...in which case it will blow away ANY tube head's clean channel (which usually suck). I am using this with a Tubeworks Mosvalve 962 80/80 power amp into a peavey sheffield 4xq12, and 2x12 celsetion cab. I wouldn't recomment using a total solid state power amp, unless maybe it is high enough wattage to ensure that all the sound is coming from the preamp. The preamp comes with several presets created by artists like Joe Satriani (his lead preset is great, I use it myself), Frank Gambale, Steve Morse, Korn, Reeves Gabrels, etc. There are alot of cool reverbs for going direct to tape like room echos, studio room echos, cathedarls etc. which sound excellent and very realistic (i play with the headphones on and I keep thinking they're not because the reverb sounds so real.) The direct sound of the cleans is AMAZING especially utilizing ttwo tracks panned righ/left. The distorted sounds are ok direct, but much better in stereo. the phaser could be alittle warmer, but then again my power amp is not the warmest (I got it for heavy sounds)

have used without backup several times, never had any mechanical problems with it so far.

haven't had problems but I have dealt with digetch before (I am in UT and they are located a couple miles from me) they have always been excellent

It opens up many avenues creatively instead of being just locked into that tube-half stack sound. I love rack and I love this preamp. It has one really cool sound that I created which sounds just like a keyboard and has a volume swell. we have used this alot because we are a prog-metal band (profane oath) to obtain ambient and eerie whale-ghost type sounds. Visit our site at www.profaneoath.com

Ok to use, basically the same as the 2112. You will get used to it after a little while. I recommend talking with someone else who has one. that can be a big help. Just keep experimenting with all the tools in there and you will be amazed at the quality of sound!

The sound quality is absolutly awesome! I have NEVER heard its equal. It will do everything. Just name it and it will sound like it. I Use it with 7 Jackson USA various models. I then go into a Marshall 50/50 EL34 tube power amp. then to a Marshall 4x12 and a Laney 4x12. The outcome is unbelievable. Just terrific tone. I can get any sound I want with this. Works great for 80's metal.

I am rating a 7 because of my 2112. Maybe that isnt fair but that Is why I have the 2120 now. My 2112 went down. I just sent it in to be repaired. So far the 2120 is OK. I would not gig without a backup. I plan to use my 2112 as aback up when I get it back.

So far very good. I will give them a 8.

Very good. I highly recommend it. Even though I have had problems with my 2112 I bought a 2120 Instantly. There is nothing else out there that sounds like this. I would buy another one. I bought it from AMS. I recommend them over Musician's Friend anyday of the week. I have had problems with Musicians Friend.

Well, I'm a system programmer and network administrator, so it's easy for me to program the unit to obtain the effects I need. The manual is clear, but I had to read some chapters few times to understand the topics explained.
It's useful to consult http://www.egroups.com/list/2112-users/ forum.

The 2120 sounds great. I mean, you can simulate every amp you like, from plexi to mesa, or fender. But remember, it is a simulation, if you want the real sound you have to buy the real amp. All the effects are good, except the wha, in fact I use a Dunlop Cry Baby. I use a Gibson Les Paul Classic Premium Plus, a Gibson SG Standard and a Fender Telecaster Am. Std.; a Rocktron Velocity 500 (250 W stereo) through 2 Marshall 1960AV 4x12" Cabs. For acoustic stuff I use a Ibanez through the 2120 directly connected to the P.A. system. All configurations sound good, but you have to carefully set your patches accordingly to the guitar you'll use for every patch (i.e. gate noise, gain, eq and so on).

As backup I use a Fender Blues De luxe, with an Expandora distortion pedal and a Lexicon reverb unit. I have been using the 2120 for a year now and nothing has gone wrong. I updated my unit to version 2.10 by myself without problems.

I live in Italy, and I emailed Digitech to obtain informations about the upgrade. They took one day to reply to my e-mail with all informations I need.

I've been playing guitar for 20 years and now i play in a cover band, sometimes we play our own stuff, so we need a lot spectrum of sounds . I owned several Marshall tube heads, Fender combo, and a lot of pedals, but if you gig a lot, less things you have to setup and transport the better. I compared 2120 against Eventide, Rocktron, but I prefer the 2120. All effects are great (in stereo), except the wah, and if it were stolen I'll buy it again. Don't forget you can always upgrade your unit as soon as Digitech releases a new version! Your unit will rocks in the years!

Personally, I didn't find it all that hard to use. However, I spent a lot of time reading over the manual before I even bought it, so I was familiar with its workings the minute I first got my hands on it. There were a few things that the manual should have gone into greater detail, but overall the instructions were pretty decent. Dialing in different sounds was no problem. My unit was version 2.10. If you download RPEdit (which is a free program, and is small so it doesn't take forever to get off the internet) patch editing is REALLY easy. RPEdit is absolutely amazing. All you have to do is hook up the 2120 to your computer's midi ports, and start editing.

The 2120 sounds veeeeeery nice. I use a Les Paul Custom and a Fender Strat and a Carvin MTS 3212 amp with the 2120. If you really want to get the best sounds out of the 2120, make sure you have an amp with a great clean sound. Carvin amps have clean channels that sparkle. The 2120 is pretty quiet, depending on how you have the noise gate set up. No noise gate = lots of noise. Noise gate = no noise. The effects are only as good as your programming. If you spend time working on your patches, the effects will sound amazing.

