Digitech GSP 1101 Samples

[Chris Cavera]

I ordered the new Digitech GSP1101 and it came a couple of weeks ago.

I ordered from “musician’s friend” and it arrived in about 5 days. I unboxed the thing and plugged it in. The power cable is a nice 3-pronger like you would use to power a computer or amp…not one of those silly wall-wart things. Out of the box it comes with a manual which I have yet to read, the software, and power cable. You are expected to provide a standard USB cable.

The front panel includes gain, bass, mid, treble, and level knobs that you can use the tweak the modeled amps. I like having those controls right there. There’s also a giant edit knob/button that allows you to effortlessly navigate the menus on the bright blue LCD. There’s a bypass button and a button that switches to the tuner. The rear of the device is loaded with every conceivable in and out that you would ever need. So far I’ve only been plugging direct into some cheap computer speakers. I’m not going to talk about every knob, jack, and button on this thing. The bottom line is, it’s easy to use and has lots of connectivity options.

There are 99 factory presets and also 99 user presets. The user presets are the same as the factory but you can alter and replace them. I went through all 99 of the presets and they all sucked. I found the amp models to be lacking. Where’s my Mesa Mark IV and my 5150? Other reviewers talk about these models but there not on my unit. After a little surfing it looks like I need to update the firmware to a “beta” version. I download the Beta C46 version and connect to the computer via USB. The program does its thing and updates my 1101 to C46. Now we’re talking! Here are some pics of the amps, distortion/overdrives and cabs to choose from.

Amps



Distortions



Cabs


I start by loading up the Mesa Mark IV with no effects or anything. Here’s what it sounds like through the Recto 4x12 cab model:

www.cavera.com/basic_markIV.mp3

Here is it w/ reverb:

www.cavera.com/markIV_verb.mp3

Next I decided to try the Legacy model. Here’s the Legacy VL-100 through 4x12 Vintage 30’s with some lexicon reverb and a little delay:

www.cavera.com/legacy_solo.mp3

So far so good. Time to try a clean tone. Here’s a ’65 Blackface Twin with compression, twin reverb, pingpong delay, and a Univibe going through the twin 2x12:

www.cavera.com/stress_pills.mp3

How about an in between sound? Here’s the ’69 Supergroup through trigger flange, pingpong delay, lexicon reverb, and a Fane 4x12:

www.cavera.com/alex_lifeson.mp3

This is my attempt to come up with t3h bRoOtAl modern distortion. It’s the Digitech Metal amp with a Tube Screamer and parametric EQ through the Digitech Metal 4x12 cab:

http://www.cavera.co...al_rhythm03.mp3

So far I’m really happy with the tones I’ve been able to create with this thing. The price is very nice at $500 especially when you consider how versatile it is.

Here's some more samples. The other Mesa's seem pretty terrible to me:

Basic Dual Rec
www.cavera.com/basic_dual.mp3

Dual Rec with 808, Verb, Delay
http://www.cavera.co..._delay_verb.mp3

Basic Trip Rec
www.cavera.com/basic_trip.mp3

Trip Rec with 808, Verb, Delay
http://www.cavera.co..._delay_verb.mp3

Basic AC30
www.cavera.com/basic_ac30.mp3

-Chris

[hambungler]

With the Dual and Triple Rec models I find adding some high-mids and taking out some low end really tightens it up, and putting the 808's drive at around 9 o'clock, tone about noon-1 and level around 3 helps it out too. Getting the recto to not sound really loose can be a challenge, but its possible and the end result is a pretty crushing tone. This is mostly from experience with my GNX3 and Line 6 Toneport, and tweaking them required pretty much the same principles to get them to sound good. Does the 1101 also let you combine amps like they did with the GNX series? That was probably one of my favorite features, I'd always combine a DR and Marshall model I made (basically emulating a Stilleto) with another DR to get a nice metal rhythm/lead tone.

[Chris Cavera]

Nope. You can't combine. At least I don't think you can. That would be a nice feature. Yeah the recto's really sound like poo at the moment. I'll try your suggestions.

-chris

[leon]

Nice review! You should post it over at metalguitarist.org as well