DigiTech Element XP

The DigiTech Element XP is a guitar multi-effects processor with a built-in expression pedal, announced by DigiTech in 2013 and available from October of that year¹. It is a compact floor unit in the multi-effects tradition: one box that models pedals, amps and speaker cabinets, and lets you switch between complete preset patches with your foot. DigiTech positions it as a starter-friendly processor, with 100 factory presets to build from and room to save up to 100 more of your own².

The Element XP is no longer in production. DigiTech lists it as a past product, though it may still be found through local and online retailers².

What the Element XP does

The Element XP packs its effects into a single signal chain built from modeled building blocks: DigiTech lists 37 different pedals, 12 amps and 9 speaker cabinets, plus a guitar tuner and a dedicated headphone jack². MusicRadar's review counts the total as 58 effects, 200 presets and 45 drum patterns⁵. Guitar World's launch coverage gave a lower figure of 38 effects for the XP against 34 for the Element, so the press sources disagree on the exact count⁴.

The modeled stompboxes draw on well-known circuits. Launch coverage named overdrive and distortion models inspired by the Ibanez TS-9 Tube Screamer, DOD 250 Preamp/Overdrive, Boss DS-1 Distortion, DigiTech Grunge, DigiTech Death Metal and Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi, and amp models including a '57 Fender Tweed Deluxe, '65 Fender Twin Reverb, '68 Marshall Super Lead "Plexi" with Celestion "Greenback" 4 x 12 cab, '83 Marshall JCM800, '63 Vox AC30 Top Boost and '01 Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier¹.

Editing is deliberately simple. MusicRadar's reviewer, Michael Astley-Brown, found that each amp or overdrive pedal has nine versions with increasing levels of gain, while effects come in multiple incarnations accounting for different speeds rather than individual parameters⁵. The Tone Banks and FX Bank each hold 20 different tone and effects combinations for quick access².

The enclosure is made of hardened plastic, with a metal bottom plate and metal footswitches, which the reviewer described as gig-ready durability⁵.

The controls and built-in expression pedal

The Element XP's defining feature against its sibling is the built-in expression pedal. DigiTech says you can use it to control the Wah or Whammy effect, or assign it to the effect you want to control for real-time changes with your foot². Both Element pedals use a pedalboard-style control layout that DigiTech described as simple to use, letting players quickly adjust and save settings to fit their styles⁴.

One limitation noted in review: the three-character screen can only display three characters at a time⁵.

Power and connections

The unit runs on a 9 VDC external adapter and draws 1.6 Watts, under 175 mA at 9 VDC². The included adapter varies by region: PS0913DC-01 for the US, Japan and Europe, PS0913DC-02 for Australia and the UK, and PS0913DC-04 for all those regions². There is no battery option; DigiTech's launch announcement stated that both Element pedals include a power supply so no batteries are needed³.

Connections are minimal and practical:

• Guitar input: 1/4" unbalanced TS, 500k Ohms input impedance²
• Left/right outputs: 1/4" stereo TRS, 500 Ohms per side, maximum output +7.0 dBu²
• Headphones: 1/8" stereo TRS, 17.4mW per channel at 50 Ohms²

The stereo output jack can be connected to either an amplifier or a mixer for direct recording, and pressing the Amp/Mixer mode engages the internal speaker cabinets for direct recording². MusicRadar's review noted DigiTech's decision to avoid assigning cabinet simulation to patches by default: the Element XP is designed to be run old-school into an amp, with the cabinet simulation available when you want it⁵.

Element XP versus the Element

The DigiTech Element is the same processor without the expression pedal, and with fewer effects: Guitar World counted 34 effects on the Element against 38 on the XP at launch⁴. MusicRadar's review put the difference in price at £20 less for the expression-less Element, but concluded the XP's extra wah and Whammy effects are worth the extra outlay⁵. DigiTech's suggested retail prices at launch were reported as $119.95 and $159.95 for the two pedals, though the press sources disagree on which figure belongs to which model⁴¹.

What reviewers said

MusicRadar's Michael Astley-Brown reviewed the Element XP and found strong points in its sounds and value⁵:

MusicRadar review⁵

He also found all 100 of the pre-programmed tones sound great and inspire you to play, while flagging the three-character display as a constraint⁵. At launch, DigiTech marketing manager Scott Klimt described the pedals as "an incredible value for players looking for an effects processor that will allow them to be as creative as they can be and provide a ton of sonic flexibility"⁴.

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