Not reliable, none whatsoever. It was broken when I bought it new. I owned the stupid thing for one day. I had to send it to Digitech, because the store I ordered it from, KTJ Music, refused to take it back. So, word of advice: if you're gonna buy this thing, buy it from a local store where you can play it first and make sure it works. I ordered it from halfway across the country because KTJ had a good price. You'll be better off paying more and knowing that your 2120 will be in working condition. The expression pedal on my unit didn't work, and Digitech told me it was either the C1 foot controller, or the 2120. So, I had to send both out, and now I'm out of a lot of cash with no 2120 to show for it.

Well, Digitech was very friendly when I contacted them about getting the thing fixed. I'm just rather ticked off that I have to wait so long to get it back. 5 business days to ship it there, god knows how many days for Digitech to fix it, and 5 business days to get it back to me. Hmmmm... no, I'm not bitter. But they were very nice and helpful, and all of this is could have been expedited if KTJ Music would have exchanged a new working 2120 for my new broken 2120.

This processor rocks, when it works. I think that once you get one that does work, you won't have too many problems with it. That's the challenge... finding a reliable unit. The sounds that can come out of this unit are incredible. Just keep in mind that in order to get the sounds you are looking for, you have to spend the time and effort to create patches properly, instead of just turning a couple of knobs and hoping the tone you've been searching for would magically appear. Good tone is like money: it doesn't grow on trees. You have to get off your rear and work for it. I give this unit an overall low score, but it would be a 9 or 10 if I had a functioning 2120.

Overall, a fairly easy to use unit, once you get the idea of the signal flow and the way the DSP power is divided up (thanks to the pies in the manual, this is fairly easy). The parameters are all fairly well labelled, and a few things are a bit tricky to find at first (such as the volume pedal assignment), but after a short while it's really easy to use. I am a bit of a tech-head, though, and my band's singer wouldn't look twice at it, but if you're into rack units, it's as good as I've seen, and certainly a lot easier to program than any Lexicon unit I've used.

I'm using it mainly with a couple of Strats, and a Peavey 50/50 rack into stereo Marshall Cabs. The sound is wonderful - really high quality, rather than the lo-fi nonsense I had to put up with beforehand (Zoom 9150). Every sound is inspiring (apart from the Wah which is just workmanlike and a tad flat), although all the presets have stupid gate settings, they have some good programming in there to show you how to achieve things and inspire you to improve on them. My band sound is totally reliant on the 2120 - several songs are based around effects from the unit, and it seems capable of so much, especially given the two dynamic controllers and LFOs. That's all very well until it goes wrong . . .(see next section). The new software I have just received adds more effects (sampling and new 'reverse' mode - very trippy), and another 41 presets, which have reasonable gate settings, so Digitech must read some of our comments...

I have had a couple of odd goings on with the unit - firstly it sometimes resets itself (without loss of memory) when assigning a parameter to a footswitch. This seems to happen with no rhyme nor reason, and I couldn't duplicate it in the shop for them (looked v. silly). However, it never does it on a gig, as you're not programming then. I don't gig too often, but I have done every gig since getting the unit OK with no backup. However... The unit packed up totally once. I was just trying to select a program I had just done, and the C1 said '77777' and then I looked to see the display on the 2120 making no sense. I tried powering up and down, and resetting, all to no avail. So the unit had to be sent to Arbiter (UK distributor) to be repaired. It turned out it was the software (version 2.02, which is no longer current) had crashed terminally, and had to be replaced with the new version (2.10) To say that I was not best pleased about this would be an understatement of biblical proportions. This unit cost me the best part of a grand, and failed after using it for around 300 hours! That is terrible reliability - if it had happened at a gig I would have been really displeased. The new software adds a few new FX, but there is no information on what else it does - it would be good for us to know what other bugs have been fixed.

Rather mixed here - Digitech took over a week to reply to one e-mail I sent them about the occasional reset, and I didn't get a reply to my report of the unit's demise at all - in over a WEEK! I rely on this unit when I play with my band, and they seem not to care. However, Arbiter (UK distributor) despite their very poor reputation (I have had problems with them over other matters) did return the unit in a week, with the new EPROM installed (admittedly only a five-minute job, but it was done FOC). However, during the time I was without the unit I was told nothing, and when the unit was returned, there was no indication of what had been done, apart from 'New software fitted'. I have also found another bug in the new software (which crashes the unit when assigning controllers to FX parameters), but Digitech have not replied to that either! The Digitech site also has an outdated PDF manual for the unit, and this was a necessary download as the original manual (printed that came with the unit) had the same 'screenshot' for every programming example, so you couldn't really tell what was going on from the book - which proofreader (??) missed that one? In fact, overall I'd say their site's lack of precise info reflects how you get treated by the company.

Overall, if the unit stays reliable and crash-free, then it is fantastic. If the service was better, I would unreservedly recommend one - I may just be unlucky, but even if the unit does die, the support should be better than it is. That aside, it is a truly great unit - its sound only became apparent when I tried a make-do replacement of the front end of another famous make, and it sounded flat and terrible, compared just to the DigiTech preamp. If the unit was to fail totally and be unrepairable, I would probably buy another one, because the sounds on it are so fantastic, and it's a joy to program.

