DigiTech DSP-128+

L'edition des sons est relativement facile, mais assez longue: les parametres doivent etre edites en les visualisant -les uns apres les autres- sur un minuscule ecran.

Heureusement, le manuel est tres clair. Il contient egalement une liste des abreviations correspondant aux parametres des effets.

Le dsp 128+ a une entree et une sortie midi: les parametres peuvent etre modifies via un pc.

J'avais achete ce multi-effets en 1991 pour l'utiliser avec ma guitare electrique: le resultat fut tres decevant (sons propres mais sans aucun "grain").

En home-studio, pour incorporer des effets (des reverberations, surtout) dans des mixages, ce multi-effet est tres satisfaisant.

Je l'utilise actuellement en le conectant a la sortie de vieux expanders et synthetiseurs (un kawai k4r et un jx-3p): il a vraiment trouve sa place, les sons sont superbes.

Le dsp 128+ semble tres costaud (en particulier le rack est metallique). Je n'ai jamais eu a le faire reparer.

This was a very easy unit to program and use in a musical sense. Although I wish it had a better user interface (i.e., a 2-line LCD display rather than the cryptic LED), I did buy it new in 1988 so I was aware of what I was getting myself into. This really was one of the early multi-effect modules available at a decent price back in the day.

I used this with a 16-channel Yamaha board, processing mostly keyboards, rack modules, and vocals. Some of the presets are dated (too "80's"), but that could be a good thing if you are looking for that particular sound. Like many, I relied on the presets with some additional tweaking. Overall, it was a good value for the time.

Reliability-wise, this thing was/is basically indestructible. The only problem I EVER had was the battery back-up failed after 10-years. I simply opened the case and found the battery backup was merely a standard 9V battery ? not some arcane specialized battery no one made anymore. I just popped a new 9V battery in and everything came back to life. The only thing the dead battery was inhibiting was the MIDI channel setting. It even kept the tweaked presets in memory. How many of today?s units can claim that?
Although I have upgraded to a new digital processor, I still keep this as a backup just in case.

I never had to seek assistance from DigiTech on this model, so I can?t say how the customer support was. My only comment was that the manual could have been written better and had better graphics. But, it was 1988 and desktop publishing wasn?t as good then.

I have played since age 4 and graduated to combo organs in my teens (I remember when a spring reverb on a Fender Twin was the extent of "effects processing"). I appreciated the entry into studio-quality outboard gear with this unit but times and technology change. However, the basics of this unit are still appropriate for players at most all levels - I suspect the average user will find a dozen or so effects they use for most applications and stick with those. In my mind, an effects processor should not get in the way of the music, nor should it call too much attention to itself. I think the DSP128 Plus succeeded in those qualities.

May 25, 2002.

Just to inform you. I got a DigiTech 128+ for repair; the internal
power supply got extremely hot. After some investigation it
appeared to be one of the two tantalium capacitors nearby the
PCM54HP chip. When such a capacitor breaks, it shortcuts the supply.
You have to check one of the voltage regulators 7812, or 7912 as
well. They may have burned out.

Not too bad after those years of proper operation.

Good for shaping a already decent sound. Hard to understand compared to todays standards.

I used this for basic effects with a Marshall amp. The effects were great, although some were noisey. The "bathroom reverb" is awesome. Very 80's.

Never failed me. Used without a backup for years.

I play hard rock, and at the time it gave me all the chorus and delays I needed. Other then this unit, I used a Crybaby, and that was about it. I no longer use this, as I just run a couple of Dunlop pedals now (wah, and rotovibe). I wish it would have had overdrive, but then again, it was an all around signal processor. I have used it for mixing down home studio recording with great success.

I dont think I would compare it to any of the vast array of digital processors being made today;However if your into recording and looking for a certain (somthing), its possible you may find it with this unit.I never throw anything away unless it truly dies and it looks like this DSP 128 is going to be around long after im gone. As far as editing patches goes,I bought the unit with the footswitch used without a manual so I basicaly had to perform trial and error;(by the way I was looking for a manual for it when I found this sight) anyway..I wouldnt recomend tossing it,theres alot of magic left in that eternal box and no,mine was not upgraded. Some kid bought it when it first came out(didnt have it a yr.)and sold it to me,THANKS DUDE!!

I use the (DSP 128 plus)for vocals in a live situation and for anything that needs special attention (via personality) in a studio atmosphere. I use it with MACKIE both live and studio.If your not careful it could become a heavy noise maker.With proper aplications it can be a real gem.The actual effects are very interesting, not weak.I use a Crown and a couple of Qsc's with it live and just Qsc in the studio.As far as getting the sound of my favorite artists go's,Thats really not what I use it for. I use it in conjuntion with other processors or by itself to try to achieve new sounds.

Can I depend on it? Iron clad,without a doubt! I would venture to say that I would have no fear of using it at a gig without a backup.

I wouldnt know much about the company's support;They must be alot like the maytag repair men. Here's a hint; (THEY DONT DIE!)

