DigiTech RP500

This is an update of a very early review. I've had the device for over a year now. Still very pleased with the sounds. As feared though, the adjustment knobs in the inset area below the LED screen are breaking off. The first one went at a gig when a dolt stepped on the board. The second broke off in my carrying case; no dolt required. I have tried repairing them, but to no avail. The shafts are hollow plastic and undersized.

If I were a Digitech engineer, I would either replace the shafts with metal or reduce the hieght of the knobs to be below the edge of the recessed area to reduce the chance of accidental catching and likelihood of breakage if caught.

I can still adjust things on the computer interface, but on the fly adjusting is out the window.

Digitech - fix this, it's a great device, with a small mechanical design flaw.

I never work with any multi effect before I buy this one. but after someday I'm feeling like a professional!

It sounds very good too me. when I plug it into my Laney amp (LX65R), I don't feel anything just feel like I'm on the stage and playing with Zakk Wylde! I can make any sound with this one. any thing that you heard in your life.

I think it's live more than me.

I know what I want, and I found what i need. It's pretty good.

I found out about the RP500 while I was looking around at Guitar Center and tried it out and fell in love with some of the high gain tones this little machine puts out. I own a GT-10 which is an excellent piece of gear but I think the RP500 has better high gain tones IMO. One thing I really like is how easy it is to make patches. The manual is easy to understand and it only took a few minutes to learn how to program the whole unit. Within minutes I was setting up some very good sounding patches.

I used a 2006 Custom Shop Fender Strat with YJM and HS3 pickups (the Yngwie guitar setup) and a Mesa Stiletto Ace and got excellent clean, overdrive, and distortion tones. There are some outstanding effects you can get out of this unit and the best thing is that there is very little digital "fizz" that you can hear when you play high gain tones. Most other multi-effects units I've tried have had noticeable fizz on the high gain patches.

The amp and cabinet sims are some of the best I've heard and are actually better than on my GT-10 which costs about $200 more. I love the Swell feature on the noise gate that you can turn on and off to create some really nice volume swells. I don't normally like chorus but this unit has some very nice and natural sounding chorus effects and includes the Boss CE Chorus, TC Electronics Chorus and MultiChorus (which is like the Boss Dimension). It has very good distortion settings like Grunge, Death Metal, Rodent (Rat), TS808, and TS9 (Screamer) just to name a few. I was really impressed by the lead tones I could get out of this unit. The delays are very good and some have said that it doesn't have a dotted eighth note setting but I was able to mimic it very closely using the Boss DM2 setting enough so that a normal person wouldn't notice it. I especially like the Echo Plex which sounds like the real deal to my ears. The reverb settings are very good as well and include the Lexicon models.

The chassis is made out of solid metal and I have no doubt you could run over this with a car and it would still operate. You don't need a backup for this unit.

Haven't had to deal with them.

I've been playing for 35 years (I know there goes my clout with the younger metalheads...lol) and can play jazz, country, rock, metal among other styles of music I can't think of at the moment. I would definitely buy another one if it were lost and stolen. I love how easy it is to setup a good sounding patch within very little time.
There are only a few things I would change on the unit. I would put a power switch on it (as soon as you plug it in, it's on), add a little more delays and reverb models, partcularly dotted eight notes and modulated reverb though it does have modulated delay, and a looper (I've heard someone figured out how to turn on the looper feature in the unit and that a software patch might be released to enable it). All the features I would add are on the RP1000 so I've been told. I would give it a 10 but since it didn't have a power on/off switch I give it a 9. Sorry Digitech. It's not that big of a deal but it would have been nice so I didn't have to unplug the unit when I walk off stage.

i had this unit repacked and ready to return after 2 hours of owning it. luckely i had second thoughts and spent 2 days tweaking it. i am so glad i didnt reurn it. the problem was, who ever makes the factory presets doesnt have a clue about guitar sound. if you spend the time (lots of it), this thing is incredable. i dont even use an amp at the gigs anymore. i go direct and put a healthy dose of guitar in the side fill monitors. i now have so many great sounds that fellow guitarist come to my gigs and instantlt go home to order rp500's intelleegent pitch shift, phazer, tape style delay, the list is endless. the manual is great if not just a bit missleading (its not as easy as 123). spend the time and the reward is great tone and versatility.

i really like the 5150, and ac30 amp models. i can get a great brian may, and satch. but the biggest thing is i got my signature tone that used to fill up the back of my van. same stuff all in one box the size of a monopoly game. not digital sounding at all, ONCE YOU TWEAK IT.dont get impatient cause like i said the presets are terrible. intellegent pitch shifting is great for stuff like "freeway jam,

it seems like this thing will take a rigerous shedule and some tossing around with no problem. i use it without a backup with no anxiety and if you loose your presets you can reload them from your p.c in seconds.

digitech tries real hard to please and they will bend over backwards to help. i use many of thier products and they always have the answers.

i play in a band that does rock and blues covers and originals. i have supported myself this way for 28 years. i would get the rp 1000 if i lost this one for the added features. i wish this unit had a blinking wait function to change presets (there can be alot of click,click,click you know. all in all with time i have become quite fond of it.

Well, it's a very complex device- but given that, any fool can figure this out without a manual- if you actually can read, it's even simpler.

Use each of the features a few times, you've got it.

Digitech has learned over the years how to layout the controls, this is the best yet. It makes sense, it's easy to get around. Compared with the VOX multi-effects pedal (which I also own and love the sound of) the Digitech is far more user friendly.

I've used Digitech since the days of the RP1-- Hands down, this is the best sounding multi-effects they ever made- with a few things to consider. The old RP1 had few effects, but they were phenomenally deep and complex and capable of making rich sounds even this RP1000 can't duplicate exactly-- perhaps the RP1000 has added a couple of tricks. Never the less, the RP1 was a far noisier unit, with a lot less steller bit rates. I own a stand alone chorus/flanger Digitech pedal (no longer made) that I'll never sell, because it DOES the RP1 things, without the noise. That's settled. I'll just use it in tandem with any multieffects.

The reverbs and delays are great. Although I sure would have like to see TONE controls on the delays-- alas, that's what the Vox does, and that's why I have both. None the less, there is so much bang for the buck here, there's little to complain about.

Signal to noise is FABULOUS, tone is FABULOUS, the unit will NOT color your guitar tone nor mess it up in any way-- ABOUT TIME that multi-pedals will do this. It does not have that 100% TUBE tone- The Vox does that trick amazingly well-- but the Digitech will give you steller uncolored sounds, the best reverbs on the planet in a box, and so many very accurate effects-- you should be happy.