It is relatively easy to use. The more you play with it the more you can end up doing. Programming can be done easily. Doing more more advanced things such as linking LFO's to parameters can be a little more confusing.

I use a Marshall 8008 Power Amp in stereo with two marshall 4x12 cabinets. The sounds are incredible. The effects are great as well, and can be modified quite a bit. The solid state distortions and tube distortions sound great and the ability for them to used at the same time is a great feature to increase the different sounds you can use.

I have only had few problems with it locking up, but only while editing programs that usually use a lot of processing, (such as linking LFO's to parameters while using both Distortion and Tube). I've never had any problems with it on the stage, and wouldn't worry about it while doing a gig. I would recommend backing up you own programs. I have played many shows with out a back up and have had no problems.

They were very helpful when I had a problem with a lock up. They told me how to fix it and also sent me an upgrade chip free of charge.

I use this processor for modern rock sounds. There are so many varieties that it is unbelieveable. If it were lost or stolen I would get another in an instant and not even think about getting another. It is defintely worth the money and a processor for life.

The sound of this thing is mind blowing..everything from crystal clear cleans to (my) Death rattle distortion. Editing patches is easy but as all processors go, it takes time to get what you want especially in the case of strange noises and more complicated sounds. The manuel is the first thing you shuld look at when you get this piece of gear, other wise it'll just look like a bunch of buttons and knobs. I never had any upgrades or mods to it, I am completely satisfied with it.

I am running like so= Custom Tele droped down to B with a single Muy Grande pickup in the bridge> Morley bad horsey Wah> Krog DTR-2 tuner> Artist 2120> Marshall JCM 2000/Mesa Boogie Formula and a mesa 2:90> (marshall) 1960 4x12 wiht green backs/ (mesa) Custom 4x12 with Eminence Ev style speakers set up to be in stereo to accomidate the mesa.....The Artist is not noisy at all. The effects are unimaginable, no weak sounds, but I did have to mess with the noise gate on my distoriton to keep it from clipping. I USE MY OWN SOUNDS AND DO NOT TRY TO COPY OTHERS SO I AM NOT IN ANY WAY AT THE POSITION TO SAY IF YOU CAN GET A VIA SOUND OR A BROWN SOUND OR WHAT EVER! Every effect on this thing is the complete thing.

IT is very dependable, no doubt it has never broke down and it has been through some abuse thanks to idiots who like to throw things. The only back up I have are my amps distortion so if this thing fails (which I doubt it ever will) all I have is some killer amp distortion. I ahve been using this piece for a year now and nothing has gone wrong,

I emailed the company and have always got responses to my emails. It has never had to be reapaired.

I play hard core, but i use all types of strange noises and this thing does the job, I owned a voo doo valve made by rocktron and it had good sounds but I couldn't get a pedal board for it thanks to the shitty rep. If it was stolen I would defaintly buy another one right away, its my main sound. I own other effects but I ojnly use them in a side project this thing is used with the main band I'm in but I am most likely gonna incorpirate it into the other project. It has everything and that is no bull.EMAIL ME IF YA NEED ANY HELP OR ADVICE ON THIS THING.

It is not always easy to get a good sound out of it directly, but after spending some time on it, the results are great. Editing is easy and (almost) everything is put out properly in the manual.

I am using it with a Gibson and a Ibanez together with an marshall valvestate amplifier. The noisyness of the sounds depends on the guitar, but you can change the settings if you want to, so that's no problem. One of the difficult things of teh 2120 is to get the volumes of the different effects are not always easy to get even with eachother. It's no problem to get a sound from a specific artist, at least if you know how to handle the processor. The chorusses and distortion but also the delay and whammy effects are very good.

Till now i haven't had any problem with it but a friend of mine had a spontanous reset at one time, so that really sucked. You can store the effects on your PC, but you'll need a softwarepackage to do that. the FC shows some problems to now and then, like a LED that doesn't work anymore or even a whole button. I don't have a backup for it so i use it at gigs without backup.

the company was helpfull with questions and with reparing the little things

I play a lot of musical styles and till now it has been a good match

Considering I had never used a digital multi-fx unit before, I thought
it was very user friendly. My only other experience with multi-fx was a Korg-A5. I know one thing for sure. As soon as I hooked it up I couldn't beleive some of the great sounds that were jumping out of my amp. Though I did download and read (many times) a copy of the manual, while the 2120 was on backorder, it really didn't help much. Editing patches didn't take long for me to get the hang. You just have to keep storing as you go along, or else one wrong push of a button and wham you are back to square one. The main thing to remember with a unit like the 2120 is to have patience! Patience! Patience!

I'm running a PRS Custom-22 into a Shure LX-14 wireless, through the 2120 in stereo into a Peavey Classic 50/50 stereo amp into a Peavey 4x12 stereo cab. I found most of the patches to be very, very quiet. Although someone needs to shoot whoever is setting up the noise gates in the patches. Awsome digital effects (those of you who would like an almost acoustic sound out an electric guitar, check out the pre-delay effect. You'll have to do some tweaking but it can really sound great. Kick ass EQ's available. I've been using the 31 band GEQ and although it takes a whole disc it's worth it.

