DigiTech GSP1101

Easier than you think to use. The manual is simple and well laid out if you ask me. Edit a patch and push the Store button 3 times and your done. Very easy to use but the sound is where it really shines.
Effects loop, 1/4 ins and outs, XLR outs. Very configurable and can really shine either live or recorded.

What is really great about this unit is that it has an external loop between what should go in front of your amp and what should go after your amp. Some of the effects like chorus can be placed either before or after the loop. My setup is unique. I plug my guitar into the GSP 1101 and out its loop send to my JTM45 so I'm getting only the "before" the amp effects into my amp like compressor, distortion etc. So there is no delay or chorus coming out of my guitar amp. What I do is mic (Sure sm57) my speaker into a mixer. I tap the mike channel insert into the return of the GSP1101 so the chorus, delay etc are fed out out of the GSP1101 through it's XLR outputs back into the mixer and out the mixer channels in stereo panned full left/full right. My mixer is fed thru a power amp and into two (2) speakers that sit left and right of my guitar amp speaker. No Speaker simulator required because I mic my guitar speaker. I compared this units DS-1 and tube screamers to the real things and in some cases the GSP sounded much better. And you know this thing has Lexicon reverbs so I get an ablolutely plush sound all together. I also have the Digitech Control 2 foot controller. Set up the patches for 80's hair band hard rock or clean chorus, or harmony pitch shift, or univibe or what ever! OK the wah kinda sucks compared to the real thing but you can still practice with it. I can get just about anybodys sound that uses a Marshall tone since I have the JTM45. I've had other modeling products and I think this one sounds the best. I really don't use the amp or cab models but the JCM900 model thru my mixer just kicked ***. After hearing that patch alone I new I could be very happy with this unit. I have sold everything else and only use this unit. I will get a crybaby or some other wah pedal but that's it. Easy a 10 for what it does.

Never a problem in a couple years.

Never used them so I must give a positive score.

Over all this is a really quality sounding and useful unit. The parameters on the effects are just enough but don't give you much control of pan left/right. If it's a stereo effect, you get what it's got. However you can slow down/speed up and set volumes etc.
I have not found another piece of gear that could replace it so I would have to buy another if lost.

For a digital rack preamp, very easy to use, particularly via x-edit, just acces the programs and tweek to your hearts content.

It;s not a six knob Marshall so can't get a ten, I'll give it an eight

At the mo I'm only judging it on direct line into mixer using amo and cab sim. I'm hoping it will sound beastly through my Marshall 9200 but we will see.

The key is to go to www.mustbebeta.com and get beta c48. This makes the original preamps sounds phenomonemally better than the original models and adds a couple of classics (the 5150 most importantly and a triple rec)

Would get a 6 without the beta version. Gets an 8 as it has some great sounds. None of the models exactly nail the originals but having 10-15 amp choices at my fingertips for 200 notes can;lt be beaten. I tube screamer all the heavy channels and partiularly like the jump panel plexl, dual rec and JCM2000. Also use a heavily chorused Blackface Twin for clean. Just sounds great for the money

Aint broke yet

Good info on site and forums. Not had to repair it

Really hopingit will come to life played through the Marshall 9200 into my Engl Vintage Greenback 4x12.

Direct to mixer it gets an eight

As far as multi-processors go this one is easy to navigate through. There's lots of good sounds in it but most of all I like the eq it has per patch. You can set which freqency the low, mid & highs bend and make it a narrow, medium or wide band. It also has a -12/+12db cut or boost to it per range.

If you know how to use one of these is easy to edit. If your new to multi-effects the manual is a pretty decent tool and I think you'll figure this one out AFTER banging your head againt the wall a couple of times. That goes for all processors but this one is probably far easier than most.

Schecter 006 Blackjack guitar-Isp Decimator, Gsp-1101 in the series loop, BBE Maximizer 482i in the parallel loop 50/50 wet/dry, Carvin V3 amp, Digitech Controller 2 pedal board, SIMPLE yet overkill on versatility!

It's not a noisy unit in my rig but the gate in it helps a little with that. It's not that great of a gate but it's sufficiant at high gain levels. I let the Decimator do most of that trick for me.

Parameter control of the pedal is great for solos. It's got 8 different settings for it and ALOT of parameters to control from it. I can now trigger the delays on, boost reverb level, volume, AND boost/cut whatever freqencies I want with a simple toe down of the pedal for solo's and heel down to go right back to my rhythm sound.