I have compared the stomp box simulations with the real thing, and they are quite good. Not a substitute for real boxes-- but 90-95% there. Heck, you can buy this thing for what I've paid for two boutique boxes.

What I have found enormously satisfying is when I want to record direct to computer or board, and I don't want to mike an amp-- I use the Digitech in one channel, and the Vox (with its real tube) in the other, and spread the sound. HOLY COW. Beats bothering the neighbors and messing with amps-- and sounds AMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAZING. Just the RP500 alone will take you very far. Combine it with a tube preamp- like a tube OD pedal- and you'll be in like Flint.

These things are built like Tanks. Never had a Digitech product break in 20 years. This is the most solid one yet.

Never had to use em.

Well, the bang for the buck is out of this world. Get this thing first, then start building a stomp box collection and then use them in combination. This is the best thing Digitech has ever made, and BETTER than the GNX3000-- unless you need a drum machine- I don't and I prefer having a COMPRESSOR switch which the GNX always lacked.

Th RP1000 adds a looper, and a few new effects, plus another row of buttons like the RP1 originally had-- so although the RP500 is already great, I'm ebaying mine, and upgrading for another $100 to the RP1000. Otherwise, the 500 is pretty much the same animal 98% of the way.

No CD input for the RP1000-- I won't miss it, I've got other boxes that have it, and the RP500 DOES have it.

So-- I'm hard pressed to give a 10, but for the money-- the RP500 wins 10 stars considering all.

Neil


URL="http://www.NeilSlade.com":http://www.BrainRadar.com[/URL]

URL="http://www.EasyPaintYourCar.com":http://www.EasyPaintYourCar.com[/URL]
URL="http://www.InkJetHelper.com":http://www.InkJetHelper.com[/URL]
URL="http://www.MyOwnPublishing.com":http://www.MyOwnPublishing.com[/URL]
URL="http://www.neilslade.com/Papers/Painting.html":http://www.neilslade.com/Papers/Painting.html[/URL]

Getting a good sound out of this unit is really simple. There are two approaches. For the novice, a quick and easy system of selecting Tone and Effects Libraries can get you into the zone really quickly, from which point you can deleve deeper and tweak away. Or, for the seasoned veteran you can skip the library system and go straight to the tweaking and access all the effects directly.

Like any multi-effects unit it isn't quite as straightforward as an analogue unit, however, considering the features packed into this unit is very easy to edit and all the important parameters are only a few clicks and a twist away; clearly a lot of thought has gone into interface design.

The manual is simplistic but adequate. Being a veteran of many multi-FX I only found it necessary to refer to it to see if it was possible to re-calibrate the switch sensitivity of the wah pedal... which it was.

This unit was bought as firmware v1.2 but upgraded to v1.4 via USB using software off the official Digitech site without any problems. V1.2 has an issue where it carries over tone settings to the next patch if the new patch does not use an amp sim but the old one does. I'm pleased to report that V1.4 fixes this.

I use this into a Selmer MkII T'n'B 50 watt tube amp mainly. I also record from the XLR outs into analogue desk / PC sometimes. I use a variety of guitars and play a veriety of styles but metal, rock and extreme styles are my main main genres.

Noise levels are very low, on the highest gain settings there is a teeny bit but much much less than the equivalent analogue. To be honest though I would expect any modern unit, even the cheaper ones, to meet very high standards now.

Right, the important bit: Tone...

Wow!! I originally bought this just for touring since my crazy array of racks and pedals and switchers was getting too much to take on the road. I didn't really believe it would impress me, I didn't even thing I'd use it at all really if I was honest, I just thought, 'hey, at least it'll prove that shifting those racks around is my only real option'. I've spent years and years getting MY tone, MY feel, MY signature sound. No way some ??200 box of tricks would replace that.

It took me about 24 hours of use and I had replicated my main tone. I mean, perfectly. Feel, sensitivity, bite, even the gnarly, ugly way the tubes in my rack pre break up if you hit the strings just right. I was blown away. So were the rest of the guys in the band and since then several of my friends also. First time I used it on stage people were coming up to me afterwards saying wow! Man, your solo tones really stood out! They were slick and crisp or warm and full or about a zillion other great things.

I can't get a bad sound out of this unit. I line up a plexi patch and my crazy Marshall collecting mate just stared at me with his jaw slack! I line up a pacth with a Dod250 overdrive into a MkIV and it sounds exactly like the real thing!! Sensitive and rich and alive... only its better than the real thing 'cause you can turn it down and there is no hiss or hum. I turn on the grunge pedal and the EQ responds the same as the real thing, going all flabby in the last tenth of the turn of the dials, I wham that into an amp and I have pure BM rip and edge and gain that goes forever.

Personally I hate copying other peoples tones or replicating this amp or that amp. I'm all for new and original sounds, or at least trying to be new and orignal but with this unit I don't mind: Each time I tweak it it just feels like I'm down at the store choosing which amps to take home, to the studio or on tour. It just feels that real.

I'm not a big effects man as a rule so I'd suggest you turn to other peoples reviews for info on chorus and flange. They seem really good to me but I'm not anb expert there.

Pitch, delay and verb I will talk about though. The Pitch facilities are really smooth and fast, but then you would expect that from Digitech. They've always been a leader in that area. The Delays are superb also. The Analogue and Tape emulations are some of the best I've heard and the tap tempo works fast and precise.

The reverbs are a bit of a mixed bag for me. The spring is great but I'd favour the EH stuff over it personally, albeit only just. Addition of tone and dwell facilities like on the standalone fender reverb would have probably given it the edge and I'm surprised its so basic: just one control for amount.

The plate is superb and I use that quite a lot, again more teaking would have been good. The four lexicons... not all that impressed. I just don't get on with lexicon for guitar. I'd never use them on a guitar in a studio and here they're no exception. They're all very clean and crisp but, its hard to put my finger on. They just don't impress me. The largest (Hall) is also simply not large enough! Its a struggle to recreate huge pink floyd style ambience. I really wish they'd have had a cavern patch or something crazy.

So, overall, almost faultless. Doesn't just 'sound' like a tube amp, it 'feels' like one too. Only weak point is the reverbs. And they're still very good.

So far its been faultless. Its a slab of steel with a bunch of digital chips inside, it'll probably last forever unless it gets struck by lightning. The knobs feel a bit flimsy which I think is disapointing, but they are well recessed and no worse than any other multiFX.