Have had mine for 9 months hauling it back and forth to gigs and practice with no problems.

N/A

In 27 years of playing everything from Patsy Kline to AC/DC I think you can find any sound you want out of the 2120. It's in there you just have to dig it out (remember the 31 band GEQ). I would not hesitate to buy another.

Not reccomended for begeiners.Very flexible,but it takes some time to achive the sound you desire.The munuel only make you finish faster your cigarets.After you get the basic programing,you pretty much notice that it is not that bad.

My set up is fender strat delux plus with seymour duncan pickups in bridge and neck,to the 2120 to crate 160 wat with electro voice ellemet.The distortion sound is very hot,very dynamik,and because i can open like 4 e.q. system,my sound can have all the midds(the frequency from god by the way)and bass i need.reverb and delay are goos,also the compressor and noise gate.I made a sound like gerg howe "introspection" with not much diffucult.

nothing yet.

No need so far.

I work in a guitars shop and i get alots of equipment.This is the most awasome machine i tryed.

Very easy to use. Just installed version 2.10. The interface allows you to get deep within any parameter quickly and is set up similar to an amplifiers controls. I understand some people find it difficult to use but this may be because there are so many options, with multiple pages of parameters for each sound module at your disposal it could seem overwhelming, but i like the idea of all those choices when tweaking sounds. You can get good sounds right out of the box and editing patches is a breeze (Did i mention the really cool display with the little guitar symbol that has a chain of fx modules plainly laid out in front of you, Great Display and gives alot of info) As far as the manual it's not much, it points you in the right direction giving you just enough information to get you playing, which to me is cool because i was able to learn all the basics of usage quickly by going through the manual with the unit in front of me. Besides if you really wanna learn all about it then thats only gonna come from using it anyway, period. I give it a 10 because it is IMHO the most user friendly processor of its caliber that i have ever used.

Deluxe American Strat with an EMG DG-20 (3 SA single coils with active EQ) installed. Right now I'm headphoning it because I havent decided on an amp to use. All the effects sound wonderful even through the headphones!! I can't wait to hear what this sounds like driving a stereo power amp. This unit is very quiet too! My favorite guitar player is a fellow by the name of Jaime West-Oram and I can get something real close to his sounds from the 2120, which is saying alot if youve ever heard him playing, Remember The Fixx? - a great band which always painted awesome studio sounds, particularly with Rupert Hine as producer back in the 80's. The distortion is a cannon primed and ready and the digital sounds are like fine china and crystal, now that sounds like a right good song to me!! All in all creating awesome sounds with the 2120 is no problem, no problem at all. It gets a 9 only because there are better sounding, though more expensive!, racks out there.

Had it a couple of months. No problems and hasn't crashed or acted funny yet. Fingers Crossed. Don't know about a gig without backup, that doesnt seem like a good idea, if you can afford it, whatever you are using. I give it an 8 because it hasn't bugged me yet and i havn't really had it long enough to rate it better.

Good. i e-mailed twice, the first time to ask something and they had an answer to me in three days, the second was for the V2.10 upgrade and they got right back and i had the chip in about 10 days. So far so good and an 8 easily.

What else can i say, you can't find right now more bang for your buck. My only complaints would have to be... no option to place fx loop after the preamp, the wahs a bit weak, no rear input, and no power tube (Why is it that no company that i know of has got a real tube sound from a real power tube, a cabinet emulator that sounds like an overdriven speaker, and multi-effects like the 2120 into a rack yet? - The World May Never Know) This is the closest to it that this player knows of and i give it a 9.

Plug it in, hit the power switch, and Bam, Tone Monster baby! I tweaked the gate down to acceptable levels, twisted the gain, turned down the input to avoid a clip, (Very kool digital clip meter)run it into a pair of M/Mans w EL/34's cranked up clean, and get out of the way! This machine is the cats meow for anyone who knows the sound they want, have enough experience with three thousand foot pedals and know exactly what the pedals do,(and won't do,) Not for the faint at heart. Plan to spend some time with it or else buy a stomp box. At first you will be completely lost, but with some time you will learn that it works alot easier than it initially appears. Like a nice new car, but it doesn't take as much time to wax......

Les Paul-Deluxe-PAF's (3),...Paul Reed Smiths (2) (Custom built for me)with Lindy Fralins (Staggered Noiseless Pickups),Kustom K-200-w/Bill Lawrences, Standard Strats, and Tele's (9), Acoustics w/variety of pickups, Pickup sensitivity is/can be an issue, considering the nature of some pickups.....(Kool digital input clipping meter again) Just as filthy or clean as you want or ever need....Clapton, Hendrix, Vai, Satriani, Johnson, Billy Gibbons, Allen Holdsworth, John Petrucci, Zappa, Lou Reed, Jerry Garcia,(Ahem) Robert Fripp, Andy Summers, Brian May,(No Kidding) Lynch, Korn, On, and On, and On,. I have yet to be stumped. This rig is every bit Triaxis,(S/S) Echh!,(I really do love Mesa) and the new Marshall (Stomp Box) I hear is modeled after some of the sounds in this rig. (Even the big boys can be inspired)
Even the TC Electronics G-Force wasn't worth the extra Bux with this in the running. A few add ons, and your set.


