DigiTech RP3 User Manual

Preamp/Multi-Effects Processor & Controller

Please visit Digitech Electronics on the World Wide Web at http://www.digitech.com

User’s Guide

WARNING

FOR YOUR PROTECTION, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:

WATER AND MOISTURE: Appliance should not be used near water (e .g. near a bathtub,

washbowl,kitchen sink, laundry tub,in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool, etc). Care
should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure
through openings.

POWER SOURCES: The appliance should be connected to a power supply only of the
type described in the operating instructions or as marked on the appliance.

GROUNDING ORPOLARIZATION: Precautions should be taken so that the grounding
or polarization means of an appliance is not defeated.

POWER CORD PROTECTION: Power supply cords should be routed so that they are
not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular
attention to cords at plugs,convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the
appliance.

SERVICING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, the user should not attempt to
service the appliance beyond that described in the operating instructions. All other servicing
should be referred to qualified service personnel.

FOR UNITS EQUIPPED WITH EXTERNALLY ACCESSIBLE FUSE
RECEPTACLE: Replace fuse with same type and rating only.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

NOTICE FOR CUSTOMERS IF YOUR UNIT IS EQUIPPED WITH A
POWER CORD.

WARNING:THIS APPLIANCE MUST BE EARTHED.

The cores in the mains lead are coloured in accordance with the following code:

GREEN and YELLOW - Earth BLUE - Neutral BROWN - Live

As colours of the cores in the mains lead of this appliance may not correspond with
the coloured markings identifying the terminals in your plug,proceed as follows:

• The core which is coloured green and yellow must be connected to the
terminal in the plug marked with the letter E,or with the ear th symbol, or
coloured green,or green and yellow.

• The core which is coloured blue must be connected to the terminal marked N
or coloured black.

• The core which is coloured brown must be connected to the terminal marked
L or coloured red.

This equipment may require the use of a different line cord,attachment plug, or both,
depending on the available power source at installation. If the attachment plug needs
to be changed,refer servicing to qualified service personnel who should refer to the
table below. The green/yellow wire shall be connected directly to the unit's chassis.

WARNING: If the ground is defeated,cer tain fault conditions in the unit or in the
system to which it is connected can result in full line voltage between chassis and
earth ground.Severe injury or death can then result if the chassis and earth ground are
touched simultaneously.

Line

Neutral

Earth Grnd.

CONDUCTOR

L

N

Brown

Blue

Green/Yel.

Black

WIRE COLOR

White

Green

U.K. MAINS PLUG WARNING

A moulded mains plug that has been cut off from the cord is unsafe.Discard the mains
plug at a suitable disposal facility.NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES

SHOULD YOU INSERT A DAMAGED OR CUT MAINS PLUG INTO A 13
AMP POWER SOCKET. Do not use the mains plug without the fuse cover in place.

Replacement fuse covers can be obtained from your local retailer. Replacement fuses
are 13 amps and MUST be ASTA approved to BS1362.

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.

CAUTION

ATTENTION: RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE - NE PAS OUVRIR
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC

SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

LITHIUM BATTERY WARNING

CAUTION!

This product may contain a lithium battery.There is danger of explosion if the battery is
incorrectly replaced.Replace only with an Eveready CR 2032 or equivalent.Make sure
the battery is installed with the correct polarity.Discard used batteries according to
manufacturer’s instructions.

ADVARSEL!

Lithiumbatteri - Eksplosjonsfare.Ved utskifting benyttes kun batteri som anbefalt av
apparatfabrikanten. Brukt batteri returneres apparatleverandøren.

ADVARSEL!

Lithiumbatteri - Eksplosionsfare ved fejlagtig håndtering. Udskiftning må kun ske med
batteri av samme fabrikat og type.Levér det brugte batteri tilbage til leverandøren.

VAROITUS!

Paristo voi räjähtää,jos se on virheellisesti asennettu.Vaihda paristo ainoastaan laite­valmistajan suosittelemaan tyyppin.Hävitä käytetty paristo valmistajan ohjeiden
mukaisesti.

VARNING!

