Digitech RP-12: How does it stand up against today's Multi effects units?

[@12dollarsand78cents]

I built and tested gazillion of those in the 90's. Loved working at DOD Electronics.

[@gearfacts]

So there is a link between Digitech and DOD?

[@armandavart5704]

Yeah, DOD stands dor "Division Of Digitech"

[@zackersquackers]

Would you happen to know what material the plastic foot switches were made from and the process/fabrication done? Were they nylon? They seem somewhat dense. I'd like to get some fabricated to replace broken ones on my RP-12. The underside, two small teeth are prone to breaking, not sure if it's cause of age and wear, or the density of the material, maybe both?

[@uneasypeace4416]

Just bought a GSP1101...Wow!!!

[@DrKavan]

@@zackersquackers Theres a guy who sells those. NOCROTEC digitech push buttons. Youll find them. Nice shop.

[@robmitchell2018]

Thanks for posting this video! I still use my RP1. Several years ago, the folks at Digitech were kind enough to send me a heat sink for the power supply. That was the weak link in the design. It would overheat and the display would act up. It still functions and sounds great.

[@gearfacts]

Wow that’s impressive customer service from D’tech

[@gregkirton9598]

Do you recall the preset used around 4:45 in this video? I still have mine, bought new back in the mid-late 90s. Don’t play it too much these days but seems interesting to get back out (esp to adjust some of these settings). Seems like the gain/distortion is a bit too high for many of the presets so with a bit of EQ adjustments and dialing back some gain maybe that could make for more useable tones. Definitely a cool video esp on a vintage piece of guitar tech.

[@gearfacts]

First of all, I'm really glad you enjoyed the video! Second, all the patches are factory presets. I may have made some slight variations as the video progressed, but essentially it's all presets because tbh I never really worked out the editing system. So I can't name the parameters of the specific patch you're referring to, but I can say that it's still there in the system's preset brains :)

[@low_e_music]

Great demo! Just scored one of these online, can't wait to get it and check it out.

[@gearfacts]

Hope you enjoy it! And I'm glad this old video was helpful :)

[@low_e_music]

I am sure that it will be a lot of fun!

[@heycheckthisout2565]

I had a Digitech RP-something that looked a lot like this in around 1995. I think this was it. I loved it.

[@gearfacts]

I miss mine. There's not much correlation between age and quality in these things, some of the old ones are still the greatest :) #gearfacts

[@heycheckthisout2565]

@@gearfacts yeah, they either sound good or they don't. Age has little to do with it. And also, I thought the pedal layout was great. There's not many like it today.

[@boneheadnumber1409]

I think rp12 released in 1996. They all look so similar.

[@armandavart5704]

Very good review, you really show us the power of this unit! The Digitech's RP series (from the 90's) are the best in multi effects processors IMO, I had a RP7 but it was stolen, after a few years I could track and buy a RP 21 D, and it's fucking awesome. I've chained it to a couple of analog distortions, a Cry Baby, Booster and EQ and I've got an incredible looking and sounding pedalboard :D

[@gearfacts]

Armand Avart yeah sounds cool! Digitech pedals are not as exciting these days.

[@misterknightowlandco]

An old digitech multi effects and an American made peavey bandit will get you through any gig you’ll ever have. Cheers

[@shane1v]

Dude, my exact set up in the late 90's early 200's! lol I don't have the RP12 anymore but still have my Peavey Bandit and will be using it again soon enough when I return to live gigs👍

[@cgoody3170]

Totally agree. All this fannying around with 800kg valve heads and 4x12 cabs makes no sense. I use a GT6 and an 80W MOSFET combo (Peavey). Portable and loud enough for 95% of situations.

[@ThomasAntoniusOlsenJr.333]

RP12 was my very first guitar effects pedal back in the day when they first came out in '96 I wish I still had it. Then got the RP20 and have moved onto more modern technologically advanced gear since then!