Clean as the driven snow. Amazing--I can record direct to DAT, and my sound guy worships the ground I walk on. Can't be easier to sound good. (this is no small feat for a guitarist)
Effects are coupled with Yamaha FX/SPX processing, and Midi-Link the two so a preset on one, changes the other as well so I've doubled my presets in each bank. Presently adding a SGX -200 for the direct outs, for even more versatility. I couldn't be happier. Alesis/DBX would work good too. I like to take some of the processing tasks and route them to other rigs, It keeps each rig clean, and FAST! I like fast presets.(Frippertronics man!)

Broke down out of the box new. Sent it in, and four, yep (4) days later got it back after sending it in to be repaired.

Perfect.

Unbelievable.

Word to the wise,...Never, ever be without backup, if your serious about your craft. Power is a funny thing, and everywhere you play,(generally clubs have inherently bad power supply's) (Think of all those dorks there playing with the wiring before you) The owners don't have that high on the priorities list either.....Be safe.

Get power conditioning and forget about it becoming your problem.

And get a SKB Case PLEASE>>>>>>>>>! Don't be a turd, and set it on your amp........(Ahem) Are you there Mikey?

I've had it back a year now, and it works flawlessy.

Waiting for the latest (FREE) update of software...Can't get better than that...Free?????? Are they nuts or somethin'....

Did I mention that it broke down?

I've been playing Pro for 20 years, and started in '65, and I've never had so much fun.

Anybody want to sell theirs, I will gladly make them an offer.
I have a studio, and want one for the rack,...jus' cuz.

And It Looks Kool Too. Jimi would be proud.

As with any really high end gear.... Don't spend the dime, if you don't spend the time.

Plus the Digitech users group is there to help you get started. or, dial in a tone your looking for if you can't find it....

E-mail me, and I'll gladly help you out if you have any questions, or need help.

I'm tellin' ya, It's in there.............

I turned it on, and was amazed. I had already had an RP-12, so I was familiar with the type of programing needed to operate the unit. Editing took some getting used to because ther eare SOOO many pages. It totally confirms the rocket science factor in Digitech products.
I have firmware version 2.01. I will be getting 2.04 as soon as they release it.

I'm playing Godin LGX-SA which goes into a GR-30, and the guitar output runs into the 2120 and goes to a Twin Reverb reissue. It's only noisy when the gain is up high, and the Noise gate is before the tube/distortion preamp. the only weak effect I have found it the reverse gated reverb. But knowing Digitech, it'll just taje soem tweaking to get it right.

Never had a problem with it.

N/A. It hasn't broken yet, and my local music guy is excellent about taking care of this stuff.

This unit rocks! I would highly recommend it to any guitar player who likes to mess with his/her sound until it is truly "theirs". The thing I love most is the ability to set your own effects routing. You could have eight flangers going if you wanted! Or a flanger, phaser, two chruses, a reverb, two delays, and a pitch shifter. These all in addtion to the tube and/or solid state preamp and the EQ sections, and a effects loop! Infinite programming capability.

The interface is complicated but logical. It is broken down into sections, i.e. Preamp, EQ, Effects loop, ect. I could see it being difficult for someone to use at first, and especially difficult for someone who has'nt used a multi-effects unit before. But after reading the manual (A MUST) and playing around with the unit for a while, anyone with half a brain should be able to work the unit.
The depth of sound and parameter editing on this thing is almost boundless. I personally have gotten many, many high quality sounds and am still finding more all of the time.
The manual is OK, as it only explains the basics with any clarity, but it gets you introduced to the interface. After that, you're on your own.

Software Version 2.02

I use humbucker equipped guitars exclusively. I use a Paul Reed Smith EG, Hamer Archtop, Epiphone Les Paul, Epiphone G1275 doubleneck. My signal chain is guitar->Shure wireless unit->VSG2120->Mesa/Boogie 50/50 stero tube power amp->Mesa/Boogie 4x12 Recto cab.

I play all original heavy pop/rock in the vien of Foo Fighters/Smashing Pumpkins and this thing delivers the tone. There is some noise on the heavily distorted settings, but the noise gate is very versatile, and you can quiet up the unit nicely. On all other settings, this thing is as quiet as a mouse. No problems here.

The effects in this thing range from the not-too-bad category to totally awesome. For example, the wah on this this is fair at best. When I first got the unit I never used a wah, so it did'nt bother me too much. But I've gotten very wah friendly lateley and ended up getting a Morley Bad Horsie and running it through the effects loop. If you're a casual wah user, it should be fine. The digital effects are excellent! Chorii, reverbs, delays, pitch shifters, harmonizers, all very good to great sounding. If you can't get the sound you're looking for in here, you're not looking hard enough.

I personally have changed my sound a few times, (you know how us guitarists are, NEVER satisfied) and EVERY time I went digging in this box, I found EXACTLY what I was looking for. I like a lot of different artisis, from RUSH to Pink Floyd to Metallica, and I'm sure this thing would get the sounds. Currently my tone could be described as a cross between Hetfield and Lifeson. Heavy but textural.

The distortions are fine if you're not one of those Eric Johnson tone freaks. They are well defined, articulate and very versatile. I play many live shows in the Chicago area and many, many players have complimented me on how good my tone is.

