From your review it’s clear you must have a very early version DRP20. These units were a bit noisy if not gain structured properly for your mixing console but by no means is the DRP20 noisier than some FX units such as a Yamaha Rev 7, Rev 5, SPX90, or SPX900. Many people weren’t aware that a factory modification was available to lower the DRP’s noise floor considerably. The modification was done by Dynacord or a qualified tech authorized by Dynacord and took only a few hours to complete. There was also a firmware update available and most DRP20’s were not shipped with the newer firmware or hardware modification. Chances are if you have a DRP20 and haven’t sent it to Dynacord for these updates, your unit won’t have them.

I’m a bit boggled by you stating the DRP20 is a “darker” sounding unit. Smooth yes, moody yes, but dark? Not unless you rolled off most of the high end and were trying to achieve a darker sound. One thing I really love about the DRP20 is its ability to do both crisp, smooth halls and plates as well as darker Lexicon style FX. If I wanted the DRP20 to sound like a Lexicon, that was as simple as changing a few parameters. The DRP20 uses an NEC 32 BIT Processing chip for all its effects and that’s why the unit sounds so wonderful.

The DRP20 excels at multi-FX and the reverbs, delays, chorus, flange, and Leslie effects are top notch. One only has to delve into the inner parameters of the DRP20 to utilize its tremendous wealth of FX. The MIDI implementation is also first rate and navigating the parameters is simple even without use of the instruction manual. I’ve always considered the DRP20 the Swiss Army Knife of FX devices and I know of no other device that can best it as an all around FX unit.

Contrary to what I’ve seen many people write the DRP20X (balanced version) is not quieter than the standard DRP20. A DRP20 with the firmware and hardware modifications is identical in sound and output quality. If you have a DRP20 and you believe it is noisy, then it most certainly hasn’t had the hardware modification and firmware updates.

FYI… The sibling DRP15 and DRP10 only share the name with the DRP20 and they do not sound anything like the DRP20. They don’t use an NEC 32 BIT processor and their AD/DA converters while good are not on par with those in the DRP20. The lower end DRP’s were geared more towards live use whereas the DRP20 was intended as a true studio effects device.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to check out a DRP20, please do so. You won’t be disappointed! A rare gem that would be a welcome addition to any studio arsenal.