The simplicity of a stompbox with the control of an effects switching system.

The RP500 operates in two modes, the default mode at startup is Pedalboard Mode where the 5 buttons in front operate as labeled: compressor, distortion, chorus, delay, and reverb. When Pedalboard Mode is off then Preset Mode is activated where you get 100 preset combinations of effects, amp and cabinet modeling and an additional 100 blank presets so you can dial in your own personal sound and have it at the ready. There’s a button to turn off the amp and cabinet modeling in any mode so that the RP500 becomes a straight multi-effects box and your amp does the rest.

You can use the RP500 as you would a bunch of different stompboxes or you can use it with your own amp’s tone (bypassing the amp modeling feature), or use the amp sounds inside. The amp modeling feature provides an impressive array of modern and vintage amp sounds including Marshall, Fender, Mesa Boogie, Matchless, Soldano, and Randall Amp tones.

The stomp box section of this unit has been modeled after the most popular effects used today. The distortion sounds include Tube Screamer, Pro Co Rat, MXR Distortion, Big Muff, Digitech Death Metal, and Boss DS-1 settings. The same variety goes for the other effects as well.

The expression pedal provides real time control of the wah, volume or any other assigned effect parameter. One thing I noticed about the pedal is that since it’s not a click on/off switch the wah would turn off easily if you push your toe down all the way, which I do all the time.

The RP500 seems pretty rugged and has dedicated tuner and tap tempo footswitches right on top. I particularly like the tap tempo because you can customize your effects to the tempo of a song on the fly. A delay sounds best when it’s in time with the music and this button makes doing that a piece of cake.

Besides the 1/4 inch input, the back panel features two XLR outs, two 1/4 inch outs, a headphone jack, and an input for an mp3/CD player so you can jam to your favorite tunes. It also has an amp/mixer switch to control output levels, a ground lift switch for hum solutions, and a USB out. As a total bonus, this unit comes with a copy of Cubase LE! Awesome, you can be up and running your own recording session right out of the box, talk about handy.

This one can be yours courtesy of our friends at Sweetwater by subscribing to our monthly newsletter and reading the product review for the month. Sweetwater sponsors this giveaway and they are always a real pleasure to deal with. They give free shipping on all orders (even strings!) and have an outstanding staff of real musicians who can help you make the right purchase the first time.

Sweetwater provides the gear, we review it for the Guitar Tricks Newsletter, and we give it away to one lucky Guitar Tricks member. Don’t forget to post in the giveaway review forum to qualify to win, good luck!