One last point, there is a feature in this unit that no-one has talked about, and I feel that it is one of the most important. This unit has a little feature called "seamless effects morphing". In other words, when you change patches, the effects don't just cut off when the new program loads (like ALL of the other processors that I have tried) the patches "morph" or blend into each other, giving a very professional sounding program change. Your reverbs tail off, your delays finish decaying. Very cool.

I have had it for over a year now and not had a single problem with it. I keep my old Digitec RP-6 around for a backup, just in case. When you gig, the show must go on.

Never talked to them.

I play heavy pop/rock and this thing is a perfect match for my style. Great sounds, and always another trick up it's sleeve. I have been playing for 18 years. If this little guy were lost or stolen, I'd go check the market again (they come up with new shit every day) and do A/B comparisons to this thing. If I could find something better for the same price, I'd get it. But I don't think that new box exists yet.
I compared this thing to the Rolands, the Lexicons, the ARTs, and the ADA's. You can't beat it, in my opinion.

I just wish it had a better wah.

Well, getting a good sound has nothing to do with the processer itself. You must rely fully on your ear, or else you should have stuck to foot pedals. You've got to hear the sound in your head first then get it on the processer. The manual is amazing, it's so descriptive, I can't imagine how there could be so many complaints about it. It's about as easy as spelling the word "a". If you can't understand it then I can't understand how you saved the money. Very easy to use.

I use an Ibanez JS-100 with a Super Distortion in the bridge, and a Fred in the neck. I also made an operational amplifier and put that in the guitars cavity. From there it goes into the 2120, out the
FX-LOOP into a Crybaby 535-Q>>then an XP-100 Whammy Wah and in right before the distortion. That deserves a standing ovation. From there I run in stereo into a BBE sonic maximizer(invaluable for 170 bucks) then into a carvin HT-1000 power amp. Then into a homemade 4X12" with carvin BR-12's. It has a very clean sound I'm impressed.

Well, it has frozen up a few times, but it still works great. I dropped it along with my whole rack from about four feet and its still cranking. Thanks to SKB!!!

I had e-mailed them right after I bought and they took about two and a half weeks to reply. I was very frustrated, and there reply was very vague.

I play mainly Thrash metal, but also slow beautiful music, like ballads, and blues, some jazz, and just crazy stuff thats out there. I have yet to find a truly awesome trhash tone, but like I said, it's all up to your ear. Yes I would replace it if it were stolen, definitely. I love the Reverse Gated reverb and the 10 second delay, and the phasor, and the flanger, and the quad chorus. I love everything about it. Just read the manual to finf out what I love about it. I compared it to an array of old foot pedals, the 2120 is programmable, end of story. I wish could hear whats inside my head, then it would be alot easier. I feel it helps once I have found the sound in my head. I calculated the money you would save by buying the 2120, rather than foot pedals. There 100 presets times 24 FX configurations time over 50 FX times about 100 bucks for each effect. And we basically got this unit for free. Thats 100x100x24x54=12,000,000 dollars now that is amazing.

I have created a ton of patches for this unit. It's very, very easy. I make a new one almost every time I sit down with it, and they all sound completly different.

The preamp section definitely colours your tone - make sure that it has the feel you are looking for. It is versatile and otherwise clean though - I have used it in the most esoteric recording setups with good effect.

For the price, it's very, very quiet and clean.

I've had to hard reset it once, and lost all my patches. I'm not sure what caused this.

I play chapman stick ( www.stick.com ) and have set up one for each side ( bass and treble ) of the intrument. I play with a lot of synthetic sounds that are created entirely in the 2120s. This unit has the power and effects to do everything I need.

My biggest annoyance is that the delays are in ms and seconds and not bpm. This makes synchronizing to loops and the like very, difficult. Basicly, I am stuck with certain 'perfect' tempos - 60, 75, 80, 100, 120, 125, 150 and a few weird ones which are 'close enough' unless I am looping for several minutes or more - 137.14, 139.13 143.07 an the like. This really sucks, since otherwise the unit is as good as it gets. However, if you aren't looping much, this won't be a problem. Still, a second loop, plus four effects, plus preamps in each unit is very, very good.

This unit rocks, especially for creating new sounds and tones. I'd by another one if I lost it right away.

At first editing programs is a bit over whelming. After you play with the processor a while editing becomes easier. It's a good idea to have the manual with you when you first start playing with processor. The manual could have more information than it does, but trial and error is the best way to learn how to use preamps. If it sounds good keep it. If not you can hit the program button and scrap your editing and then start over.

I'm using Hamer and Epiphone guitars. Running through a Laney head and a 4X12 cab. I have to back off on the bass and when I play at loud volumes my Epiphone screetches(nothing that new pickups can't cure). Other than that the effects are great once you dial in your sound. I will try to emulate George Lynch's sound but haven't tried as of yet. I thing the Wah Wah is the weakest effect out if the bunch. Luckely I don't use the Wah, then the chorus would be the next weakest sounding effect. I like rich sounding clean tones when needed and have not been able to produce that kind of sound as of yet.

I've only had the preamp for 2 weeks so we are still getting to know each other. So far so good. We'll see once I start playing out on a regular basis.

I called customer support and they were very nice all though the guy I spoke to didn't sound so sure of him self. I've sent 2 E-Mails to digitech regarding the C1 foot controller and have not heard back from them.

