HeadRush Pedalboard any users here?

[galaxiex]

I recently got one of these and so-far I'm liking it!

One thing I realized, I can have a whole bunch of vintage amps and effects in one box,
and effortlessly switch between them.

Now I love tube amps and I know digital emulation is "not the same thing"...

But damn this comes close!

Plus there is no way I could afford all those great vintage amps,
never mind lugging them around, or the maintenance they would require.



FWIW I do own 4 vintage amps, Silverface Vibro Champ, Princeton Reverb, and Deluxe Reverb
plus a 1970 Traynor GuitarMate

[MakerDP]

Yeah modelling tech has come a long way and the rank-and-file listener can't tell the difference, but there are a lot of non-user-replaceable parts in the new wave of gear. That's a lot of money down the drain when they die on you outside of warranty.

[galaxiex]

Yeah modelling tech has come a long way and the rank-and-file listener can't tell the difference, but there are a lot of non-user-replaceable parts in the new wave of gear. That's a lot of money down the drain when they die on you outside of warranty.

That's kind of a troll-ish negative post but I'll play.

Ya, I get that this kind of thing is not usually repairable depending on what goes wrong.

However...

I think modern digital electronics are pretty reliable.
eg; the Win7 computer that I am using I assembled from parts in 2009.

It has been running 24/7 for 10 years and has never given a single bit of hardware trouble.
(other than the corded mouse that simply wore out from use)

It may not be an equivalent comparison but
surely the mainboard and HDD etc in my comp is somewhat more complex than the Headrush unit.

That said, sure, these things can break down, and there have been reports of users early units being sent back/replaced.
But it has been out since 2017 and has more positive than negative reports/reviews.

Longer term, we'll have to wait and see.

This thing is built like a tank (heavy steel chassis/case) and designed to be taken on the road by pro musicians.

I'm sure the pro's still carry a backup unit tho.

I can't afford that, but if it makes it through the 1 year warranty (have the option to extend that within the first year)
I'm confidant it will keep going after a whole year of "burn in".

[MakerDP]

Nothing trollish about it... it's reality... spoken from personal experience too. This stuff is not serviceable. Most electronic devices now-a-days are "throw-away" devices. Most stuff under warranty today is not even repaired, it is junked and replaced with a new one because they are full of proprietary processors, displays, etc.  My tube amps will last forever as long as I am willing to repair them or hire someone who can.

If your HDD dies, you buy a new one for $59 and restore your data from a backup. If your motherboard dies, you pay $79 and buy a new one then transfer all your existing stuff over to it.

and I did say they sound pretty darn good, didn't I 

It's a factor that has to be considered when buying expensive electronic gear these days. If that doesn't concern you, then knock yourself out, plug in, play and smile 

[Ritchie200]

I have actually been looking at an all-in-one modeling/profiling rig to possibly play out with.  A Kemper would require me having to sell some tube stuff to pay for it and that aint gonna happen.  The other unit frequently compared to the Kemper is AxFx and even that is more than I want to (more than my wife will let me....) pay for it.  I've heard some great things about the Headrush and prices for good sounding modeling appears to be coming down.  I've been VERY impressed with the Hotone products and own several of their pedals.  Just this year they came out with the Ampero.  Priced at $499 it has been sold out for months at every dealer with every shipment sold within hours of arrival (so I've been told by several distributors).  Reviews are calling it in the Kemper territory of quality.  The only negative being clumsy to use live with limited available functions on the fly.  Here is what really peaked my interest about the Hotone technology.  Many manufacturers "model" based on the sound or freq map of the target amp/effect.  Kemper "profiles" based on real samples.  Ampero's ads state this:

"Ampero is powered by a dual-DSP platform running CDCM HD (Comprehensive Dynamic Circuit Modeling High Definition) and F.I.R.E. (Field Impulse Response Enhancement) modeling systems. These new-gen systems employ dynamic circuit modeling methods rather than simple static-state models that just “come close” to the modeled sound. This ingenious technology “rebuilds” entire circuits using modeled electronic components, giving you a vivid, accurate, and expressive tone."

So the software has built the actual amp and effects based on the schematics using modeled components to achieve the end result - that's pretty cool!  I've read countless reviews and they talk about things like hiss in high gain amp models and how analog it all sounds and how touch sensitive it is.  Mic placement on cabinets is infinitely adjustable along with mic brand and model (of mic), speakers, cabs, on and on.  Literally thousands of amps and effects.  It also has computer based software to allow you to build a sound and download it to the pedalboard.  It's obviously foot switch challenged compared to your Headrush unit!  That was the only complaint about using it live like I mentioned above.

