Digi Tech BP90 Owner's Manual

Modeling
Bass Processor

Owner’s

Professional audio equipment

Manual

The symbols shown above are internationally accepted symbols that warn of potential hazards with electri­cal products. The lightning flash with arrowpoint in an equilateral triangle means that there are dangerous
voltages present within the unit. The exclamation point in an equilateral triangle indicates that it is necessary
for the user to refer to the owner’s manual.

These symbols warn that there are no user serviceable parts inside the unit. Do not open the unit. Do not
attempt to service the unit yourself. Refer all servicing to qualified personnel. Opening the chassis for any
reason will void the manufacturer’s warranty. Do not get the unit wet. If liquid is spilled on the unit, shut it
off immediately and take it to a dealer for service. Disconnect the unit during storms to prevent damage.

ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules and the Product Specifications noted on the
Declaration of Conformity. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

• this device may not cause harmful interference, and

• this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause

undesired operation.

Operation of this unit within significant electromagnetic fields should be avoided.

• use only shielded interconnecting cables.

If you want to dispose this product, do not mix it with general household waste. There is a
separate collection syst em for used electronic products in accordance with legislation that
requires proper treatment, recovery and recycling.

Private household in the 25 member states of the EU, in Switzerland and Norway may return their used
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new one).

For Countries not mentioned above, please contact your local authorities for a correct method of disposal.

By doing so you will ensure that your disposed product undergoes the necessary treatment, recovery and
recycling and thus prevent potential negative effects on the environment and human health.

WARNING FOR YOUR PROTECTION

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:

KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS

HEED ALL WARNINGS

FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS

THE APPARATUS SHALL NOT BE EXPOSED TO DRIPPING OR SPLASHING LIQUID
AND NO OBJECT FILLED WITH LIQUID, SUCH AS VASES, SHALL BE PLACED
ON THE APPARATUS.

CLEAN ONLY WITH A DRY CLOTH.

DO NOT BLOCK ANY OF THE VENTILATION OPENINGS. INSTALL IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS.

DO NOT INSTALL NEAR ANY HEAT SOURCES SUCH AS RADIATORS, HEAT
REGISTERS, STOVES, OR OTHER APPARATUS (INCLUDING AMPLIFIERS) THAT
PRODUCE HEAT.

ONLY USE ATTACHMENTS/ACCESSORIES SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

UNPLUG THIS APPARATUS DURING LIGHTNING STORMS OR WHEN UNUSED FOR
LONG PERIODS OF TIME.

Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A
polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding
type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or
third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit
your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at
plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the
apparatus.

Use only with the cart stand, tripod bracket, or table specified by the manu­facture, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when
moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.

Refer all servicing to to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required
when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply
cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into
the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not
operate normally, or has been dropped.

POWER ON/OFF SWITCH: The Power switch used in this piece of equipment
DOES NOT break the connection from the mains.

MAINS DISCONNECT: The plug shall remain readily operable. For rack-mount
or installation where plug is not accessible, an all-pole mains switch with a
contact separation of at least 3 mm in each pole shall be incorporated into
the electrical installation of the rack or building.

Manufacturer’s Name: DigiTech

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

Manufacturer’s Address: 8760 S. Sandy Parkway
Sandy, Utah 84070, USA

declares that the product:

Product name: BP 90

Product option: all (requires Class II power adapter that conforms to the requirements of EN60065, EN60742, or equivalent.)

conforms to the following Product Specifications:

Safety: IEC 60065 -01+Amd 1

EMC: EN 55022:2006
EN 55024:1998
FCC Part 15

Supplementary Information:

The product herewith complies with the requirements of the:
Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC
EMC Directive 2004/108/EC.
RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC
WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC
EC Regulation 278/2009

With regard to Directive 2005/32/EC and EC Regulation 1275/2008 of 17 December 2008, this product is designed, produced, and
classified as Professional Audio Equipment and thus is exempt from this Directive.

Director, Engineering
Signal Processing
8760 S. Sandy Parkway
Sandy, Utah 84070, USA
Date: April 28, 2011

European Contact: Your local DigiTech Sales and Service Office or

Harman Music Group
8760 South Sandy Parkway
Sandy, Utah
84070 USA
Ph: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Warranty

We at DigiTech® are very proud of our products and back up each one we sell with the following warranty:

1. The warranty registration card must be mailed within ten days after purchase date to validate this
warranty, or you can register via our website (www.digitech.com).