I play anything from Dokken to Melissa Ethridge to alanis Morisett. This product allows me to create programs in all styles of music. I like the built in tuner. We tune to 438 and the 2120 makes this task as easy as pressing a button and turning a knob. I like Digitech products. This preamp seems to be made very well. I'm a bit frustrated with the fact that so far I can only program 5 presets per bank, the other 5 presets are for turning effects on and off. This will suck if I have to bank up to use 5 more presets. I wish the manual was more in depth about using the foot controller the processor came with.

Getting a good sound is practically impossible in my opinion. I've never been so dissatified with a processor. Unless your into nothing but powerchords and metal leads, this is a failure.

I'm using a Rickenbacker 1997 model with a Roland JC120. Effects are extremely weak. No life to any of the efeects. Distortion alright, but honestly you can reproduce that same sound with Boss pedals. All the digital effects are weak.

Can't say.

cAN't say.

Don't buy it. Even used. The value of the effects are about $200 maximum.

You plug it in you turn it on and bam, great sounds. Asided from a minor problem with the noise gate, but I figured that out in about 5 minutes, I think that DigiTech did that on purpose to force you to learn how to use this thing. The manual has lots of useful information, but it is in no particular order. I found that the best thing to do is study the manual ayway from the unit, and then plug in and go, that way when your using the unit and you come to a stumbling block you can refere back to parts you've read instead of standing infront of your dead silent amp bitching about how crappy the manual is.
So to sum it all up study the manual very carefully before you get into operating the unit.

I use a Fender Strat and a Danelectro U2. My amp is a Mesa Boogie Simul 90 into to 2x12 Cabs. None of the effects I have and alot of the ones I've heard don't compare to sounds that come out of this machine, Very flexible, nothing beats this bang for the buck.

Only had it a week and a half

Haven't needed them yet

I play rock, blues, and everything else that squeezes in between, this machine covers all the bases and then some if not for the random layout of the manual I'd give it and 11 if I could.

It is so difficult to get a good sound. It's because there is so much to look at. I was frustrated when I would show up to band practice and I would have to change something because of clipping, digital clipping, or it would just sound bad. I like it now though because it's still surprising me on all its tricks even after 2 years. When you get familiar with it you can manipulate it to what ever u want and it usually can handel it and it sounds great. When they said it was fully programmable, they meant it!

I have it ran stereo through a Mesa 50/50 and a peavey 4x12. The tone is huge(if you know what your doing)!!! It's parallel tube and digital distortion seems to have limitless possibilities. It's not noisy because you can make the noise gate to what ever degree you want. I can get a semi-Petrucci tone(he is too good),and maybe a little Van Halen tone in there. I don't try to replicate so it is more personally me than there's. I has great effects. They are all pretty much all around good. THe pitch shifter isn't that solid but it has it's moments.

My first one broke!!!!! I am nervous every time I turn it on but no problems since. ON my old one I remember it always digitally clipping and that could have been the problem but it shouldn't have broke down on me. I don't have the money for a spare one, but I'm not worried about having an extra, shouldn't need it

WHen I wrote to the company via e-mail, they told me how to fix it and were nice. I had already got a new one so I couldn't see if there advice was any good. They seem like good people.

I play shred guitar solos with the type of musical geneious of Sean Lane or Vai and the rhythm in my band is pretty metal. I think the 2120 can handle it all(of course not as good as an eventide-nothing is). I would get another one if stolen because it's a cheap processor that is good sounding and easy to understand. I have a few songs in my band I couldn't do without my digitech.

I give it a 10 because you can plug it in and play right away. While maybe 5 or 10 out of the 100 presets are cool, the rest are junk. Tweaking the noise gate is a must because it is almost impossible to right hand tap on most of the presets.

I give it a 10 because the individual effects are great. The seemingly random shot in the dark patches leave a bit to be desired though.

Just got it today, so I am have no idea. I know Digitech in general is good stuff though. Plenty of my friends have other Digitech equipment.

Like I said, I just got it today

I really think that it is one of the best all around processors that you can get for under $1,500. There are a few patches for everyone in this thing so you can get an idea of how it works. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to use it, just a little patience and a copy of the manual. Would I buy it again if it were stolen? Sure, it is a good value, major bang for the buck. Now don't be mislead, this thing is not an Eventide, just a good processor for a good price

Pretty easy to edit patches and change parameters once you understand the operating system. Lots of nob turning, but not much button pressing. The manual licks ass. Some of the not so obvious parameters (and there are lots) require trial and error. There are ten different cabinet emulators, but they all sound almost the same to me, like crap. The manual does not say what so ever what each one is supposed to emulate either (1x12, 2x12, 4x12?). The built in tuner and tapit feature for setting delay times are both useful features.

My setup for recording is a cheap korean iceman w/ duncan humbuckers into a soldano atomic 16 head to a thd hotplate (for silent power tube distortion via the direct out) to a sansamp bass driver di (for speaker emulation) then to the 2120 and finally into the computer.
The preamp section is a joke, so I BYPASS it completely. The distortions all suck, we're talking bad fuzzbox level no matter how much you tweak the eq. The two 12ax7s are a gimmick since there is little difference between distortion generated by preamp tubes and a transistor. My cheap vox is better then the built in wah. On the other hand, the digital effects are all great. The quad delays, octal pitch shifters, and stereo dual reverbs will keep you smiling. The effects are worth the price of the unit alone. I'm very happy with my current setup.

