DigiTech BP-8 Bass Processor

Like any all in one processor, it isn't as easy to use as pedals - but it's not bad compared to some other units. Keep the manual with you at all times. It's laid out well and easy to read and understand.

I'm giving the sound quality a 10 only for the parts of the unit I use. I only use this unit for three things: 1) the tube 12AX7 preamp, 2) the tuner, and 3)the foot pedal using it as a master volume. I only use this unit with my Ampeg B-100R for small gigs because it's a solid state amp, and I wanted a tube preamp to warm it up. (All of my other Ampegs amps are all tube or have tube preamps). I really like the preamp #1 (Warm Tube) and #5 (Classic Tube). #1 sounds more like a Portaflex and #5 sounds more like an SVT. Everything else in the unit is bypassed. Occasionally I might add in the compressor (which works very well) but I never use the EQ setting. For EQ, I rely on my amp. The wahs are surprisingly good - a bit on the Morley side compared to a crybaby - but not bad. The modulation effects leave a little to be desired. I like to use a bass flanger and a phaser live, but I personally like my old DOD pedals better than this unit, or my old Small Stone phaser. The BP8's modulation effects sound week, thin, and there isnt as much control over the settings as with a pedal. The Octabass, auto-pan, tremelo, reverb, and delay all work well - but again, I never use them. And the fretless simulator? Learn to play fretless and dont use this. I have a couple of fretless basses and this effect sounds nothing like them. Personally I htink it's just a gimmick to add to the marketing of this unit.

This unit is built like a tank and was made in USA, unlike all the Chinese built stuff nowadays. No problems with it so far. I bought the unit used, and I swapped out the stock tube for a JJ-Tesla. A Tung Sol would probably have been even better, but I would recomend changing the tube right away if you buy a used one.

Never had any issues with Digitech or DOD in the past. All of my old DOD pedals were made in USA and never gave me problems or reasons to call customer support.

Overall this is a great unit if you are looking for a genuine 12AX7 preamp for bass to warm up a solid state amp. Again, thats all I use it for - and for that purpose - it works well. I never use the effects or all the bells and whistles. I rely on my amp for most of my sound, and I rarely change my sound throughout a live gig. If you use pedals for certain modulation sounds- you'll probably want to keep using them.

Well, it's got that very familiar Digitech matrix layout, which is relatively easy to understand. A bit more complex than the newer products, but there's a yin to that yang-TONE!!! I think ALL new(er) Digitech products suck, but these older units have a sound and build quality to them that is very top-notch. That being said, read the manual and keep it handy, and you will get used to using the unit properly. The manual is for the most part well laid out, and will cover everything you need to know to get on your way exploring new sounds and creating "your" tone. Provided that you have some clue with editing and EQ'ing, as well as input and output leveling, you WILL get a great sound from this outdated beast. This is no toy; rather, this is a piece from a time when Digitech made REAL gear!

OK, this is NOT where we complain about how hokey the factory presets are. Things like triped-out space echo with flange and a very saturated distortion couldn't be used for much besides a 15-second solo, but I think that's why such presets are there. It gives you an idea of what the unit can be capable of. If you think the brand new Boss GT-10 series won't have any of those "made-you-look" presets, think again. That being said, you get 40 user patches to create "your" sounds, and there's more than enough usable EQing and effects to build any tone you could possibly imagine. Seriously, the tube preamp, EQ, and compressor on this thing are alone worth the price of admission. Some of the effects leave a little to be desired, the autowah acts more like an older envelope follower, and I have NEVER heard an octave-up effect that sounded good, That's nitpicking just a little; the effetcs are really quite good. The BEST bass chorus I have ever heard-period! Add to that a 12AX7 tube preamp which can be bypassed, and a super-powerful EQ, and you've got one killer stage and studio unit. Some effects can be a bit noisy, but any effect with a higher gain structure WILL produce noise. Thankfully, the BP-8 has a great fully adjustable noise gate. Learn how to properly use this and you won't be sorry. I don't usually try to get an artist's sound, rather, I look for my sound. I have, however, built a pretty good Flea patch, and that oh-so-sweet distorted wah sound that Geezer Butler used for N.I.B.

Again, this unit was built when Digitech made real gear for the real working musician. This unit is very solid and totaly stage-worthy. The goofy 5-pin coneecting power supply will make you take care of your gear(it's a $50.00 replacement and may take the company a while to send it). I will be building my own pedalboard with power so that I never have to remove the cord from the unit ever again. It is, however, a heavy duty cord(nothing like the hair-thin ones nowadays). I would not hesitate to use this processor without backup.

