DigiTech RP21D manual

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I These symbols are internationally accepted symbols that warn of potential hazards with electrical pr oducts. The lightning flash means that there ar e dangerous v oltages present within the unit. The exclamation point indicates that it is necessary for the user to refer to the owners manual. These symbols warn that there ar e no user serviceable [...]

II DECLARA TION OF CONFORMITY Manufacturer’ s Name: Digitech Electronics Manufacturer’ s Address: 8760 S. Sandy Parkway Sandy , Utah 84070, USA declares that the product: Product Name: RP21, RP21D Product Options: All (requires a Class II power adapter that conforms to the requirements of EN60065, EN60742, or equivalent.) conforms to the follow[...]

We at Digitech are very proud of our products and back-up each one we sell with the following warranty: 1. The warranty registration card must be mailed within ten days after purchase date to validate this warranty . 2. Digitech warrants this product, when used solely within the U.S., to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under norma[...]

Table of Contents Safety Information ....................................................................................................I Declaration of Conformity ......................................................................................II Warranty .......................................................................................[...]

RP21D User’ s Guide Section One - Introduction Section-1 Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of the Digitech RP21D! The DigiT ech RP21D is one of the most powerful preamp processors in the world. The exclusive dual preamp paths, and palette of great digital effects, combined with the flexible routing and a digital output make the RP21D [...]

RP21D User’ s Guide Section One - Introduction Quick Start The RP21D comes with 128 pre-programmed factory presets, and 128 user presets. Y ou will find that from the factory , the user pr esets are exact duplicates of the factory presets. This allows you to experiment without running the risk of losing any of the original sounds contained in the[...]

RP21D User’ s Guide Section One - Introduction A Guided Tour of the RP21D The Front Panel 1. Footswitches - The footswitches are used to call up Programs, change banks, access the tuner , bypass all effects, turn individual effects on and off, or change the value of a specific parameter . 2 Display - The display provides all information regarding[...]

6c. Utility Button - This button will provide access to the utility functions in the RP21D. This button will light when you are in the Utility menu.Once in the Utility menu, you may use the Previous Page and Next Page buttons to select any of the 15 pages of Utilities. The Utility menu includes Output mode, MIDI functions, System Exclusive dumps, B[...]

6. Left/Mono Output - This output should be used for all stereo and mono applications. Connect from this jack to the input of your amplifier , or the left input of a stereo power amp. If the RP21D is to be used in a mono application, set the Output Mode to mono in the utility menu. 7. Headphone Output - This jack delivers a speaker compensated, ste[...]

Stereo For stereo operation connect the guitar to the input of the RP21D. Connect from the RP21D’ s Left/Mono output to the input of one amplifier or channel of a power amp. Connect from the Right output of the RP21D to a second amplifier , or to a second channel of a power amp. NOTE: The RP21D is a preamp. Running The RP21D signal into the input[...]

Powering the RP21D Once the audio connections have been made, connect the 4 pin connector of the power adapter to the power jack on the back of the RP21D and the other end to an AC outlet. Begin to play your guitar while adjusting the Input Level on the back panel of the RP21D. The Input Level should be adjusted so the clip LED lights occasionally [...]

The Programs Programs are named and numbered locations of sounds that have been programmed into the RP21D. Programs can be recalled with the footswitches or the Data Wheel. The RP21D comes with 128 factory and 128 user Programs available. The factory Programs will not allow you to store any changes to them. The user Programs are locations where you[...]

Preamp/Analog Modules Access to all of the preamp modules is accomplished by pressing the Preamp button. Once pressed, an effect module in the preamp section of the display will begin to flash indicating which module you have accessed. Successive presses of the Preamp button will advance to the next module in the preamp section. Each module will ha[...]

Section T wo - Editing Functions Selecting a Program When creating or editing a sound, you must first start by choosing a Program. The Program number does not necessarily need to be the location which you intend to have the sound reside, as you can save your creation to any user Program number during the store process. Y ou do have to start with on[...]