Emailed them once and got no reply. Upgraded the firmware and it worked flawlessly but had to get the program from the RP350 downloads section of the website since it doesn't exist upder RP500. Odd.

I mostly play Metal and quite a lot of Rock, Blues, Thrash and Extreme Metal. I also play a bit of Jazz, Prog and like weird guitar noises. I've been playing uh, dunno... Over 15 years. Pretty much every day. I just love playing and kinda lose track :) Been in a fair few bands too of course.

It wont get lost or stolen because it is my precioussss.... I would sleep with it if I thought it were likely to be stolen. Nah, I'd get another. No hesitation. The RP1000 doesn't seem to offer any great advantages over this (and its dog ugly and bulkier) and the GSP 1101 is a lot more expensive but I'd consider them if I had extra cash.

I compared it to the Zoom G7.1 thing. No contest. At all. Not in a million years. The 7.1 is really synthetic and sounds like 1980s digital. Bzzzzzzzt! Tried that big Line6 floor FX out too and it sounded really nu-tones and over modern plus it was a bit flimsy and the feel wasn't there. Used to have an RP10 years ago and have fond memories but this thing definately wipes the floor with that too. I have cupboards full of pedals and tone wise its at least the equal of all of them (Sansamp, EH, BOSS, DOD, MXR, etc etc), better than most of them and not that much harder to use.

Features wise, its got everything I want. And a zillion things I might want one day but not just now :) Apart from a better reverb. But its still more than good enough.

Deffo helps me make music :) It just sits there and does its job. Easy to tweak when I have to and mostly I dont have to.

I'm giving this a 10 overall (and in most areas) simply because I genuinely believe that its the best guitar multiFX on the market at the moment bar none. Maybe something will coma along and blow it away, but right now its the king of all it surveys.

The day I purchased the RP500 I used it on an acoustic gig. I programmed a setting with little effort - the instructional book is a must, but easy to understand. I loved the fact that I could plug straight into the audio system without having to use a direct box - big points there. This thing is all about connectivity and flexibility. Digitech really thought this one out.

The presets are a bit wet, but here's the thing: even with the factory presets, you can turn off an effect and the sound changes. These are the best factory presets I've seen of any multi-effects unit. There is also a knob to lower the amount of effect - again, very flexible.
The amp models are great and so are the pedals. The reverb is cleanest I've heard in a long time.

It's made of metal. I haven't dropped it or tortured it, but I think it will stand the test of time. Would I use it on a gig wihtout a backup? I don't think so... I think it's reliable enough without a backup.

I contacted Digitech with a question and actually spoke to a real person within minutes. Their customer service is great.

I play mostly in Church (praise music, hymns, etc...) I also play jazz and fusion/rock. Overall, this is a great piece of equipment and, if lost or stolen, I would get another.

Ease of use is where the RP500 shines. Having had some experience with the RP series (most recently the RP250), I can say that, while always easy to get a good sound out of, the functionality of the previous editions left something to be desired.

Thankfully, this is where the RP500 comes through in spades. It has a ton of commonsense features that previous editions were lacking, like a dedicated bypass button and a wah switch under the expression pedal to engage/disengage the wah, just like a real wah pedal. Also, the inclusion of tap tempo is a real gem. All of these features make the RP500 much easier to use than previous pedals.

However, where this pedal shines is the dedicated bypass buttons. You can still make patches like in previous versions of the RP series, but each patch can be independently controlled through the series of bypass buttons at the bottom of the pedal (compression, distortion, modulation, delay, and reverb). So now, unlike previous versions in the RP series, if you like your patch but you want to kill the distortion, you don't have to create an identical patch sans distortion and patch up or down to it, you can simply hit the distortion bypass switch and keep the same patch. The cool thing is, you have 100 patches to create custom pedalboards for, so you can make a blues board, a psychedelic board, etc. and have full control of the effects that you have in the chain, just like a real pedalboard.

Hats off to Digitech for making such a user-friendly board. I have no gripe against the sound quality of the RP250; the only thing that inspired me to change was the unreal amount of control you get over the board with the RP500.

In line with the other, more recent Digitech boards, the sound quality on this pedal is fantastic. The distortions are natural, the delays are as crisp or organic as you want them to be, and the reverbs are very believable. Modulation effects are musical and versatile, and the compressions are well-voiced.

The amp and cabinet models all have a good amount of character to them. The pedal affords a great deal of control over the amp models as well, giving you everything from EQ to amp grit to play with your sound. Let's face it, folks: amp modeling is no longer the gimmicky, poor-sounding crap that it was in previous years. This amp modeling is natural, lively, and organic. Nice work, Digitech.

On a sidebar, it's worth mentioning that the recent iterations of the RP series has done much to buck the stereotype that digital modeling and effects are lifeless and cold. This pedal is dynamic, full of life, and beautiful sounding.

The Digitech RP500 features an all-metal chassis, including the expression pedal. I was really impressed with the build quality of the switches as well, featuring the feel and durability of mechanical switches. Long gone are the awkward, easy-to-hit plastic switches of previous models. Again, all I can do is applaud Digitech for producing such a quality piece of equipment.

I've had some previous experience with Digitech when one of my old, old, old school RP units needed a factory reset. They were friendly and helpful. I think, more importantly, though, I've only had to call them once over the course of 10+ years of using their products. Customer Service doesn't get any better than not needing Customer Service.

If you haven't determined this already, I'm in love with the Digitech RP500. You're not going to find a better multiFX out there, unless you spring for the Digitech RP1000. Even still, for a paltry $300, you get a board that has useability, tone, and control oozing out of it. I've been playing for 14 years now, and I've run everything from no pedals at all to long, elaborate chains of individual effects. I can say from personal experinece that, if you need something reliable, useable, and with a high sound quality for live shows, you're going to have a hard time finding a better option for the price than the Digitech RP500. I fought long and hard against using a digital multiFX unit in favor of using a string of individual pedals, but I ultimately found that a pedal chain, with its multiple failure points and reliability issues, just didn't make enough sense to avoid going digital multiFX.

That being said, I'm not going to speak against the total freedom you have with a conventional pedal chain. But, while you can't put literally any effect combination in place with the RP500, at the same time you're not trading patch cables in for patch buttons. Digitech's virtual pedal board system in the RP500 and RP1000 make it so user-friendly that I'm having a hard time being convinced to go back to a conventional board for live applications. Digitech is just too easy, too good sounding, and too cool to part with.