I have never dealt directly with the company, but the unfortunately have a reputation of not answering/returning calls or emails. Being as this in an outdated unit, I guess I won't have to worry about that. Just like an older car-after 36,000 miles-YOU are the warranty! The website, on the other hand, is very nice, very informative, and has just about every manual available for download/print.

I play everything from classic and hard rock, to jazz, blues, reggae, and acoustic rock. This unit offers enough for me to perform/record in any situation I could ever see myself in. They're discontinued, so replacing it would not be easy. Just the same, I would have to hunt one down if mine were stolen or lost. In my personal opinion, it really lacks nothing(considering it was introduced in 1998 and discontinued in 2003). If any bassist found that this unit got in their creative way, they are either EXTREMELY fussy, or have a complete lack of understanding the technology of a GOOD preamp/processor. I got a steal-deal on mine. I have seen them still pull over $100.00 on ebay, and even at that much, this unit is easily worth it.

this box is fantastic. getting a good sound is easy provided you follow the following: keep the input volume low, have a good, bass, have a good amp. this is not a miracle worker. it will not make your squier and practice amp sound like an ampeg full stack and top quality bass. READ THE MANUAL i cant stress this enough. read it and you will learn how to use it wisely.

im using an alvarez bass and a peavey mark lll head and peavey 3620 cab. also i put this through my practice amp which is a crate bx50. through the peavey it sounds godly with all the effects. it is a yin to my bass and amps yang. however this sux with the practice amp. its kinda my fault though as the only way to connect this to anything but real good practice amps is through the input. the best way to hook it up is through the effects loop (duh) but some amps dont allow you to do that. with this setup you can either just barely hear everything with no buzz or you can hear it all with lots of buzz on the side. the actual effects are very good, i can get a very spacey sound as well as a drunk sound with the wah pedal. it has some really good sounds thanks to the 12ax7 in it provided that your amp has an effects loop.

this thing is tank-like. the expression pedal is securley fastened to mine (....) and all the buttons can take a pounding from my boots. not a scratch on it. no need for a backup here.

how come companies are so hard to deal with when it comes to discontinued items. eveything in my sound is either very old or not made anymore and for each one i had to pull teeth to get any sort of information on it.

i play moistly rock and metal but sometims classic rock too. i reccommend this product over many of the newer digitech prodecut because it has the same features for 1/3 the price. the only thing i wish it did was more than 2 footswitches to change channels. dont be fooled by its appearance. the 4 buttons in front is to turn on or off the EQ, Preamp, Compressor, and Mod for one of the 40 user or factory presets on the fly. dont worry though. its still a solid buy for under $150

Once you've TAKEN YOUR TIME and figured out how it works, it's pretty simple to get good sounds. It does take an understanding of what you're trying to program, though. Presets, as with most units are pretty much useless - think about it, they were programmed by and for another players hands (the most crucial aspect of ALL the sound!!!)

I am currently using an OLP Music Man copy after my Geddy Lee Fender Jazz fell apart on me. I have bypassed the unit's preamp and EQ in favor of going thru my SansAmp Bass Driver first, then the processor into a Hartke 12" Kickback. So, I use the BP-8 almost solely for effects. I like the compression and the noise gate to eliminate any noise. Some effects are better than others, but I don't need to use the ones I don't like, fortunately. The transpose effect is silly - buy a 5 string. The fretless and bowed effects are a pretty cheesy - but I haven't bothered to tweak them. Chorus and envelope filter are great. I like a little flange and phaser on a few sounds, too. I do use the low octave effect and it is HUGE when done appropriately - it took me a long time to get it right! I don't like the overdrives or distortions - if I need them, I pull out my Boss ODB. I am able to get a Geddy-like tone for the more aggressive songs and I can get a nice Jaco tone, too. When I use my Hofner copy, I can get a GREAT thumpy McCartney. And I LOVE the sound I get when I slap. I even have a Mike Gordon-type sound with the envelope filter. I have gotten so many compliments on my tone since I sat down and FIGURED THIS UNIT OUT. Well worth the time.

I've used this on hundreds of dates, and never had a problem. Even used it direct to the board a few times.

I've never had a need to talk with the company.

I play a wide variety of music and this unit has facilitated the flexibility wonderfully. I have been playing for ten years, now, and finally have become settled and happy with "my tone".
www.everybodylovesrecess.com

I think that almost right out of the box this thing sounds great. Not perfect, but it works if you are in a hurry.

