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GSP 2101
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FAQ & Upgrade Page
last update: 2024-02-02


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FAQs & Upgrades
Upgrades for the Digitech GSP 2101, GSP2101 Artist, GSP 2101 Limited Edition, GSP 2101 Artist Pro
Digitech GSP2101 user manual download
Troubleshooting (hard reset, lithium battery, changing the mains voltage)
Artist Firmware upgrade and other parts at my Webshop now!!!

Digitech GSP 2101 UPGRADE-SECTION:

Q: What are the differences between the GSP 2101, GSP2101 Artist, GSP 2101 Limited Edition and GSP 2101 Artist Pro?
A: All version have nearly identical circuitry. Hardware is electronically and mechanically nearly the same. If you upgrade to 3.00.00.a or 3.00.a firmware, the only difference will be the face plate. You can check the differences between the hardware versions here!
Here you can see one example of one of the first hardware versions:

You can check the different face plate versions at my main page.
While the GSP2101 and the GSP2101 Artist came with Penta Tubes the GSP 2101 Limited Edition and GSP 2101 Artist Pro came with Groove Tubes:


Q: What was the latest (and final) firmware version for the GSP 2101 (and variants)?
A: Version 3.00.a and 3.00.00.a was the latest and final firmware version.

Q: Can I upgrade my Digitech GSP 2101 (Artist, LE, Pro) to the latest firmware version?
A: Yes, you can upgrade ANY GSP2101 to the latest and final firmware version. You also can upgrade with the PPC-210 and you can upgrade to 20MHz cycle frequency! It doesn't matter which GSP2101 (Artist, LE, Pro) you've got. Contact me if you have further questions! If you want to buy the upgrade visit my webshop here!

Q: Which benefits do I get by installing the 3.00.00.a or 3.00.a firmware?
A: The 3.00.00 is the same as the 3.00 firmware. It is called "Artist-Firmware". What ".a" you'll read below.
After the upgrade you will have the following benefits if you currently have firmware-version lower than 2.00.00:

Q: How can I find out the installed firmware version of my GSP 2101 (Artist, LE, Pro)?
A: Execute these steps:
- switch off the GSP2101
- switch on the GSP2101 while watching the display.
- The firmware-version is shown there while boot up.
- E.g. there is shown: "2.01.01.a." or "2.55.a"

That means:
The "2.01.01" or "2.55" indicates your firmware-version.
The ".a" at the end of the firmware-version describes, if your GSP2101 runs with 20MHz cycle frequency or not.
If you have a ".a" at the end of the firmware-version the Z80 (the Z80 is the main-processor of your 2101) works with 20 MHz.
If you have no ".a" at the end of the firmware-version the Z80 works with 10 MHz only.

I always recommend upgrading to firmware-version 3.00.00.a or 3.00.a.
With this firmware you'll get the best out of your GSP 2101!

Q: Where can I get a firmware-upgrade (3.00.a or 3.00.00.a) for my GSP 2101 (Artist, LE, Pro)?
A: Email me! I have it available! The upgrade comes with a very detailed installation manual in English or German! If you want to buy the upgrade directly visit my webshop here!

Q: Will I lose my presets after installing the 3.00 or 3.00.00 firmware or the 20MHz upgrade in my GSP2101?
A: Yes, because after installing you have to execute a hard reset.
If you want to keep them, consider a bulk MIDI dump or individual program dump. Or, write down your most important settings on paper.

Q: How can I find out the cycle frequency of the main processor (Z80) of my GSP2101?
A: Execute these steps:
- switch off the GSP2101
- switch on the GSP2101 while watching the display.
- The firmware-version is shown there while boot up.
- E.g. there is shown: "2.01.01.a." or "2.55.a"

That means:
The ".a" at the end of the firmware-version describes, if your GSP2101 runs with 20MHz cycle frequency or with 10MHz.
If you have a ".a" at the end of the firmware-version the Z80 (the Z80 is the main-processor of your 2101) works with 20 MHz.
If you have no ".a" at the end of the firmware-version the Z80 works with 10 MHz only.
If you have 10MHz only, you should upgrade to 20MHz! Email me!