2. DigiTech warrants this product, when used solely within the U.S., to be free from defects in materials and
workmanship under normal use and service.

3. DigiTech liability under this warranty is limited to repairing or replacing defective materials that show
evidence of defect, provided the product is returned to DigiTech WITH RETURN AUTHORIZATION,
where all parts and labor will be covered up to a period of one year. A Return Authorization number
may be obtained from DigiTech by telephone. The company shall not be liable for any consequential

damage as a result of the product’s use in any circuit or assembly.

4. Proof-of-purchase is considered to be the burden of the consumer.

5. DigiTech reserves the right to make changes in design, or make additions to, or improvements upon this
product without incurring any obligation to install the same on products previously manufactured.

6. The consumer forfeits the benefits of this warranty if the product’s main assembly is opened and
tampered with by anyone other than a certified DigiTech technician or, if the product is used with AC

voltages outside of the range suggested by the manufacturer.

7. The foregoing is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied, and DigiTech neither assumes nor
authorizes any person to assume any obligation or liability in connection with the sale of this product. In
no event shall DigiTech or its dealers be liable for special or consequential damages or from any delay in
the performance of this warranty due to causes beyond their control.

NOTE: The information contained in this manual is subject to change at any time without notification. Some

information contained in this manual may also be inaccurate due to undocumented changes in the product or
operating system since this version of the manual was completed. The information contained in this version of
the owner’s manual supersedes all previous versions.

Table of Contents

Section One - Introduction

Getting Acquainted .......................................................... 1

Included Items .................................................................. 1

About the BP90 ................................................................ 2

Performance Mode .......................................................2

Edit Mode ........................................................................ 2

Bypass Mode ...................................................................2

Tuner Mode ..................................................................... 2

Tone Library Button...................................................... 4

Effects Library Button .................................................. 4

Effects Level Button ......................................................4

Master Level Button .....................................................4

Presets ............................................................................. 5

A Guided Tour of the BP90 ...........................................6

Front Panel ..................................................................... 6

Rear Panel .....................................................................10

Getting Started ...............................................................12

Making Connections ......................................................12

Mono Operation - Amplifier ....................................12

Stereo Operation ........................................................13

Applying Power ..............................................................15

Section Two - Editing Functions

Editing/Creating Presets ...............................................16

Storing/Copying a Preset..............................................17

Section Three - Models and Effects

About the Models ..........................................................19

Model Definitions ..........................................................20

Fretless/Wah ...................................................................20

Compressor ....................................................................21

Amp/Distortion Models ...............................................22

Noise Gate ......................................................................23

EQ. .....................................................................................23

Chorus/FX. ......................................................................24

Chorus. ..........................................................................25

Flanger ...........................................................................25

Phaser ............................................................................25

Tremolo .........................................................................25

Panner ............................................................................25

Vibrato ...........................................................................25

Octavider ......................................................................26

Envelope Filter .............................................................26

TM

.............................................................................26

Ya Ya

AutoYaTM .......................................................................26

Step Filter .....................................................................26

SynthTalkTM ...................................................................26

Detune ...........................................................................27

Pitch Shift ......................................................................27

DigiTech Whammy™ .................................................27

Delay .................................................................................28

Reverb ..............................................................................30

Section Four - Other Functions

Expression Pedal Assign ................................................ 31

Drum Machine ................................................................33

Factory Reset .................................................................. 33

Expression Pedal Calibration ......................................34

Section Five - Appendix

Specifications ...................................................................35

Tone Library ....................................................................37

Effects Library .................................................................38

Disclaimer: DigiTech, DigiTech Whammy, and AudioDNA2 are trademarks of HARMAN in the U.S. and other
countries. Ampeg SVT, Ashdown Bass Magnifier, Fender Bassman, Sunn 200S, SWR Interstellar Overdrive,
Trace-Elliot Commando, Ampeg B15, Hiwatt Custom 50, Mesa/Boogie 400+, SWR Basic Black, Fender Dual
Showman, Vox Clyde McCoy Wah, Guyatone OD-1, Voodoo Labs Sparkledrive, Boss DS-1, and Electro-Har­monix Big Muff are products of DigiTech’s competitors and trademarks of their respective companies in the U.S.
and other countries and are not associated or affiliated with DigiTech or HARMAN. © 2010 HARMAN. All
Rights Reserved.