I use it with a Fender Jazz, and a SWR workingman's 18. Not sure why, but I get some serious popping when I change to the "Regge" bank. Everything else seems fine.

I have been playing for about 6 years now and I bought the BP8 when it first hit the shelves. Everything comes together rather well, patches, editing, etc, but mine seems not to like live outdoor venues. It seems that between 85 and 95 degrees it overheats, and shuts off! A SERIOUS DISASTER LIVE!!! Also, the display is in red LEDs, so if you play is a club, it works out. In an outdoor gig, the sun totally washes your display, so you have to keep crack of where your banks are in your head, and remember how many stomps in either direction you need to go to get to a bank. Again, A BIG PROBLEM OUTDOORS!!!

Does anyone there ever answer the damn phone?

Overall, I think that this is a good buy if you play indoors, no regge, and like to not get in touch with the company's service center.

this thing is just as easy to use as all the other digitech processors. I actually wish the manual was a little more technical.

the distortions lack bite, everything else sounds good after proper tweaking (ignore the factory presets they don't do the BP8 justice!!!)
I agree with everyone else REVERB IS NOT A HUGE BASS REQUIREMENT....
I also agree that it would be nice if digitech started putting power switches on thier floor processors....

just like any other metal chassis floor processor

I never needed any for this yet but have called digitech in the past for other equipment (they are obviously overwhelmed and can't be bothered by any body) Companies that move less volume treat you better. I called carvin and they acted like they knew me all my life and gave me advice about equipment for about a half hour.(just an example.)

I play mainly hard rock. This processor is all I need, it's simple,cool looking on stage, sounds great if tweaked properly and it is extremely convenient (no frikken patch cables and velcro).
It just needs a power switch and a padded carrying case.

Very easy to use especially in the user-bank mode.
Why is everyone so upset about the 100 mSec. delay while switching
from one sound to another???
I like the tuner and the bypass is also very reliable (much better
then my BP200)
Editing is no problem with the matrix, after a while you get it modified very quickly and you can hear what you do realtime!
My unit was build june 2001 so I don't know which software it has got
inside.

I use a brandnew Laney system which is out on the market, it's the
B2. It's a bi-amp system 2x750 Watts max (yes 750!!)The set is a
2x10(rehersals) combo with a separate 1x15 (Gig's) on the floor.
The BP8 is a little noisy but very acceptable whilst playing.
Some effects I like some I don't. I like the pre-amp very much in the
very 1st preset, that is with some compression and a warm clean tube
sound.
The enveloppe-filter is very nice that is when you connect the pedal
to it for an extra bit of filtering effect.
I dont like the distortionsettings because I dont do that kind of shitsounds.(sorry!)
The best sound for you punkguys I think is the SVT Grit which I think
must be a copy from a big 8x10 Ampeg rig.
The fretless effects dont come close to the real thing. Better buy a real fretless bass.
Wah effects are very neat but you have to ajust your sound for a better low-end.

I think it's a very well build floorboard but the only thing I find
very poor is the DIN powersupply-plug and chassis in the BP8.
The 2nd day I modified the set with a Neutric XLR (European quality)
chassis and connector. Very easy to do!!! Now this set is like a tank!
I would certanly use this set on a gig. If it brakes down I plug in
into my Lany B2 which sound pretty perfect(it has a tube pre-amp)

I never dealt with the guys in the States because we have our own
distributor in The Netherlands (Total Audio: a very good company)

I play Rock and Pop music and I think it's a very nice product and
I use it often.
I've been playing for about 23 years: Fenders, Ric's, you name it... Nowadays I play Music-Man Stingray's 4 and 5's and sometimes a Godin BG Bass which I think is a very proffessional bass and very underestimated the musicscene.(These guys in Canada have the wood...!)
My Fender days are over; ones a Mercedes always Mercedes.(Thanks Mr. Ernie Ball).
I also have a brandnew Digitech BP200: It sucks!!!
You have a very bad bypass. The BP8 does not have this problem at all.
I would strongly recommend Digitech to do the following:
-Put in a proffesional connector XLR-type for the powersupply and put
in a switch to turn it off!!!
-Make the outputs also balanced for the P.A.
-Get an SPDIF or AES-EBU output for the studio.
-Shield the lot with foil for beer etc. on stage.
-Try a better tube for less hiss!
I'm a proffesional sound engineer but maybe I ask too much!
I still believe it is a very good product with ups and downs just like
all the other musicproducts.

