Conference napalm::guitar

    -1
    
    This is the Digitech GSP-2101 studio processor, right?
    
    Mike

    
    
      This is the new GSP-2101. I'd think of it as a newly designed
    programmable tube pre-amp coupled to a Digitech TSR-24 processor.
    There are a few other features such as speaker emulated XLR outs,
    a compressor, some additon distortions, and a built in Whammy (tm).
    The new foot controller (FS-21?) has the single volume pedal assignable
    as a continuous controller and another can be added as an option. 
    It also has the alphanumeric LED display for program titles.
    
      I think this is worth checking out if you get a chance. The unit
    absolutely SMOKES anything Digitech has offered in the past. 

    $$$?

      
       List on the GSP-2101 is $999 and I've seen stores sticker them at
    $869. I'm sure that can be beat (by quite a bit).
       The optional footcontroller lists at $299.
    
    						-JR-

    Yeah, they are competitive (pricewise) with the JMP1, 
    and Mp2 (both go for around $700)...
    
    

    With the onboard effects, if it sounds good, it would be a good
    bargain.  I've heard nothing but good things about the TSR-24.  On the
    other hand, Digitech doesn't exactly have a great track record for
    making preamps that I like the sound of...
    
    Greg

My local store owner says he can;t keep them in stock...

he also said he normally can't sell midi preamps....

dbii

    
      Hey dbii! What  is your dealer selling them for? I've talked to
    Charles Eaton, who's the district rep for Digitech, and they 
    are VERY up on this product having a great preamp. Moreso than any
    of the previous offerings that were all effects frills. 
    
      I'll probably plug into one again to see if I'm still as impresssed
    as I was the first go around. Let me see - if I sold my Korg A4 and
    REXX 1602/601 and came up with a few hundred extra bucks. I guess
    I'm just not into the retro thing. 

I dunno I could ask him. He did have one next to the MP-2 but I didn't try
either one. I looked at it and thought to myself hmmmm.....then I left before
GTS had a chance to get ahold of me...just say no!

dbii

    Dave - Don't plug into an Mp2...
    :-)

    I played electric violin through one for about an hour on Saturday,
    followed by 30 minutes of guitar... and was extremely impressed. 
    I think there may be one in my future. 
    
    Sweetwater Sound has quoted $759. 
    
    Tom

    Hmmm... such raves.
    
    I'm not real pleased with my Roland GP-16.  My original hope for it was
    to be able to use it thru my JC-120 so that I wouldn't have to lug both
    my JC-120 (for keyboards) and my Boogie (for guitar) to gigs where I
    end up playing guitar (somewhat rare these days fortunately).
    
    I'm finding that the GP-16 is a real nice effects processor, but
    clearly I need something better in the way of pre-amp function to get
    that tube amp sound while going thru my (solid-state) JC-120.
    
    To those of you who have some experience with this thing, could the
    2101 be the right ticket for me?
    
    	db

    
       I think the BEST thing about the 2101 is it's tube pre-amp. It is
    voiced very well. As we've seen, just because it's tube doesn't mean 
    it's gonna always sound great. I know the cool thing to do these
    days is to pick up a re-issue Fender or Peavey Classic (right Buck!),
    but I'm still in the 19" rack format.
       The effects included with the GSP-2101 are top notch. I can't deny 
    that either. The chorus impressed me and there are four clipping
    indicators at various points in the chain, that eliminates most of the
    guess work if your getting he wrong kind of distortion.
    
    							-B{}{}M-

    There are five choices right now, me thinks:
    
    - Marshall JMP-1
    - DigiTech GSP-2101
    - Boogie TriAxis
    - H&K Access
    - ADA Mp2
    
    Clearly, the ADA, Access and GSP2101 have superior MIDI implementation.
    Factor?.
    

    I'm really looking for something that does both the pre-amp stuff and
    the effects stuff.  So I think, there's really only one choice right?
    
    None of the others have digital effects right?

    Mmm, nope, I guess you're right...  The ADA unit does have a
    compressor, (super-nice) chorus, a tremolo(!?) and a wah-filter...
    Just no 'verbs and delays and such.
    
    jc

    
      Sorry - my credit card is still warm from the friction...
    