No problems with it at all, but it does not leave the house. I use it strictly for practicing and recording. The included foot controller (great for whammys) seems solidly built.

Never dealt with them.

Despite the fact digitech designed this unit to be a complete guitar system ready for recording (with built in cabinet emulation and preamp section), this is not the case. As the top of the line product for digitech, it has many flaws.

1) There is only one input and it's located in the front.

2) The effects loop is located before the distortion. Too bad if you want your wah after the distortion. Inserting some power tube distortion (via a miked amp or thd hotplate) between the preamp and digital effects where it belongs is not possible.

3) The unit has an overkill maximun ten second delay (anybody who can actually use this let me know), but it can't record a passage for learning licks and solos.

4) No digital out.

5) Most of the effect configurations uses only one sdisc chip. Why am I paying for two chips when the unit wants me to use one most of the time? Some basic configs are also ignored. A chain using both chips in series with each one divided into half modules would seem like a logical setup but it is not available.

On the plus side, the unit is excellent for digital effects. Good for guitar, bass, and even vocals. If the digitech s400 has two sdisc chips (I'm not sure if it does), then it is a better buy because the preamp section of the 2120 is useless.

Extremely easy to use, especially compared to the Digitech floor units. Big, realtime knobs, big illuminated buttons, and huge display that you can read from across the stage. I love how easy it is to assign FX paramters to the Control One.
Of course, in order for it to make sense you will have to understand how the SDISC processor works by dividing the processing time into "slices". For this you will have to consult the manual. As you probably have heard, almost all Digitech manuals are pretty sad. I've used a few Digitech units before so it wasn't too hard for me. You'll simply have to use some trial and error.

All FX are fantastic - particularly the reverbs. I only have two complaints. The first is the Wah. It's no Dunlop Crybaby but it does the job if you're a casual user. Secondly, the whammy effect is digital which means it appears after the preamp/ distortions. This means that when you start pitchshifting the signal, it is pitch shifting the distortion as well. You end up with a pretty rough sounding whammy effect, particularly after shifted up a couple octaves.
All is not lost. There is an external FX loop that will rememdy the wah and whammy issue if you don't mind going out and spending the extra money for the external fx.
Keep in mind that I often do not give 10s. However, if it wasn't for the wah and whammy issue it would be a 10.

No problems yet. It survived FedEx so that has to mean something I guess.

Digitech is usually pretty prompt with any questions via email.

I play many different styles. This unit compliments my newly acquired Parker deluxe. I can cover many different sounds with this combination. With tube, solid state distortion plus cabinet emulators, 31 band EQ, and the ability to add other FX units via the loop, there's just about no ground you cant cover. The noise gate keeps things quiet when you're not playing but this effect is used too heavily in the factory patches (what the heck were they thinking?).
I've been a Digitech fan for some time and have used many of their RP units but was disappointed with the FX limitation of the SDISC (ie. you can't have two "full" effects like smooth whammy and bigverb together) but the 2120 has dual processors so this is much less of an issue. With this issue out of the way, there is so much flexibility with FX routing it's mind boggling! Digital outs would be cool but I hear you can "modify" your unit to do so (what warranty?). My only other request would be a headphone jack but it's really no biggie. Again, the large display and knobs are a dream come true. I wish all my rack gear was the same way.

Extremely non-intuitive. I am still struggling to figure it out. The users manual is hopeless.

Using a Schecter S-Classic and a Godin LGXT with a class A tube amp, a Trace Elliott acoustic, and a Roland KC-300. I must admit the sound quality is very good. I went through a Rocktron voodoo valve, an Intellifex, and a bunch of pedals before I settled on this. I tend to prefer cleaner, glassy tones, with a bit of warmth, and that is very easy to dial up with this. Pristine reverbs, choruses, and flangers. It's also possible to isolate the effects from the pre-amp which is what I did not like about the VooDoo valve. I must complain, however, about the presets with the Noise Gate set to blast your windows out. I did not understand this the first time I happened to try it out, in the middle of the night, and thought, at normal strumming attack, someting is wrong. So I wacked out a power chord and fell back over a chair, damn near dropping my guitar. I watched as lights went on all over the neighborhood, and the next morning, there were nasty notes from my family on the breakfast table. Pub-lease. Who would want to restore such factory presets? Hello Digitech, this is your wake up call. However, in spite of these significant defects, I am keeping the unit. It really does accomplish what I am looking for and could not find with Rocktron.

I would gig with a dependable rack, but it is a little on the fragile looking side, if you ask me. Plus, its fulla tubes.

We shall see. I may have to call about the fusion powered distortion presets. They've got me a little gun shy, now.

Overall, the sound quality supercedes the crappy user interface. I could not ask for more options--with no noise or hum of any kind(could not say that about Rocktron).I figure I'll learn to control the thing with a lot of experimenting--and that is a danger, because instead of playing yer guitar, you end up spinning a bunch of dials, but I will tolerate this process, because the sound is THAT good! I would have like to have been able to afford TC Electronics, but hard to justify that kind of money. The 2120 is quite a value.