[@JEFFERYPAUL1]

Had an RP1 that eventually crapped out. Played hard sounded rad. Less digital than many modelers today. Ultraverb was great. Flanger so good too. I could use this today .

[@gearfacts]

Yeah there aren't many of them around today! Thanks for watching this old, old video of mine :)

[@SimoneFestuccia]

I used to play a lot with the RP12, aslo had connected to PC using a software to control it and store my presets... it had a great sound, but little delay on some effects. There were also some problems with the display and the battery, especially the battery was drained out in 2 months end up losing all the stored data :(

[@ferranmelero7727]

I love the distortion sounds

[@tubebobwil]

I have an RP300 and love it. I am this afternoon picking up an RP10 from Desiree Apolonia Ragoza who got it from Vernon Reid!

[@gearfacts]

Oh cool, Vernon Reid is one of my childhood heros!

[@SteveAaron]

After watching your video I dug up my old RP10 from the basement (where it had been forgotten for 20 years). I installed the 2.40 EPROM and man this thing rocks!!! Even when compared to my vintage individual pedals like a TS-808, it’s extremely close. I bet most people couldn’t tell the difference! Even the reverb (after some adjustments) sounds like my 1964 Fender Reverb Unit. You have to tweak the settings etc.. But this thing just sounds awesome!! The only thing I regret is the lack of tap tempo, and the bank/preset switching is not smooth. I still love it. I know use/treat it as a regular pedal with different settings. I don’t have effects loops on my old amps, so it’s plugged-in directly into the regular inputs.

[@gearfacts]

I think they should do a re-release with updated styling and ergonomics. It sounds better than my video suggests :) Gearfacts

[@SteveAaron]

Gearfacts It does indeed. The RP10 with the 2.40 EPROM is an RP12 with different buttons layout and colors. But you do have to teweak the settings quite a bit to make it sound like the best stand-alone pedals, if not better.

[@sparkyguitar0058]

@@SteveAaron I got the 12 chip in my RP-10 also. Just waiting on getting all the new switches installed so I can start using it again. Got a full pedalboard to run out front and this in the effects loop. Should be wild going through 2 amps

[@TroyShahanMusic]

@@gearfactsI agree. Re-release them!!

[@houseofglass21]

Is there a lag/delay in patch changes on this unit? I know some of the earlier ones like the RP1 and RP10 have it. Curious if it was lessened on this version. Thanks!

[@gearfacts]

I've sold it now but I don't remember there being any noticeable delay when switching. The only multi-effects I've used where this was a problem was in the classic ZOOM 3030. Still loved it, though!

[@TheRosswise]

There is switching delay. I used to have one several years ago. The delay is only a fraction of a second, but it is there. Makes it a little awkward for clean to dirty parts.

[@houseofglass21]

thx

[@sonic-dna7742]

The manual says it has a 10 band graphic eq. How do I access it? All I get is the PEQ.

[@drill2.087]

Greg Barth you have to go into the menu settings, I have one but it’s not in front of me at the moment

[@garrytodd4712]

How did you get the sounds at 3:23 to 3:36? Very Gilmour/Floydian/steel guitar-ish!

[@gearfacts]

Ah yes, I liked that one the best I think! It's a preset sound where the dry signal and the pitch shifted signal are processed in parallel rather than serial, allowing for the two separate tones to work independently i.e. one being processed by the expression pedal and the other going straight through to the output signal. Plus the slow-attack effect to fade each note in. I am yet to see a non-digitech pedal that can do this.

[@garrytodd4712]

Gearfacts aha, it WAS a preset. Thanks. Do you know of any SMALLER Digitech pedals that can do this?

[@gearfacts]

Hmmm, that's a tricky one... I think (not sure) that this one could do it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qprNqKitZd-MhtU

[@garrytodd4712]

Gearfacts Let's try another approach--what's the name or number of that preset on the RP12? I should be able to Google it and whatever else does it.