The Ampero allows you to run simultaneous to an PA-type amp (or amps for stereo) on stage (with full range speakers) for some guitar interaction, and/or direct to house sound. OR you could leave out the cabinet sim and go to a 4x12 and mic it.  Lots of options.  Pretty cool.  Also looks ideal for home recording with a looper and drum tracks thrown in for good measure!  The technology is incredible.

What kind of options are available for you?  Have you used it in a live setting? 

Jim

[Ritchie200]

BTW, the Headrush is out of my wife's price range too...

Jim

[galaxiex]

....................

What kind of options are available for you?  Have you used it in a live setting? 

Jim

Lots of options for the HR.

Best to google search the manual and videos etc for a comprehensive answer,
but it has 2 xlr outs and 2 1/4 inch T/R outs so stereo for both with the L of each for mono.

Amp/Line switch for the outputs.

Stereo efx loop, gnd lift, usb audio to computer etc.




Not yet used it live, but plan to.

Still in the honeymoon phase and have not used it with the band yet, we are on summer hiatus.

Plan to go xlr direct to mixer/PA, monitors and FOH.

[Ritchie200]

I feel dirty just talking about this!!!   But if the venues will not mic, you have no choice.   I mentioned this on another thread, but one of my fav bands is Nightwish.  When they played our town we did a meet and greet.  I asked the guys how they liked their Kempers - as they were using stacks of dual rectifiers and GK's just a few years ago.  They said they loved them as it gave them the exact same sound every night no matter size of venue, indoor or outside, 10 people or 100,000 (They sold out Wembley for 3 nights for gosh sakes..).  The main guitarist has a 4x12 on the side of the stage pointed across.  I assumed he used this for some speaker/guitar interaction.  So I asked him that question.  Everyone looked at him (and me) and started laughing!  He uses it to set his beer and picks on...  Sigh...


Jim

[jojokeo]

I feel dirty just talking about this!!!  

As you should you dirty old bastard! 

I mentioned this on another thread, but one of my fav bands is Nightwish.

OMG... I can't believe SG & Ed never hammered you on this one...? They are definitely slacking...now I have to go rinse out my mouth from the puke that came up a minute ago.

[jojokeo]

Galaxiex - these things are made out of super cheap parts where if they don't go first then there will definitely be any number of bad solder contacts that inevitably occur, it's only a matter of time. Then there's the effect of impacts from moving it around a lot. I've not worked on any of these units to date but they are nothing robust inside and no matter how heavy duty they may be has no bearing on the factors I mentioned that go wrong. Good luck if you bought the unit?

[Ritchie200]

Your just jealous of my hats!


Yeah that is certainly a concern. The outside is built like a tank but who knows what flimsy construction might be under the hood.


Ed will not comment because he likes the kemper. SG will not comment because it would require some thought and blood flow to the brain.  He’s in lust (which explains his absence) so.....


Jim

[SILVERGUN]

I feel dirty just talking about this!!!  

As you should you dirty old bastard! 

I mentioned this on another thread, but one of my fav bands is Nightwish.

OMG... I can't believe SG & Ed never hammered you on this one...? They are definitely slacking...now I have to go rinse out my mouth from the puke that came up a minute ago.

Yeah, I completely missed this!

https://images.app.goo.gl/yS2hq63JmytUgo9R7

I have actually been looking at an all-in-one modeling/profiling rig to possibly play out with.

And, I have actually been looking for a plastic, wind-up motorcycle to replace my Vmax.

[Ritchie200]

SG, I was wondering when you would get something more your speed.  I guess you got busted after telling people about your motorbike, but refused to actually ride it when asked....

Jim

[SILVERGUN]

Who are you kidding?...you know you're never "playing out" again unless it's '70s Night at the old folks home. And even then, I'm not sure that counts as "out" if you actually live there.

[jojokeo]

I keep saying the same thing SG! You nailed it on the head of the proverbial nail! BUT - he IS accumulating his wardrobe as a just in case scenario...and we all know he’s not doing anything without prior approval from “the warden”! (so much for his outlaw ways of youth) 🐢🎩


Then he thinks his Major is still of some sort of use in this day and age while playing a Schecter through an all-in-one semi-modeling pedal system? Goodbye tone but then you have to know what tone is in the first place? So...


Hey Jeembob 😘 we still love ya brother kine 🤙🌊🏄‍♂️