Very easy to use especially when used through X-edit2 software

Extremley easy to get a good sound out of it

Editing patches is easy w/ x-edit but kinda have to read manual to figure how to edit on pedal itself, but if you just edit from tone or fx library editing is very easy on just the pedal itself

The manual for it is fairly basic & straight forward if your somewhat familiar with fx stompboxes or other multi fx units & know how to set an ordinary guitar amp but if your truly a beginner it's going to take a few times going over the manual, x-edit software & paying attn. to the settings on the unit when using software is the easiest way to figure this unit out

Not sure of firmware ver. but pretty sure it's the latest availible

Use this strickly w/ active monitors & staight into the PA mix w/ XLR, see no need for an amp with this set up TRS, Ibanez RG470, Aria ProII & Accoustic guitars (clean patch set ups created w/ x-edit software) are used with this unit

Not noisy at all with this set up dead quiet when not playing

The fx are not weak at all and always sound great although some are kinda usless but nice to have them there for possible ideas, clean tones are greatly enhanced simply by pushing down the wah & using as a filter, a good way to rid that annoying thumping bass sound when strumming chords too hard

Have not even tried it with any of my amps own three different ones the sounds I get w/ 40 built in amps & the above set up is every thing I could ask for alot to work w/

Can easily obtain sounds from my favorite artists don't have one paticular but do have many that I think are great

I think all fx are very good the wahs are good but tweaking them & playing around w/ them is the best way to get the sound your looking to find

Seems very reliable & rugged but haven't had it long enough to really tell, but not much plastic here, do like the switches cause they have been proven to last for yrs. on other famous stomps & fx also are inexpensive & easy to change if necessary down the road (ever try to get a replacement switch on a mfx unit 3 yrs down the road?) won't mention no names but rhyms w/ vrooom! & yes they are fast cause I haven't been able to catch em!

Haven't had to deal w/ them but being made in the U.S. I'm pretty sure if I had to deal w/ them I could probally talk w/ someone who speaks my same lingo

My overall rating of this product is excellent but a few things I wish it had to be the most awesome would be an on/off switch for the power, an optional send & return for distortion like the zoom gfx-8 had & maybe another for other mod fx (fav delay,chorus,or reverb pedal etc. that most people probably own), also an optional switch to switch between present & pedalboard mode this would allow this unit to do exactly what the rp-1000 does, the only difference between the rp-500 & rp-1000 (besides the looper) is the option to have 5 presents on the top 5 switches w/ the ability to access stompbox mode w/ the bottom 5 switches after selecting a patch, this is obtainable w/ the rp-500 but after selecting a patch you have to bend down & do it w/ your finger unless you play w/ no shoe on one foot you can get it w/ your toe (maybee a new trend setter)a three button switch w/ present,pedal,& amp on/off would take care of this problem. Also I've read reviews w/ people complaing about no warp function but if x-edit offered the ability to warp any of the 40 built in amps w/ your own amp in a fx/loop assigning either amp to left or right channel this would truly allow users to get unique personal sounds for people who do really love thier amps. I suppose this can be done w/ two amps & a/b switches on the 1/4" outs but if this could be achived internally to go into the pa mix I think alot of people would preferr using this type of set up. All & all this pedal is well worth every penny & recommend anybody to buy it, but if the above simple things where incorporated into the rp-500 an awesome RP-600 or 550 would be born, the rp-1000 is too big in my opinion specially for small stage set ups

Many types of Compressors, Distortions, Modulation Effects (Phasers, Flangers, Delays, Chorus???, Univibe, Harmonizers, Trems) also Wah???s, Ya???s, and the programmable expression pedal which can do anything creative you can think of controlling. There are many Digital and Tape simulator Delays and Lexicon Reverbs, all good and with some tweaking all useful in differing applications. I am sure many will not realize the possibilities of this unit, or judge it by the factory presets, which I never end up using.

All rig setups are unique, all amp configurations different, and the personal taste and tonal wants of the player. Anything can be made to sound good by a well versed player. The unit editor is created in simple terms to try and appease the plug-in-and-play crowd. The brain of this unit is just astounding, to tweak it offers literally infinity of possibilities across the sonic landscape. One would have to obtain nearly 60 effect boxes with almost 400 adjustable parameters not to mention 53 amp models with 5 adjustments each, with 25 speaker cabinet models. Obviously if you like to tweak for tones and experiment with effects, there is enough here to keep you busy. I find myself spending days developing cool tones only to find out there is something even cooler the unit can do to improve the initial idea. Those who are negative about this unit must be judging by the factory presets, which I do not use. I wish they would just stop setting such things up and just leave the open memory or allow the factory to be over-written.

Sound quality is very good for this unit and one can use the gate to kill any noise generated by the gain stages without effecting the tones or sound quality. The best Distortion I like was the heavy Death Metal, it was the best of the heavy sounding grinders with surprising articulation between strings, and the guitar did not wash out in the distortion. All the distortions are useful depending upon what you are looking to design. I found the Big Muff really nice for harmonizing and pitch shifting effects. Pitch Shifters and Whammy are not polyphonic so one has to deal with the technique; I found two note harmonic intervals can be shifted without glitching using the Digitech model shifters. The Tube Screamer and 808 sound as good as the boxes. Obviously my Keeley mod???ed DS-1 and Metal Zone sound better than this unit???s models because it was not a model of them. Any of the Distortions can offer something useful in different applications and wacked out tonal freakdom.

I got some really bad *** unique sounding drives using the YA and Synth YA models with the Death Metal, very different yet extremely useful in a Metallica/Megadeth sort of way. I love the Univibe and I got a good Trower sound, amp in. The Wah???s are good, the Whammy and pitch shifting just like the pedal boxes. The Expression pedal has a good feel, stiff, and feels well built. Pressure and ranges are programmable as well. This unit allows you to try a ton of boxes and see what works for you and what does not.

Well built, solid construction, housing will no doubt outlast the chip lifetime.

Digitech techs are nice chaps, spoke to them many times in the past. No problems with the RP500.

The RP500 unit has dual function, either works as a patch preset with the entire tone system programmed for a one patch tone, or this unit can work as a pedal board, turning each effect on and off and being able to move to different effect setups, when you turn it off and on, it remembers how you were using it and goes right back to your last setup, even if you are using the amp and cab model bypass. I program each effect I want and what I want the patch to accomplish, name it, and move to the next one. Programming is a time consuming pain in the ***, no one likes to do it, but if you want some real quality, mouth agape head turners, it requires a little effort. There are infinite possibilities with this unit and I am always discovering neater approaches to setting up chains. It took me about 2 weeks to finish my first dozen board patches but they sound better than any pedal board I have arranged, which is limiting even if you are using a midi loop controller. As I said this unit has the power of about 60 effect boxes, try chaining all that in a single board.

