Digitech RP1000 Multi-Effects

Not so long ago, multi-effects units were considered to be the core of many players' sound, with the amp basically just there to make things louder. Fortunately multi-effects manufacturers now seem to have realised - shock! - that many guitarists actually like odd pedals and the sound of their amps, so the new buzzword is ‘integration'. To that end, the RP1000 provides control over external pedals and internal stompbox simulations and effects too.
The RB1000 features all-metal construction with metal switches and a clear LED display. Getting up and running requires some time with the manual, but by multi-effects standards it's not too complicated - and better than some.
In Pedalboard mode you have instant access to five presets as well as five internal effects. In Preset mode each of the 10 footswitches loads a preset, and the Up/Down switches toggle between 10 banks. Other features include extensive - and bypassable - pedal, amp and cabinet models, a phrase looper, an integral expression pedal for volume, wah and whammy, and a chromatic tuner. A Stompbox Loop provides switchable control of external stompboxes and the Amp Loop retains your amp's preamp tone if it has an FX loop. There are 40 tone and effects libraries with 200 presets and over 160 effects including stompboxes, choruses, delays, amps and cabinets. Connections include 1/4" and XLR Left and Right outputs, with ground lift, and an Amp/Mixer switch optimises the outputs for amp or DI use. Bedroom blasters will appreciate the headphone output, and Cubase LE4 comes free. You can download X-Edit software, and there's 2 x 2 USB audio streaming.

Compact and convenient with surprisingly toneful overdrive and distortion, if a touch processed - the PB1000 is a decent newcomer to test against competitors like the TC Nova or Boss GT-10.