Any Experience with a Digitech RP255 MultiEffect Box?

Bob Kagy · From: Lafayette, CO USA

This thing seems to have some stuff in it that might or might not work out well for pedal steel. They have a line of these boxes in which you get less for less $$ and more for more $$.

It's tempting given the array of modeling amps and effects even for psg especially since you can play it through earphones as a practice amp/effects box.

You can check it out on either of the Digitech website, amazon.com or musicians.com if you haven't seen it.

But if you have experience with it please post.

Thanks, bk

Glenn Uhler · From: Trenton, New Jersey, USA

Bob,
Several of the members here have 155's (like me), but haven't heard much about the 255.
Be sure you go to Digitech's website and download the X-edit program. That way you can see what's going on inside the pedal. You can change and save tones, too.
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Bob Kagy · From: Lafayette, CO USA

I understand that the 155 is the same thing as the 255 but with a few less models so i'm very interested in how the 155 sounds too Same with the 355 but more. So further comments are welcome.

Steve English · From: Baja, Arizona

The most obvious difference would be that the RP255 has an "expression pedal" whereas the RP55 does not. The pedal can be programmed to interact with the patch ie; volume, wah-wah, distortion, etc., or be used to vary parameters of a patch...lots of possibilities available.

I don't require any of the features of the pedal, so for myself, this model is a little cumbersome.

Good quality and excellent product. The free software editing program is indispensable!!
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Bob Kagy · From: Lafayette, CO USA

Thanks for the comment. Understand about the editing program and the differences. I'd really still like to hear what these units sound like for your psg.
bk

Glenn Uhler · From: Trenton, New Jersey, USA

Bob,
There are some demos on Youtube, but they are for 6 string. Evidently, the reverbs in them are from Lexicon, so they sound good. Most of the factory presets are over-cranked; they would only sound good to a heavy metal based teenager.

Some of the Forum members have PSG tones for 155 posted on their websites. They would be a good start for you to set your own PSG tones. Haven't had much time to work on this, but some "dobro" simulator tones have been posted on the forum recently. They might be good with the right bar.
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1974 Marlen S-12 1968 Tele 1969 Martin D-35H

Bob Kagy · From: Lafayette, CO USA

Thanks Glenn. I heard the demos. I'll do a search on the forum for others in the series.

Tommy Boswell · From: Virginia, USA

I have a RP155. For pedal steel I use compression, reverb, delay, and the scooped EQ setting. Sounds good to my ear. Tames the Fender Bassman beast.

Bob Kagy · From: Lafayette, CO USA

That sounds pretty cool; sounds like you're using the Fender Bassman as your steel amp. Those are the kind of effects that I want.

Bob Kagy · From: Lafayette, CO USA

Did a search on the forum and turned up lots of good info on the RP155's, patches available, good discussion on placement before or after VP, changing eq frequencies more in line with psg, and lots of people that really like it.

I'm going to go for the RP255 because I see some amp models I've always wanted to try; among them the Mesa Boogie 81C,some Fender blackfaces, the tweed bassman and others. Further there are some fx models that I want to add: touch-wah, rotating speakers, pitch changers, and others.

Joey this topic can be closed.

Thanks for all comments.
bk

Helmut Gragger · From: Austria

I have an RP500, which is the second biggest yoke they have. I used it for rock guitar stuff (standard guitar this means), where size does not matter Smile

However, the engine is the same for the smaller ones, it´s rather a question of flexibility.

There is hardly anything a steel player needs in my opinion. I use a Bassman amp model (clean), which are broadband valve amplifiers, a little EQ and a hall room or digital delay with ducking. This means that your signal does not get swamped in the delay signal.

The real bonus is the expression pedal, which, set up as pre volume, works exactly like an ideal volume pedal. I like the smooth taper it has - naturally, computed. You can also set a minimum value just as on the boss pedal, which is very handy.

It so happened that I use it with the left foot - not deliberately a tribute to Jerry. I did not go as far as make it act in reverse Laughing

After all the pot woes on my Goodrich, I use it almost exclusively on the lapsteel, where its size don´t get in the way. I tried an RP-355 (two button version with exp pedal) which can be tailored to the same sound but fits juuust under the pedal steel (7+4 universal).

If you want to listen to it there is a link dedicated to my lapsteel on my website (see signature).
Note that I have added additional reverb on the DAW. An enormously spaceous reverb may sound good on a recording occasionally, but IMHO not on live playing.

Have fun,

helmut
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Bob Kagy · From: Lafayette, CO USA

I appreciate your comments Helmut. I ordered an RP255 which will be delivered in a couple of days. I've already downloaded the users manual and xedit. I'm going to do a lot of experimenting when it gets here. I don't have problems with my VP's and I have a D10 and S10 and expect to use the 255 up at a level where I can choose from some user presets, not on the floor, but maybe with the S10 as a wah pedal sometimes. I'm looking forward to the strong possibility of being able to use one fx box instead of 3 or 4.

Helmut Gragger · From: Austria

Bob,

I bought the Digitech a couple of years ago when I was to play 69´s rock stuff in a band. The Digitech did it all. Lateron I started to hone my sound and built dozens of boutique waveform-torturers (now dust-catchers) that did it better. Unfortunately, at rehearsal levels, nobody heared the exquisite tone.

Above that, with a lot of external boxes I had problems of level compatibilty, letting alone the increased inflexibility and other trouble (weight, batteries, cables).

I went back to the Digitech alone. It does not have all gadgets incorporated that exist on earth, and it does have a certain rigidity in which they appear in the sound chain, but it does well what it does and it is incredibly versatile.

And the price is ridiculously low for the power it harnesses.

I know some guy sells patches for one of its brethen, but as I said, for steel guitar I doubt if you need anything more than a wee handful except for the occational effect. This in my eyes is an expension you can save. And see, the great ones did their boo-wah without any big stompboxes Cool

So congrats and have fun with the box!

-helmut
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David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

There's quite a long and informative thread on them here:
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=178933&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=digitech&start=0

Aaah, the wonders of "search" Oh Well

Bob Kagy · From: Lafayette, CO USA

David, I'd done a search but I checked the one you cited and that was one of the ones that helped to sell me. Thanks though.

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