Akai Headrush - Opinions

[Bunnyboy]

Hellos

I am interested in getting one of these, but I have been told that there is no UK dealer for Akai at the moment, and the couple of shops i've tried didn't have them (funnily enough!). However, I can get one on the internet, but that, of course, doesnt allow me to demo it first.

What I want to do with it is some vocal effects kinda like:

mic => mixer => distortion pedal => Headrush => Alesis AirFX => Speakers

I want it to layer sound on sound on sound... etc Would this be overkill? i like the idea of letting the sound build using the headrush then playing through the airfx

i like the idea of it cause of the very long delay (20+s) rather than the 0.5s, etc of a "normal" delay
I know it loops as well, but i am not really interested in that part just yet, mainly cause I wanna do stuff on the fly, but that of course could come in handy with more experience of it

I am a total newbie with hardware so this might be a no go, but I like the idea of doing this in conjunction with software rather than through software.

So, would the Headrush be good for this? Would it be too much? Could I save lots of money and just get a standard delay pedal?

[whyterabbyt]

the Loopers Delight website is one place to look at for reviews, comments, as well as similar alternatives et.c. Most of that will focus on the looping aspect of it, though, but you'll get some idea at least.

[Devious E Simian]

I have a Headrush and love it - it's a great musical toy/tool. Dead easy to use and works very well indeed. I bought mine off the infer-web and have no regrets at all about it.

[pdadda]

I use the Headrush E2 exclusively for its looping functions. It sounds great for vocals. I use it as part of my live looping act. Check out my signature to hear some tracks. All tracks were played live as a single track, using the Headrush for its looping features (take me away's vocal loop I did with a kp2). The last track on my page shows this the most (basement). I don't use the delay on it, as I personally prefer the ones on my Boss DD-20. It's a big crowd pleaser to set up loops on the fly, stop them while still playing, and then bring them back later in the song. I'm not a big fan of solo acts who bring pre-recorded stuff stored on their pedals (like on the RC-20 or the jamman). Also, the switches are awesome on the Headrush and allow you to make clean loops pretty easily.

[stk]

It's a good tool, I use it as a regular-ish delay, for looping noise / feedback, and for writing songs (loop a phase, jam over the top, loop that, et cetera).

Multi outs on the 'tape' setting are cool, too.

Downside is you have no control over the loop once recorded, and also there's no joy to be had in tweaking the delay time while it's feeding back (you'll get a whole lot of nasty clicks, no analog-style niceness).

Check out the Line 6 delay thingy, too. That can reverse stuff and modulate the delay time.

sk

[Bunnyboy]

Hey all

Thanks for the replies

@stk - yeah, thats a pity about not being able to change the delay times. The DL4 I looke at initally, but its too expensive!!

@pdadda - I will have a listen to your song once KVR decides to behave itself - i cant see any links at the moment! I know what you mean about having it all pre-recorded, I used to play in a band like that and it was a "creative difference" for me.

@Devious - Did you buy it blind from the net? Hmm, I may just do that then (can always return it if its from a shop)

@WR - had a look at the loopers delight website, it seems to have a more comfusing layout than KVR does these days. Are you still thinking about getting one?

I'm glad you've all had positive experinces with it - that is certainly food for thought when deciding. The Line 6 DL4 and the Boss pedals are too expensive for me, but I am due a pay rise soon, so may have save and invest

Thanks once again

[rebuskyle]

The Headrush pedals are amongst some of the most accurate and best for looping live. If you're looking for more effects I'd suggest the Line 6 DL4...although you mentioned it might be a bit too much for you. I've used all the mentioned pedals on everything from vocals to synth, and for looping I like the Headrush pedals...but for looping/effects you need to check out the DL4.

2 cents,
Kyle

[Devious E Simian]

@Devious - Did you buy it blind from the net? Hmm, I may just do that then (can always return it if its from a shop)

I did, yes - I read reviews of a load of loopers and the Headrush sounded like the least faff. The others have more features, but the Headrush just gets on with it.