Now I can (thats me) mimic pretty much anything I want to a very suitable level not to mention create an awesome sound for myself. If your looking to mimic the radio players EXACTLY plan on spending alot more than $500. (try $1000 or MORE) At this price range I would say it's handsdown the best unit out there. I AM NOT A Digitech fan at all and in the past have stayed far away from thier products. I do really like this unit and some of thier Hardwire series pedals though. It's about time they started making some decent stuff, thanx Digitech for finally doing that.

The 10 rating here is for a processor at this price!

So far so good. Not really any bad problems from software yet.

None yet anyway.

This thing is great for the money period. I don't think you will do any better in the $300-$750 range.

If your amp is MIDI controllable like my Carvin V3 you'll find no problems with the latency of the channel changes in your amp from the GSP 1101 unit. I was worried about that to before I got it.

Overall if you know how to use one I think you'll like it for this kind of money. If your looking to upgrade the one you got than you might not think so but it's still a fine unit to have for the money.

If your new to this stuff it's probably your BEST bet on starting out with one. It's about as simple to navigate as one of these things get. As far as MIDI controls from a pedal you should probably get the Controll 2 pedal board for it so you won't have anything else NEW to learn

Rack processors are all pretty difficult to get used to. This one is a little better than most. If you are using the amp simulator stuff, this one is awesome since it has the knobs right there and you don't have to page through several screens. You have to know a little bit about how to chain effects and how to wire this into your setup, but if you are buying this unit, you probably already know that stuff.

I use this with a Marshall JMP-1, into a Marshall El84 power amp. I run the JMP-1 from the effects loop of the GSP1101. This setup lets me run either the internal amp modeling or use the JMP-1, which is very nice! Why didn't somebody else ever think of this? I use a Rocktron All-Access to control everything.

This unit sounds great. I like that it doesn't have a Wall Wart adapter.

Complaints: My first problem with this was that the reverb and delay tails would get cut off if you use it in "stompbox mode", where you switch off effects within a preset. This was a big screwup on Digitech's part. Strangely, it will allow you to carry-over the effect tails when switching between presets. However, if you use a Rocktron MIDI controller like I do, MIDI CC's are always sent per program change, which if you link MIDI CC's to enable/disable individual effects, this "spillover" feature is rendered this useless. Thankfully, Stan at mustbebeta dot com released some firmware to fix this. Thank you so much Stan, this box about ending up getting sent back.

Second complaint is that all pitch and modulation effects are in one effects block. (Unfortunately, Stan couldn't fix this unfortunate issue.) Basically, this means that you can't run, for example, an Octave effect with a flanger or chorus at the same time. In fact, anything that is listed in the "Chorus/FX" block can only be on one at a time. I can understand why it would be fine to have chorus, phaser, and flanger type effects mutually exclusive, but the pitch/harmonizer based effects should have their own block.

I went from using a Rocktron XPression to the GSP1101. I loved the Xpression, but I liked that the GSP1101 had the preamp stuff and no wall wart. The Marshall JMP-1 has weak clean settings, so I use the GSP1101 amp modeling for clean settings, and the JMP-1 for distortion. The Xpression would allow you to run several effects simultanously, I think the only limitation was no Chorus and Flanger at the same time. If the GSP1101 could do that, it would be a real winner in my opinion.

Don't know yet.

Don't know yet about Digitech, but for sure check out mustbebeta dot com for a needed firmware upgrade.

I love that this unit has a loop where you can put your preamp there. This gives awesome flexibility! If Digitech would come out with a version that allowed you to run pitch/harmony based effects on a seperate effects block, it would be an awesome box.

Like many other players I'm sometimes intimidated with 'current' products and their sometimes maze-like operating procedures.

Not so with the GSP1101 .. I plugged in a guitar and with a set of headphones I went exploring this units vast sound library.

Even without looking at the manual , the units controls are very well laid out so that even an 'old fashion straight into amp' kinda guy like myself could figure it out.

I like the amp like front panel .. I know other manufacturers have similar layouts and suffice to say it's nice to say " they've finally caught on !!! "

The manual is very user friendly and the unit itself is so easy to use DigiTech didn't boggle the consumer with a lot of 'techno' talk.

