User Guide English
Table of Contents Introduction ....................................... 3 Box Contents ................................. 3 Support .......................................... 3 Features ............................................ 4 Top Panel ....................................... 4 Rear Panel ...................................... 5 Adjusting Settings ......................... 16 Overview ............................................ 16 Parameters ........................................ 17 Amp ...........
Introduction Your Perfect Tone is Just a Touch Away Thank you for purchasing the HeadRush Pedalboard! Featuring a finely tuned quad-core DSP system and powered by its exclusive Eleven® HD Expanded platform, the HeadRush Pedalboard delivers the most versatile, realistic-sounding and responsive amplifier, cabinet, microphone and effects models ever found in a floorboard guitar effects processor.
Features Top Panel 8 10 3 9 11 1 2 2 2 7 6 5 4 6 5 4 12 1. Main Display: This full-color multi-touch display shows information relevant to the HeadRush Pedalboard’s current operation. Touch the display (and use the hardware controls) to control the interface. See Operation > Main Screen to learn how it works. 2. Parameter Knobs: Turn these knobs to adjust the parameters or settings shown next to them in the main display. 3.
Rear Panel 1. Power Input (IEC): Connect this input to a power outlet using the included power cable. 2. Power Switch: Press this button to turn the HeadRush Pedalboard’s power on. Press and hold this button to turn the HeadRush Pedalboard’s power off. 3. Vent: Make sure this vent is unobstructed while using the HeadRush Pedalboard. 4. Guitar Input (1/4”/6.35 mm, TS): Connect your guitar to this input using a standard instrument cable. 5. Expression Pedal Input (1/4”/6.
15. MIDI Input (5-pin DIN): Use a standard MIDI cable to connect this input to the MIDI output of an optional external MIDI device. 16. MIDI Output/Throughput (5-pin DIN): Use a standard MIDI cable to connect this output to the MIDI input of an optional external MIDI device. You can set this output to be a standard MIDI output or MIDI throughput (see Operation > Global Settings > MIDI Settings for more information). 17. USB Port: Connect this USB port to a computer using a standard USB cable.
Setup Items not listed under Introduction > Box Contents are sold separately. Guitar PA loudspeakers or mixer Guitar amplifier Headphones Power outlet External effect stompboxes, modules, etc.
Operation This chapter describes the HeadRush Pedalboard’s functions. Main Screen Overview Tap to search for rigs by name. Tap to view setlists. Tap and drag this bar downward to view list of rigs. Turn encoder to move through selectable items onscreen or to adjust parameters. Press encoder as an Enter command. Rig name. Tap to save rig. Tap for more options. Double-tap a model, In, or Out to show its parameters. Tap its footswitch to activate or deactivate it.
To show a model’s settings screen, double-tap it. Its settings screen will appear with its preset menu, parameters, and assigned color. To activate or deactivate a model, press the footswitch assigned to it, or tap the model’s footswitch in the display. To switch an amp and/or cab between a dual and single configuration, tap the 2X button next to it.
Signal Path You can easily reconfigure the path of your signal chain to split, creating more complex routings. To reconfigure the signal path, tap at the bottom of the main screen. The icon will change to match the current signal path as shown below. This straight signal path is the default and the most common. This signal path splits in the middle and rejoins near the end.
Stereo vs. Mono The outgoing signal from the HeadRush Pedalboard can be mono or stereo, depending on the models in your rig, the signal path, and which outputs you are using. An indicator near the end of the signal path indicates the current configuration. The signal will be stereo if you do any one of the following: • Use any stereo effect model in your signal chain. Even if you have placed mono effect models after it.
Views The eight middle footswitches can be used to activate or bypass models (amps, cabs, or effects) as well as select rigs or setlists. These footswitches are always in one of four views: Stomp View, Rig View, Hybrid View, and Setlist View. To change the view: 1. Press and hold the lower-left footswitch until Exit appears in its display. The adjacent four footswitches now correspond to the four views: Stomp, Rig, Hybrid, and Setlist. 2. Press a footswitch to enter that view.
Rigs While using the HeadRush Pedalboard, a rig is a preset: the combination of assigned models—the amps, cabs, and effects—and the parameter settings of each of them. You can create, edit, save, and load rigs, making it easy to recall the perfect sound for each part of your performance. Each rig has 11 slots, each of which can have one model (amp, cab, or effect) assigned to it. An exception is when a slot is using an amp and/or cab in a dual configuration (when the 2X button next to it is enabled).