[@gearfacts]

Yes I think this pedal warrants a closer look, so I'll try to do another video about this weekend. I'll be sure to look more closely at that patch and also try a bit of editing.

[@SplinteredX]

i have an rp12 what setting did you use at 2:21

[@pcou1785]

Sounds like factory preset #78, 12 String

[@erciii111]

I have this unit still turns on but I cannot get any sound from it anymore...anybody knows where I can send it fr repair? they said it had something to do with IC

[@gearfacts]

I'd contact Digitech or a local electronics technician - some of them specialize in music gear.

[@diegoruizvaldez9865]

I have the rp3 omg that digitech its amazing I really love the sound of the rp3, but now I want a rp7 xd

[@SteveAaron]

Does anyone know which, between a RP20 and an RP21D, is the best of the 2? I’d like to know more about these units. Are they really better than a RP10 or 12?

[@gearfacts]

I had an RP20 many years ago, I remember it being very creative, with several unusual effects. :) Gearfacts

[@SteveAaron]

I wonder if the RP21D is better the the 20, and how these two compare to a 10 or 12. If anyone has any experience and/or first-hand info on those. There are barely anything I could find on the Net.

[@djmouglie]

@@SteveAaron not much difference between the 20 and 21.. You can software update the 20 to be like a 21 mostly.. And they are both really fun and more of a modular effect setup where you can pick and arrange the effects yourself as with the 12 and 14 the effects are placed in the order they are placed.

[@sonic-dna7742]

Has anyone tried running one of these as a preamp into a power amp or FX return on a tube amp? Results? Should I or shouldn't I?

[@gearfacts]

Yeah give it a go. Should be good I think.

[@Kyocera234]

I used to play in bands for a living and got rid of my amps and strictly used my RP12 for a few years straight into the PA, I think it works best with that signal path. I have tried plugging it into tube amps in the front and in the effects loop, it just is not the same unit when plugging into a guitar amp. I still have it and took good care of it, still works fine. You had to do periodic maintenance if you do a lot of gigging, but it is a workhorse if you take care of it, never failed on stage. The only complaint I ever had was if we were playing an outside gig the sun would wash out the led so it was impossible to see.

[@douglascook258]

That is exactly the way I run my RP-14. I put a dummy plug into the effects send and then plug the output of the my Digitech into the effects return.

[@craigsurette3438]

I love this era Digitech gear! I adored my RP10, which I had set up to be MIDI cc controlled, and I ran synths through it. I could get CRAZY sounds out of this set up, back before DAWs and controllerism were a thing.Controlling delay time, phaser speed, reverb depth etc with the sliders and aftertouch etc on my keyboard , felt like a gorram superpower. Mine was "stolen" by an incompetent mentally ill tech who had a psychiatric episode while he was working on my unit, so i never saw it or him again. I am hunting for another one, or one of a similar vintage or later with similar MIDI spec as we speak

[@gearfacts]

Scored an RP-10 the other day. Its sitting here waiting to be reviewed. I'm not really drawn to guitar playing anymore, kinda sad really :/

[@plasmastudios7735]

I still can't figure out how to program these. Even just putting single effects on each button is impossible. I love it though. It has a lot of sweet effects

[@gearfacts]

I totally concur! Sounds great but impossible to understand...

[@plasmastudios7735]

@@gearfacts thank you! Lol

[@mauriaguirrevox]

hi, do you know where i can find the electronic diagram and the list of component of the pedal board.... i buy some like this very very cheap and for some reaseon tho older owner cut away the expression pedal and quit all the circuit with ... im trying to emulate a diy pedal to fix that madness... its a crazy goal but im decided to do it. thanks ! bye!

[@gearfacts]

All i can suggest is contacting Digitech about that my firend :) Gearfacts

[@mauriaguirrevox]

@@gearfacts find it thanks

[@ripwildy2022]

the preamp section of this is all analog, right? and can it be bypassed by plugging straight into the effects return, as opposed to the regular input?

