Digitech GSP1101 or RP1000 for FSFR System Live?

[daddyo]

Hi All
New guy here.
I want to go whole hog and go digital modeller with FRFR powered monitor like a Mackie LH12. But I don’t want to spend the money for an AxeFX and I’m not sold on the Eleven Rack. So it’s either an HD500, RP1000, or GSP 1101. I know a lot of guys get good results using the Digitech FXs into their tube amp FX loops using the 4CM method, but I want to go completely SS with a feed going to the PA and a feed to my FRFR speaker for monitoring. Can the Digitech do this. Are the models acceptable for live use? We’re talking moderate volumes. I don’t like hi gain so we are talking classic amps and FXs: Fender BF, Marshall plexi, EVH Fair Warning, some reverb, delay, vibe, etc.

 

[Gainzilla]

First off, welcome aboard, secondly, I have no experience with either unit but Ive heard good things about the Digi GSP

Good luck

Kage

 

[fek]

I have the RP1000 and use it with the 4CM and not direct so I can't comment on that. The 1101 has the same brain but I believe it has more output options which might make it better for what you are looking to do but don't quote me on that.

The RP is a much simpler unit to operate with everything sitting right at your feet so no need for an additional foot controller or dealing with midi stuff which I like because I am a midiot.

 

[Mark Day]

Get a used GSP 2101 Artist or LE with Dual S-disc. It will kill the 1101.


Mark

 

[Neeklaus]

I got a GSP1101 recently....but I really don't feel like the sims are good enough for live use...adding some custom IRs (Redwirez in my case) really helped a LOT but it wasn't quite there yet.

that said for direct recording I think it's great.

 

[daveg62]

I've had the gsp1101 for a few weeks now, mostly use it 4-cable with my Mark III Mesa. At first I was just using clean patches and only the mesa for gain channels, but recently have found some great gain sounds in the gsp. The Marshall800 and Legacy sims are working out well for me. Yeah , you need the Redwirez, but I'm happy with the free ones and have found one I like a lot with all my patches. Keep in mind I'm coming from using an axe-fx for over a year which I could not seem to bond with - great, great unit just not for me for reasons I'd rather not get into. I like the gsp1101 a lot, would highly recommend you get the Control2 to go with it. Awesome foot controller and works without any programming!

 

[Neeklaus]

yeah I would like to add that the FX are great. so if you are using it 4 cable method and not really using the amp sims all that much - the clean ones are pretty good I will admit - it's a great buy.

 

[XSSIVE]

The weak point of the GSP1101 and RP1000 is the cab modeling. Shut that off globally, run it through a SS power amp and into a 4x12 with your favorite speakers and let them do the talking and it sounds awesome. I had one and ran it like that and it's one of the few pieces of gear I miss. I was always using the 5150 sim so I sold it and bought a real 5150...man do I regret that, turns out I like the GSP sim of the 5150 better than the real thing.

The GSP will let delays trail from patch to patch, the RP will not. However the RP has the nifty stomp box loop where you can add your own pedal(s) into the signal chain which the GSP doesn't have. Things to think about.

I also used it for a bit in 4cm and it worked great there too. Again the key is to kill the cab sims and just use the amp and FX sims and let the real speakers be the voice. That way it will sound and feel as real as possible.

 

[daddyo]

Thanks, all.

 

[mboogman]

I'm using one right now in lieu of an amp and cab. I'm not toally sold on it yet, but no one else in the band is complaining at the lack of stage volume.

 

[daddyo]

Thanks for all the help. And thanks to all the guys who bravely went where no Daddyo has gone before. But I'm sticking to tube amps for another 6 months. Several manufacturers are coming to the end of 4 year cycles on their products so ne gear must be on the horizon. I wait. But here's what I found.

My head has been spinning since I decided to go down the modeling rabbit hole. The technology and the claims made are confusing. The tone's I'd use would be BF Fender, clean and with a bit of singing OD; Marshall crunch, a bit of Santana occasionally. Here's what I looked at:

Fractal Axe FX (Std, Ultra, II. Rack unit. Anywhere from $1200 for a used std to $2k for Ultra to $2600 for II plus the recommended MIDI foot controller is $800. Add the FRFR speaker ($300-600 each)or tube amp.cab. That is $3400 to $4k minimum buy in. Many guys sink $5-6K into it. That is serious frickin cash to sound like a collection of $1000-$2000 amps. But really no argument which is best. The AxeFX is the king of modelers.

Digidesign/Avid Eleven Rack. Rack unit. $900. Apparently, next to the AxeFX, the best models. But the FXs are limited and you have to buy a footcontroller and expression pedal along with a $99 firmware upgrade as well as a FRFR speaker, etc. So that beast will set you back $1600 minimum.

Digitech GSP 1101 and C2 foot controller. A rack unit with a really good controller but new is $800, used around $500. Some things are beter than the HD500, some aren't. Many think it's better than the Eleven Rack. But as this is 4 years old, I think Digi will come out with a new version soon.

Digitech RP1000. $500 + $300 FRFR. Floor unit. Little brother of the GSP1101. More amp models and FX. Less flexibilty tonewise. Some guys like it better than HD500, most don't.

Line 6 HD500. $500 + $300 FRFR. Floor unit.These have a real following although some complain about the reality of the amp models.

Boss GT-10. $500 + $300 FRFR. Floor unit. Most guys feel that some of the FX are better than the HD but the COSM amp models are universally panned. I had a Roland Cube with the BOSS COSM models and only the Blackface, Tweed, and JC models sound decent.

I have to self finance this (sell existing gear - no dipping into household $$$), so I'd have to sell my really nice blonde DRRI and/or my Reeves Custom 12 to finance these choices. Plus I have a nice selection of good pedals which I'd sell because they'd be useless.

In the end, I couldn't do it when there is no clear cut winner except the Axe which is more than my used gear will fetch. Plus I love tube amps.

So its back to the old. If I ever have to play a church date where they won't allow amps, I'll grab a used RP100 for under a C note and run with it.