Digitech rpm1 User Manual
Performance Notes
Note
The RPM-1 contains a 12AX7A vac-
uum tube, which must be warm
to run properly. Note the air
to run properly. Note the air
vents on the front of the case.
Make sure that these
are never blocked, and
ensure that no foreign
object enters these
vents.
ensure that no foreign
object enters these
vents.
Adjusting the Drive
The Drive control, Input control and the vol-
ume of your instrument all interact to create the
distortion sound of the RPM-1. As you turn the
Drive control from fully counter-clockwise
towards the vertical position, you will notice the
sound taking on a warmer or “furry” tone and
the overall volume will increase somewhat. This
may require an adjustment of the Input level.
The exact point at which the distortion starts
depends on the Input level and your instru-
ment’s volume. Past the 12 o’clock position, the
distortion becomes more aggressive.
ume of your instrument all interact to create the
distortion sound of the RPM-1. As you turn the
Drive control from fully counter-clockwise
towards the vertical position, you will notice the
sound taking on a warmer or “furry” tone and
the overall volume will increase somewhat. This
may require an adjustment of the Input level.
The exact point at which the distortion starts
depends on the Input level and your instru-
ment’s volume. Past the 12 o’clock position, the
distortion becomes more aggressive.
When you play chords at high distortion levels,
you may hear a rhythmic beating sound which
is independent of the horn and rotor speed.
This beating is the interference distortion sound
caused by the interaction between two or more
notes being played at the same time. Try play-
ing single lines instead of chords, and you’ll
notice that the beating drops off. If you prefer
not to have this beating sound, reduce the
you may hear a rhythmic beating sound which
is independent of the horn and rotor speed.
This beating is the interference distortion sound
caused by the interaction between two or more
notes being played at the same time. Try play-
ing single lines instead of chords, and you’ll
notice that the beating drops off. If you prefer
not to have this beating sound, reduce the
Drive control.
Speed control
Organists have traditionally used the speeding
up and slowing down of the rotating speakers
to add emphasis and excitement to their play-
ing. Usually, you would not leave the Fast
Speed setting on continuously, but rather you
would toggle the Fast speed on and off to
emphasize peaks in your playing. The most
interesting part of the rotary speaker sound
occurs while the rotor and horn are accelerating
and decelerating.
up and slowing down of the rotating speakers
to add emphasis and excitement to their play-
ing. Usually, you would not leave the Fast
Speed setting on continuously, but rather you
would toggle the Fast speed on and off to
emphasize peaks in your playing. The most
interesting part of the rotary speaker sound
occurs while the rotor and horn are accelerating
and decelerating.
Brake
The Brake button will gradually bring the rotary
effect to a complete stop from either the Fast or
the Slow setting. This is useful when you don’t
want the rotating effect, but do want the distor-
tion and/or cabinet emulation to warm your
sound up. You can change the Speed setting,
but with the Brake on, there will be no rotating
effect. When you disengage the Brake, the rotor
and horn will then speed up to the current
Speed setting again, based on the Rotor
Acceleration control.
effect to a complete stop from either the Fast or
the Slow setting. This is useful when you don’t
want the rotating effect, but do want the distor-
tion and/or cabinet emulation to warm your
sound up. You can change the Speed setting,
but with the Brake on, there will be no rotating
effect. When you disengage the Brake, the rotor
and horn will then speed up to the current
Speed setting again, based on the Rotor
Acceleration control.
Footswitch
The RPM-1 comes with the DigiTech FS-300
footswitch, which has three switches on it.
From left to right, the footswitches correspond
to the RPM-1’s Speed, Brake and Bypass but-
tons.
footswitch, which has three switches on it.
From left to right, the footswitches correspond
to the RPM-1’s Speed, Brake and Bypass but-
tons.
Using the RPM-1 with Guitar
The RPM-1 faithfully emulates the rotor and
horn resonances of a real cabinet, which can
sound a bit bassy and dark if a guitar is con-
nected directly to the input. It is best to run a
guitar through a pre-amp or a guitar processor
(such as the DigiTech GSP series), with the
RPM-1 in the effects loop, or at the end of the
audio chain like a real rotating speaker cabinet
would be.
horn resonances of a real cabinet, which can
sound a bit bassy and dark if a guitar is con-
nected directly to the input. It is best to run a
guitar through a pre-amp or a guitar processor
(such as the DigiTech GSP series), with the
RPM-1 in the effects loop, or at the end of the
audio chain like a real rotating speaker cabinet
would be.
If you want to connect a guitar directly, you
can use the Balance control like a tone control,
more treble on the left (Horn) side, more bass
on the right (Rotor) side.
can use the Balance control like a tone control,
more treble on the left (Horn) side, more bass
on the right (Rotor) side.
For a clean, warm sound, keep the volume
control on your guitar and the Input control up
control on your guitar and the Input control up
5
Suggested Settings:
Use the following settings as a guide to acheiving different effects.
Keep in mind that different instruments may require slightly different
settings, especially in the adjustment of the Drive control.
Keep in mind that different instruments may require slightly different
settings, especially in the adjustment of the Drive control.
Drive
Horn Speed Rotor Accel. Spread
Balance
Standard Organ
Solo Organ
Super Stereo FX
“Tine” Electric Piano
Synthesizer
Solo Organ
Super Stereo FX
“Tine” Electric Piano
Synthesizer