[@gearfacts]

Yes to both questions. You can still get the manual online, just google "Digitech RP-12 PDF"

[@heinhobein1482]

Hello...how can I use the tuner?

[@gearfacts]

I can't remember, but you can download the manual by googling "Digitech RP-12 PDF" :) #gearfacts

[@SimoneFestuccia]

you have to hold down one of the foot buttons until it show the tuner on the LCD, it says "tuner"

[@jaxonv2098]

I had this in the 90s it got stolen along with my guitar and amp. My favorite setting was the grunge

[@unymirless8760]

My first multi effects pedalboard What a memories

[@gearfacts]

Still holds up against many of the newer ones :) Gearfacts

[@sparkyguitar0058]

I got a RP 10 with a 12 chip. Even got brand new foot switches to solder in. Just haven't got all fixed yet. Might never get done either

[@Sk0rpiu5]

Loved my RP12, gigged it hard and it stood up under pressure for a long time. Eventually it just got outdated...the time between patches loading became more and more obvious as other pedals were quicker

[@gearfacts]

Yeah that switch delay was a serious bummer in an otherwise great pedal

[@accomplishedtheory9502]

What's a good modern day replacement?

[@TheDmonet]

​@accomplishedtheory9502 The zoom units are the modern day equivalent. the g5n can do what the rps did and the switching delay is not nearly as bad.

[@pattocabrera.u]

Gracias. -I just got one.

[@sergeymineychev7482]

A nice vintage unit. However the question is not answered. How does it stand against modern stuff?

[@gearfacts]

Sergey Mineychev There is little correlation between quality and age wormy it comes to multi effects units. The only *major* advances have been with amp modelling. There are plenty of very experienced guitarists who regard this pedal as one of the best (though it should be noted that they mostly prefer individual pedal setups)

[@questionmark5463]

I had this and would run it into a Peavy Bandit. It sounded pretty amazing if you took the time to tweak it.

[@steves2248]

Did you run it straight into the guitar input?

[@questionmark5463]

@@steves2248 Yes. With the cabinet emulation turned off, if I remember correctly.

[@sambac2053]

I just pulled out mine, got it in '99 I haven't played since Burning man 2010 I did get a hendrix starspangled banner sound out of it without hauling a wall of marshals,we had a Morrocan Gnawa Sintir bass, and didgeridoo, during a set a german oompah band wearing lederhosen, playing polka ,and there were bursts of fire exploding all around so playing Jimi's starspangled banner made perfect sense. .But was the only time I ever used such sounds .Not my thing Jimi ( who I did hear live)already did it. Never was happy with the pedal. No matter how carefully I tweaked sounds they were never right onstage. Scrolling through menus on a barely visible little screen in real time onstage is really not happening. Was useful for recording, but I could program higher quality fx in that context ,and or do post production ,foot switches not really needed. Wish I could get my original $450 back out of it

[@alohamark3025]

I tested my old RP-12 today and was shocked that it still powered up. This was built like a tank. Lots of other 20+ year old equipment just gives up the ghost, with Boss being one of the turkeys. For consumer electronics, Casio and Bose are awful.

[@sambac2053]

I’ve got fx pedals more than twice as old that still work

[@xinaesthetic]

I picked one of these up many years ago cheap “as seen / not working”... then realised it used a weird power supply, and procrastinated about buying one (since I had a setup I was happy with and the PSU probably cost more than I paid for the unit)... as such have never even tried switching it on. Noticed it around my parents house and decided to bring it back. Now need to get hold of a PSU and find out how broken it really is, if at all. I reckon there’s at least a marginal chance that it might just work. Haven’t really played electric guitar for many years, and my old setup isn’t fully functional anymore (think the old power amp needs new valves and possibly other work). Maybe this’ll be the thing that gets me back into it. Wish me luck.

