The DigiTech RP-200 is a floor multi-effects and amp-modeling processor with a built-in expression pedal and an onboard drum machine. Vintage Guitar's reviewer, writing in June 2002, described it as the same unit as the RP-100 but with an expression pedal, a bigger LCD screen for naming patches, and an included A/C adapter, at a list price of $200 and a typical street price around $150 at the time1.
How it differs from the RP-100
The RP-100, its stablemate, needed an A/C adapter that cost $20 or more and gave no way to control volume or other parameters with the foot. The RP-200 adds the expression pedal, the larger LCD for naming patches, and the adapter in the box1.
Amp and cabinet models
The RP-200 carries a dozen amp simulators1:
- '65 blackface (Fender)
- Matchless DC-30
- Boogie Mark II-C
- Dual Rectifier
- '57 Fender Deluxe (tweed)
- Vox AC-30 TB
- Marshall JCM 900
- Johnson JM150 High Gain
- Fuzz box
- Acoustic guitar simulator
- Two small tube combos, clean and dirty
Thirteen cabinet models are included, mimicking 4x12 and 2x12 speaker configurations, as well as a "cabinet off" setting1.
Effects and signal chain
Vintage Guitar called the effects list staggering1:
- Pickup simulator
- Wah expression pedal
- Compressor
- EQ
- Noise gate
- Chorus, flange, phaser, tremolo, panner, vibrato, rotary speaker
- Ya Ya, Auto Ya, synth talk, envelope filter
- Detune, pitch shift, Whammy
- Delay and reverb
The signal runs in a fixed order: compression, amp modeler, EQ, cabinet/mic/gate, effects, delay, reverb and expression1.
Controls and using it
Three parameter knobs sit on top of the unit for tweaking parameters directly. Pressing the "Select" button brings up the first menu, where you can make a single-coil pickup sound like a humbucker or vice versa, and choose a wah and a wah tone flavor: Cry(baby?), Boutique, or Full Range1.
The expression pedal uses photocell technology to eliminate scratchy pots, and the whole unit is housed in heavy-duty steel1. Depressing both footpedals tunes silently, so you can tune on a gig without the audience hearing1. The input jacks are located on the side of the unit rather than the back, which the reviewer felt was a misstep since you are more likely to trip over a cable there1. For recording or monitoring, you can run a stereo cable out of the RP into the board; the reviewer used this to hear himself through his group's monitor system1.
The onboard drum machine is joined by a jam-along feature that lets you plug in a portable CD player1.
What reviewers said
Vintage Guitar's "Gigmeister" columnist, working with sound man Noble Hatch, was positive:
"The RP-200 sounds great, plain and simple! Clean and dirty tones are very authentic and I can pre-set levels of distortion1."
The reviewer reported using the RP with tremendous results with a Yamaha SA-1100 as well as a Mexican Strat1.
The RP-200 dates from around 2002 and has since been superseded in DigiTech's RP line by later floor processors such as the DigiTech RP360 and RP360 XP, announced in 2014. See the multi-effects pedals page for the wider category.
Videos
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Jared Collins
Gearfacts
Questions
What is the difference between the Digitech RP-100 and RP-200?
Vintage Guitar's reviewer described the RP-200 as the same unit as the RP-100, with the addition of an expression pedal, a bigger LCD screen for naming patches, and an included A/C adapter. The RP-100 had needed an A/C adapter that cost $20 or more and gave no way to control volume or other parameters with the foot, which the RP-200's built-in pedal addressed.
How many presets does the RP-200 have?
The RP-200 has 40 user presets, which you can save edited tones into, plus another 40 factory presets, for a total of 80 sounds.
Does the RP-200 have a built-in tuner?
Yes. Vintage Guitar's reviewer noted that the RP-200 tunes silently when you depress both footpedals, so you can tune on stage without the audience hearing it.
Does the RP-200 come with a power adapter?
Yes, the RP-200 comes with a wallwart A/C adapter included. That was one of the reviewer's stated reasons for preferring it to the RP-100, which required buying an adapter separately.
Which amps does the RP-200 model?
The RP-200 has a dozen amp simulators, including a '65 blackface Fender, Matchless DC-30, Boogie Mark II-C, Dual Rectifier, '57 Fender Deluxe tweed, Vox AC-30 TB, Marshall JCM 900, Johnson JM150 High Gain, a fuzz box, an acoustic guitar simulator, and two small tube combos, one clean and one dirty.
Does the RP-200 have a drum machine?
Yes, the RP-200 has an onboard drum machine, as well as a jam-along feature that lets you plug in a portable CD player.
Sources (1)
- Digitech RP-200, Vintage Guitar magazine, 2003-05-28