Q: Which benefits do I get by installing the ".a" upgrade (20MHz upgrade) in my GSP2101?
A: You'll get the following benefits:
The speed increase is associated with:
- program changes
- higher multiplex speed of the 7 segment display and the LEDs
- expression controller responsiveness
- speed of response to user commands (operating system response)
- speed of boot up
- refresh rate of the display
- algorithm compilation
- etc.

Q: Where can I get the ".a" upgrade (20MHz upgrade) for my GSP 2101 (Artist, LE, Pro)?
A: Email me! I have it available! The upgrade comes with a very detailed installation manual in English or German! Before you upgrade to 20MHz you should have the 3.00.00 or 3.00 firmware installed!

Q: What is a PPC-210 upgrade?
A: The PPC-210 upgrade card is a module which doubles the capabilities of your GSP2101.
Here you see some example pictures:

Installed in the unit:


Q: Which benefits do I get by installing a PPC-210 in my GSP2101?
A: The PPC-210 upgrade card doubles the capabilities of your GSP2101.
You will get the following benefits by installing the PPC210-module:

• 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.

• Switch seamlessly between single S-DISC programs. This allows your 'Metallica Crunch' program to fade out according to your pre-programmed 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.

• increased memory (adds 6MB SDRAM).

• Doubled delay time

• increased sampling time to 10 seconds.

• The PPC-200/PPC-210 adds 4 new factory algorithms to your 2101:

  • Algorithm #30 – Tuning Reference

  • Algorithm #31 – Super Mod/Pitch

  • Algorithm #32 – Whammy madness

  • Algorithm #33 – Old Time FX

• The PPC-210 adds 15 new factory programs to your 2101. The program numbers depend on the EPROM version installed in your 2101 - 241 through 255 for version 3.00.00, and 201 through 215 for all versions prior to 3.00.00:

  • Program 201/241 – Gooey 2101 Treatment

  • Program 202/242 – Quaalude Buzz Box

  • Program 203/243 – Analog Kentucky

  • Program 204/244 – Outer Limits

  • Program 205/245 – Ain’t No Saint

  • Program 206/246 – The Works

  • Program 207/247 – Hide Behind My Bebop

  • Program 208/248 – Sunrise in Okinawa

  • Program 209/249 – Curiosity?

  • Program 210/250 – MuckVerb

  • Program 211/251 – Analogged Blues

  • Program 212/252 – Dirty Delay Heaven

  • Program 213/253 – Eternities

  • Program 214/254 – Chorus Cavern

  • Program 215/255 – Canned AM Radio

Q: How can I find out if I have a PPC-210 card installed in my GSP 2101 (Artist, LE, Pro)?
A: Execute these steps:
- dial program 101 (Lead On Me)
- Press the "Utility" button
- Press the "Next" button TWICE(!)
- If the display shows "Seamless Program 101" you have a PPC210 installed in you unit!
- If the display shows "Global EQ" you have no PPC210 installed in you unit!

Q: Where can I get a PPC-210 upgrade card for my GSP 2101 (Artist, LE, Pro)?
A: At my Webshpop here or  Email me! I have it available! The upgrade comes with a very detailed installation manual in English or German! Before you install the PPC-210 you must have firmware 2.00 or higher installed! It's not necessary to have the 20MHz (".a") upgrade installed, but for best performance I recommend to upgrade to 20MHz, too.
The PPC-210 card will work with any version 2.00 or later.

Q: Will I lose my presets after installing the PPC-210 in my GSP2101?
A: Yes, because after installing you have to execute a hard reset.
If you want to keep them, consider a bulk MIDI dump or individual program dump. Or, write down your most important settings on paper.

Q: What is the meaning of the designation "PPC-200" and "PPC-210"?
A: PPC means Parallel Processing Card
The designation "200" was used because the firmware (EPROMs) which came with the PPC-200 was Version 2.00 (for the TSR-24).
The designation "210" was used because the firmware (EPROMs) which came with the PPC-210 first was Version 2.01.01 (for the GSP-2101), later the PPC-210 cards were shipped with the 3.00.00 (= Artist) version, but the designation remained "PPC-210".