Optimizing Your Signal Chain The signal chain is the path that the audio signal follows from your guitar through your selected models and ends at the outputs of the HeadRush Pedalboard. You can use the touchscreen to arrange your selected models in any sequence, but you may find that some configurations will sound better than others. Here are some common model placement suggestions for creating great rigs with the HeadRush Pedalboard: • Dynamics (e.g., compressors), filters (e.g.
If the asterisk is shown and you try to load a different rig, you will be asked to select one of these options: Cancel: This option returns to the previous screen without saving the current rig or loading a new rig. Discard Changes: This option loads a new rig without saving any changes to the previous rig. Save as a New Rig: This option lets you save the current rig as a new rig. In the screen that appears, use the keyboard that appears to enter a name, and then tap Save.
Adjusting Settings To adjust the settings of an item in your rig, double-tap it to open its settings screen. You can adjust the settings of any model (amp, cab, or effect), the input (the In/Lock icon), the output (the Out icon), or mix (the Mix icon). Overview Tap to return to retain your changes and return to the main screen. Tap this button and tap Discard Changes to discard any changes you’ve made since opening this screen. Tap the Preset menu to select a preset. See Saving a Preset.
Parameters These are some of the parameters that you can adjust for each type of item in a rig. This includes amps, cabs, effects, input settings, output settings, and mix settings (if you are using a split signal path). See Saving a Preset to learn how to save your preset after adjusting its parameters. Amp The Amp category is a list of popular guitar amplifiers. Preset: This is the current amp preset, which includes the model, all of its settings, and its color assignment. Model: This is the amp model.
Effects There are several types of available effects. Their adjustable settings depend on the type of effect. In These input settings control the signal into the models of your rig: Preset: This is the current input preset, which includes its settings on the right edge of the display and its locked/unlocked state. Parameters: This menu determines whether these input settings are locked or unlocked. When unlocked, the settings will change to the new rig’s input settings each time you load a new rig.
Out These output settings control the signal sent to the HeadRush Pedalboard outputs: Preset: This is the current output preset, which includes its settings on the right edge of the display. Rig Output: This level meter indicates the current level of your output signal after the output controls shown on this screen. You can set which outputs will send this signal in the Global Settings screen. See Global Settings to learn about this.
Hardware Assign The Hardware Assign screen enables you to customize how the HeadRush Pedalboard’s footswitches, expression pedal, and parameter knobs control each rig. To open the Hardware Assign screen, tap the button in the upper-right corner of the main screen, and then tap Hardware Assign. To return to the main screen, tap the button in the upper-left corner. Important: The Hardware Assign settings are all part of the overall rig, so remember to save your changes you want to keep.
Footswitches The eight boxes in the lower-left corner represent the middle eight footswitches of the HeadRush Pedalboard. You can assign any switch-based parameters (ones with only two states) to any of the footswitches—regardless of their location in the signal chain. To assign a parameter to a footswitch: 1. Tap a box. indicates an empty box. 2. In the list that appears, tap the model with the parameter you want to assign. 3. In the list that appears, tap the parameter you want to assign.
Scenes The Scene feature allows you to turn multiple models on or off in each rig. When you press the footswitch assigned to that scene, all models included in that scene will turn on or off, depending on how you assign them. This is a great way to create multiple tones in the same rig. For instance, you may want a particular reverb model to be on anytime a particular distortion model is also on. Alternatively, you may want to turn one delay model off when you turn another one on.
Expression Pedal The expression pedal can control two parameters (in Classic Mode) or two sets of parameters (in Advanced Mode). Use the toe switch to switch between them—Expression Pedal A or B. To activate the toe switch, move the “toe end” of the expression pedal so it touches the pedalboard, and then press down. The expression pedal status LED will indicate A or B. The column of four boxes represents the expression pedal settings.
Setlists You can use setlists to organize your rigs. A setlist is a saved collection of rigs, which you can save and recall at a later time. This is useful, for instance, if you only need some of your rigs for a performance; you can save a setlist of just those rigs so you don’t have to spend time searching through all of your rigs before playing the next song. To view your setlists, tap the ≡ button in the upper-left corner of the main screen. The Setlists screen will appear.
