Digitech GSP1101 Preamp/Processor

I pulled DigiTech’s new GSP1101 out of the box and it had the usual power chord, manual, etc. It uses an internal power supply instead of a cheesy, low-quality “wall-wort” power supplies that take up too much space on a power strip.  The GSP1101 is the standard 1 unit high, rack mount size and fits perfectly in my four space rack into a BBE882i and then into a Mesa 2:100 rack mount power amp. It's a killer small rack that’s easy to move. The GSP1101 is made from a high-quality metal chassis, thick front panel with metal, weighted knobs that feel nice when turned.  This thing is built tough.

The GSP1101 sounds great right out of the box. I had to tweak some of the corporate tones in but all in all – this thing can get heavy.  I primarily use the “Metal Head”, “Metal Harmony” and “RIP Dime” presets. The Metal Head preset is a good chunky, church with plenty of low end, the Metal Harmony preset is great for harmony leads while the RIP Dime preset is perfect for Pantera songs.

According to DigiTech, the GSP1101 works in many different configurations from using the GSP1101 as your preamp or “core tone” or using your own amps as the preamp and removing the internal amp types in the GSP1101. I use it as my total preamp tone.  The only other processing that I use other than the GSP1101 is a BBE882i for volume boost.

Vile Metal Vids (Phil S.) is a proud user and supporter Digitech U.S.A.

Buy Digitech GSP1101 NOW!

Buy Digitech GSP1101 NOW!


Buy Digitech Control 2 (GSP1101 Foot Controller) NOW!

My complete rig consists of the GSP1101 into a BBE882i into a Mesa 2:100 power amp that drives 2 Mesa Cabinets loaded with Celestion Vintage 30’s.  The sound is massive! The Metal Head drives my speakers almost to break up while the RIP Dime preset is nice and tight. The sound is clean due to the built in noise gate but is clear and doesn’t sound over processed.

To control the GSP1101 I use DigiTech’s Control 2 foot controller. It’s built like a tank from bent metal, uses metal switches, bright LED indicators and switches very fast between presets. It also has a spillover function that allows the delays and reverbs from one preset to “spill over” into the next preset when changing presets - This doesn’t cut off your delays when switching from your solo back into a rhythm! The Control 2 also has a build in wah/volume pedal that also controls the GSP1101’s Whammy and other internal effects.  The Control 2 can be configured to run in two modes, one lets you select 10 presets within a bank while the other lets you select 5 presets and control 5 effects in each bank.  You can’t go wrong with this option.

I have not tried out the recording functionality of the GSP1101 but intend to at a future date. It streams via USB directly into your PC or you can connect it directly to an I/O box with either the ¼” or XLR outputs. The cool thing is the GSP1101 has internal cabinet selections for direct recording making recording a snap and not noisy if you live in an apartment. 

All in all, the GSP1101 offers a massive amount of options but is easy to get your head around.  You really don’t need to open the manual.  The GSP1101 has become the center of my tone but if I want to get an amp it will be really easy to incorporate it into the setup leaving the door open for more gear, if I ever need any!

-Phil S. VileMetalVids Founder/Owner/Developer