Compressor Compression is a tool that sets boundaries for the strength of your guitars signal. A bi-product of containing a signal within these boundaries is long lasting sustain, as well as a tight, smooth texture. Selecting the Compressor is done by pressing the Preamp button until the Compressor module is flashing in the display . The display wi[...]

3. This is the Compressors Attack T ime parameter . The Attack T ime parameter adjusts the length of time that it takes the compressor to reach the full Ratio once the Threshold has been exceeded. The number 3 icon is telling you that in order to access the Attack T ime parameter , you must press the number 3 button. Then you can adjust the Attack [...]

W ah W ah The RP21D includes an analog Wah effect which can be assigned to the expression pedal and controlled just like a stand alone W ah pedal. Y ou access the Wah by pressing the Preamp button until the Wah module in the display is flashing. With the W ah module flashing, the display will look something like this: The display is now telling you[...]

Once you have accessed page 2 of the T ube Distortion, the display will look something like this: The display it now telling you three more things about the T ube Distortion parameters. 1. This parameter is the T ube Distortion T ype. There are four types of T ube Distortion to choose from including Warm Clean, Bright Clean, Dirty T ube, and Satura[...]

Solid State Distortion In addition to the T ube Distortion, the RP21D also includes a solid state Distortion. Both the tube and solid state Distortions may be run simultaneously or separately . Each Distortion has a separate 10 band Equalizer . T o access the solid state Distortion module, press the Preamp button until the Dist module is flashing. [...]

10 Band Graphic Equalizer The RP21D includes two 10 band Graphic Equalizers in the preamp section, one for each of the distortion paths. T o access either one of the Graphic Equalizer modules, press the Preamp button until the desired EQ module is flashing. The display will look something like this: The display is now telling you three things about[...]

As in all other editing functions, the display is telling you that each parameter shown is accessable by using the 1-4 buttons which will select the frequency corresponding to the 1-4 icons in the display . Once the frequency has been selected, rotating the Data Wheel will boost or cut the gain applied to that frequency . The 10 Band Graphic EQ on [...]

The Display is now telling you three things about the Noise Gate 1. This is showing that the type of effect you are about to edit is the Noise Gate, and that the effect is on. The number 1 icon before the word “on” indicates that in order to access the on/off parameter , you must press the number 1 button. The status can then be changed by rota[...]

1. This parameter is the Gate Threshold which adjusts the signal strength required to open or close the gate. The number 1 icon is telling you that in order to access the GAte Threshold, you must press the number 1 button. Y ou can then adjust the Gate Threshold by rotating the Data Wheel. 2. This is the Attenuation parameter . Attenuation is the a[...]

2. This parameter is the Distortion Pan. The pan is the left/right positioning of the Distortion. The number 2 icon is telling you that in order to access the Distortion Pan, you must press the number 2 button. Y ou can then adjust the Pan of the Distortion by rotating the Data Wheel. 3. This is the Mix parameter . It controls the overall strength [...]

1. This parameter is telling you that you are editing the parameters of the Distortion when it is bypassed. Y ou can also edit the on parameters of the Distortion. The number 1 icon is telling you that in order to access the status of editable Distortion parameters, you must press the number 1 button. Y ou can then select the on Distortion paramete[...]

1. This is the current name of the default. There will be a cursor under one of the characters of the name. This indicates which character has been selected. Rotating the Data Wheel will change the character . The next and previous page buttons will move the cursor right or left. 2. The number 1 icon is indicating that pressing the number 1 button [...]

   23 RP21D User’ s Guide Section T wo - Editing Functions[...]

Digital Effects There are literally dozens of digital effects available for you to choose from. The Digital Effects can be placed in any order that you choose, and you may even run redundant effects. Up to four Digital Effects can be used simultaneously in the RP21D. The Digital Effects are accessed by using the Effects button. The first press of t[...]

The display is now telling you four things about the digital effect. 1. The effect module is on. The number 1 icon is indicating that you need to press the number 1 button in order to change the status of the effect. 2. The current effect is a Thru module (just passes dry signal) and it is using one fourth of the processing power available. The num[...]

Once the second page of parameters has been accessed, the display will look something like this: The display is now telling you four more things about the Chorus parameters. 1. This is the input level of the Chorus effect. The number one icon is indicating that you must press the number one button to access the effect level parameter . Y ou can the[...]

