The Digitech RP100a is an awesome little effects unit for the price.

When I was working as a recording studio intern, I learned one valuable lesson...that Digitech made kick *ss guitar processors. He had a big rack-mounted purple unit that had everything. I don't remember the model or what it was called, matter of fact it's probably been discontinued. But I do remember it bringing the rock.

When I thought about electric guitar and my studio at home, I needed an effects unit that was versatile. I needed a guitar processor that could do mellow, distortion, delay, reverb, chorus and any other cool effects that I fancied. I also needed an effects unit that was cheap.

I found all of these things, and more, in the Digitech RP100 Modeling Guitar Processor. Right out of the box, I liked this processor. It was built like a tank. I was smiling as soon as I plugged it in. I love new toys...especially ones that make my guitar sound better.

The Digitech RP100 features:

• Amp Modeling
• Cabinet and Mic Modeling
• Pickup Modeling
• Eleven Effects at Once
• Rhythm Trainer
• Chromatic Tuner
• 40 User, 40 Factory Presets
• And more...

Plus, the RP100 is has every effect you'd ever need: Wah, Compression, EQ, Noise Gate, Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Tremelo, Vibrato, Pitch Shifter, Whammy, Delay, Reverb and quite a few others.

Each effect includes up to 3 adjustable parameters providing the flexibility to dial in the exact sound to suit your personal taste. The drums are a nice feature as well. It plays 30 different sampled drum beats allowing you to select different patterns, change tempo, and adjust the volume level.

The best thing about the Digitech RP100 is the Patch Library. You thought it was fun out of the box, wait until you try modifying the presets.

The Patch Library contains different settings that people have put online. If you want to sound like Metallica, there's a setting. If you want to sound like David Gilmour, there's a setting. If you love the solo in Stranglehold, there's a setting for that. It was really amazing to see how many versatile sounds were on the site. You have to do some picking and choosing, but some of these were great, I've saved quite a few as presets. My favorite was the Eddie Van Halen Eruption setting. I couldn't stop soloing!

You'll definately want to get a power supply for this unit. I just went to Radio Shack and picked one up there. Otherwise, it will run on batteries too (if you can afford it).

I also picked up an Ernie Ball VP Jr. Passive Volume Pedal. This works beautifully with the RP100. It will control volume, wah, pitch, and quite a few other effects. Really added a great deal of expression to my guitar playing.

For a list price of around $99, you can't not buy the Digitech RP100a Processor. I never use an amp to record anymore. Home studio freaks and guitarists will love the Digitech RP100.

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