Section 1 - Introduction

Getting Acquainted

Congratulations on your purchase of the BP90. You now have an incredibly advanced modeling
bass processor that can keep up with your creative impulses and even increase them. Armed with
DigiTech
tones and effects, right at your fingertips. When you easily select an amp or distortion tone and
an effects chain from the Tone Library or the Effects Library, you’ll appreciate the accuracy in each
model, and the dynamic interaction in each tone. Add a built-in drum machine, and you have the
BP90: the key to unlock your creative potential.

Included Items

Before you get started, please make sure that the following items have been included:

 •BP90
 •PowerSupply
 •WarrantyCard

The utmost care was taken while your BP90 was being manufactured. Everything should be in­cluded and in perfect working order. If anything is missing, contact the factory at once. Please help
us become acquainted with you and your needs by completing your warranty card or registering
online at www.digitech.com. It is your safeguard should a problem arise with your BP90.

®

’s patented AudioDNA2® custom audio DSP chip, the BP90 gives you a huge selection of

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About the BP90

Performance Mode

When you first apply power to the BP90, it powers up in Performance mode. Performance mode
provides access to all of the presets within the BP90 via the Up and Down Footswitches. The
Edit Up/Down buttons cycle through the effects in the matrix.

Edit Mode

When you select an Effect with the Edit Up/Down buttons, you can adjust the Effect with the
Value Up/Down buttons. (For descriptions of the Effects and their parameters, see page 20.)

When you make changes to a preset’s Effects, you must store the changes or they will be lost
when you select a different preset or disconnect power to the BP90. See page 17 for a description
of the Store procedure.

The BP90 presets can be bypassed for a clean, unprocessed bass signal. To bypass the BP90, press
and release both Footswitches simultaneously. The Display reads By indicating the preset is
bypassed. In Bypass mode, all buttons are disabled. Press either Footswitch to exit Bypass mode
and return the BP90 to the last preset used.

Tuner Mode

The Tuner in the BP90 allows you to quickly tune or check the tuning on your bass. Enter Tuner
mode by pressing and holding both Footswitches simultaneously. The Display briefly shows Tu
indicating that you are in Tuner mode. To begin tuning, play a note on your bass (a harmonic at the
12th fret usually works best). The Display shows the note being played. The Matrix LEDs indicate
whether you are sharp or flat. The left 6 red LEDs indicate the note is flat and should be tuned

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up. The right 6 red LEDs indicate the note is sharp and should be tuned down. The center LED
indicates the note is in tune. The output is muted in Tuner mode; rock the Expression Pedal to
regain volume.

IN TUNE

VALUE

EFFECTS LEVEL

EFFECTS LEVEL

Display shows

note played

BASS

BASS

DELAY

DELAY

REVERB

REVERB

EXPRESSION

EXPRESSION

PATTERN

PATTERN

TEMPO

TEMPO

MASTER LEVEL

MASTER LEVEL

LEVEL

LEVEL

LEVEL

DRUMS

DRUMS

STORE

Right LEDs indicate

note is sharp

Left LEDs indicate

note is flat

Center LED indicates

note is in tune

NOISE GATE

NOISE GATE

EQUALIZER

EQUALIZER

AMP / DISTORTION

AMP / DISTORTION

COMPRESSOR

COMPRESSOR

COMPRESSOR

FRETLESS / WAH

FRETLESS / WAH

PRESET LEVEL

PRESET LEVEL

EDIT

EFFECTS LIBRARY

TONE LIBRARY

EFFECTS LIBRARY

TONE LIBRARY

CHORUS/FX

CHORUS/FX

In Tuner mode, you can change your tuning reference with the Value Up/Down buttons. The
default factory setting is A=440 Hz (displayed as 40). Other tuning references are A=A flat (dis­played as Ab), A=G (displayed as

), and A=G flat (displayed as b). The display window will briefly

flash the currently selected tuning preference.

Exit Tuner mode by pressing either Footswitch.