I personally use the unit in ???Pedalboard??? mode, giving me 100 personal presets of 10 simultaneous effects, 6 which can be turned on and off real time in each preset. The Expression pedal can be used to select any of three wahs to turn on my pressing the toe or heel down. Also one can set it to control just about any parameter in any effect model. You can switch the Chorus/FX model off with your foot and have a free???ed up wah when the expression is rigged to control another effect or simply use the auto wah, envelope filter options which are very musical in this unit. Imagine a pedal board with 60 units, midi patched with different settings on a 100 scenes! This unit has 18 different distortion models and that is just distortion. I am not currently using the 53 amp or 25 cab models, I have that in bypass using my tube amp. I do plan to get a nice stereo power amp and make use of those and the wicked panning effects this unit has. The RP500 is easy to use after you develop your tones, quiet even without the gate. Use it in full patch mode if you just want to jump from full array settings to the next, I like to be able to turn different effects on and off so I use the PedalBoard mode. This gives me 100 patches each with switchable effects; one really cannot comprehend the possibilities.

Very easy to use! Editing is a snap, and the manual is easy to follow. What is very cool is that the RP500 comes with the very latest version of the X-Edit software for computer control of the RP500. For editing patches, creating, or uploading its really been improved quite a bit from earlier versions.

I use a Greg Bennett AV6 LTD with Seymour Duncan pickups. The patches that came with the unit are all usable, and I did not find any worthless crap. Really impressed me on its latest sound and patches. Dialing your sound is no biggie and alot easier than Boss or Line 6.

Its built tough, and you can gig without a backup. One thing though, all process need uninterruptable and conditioned power. Meaning that any processor you use needs to have its power smooth and not dipping below its required rating.

Called them a few times with questions and they responded quick. Customer support is top notch!~

I play rock, pop rock, and have been playing 29 years. If this unit were ripped, I would replace it. Digitech has hit a world series homerun here, and it shows! Finally, a music company has made what we guitarists have been *****in about for years, and made it incredibly affordable. Its sounds great, easy to use, and is versatile for anything you throw at it. I call it my Boss/Line 6 killer. No doubt, other companies are going back to their drawing boards to compete with this bad boy. But, Digitech listened and gave their customers what they wanted - way to go Digitech!

2 issues - programing and PLAYING

Easy enough to progam once you get used to it. Its pretty simple, but the book helps you get started - I needed the book and the book was well written.

as far as PLAYING - it is PERFECTLY easy to use. It does exactly what its supposed to do.

I pretty much use it only in pedalboard mode, have never even played with the patches. I created my own pedalboard "scenes" and I'm good to go.

The only "knock" is that you only get one modulation effect - and that's my biggest need for flexibilty. I ended up making several scenes that are identical except for the modulaiton setting. so to swtich from chorus to trem to auto wah for instance, I just switch scenes. Duplicating a scene for this purpose is a piece of cake.

I use this for a solo acoustic act and ina 3 piece roots/blues/light rock band. Various guitars. current #1 is a Gibson LP with P90's. ALso use a Chet Atkins acoustic.

I sometimes use a Fender Tube amp (Vibroverb or Blues Jr) with the RP500 in amp bypass - just use it as a pedal board. Other times I use the modeler into the amp.

Sometimes I skip the amp and use the modeler right into a BOSE L-1 (I do all the solo work this way).

Anyway I slice it, it sounds great. I don't really give a crap if it "sounds like" any particular amp or artist. As long as I can express myself and get the tones I want, I'm happy.

And with this pedal - I am very very happy.

Not only can I get great tones - i can get them easily, on demand in LIVE setting. I rarely plug in except for at gigs and this thing is as reliable and predictable as a series of pedals - but without all the hassles and cost.

I use 3 amps models: fender deluxe, Marshal stack and JC-120 - that should give you some sense that I'm not a metal head! (not that there's anything wrong with that). There are a bunch of HEAVY distortion models to choose from - not my bag.

seems very very rugged - sooner of later everything Digital has the chance to fart out on you - in that case you just do without. No backup here.

no idea - no need. the manual is good.

I play rock, blues, root - acoustic and electric. Band and solo.

I front a band and perform solo so there's little time to tweak stuff on the fly. I plug and play.

Had tried different pedals and all-in ones boxes for several years NEVER could get used t the "patch" operation on a POD. good tone but a pain in the butt to use.

I saw the RP-500 ad and immediatley knew they had the right idea for me. I didn;t believe that it would actually work, but MF has 45 day free trial, so I ordered it. No looking back now.

Very convenient, sounds great, looks great, and I can name my scenes whatever I want,

Best $300 investment I have ever made in music gear. hands down.

very easy to use but could be a bit tricky at first if your not use to multi effects .but i have many so was easy to use for me.there is a manual but i did'nt need it.

i have 4 amps but i run this through my studio amp .its a drive cd200r sounds very blussy.the effects are strong .you can get many artists sounds from this rp500 .the dirty channels and cabs and amps sounds are outstanding

yes would be great to gig with but i'm only into studio work.

never needed them

i play mainly blues and jazz rock its my own style .and my own sound ..ive been playing overv 30 years .ive to much gear to list on here .but ive 49 guitars mainly 60's ones and 4 amps and many different multi effect units ,line 6 pod/ boss gt6 /yamaha fx550./boss se70 /.zoom g9.2tt/boss me50/roland gr33/korg ax300g/korg ax10a/zoom 8080/yamaha mt8x 8 track recorder/mtx 4 track recorder/hog electro harmonix/korg x911 vintage guitar synth/watkins copycat/digitech rp100/and of course the newist member to the family the digitech rp500..and this is one of the best out of all my multi effects.if it was stolen i would buy it again for sure.go on treat your self and go buy one. lifes to short not to...

Having previously owned a Digitech Genesis 3, I can safely say that this unit is both less complicated to use and less complicate to edit. Editing on any multieffects unit is harder then a stompbox but hooking it up to a computer and using the X-edit 2 software makes it very easy. The manual included is quick and to the point but covers all the essentials.

I currently use an LTD Kirk Hammett and a Dean Vendetta. I have a Crate vintage club 50 watt tube amp and a 120 watt crate at my bands practice space. The two amps sound very different but both sound very good with this unit. I always end up liking about 1/4 of the preset patches on these types of units and pretty much only end up using two or three that i edit myself. This is no different, its not a knock on the unit itself, just a knock on the guys who make the patches. Everything sounds good though. The Lamb of god patch is my favorite of all the preset patches, and a patch I made with a 5150II amp is amazing sounding.