    
        The first one on my block with a GSP-2101. What's scary is
    after all those effects processors from a few years back (ART SGE,
    GSP-21) I SWORE I'd never touch one again. So I proved myself a liar.
    On my retention list these days: both stereo power amps (Rocktron
    Velocity and SP-1000), KittyHawk M1's (sure to be driven by the 
    new preamp into the power amp in of the M1), the H&K ACCESS and 
    associated effects repackaged into a smaller rack, the 
    REXX 610s/KH M5 combo, KH QT/PB, and the tuner/wireless. 
        I'm gonna stick with selling my Korg A4, Rexx 1602/601, and the 
    ADA microcab. 
        More to come as I put the GSP-2101 through its paces. The associated
    footswitch will be coming as soon as I sell off some gear.
    
    							-B{}{}{}M-

    > I'm really looking for something that does both the pre-amp stuff and
    > the effects stuff.  So I think, there's really only one choice right?
    
    I think the ART "SGX-2000 <mumble>" has a tube preamp (1 12AX7) and
    digital effects. Haven't heard it, myself.
    
    

re: ART SGX2000

I have heard it.....barf!

dbii

    re: -.1 ditto - 
    
      .. I was unimpressed.
    
      The GSP-2101 chews it up and spits it out by comparison. THe 
    SGX-2000 is too much fluff and not enough stuff!
    
    							-B{}{}M-

    Yeah, I had tried a SGX-2000.   Great on paper, lousy on the ears.
    
    It did have a wicked "EJ" patch though.
    
    Gee, I wish I had a spare minute or two to try this thing out.  
    
    	db - who doesn't even have time to finish thi..

>    Yeah, I had tried a SGX-2000.   Great on paper, lousy on the ears.
    
    sounds just like Steve Morse!

    
      Hey , I configured this unit into a four space rack with my 
    Metaltronix SP-1000 for band practice yesterday. A quick summary:
    
      It was easy to "dial in" some workable patches. There were easy ways
    to get from here to there. The data wheel and FX library move things
    right along.
      
      Two of the patches I used were strictly pre-amp (no effects). What
    a killer pre-amp! Seriously! My bass player was blown away. He kept
    saying to me: "You are gonna play out with this, right?" And even
    though the pre-amp has a lot going for it in its own right, the effects
    are deadly. Even the compressor seems to be geared toward guitar right
    from the start. 
      
      I have deemed this new rack my SBD rack - Small, but Deadly!
    
      Now, if I could only have the arm and leg back that it cost me!
    
    								-B{}{}M-

    >My bass player was blown away. He kept saying to me: "You are gonna
    >play out with this, right?"
    
    Sure, with that mosquito tone, everyone will hear the bass player so
    much better!
    
    							Biff

    
    
      RE: -.1 
    
        Brian always gets upset when they don't come out with a
      bass version!!!!
    
        I know everyone (myself included) is always defending their
      GTS attacks, so I guess I'm not any different. I think this
      unit is a keeper for me (for a few years anyway, until they 
      come out with an ALpha or Pentium based tube pre-amp that reads
      your thoughts as to what sound your after!)
    
    							-B{}{}M-

>    sounds just like Steve Morse!
    
    I always wondered why Satriani uses one.

    Hey, B{}{}M, how about a list of all the "bells and whistles" this
    gadget has to offer?
    
    Mike

    I have been researching buying a ADA MP2 and backending it with
    a ADA MicroTube 200 along with keeping my GSP21 for reverb/delay.
    What ARE the features that made you choose the Digitech over the 
    MP2?
    
    I've found the ADA MP2 for $702.00 and the 3 foot controllers
    (midi patch, expression peddle and quad box controller) for $308.00
    from Capital Supply in IL.  What is the FINAL price that you 
    negotiated?  What will be your final outlay with ALL the attachments?
    
    Also, your comments on the Solid State vs. Tube note would be 
    appreciated since you mentioned using solid state power amps.
    
    Bill

Hold it - Do NOT buy the ADA MIDI controller...
Any MIDI controller will work with the Mp1/Mp2.
I recommend looking for a ART X15 controller.
Brand new they are only $200, have two switches,
two CC's and all the rest of that MIDI implementation.
The ART is built like a tank;  the ADA unit looks 
like it would break if you only thought about 
making a patch change.  Who would put door bell
buttons on a MIDI controller anyway??  ;-)

I've got an mp2, and I love it - You got a good price 
for it also...Just stay away from the MIDI Controller. 

    Actually, despite it's cheesy look, the ADA MC-1 controller was very
    reliable for me.  I had mine for a couple of years and it worked great,
    got tossed into boxes of stuff, fallen on, had things dropped on it,
    and all the standard stuff and it worked great.  My only complaint with
    it was that the buttons were too close together and you had to be
    careful you didn't step on two of 'em when making patch changes with
    it.
    