The display is now telling you three more things about the Chorus parameters. 1. The Dual Chorus has two delay circuits. This is the delay time of the first delay in the Chorus effect. The number one icon is indicating that you must press the number one button to access the Delay A parameter . Y ou can then rotate the Data Wheel to change the Delay[...]

Effect T ypes Pressing the Effects button will advance you to the next module in the Digital Effect chain. The procedure for editing each module will be the same as the procedure previously described with the chorus. The only exception being that different effects will have different parameters, and some may have a different number of pages. The fo[...]

to create an incredible ensemble of sound. Aside from the more obvious speed and depth parameters (which adjust respectively how fast and far the sound goes out of tune), the RP21D allows you to use different waveforms. The waveform defines how it will move in and out of tune. The triangle waveform is very popular for slow , shallow chorus settings[...]

Pan A - B Controls the placement of chorus voice A or B. Ranges from -99 to 99. Out C - D Adjusts the overall level of chorus voice C or D. Ranges from Off to 100%. Pan C - D Controls the placement of chorus voice C or D in the stereo image. Ranges from -99 to 99. Out LA - LB Adjusts the left-side level of chorus voice A or B. Ranges from Off to 10[...]

Out A - B Adjusts the overall level of flange voice A or B. Ranges from Off to 100%. Pan A - B Controls the stereo soundfield placement of flange voice A or B. Ranges from -99 to 99. Out L - R Controls the output level of the left or right side of the flanger . Ranges from Off to 100%. Phasers The Phaser or “Phase Shifter” as it is sometimes ca[...]

Depth This parameter controls the amount of modulation depth in the phaser . Range is 0 to 100%. Feedback This parameter controls amount of feedback in the phaser effect. Range is 0 to 100%. Output A-B This parameter sets output of the pedal phaser effect. Range is from 0 to 100%. Pan A-B This parameter sets pan of the pedal Phaser Range is from 0 [...]

T remolo The word tremolo actually has several definitions in the music world. It basically means that a sound is being modulated in amplitude (the volume is beating or pulsing). It could be emulated by turning a volume knob up and down. But you probably have better things to do than turn a volume control up and down throughout a whole song, so let[...]

When do I use delay? When you’re the lone guitarist in a band, the Delay can be your best friend. The Delay repeats can create the illusion that there is more than one guitar being played. One trick to using delays effectively is setting the delays to fall in time with the music. This used to mean grabbing a calculator , dividing 60 by the tempo [...]

Pan Controls the stereo soundfield placement of the delay . Ranges from -99 (all left) to 99 (all right). Out L - R Adjusts the left or right output level of the Delay . Ranges from Off to 100%. Out A - B Adjusts the output level of delay voice A or B. Ranges from Off to 100%. Pan A - B Controls the stereo soundfield placement of delay voice A or B[...]

C/F: Delay Controls the delay time of the Chorus or Flanger voice. Ranges from 0 to 40 milliseconds. Delay T ime Sets the delay time for the delay tap. Ranges from 0 to 300 milliseconds. Feedback Controls the fade time of the delay repeats. Higher settings take longer to fade out, while a setting of zero will limit the delay to one repeat. Ranges f[...]

Loop This parameter will engage, or disengage the loop function. With the loop function engaged, the sampled signal will automatically continue to repeat. Range on and off. Over Dub This parameter allows you to play one passage in to the sampler , and then layer another passage over the top of the first one. In other words, the two samples will com[...]

Reverb Real life reverberation is the result of sound reflecting off surfaces in a room or hall. It can best be described as millions of small echoes that decay over a period of time. The size of the room, the surface type of the walls, or the carpet on the floor all contribute to the way real reverberation behaves and sounds. When do I use Reverb?[...]

Dispersion Controls the distance (time) between the echoes set by DENSITY . If DENSITY is set low and DISPERSION is set high, the initial room echoes. Dispersion can be heard as discrete echoes followed by smoother room reverberations. Set DISPERSION low for a dense cluster of reflections during the early portions of DECA Y . Ranges from 1 to 5. Di[...]