[@gearfacts]

Well if it works, your good luck will be off to a very good start. Everyone who uses this old dinosaur says it outperforms the modern multi-effects systems in most departments. I think back in those days multi-effects pedals were intended to seriously compete with pedal chains rather than act as a cheap, convenient alternative. Hope it goes well! GF

[@xinaesthetic]

@@gearfacts cheers! To be fair, my old Zoom 9150 did pretty well and had a valve preamp, so at the time I was skeptical the Digitech would have as good tone. Indeed, I still am... But like I say, I haven't been playing the zoom, and the digi has other advantages. So it'll be interesting to compare them and if it gets me back into playing through the zoom that's a result. I've read about internal battery sometimes needing replacement which I guess it very likely will. I just bought a load of those batteries for bike lights... Not counting my chickens but somewhat optimistic. I think the place I brought it from originally was a record shop and the guys there didn't really know what state it was in; given lack of PSU I wonder if they even tried it themselves. Anyway, I'm rambling; I should order that PSU already!

[@xinaesthetic]

@@gearfacts Well, I now have a PSU and so far it seems like the device only outputs noise. I haven't tried replacing that internal battery yet, but think it's unlikely to help as navigating menus etc seem to work ok.

[@BrianMarshall1]

I had one of these and hated it. I took it back and got the rp20 instead. It was okay, but the cutout when switching patches was kinda useless in a band.

[@gearfacts]

Yes, patch switching was a big issue in those days. I remember Zoom using their 1 millisecond switching capability as a major marketing factor. That was a few generations after the RP-12 though (I think it was the Zoom G2.1u), so it was a long time coming :) #Gearfacts

[@BrianMarshall1]

​@@gearfacts Zoom stuff was impressive early on, but most of their later stuff just wasn't very good and impossible to find in stores to try it out. The Boss GT5 switched quickly enough that you didn't really noticed the cutout live. It was available in the mid 90s. I own a GX700 which is basically the rack version of the GT5. Used it for gigs for a year before moving on to single pedals. It sat in my recording rig for years, but was mostly used for quick demos. Some of the digitech modulation was better, but none of the RP stuff did the mid range overdrive stuff well. It was either fully clean or full on distortion. The in between sounds just didn't do it for me.

[@jsmythib]

Just pulled mine out of the closet after 25 years. Still works good :)

[@gearfacts]

Beautiful old tank :)

[@jaimeha]

I still have my RP 10, I bought it 23 yrs ago and sounds good even compared to my newer Boss GT8 which I don’t like as much.

[@gearfacts]

Yeah I could never make close friends with the GT8 and I'd like to have another go on an RP-12. Made this video so long ago in another life :) GF

[@stuart6648]

I got the RP6. Could not afford the 12.

[@gearfacts]

Keep searching, there are lots of great multi effects pedals going very cheap these days :)

[@IslaPalenquita]

nostalgic :-D

[@flip7081]

Still have mine. A ProCo Turbo Rat, and a Digitech Death Metal pedal to round it out. When I play with new people I instantly get dogged, then I start playing and the attitudes change.

[@gearfacts]

Yep I get a lot of very sincere praise for this machine from people who really know what they are talking about. Hopefully I'll get another one eventually and make a better video about it :) Gearfacts

[@samuraifugitivo]

I have owned a podhd500x, a boss gt 100 and this jurassic creature,and let me tell you that the digitech is the one with the most “analog” sound.

[@gearfacts]

I’d agree, out of that selection :)

[@carlosgoyeneche6315]

Had the RP 10 just when it came out. I was never able to make it sound good. Always sounded thin and artificial. I rather have a good amp and a few good analog pedals now

[@gearfacts]

Yep I hear you. People get wildly varied results from these early Digitechs. Thanks for watching my video! #gearfacts

[@carlosgoyeneche6315]

Gearfacts Saludos!

