The Digitech BP200 bass modeling processor is a multi-effects processing pedal specifically designed for use with the bass guitar. This little beauty really surpasses typical bass effects pedals in terms of number of effects, range of effects, user created “signature sounds”, and extra features. I have owned this bass effects processor for quite some time and it is the only pedal I need. Here is my honest review of the BP200’s features and usability.
In practice the Digitech BP200 is an excellent training tool. It includes a built in tuner, rhythm trainer/drum machine, and a jam-a-long input that allows you to plug in your favorite music source and play along with your favorite tunes. It has really helped me to practice more effectively when the band isn’t around and allowed me to explore more custom bass effects to find my own signature sounds.
On stage the BP200 is an awesome effects processor. The built in tuner allows me to tune up before the gig and check my tuning periodically throughout the sets, ensuring my bass tuning stays right where it should be after thumping on it for a few songs. The integrated expression pedal allows me to use real time wah effects, and adjust my volume, gain, etc. with my foot while playing. The 40 preset effects and 40 user created effects give me a great deal of control over my sound. I can combine up to 9 of 22 effects simultaneously to create my own signature effects and place them in any order I wish allowing me to line up different effects to be easily switchable during or in between songs.
The BP200 features a state of the art AudioDNA DSP super chip, 24-bit A/D/A converters, and an Easy-to-read display. This effects processor can do amp and cabinet modeling with 11 popular amp models to simulate whatever amp and cabinet combination you want. It includes wah and whammy via the expression pedal as well as 5 stompbox models. Some of the built in effects include compression, 3-band EQ, chorus flanger, 6 reverbs, 3 delays, noise gate, pitch shifter, detuner, vibrato, distortion/overdrive, and several others making this processor one of the most versatile for the price range.
For around $150 the BP200 is an inexpensive unit that will do pretty much everything that has been done previously by having multiple effects pedals connected together without the hassle and frustration of getting it right every time you set up. This one unit does it all and you will only have to set up your effects how you want them once and they will be ready for every show.
I find the BP200 very user friendly. I did not have to read the instructions to start having a blast with it, however I did read it later to learn some of the advanced features of the unit, but the layout is very straight forward and easy to learn. It is controlled and acts pretty much just like many of the foot activated guitar effects pedals widely used only it has many more features and effects onboard reducing the number of pedals needed to achieve a particular style.
The included rhythm trainer/drum machine is really more of a training feature than an actual drum machine. It does include quite a few rhythm patterns based on different musical styles and you can control the tempo to speed up or slow down the beat. You could use it as a drum machine during recording if you had no other choice but you cannot actually program your drum beats or add fills or song endings, etc. so the drum track for your song would be fairly boring and automated sounding. If you need a full featured and inexpensive drum machine that sounds like a real drummer check out the ZOOM MRT-3, it can plug right into the jam-a-long input on the BP200 and you won’t be limited by the onboard rhythm trainer.
The expression pedal on this unit is very handy for quick adjustments to volume, gain, delay, etc while playing but it is a bit tricky to use as the wah pedal controller for the manual wah effect. It is possible, of course, and with a bit of practice I suppose you could get really good with it but it doesn’t have the same texture or “feel” of the traditional cry baby wah pedal that is widely used so it does take a little getting used to in that respect. The effects do include an auto wah effect that doesn’t use the pedal at all but it also doesn’t have the expressiveness of the cry baby wah and sounds much more automated.
All in all I give the Digitech BP200 bass pedal two thumbs up for sure. It is full featured, user friendly, sounds great, replaces many other pedals, and it’s a digitech. I have never been disappointed by any digitech equipment I have purchased to date and I have been using Digitech effects processors in the studio for recording since the 1980’s.