This thing has alot of weight and is all metal construction. The buttons are amazing, so much better than those square plastic buttons on the other digitech units. The expression pedal seems smooth enough and is a brushed steel finish with anti skid tred which is awesome for people who wear shoes with little tred. I always go to the amps clean and dirty sound if a unit like this fails. But Im not worried about it at all.

Never dealt with them

I play mostly hard rock, classic rock, and metal, and this unit does it all just fine. Ive been playing for about 12 years and needed something that sounds good and that is flexible. I love the sound quality, the ease of use, and the great recording abilities that it gives me, I dont like the placement of some of the buttons. Overall, its great.

Just plug your guitar into it, connect it to your amp, and find a preset that you like. Editing patches from the unit itself reqires some getting used to, which is why I gave it an 8. However, using the included X-Edit 2 software makes editing and saving patches via your computer a snap. The manual is easy to understand and better than most. I purchased this unit about a month ago, so it is the latest version of this product. I have not used the included Cubase software as of yet.

I am using this with my custom Michael Tuttle assembled HH Fender Strat with Bare Knuckle Pick ups. I currenty am using a hand made Frenzel FM-5E3 tube head into a Lopo Line 1x12 speaker cabinet with an Eminence Texas Heat speaker. I run my guitar into the RP-500, then straight to a reissue 63 Fender tube reverb unit, then into the amp.
All of the RP-500 effects are very usable, quiet and sound top notch.
With a little tweaking I was able to get a convincing Billy Gibbons ZZ Top sound or a spacey Eric Johnson type chordal sound. The guys in my band love this pedal (especially the other guitarist) and between us, we probably have over $4,000 dollars invested in our pedalboards. Not bad for a unit that sells for $299.00! I am seriously thinking of of selling my old pedalboard! (I used to be a pedalboard snob, but the RP-500 has cured me of that.)

This unit is really small, appears to be well built, and makes set- up a snap. It's a lot easier to carry around than my other pedalboard. I have never used any Digitech pedals before, but I would gig this without a backup, no problem. Like I mentioned earlier, I've only had this unit about a month, but it's performing like a champ.

Have had no need to contact Digitech.

I currently play in a classic rock / blues band and find the RP-500 to be an ideal match. It also has some Metal presets, if that is your thing, but I believe you can get just about anything you want out of it. If you can find a preset that is in your ballpark, then use the X-Edit 2 software to go into the preset, tweak it to your liking, and save it. In preset mode you can step from clean sounds to dirty utilizing the switching system, or use it like a pedalboard, turning effects on and off. I have also utilized it in my home studio direct to the board, and with the amp simulator engaged, it sounds excellent. I have been playing guitar for 40 years (ouch!) and a lot of equipment has passed through my hands. I have never written a equipment review previously, but I was sufficiently motivated by the RP-500 to do so. When you consider cost vs tone (and even if you don't consider cost)the RP-500 is a keeper.

It's really not that difficult to use. I don't even need a manual to use it first time.

I used a Stratocaster connected to a marshall 50 watt amp. Sometimes, i just use the amp simulator in this RP500 and plug it straight to the return rather than input in my amp.

Yes, I would really depend on this. It's very reliable.

Never need to contact them.

I'm very happy with it!

This pedal will be easy to use if you have used any other modeler/Multi-FX units. I actually didn't look at the manual for the first day. The second day, I just looked at the charts so I knew where to scroll to for the sounds I wanted. A rudimentary familiarity with the equipment being emulated will be extremely helpful. But if you can adjust your amp, distortion pedal and chorus pedal, you'll get by.
If you are new to multi-fx, any unit will have a bit of a learning curve, and this is no exception.

I use a selection of Fender Strats and a Danelectro Baritone with this into a Peavey Valveking 112 and a Roland JC-55. The unit is very quiet and the effects are pretty decent emulations of the gear they claim to be, although I've heard better attempts at the RAT and Big Muff. Having owned a TS-9, it seems to sound like what I remember.

I'm particularly fond of the Fender Twin emulation. No one who actually owns a Twin is going to close their eyes and think I bought a Twin, but it captures the Twin vibe very well. (and it's a lot lighter than a twin) It's very "surfy" with actual spring reverb "kicks" when you hit it hard.

Best of all if you happen to like your amp (as I do), a single button defeats all of the amp and cabinet emulation globally, effectively giving you a row of stomp boxes for live playing. In fact, I wrote a couple of patches that are my "vintage" and "modern" pedal boards.
You have to be careful going into a really bright amp (like my JC-55)
Any kind of modeling of a bright amp (like a twin) or any treble boost can become quite shrill very quickly.

Obviously, nobody makes a unit like my old Tychobrahe Systems Parapedal (which survived being run over by a Volkswagen Beetle), but I do, in fact, use the rp500 live w/o a back up. It's a very solid, metal construction with high quality "vacuum cleaner" style switches. Obviously this unit is new, but it's my 8th DOD/Digitech pedal and 4th modeler, and I've never had one fail.

Unknown

I play in cover bands, and I like having so many useable sounds in such a convienient package. And it sounds decent enough that I would use it straight into the PA if I had, say, a one off gig out of state. Not as good as my real amp, but this will fit in my carry on. As airlines increase luggage fees, that becomes a real selling point for me.

First and most important, LOVE the dedicated bypass switch. No freaking "hit 2 pedals at once and hope it bypasses instead of switching patches to 'Deth Metal' in the middle of your finger picked passage" set up. I actually hate that about everybody's pedals, Digitech, Zoom, etc..

I personally don't need all the distortions this thing has, and I think including models of the Grunge and Death Metal pedals was a waste of space. I like that it can emulate a few of my favorite amps if I record at home, or have to go direct, but can defeat all of that and become a row of pedals to go into my amp.

I do wish I could reassign switches. I'd like to have the option of an amp model with say, a chorus, tremolo, phaser, pitch shifter and reverb, but alas, you only get 1 modulation effect at a time. I could run the thing in patch mode to get that, but then it's not like having a row of stomp boxes.

There a a toe down pressure switch that switches the Wah that I wish was a little less sensitive. I have big feet and I have to be careful not to switch it on.

One thing that is pretty disapointing is the tuner. It tracks poorly and sometimes I question it's accuracy. It's a shame, because I don't want to carry an extra Boss TU-2 when this tuner should be great.