3

Tone Library Button

You can press this button at any time (except in Bypass or Tuner mode) to access the Tone Library,
and then use the Value Up/Down buttons to select from a variety of genre-based amp tone
defaults ranging from Blues to Metal to Country. Behind the scenes, the Fretless/Wah, Compres­sor, Amp/Distortion, and EQ are configured to create a specified tone. You can further refine the
sound by editing the preset (see Editing/Creating Presets on page 16). Changing between different
Tone Library defaults does not change the Chorus/FX, Delay or Reverb, letting you experiment
with different amp styles quickly in the context of the current effect chain.

Effects Library Button

You can press this button at any time (except in Bypass or Tuner mode) to access the Effects Li­brary and then use the Value Up/Down buttons to select from a variety of post-amplifier model
effect chains (Chorus, Chorus + Delay, Delay + Reverb, etc.). You can further refine the sound by
editing the preset (see Editing/Creating Presets on page 16). Changing between different Effects Li­brary defaults does not change the Compressor, Distortion, Amp/Cabinet model, and EQ settings,
letting you experiment with different effect chains quickly in the context of the current amp tone.

Effects Level Button

You can press this button at any time (except in Bypass or Tuner mode) to access the Effects Level.
This button changes the relative level of the post-amp effects (Chorus/FX, Delay, and Reverb). This
can be thought of as an effects mix control, where increasing this button’s value increases the level
of these effects and decreasing its value decreases the level of these effects.

Master Level Button

Press this button and use the Value Up/Down buttons to set the overall output level of the BP90.

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IN TUNE

AMP / DISTORTION

AMP / DISTORTION

EQUALIZER

EQUALIZER

NOISE GATE

NOISE GATE

CHORUS/FX

CHORUS/FX

DELAY

DELAY

REVERB

REVERB

EXPRESSION

EXPRESSION

BASS

BASS

Value

Buttons

COMPRESSOR

COMPRESSOR

COMPRESSOR

FRETLESS / WAH

FRETLESS / WAH

PRESET LEVEL

PRESET LEVEL

EDIT

VALUE

PATTERN

PATTERN

TEMPO

TEMPO

LEVEL

LEVEL

LEVEL

DRUMS

DRUMS

TONE LIBRARY

TONE LIBRARY

1. Access the Tone Library

with this button and select

a tone with the Value buttons.

The Tone Library button, Effects Library button, and Effects Level button make it easy
to quickly load preset tones, effects, and effects chains.

EFFECTS LIBRARY

EFFECTS LIBRARY

2. Access the Effects Library
with this button and select

a tone with the Value buttons.

EFFECTS LEVEL

EFFECTS LEVEL

MASTER LEVEL

MASTER LEVEL

with this button and adjust the

level with the Value buttons.

STORE

3. Access the effects level

To learn about storing changes to presets, see page 17.

Presets

Presets are numbered locations of programmed sounds which reside in the BP90. Presets are re­called with the Footswitches. The active effects in each preset are indicated by lighted LEDs in the
Effect Matrix. The BP90 comes with 50 User presets (1-50) and 50 Factory presets (51-00). The
User presets are locations where your creations may be stored. The Factory presets do not allow
you to store any changes to them. From the factory, the 50 User presets are exact duplicates of
the 50 Factory presets. This allows you to create your own presets without losing the sounds that
came with the BP90.

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A Guided Tour of the BP90

Front Panel

6

6

5

BASS

BASS

CHORUS/FX

CHORUS/FX

IN TUNE

VALUE

EFFECTS LEVEL

EFFECTS LEVEL

DELAY

DELAY

REVERB

REVERB

MASTER LEVEL

MASTER LEVEL

EXPRESSION

EXPRESSION

PATTERN

PATTERN

TEMPO

TEMPO

LEVEL

LEVEL

LEVEL

DRUMS

DRUMS

STORE

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8

NOISE GATE

NOISE GATE

EQUALIZER

EQUALIZER

AMP / DISTORTION

AMP / DISTORTION

COMPRESSOR

COMPRESSOR

COMPRESSOR

FRETLESS / WAH

FRETLESS / WAH

PRESET LEVEL

4
3

PRESET LEVEL

EDIT

TONE LIBRARY

TONE LIBRARY

EFFECTS LIBRARY

EFFECTS LIBRARY

2

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1

1. Footswitches

These two Footswitches select presets, access the Tuner, or bypass the BP90. The
Footswitch on the right will select the next preset up, and the Footswitch on the left will
select the next preset down. Pressing both Footswitches together will bypass the currently
selected preset. Pressing and holding both Footswitches for 2 seconds will access the Tuner.
Press either Footswitch to exit Bypass or Tuner mode.

