[Harp-L] Digitech Element and Element XP

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Digitech has released a new pair of pedals, the Element and Element XP. From what I can see of the product specs, these pedals represent a replacement for the RP55, digitech's lowest-priced amp modeler.  The RP55 had the older-generation Digitech chip; this one has the DNA2 chip, digitech's current model, and so includes better delays, reverbs, and other FX.

However, I do NOT recommend this pedal for harp players, for several reasons:
1)  The Element and Element XP don't have a USB port, so it's impossible either to load pre-configured patches or to back up the device and restore it in the event of a problem.
2)  They don't have amp or cab models for the Fender Champ and Bassman, two of the best RP models for harp, and they're missing lots of other harp-friendly models as well.  
3)  I doubt that they're priced substantially lower than an RP155, which offers a whole lot of harp-friendly amp and cab models, plus USB connectivity for recording and patch backup, at a retail price under $100 (and used prices in the neighborhood of a third of that). 

For all the above reasons, I have no intention of designing patches for these devices. I strongly recommend that harp players seeking a decent amp modeler at the lowest possible price start with the RP155 or RP255, depending on whether or not they want an expression pedal in the package.

Regards, Richard Hunter




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