Explosionsfara vid felaktigt batteribyte. Använd samma batterityp eller en ekvivalent typ
som rekommenderas av apparattillverkaren. Kassera använt batteri enligt fabrikantens
instruktion.

ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY

This unit conforms to 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.

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

Manufacturer’s Name: Digitech Electronics
Manufacturer’s Address: 8760 S. Sandy Parkway

Sandy, Utah 84070, USA

declares that the product:

Product Name: RP-3
Product Options: All

conforms to the following Product Specifications:

Safety: EN 60065 (1993)

IEC 65 (1985) with Amendments 1, 2 & 3

EMC: EN 55013 (1990)

EN 55020 (1991)

Supplementary Information:

The product herewith complies with the requirements of the Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC and EMC
Directive 89/336/EEC as amended by Directive 93/68/EEC.

Digitech

President of Digitech
8760 S. Sandy Parkway
Sandy, Utah 84070, USA
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Effective February 1, 1998

European Contact: Your Local Digitech Sales and Service Office or

International Sales Office
3 Overlook Drive #4
Amherst, New Hampshire 03031, USA
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

RP-3

User Guide

I

Quick Start

For those of you who prefer to burn now and read later, we've included this Quick Start section to get you up and running.

Connect Cables:

Connect guitar into the Input jack (located on the rear of the RP-3). Connect the Output(s) of the RP-3 to the Input of the either the Guitar

Amp, Power Amp or Mixing board.

Apply Power:

Note: It is recommended that the <Output> knob be turned down prior to powering up the RP-3.

Adjust Output:

Now adjust the <Output > level knob on the rear panel of the RP-3 to the desired output level.

Adjust Presence:

The <Presence> knob will act as a quick EQ. Use this knob to fine-tune your tone by turning clockwise (Brighter tone) or counter-clockwise

(Darker tone).

Select Preset:

Begin playing your guitar, and choose any preset by either pressing the Value <UP> or the <Down> buttons or by pressing the <UP> and
bank <DOWN> footswitches.

Jam-Along and Learn-A-Lick:

The RP-3 will let you mix a CD or Cassette tape signal with the signal of the RP-3 so that you can play along with the music, or use the Learn-A­Lick function for recording and playing back sections of music and play it back at varying speeds without changing pitch. Simply connect the
CD or Cassette headphone output into the Jam-Along jack (located on the rear of the RP-3).

RP-3

User Guide

II

Table of Contents

Safety Information

Declaration of Conformity................................................................i

Quick Start........................................................................................ii

Table of Contents ............................................................................iii

Section 1 - Introduction

Congratulations................................................................................1

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

Product Features ..............................................................................1

Warranty ..........................................................................................2

A Quick Tour of the RP-3..............................................................3

The Front Panel............................................................................3

The Rear Panel..............................................................................4

Section 2 - Setting Up

Making Connections ......................................................................5

RP-3 into Combo Amplifiers ........................................................5

RP-3 Direct into a Mixer ..............................................................6

Section 3 - Basic Operations

About the RP-3’s Modes ................................................................7

Program Mode..............................................................................7

Bank Mode ..................................................................................7

Edit Mode ....................................................................................7

Store Mode ..................................................................................7

Bypass Mode ................................................................................8

Tuner Mode..................................................................................8

Learn-A-Lick Mode........................................................................8

Section 4 - Effects and Parameters

About the Parameter Matrix ............................................................9

Wah ..................................................................................................9

Compressor......................................................................................9

Distortion ........................................................................................10

Equalizer ..........................................................................................10

Gate/Swell ........................................................................................11

Mod/Pitch..........................................................................................11

Chorus ..........................................................................................12

Flanger ..........................................................................................12

Phaser............................................................................................12

Tremolo ........................................................................................13

Panner ..........................................................................................13

Pitch Shifter ..................................................................................14

Whammy (bend) ..........................................................................14

Harmony........................................................................................15

Dual Delay........................................................................................15

Reverb ..............................................................................................16

Speaker Cabinet Emulator ..............................................................16

Expression Pedal ..............................................................................17

Master Level......................................................................................17

Section 5 - Appendix

Resetting the RP-3 ............................................................................18

Recalibrating the Expression Pedal..................................................18

Harmony Interval Chart ..................................................................18

Specifications....................................................................................19

Preset List ........................................................................................20

RP-3

User Guide

III

RP-3

User Guide

IV

Section-1 Introduction

Congratulations...

