DigiTech GSP-2101 Artist

You need quite a bit of technical understanding to know what you'r doing when programming this unit. The manual isn't too bad but it doesn't cover all aspects of the box, so sometimes you're on your own. Luckily there is a VERY usefull mailing list (visit www.bstage.com/gsp_html/). There are some very usefull features (like user-defineable function keys on the front panel), so after getting used to it the editing and tweaking pactches isn't too difficult. But you got to have the effect routing for your path in your head (or on a piece of paper).

I am using the box with an Ibanez Radstar II and a small Carlsbro Combo amp or (sometimes) directly into a mixing board. Both setups deliver excellent sound quality (the first one in mono with a little more bottom end, the second one in stereoo). Overall I would say that all of the effects sound good to excellent. It's a great feature to be able to set up your own effect routings in user algorithms (with mixers, equalizers, effect-modules whereveryou want them). What really amazed me was the preamp section which produces all kinds of clean and distorted sound (3 Tube and 3 Solid state distortions). this unit can do nearly everything I want do do with my guitar sound. I don't know if the new SG-2112's or SG2120's are even better, but who cares! This box is alle I need.

I heared a lot of people complainig about the reliability of the box, and the demo box in the store crashed twice when I tested it (which was last summer, by now don't get new ones any more), but mine works fine by now.

Never needed them, but their web pages are not very well equiped with GSP-stuff (no patches, no tips, just an online-manual which is exactly like the paper one). There is - as mentioned above - an excellent mailing list which is not sponsored or supported by DigiTech, just by GSP-users. It's very likely to get a good an quick answer when sending your questions to this list.

This is a good choice for nearly all kinds of music (from metal to jazz). Especially after upgrading with the second S-DISC-Chip the possibilities are nearly limitless. The only thing it makes me wish is that I had a good stereo power amp to run it through.

i have the 3.0 artist upgrade..it's fairly easy to use. i moved up from a rp-10, so the learning curve wasn't so bad.. the manual is sometimes cryptic..and so is editing the patches,but for the sounds that are there, it's a small price to pay...i love this thing...

it is true the wah is somewhat weak, but it is not too bad..this unit can crush your spine with the distortions it produces. the solid state distortions are so tight it almost hurts..the tube distortions are pretty fat sounding.. the overall sound quality...outstanding..the cleans are crystal..no b.s. i also use a bbe 402 in the fx loop and that just makes this unit come alive...you really can't find sound quality like this in other units for this price bracket.

i've had it for 3 months and no problems..and the guy i bought it from had it for 2 years.

i called for a artist manual, and was transferred twice..and no one picked up the phone.. so i had to call back, and the person that answered the phone had to ask someone in the room for the price.. this stinks, because i was paying for the call..they need a 1-800 number..the manual is $5.00us send the money, they send you a manual..with this little insight, i really hope i don't have to send it back..

i love this box..i would buy it again.

Editing sound is much easier than I thought. Getting good distortion sound is fairly easy. Reverbs are quite complicated, there're tons of parameters in them. Manual is quite weak, but fortunately unit is simple enough to be understood with it.

Distortions are very good, especially tube sounds. Digital distortions are little too thrashy for me, but if you like Pantera-like sounds I think it will do good job. Effects are great, especially chorus and reverbs are very nice. I don't like noise gate very much, Rocktron's HUSH system is much better. Anyway, the overall sound quality is very good.

Well, I got my unit half a year ago, and it blew up after too months of use. I send it to dealer, they "fixed" it, got it back, but it still ain't working properly. There are some little problems, that don't do very much harm but are still quite nasty.

Haven't dealt with company

I think I won't buy it again, because there's is new model (2112) which should be a way better. Still, I'm quite happy with the unit. It sounds great, and despite the little problems it's working ok. I tries BOSS GX700 (did I remembered it correctly) and didn't like it half as much. I've also owned Rocktron Chameleon, which has much worse distortions.

I purchased the upgrade Firmware Version 3.0 from the stock 2101. It's a bit complicated to program, but the versatility makes up for the effort spent.

Distortions are pretty good, notably the 3 tube settings. Some of the effects are quite noisy, and the noise gate is not particularly to my liking. It's variable, but tends to cut off sustaining notes. The wah wah is undoubtedly the worst part of this unit. Hang onto your Cry Baby. Chorus, delay, flanger and compressor effects are all great. The Artist Upgrade includes a GREATLY ENHANCED TUNER! I've actually stopped using my Boss tuner! Upgrade also includes Intelligent Pitch Shifter (Harmonizer) which is very good. Some of the new artist patches are great.

I use it without a backup. Haven't had a problem with the unit in 3 years. I've been giging about 6 times a month for the past year.

I'd but it again. I love most everything except the wah and noise gate. Wish it had something like an ADA Ampulator in it to simulate power amp distortion prior to the digital effects. FOr the most part, it helps the creative process, though, creating new programs can be time consuming.
I've tried various tubes (12AX7's) in it, stock Tesla's, Groove Tubes, and Sovteks. I prefer the Sovteks to the others.

First of all, I just got my GSP-2101 ARTIST, and so far...IT'S GREAT!!! I didn't think that it would be so easy to understand! compared to the RPs, it's more complicated, but...the flexibility is endless!!!

I've never tried any other preamp/effect module that sounds so good! for someone like me...who takes lessons once aweek, plays for a hobby does a little concert here & there...it's the most awsome part of my equipment!!! all the effects are TOO KEWL!!!!!!

for any rackmounted stuff..if it's in a rack, you cant damage it!!! if your careful, it's built to last a lifetime!!! no problem there!!!

I've never had to return or ask questions!!! it's that reliable!!!

it's the first effects processor I have ever bought, and I'm glad!!! I have a - Fender Telecaster AM.STD. - Marshall Valvestate 8240 - and now...a Digitech GSP-2101 ARTIST You can't get anymore especially since I'm 15...I'm very well equiped!! Everything I ever bought was EXTREMELY good quality...it's a good thing too! I'd never trade it for anything!!! the only thing that bothers me about it...it's the price, but you get what you paid for!!!...right??? I LOVE IT ! ! !