Prim & Secd Size Changes the relative room size of the Primary and Secondary reverb stages. Ranges from 1 to 5. Prim & Secd Reflct Controls the simulation of energy loss of sound each time it is reflected. Hard, smooth materials like glass and wood have more reflectivity that softer , more porous materials. This control can be thought of as[...]

Detuner Parameters FX: Lvl Controls the signal input level fed to the Module. Ranges from Off to 100%. Dry: Lvl Controls the level of the dry (uneffected) signal. Ranges from Off to 100%. Balance Controls the positioning of the dry signal in the stereo soundfield. Ranges from -99 (all left) to 99 (all right). Dtn A - B Controls the detuning amount [...]

Pitch Shifters Parameters Note: not all of the parameters listed below are available in all Pitch Shifter modules. FX: Lvl Controls the signal input level fed to the Module. Ranges from Off to 100%. Dry: Lvl Controls the level of the dry (uneffected) signal. Ranges from Off to 100%. Balance Controls the positioning of the dry signal in the stereo s[...]

Out L - R Adjusts the left or right output level of the pitch-shifted voice. Ranges from Off to 100%. Out LA - LA Adjusts the left-side level of pitch-shifted voice A or B. Ranges from Off to 100%. Out RA - RB Adjusts the right-side level of pitch-shifted voice A or B. Ranges from Off to 100%. Spread Controls the width of the effect’ s stereo ima[...]

Auto W ah Effect Parameters Auto Wah On/Off T urns the Auto Wah module on or off. When the module is turned off, the signal will continue to pass through the module. FX Level This parameter lets you select the overall FX level mix of the Auto Wah Effect module. Ranges from: Off to 100%. Sensitivity This parameter adjusts the sensitivity of the dete[...]

Phase L - R Inverts the phase of the left or right side of the stereo source signal. Can be set either IN or OUT of phase. Freq Controls the amount of boost / cut applied to the selected frequency . The GEQ 8 uses 1-1/3 octave ISO standard frequency centers, (Hz) while the GEQ15 and GEQ31 use 2/3 octave and 1/3 octave frequencies. Boost/cut range f[...]

Master Mix The Master Mix is found at the end of editing your Digital Effects. After you have edited the last Digital Effect module in your configuration, press the Effects button again. The Display will look something like this: The Display is now telling you four things about the Master Mix. 1. This is the Dry Level present at the output of the D[...]

Storing/Copying Programs Any time that you make a change to a Program, the store button will light indicating that in order to retain the changes, you have to store your changes to a Program. If you switch Programs, or turn the power off to the RP21D without storing your changes, the RP21D will revert to the last stored version of that Program eras[...]

Section Three - Advanced T opics Foot Controller Functions The 10 numbered footswitches can perform a variety of different functions of the RP21D. Y ou can use them to select specific Programs, turn effects on and off, and change to a specific value for any of the effect parameters. The Bank Up and Bank Down switches will increment and decrement th[...]

3. This is the minimum value that the parameter will change to. In our example this is the status when the light on the footswitch is out. 4. This is the maximum value that the parameter will change to. In our example this is the status when the light on the footswitch is on. There are parenthesis in between the words Min and Max. These parenthesis[...]

Assigning the W ah As you can see, assigning the Expression Pedal to control a parameter is a very simple process. The most common mistake made when assigning the expression pedal is failing to access the specific parameter before pressing the Assign button. If for instance you want to assign the pedal to control the Wah, Step number 1 listed above[...]

Parallel In a Parallel configuration, the left and right outputs of the T ube and Solid State Distortions are summed together at the output of the morphing section. A monaural signal is then fed into both of the Digital Effects chains. The Digital Effects will provide the stereo imagine. Split/Parallel In a Split Parallel configuration, the left an[...]

4. The Display is telling you that the RP21D is ready to link the FX Level but that the link is turned off. Rotate the Data Wheel to turn the link on. The Display now looks something like this: The Display is now telling you four things about the current assignment. 1. This tells you the assignment is on, and that the Parameter that is assigned is [...]

