DigiTech GSP-2101

Once you're used to it, a snap. I upgraded to the dual S-Disc and artist. Tone galore.

The best. Better than the 2112, better than the 2120, the RP-10 and the Johnson Millennium. This is, in my opiion, the best sounding unit that I have ever had the joy of playing through. I play it through a Peavey 4x12 with a Supreme 160 head.

Hasn't gone down yet...

Classic Digitech. Sucky.

I bought a Line6 Ax2 212 about a week before trading it in for this unit. The Line6 was $1200, and the store wouldn't take it back for anything but store credit. I dealt with EU Wurlitzer, and when I told them I was unhappy with the amp and wanted a 2101, they told me "We don't do Digitech". So I'm stuck with $1200 store credit in a store full of idiots who can't get me what I want. Anyhow, I kept the amp, went to a DJM, traded it in (a WEEK old, mind you) for $600. We all get screwed at music stores, and this was a prime example of my Line6 suddenly being worth half as much a week later. But, my irritation went away when I plugged in the 2101, ripped out slick tone, and had the unit that I wanted. Buy this unit first, avoid my mistake. The best, most versatile, flexable preamp/processor available.

It's extremely hard to get a good sound out the unit. That's probably the reason people rate this thing so high and so low. The Gsp has everything you can imagine. This means you will have to adjust everything in the setting that you like. It shurely is not a "plug and play" device. You need a LOTT of time to understand it and even more to set it right. The factory presets are nice to show the possibillities of this machine but they are overdone. But you can use these patches easily to create new programs. But the sound is in there.....you just have to search.........if you can and willing. You'll probably never ever learn to use thing to the fullest. You can put any unit on any place in the fx-loop(but there are limitations). SO IT'S HARD TO USE BUT THAT'S ALL BECAUSE IT'S A HUGE FX -DEVICE

I use the gsp and 2 marshall8080 amplifiers. Let's not overdo this. The gsp is far superior of any fx-kit on this planet but there are a lot of "one-effect" units that sound better. But remember you can not buy everything..(well maybe ya can, but I can't). I sold my wah-pedal to buy this instrument. This was a huge mistake. The smooth wah on the gsp sounds good enough but it is midi controlled and therefore a bit slow. The distortions have a lack of gain. Well some off them

It still works..but I didn't take it out yet. It needs to be in a rack because it is pretty delicate but then again every tube amplifier is more delicate than a normal amplifier.

I play in a cover band playing everything from alanis to skunk anansie, meatloaf to metallica etc,etc I have never had a problem with getting the right effect.

Pretty standard for rackmount stuff

Awful. I had a gsp 21 as well, it went to the junk heap, after several lengthy attempts to get it fixed. Several fasteners came loose inside the chassis and started banging around, must have shorted something out at some point.

Unhelpful. They had the unit for months, returned it with the same problem it went out with. Wrote a letter to the CEO, it was ignored.

I, for one, will never buy (or even demo) another Digitech product. They seem to think we're all kids with tons of our parent's money to spend.

Always easy. editing is a breeze

Sounds great, but the factory patches are a little over board. Had to adjust down on everything from echos to flangers.

Here's a problem. I tried to load a user patch from a website. The 2101 began displaying strange characters and now I can't get it to do anything.

Dunno yet,guess I'm fixin' to find out.

Gonna hold off until I get word back from the manufacturer and ultimately the technician.