    Personally, I've always thought the ART ones had a terribly flimsy look
    to 'em, what with those rubber switch covers that you can't tell when
    you've switched, and the CC pedals that look like you could bend in
    your fingers.
    
    The best foot controller I've ever seen was the one Roland sold to
    complement the GP-8.  That thing was built like a tank!  But I don't
    remember if it actually spit out MIDI or not, my memory says it had
    some sort of proprietary interface to the GP-8, which would then make
    MIDI of it.  I could be wrong though.
    
    Greg

    GP-8 footpedal is called the FC-100 and it is not MIDI although I hear
    there is something out there that converts it to MIDI.

    
      RE: -.1 You're right. The Roland FC-100 is a great foot-controller.
    I used to have a GP-8 and it performed well for it's time. As a matter
    of fact, I'd dare say that I preferred it over my ART SGE (one of my
    stupidest mistakes) and Digitech GSP-21. The Roland RMC-something
    allowed you to use the FC-100 with standard MIDI devices.
      I've been using my GSP-2101 exclusively for the last few weeks and 
    it really is a much improved unit over anything I've heard from
    Digitech before. I'm still waiting on the foot controller but my 
    dealer has until Friday to give me a reasonable ETA and if not I'm 
    gonna mail-order one.
    
    							-John R-

    After looking through these notesfiles, I would say that it is safe to
    assume that almost nobody has much good to say about ART products. I
    have occasionally seen a few individuals who sing praises about these
    units, but for the most part, the reviews have been bad. I have never
    tried any of their units, so I can't give any opinions one way or the
    other. I have tried most of Digitech's stuff, and to be honest, until
    the GSP-2101 came out, I was very unimpressed by their stuff as well!
    I guess it's all in what sounds good to you.....
    
    Just my $.02
    
    Mike
    

    
    
       I'm complete! The GSP-2101FC finally arrived. I'll use it tonight at
    band practice. I gotta check out the quality of the wah and other
    continuous controller functions. 
       It does seem to be a fairly solid unit as far as foot controllers go.
    
    
    								-JR-

    >I'm complete! 
    
    Waitaminnit, maybe they'll have a new model at NAMM this summer 8^)

    
    
      RE: -.1
    
         You're probably right Brian!!
    
    	 I've been working with the foot controller for the past week.
      I like the continuous control features. It does a decent job of
      controlling parameters without any glitching. You can do some
      really wild stuff with it, but most patches I use it as a volume
      control. I'm not currently using any patches that have the 
      Whammy effect, but I might in the future. It is a much better
      quality FC than the one that came with the GSP-21.
    
         The GSP-2101 itself is impressing me more and more. I would 
      recommend checking on out if you were unimpressed with the first
      wave of preamp/multieffects (Digitech Twin Tube/ART SGX-2000).
      The 2101 definitely out-classes these!
         
    							-John R-

    I had a funny experience that people may benefit from.
    
    I tried a GSP-2102 out in a store using a guitar very similar to my
    main guitar and the same kind of amp, a Roland JC-120 which is a very
    clean amp and thus a good amp to demo it on.
    
    I was blown away in the store and basically bought it on the spot.
    
    Then I took it home and ran it thru my JC-120 in mono and thought it
    sucked.  I thought... maybe I was a little too hasty.  
    
    It sat in the box for about a week until Tom Benson (who also bought
    one) mentioned to me that the thing does NOT have those kind of
    stereo outputs where if you only plug into one it reverts automatically
    to mono.
    
    Thus, the reason it didn't sound as good at home as it did in the store
    (aside from the normal cosmic explanation of that phenomena) is that
    I was only listening to one side and this thing (as I learned the
    hard way) has some effects with VERY discreet stereo things going on.
    
    I tried it again with the unit in true mono and it definitely sounded
    much better.
    
    	db

    How do you get it into mono-only mode?
    
    Greg

    Press the utility button - it's obvious from there.

    
    
      I have done the stereo/mono switch as well. It makes a difference!
    This unit in stereo is awesome. Is everyone using the foot controller
    as well? It's not cheap but it is nice!
    