Editing sounds is quite easy and this coming from a guy with limited use of processors like the GSP1101 .

I've been playing for close to 35 yrs now and like to think I have a good set of ears when it comes to tone. Of course everyone has their own perception of tone and what sounds good to one person might sound like noise to another.

I found the sound quality to be above and beyond what I was anticipating.
If you cant find any good tones from this unit , I suggest a hearing exam.

I'm running the left and right outputs into 2 Carvin Legacy combos .
I haven't tried running it through my amps FX loop because I'm not using the lead channels on either.
I have both Legacy's clean channels tone controls set at 5 o'clock across the board.
And additional eq'ing required is done through the GSP1101.


It sounds amazing !!!

I dont have a lot to say about reliability yet because I haven't done any gigs with it yet .
My unit is rack mounted so it's well protected.

When I first unpacked it, I found the overall construction of the unit to be quite sturdy.
The same goes for the optional Control 2 Pedal .. tank tuff .. just be careful picking it up ... the finish on the metal is extremely slippery.
Speaking of the optional Control 2 .. GET IT !!! or another compatible unit .. having this pedalboard is half the fun.

I've only sent emails mostly dealing with editing features and so far DigiTech has been excellent with replies.
Some questions were answered within the hour of me emailing them.

I hope that if I were ever to have any problems with the unit they're as prompt in getting it fixed.
Speaking of that ... 'tactful assertiveness' from the consumer can go a long way in getting anything repaired.

This processor has been a godsend for me, particularily due to the project I'm currently involved with. ( a Rush tribute )

Most of us aware with their music knows Alex Lifeson is quite creative with his use of effects and with this unit and no other additional processors, I'm able to emulate a lot of his sounds so needless to say this has made life a lot easier for this guy.
And the fact that I didn't have to spend a fortune to get these sounds is just icing on the cake .

And another bonus is having virtually clutter at your feet .
I dont even need my wah pedal ... lol

The only thing I really dont like about this unit is it's onboard tuner .. it's adequate but I think they could of done better .. rather a small annoyance considering everything else it does so well.

I'm using the foot controller in what Digitech refers to as " 5 Patch Mode "
Setup like that I have 5 presets(1-5) per bank but you can switch off your effects as you would with any stompbox. Switches 6-9 are for ..
6.Distortion
7.Chorus ( and other modulation FX0
8.Delay
9.Reverb



Considering the relatively low cost of the GSP1101 and it's huge library of amp models, effects, etc .. I have to give it a 10 .. the unit sounds that good. I would recommend this to anyone and like any other processor the more time you spend with it , the more you'll appreciate what it can do for you .

Note: this reviewer compares similar products (I am not comparing it with a stompbox pedal) and also assumes that the user has some understanding on how does rack mounted processors work.
If you understand the ABC of rack effects and how they interact with the rest of your equipment it is possible to get really good sounds out of it. As with any complex rig, it takes some time to fine tune it (setting the best interface between it and your amp, calibrating the global equalizer, etc..). I have been playing in different venues, and have had to share amp, and with the output configuration options this thing comes with, it is pretty easy to adjust the sound to fit the tonal and dynamic characteristics of the target amp, affecting very little your tone and playing synamics. Considering the complexity of this processor, it is really simple to edit patches. The manual is just enough to get you started, but I can understand that it might be incomplete for some people. I have upgraded it with the Beta c48, if the unit was already amazing the update put it into a different level.

I use a Burns Brian May replica, a Lone Star Strat and a Les Paul Classic, each conserve their own tonal and dynamic characteristics, awesome!! I have not had problems with noise comming out of the unit, but then again I pay attention to the gain levels and noise gate settings. I have read some complaints about the intelligent pitch shifter, I think it does what it is suppossed to do (help if you do not have a second guitar player to play harmonies) but cannot replace one (not for that ammount of money though). Apart from that I am amazed on the different tonal variations you can get by changing the efects position in the chain (some may sound weak or even bad if positioned in the wrong path, but that will happen with every stompbox-just plug a wah after a distortion pedal). I am using it with a Vox AD60VT, which happened to be a great discovery. Running the GSP through the loop return I can take advantage of the different class power amps it models changing the feel and sound of the rig. I have so far got great sounds, I usually create my own sounds, but I have tweaked a little bit the artist patches and they sound great (Woman Tone, AC/DC, etc..), I even got a pretty decent Brian May sound. As many of the reviewers have pointed out, the main factor is your own ears (I will add heart and head) is the more important thing, if you like it and makes you wanna rock harder the unit is working great, it does that for me with everything I have tried so far.

