The Michael Sweet Theta Pro DSP is a limited edition signature version of the ISP Technologies Theta Pro DSP, a floor controlled guitar processing system built around a fully programmable THETA preamp and a Vintage Preamp1. It was created with Michael Sweet, guitarist of Stryper, and carries his personal presets and tone. Sweet called it "A Godsend and now you can have my signature version with my personal presets and tone," and said it allowed him to create the perfect Stryper tone all in one box1.
What it is and how it works
The Theta Pro DSP platform is digital. Premier Guitar's announcement of the original unit described it as based on ISP Technologies' new DSP platform using a 32-bit floating point processor3. On top of the preamps, the system adds Intelligent Speaker Simulation and a library of studio quality 32-bit floating point digital effects, with extensive pre and post equalization on both the THETA preamplifier and the vintage preamplifier1. ISP Technologies has also described the Theta Pro DSP as offering studio quality effects processing4.
For a player, the idea is a complete rig in one floor unit: preamp, speaker simulation, effects and programmable recall, controlled from the floor with volume and expression pedals plugged directly into the unit1. It sits in the multi-effects and preamp territory rather than being a single-effect stompbox.
The Michael Sweet signature version
ISP Technologies introduced the signature model in February 2017 as "this new limited addition Michael Sweet Signature Theta Pro DSP guitar pedal"2. The signature treatment covers both sound and appearance:
- Michael Sweet's personal presets and tone are included1
- The chassis are finished in the classic yellow and black Stryper colors2
- Each chassis carries Michael Sweet's signature2
Sweet is featured in the Artist Spotlight on the ISP Technologies site, associated with both the THETA DSP MSX and the Michael Sweet Theta Pro DSP5.
How it compares within the Theta range
The Theta Pro DSP line has appeared in more than one form. ISP Technologies' own pages list the THETA DSP MSX alongside the Michael Sweet Theta Pro DSP as versions in the family6, and the company's wider Theta range includes the Theta X DSP and the Theta MSX DSP. The dual preamplifier approach, offering both distortion and clean channels, is a feature ISP Technologies highlights across the Theta system7. The signature model keeps the feature set of the standard Theta Pro DSP and adds the presets, colors and signature described above2.
The Michael Sweet Theta Pro DSP was announced as a limited edition in February 20172. As a signature run, availability differs from the standard Theta Pro DSP, which remains ISP Technologies' reference for the platform's specifications6.
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Questions
Is the Michael Sweet Theta Pro DSP digital?
Yes. The Theta Pro DSP it is based on is a digital processor, built on ISP Technologies' DSP platform using a 32-bit floating point processor, as Premier Guitar reported when the original was introduced. The unit combines the THETA preamplifier and a vintage preamplifier with a library of studio quality 32-bit floating point digital effects, plus Intelligent Speaker Simulation and extensive pre and post equalization on both preamps.
How many presets does the Theta Pro DSP hold?
The Michael Sweet Theta Pro DSP holds 224 user programmable presets for sound library storage, according to ISP Technologies' product page. That means you can build and recall a large library of your own sounds rather than working from a fixed factory set, and the signature model ships with Michael Sweet's personal presets already part of the package.
How is the Michael Sweet model different from the standard Theta Pro DSP?
ISP Technologies describes it as having all the great features of the Theta Pro DSP, so the core processing is the same. What sets the signature version apart is the content and the look: it carries Michael Sweet's personal presets and tone, the chassis are finished in the classic yellow and black Stryper colors, and each chassis bears Michael Sweet's signature. It was offered as a limited edition when introduced in 2017.
Can the Theta Pro DSP use an expression pedal?
Yes. The unit has inputs for both a Volume pedal and an Expression pedal, so you can control parameters in real time with an expression pedal while also using a volume pedal in front of the processing system. Both connections are made on the unit itself, keeping a floor-based setup self-contained.
How big and heavy is the Theta Pro DSP?
ISP Technologies lists the Michael Sweet Theta Pro DSP at 4 inches high, 17 inches wide and 9 inches deep, with a net weight of 7 pounds. It is a large floor unit rather than a compact pedal, so plan board or case space accordingly.
Is the Michael Sweet Theta Pro DSP a limited edition?
Yes. When ISP Technologies introduced it in February 2017, the company described it as a limited edition Michael Sweet Signature Theta Pro DSP guitar pedal. The signature treatment includes his personal presets and tone, the yellow and black Stryper color scheme, and his signature on each chassis.
Sources (7)
- ISP Technologies, ISP Technologies
- ISP Technologies Introduces the Michael Sweet Theta Pro DSP, ISP Technologies, 2017-02-16
- ISP Technologies Introduces the Theta Pro DSP, Premier Guitar, 2014-12-18
- Allan Holdsworth for the Theta Pro DSP, ISP Technologies, 2017-02-20
- ISP Technologies, ISP Technologies
- ISP Technologies, ISP Technologies
- ISP Technologies, ISP Technologies
Michael Sweet
