Recording King Guitars: DigiTech RPx400 Multi Effect Pedal Review

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(More customer reviews)I've had my RPx400 since it came out in late spring of 2003, and I feel I've run the full gamut of emotions with the thing. First off, I switched to the RPx400 from an RP200 -- that said, most of the effects are identical. The RPx400 is virtually the same as an RP300 processor... Until you plug it in to your PC.
As far as amp models and effects go, it's a Jack of all trades, but not really a true master of any. Not that it's a bad thing -- just, if you're looking for that Mesa Dual Rectifier tone, you're not going to get it here. The RP series have always sucked at uber-heavy distortion sounds, but you can do a convincing Metallica/Megadeth setup using either the Stack or HiGain models. I've found that 90% of my custom patches use Stack, since you can dial in such a wide array of tones just by changing the gain. The delay is nice... Pretty standard fare for the RP series. Can't complain. Reverb, same story. And then there are the mod effects. WOW. I just wish I could have more than one at a time -- the only ones that sound kind of cheesy are the Whammy and Pitch effects. They're choppy as all hell, but if you keep the effect volume turned down, you can use them for some interesting over/undertones. Just don't expect your guitar to sound like a bass when you use the Whammy->OctDN setting. But AutoYa and YaYa alone are worth getting one of these pedals for. Unique, to say the least -- try Ya-Yaing harmonics. It's sweet.
The wah sounds are OK. I've heard a lot of ill comments toward the "Cry" setting, and I admit, it's nowhere near vintage Dunlop. The "Botique" wah is quite cool, however. Then there's the full-range wah, which is great for a filter, if you are so inclined.
I also overuse the hell out of the A/B switching for the "virtual" amp channels, along with the expression pedal as a delay setting. The processor's VSwitch technology lets you switch from using the expression pedal as a level for, say, a mod effect, straight into wah-wah mode. Great if you don't want wah on all the time, or want to switch from a solo back to a rhythm lick... You get the idea.
So far so good, right? Well, now comes the bad part. DigiTech has been stringing customers along for ages concerning the development of 24-bit, low-latency ASIO drivers for the USB recording functions on the RPx400. It is currently considered a "dead" product, and is therefore at the bottom of the list for features and upgrades. That said, I've had OK experiences with recording to my PC. I hate having ANY delay at all, given that I run a fairly high-end system, so I'm one of those who actually care about ASIO drivers. You may or may not. It still records, but you may be stuck compensating for recording latency. The packaged software, Cakewalk Pro Tracks, is quite decent -- a wonderful step up from Acoustica. It's the best I've dealt with yet, but I admit I'm still an amateur. Fresh out of the box, I was up and recording within 25 minutes or so, though.
Also, the software bundle includes DigiTech Librarian, which lets you back up or even share your patch settings via the Web. If you've ever tried to program patches into an RP50 or RP200 for hours on end, this is a breakthrough. Point, click, done.
One last thing: the footswitches have a tendency to get "sticky" after a while. That is, the microswitches start losing contact. I had to, uh, "modify" mine a few months ago with pieces of thumbtacks to get a little more "oomph" on the switches, which look like the same PCB microswitches you find in DOD and Boss pedals.
Overall, it's a great product. I'd go on a murderous rampage if something were to happen to mine. Of course, the price has also dropped over $100 since I bought it. From hard rock to thrash metal to blues, it's awesome. But if you're looking for high-end recording capabilities, this may not be the processor for you. It's a great entry-level piece of equipment, complete with XLR outputs and so forth... But the vaporware ASIO drivers are a bit of a pain. If you're not looking to do digital recording, you may want to look for an RP300 instead. That said, I'm fairly happy with mine. I have a library of something like 25 custom patches that I flip between, and trying to maintain them on an RP300 would be something out of Dante's third circle of hell. It all depends on what you're looking for. Good luck, and happy shredding.

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The RPx400 is the first modeling floor processor with true two-way computer connectivity and extra I/O to handle vocals, other instruments and monitoring. With everything you need to record (including a quality floor processor), this is truly digital recording designed by guitarists for guitarists. While onstage, you can have the best of both worlds by using the separate 1/4? and XLR outputs to send sound to your amplifier or the PA, using DigiTech?s award-winning cabinet modeling. When you are ready to record, all of your tone is ready to stream directly into the PC. But it doesn't stop there... you can also record vocals using the built-in mic-pre amp, or use the stereo line level inputs to record any instrument ? just plug and play. 40 new artist presets12 popular amp models6 cabinet models4 mic placement choicesSingle coil modelingHumbucking pickup modelingTotal of 26 fully programmable effects3-band EQ40 User and 40 Factory PresetsBuilt-in 30 pattern drum machineAmp channel switchingChromatic TunerLearn-A-Lick? Phrase Trainer3 wide-spaced foot switchesExpression Pedal24-bit A/D convertersXLR Mic Preamp InputJam-A-Long? InputRugged Metal ChassisPower Supply