Well, as with anything electronic, you have to be careful, but if you keep it mounted in a rack case and do not abuse it, I believe it will last a long time.

No need so far (I have been a digitech user for more than 15 years)

I am currently playing 80's hard and heavy metal along with some Texas Rock, great unit for all of that. I have been playing for over 20 years and have owned a GSP 21 Legend (I still do), an RP 14D, RP 2000, GNX2 and GNX3K. Some better than others (read GSP 21 and RP 14D) but this GSP1101 is the summ of all the former and elevated to the 10th power. The only thing that I know that can kick its buttocks is the Axe FX, but one will expect that for an extra 1600 bucks. Do not buy this thing if you are not willing to use your brain and spend some time to get killer tone. For that matter just get a simple amp (and even there you have to tweak and balance your guitar, effects and amp to sound decent).

Pretty darn easy I would say... considering I have yet to actually read the manual and I haven't ran into any kinks.... hooked it up to my computer and that's all it took.

For $500, it's probably the best sounding multi-fx/modeler out there. The downfall is the fact that it doesn't do 2 amps at once like the pod x3. However, the pod x3 has a lot more filler tones and the gsp1101's tones are much more usable. The tones themselves sound better than any other modeler out there, besides the axe-fx. The effects are good, great even.. especially the reverbs.... But not spectacular or anything. However... to get truly better sounding effects would cost about a grand more. Unless you want to go out and buy a bunch of analog stomp boxes in which you would have less effects and more headaches anyway... and still cost an arm and a leg. This thing sounds great.. not perfect, but what unit is?

Not sure.. haven't had any problems though!

haven't had to deal with them.

This is a great unit. I use it with a rivera TBR-5 power amp and a marshall jmp-1 preamp. My jmp-1 blew a fuse and I had to use the GSP1101 as the main preamp and effects for a couple days. It worked beautifully. I used the Soldano SLO model for gain and the fender twin model for cleans. Sounded great, and more responsive than my POD x3 or my vetta II. I have a theory that some people aren't setting them up correctly. The unit requires specific settings for specific gear. For example, it treats a solid state power amp different than a tube power amp, or a tube/SS guitar amp or a PA and so on. It changes timbre and response for different settings, made to match the type of gear and routing options you are using with it. I messed around with these settings to hear the differences, and there was indeed a difference. You could overlook this easily if your not careful... and this would likely put a bad taste in your mouth. Check out their artists list, many pro's using this unit nowadays. You get what you pay for, and I highly doubt there is a better sounding unit for the price on the market.

Very easy to program, setup and use. The included X-edit software makes it even easier and fun.

I've been playing guitar for almost 40 years now, (yea, old guy here...) and I've always played through tube amps. I'm an electronic engineer by day and I've spent some time in the past designing and building tube amps and pre-amps. Nothing can take the place of tube distortion... nothing. I'm talking about both pre-amp AND power amp distortion. When amp and distortion modeling was introduced some years ago i was curious to check out various manufacturers claims of being able to emulate tube distortion. I purchased several of the POD products, and other modeling devices including the GNX4. The POD, Behringer and others I tested just plain sucked. Horrible intermodulation products and nasty artifacts, aliasing,.. just awful. I was trying to get a great guitar tone recorded in the studio by going direct into the board without having to mike-up a guitar amp. Forget it... These devices show their ugly side not necessarily when you're playing single note lines and straight open major chords, but when for example, you're holding one note on one string, and play a second note on another string and bend it, you'll hear those nasty artifacts appear. (intermodulation distortion) That being said, of all the units I tested (actually purchased and later sold) the GNX4 came closest to sounding decent. The tone was a step above the others but still not what I expected. Now I have to make the statement that I am not employed by Digitech nor do I receive any endorsements from them....(I wish!) I recently purchased a GSP1101 with the hopes again of being able to get a great recorded guitar tone direct. I must say I am impressed!.. When I first got the GSP (about 2 weeks ago now) I just plugged my guitar in, connect the line out's to my mixer and listened on a pair of high quality studio monitors. WOW!... incredible!... this is what I have been expecting out of modeling for many years now. Then came the icing on the cake... I connected my trusty Mesa Triaxis to the GSP preamp loop... oh yea! now I have the best of both worlds... the ability to switch between smooth rich tube distortion and great amp and distortion modeling tones. To complete my all purpose guitar rig, I feed the GSP line outs into a Eventide Eclipse processor. That gives me some of the high end wild effects the GSP doesn't have. Before I bought the GSP, I was using a Boss GT-pro but only for the effects, I never used the amp or distortion modeling because I felt they too sounded like crap. I just sold the GT-Pro.