    								-JR-

    
      The GSP-2101 test is complete! I used the unit on it's first gig last
    Saturday. The only things in the signal path were the Korg DT1-Pro
    tuner, the GSP-2101, and Rocktron Velocity 300 power amp (and the 
    Hughes & Kettner 2 X 12 speaker cab). I am really pleased. This 
    rig is more compact than my other rack and has a lot of capability.
    The new foot controller has a lot to do with it as well, I managed
    to use the continuous controller a few times that evening. 
      We have quite a few jobs booked, so maybe this thing will pay for 
    itself in a couple months. If I had any nits about the GSP-2101 it
    would have to be the "traditional wah" setup using the pedal. It
    works, BUT it's not quite a Crybaby or Vox wah wah though. I actually
    used the built in DI-out with speaker emulation and it sounded pretty
    good through the front end. Another plus.
    
    								-B{}{}M-

    I'm picking up the FC tonite at Daddy's closed door sale.
    
    $200 - what did you pay?

>    This unit in stereo is awesome. Is everyone using the foot controller
>    as well? It's not cheap but it is nice!
    
I use a Rocktron MidiMate midi foot controller. I set up some violin 
patches in the 2101 with diff controller #s controlling different params.
Then I set some of the MidiMate buttons to just change the controller #
sent, not a patch change. So within the same patch, I switch between control 
of vol, delay level, etc. 

RE: WAH,

I haven't tried the 'traditional wah', but to "tame" the auto-wah, I
wrote an algorithm that puts it in parallel with direct signal and then
mixes, and added EQ to the auto-wah path. Lets you tailor it more than 
the 'wah' params themselves allow. Might help on the trad wah, too, depending
on what you think's wrong with it...

Tom

      I was thinking that setting up the CC pedal to control the frequency
    of the parametric EQ might yield better results than the traditional 
    wah stuff. We'll see. There's three, maybe four, of us in here with
    these 2101's , so any patch listings or advice would be cool. 
    
      I also managed to try the global EQ just before the gig on Saturday
    because it seemed to be a little bottom heavy compared to band
    practice. You can get to it through the utility button then one 
    ">" over.  I pushed up the high-mids a touch and that helped.
    
      I got the call tonight that the club we played wants us back as a
    regular band every four to six weeks and our old booking agent has 
    at least four gigs for us next month. I generally don't like hitting 
    the amusement parks on weekends anyway, so that's cool.
    
    							-B{}{}M-

    
    
    I'm thinking of upgrading my GSP-21/ADA MP-1 combination with the
    GSP2101. I played around with one at Rhythm City in Atlanta a couple
    of weeks ago and really liked what I heard. The sales person quoted
    a price of $750.00/GSP2101 and $195.00/FC. I've seen the unit in 
    Muscian's catalog for $799.00/GSP2101 w/out FC or $999.00 with. What
    prices have you 2101 owners paid? Anyone know of anywhere selling for
    less?
    Thanks in advance.
    
    CERASO

    re: .45
    
    I bought mine from West L.A. Music for $700 + $15 shipping. (That was
    without the footcontroller) 
    
    I'm sure that John R. can verify that if you buy the GSP-2101, you will
    definately want to buy the footcontroller along with it. It makes a
    huge difference, especially if you're going to be using this rig for
    live application. (There are some patches in the 2101 that are designed
    expressly for use with the footcontroller, so there's something else to
    think about......)
    
    I bought my footcontroller at Daddy's in Nashua,NH, and paid
    $195......
    
    Mike

    
      
      Say what you want about the GSP-2101. I am using it exclusively 
    for my bands gigs. We have done four so far and I'm real happy
    with the quality of the sound's I'm getting. I am using the 
    foot controller AND the internal DI w/speaker comp. I turned off
    my power amp during sound check and checked out the quality of the
    front end sound (and it was good). 
    
    							-B{}{}M-

    re: .47
    
    Absolutely no offense intended!! I'm a big fan of this box myself!!
    I just remember how frustrated you were when you were waiting for 
    the FC to come in from mail order!! You've got to admit; the FC
    adds a whole new dimension to this thing........
    
    Mike

    
       ..yup , I like watching people in the audience look at me when I use
    the "Whammy Down" patch. Kinda like "WTF was that?". I gotta try
    programming some of the FC patches myself. 
    
    								-B{}{}M-
     

    yeah, "whammy down" is cool! Especially if you have a whammy set up
    on your guitar already, it sounds cool to bring the pitch down by
    using the pedal and then when you've hit bottom with that, bring it
    down even further with the bar on the guitar.
    
    My personal favorite is "Squealie" (#45), but "Solo in Arena" is a
    close second.....
    