My gear: Paul Reed Smith CE22 maple top , Patrick Eggle Berlin Pro , Digitech 2101 (upgrade Artist 3.00), Soldano SP77, Peavey 50/50, Marshall 1912 (2), Dunlop Wah
I need different sounds in a flick of a switch. I play modern rock.
Ease of use: 7 When using standard presets it gets a 10. Creating your own algorithms (effect routings) i'll give a 7. If you have no experience programming presets it is very difficult, but that's a general problem. Suggestion: when you create your own algorithms, draw it on paper, that's half the work. (The digitech 2112 has visualised routings !)
The clean presets are useable if you adapt them. The gain presets sounds like chicken shit. The noisegate isn't subtile when closing (although closed is closed). The chorus starts sometimes over again with a click. The delay doesn't end now and then (how did i do that)
In general the factory presets are too spacy. You have to 'dry' it. The pre-amp section is too weak. The digital section is absolutely not dynamic. It colors the sound very, very much. For example: when i link my Soldano SP77 to the return inputs of the 2101 (the digital section) it doesn't sound like a Soldano !?. Same story for a Rocktron Piranha, Marshall jmp-1, ADA mp-1, MesaBoogie V-twin. The ultimate test: the sound of a preamp through the digital FX on bypass must be the same sound without any FX. Only Rocktron FX (Intellifex/Repliflex) does that !!! (I don't know about the TC-Electronics G-Force and the Lexicon MPX).
Positive: good GEQ, PEQ, delays, reverbs
It took me one year to create an algorithm that makes my 2101 sounds tight, warm and heavy at the same time. I really tried every possible routing and combination of effects. The results ?. If Digitech Corp. hear my presets/algorithms they will absolutely buy them(React please) The difference between the standard and my own presets are like day and night or heaven and hell (i have to preach a little bit, i'm a reli-rocker, sorry ...)

Tube preamp (2 12ax7a tubes) + digital effectprocessor. extra: Artist 3.00 upgrade. Now 240 presets. Random effects use in any thinkable order. Expansion board memory available (spillover function possible)

I bought the 2101 new in 1994. The problems till so far: - processor crashed 5 times. All my presets where lost !!! It feels like loosing your identity. (that's the reason i make system exclusive dumps(SYX) on my PC) - dark display - datawheel jumps to different presets (maybe the evil forces?) - pedal on the footcontroller didn't react properly. The wiring was not adequate attached. - output volumes (left/right) not the same level
When i wanted to trade my 2101 the music shop didn't want a Digitech because of the problems with Digitechs in general. They even won't sell them new !!!

From Holland to America is a long way. I payed for fixing the problems, because the warranty was ended. Is it possible to declarate ? I don't think so.

In 1994 the 2101 was the best all-in-one box (in buying it). Now the new 2112 is. Tomorrow the 2120 is. I'd better buyed a Marhall JMP-1/Rocktron Intellifex/Boss FC that time I recommend everyone to buy a single full-tube preamp and a single FX- unit. It will cost a little more, but you get a honest, dynamic sound that will not get boring in the long run. Single units are more flexible when trading or changing sound. It has also stable occasion prices. I hate that Digitech comes so fast with new products (2101,2101 artist,2101 dual, 2112, 2112 artist, 2120)
I won't defenitely buy a Digitech again ...
please feel free to react and mail me :-)

this is the easest unit i have ever used. patch editing is cake. maual is ok, absolutly sucks when it comes to describing how to create your own algorythims, but then again that is so simple they really don't need to say much.

i run a gnl sc-3 (gnl = the best strats on the market) into the 2101 into a bbe 462 into a marshall 9100 into a marshall 4x12. the wah suchs, but what do you expect it is digital. I can get anything from raunchy dirty blues sounds to metal, to funky neck pickup rhtym sounds to fat jazz sounds

my rig died on me once at one gig, and i am not sure what or why it did this i think something over heated probably the 2101, but no fuses or tubes were blown, threw a couple fans back there has never had any problems since then. i have had it for probably 2-3 years played 500 gigs or so with it love it.

never neaded any

it is great

The manual is pretty lame, it doesn't explain how to create your own algorithms. Editing the pre-set patches is very simple and straight forward. The foot control is very easy to program and operate but is hard to allow the pedal to be used with a different effect.

I have it running through a Carvin 300 watt F series power amp and a peavey 4-12 cabinet. The wah sucks because it's digital. The pitch shifters suck because they are to slow. I wanted to get endless sustain like Dweezil Zappa but that wasn't going to happen because the stupid noise gate cuts off the note. So if you want a little sustain you can hear some noise if you don't want noise you don't get sustain. The pre-amp reaks because it's too weak. It won't even drive the 300 watt power amp.

I have used it on the road about 20 times and I only blew a fuse 1 time.