I've wanted this "row of stompboxes" thing for a long time, and Digitech just about got it right. I wish the Tap tempo switch was farther away from other controls. I wish the expression pedal was a little bigger. I wish the tuner was better, and the display was easier to read outdoors. I wish I could replace some of the bazillion distortions with other more interesting things. But until Digitech agrees to make my RP500 signature model, this is the best MFX pedal I've found for playing live. I really do like it a lot.

It will take an average musician with basic knowledge of effects and EQ settings a couple of days to get your core tones out of it. That is, if you spend 2 to 4 hours a day with it. Once you commit all the parameters to memory editing is much faster on the board itself, but with the included X-edit software it is MUCH faster. The manual is ok if like stated above you have a good basic knowledge of the various hardware it emulates, but doesn't go into enough detail for a novice. Being as new as it is there are no firmware updates available, yet.

I am running a Dean ML with Zebra pickups into the RP500 into the front of a B-52 AT-100 and out of a peavy cab. there is only excess noise on the mega gain channel, but it is easily kept under control with a noise gate in the loop. Obviously and ISP, Hush, or Boss NS-2 will work best respectively. I use a lot of the various effects depending on the style i am playing. The wahs are good but you have to dial them in just right. I have heard people say that the Whammy is not as good as the stand alone pedal, but I have compared them side by side and the difference is so minute only the D-baggiest of us will care or notice when put in the mix. I can achieve some great SRV, Clapton, ZZ Top, and Jimmy tones between the amp and the pedal without amp and cab sims. It is also able to produce the relatively same tones with the amp/cab sims through my small Crate 15w albeit with less balls. When going for the balls out high-gain sound i use my amp distortion and effects only on the RP. all the different effects have one or two options that work great, and the est are good enough not to get sad about them. The pedal will affect you core tone very, very little if you set it up right.

Don't know much about reliability as I have not had it long enough to tell. That being said, I do use it to gig out and have had no problems with it.

No idea, never had to deal with them.

Weather for Metal, Blues, Classic Rock, Modern Rock, or Jazz you can get any sound you want out of this thing as long as your willing to put the time into dialing it in to a tee. This is not hard with X-Edit. I have been playing for 15 years and giging for 8, I have played Mesas, Marshals, Fenders, Kranks, Engls, and a few others. I have toyed with many stomp boxes, paired with a good amp the RP500 replaces them all. If it were lost i would most deffinately buy it again. My favorite feature is the ability to switch between pedalboards, this means you can have a plethora of effects at the push of a button. The ONE thing that i don't like is the hiss this pedal will add to your sound, but it is easily managed with a noise suppressor. This is the best MFX you can get for under $700, period.

Easy to adjust Easy to get the sound that you like.

The sound is very good for every Amp and Effect Model. Best for live and Best for Record. Best Clean, Overdrive, Hi-Gain, Modulation and Reverb from lexicon.

I had looked for multi effect to play live and record for 10 years, this is the one.

no comment

The "Music concept" is the very best music shop in Thailand.

I love it.

The Factory patches are pretty good strait out of the box, and tweaking the sound is simple (especially if you know what you're looking for and use the X-Edit software). The manual isn't very detailed, but really, this is about as simplistic as a multi-effects unit gets and if you can't figure it out you probably shouldn't buy anything that is more involved than a single effect stompbox.

I run my Parker Fly (loaded with three LACE sensor pickups: red, sliver, blue and a five way switch) through the RP500 straight into our mixer. I'd say it sounds great, especially with all the options for output gain (be careful switching from a clean to dirty patch: gain levels are VERY different meaning you can go from overdriven to amp clipping with the touch of a button).

As to whether I can coax the sounds out of it I want, definitely! I can dial in the Edge, Clapton, and any other I'm looking for with a bit of trial and error (the Hendrix patch is pretty good and there's an awesome reverb/delay patch for U2 out there that nails it).

So far, all effects sound pretty good with some being a bit less than perfect (the Wah fx are pretty weak, I keep my Clyde in the loop when I want Wah)...

It's built like a tank and hasn't shown any signs of weakness. I would imagine it can stand up to some serious abuse and keep kicking. If it can't, I'll be rather thoroughly irritated and rant, scream, and generally make someone at Digitech's life messy. I bought the 500 because of it's all metal chassis and vacuum switches because of bad experiences with plastic versions...

Haven't had the need to contact. Web seems a bit cheesy though...

Overall it is a great pedal. I really like the options it brings to the table and the way it contributes to my sound. If it were lost or stolen I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.
I did my comparison shopping and the ability to switch from pedalboard mode to full patch mode sold me. Being able to setup everything in a chain to mimic a setup exactly including the amp/cab is awesome, especially being able to switch off and on individual effects making it seem like I own tons of great gear and giving me tons of sonic options.

I think it's a great match for what I needed (versatility and direct system insert) to fit my needs as a worship leader...

The number of choices is at first overwhelming, but with time, the logic of the user interface on the pedal board becomes more clear. The X-edit interface on the computer (through the USB) was much easier to understand and helped me figure out the pedal board interface. The manual is adequate, but it took some internet searching to better understand some of the parameters for some of the effects, like the noise gate settings, etc.... The learning curve was steep, but once over the threshold, things came easier.

I am using this board with a Guild Starfire IV (humbuckers) and a Mesa Boogie Lonestar Express, which I use for jazz, blues and roots rock. I plug into the board and run the wet signal through the front inputs on Channel 1 with low gain and flat eq settings. I haven't tried using the board on the effects loop.

The overdrive sustain on the board cannot match the overdrive on the amp, but the control and variety of tones is spectacular, making it worth the small sacrifice. I'm not big on pedals, but I am a Steely Dan head (pun intended) and I bought this to emulate the various studio sounds for a combo I play with. I love being able to set a nice clean Fender Twin Reverb sound with spring reverb for funky passages, a Fender Deluxe with MXR OD for the Carlton blues growl and the phaser with slap back or chorus for smooth jazz tones. With a kick of a switch, I have it locked in. I could never duplicate these sounds with my guitar and amp alone.

The board is nicely sensitive to pick touch and volume and tone settings on the guitar. The overdrive grind really kicks in with the volume set to ten on the bridge pickups, but mellows on the neck with volume set at 6. Very nice for some cat in heat, Roy Buchanan crying.

I haven't run the device straight to a PA yet, but will. Through the headphones it sounds great, but obviously can't emulate the sweet feedback it gets through my guitar and amp.

I have also run the board through a Twin Reverb. The Twin is just too powerful for the smaller venues I play. It is hard to set all of the volumes on the Guitar, board and amp just right for this level of power. I prefer the board through smaller amps.