    Mike

    
    I am the proud new father of a GSP-2101. Got it about two weeks ago at
    a local music store for $700 + tax w/o FC. I have the FC on order. I
    felt like I got a good price until I walked into of friend's music
    store a few days later. He used to sell DigiTech but had dropped them
    so I did'nt check with him before making my purchase. He had just
    taken delivery of a new 2101 and would of sold it to me for half of
    list. Oh, well!
    
    Anyway, I've been having a lot o fun with it so far. It far surpasses
    the GSP-21 I have and the pre-amp section is equal or better to the ADA
    Mp-1 in tone. Its almost worth the price for the analog stage alone.
    
    Does anyone out there have the memory upgrade? It would b nice to be
    able to write larger algo's(what would ten flangers sound like?).
    
    I just saw an ad for a *new* Limited edition 2101. You can order it
    with a choice of colors for the front face-plate(Oh wow!?) and it has
    matched Groove Tubes. Probably not worth the extra bucks.
    
    Hey what the heck I doing--I could be playin guitar! 
    Later
    CERASO
    

    
      RE: -.1 
        Matched groove tubes don't mean squat when it comes to 12AX7
    preamp tubes. It's only power output tubes used in a push/pull
    (class A/B) that benefit greatly from matching. A premium 12AX7(A)
    would be one with low noise and no microphonics so that it can be
    driven hard and not turn into a noisy mess. 
        Also I read the scoop on the memory upgrade/limited edition
    GSP-2101. Supposedly it smoothes out the transitions between patches
    by speeding up the processing. That would be a plus for real-time use
    like gigging live. A friend of mine uses a GSP-2101 and has some
    amazing patches on it. His only complaint (and mine) was the patch
    switching and glitching. Of course to get around that....
    

    I have a GSP 2101 and its revision level is currently 1.06.06.
    
    I plan to have it upgraded to the latest version so that I can use the
    build in tuner, but the parts are currently not available where I live
    (Moscow, Russia)
    
    I have been told that the midi dump format is not the same for the
    different revision levels, and consequently that I would have to
    reprogram my patches completlty from scratch.
    
    I am therefore reluctant to invest too much time in creating my patches
    before I would have done the update.
    
    Can anybody comment on this.
    
    Thanks and regards.
    
    Jean-Paul

    db forwarded me this note, since he heard me griping extensively 
    about having to do this...
    
    You are correct, the dump format is compatible between the two
    revisions!  I had been told this by the local music store guys, but
    also called Digitech support to verify it. I just found it hard to
    believe..
    
    In addition to my own patches, I had about a dozen or so of my own
    algorithms programmed in.  So, before putting the new chip in, I sat
    down with a pad and pencil and wrote down the algorithm setups, and
    all the patch data I cared about.  It's so tedious that I had to do it
    in 4 or 5 sittings..  On the plus side, entering them back in once you
    install the chip is not nearly as annoying or time consuming as writing
    them down.
    
    If you already have a lot of patches/algorithms and the only reason
    you're doing the upgrade is to get the tuner, my advice is: don't
    bother.  Get an outboard tuner.  I did the upgrade because I was
    hitting bugs (hangs when throwing lots of continuous controller info
    at it).  If you only have a few patches now, there is no question that you
    should wait to do any more programming.  (Unless it's just multiple
    versions of the same basic patch, so you can simplify writing down the
    settings...)
    
    Interestingly, I did notice a couple of bugs in the NEW chip as I was
    re-entering my patches/algorithms.  One that I remember is that on 
    some effect, the display of one of the parameters that should have been
    on the screen was missing. I moved the cursor there anyway, and tried
    to change the value... It hung, and I needed to toggle power. So avoid
    doing that. 8^)
    
    Tom

    Tom,
    
    Thanks for your answer, but........it leaves me more confused than
    before. The whole note leads me to believe that the formats are not
    compatible, but I think that in one sentence you say that the formats
    are compatible.
    
    Did I miss something????
    
    Thanks for clarifying.
    
    Jean-Paul
    

    Jean-Paul,
    
      Sorry about that...  To clarify, the formats are NOT compatible. 
    
    Tom

    
     Would any of you 2101 owners like to trade patches/algorithms? I have'nt
    written many new algos but have modified many patches. Are there any Web
    sites or Usenet groups dealing with the 2101? Lastly, I read in Musician
    magazine (the issue with Pat Metheny on the front cover) that Metheny is  
    using a 2101 now.FWIW
    
    CERASO
    
    P.S. I don't think I would waste my time re-programming a lot of
         patches just to get the onboard tuner. IMH it's not a useful
         as a stage tuner. It's harder to use than an analog swing meter.