[@heavymetalnewsdesk]

you need to redo this this with a cab simulator

[@gearfacts]

Nooooooooooooo

[@heavymetalnewsdesk]

@@gearfacts ok then i can download the video, convert to audio, plug the clip into guitar rig to find out what it actually sounds like on the gain channel

[@gearfacts]

@@heavymetalnewsdesk cool, please upload it if you can, I’d be interested to hear it

[@ruudjonckman3097]

Have a gnx3000

[@gearfacts]

I've made a few videos about that one too :)

[@danaowens30]

I just bought my RP 12 two years ago. also the RP1,Rp3 4,5,6,7, 8, 10 14, 20 and 21 d. and I got the GSP 21 pro and legend, GNX1 and GNX3000. all my shit it digitech. I have Line6 firehawk fx boss gt8 and gt5 Roland GR10 and Roland GP16....

[@gearfacts]

That's a LOT of pedalage :)

[@danaowens30]

Yes sir. I have all kinds of pedals All Boss GT 3,5,6 and 8 series as well and Korg Tone Works AX1500G, Line 6 Firehawk FX ,Roland R20 guitar synthesizer, shall I go on rotary Ventilator 1 for my guitars. Tons of equipment, Hammond Organ clonewheels Xk1 XB2 X5 my favorite and Yamaha MO6 MX49 Korg NS5R and a Roland JV1010 with the SRJV08 Keuboards of the 60s and 70s. Sessions card built in the module EMU B3 ,EMU Protious 1 and need I go on. More ⚙ ⚙ ⚙ than I know what to do with

[@arod1348]

I wish digitech would bring back the gnx3 and 4 i loved those units no computer required for recording lol

[@gearfacts]

I agree . A freshly designed re-issue of the the GNX4 would be awesome. I revisited that one recently and made this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4bRloCqep6Xjrs

[@joshstrope1092]

I have the rp10 and love it. Got it for $20 and it's the best multi effects pedal I've ever had. Also have a zoom g3xn and it's shit compared to the rp10.

[@gearfacts]

Hmm there's an RP10 hear me for $100 (and that's 100 crappy Australian dollars) ....maybe I should grab it...

[@joshstrope1092]

@@gearfacts I just googled it and they're going for $100 here in the US. I'd definitely get it though.

[@JosephMile]

It sounds good with amp. I had the rack version. There are some outdated things anyway. The cab sims worth nothing. The programing of the harmonizer ...well not enough flexible. ...and of course the display itself.

[@gearfacts]

Yep it's showing its age, but still a whole lot of fun. Thanks for watching Gearfacts :)

[@ripwildy2022]

@Joseph Mile how would you rate its analog preamp section? is it possible to use it a decent boost going into a tube amp using the 4-cable method?

[@JosephMile]

Absolutely. You can program the the analog drive or tube drive separately. Another thing that its very choosy. With some amps it sounds average, while in some cases it starts to sound like the best stuff ever. I'll never forget we played once in pub and I connected this unit straight to an old mixer-amp...and OMG.... It was unbelievable - as if someone secretly added 2000$ to my gear.

[@DrKavan]

With midi you can plug it to a pc and change the settings (RPEdit 2.2). Pretty cool for the 90s

[@sonic-dna7742]

How about using it as a preamp into the fx return of a tube amp?

[@sidjim7700]

Kool

[@gearfacts]

Retro kool ;)

[@kukurukuchudnoe]

Based on 12 286 Intell processors inside

[@gearfacts]

286? Wow...

[@kukurukuchudnoe]

@@gearfacts someday you can open it and make video what’s inside

[@ElAguilasilut]

Sounds like old simulator and effect is outdated. I will prefer vox tonelab se more sounds solid and digital sounding

[@johnspina318]

Sounds like ass....LOL

[@gearfacts]

yeesh, that's such a horrible expression ...'sounds like ass" ...doesn't even make sense! :) Gearfacts

[@omarcusihuaman4261]

Yep, a Crap sounding unit

[@gearfacts]

I'd rate it as average. There's worse out there.