I've been playing for over 10 years, I'm also a trained sound engineer. This makes me the wrong person to ask. Its easy - just try setting up a 5 band compressor, this is a doddle in comparison! O.K alot of people are moaning about it being too complex, but it can do a hell of a lot of stuff, so it's going to have alot of variables to play with. If you can't cope, why didn't you try it before you bought it???

The thing is most people don't really know how to set up compressors, so they think this one ain't too hot, it is in fact fantastically good, having a highpass filter built in is a huge advantage. But more complex. Which shouldn't put you off.

Its the standard Digitech grid system for choosing the parameter to tweak - not rocket science. It just helps to have some clue as to what to do with the parameters.

I would suggest most intelligent people could operate every aspect of the unit within an hour. They might spend 6 months learning how to get the post out of the unit though ;-). To me thats a really good thing, to you it might be too much like hard work, learning and experimentation.

OK noise levels are great - I regularly use this direct to hard disk, or protools or whatever. I also use it live no probs, and thats with some pretty meaty rigs at the far end. (On this note, I love being able to mute the output b4 removing the lead, save the poor sound guys speakers, he will thank you for it).

My bass is custom built.

I run either an old 300w Laney stack with 2 4x10s left and right of the drums. This should make me more susceptible to noise than anyone with 15s, yet I have absolutely no complaints. If its a bigger gig I run it straight into a Crown Lab amp that pushes 1200 watts into 2 BIG 15s and the 2 4x10s - the result of which is utterly superb. On this point noone here has mentioned

If its too noisy then you haven't set up your signal gains properly throughout the signal chain, just like any other effect.

I wouldn't be afraid to attempt to try any sound on this one effects unit its that good.

I feel its only failing is the transistor preamp settings are kind of lacking in ummph to me - no bottom end, whilst the tube ones seem too boomy.

This is ok though as the 4 band semi-parametric eq is just lovely, really musical and sweet for tweaking the tone. Its capable of a lot more than minor tweaks too, I find I often forego the preamp, and just eq my bass sound instead, this is awesome combined with a good compression setting.

I use every bass technique in the book too, slap, finger style, tapping, double thumping - what ever is comfy for the part. Its a credit to the compressor that its all very even on output, I've dedicated compressors that don't handle bass this well, and cost more.

I've used this unit in literaly hundreds of gigs, no probs. Its just ran and ran. If you are a gorilla you might break it, but you'd have to try!

It loses a mark though as there is a software problem. When you change the level of an envelope filter volume it doesnt register unless you turn the filter off and back on. I found this out just after I bought the unit. Told Digitech UK, sent it back and got a new unit three days later. Telling me I should turn off the envelope filter section then turn it back on to hear the volume change - hmmmm strange eh!

Read the above on reliability, I cant fault the replacement speed, but telling me the fix was to do what I was doing as a work around was rather lame. Anyone else got this problem?? Wonder whether there is some way to upgrade the firmware?

I play a mixture of styles. Very old school ('60s) funk, all the way through to avante garde noise/metal/industrial. I love it all. Fave artists range from Bootsy, through to Victor Wooten and Michael Manring right the way through to Les Claypool, Marilyn Manson, Cann, Chrome and Squarepusher.

I get a superb JBs bass sound, and right next to it is a loverly Victor sound from Three Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest. I've made some super distorted envelope filter funk squelches, and some beautiful mellow chorus sounds, not to mention the punchiest overdriven tones that recreate Les Claypool's early four string work on Frizzle Fry.

I've been playing for over 10 years, and am a trained sound engineer.
I own alot of other gear :) both PA and recording.

If this were stolen I'd hunt down the thief to get my presets back - even though I've got them in my PC. I'd definitely have to replace it.

Love the notch filter - the least understood part of the kit by everyone, guarantees a nearly perfect replica of the tone room to room, the price you pay is the need for a big big amp to make up for no square waves - still, priceless to me.

Why a reverb? Absolute waste of DSP power - when will these people understand, as bassists reverb is our enemy! It muddys the sound. Any hall you play in will have too much reverb on the bass naturally, if you need it in the studio, use a real reverb like a Lexicon! Better give me a second DSP for phazing the output from my Envelope filter to makeeven funkier sounds!

The delay is just forgivable, but not at the expense of dedicating DSP that could be better used, why not have to modulation sections, both with slightly less powerful delays. This is one of the units big let down.

Which also is the reason u cant change patches at the click of a switch - not enough DSP and memory, it really needs another chip to allow faster switching, and a bunch more memory. The couple of tenths of a second of silence REALLY standout, which is unforgivable in a 'live' floor unit. I have to say this DRAMATICALLY lowers he overall score for me.