The company was very friendly and helpful. A representative helped me get some extra sustain over the phone.

I like to play Led Zeppelin and if anyone knows Jimmy Page they know that he likes sustain. But he wouldn't get it with this. I've been playing for 5 years I own a Carvin DC135 guitar and I'm going to sell the GSP2101 if anyone knows of a good effects processor send me an e-mail. To conclude, it seems that the people at digitech don't know what guitar players like, a quiet unit with good sustain and good effects.

I previously owned a mp-1. When I got this thing I was very excited. Then when I got it home it was very difficult to get the sound I was looking for. I had alot of trouble editing and adding effects and I never had any experience in this area. So at first I was disappointed. I have had it over three years now and I love it more than ever. And still have not touched on its possibilities, but don't like the fact that I am limited to the amount of effects in a chain. However I don't really use alot of effects anyway outside of tube distortion. This thing was originally sold on the idea that you could have any amount of effects in any order so i feel a bit decieved. someday I might buy the expanision card. My software is 1.02 haven't seen any bugs but have ordered the free 2.0 upgrade.

I think the sound quality is superior and can compare to anything I've heard. The wah is very weak and I don't even understand what some of the effects are. I just usually go to a factory preset that sounds decent and tweak till I get the sound I'm looking for. Reverbs are slight to unreal and everything in between. I generally only use the tube distortions which I can get a extremely fat natural tube sound out of. My only complaint is I want more tube gain fron this thing. I turn on the compressor at its maximum gain, 1.5 ratio to push the distortion over the edge. With the ADA mp-2, I don't need anything to get the right amount gain and sustain. However, this method on the 2101 has worked great and the tube distortion is more natural sounding. I have a problem with this thing sounding inconsistent. It seems the longer I play the it startes sounding. I will turn it off after sounding great and saving my settings and the next day (only sometimes) won't sound as exciting. (probally just my playiong that isn't as exciting) Anyone else noticed this?

Never had one problem with it . I do get concerned because I have heard that problems can occur with digital equiptment and electrical storms, surges and spikes. One time I was playing and it was raining outside then the electricity went out came back on and went out again really fast. I waited for the lights to come on for awhile the turned it on and everything was fine to my surprise. After that I went and bought a surge protecter. I recently was looking for a pot near the tubes which I thought might boost the gain from the opp-amp and broke out a 400v capacitor that is behind the tubes. The thing was plugged in and still played and sounded good.

Called them for the first time when I found out I could get a free updated software and they said they would send it. I haven't got it yet but its only been about a week. Then I called again about the broken capicitor. The tech couldn't tell what the capacitor did or if it could damage my unit, but did offer to sent it to me free of charge. I haven't got it yet but its not even been a week yet. It was a bit difficult to get a live body. Ive had this unit over three years and no other problems. And the one I'm having is my own fault.

i WOULD DEFINITELY BUY THIS UNIT AGAIN!. THIS THING IS A CREATIVE MUSIC MAKING TOOL THAT CAN GET IN DEPTH AS MUCH AS YOU WANT TO GO OR STAY AS SIMPLE AS YOU WANT. IT IS A PROFESSIONAL PIECE OF EQUIPTMENT AND PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIKE IT PROBALLY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND ALL IT COULD DO AND DIDN'T SPEND ENOUGH TIME TO FIND OUT HOW SATISFYING IT CAN BE. I'VE HAD IT OVER THREE YEARS AND AM JUST NOW FINDING OUT HOW TO GET THE PERFECT TONE THAT I'M LOOKING FOR AND COULD STILL GET INVOLVED WITH THE DIGITAL ASPECT AND SPEND THE NEXT TEN YEARS TRYING TO PERFECT THOSE TO MY LIKINGS. HOWEVER, DON'T GET ME WRONG THIS THIS DOESN'T HAVE TO TAKE THIS LONG FOR YOU. I MESSED WITH THE GLBAL EQ AND WAS NEVER RIGHT. THEN I TOOK DIGITECH'S ADVICE AND SET THE EQ FLAT AND JUST USE THE LOCAL EQ AND NOW I'M HAPPY

I consider myself somewhat techno.....the manual does not cover with great clarity how to set up your own user algorithms. Other than that, if you are satified with the stock algorithms (most of which are pretty decent) you'll be OK.

