“The basic quality of sounds (and this is true of all four units here) is very high, with crystal clarity and practically no background noise”.

The new issue of Guitarist magazine features a round up of the latest RP model updates, the RP55, RP155, RP255 and RP 355.  Most importantly both the RP255 and RP355 are awarded the magazine’s prestigious Guitarist Choice awards.

DigiTech® RP Multi-Effect processors offer tone and effects libraries with up to 99 factory and user-programmable presets, as well as 24-bit A/D/A conversion and built-in tuners. Selected models feature AudioDNA®2 DSP, USB connectivity, built-in drum machines, a 20 second looper and include library and editing software for PC and Mac®.

RP55  http://www.soundtech.co.uk/digitech/rp55

“Despite the simplicity of the interface, though, the RP55 offers descent value for money.  The effects are comparable with those on the more expensive RP units, and you can use up to eight at the same time.  There are 11 amp models to choose from and the RP55 gains five cabinet models not present on the RP50”.

“The basic quality of sounds (and this is true of all four units here) is very high, with crystal clarity and practically no background noise…With the built-in drum machine (which has a powerful, punchy sound) the emphasis is on having a quick, convenient practice rig and this works very well”.

RP155  http://www.soundtech.co.uk/digitech/rp155

“In case you’re not familiar with recent Digitech products, the Tone and Effects Libraries each contain 30 preset signal chains.  The two libraries work independently of each other, so you have instant access to a huge range of sounds, without having to resort to fiddly adjustment of individual effects parameters”.

“The big difference (from the RP150) though is the addition of the 20-second looper, which is quite a luxury on such a low-priced effects unit.  The RP155 is also the lowest-priced RP unit to feature Lexicon reverb algorithms”.

“Using a single footswitch for record, play, and overdub tasks, the looper function doesn’t initially seem to promising but we found it very easy to use.  The sampling quality is excellent and the automatic input sensor means that you only need to hit the footswitch in time at the end of the loop, not at the beginning”.

RP255  http://www.soundtech.co.uk/digitech/rp255

“Need a built in expression pedal?  The RP90 also has one but lacks the matrix layout, so if you can stretch to the price of the RP255, you’ll have a much more impressive unit …”.

“The most obvious improvement over the existing model (the RP250) and again packs an awful lot into a small space”.

RP355  http://www.soundtech.co.uk/digitech/rp355

“…the third footswitch here adds a nice bit of extra flexibility, toggling between a preset’s two amp channels…Briefly pressing footswitches two and three takes you into Stomp Mode, where the three footswitches operate just like standard stompboxes – Distortion, Chorus/FX and Delay…”

“By pressing these two footswitches for a little bit longer, you access Learn-A-Lick mode, switch enables you to record up to 10 seconds of music (via the Aux) input and slow it down to as little as quarter speed”.

“Sound-wise, there isn’t a lot to separate this from the RP500…The 70 factory presets give a great demonstration of the capabilities of the Audio DNA2 processor, not to mention the quality of the latest Digitech amp and effect models”.

The RP55, RP155, RP255 and RP355 are available now at £51, £103, £155 & £207 RRP respectively.  To read the full review, pick up the Summer Issue (Issue 319) of Guitarist Magazine on sale now.