I play innovative new music and the DSP 128(plus)always has a way of weaseling its way onto my tracks in some way or another.Ive been playing for 25 yrs. and Ive had alot of equipment come and go, and I can honestly say Im still using that piece of gear today. I love the personalities you can achieve on the DSP 128 plus;However (WHATS WITH THAT FUNKY PEDAL)!I usually try to forget about that old stank.My favorite effects on that unit is the reverse and gated reverb. digitech in general seems to be a very cost effective solution when it comes to processing and such items.And theres a plus, if you can get past the way they bundle thier effects parameters, thier effects are usually good quality sounding or atleast something with character.All the DSP 128(plus)needs is a good pedal. When im playing out I could use a good pedal even if Im using it for vocals, I still like to be able to change my programs. Well I think thats it for my point of view, All this sharing is starting to feel like an AA meeting...bye

First, I review this because that's a unit I keep rediscovering... Quite easy to use once you've figured the led "codes", which are easy to understand when you understand the unit. Editing patches is easy, saving is even easier... it saves every single tweak automatically(some might hate this) The manual comes in handy for figuring the led "codes", and has a listing of all the preset with a quick description... you don't really need the manual, but it's nice to have it as a reference.

I'm using mostly in my PSA-1 preamp loop now and into a crest power amp. I've used this unit, with mixer's aux send/return, used it both live and in studio situation. It's a bit noisy... but not much considering its age. The chorus aren't great, the flangers are somewhat usable, the verbs and delays are the best this unit has, the eq is nothing to be proud of, but could come in handy in some situation. So an 8 because the verbs and delay are really nice even for an old unit, it has its own character.

I bough this used around 92-93, and it was mainly used in a PA situation since it was new when I bought it... so it did see some traveling and truck load/unload. I never had problem with it, just the usual maintenance. I did use it for gigs without backup and would again.

Dealt with them in the past with great results, they're not up to what they used to nowadays... so a 6... they should have more informations online about their past products which they don't .

If it got stolen or if it breaks down beyond reasonable price repair I would get something else... I really love the verbs and delays in this unit, the reverse reverbs are something I really like. The only thing I wwish this unit had is a tremolo effect, that would make it really great for me. If you have this unit, here's a sound I like to use often... set a delay for 20ms or so, no feedback on the delay, you can add a verb if you like. Just using this delay like this fatten a guitar or a bass signal in a nice way, of crouse tweak wet mix to taste. Also a weird dissonnant sound is to use the delay with 20ms and 99.9 feedback... now that's something for the experiment times. I don't mind people emailing me with questions about this unit so feel free to use the email below.

I have never found this unit to be tricky to use. Considering the flexablity, it is very intuitive.

I have had really good luck using the 128+ with a Strat/MesaBoogie set up through the effects loop. Particularly for chorus/flange/delay settings. In the studio, the ability to provide reverb with the above has freed up other rack mount gear better suited to drums and vocals.

My only bone of contention has been a need to warm the unit up (power on) to avoid a crackling/popping sound prior to use. Any help with solving this would be appreciated. I have not heard of anyone else sharing my problem.

I have only ever asked the vendor where I purchased this unit (new by the way) and have been met with blank stares or worse.

Great for guitar (with an efx loop) and ok in the studio as a guitar/keyboard processor. Would recommend it as a 2nd or 3rd studio unit. Not bad for a PA application.

Easy to learn, even without the manual. Currently using it for vocal support and background fills. Not the most flexable to use but a good buy for a first effect box.

Running it through an 8 Channel mixer out through a Crown amp. Can be a little noisy if pushed. Takes some work to get it balanced correctly. Generally the reverb and delay efects are the best. Chorus and Flange effects are a little weak.

Has been very dependable. It starts acting weird when the standard 9 volt starts to go.

Digitech has a good web site, but no online support for older products. They should make the old manuals available.

Overall it's a great low cost unit. With a little tweaking you can get it to perform like higher end units.

GREAT chorus - I compare it to the Boss CE-5. All of the effects are highly customizable, which is nice. Lots of reverb choices, good delays (slap back, to loooong ones, but I'm not sure of the ms's - I lost the manual). It does some funky equilizations on various patches, but you can modify the amount of EQ that the unit does by changing effect algorhythms (which is very easy). I think the flange sucks.

Very easy to use. Good reverb sounds, good delays, great chorus, kinda sucky flange. The only way you can go from patch to patch is via numerical step. It has a footswitch that has up/down/bypass. I would like to be able to punch in a number, but so it goes. This unit has stereo in and outs, input, output, and wet/dry knobs, lighted numeric display, and a 4-LED level meter. 1/4" jacks only, no XLR.

The left side on my unit fades in and out sometimes, so I jsut run right side/mono. That's OK, cause my rig is mono. I coudl surely send it in to have it fixed, but I won't bother unless soemthing else goes wrong.

Haven't called them.

What a great unit for under $150. This is ideal for the guitarist that is using a rack setup that wants and easy to use, great sounding unit. It doesn't do what the high dollar units do, but it's not supposed to. I have absolutely no desire to upgrade from this unit, and I'm damn picky about getting the sound just right.

6