To load a setlist: 1. While viewing the main screen, tap the ≡ button in the upper-left corner to view the Setlists screen. Each setlist will show the number of rigs in parentheses (including multiple instances of the same rig). 2. Optional: Tap the magnifying-glass icon in the upperleft corner, and use the virtual keyboard that appears to enter a search term (e.g., part of the setlist name). The results will appear below. 3. Tap the desired setlist. The first rig of that setlist will load immediately.
Looper The HeadRush Pedalboard has a built-in looper that you can use to layer your performances. While the looper’s operation is shown in the display, you can control most of it conveniently with the footswitches. The looper can hold up to 20 minutes of audio at a time across a maximum of 100 layers. Rig name. This controls how much of the looper’s signal you hear in the outputs. This meter indicates your current location in the loop during recording or playback.
To halve or double the speed of the looper, press the 1/2 Speed or 2X Speed footswitch, respectively. The loop’s relative speed is shown in the Speed field. Tip: Use this to create low bass lines or ultra-high guitar parts that you couldn’t play ordinarily. To reverse looper playback, press the Reverse footswitch. The looper’s current playback direction is shown in the Playback field. Tip: Create eerie effects by recording layers in reverse then switching back to normal playback.
Global Settings Use the global settings to configure the HeadRush Pedalboard’s overall operation. To show the global settings, tap the button in the upper-right corner of the screen, and tap Global Settings. To select each page of the global settings, tap 1 or 2 at the bottom edge of the screen. LCD Brightness: This setting determines the brightness of the main display. Tap this field, turn the encoder to select 1 (dim) through 5 (bright), and then press the encoder.
USB Audio Settings: Sample Rate: This setting determines the sample rate of the USB audio signal: 44.1 kHz, 48.0 kHz or 96.0 kHz. Remember to select the same sample rate as the one in your DAW. Also, set it before opening your DAW. USB Audio: This setting determines whether or not HeadRush pedalboard is sending a USB audio signal over a USB connection. Tap On to enable sending of the USB audio signal with the selected Sample Rate. Tap Off to disable the USB audio signal.
Pedal Configuration: External Pedal: This setting determines whether or not you are using an external expression pedal with the HeadRush Pedalboard. Tap On to use the built-in expression pedal to control the parameter/parameters of Bank A while your external expression pedal controls the parameter/parameters of Bank B. (If you are using the expression pedal’s Classic Mode, pressing the toe switch will activate or deactivate the parameter.
USB You can use the HeadRush Pedalboard’s USB connection to your computer for Transferring Files & Settings (e.g., rigs, setlists, presets, etc.), Recording (to a digital audio workstation [DAW]), or Reamping. Transferring Files & Settings Over a USB connection, you can transfer rig, setlist, model preset, and/or impulse response (IR) files between your computer and the HeadRush Pedalboard. We recommend creating a backup copy of your files to your computer before you make any changes.
Recording When the HeadRush Pedalboard’s USB port is connected to your computer, you can select and use the HeadRush Pedalboard as a 24-bit audio interface, enabling you to play audio through it or to send its audio signal to the computer. It can use sample rates of 48 kHz or 96 kHz. Important Note for Windows Users: Before connecting the HeadRush Pedalboard to your computer, download the necessary drivers from headrushfx.com/support and install them.
Screen Lock The Screen Lock feature disables the touchscreen and gives you a simple interface that shows your current rig name, setlist name, and a customizable image. To customize the Screen Lock image: 1. Connect your computer to the HeadRush Pedalboard’s USB port using a standard USB cable. 2. With your computer powered on, power on the HeadRush Pedalboard using the power switch. 3. Tap the button in the upper-right corner of the screen, and tap Global Settings. 4.
Technical Specifications Footswitches (12) footswitches with color LEDs & OLED displays Pedals (1) expression pedal Knobs (1) 300° master volume knob (1) 300° phones volume knob (1) 300° auxiliary volume knob (1) 360° navigation/data encoder (3) 360° parameter encoders Displays Main Display (1) full-color LED-backlit display with touch interface 6.9” / 176 mm (diagonal) 5.9” x 3.7” / 150 x 93 mm (width x height) OLED Displays (12) monochromatic OLED-backlit displays 1.2” / 30 mm (diagonal) 1.
Manual Version 1.