The distortion effects as well as the clean sounds are pretty good. The distortion is quite noisy at high gain settings. I really don't care for noise gate, compressor and wah sounds.

This is where it gets ugly. This unit is not dependable at all! I owned (notice past tense) this unit for 1-1/2 years. In that time frame the unit broke down 3 times. Two times were at a gig! The first time it was sent in for cold solder joints on the main circuit board. The second time both front and back input jacks failed (how this could happen seems a bit strainge). Service and turnaround time were poor. The third time it went haywire, I was able to repair it myself. The main transformer came loose. The hardware was floating around in the chassis causing shorts. I expect better reliability than this out of a unit in the > $1000.00 price range. I will NEVER by another Digitech product again.

Customer support should be renamed customer confusion.

Sounds were pretty good. Reliability is poor! I replaced this piece of @#$% with a Mesa Triaxis. End of problem.

Prior to this, I had an RP-1, then a GSP-21 Legend, so using the 2101 was MOS - very easy. The Artist patches are a great addition (mine was upgraded to 3.00.00a), and greatly improved the pitch shifting and tuner. A great deal for $90. The manual is okay, and has been helpful as time goes on - like when you want to try something new. But when I first got the unit, the manual was very tough to read without more understanding of the unit. This is an incredible machine that can do far more than anyone will ever need - it requires time and actual studying to get the most out of it. This is the best sounding unit on the market, IMHO, better than the 2112 from what I've heard so far. I'm keeping this one forever.

Sound quality is outstanding. I use tubes for nearly every sound (usually take a preset and tweak it), and that gives a singing transparency that I've missed. Most don't realize you can tweak two of the tube distortions to an incredible degree - you can actually tell the 2101 how hard to hit each tube, which gives endless possibilities. Changing tubes to Sovteks may help the hard core, but mine are the stock Pentas. The reverbs are incredible, and the rest of the effects are nearly as good. I can't criticize any of them now that I've had some time using this thing. Yes, there are times it gets noisy - you cannot expect high gain settings to be quiet and fully dynamic at the same time. It kills me to hear self-proclaimed tube purists bemoan the fact that their tube effects units make noise! Be wise in how you hook the 2101 up, and it will run quieter than anything out there, and sound fantastic. I have a very complex setup, relatively speaking, and have managed to achieve quiet operation (and I play mostly in church!), so low noise is not an option.

Once I had to reset to factory settings to fix a memory error - another user told me to do this to solve the problem, and it worked. Now I know that after you spend a year tweaking constantly, a device like this requires a fresh palate to work from. I wrote down my settings, reset the unit, put the settings back, and it sounded better than ever. It also gave me a chance to reorganize some things, which made performance easier. My unit gets used constantly, and has been 100% reliable.

I have called and emailed for support advice - quick response times and intelligent answers are what I get. I needed a manual after my Artist upgrade, they sent me two (by mistake, I think) for free. I doesn't get any better. I did get the Artist upgrade, as mentioned earlier - no problems. After the upgrade, I noticed the headphone jack was only working on one side - it had to go back to Digitech. They had it for about a week, upgraded my firmware to the last revision, and fixed the problem. I didn't even pay shipping (warranty). Nothing to complain about.

I'd buy it again in a heartbeat, even over the 2112 (which lacks balanced outputs, which I rely on heavily). I wish it had more knobs for real time control (the 2112 does...), but other than that, it's nearly perfect. It is the most musical sounding device I've ever owned, I think. I say that because I get more comments on my tone from non-musicians, who noticed immediately that something was different. During that time, I was so into the sound of this thing that I would quit playing only under threat of expulsion - the sound was in a different zone, you know what I mean? Go buy one of these - I see them all over for $5-600 used. The Control 1 is awesome for stage use, so get one if you can. The 2112 is great, and does have some advantages, but most of the working musicians who have tried both give the edge to the 2101 in sound quality.