2. Tone Library, Effects Library, Effects Level, and Master Level Buttons

At the heart of creating presets in the BP90 are the Tone Library, Effects Library, and Effects
Level buttons. By pressing one of these buttons and using the Value Up/Down buttons,
you can select from 20 amp/distortion tones, 20 effects chains, or the overall post amp/
distortion effects level respectively. The Master Level button accesses the master output vol­ume parameter for the BP90. Each button is described in detail below.

ToneLibraryButton

The Tone Library button accesses a library of preset amp tones. Press this button
and then use the Value Up/Down buttons to select from a variety of genre-based
amp tones ranging from Blues to Metal to Country (see page 37 for a list of available
tones). Behind the scenes, the Fretless/Wah, Compressor, Amp/Distortion, and EQ are
configured to create a specified tone. You can further refine the sound by editing the
preset (see Editing/Creating Presets on page 16). Changing between different Tone Library
selections does not change the Chorus/FX, Delay, or Reverb settings, allowing you to
experiment with different amp styles quickly in the context of the current effect chain.
The Display will read cu (for “custom”) when any of the associated effects have been
changed from a default library setting.

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EffectsLibraryButton

The Effects Library button accesses a library of preset effect configurations. Press this
button and use the Value Up/Down buttons to select a variety of post-amplifier model
effect chains (Chorus, Chorus + Delay, Delay + Reverb, etc…). You can further refine the
sound by editing the preset (see Editing/Creating Presets on page 16). Changing between
different Effects Library selections does not change the Fretless/Wah, Compressor, Amp/
Distortion and EQ settings, allowing you to experiment with different effect chains quickly
in the context of the current amp tone. The Display will read cu (for “custom”) when any
of the associated effects have been changed from a default library setting.

EffectsLevelButton

The Effects Level button lets you adjust the levels of post-amp model effects (Cho­rus/FX, Delay, and Reverb). Press this button and use the Value Up/Down buttons to
change the relative level of the post-amp effects (Chorus/FX, Delay, and Reverb). Think
of it as an effects mix control where increasing this setting increases the level of these
effects, while decreasing this setting decreases the level of these effects.

MasterLevelButton

The Master Level button lets you adjust the output level of the BP90. Press this button
and use the Value Up/Down buttons to change the output level of the BP90.

3. Edit Up/Down

The Edit Up/Down buttons select which effect is to be edited. As each effect is selected,
the Display shows the effect setting. A decimal in the bottom right corner of the Display
turns on when a preset has been modified. The Edit Up/Down buttons are also used to
change the BP90 Drum Machine parameters (Note that Drum Machine settings are global
for all presets and are not saved with the preset).

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4. Value Up/Down

The Value Up/Down buttons are used for editing effects, navigating Tone/Effects Libraries,
adjusting Effects and Master Levels, and adjusting Drum Machine settings.

5. Display

The Display provides information for different functions depending on the mode that has
been selected. In Performance mode, the Display shows the currently selected preset num­ber. In Edit mode, the Display shows the value of the effect being adjusted. A decimal in
the bottom right corner of the Display turns on when a preset has been modified. In Tuner
mode, the Display shows the note being played.

6. Matrix

The matrix provides information regarding the current preset and Effect edit functions. In
Performance mode, the LEDs next to each Effect provide a visual indication of which Effects
are in use for the currently selected preset. While editing a preset, the LEDs indicate the
Effect currently selected for editing. In Tuner mode, the LEDs indicate whether the note
played is sharp, flat, or in tune.

7. Drums

The Drums button is used to turn on and off the BP90’s built-in drum machine. When the
Drums button is turned on, the Drums button LED lights and the selected drum pattern
plays continuously. Use the Value Up/Down buttons to change the pattern of the drum
machine. See page 33 for more information about the drum machine.

8. Store

The Store button is used to save your changes to the User presets. See page 17 for more
information about storing presets.

9. Expression Pedal

The Expression Pedal provides real-time control of the BP90’s Volume, Wah, or the assigned
effect parameter.

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