Headrush Gigboard

[petetexas]

Hi ,

Anyone use one of these ?

Limited sounds for bass , just wondering , what you thought .

 

Pete

[RussFM]

I like mine. 

My chain goes something like:

EQ - Compressor - Chorus - Octave - Drop

then either

Ampeg SVT into Markbass 212 IR

or

Darkglass B7K into Ampeg 8x10 for my overdrive tone

 

There are a few bass amps, but it's enough to get the tones you want (a Trace Elf was just added too). The different routing options work well too, but you might find it limited in effects if you use a lot of those - my old Zoom B3 had a lot more, but the Headrush definitely sounds better and much easier to use, everything is very easy to adjust.

 

The last update allowed each footswitch two have two options, which made it much more flexible - you could have 2 different settings for one pedal, or switching something else entirely.

 

For me, it's overkill, I probably use 10% of it's capability, but it would cost a lot more to build a pedalboard with at least 5 pedals, and I'd end up doing a lot more tap dancing. It has the added bonus of being an audio interface, great for headphone practice, etc.

[BigRedX]

Just remember that a lot of bass amps from the 60s and 70s were essentially guitar amps with the name/badge changed.

 

The great thing about modelling amps and effects is that you don't run the risk of damaging a "guitar orientated" one by putting your bass through it. The worst that can happen is that you won't like the sound. I'd run through ALL the amp and effects models before making a decision. 

 

I have a Helix and the amp/cab model I use the most is the Roland Jazz Chorus combo. A device that in real life would be totally useless for bass guitar at anything above home practice levels, but for the sound I want with one of my bands works perfectly.

[RussFM]

That's very true, before the B7K was added I was using a Soldano amp for my overdrive channel, sounded great! 

[jimfist]

Have you all seen the new Headrush PRIME? 

https://www.musicradar.com/news/headrush-prime-floorboard-guitar-fx-amp-modeller

[Al Krow]

Nope hadn't seen it - good spot! 

 

Well that's an absolute beast of a unit both in terms of size and processing power. If they end up doing an LT version it could be very interesting. And what's also interesting is that it could maybe spur a response from Helix, who've not really introduced anything properly new for 5 years since Helix Stomp came out, to much excitement and acclaim. Fingers crossed to 2023 being a vintage year for multifx releases!

[BigRedX]

14 hours ago, Al Krow said:

And what's also interesting is that it could maybe spur a response from Helix, who've not really introduced anything properly new for 5 years since Helix Stomp came out, to much excitement and acclaim.

 

The thing with the Helix/HX range is that all the improvements are in the software which is where it really matters. There are generally 2-3 each year and they are all free. There's now a wide range of form factors and processing power throughout the range, so there is pretty much a model for everyone and if you need something "better" you simply move up to the next model in the range. I have the Helix Floor and the only improvements they could make for me would be the addition of a few specialised modules and additional scope for MIDI control all of which can be done without the need to release any new hardware.

[Al Krow]

32 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

 

The thing with the Helix/HX range is that all the improvements are in the software which is where it really matters. There are generally 2-3 each year and they are all free. There's now a wide range of form factors and processing power throughout the range, so there is pretty much a model for everyone and if you need something "better" you simply move up to the next model in the range. I have the Helix Floor and the only improvements they could make for me would be the addition of a few specialised modules and additional scope for MIDI control all of which can be done without the need to release any new hardware.

 

Yeah agreed that software is key, which is where Helix wins out over its rivals.

But Headrush have a quad core processor in their MX5 which is their equivalent of the Stomp; whereas the Stomp sports the same chip that Helix (i.e. half the processing power available in the Floor and LT) has been using in their range since 2015. There's potential for significant upside with additional DSP and I think you've commented on the benefits of the additional processing power in your Floor elsewhere? Helix could potentially bring that to their Stomp which, together with a larger screen on the Stomp (similar to the competition is already doing), would be a nice upgrade.

[BigRedX]

Line6 have got around the supposed lack of processing power by producing new versions of many of the modules with a lower processor overhead. There was a major update last year where most of the amp and cab sims were replaced with more processor efficient versions. Personally I've not yet run into these kinds of problems on my Helix Floor (so you must be thinking of someone else), but then I don't have any need for the extremely processor hungry effects like the polyphonic pitchshifters. 

 

My needs are all capable of being address with firmware upgrades. What I would most like is VCF and VCA modules with full ADSR envelope control and ability for the envelopes to respond to external MIDI note on and off commands as an alternative to the audio input signal. Other than that some more flexibility with the footswitch assignments, and then I'd be happy.

 

I'm sure that there would be some who need more processing power, but right now if that was me, I would simply daisy-chain a second Helix/HX unit using the digital audio and MIDI connections to give me the additional facilities I needed.

 

 

[petetexas]

Now l have the Headrush frfr112 cab to use with it , it sounds  much better , even the presets !

It's a step up for me into modern technology , 75 year old bass player , using the VERY EASY TO USE screen .

I'll spend some time going through all the amps and see what l get .