So far so good..

Still working so no experience with support

I play mostly old school progressive rock.. (not metal) so I need everything from heavy thick tones to smooth clean sounds.. The GSP1101 in combination with a Mesa Triaxis is a match made in heaven!

This is an update to a previous review. My initial review was the 2nd review posted (9/07).

I 100% agree with the recent reviewer that says to try a tube preamp in the effects loop when going direct to mixer. I don't use a mic pre, but rather I use a Mesa Studio Pre and set it for clean. The Studio Pre is basically functioning as an effect.

The GSP 1101 sounds stunning in this configuration direct to PA or in a FRFR setup.

After my initial review, the fuzz/noise issue on startup bugged me to the point where I sent it to Digitech for repair. They fixed it and sent it back within a day or two. I haven't had a problem since then.

I had to send it in, but Digitech was very responsive and easy to work with.

it's very easy to use.Just read the manual and everything will gonna be okay ;D

My setup : Ibanez JS 1000 -> Digitech GSp1101 -> Tc Electronics G Major -> Rocktron Velocity 100 Power amp -> Marshall 4x12 cab

At the first time I heard the sound on the stores was so Digital! I almost not like this FX. But the salesman tried to convinced me and then he made up some effects changes. He modified the presets and then I was amazed with the sound that came out from it! Then I decided to buy it and make it as my main gear.

I found out some amp modeler is amazing. feels no digital at all, just like the real thing. You just need to be more patience to tweak it out.

my favorites setup are:

internal preamp -> distortion "on" screamer, drive 60, tone 60-> Head amp : mark III, gain 70-> cabinet marshall 4x12

and

internal preamp -> distortion "on" 808 -> Head amp : twin reverb -> cabinet marshall 4x12

the reason why I like those set up because the sounds really kickin' and punchin' just like real tube amp. I found out that the Twin reverbs modeler amp is the most kicking and punching Amp on the GSP1101. You can add a stomp distortion modeler before the amp modeler. So you can have a Killer distortion or a sweat crunch with a punch responding just like a tube amp. By the way I do have a Behringer Mic 100 and made some test to use it on the looper. In my opinion there is no need to add behringer MIC 100 or 200 on it, the GSP1101 "tube like" response is good enough.

I don't like the mesa rectifier modeler on this FX. It sounds bad, thin, no souls and it doesn't sounds like rectifier. Sorry probably it just my personal taste.

most of the effects are good.the diatonic harmony is useful, the sound of Octave is owe some too. But the Whammy is a little beat weak. It sounds thin and so digital on higher pitch. The Whammy FX is better on G major.

The Delays on GSP1101 just great, but I prefer the the delays on G major, it's more alive to my ears.

That's why I'm still using my G major.

I play some kind of Pop Rock music and Progressive Rock music. Yes this FX is a good match for me. Iv'e been playing for 20 years. I'm using Phonic PFC900E power Conditioner, GSP1101, G major, Rocktron Velocity100 Poweramp, Marshall 4x12 cab.

One thing that I love about this FX is the "Tube like" Response -if we tweak it right! the sounds really awesome!

What I hate about this FX: I don't like the sound when it through direct to the mixer. the sound just a little bit glassy n just like have much treble on it. But after I add using Behringer ultra G direct Box, with the cab simulator on, the problem solved.

My honest opinion, this GSP1101 is better for live - comparing to my PODXT peanut bean. It has a sound response (punchin' and kickin')just like a tube preamp. But too bad it doesn't sound as good as PODXT for direct. probably it because The PODXT has a mic cabinet simulator and the GSP1101 hasn't. that's why I suggest to add a direct box with mic cab simulator facility on it.

I wish it had a mic cab simulator facility, such as mic placement, kind of mic we used, the distance between mic and the speaker, etc. The GSP1101 only has choices for head amp and cabinet only.