Getting the output signal to a consistent level is a bit of a challenge. It is much stronger than my guitar alone and can cause some unwanted LOUD surprises. The manual instructions are right; when plugging in, set the master volume immediately to 0, before bringing it up slowly. I find it necessary to strike a balance between modeled amp gain and the individual output levels on all of the effects. Output signal strength seems to vary widely and has to be tweaked to get consistent volume level between patches. I'm surprised the signal isn't better calibrated accross all of the effects. Maybe I'm still not using everything correctly. Frankly, this is a bit confusing. My advice - test all your patches and their output volumes before, not during a gig.

As I said, I am not a pedal lover, so I am a ignorant, but compared to what I hear on recordings, I am very pleased with all of the effects and the amp and cabinet emulations. It works well for me.

Seems very well built, but I haven't had it long enough to rate reliability.

No experience.

If stolen, I would buy this again. It has more effects and emulations than I will ever be able to fully use. All the ones I have tried seem very musical when played through my tube amp, which granted, may reduce the digital edge with the tube warmth. I looked at other Digitech, Boss and Pod pedals. This one had the effects and stage readiness I was looking for (aluminum housing, great switches, big display). So far no regrets.

i'm afraid i didn't really get on with this fx modeller at all...even after 3 days it just wasn't happening for me....

i used it with a 1984 strat and a fender amp.....didn't find the presets very inspiring ....i thought the reverb was pretty poor.... it just tailed off with a kind of digital whimper and the switches made a crackling sound just before you stomped on them....

seemed a bit plasticky to me ...i was looking for something to play live with but would just find this a bit too tricky

never used them

sorry to say this just wasn't for me ....i really wanted to like it...... but i'm just gonna stick wth my pedals.....i have other digitech pedals that i love .....but i never really knew where i was with the rp500.....the sounds just didn't seem to have much personality i've sent it back

There are some pre-set amps and cabs that sound great as-is, but I'm a tweeker and looking for "My" signature sound. The RP500 makes it easy although I've been using Digitech equipment since the '80's. Some newbee's might take a little longer to get the sound they are looking for.
Editing the patches is very visual and easy and straight forward. Assigning the expression pedal might take some knowledge of the order of the parameters it can change so be aware of the terminology Digitech uses. The RP500 has some fantastic sounding new amps and speaker simulations.

I need a processor I can use both live and in the recording studio. Here's where the RP500 really shines. We play contemporary Rock and need raging distortion, crunch and clean tones all within one song at times and the RP500's sophisticated switching makes it easy. There is virtually no silence or pause between switching presets. For example I can have an extreme distortion setting on footswitch one, A louder setting for solos on two, A Crunch with reverb on three and a clean Twin amp on four.
I use Les Pauls, Strats and Teles and set up my 100w Kustom Quad heads for clean undistorted sound with all of the tone controls up half way and plug the output of the RP500 directly into the input with the push button on the back of the pedal pushed in to the mixer setting. This gives me a warm tube amp sound and I'm enables me to make quick tone changes on the amp on stage if needed.
The Clyde Wah is amazing and accurate, The Univibe in the "Pre" setting sounds and throbs just like my original (Hendrix at Woodstock). Dont' forget about the Whammy pedal settings especially when using a Les Paul. The IPS diatonic harmonizer has all the modal harmony settings instead of just major and minor. The Echoplex and tape echo's are amazing as well.
In the studio Digitech has always been the best sounding for direct recording although Line6's Pod XT is a close second but the Pod doesn't have a harmonizer.
I can take the RP500 to any studio and get my Signature sound without hauling my amps around.
It sounds as real as any miced amp Ive ever heard in any of the studios I've recorded in.

I've never had a problem with any of the dozens of Digitech pedals and processors I've had. They're built to last in the U.S.A. No NAFTA junk here!

Never had to use them but they have a Helpful Website.

For this price point the RP500 is an unbbelievable value. I've had almost every amp modeler made go through my studio (Boss GT6, Gt8, ME50. Zoom G7, Korg, Line6 Pod, Yamaha, Vox, Koch, Behringer, Rocktron and many others) and always end up using My Digitech stuff. Ive used my beloved GNX2 for years now and will never part from it. Now that the RP500 has all these new amps and wahs it will give my GNX2 a well deserved break.
The only thing i wish the RP500 had is a footswitch not a button to go from pedal to preset mode. Maybe swap the tap footswitch for it.
Digitech will you offer a mod for this???
I plan on buying another one with my tax stimulist check for on stage use. It's Made in the U.S.A.

First off let me say that I am not anti-DigiTech. I own a Jam Man looper, a Vocalist Live 2, and a RP300 which I have had for about 6 years and it has been flawless. The ease of use on the RP500 is the same as their other guitar modelers. It is easy to dial in a tone and most of the tones are decent. So if you can edit a patch on the other RP series you'll be good to go here too. Manual is pretty clear even thought I really didn't use it. I also did not try the computer program.

Sound quality is again like the other RP's. I tried this through both a Carvin PA and ran it through my Peavey Valve King and Traynor YCV40 as well as my Peavey 30 Classic. Bottom line, it dont sound good through and amp. I tried it through a loop and front of the amps but I just wasn't crazy about the sound. My guitars I tried were a Carvin TL60 with humbuckers, a Epi Les Paul, and a Fender VG Strat. It just had a real tinty sound and even with an EQ adjustment it was still there. The distortions sounded hollow, the Chorus rocks, and the delay was a bit hollow sounding too.

This is the one thing I might disagree with other reviewers. Others feel it is built like a tank. I have a studio with wood flooring and when I sat this down on the floor it sounded like the bottom was going to come off, like the lower plate was loose. I have a Boss GT6 and when you set that down it don't make that noise. The Boss GT is way more solid that the RP500. I know the Boss GT 8 is $150.00 more than the RP500, but hey, you can tell DigiTech left out that $150.00 too. I used it through two band practices and the guys asked me to hook up the GT6 again. I also have a Boss ME20 and it totally smokes the RP500. I will say this about DigiTech equipment. I have never had a piece of their equipment break down on me, but their sound does not match Boss products.

In the past when I have called them, they are there for you and they E-mail you pretty quick.

I play in a popular classic rock band and I play about 30 gigs a year. I have been playing for 40 years. I don't try to copy anyones sound or style, I want my own sound. But this RP500 just don't cut it for me and it is getting sent back. I think that DigiTech is trying to keep up with Boss GT series but I still think they are lacking somewhat. Dont get me wrong, DigiTech does have some great products and I will continue to look at their products in the future.