Tonally its great, but to ruin it with this hiccup and the lack of understanding about the importance of reverb to bassists (i.e hardly any!) do make me question the thought processes behind the designers, what were they thinking. I (and my guess would be the vast majority of owners) use tremolo less than reverb, so why do I have to have a dedicated reverb section???

Overall it definetly helps with making music - the compressor eq and notch filter are easily worth this much alone, and thats forgetting the gorgeous chorus flange and phazer. The envelope filter is ok, not as good as a 'real' analogue one but still very nice. Cant help wishing that the reverb and delay had been less significant though.

Well, I got home on a Friday night from a concert, and the pedal was sitting in a box on the doorstep. I went inside, and opened it up. Tried to figure it out, but I couldn't. I couldn't get a goddam thing together. It didn't occur to me at the time that it probably wasnt the pedal, and I was, shall we say, under the influence at the time. So I went to bed, dissapointed. Woke up, and voila, I figured it out. It's so easy to get whatever sound you want. Editing patches is soooo easy. Everything's right there. You do have to read the manual for it. It's a great booklet, I never would've gotten it together without it.

I'm playing through this with an Epiphone V SG bass, strung E-A-D-G-C. I'm using a Crate 1x15, 100 watt amp. My amp, however, has become just a cabinet. I'm bypassing the EQ and Preamp on my amp for the most part, because the sound of this pedal is amazing. The one 12AX7 tube makes a huge difference. I have replaced the tube since I received this. The most notably good effects are the tremolo, which is amazing, the flange, the chorus, the phase, and the wah/envelope filters. They all sound amazing when used in their elements. However... The 'Fretless Simulator' is such shit I have to lower the score on this. It blows, and does nothing at all, doesnt even sound cool. But in spite of this, awesome pedal. Reverbs and delays are awesome too. The preamps, which use both tube and solid state sounds, are excellent. Goes from warm, to crisp and bright. The distortions are great also. I have patches for all my different sounds. I can also emulate my favorite bassists: Claypool, Wooten, Flea, Squire, Chancellor, Entwistle, yadda yadda yadda....

It's a tank. The only thing I would worry about breaking is the tube. But I will gig without a backup, starting this week.

ahh, digitech. They must have the greatest working hours in the world. THEY NEVER PICK UP THE PHONE... THEY NEVER ANSWER EMAILS.... GOOD LUCK....

I play progressive-alternative rock, mostly. My band is like a combination of Pink Floyd, Tool, Incubus, Yes, and Foo Fighters. Honestly... But anyway, this pedal can do ANYTHING. It's as much a part of my sound as my instrument. I also own a USA Big Muff Pi, and a Boss Flanger. The BP-8 does all that, but more. This would definitely get replaced if anything were to happen to it, (God Forbid.) I love this thing. The only thing about it, is that you can only use one modulation effect at the same time. Oh well. GET THIS THING.

Very easy to use, the programming is among the easiest to work with and editing the patches is a breeze

some of the best effects i've heard or used. i'm speaking from someone who uses this unit live, for real gigs as opposed to someone sitting in their room blasting on a cheesy amp or headphones. the pre-amp settings are extremely usable for some really great clean settings. i haven't used the overdrives and distortions much because i use my standard boss ods always. i have heard if you replace the stock tube with groove tubes or better, the overdrives are remarkably better sounding. i notice a lot of people bellyaching about the reverbs and modulation effects, for one....any bass player who truly feels the need to use a reverb for ANYTHING needs help in the sound department to begin with. sure, reverb sounds cool while making goofy noises in self practice but reverb for bass just doesn't work other than some way spaced out notes here and there. and delays, choruses, flanges, phasers and such are usable in their elements. this unit has great sounding modulation effects, especially the wahs and envelopes. i do have a slight problem with the pitch shifters and octaves. they seem to track at goofy intervals, not sounding natural. in reality, i use this unit for some incredible e-qing and clean sounds...i'm not big on too many crazy effects so i find use for these minimal.

had it for two years and have not had one single problem with it

havent had to use them

ok, overall this is the best unit i have used, and believe me, i have used many. digitech is the leader in multi effects and there really is no better unit for the bass as far as my knowledge goes. i use this in a effects rig including and mxr classic red box compressor (for balancing overall levels between effects) and a boss bass overdrive and it works for my playing great. that is the key though, everybody has different uses for these effects and should consider the source in any review. i immediately discount reviews like some of those below that were posted by imbeciles who obviously have little to no expereince using units like this. i use it in lots of music settings and completely varied styles of music.