GSP-2101 Guitar Studio Tube Processor (Standard Model):
2 Penta 12AX7 Preamp Tubes (Made in China) 
Single S-Disc Digital Section (with upgrade capacity
to accommodate an optional second S-Disc, the PPC-210)
Software Versons LESS THAN 2.05.05. (If you have
a standard model 2101, but have upgraded to the Artist software, version
2.05.05 and greater, then you have the equivalence of an Artist 2101, although
the front of your 2101 will not have "Artist" stamped on it).
Optional FC-1 Foot Controller available.
Note that very early models had a slightly different
XLR circuit design with implications for phantom power systems. Consult
Digitech if you have had difficulties with you 2101's XLRs when used in
phantom power configurations.
Additional Note: Original 2101s that shipped with
version 1.xx.xx software had Central processors that ran at 10MHz. Then
Digitech released the 2101LE which included the 2.xx.xx software and a clock
doubled CPU in addition to many other features (see below for more details).
However, Digitech also included this 20MHz CPU with all 2101 Standard models
that shipped with 2.xx.xx or greater software. To determine if your 2101
has a clock-doubled CPU, check its software version number at start-up.
If it has an "a" after the number (e.g., 2.01.01a), you are clock doubled!
For more info about the effects of this clock doubling, see the 2101LE section
below.
GSP-2101LE (Limited Edition Model):
2 Groove Tube 12AX7 Preamp Tubes
Preinstalled 2nd S-Disc (PPC-210)
Optional FC-1 available
Special Front Panel Colors (Purple,
Chrome, Gold,
Blue, Red)
Additionally, the control processors have been increased
(clock doubled) from 10MHz to 20MHz to improve their responsiveness in controlling
the 2101. This does NOT increase the 2101LEs allowable algorithm size either
in CPU or RAM blocks. The speed increase is associated with program changes,
expression controller responsiveness, speed of response to user commands
(operating system response), speed of bootup, refresh rate of the display,
algorithm compilation, etc.
Units shipped with software versions 2.00.00 and
greater, but less than 2.05.05.
GSP-2101 Artist Model:
2 Penta 12AX7 Preamp Tubes
Single S-Disc Digital Section (with upgrade capacity
to accommodate an optional second S-Disc, the PPC-210)
Units shipped with software versions 2.05.05 and
greater.
Optional FC-1 available.
GSP-2101 Artist Pro (Small production run made special
made for Guitar Center only):
2 Groove Tube 12AX7 Preamp Tubes 
Shipped with version 3.00.00 software
Single S-Disc
Optional FC-1 available
Chrome front panel with Artist Pro silkscreen.
PPC-210:
The PPC-210 is a small circuit board
with an S-Disc processor. This board is plugged into a special socket on your
2101's motherboard. This upgrade allows your 2101 to perform the following
miracles:
1. Create algorithms that use BOTH S-Discs simultaneously.
This means that you can now create some pretty big algorithms using more
exotic modules than with a single S-Disc unit.
- OR -
2. Switch Seamlessly between single S-Disc programs.
This allows your "Metallica Crunch" program to fade out according to your
preprogrammed ramp times while the 2101 is loading up your "Clean Delay"
algorithm(because you punched it up on your FC-1). The small amount of
time it takes the 2101 to load the second program is covered up with the
sound of your previous program fading out, rather than a sharp drop in
sound. Furthermore, by allowing slow fade and hold times, you can actually
blend the two sounds together for a few seconds to make the transition
smoother. However, note that as soon as the switch is made, your input
is no longer sent to the first program; the sound from that program is
merely whatever sound was still stored in its delay & reverb buffers.
Note: you cannot switch seamlessly from or to a
Dual-S-Disc program, because they require both S-Discs to operate. However,
you can have Dual S-Disc programs, and still use seamless switching for
other (single S-disc) programs. In other words, you don't have to choose
between Seamless Switching or Dual S-Disc Programs for your entire unit;
just for your individual programs. Just realize that there will be a small
gap when switching to or from Dual S-Disc programs.
Versions LESS THAN 2.00.00
Software before 2.00.00 could not support the 2nd PPC-210.
Therefore, when upgrading to the 2nd S-Disc, Digitech shipped a set of 2.01.01
EPROMs with the PPC-210 kit so that your 2101 could recognize the PPC-210.
For a while, it seemed as though Digitech had discontinued this practice.
However, for now at least, Digitech is shipping version 3.00.00 software with
all PPC-210s (of course, the store you buy from may slip you a PPC-210 with
older or even no EPROMs, so watch your back!) If you have a software version
prior to version 2.00.00 and your PPC-210 shipped without any EPROMs, you
should contact Digitech or your distributor to acquire a set of EPROMs, since
your 2101 will need a software upgrade to use the PPC-210. Do NOT pay extra
to upgrade to 2.xx.xx so that you can accommodate expansion with the PPC-210.