3. This is the minimum value that the parameter will change to. The number three icon is indicating that you must press the number three button to access the minimum value parameter . Y ou can then rotate the Data Wheel to change the minimum value. 4. This is the maximum value that the parameter will change to. The number four icon is indicating th[...]

Section Four - Utilities The Utility section of the RP21D is where you will find general assignments that affect the Outputs, Cabinet Emulator , MIDI Functions, Pedal Board Settings, Bank Naming, Factory Reset, and Pedal Calibration menus. T o access the utility functions, press the utility button once. Then use the Next or Previous Page buttons to[...]

2. The number two icon indicates that you must press the number two button to access the MIDI Receive Channel. Y ou can then rotate the Data Wheel to change the MIDI Receive Channel 3. The number four icon indicates that you must press the number four button to access the MIDI T ransmit Channel. Y ou can then rotate the Data Wheel to change the MID[...]

3. The number three icon is indicating that you must press the number three button in order to access the outgoing MIDI Program number . Y ou can then rotate the Data Wheel to select MIDI Program 1 through 128 that you want to send from the RP21D when you select the Program shown next to the number four icon. 4. The number four icon is indicating t[...]

T o Perform either a Bulk Dump or a System Dump, do the following: 1. Press the Utility button once. Use the Next or Previous Page buttons until you reach page 7. The Display reads: 2. The number three icon is indicating that you must press the number three button in order to access the Bulk Dump function. Y ou can then rotate the Data Wheel to ini[...]

2. Press the number two button and rotate the Data Wheel to select the Effect Module whose Default you want to dump. 3. Press the number four button and rotate the Data Wheel to select the User Default you want to dump. 4. T o initiate the dump, press the number one button and rotate the Data Wheel. The Display briefly reads “ Sending User Defaul[...]

Bank Names Y ou can assign custom names to every Bank in the RP21D. The Procedure for naming your Banks is as follows: 1. Press the Utility button once. Use the Next or Previous Page buttons until you reach page 12 of the utilities. The Display reads: 2. Press the number two button and rotate the Data Wheel to select the Bank that you wish to renam[...]

3. This is your last chance to change your mind. If you want to abort the Reset procedure, press the number four button. If you are sure that you want to reset all user settings, press the number three button. The display will briefly show “Resetting...” and take you to the Pedal Calibration menu. See the following Utility menu for Pedal Calibr[...]

Section Five - Appendix RP21D Factory Program List 61 RP21D User’ s Guide Section Five - Appendix Showcase 1. Dry Saturated T ube 2. Series Chorus/Detune 3. Warm Sweet Solo 4. Phaser in Space 5. Power Wah Signature 6. Cliff Notes of Dover 7. Run Like Heck 8. Big Band Rockabilly 9. Live Strikes 10. Angus in the House Pseudo Seamless 11. Clean Funk[...]

Specifications Input Section Connector: 1/4” Unbalanced Nominal V alue: -8 dBu Maximum Level: +10 dBu Impedance: 470 ohms Output Section Connector: (2) 1/4” TRS Impedance Balanced Nominal Level: +4 dBu Maximum Level: +18 dBu Impedance: 50 ohms Digital Section A/D Converter: 20 bit 128x Oversampled D/A Converter: 20 bit 128x Oversampled Sampling[...]

63 RP21D User’ s Guide Section Five - Appendix Default Messages Altered Basic Channel Default Channel XX X X X N/A X N/A 0 0-127 True Voice Note Number Mode Velocity Note ON Note OFF Function... Transmitted Recognized Remarks After Touch Key's Ch's Pitch Bender Control Change Preset Change True # System Exclusive System Common :Song Pos[...]

8760 S. Sandy Parkway Sandy , Utah 84070 T elephone 801-566-8800 Fax 801-566-7005 International Distribution: 8760 S. Sandy Parkway Sandy , Utah 84070, USA T elephone 801-568-7638 Fax 801-568-7642 DigiT ech, RP21D, and S-DISC are trademarks of the Harman Music Group Incorporated Copyright 1999 the Harman Music Group Incorporated Printed in USA 3/99[...]