Thanks for all input 

Pete

 

[Jack]

I've wanted more processing power on the Stomp once or twice, but never did on my rack Helix. The one thing that Helix seems to be lacking for me now is the interface. All these young guns are really starting to make the Helix (and indeed the Kemper, assuming it's still the same as last I used it) feel a little dated to actually use. Minor problems considering the sound of the Line 6 stuff, but man I want a touch screen with proper pictures rather than just little blocks and sometimes-awkward rotary encoders.

[BigRedX]

I don't really have a problem with the interface, as I do the vast majority of my programming using the HX Edit application, and I certainly wouldn't want a touch screen on the Helix Floor version, and I'd only want a touch screen on other versions if they also had standard controls (I'm one of these people for whom touch screens don't always work reliably and IME rotary encoders are always more accurate). There are improvements that could be made to the HX Edit app, like the ability to have multiple windows open showing different things and the ability to have all the parameters for two or more modules visible at once if your screen was big enough, rather than simply scaling up the whole interface. However they are minor niggles.

[thisisswanbon]

I went the Hotone Ampero II stomp route after having two failed attempts at the HX stomp... the touch screen and rotary knob combination works like a dream and it's a real dark horse when it comes to sound quality with more DSP on tap than the stomp (although certainly more limited functionality up to now).  I think if i'd have been aware of this unit, I'd have given it a shot over the Ampero in honesty, it seems to address a lot of what I see as shortcomings on the Ampero (4 x FS vs 3, Clear indication of what each FS is doing being the main ones after a quick look).  What an aesthetically great looking bit of kit, too!

[petetexas]

Hi Guys ,

 

Now sold the Gigboard , and purchased a MX5 . Much smaller and lighter , same software ( I think ) . They must have a sheet of lead in

 

the base of the Gigboard .

 

Strange thing , I find that playing it through the Headrush FRFR 112 , is not as nice sounding to my ears , as going through a empty

 

channel on my Fender Studio 40 !

 

Might be my 75 year old ears , what did you say ?

 

Pete

Edited July 8, 2023 by petetexas

[MrDinsdale]

40 minutes ago, petetexas said:

Hi Guys ,

 

Now sold the Gigboard , and purchased a MX5 . Much smaller and lighter , same software ( I think ) . They must have a sheet of lead in

 

the base of the Gigboard .

 

Strange thing , I find that playing it through the Headrush FRFR 112 , is not as nice sounding to my ears , as going through a empty

 

channel on my Fender Studio 40 !

 

Might be my 75 year old ears , what did you say ?

 

Pete

Even a clean channel will be affecting the signal, are you using a cab sim or LPF with the FRFR? If so are you disabling it when using the combo?

[petetexas]

Not using the cab sim or LPF , direct unplug one and plug in the other , set volume approx same .

[MrDinsdale]

Even if the combo is set to be clean it's still running through the preamp which will effect the tone. The speaker of the combo will be voiced to attenuate some of the higher frequencies etc too. 

 

The FRFR speaker is designed to be completely flat so that it doesn't colour your tone. If you want it to sound like a bass cab you'll need to run a cabsim, LPF or some eq.

[Acebassmusic]

Revival of the Headrush thread to see if someone can help me....

 

I bought @petetexas Headrush Gigboard and think its an excellent piece of kit which does just about everything I want it to.....apart from the octaver. I occasionally need a sound which is a mix of my bass tone plus 1 octave down mixed in. The problem I'm having is with the Headrush is the tracking of the octaver. When I play an F (3rd fret) on the D string it tracks but anything lower than that sounds farty and fragmented (technical musical term for you there 🤣). I have tried different settings and routings but its still the same.

 

My searches in t'internet result in mainly guitar settings etc. Any ideas or has someone solved the problem? I also have a TC G-Major 2 which I have set up with its octaver and it tracks great down to a very useable B (7th fret) on the E string. I'd love to replicate this with the Headrush 🤔

[petetexas]

Hi Acebassmusic,

 

Have you tried facebook forum for the Headrush Gigboard , I found them very helpfull . Just post a question, and there is usually someone who can answer.

 

Even try sending a message to Headrush themselves , they are a bit slow to answer , but usually do .

 

Pete

[Acebassmusic]

Hey Pete, I did see the FB group but thought I'd try here as we're more bass orientated. I will drop them and Headrush a line to see if anything can be done.

 

Thanks, Mike

[Acebassmusic]

Yesterday I tried tweaking the Headrush Octaver settings and got a slighly better sounding output. Octave 1 set at 60% and Mix set at 70%. The search continues.......

[Acebassmusic]

I got a couple of ideas from TalkBass and tried one tonight. Instead of using the Octaver I used the Smart Harmonizer. Usually you set a key and then choose 3rd / 5th / 7th etc of the chord and it provides up to 2 notes in harmony with your root note. I had to play around with the settings and eventually came up with a balanced bass guitar to octave sound that I think is useable and tracks better than the Octaver down to open E! Result.👍 Just need to try it out at gig volumes to check and tweak paramaters as needed.

 

For those that might want to try it here are my settings:

Smart Harmonizer: You dont need to set a key as you ar only using the octave part of the app.

Mix: 60%

VC 2 Vol: 0.0dB

VC1 & VC2 Detune, Glide: 0

VC1 & VC2Delay: 0

Sync: Off

VC1 & VC2 Harm: Oct Down