Q: Which foot-controller should I use??
A: See foot-controller section!

Q: Where can I download patches for my GSP 2101 (Artist, LE, Pro)?
A: See Patch Archive!

Q: Where can I download editing software for my GSP 2101 (Artist, LE, Pro)?
A: See editing software section!

GSP2101 USER-MANUALs:

Q: Where can I download the user manuals for the GSP2101?
A:
Here you can download the English user manual for the GSP2101 Artist!
Here you can download the English Sysex documentation for the GSP2101 (and variants)!

Q: Is a German user manual available for the GSP2101 Artist?
A: Yes, but not as pdf file. Email me!

GSP2101 TROUBLESHOOTING:

Q: How do I recognize that the internal lithium battery gets weak?
A: Best would be to measure the voltage with a voltmeter. If you don't have one:
- The unit doesn't hold the presets while switched off.
- The display might show garbled characters
I recommend replacing the battery every 7 years.

Q: How do I measure the voltage of the internal lithium battery?
A: Execute these steps:
- Pull the mains power cable!
- open the unit and locate the RAM-chip marked with U74
- Measure the DC voltage with a voltmeter at PIN16 (-) and PIN32 (+)
- The voltage should be 2.7VDC or higher. If it is lower, replace the battery.
- close the unit

Q: After replacing the lithium battery of my GSP2101 I get confuse characters on the display. What can I do?
A: Execute a hard reset

Q: How do I execute a hard reset at a GSP2101?
A: If you execute a hard reset you will lose your presets! Execute these steps:

• connect power cord

• switch off the unit
• switch on the unit WHILE pressing down the #1 function key
• an asterisk will appear next to "Digitech"
• release the #1 function key
• press (and release) the "program up" button
• The display should read "Resetting... Please wait..."

Q: I have a GSP2101 that won't start up, the backlit display comes on but shows nothing, the LED display says "888" (as in all lit up) and a few of the level lights stay on. I have tried the (assign 1 while starting up and then the program up button, but no asterisk and no results). What's wrong?
A: In most cases there is a problem in the power supply. Check the soldering-points in the power-supply area. If they are dark-grey resolder them. Execute a hard reset.

Q: I have a problem with the GSP2101 series: The rear input does not work. What's wrong?
A: In most cases this is caused by the FRONT input jack.
At the jacks you'll find 3 switches as you can see on the pictures below. The front input jack is fairly stressed in most cases and the switch-contacts bend up a little bit and the signal from the rear input jack which is switched by the front input jack doesn't come through anymore.
If you experience this problem, replacing the jack can help.

Q: Where can I get a phone jack for my GSP 2101 (Artist, LE, Pro)?
A: Email me! I have it available!
Phone Jack
for Digitech units:
GSP2101, 2101 Artist, 2101 Artist PRO or Digitech GSP 2101 LE (Limited Edition)


The jack fits in the following positions:
front:


rear:

Note: To replace the jacks you'll need knowledge in soldering.

Q: How do I change the mains voltage of a GSP2101?
A: Execute these steps (do it on your own risk! I assume no liability of course):

• Switch off the unit and pull all plugs.
• Make sure to remove the mains power cable.
• Remove the six side-panel screws.
• Remove the rear-panel top center screw.
• Remove the front-panel top center hex-bolt. Use a 7/64" hex head screwdriver.
• Remove the lid.
• Locate the resistor shaped jumper at the left PCB board:
  
• unsolder the jumper
• solder the jumper to the position you need.
• close up the unit
• If you set the unit to 230V or 240V mains voltage: Replace the fuse in the holder on the back of the unit to a 200mAT (the "T" stands for "slow blow")
• If you set the unit to 100V or 117V mains voltage: Replace the fuse in the holder on the back of the unit to a 400mAT (the "T" stands for "slow blow")
  
• test your unit.

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