The current software version shipping is 3.00.00, and it sells for about $89
to $100. (Note this information is accurate as of Oct 4, 1996).
Versions 2.00.00 up to, but not including 2.05.05
This set of software supports the PPC-210, and includes
algorithms for dual S-Disc usage. However, if you do not have the 2nd S-Disc
installed in your unit, you will not "see" these additional algorithms when
scrolling through the available algorithms. The 2101 will not list them since
you canot use them.
Additionally, this upgrade adds a tuner in addition
to the tone generator function provided in previous versions. Some bug fixes
were noted, in addition to the increased speed of program changes as compared
with prior versions. Also, the MIDI Continuous Controller implementation
has been enhanced allowing a single footswitch to control a large number
of effects simultaneously.
Finally, the 2.00.01 firmware addresses some additional
problems, not solved with the 2.00.00 firmware:
Fixed memory problem resulting from MIDI program change
commands
Smoother Wah-Wah
Quick access to CC links (press/hold MIDI button)
Other misc bugs
NOTE: Bulk SysEx MIDI data dumps are incompatible between
versions 2.xx.xx and previous versions. However, individual program dumps
are still compatible.
Versions 2.05.05 and 2.06.06
This software was the first released "Artist" software.
Digitech is now upgrading 2101 Artists (NOT LEs or Standard models!) to version
3.00.00 at no cost. Realize that this may not last forever, so contact Digitech
or your distributer to see if you qualify. Many changes have been included
in this revision. Some changes are listed below:
NEW Presets created by popular guitarists and bassists!
Improved tuner with dropped tunings!
NEW Smooth Whammy w/polyphonic shifting!
Improved Chromatic Pitch Shifter User configurable
algorithms!
Extensive preamp featuring two 12AX7 tubes and
3 solid state distortions!
Upgradable with a PPC-210 expander for seamless
program changes!
NEW programmable speaker simulation!
Improved C-1 Programing interface (using links)!
Added MIDI command to help facilitate programming
an editor.librarian!
Added Utility feature to alter the Program/Bank/Tuner
and Bypass footswitches on the C-1. In this revision, they may be changed
to Bank Up and Bank Down (very cool in my opinion)!
The special presets (more than 40) mentioned above are
programmed by the following musicians:
Steve Vai, Dweezil Zappa, Steve Bailey, Jennifer Batton,
Blues Saraceno, Eddie Berner, Jorge Casas, Stanley Clarke, Vinnie Moore,
George Lynch, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Morse, Albert Lee, Frank Gamble, Will
Lee, Timm May, Warren DeMartini, and several more....
Software Version 3.00.00 (Last software revision for
the GSP-2101 line - ever):
This is the LAST revision for the GSP-2101 line, barring
any unforseen bugs which may have been introduced. It should be noted however
that none have been reported, and there is no reason to beleive that Digitech
will ever upgrade the 2101 line again, as it is scheduled for production halt
in mid/late Nov 1996 to make room in the market for the new 2112 line. Finally,
it should be noted that the 2112, while very similar to the 2101, will have
a different implementatin methodology, and will thus not follow the 2101 software
revision versions. That is to say that there is no relationship between 2112
software versions & 2101 versions - they are two separate & distinct
products, despite any similarities.
This software version is essentially equivalent to
2.05.05 and 2.06.06, but has, presumably, some bug fixes, or other changes
to improve the software compared to those two earlier versions. Also,
Intelligent Pitch Shifting was added that did not exist in pre-3.00.00 versions.
This software version sells for about $89 US typically.
It consistsof 2 EPROMs. Consult your local Digitech distributer (or Musician's
Friend is reputed to have them available).
With version 3.00.00 (and, of course 2.05.05) some
of the previous patches were axed to make room for the artist patches and
to facilitate a few new patches showing off the new modules. A partial list
of the 2.xx.xx patches that were cut follows:
2 On Cloud 9...
5 Edge of the Universe
8 Studio Steel
16 Clean Arena
24 Solo In Arena
26 Ultra Thick Chorus
27 Small Brite Room
39 Grunge Chorus Crunch
45 Squealie
56 Cat Scratch Nuggent
69 Metal Bo Beat
83 Jazz Lead
87 All in the Family
88 Comping Chor&Det
Users have reported no bugs to my knowledge, and in
fact have praised the increased immunity to MIDI data barrages - situations
where the 2101 ignores a slew of bad MIDI data being slung at it as opposed
to locking up as it had done under the earliest software versions (e.g., 01.03.02).
There has been some discussion of difficulty in obtaining
the upgrade outside the US (e.g., Eastern Europe). Although, I am personally
amazed that Digitech can even sell the 2101 in Eastern Europe considering
the tight Federal Regulations concerning distribution of advanced technologies.
After all, it wasn't that long ago when the Soviets were buying Texas Instruments'
Speak & Spell's for the chips. But anyhow....back to the 2101.