... you are now the proud owner of a Digitech RP-3 Guitar Preamp/Processor. The RP-3 offers you 2 distortion voicings along with a full palette of high
quality digital effects that can accommodate any style of music. The RP-3 also features the Jam-Along jack for CD insert for playing along with your
favorite band and the Learn-A-Lick mode that allows you to record the incoming music, then replay it down to 1/4 speed without changing pitch,
making the RP-3 a truly unique and essential tool.

This owner's manual is your key to understanding the powerful world of the RP-3. Read it carefully. After you've had time to familiarize yourself with
the unit, try experimenting with unusual effect combinations. You are certain to achieve sounds never thought possible before. Good luck, and thank
you for choosing Digitech.

Your RP-3 was carefully assembled and packaged at the factory. Before you proceed any further, make sure the following items are included:

• (1) Owner’s Manual

• (1) Digitech RP-3 Guitar Preamp/Processor

• (1)Power Supply

• (1) Digitech warranty card

Please save all packing materials. They were designed to protect the unit from damage during shipping. In the unlikely event that the unit requires
service, use only the factory supplied carton to return the unit.

RP-3

User Guide

Section -1 Introduction

1

RP-3 Features:

• 2 Distortion Types

• Built-in Expression Pedal

• Full bandwidth effects (20-20kHz)

• 24-bit signal path, 48-bit internal data path

• S-DISC II ™ Processing

• Harmony Effects

• Jam-Along Jack

• Learn-A-Lick Mode

• Programmable Speaker Cabinet Emulator

• Chromatic tuner

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.

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.

DigiTech™, S-DISCII™, Whammy™, and Silencer II™ are registered trademarks of the Harman Music Group Incorporated.

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.

Section -1 Introduction

RP-3

User Guide

2

A Quick Tour of the RP-3

The Front Panel

1) Pedalboard - The RP-3’s pedalboard consists of five footswitches. The two Mode footswitches (<2> and <3>), allow you to change from

Program mode to Bank mode by pressing them simultaneously. When changing modes, the appropriate mode LED will light to indicate
whether you are in Program mode or Bank Mode. In Program Mode, the <UP> and <DOWN> footswitches allow you to move through
Programs, while the three main switches, labeled <1 - 3>, act as toggle On/Bypass switches for Distortion, Mod/Pitch, and Delay. In Bank
mode, the <UP> and <DOWN> footswitches allow you to move through Banks, while the <1-3> footswitches are used to select
Programs. If footswitches <1> and <2> are pressed simultaneously, Bypass Mode will be activated. If footswitches <1> and <2> are
pressed and held simultaneously, Tuner mode will be activated. If the <UP> and <DOWN> footswitches are pressed simultaneously,
Learn-A-Lick mode is activated.

2) Parameter Matrix - The Parameter Matrix consists of a group of vertical effect LEDs and a second group of horizontal parameter LEDs.
The Effect LEDs are: Wah, Compressor, Distortion, Equalization, Gate/Swell, Mod/Pitch, Delay, Reverb, and Cabinet Emulator. This matrix
shows you exactly what effects and parameters are in use or selected.

3) Display Window - The display window shows all current operating and programming information. The right decimal in the lower right
hand corner of the display window indicates you are in a User (U) bank . The first number indicates the Bank number currently in use, and
the second number indicates which Program number is currently in use. These numbers will change as you scroll through the available
Programs.

4) Value, Store and Edit Buttons - The Value <UP> and <DOWN> buttons allow you to scroll through the RP-3’s Programs, or change
Parameter values in Edit mode. The <STORE> button allows you to store an edited Program in memory for later use. The <EDIT> button
allows you to edit the User and Factory Programs.

9

4

6

78

5

2

3

1

RP-3

User Guide

Section -1 Introduction

3