HEADRUSH Prime - Guitar FX/Amplifier Quick Start Guide

Introduction

Box Contents

• HeadRush Prime
• USB Cable
• Power Cable
• Software Download Card
• Quickstart Guide
• Safety & Warranty Manual

Visit headrushfx.com to download the complete User Guide.

Support

For the latest information about this product (documentation, technical specifications, system requirements, compatibility information, etc.) and product registration, visit headrushfx.com.
For additional product support, visit headrushfx.com/support.

Features

Top Panel

1. Main Display: This full-color multi-touch display shows information relevant to HeadRush Prime's current operation. Touch the display (and use the hardware controls) to control the interface. See Basic Operation 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. Encoder: Turn this encoder to scroll through the available menu options or adjust the parameter values of the selected field in the display. Push the encoder to confirm your selection.
4. Footswitches: Press these footswitches to activate or deactivate the assigned block or scene, or to load the assigned rig.
5. Footswitch Displays: These display strips indicate the block, rig, or scene assigned to each footswitch.
6. Footswitch Indicators: These lights indicate whether the block, rig, or scene assigned to each footswitch is on (brightly lit) or off (dimly lit).
7. Expression Pedal: Use this pedal to adjust the assigned parameter/parameters. See the User Guide for more information.
8. Expression Pedal Status: These small LEDs indicate the current status of the expression pedal.
9. Main Volume: Turn this knob to adjust the volume level of the Outputs.
10. Phones Volume: Turn this knob to adjust the volume level of the Phones Output.
11. Aux Volume: Turn this knob to adjust the volume level of the Aux Input.

The audio signal from the aux input is routed directly to the outputs of HeadRush Prime without any modeling or effects applied and cannot be used by the looper. It is also unaffected by the main volume or phones volume knobs.

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 HeadRush Prime's power on.
3. Vent: Make sure this vent is unobstructed while using HeadRush Prime.
4. USB-B Port: Connect this USB port to a computer using a standard USB cable. This connection allows HeadRush Prime to send and receive the digital audio signal to and from your computer. You can also use this connection to import or export rigs, block presets, and setlists. See the User Guide for more information.
5. USB Type-A Port: Connect a USB flash drive to this USB port for additional storage. A class-compliant USB device can also be connected to this USB port for external MIDI control.
6. Guitar Input (1/4"/6.35 mm, TS): Connect your guitar to this input using a standard instrument cable.
7. Mic Input (XLR or 1/4"/6.35 mm, balanced): Connect a microphone to this input using a standard XLR or 1/4" (6.35 mm) microphone cable. You can enable or disable +48V phantom power for these inputs in the Global Settings page.
   
   Only enable phantom power if your microphone requires it. Most dynamic microphones and ribbon microphones do not require phantom power, while most condenser microphones do. Consult your microphone's documentation to find out whether it needs phantom power.
8. Mic Input Gain: Use this knob to adjust the level of the Mic Input. View the current level of the microphone by double tapping the input block to make sure the level is not low or clipping.
9. Aux Input (1/8"/3.5 mm, TRS): Connect an optional audio source (e.g., smartphone, tablet, etc.) to this input using an 1/8" (3.5 mm) stereo cable.
10. Expression Pedal Input (1/4"/6.35 mm, TRS): Connect an optional secondary expression pedal to this input using a standard instrument cable.
11. Expression Pedal Toe Switch Input (1/4"/6.35 mm, TS): Connect the toe switch output of your optional expression pedal to this input using a standard 1/4" (6.35 mm) TS cable.
12. FX Send Output (1/4"/6.35 mm, TRS): Connect this output to the input of another effects module, an effect pedal, or the effects loop return of an amplifier.
13. FX Return Input (1/4"/6.35 mm, TRS): Connect this input to the output of another effects module, an effect pedal, or the effects loop send of an amplifier.
14. External Amp Footswitch Output (1/4"/6.35 mm, TRS): Connect this output to the footswitch input of an external guitar amplifier to toggle channels or turn reverb on and off on the amplifier using the HeadRush Prime.
    
    Only connect this output to amplifiers that have a "short-to-sleeve" footswitch input. If you connect this output to any other type of footswitch input, you may cause permanent damage to your equipment. If you are unsure if your amplifier has a "short-to-sleeve" footswitch input, please consult the amplifier's manual or manufacturer to confirm before attempting.
15. Phones Output (1/8"/3.5 mm, TRS): Connect standard 1/8" (3.5 mm) stereo headphones to this output. Use the phones volume knob to control the volume level.
16. Outputs (1/4"/6.35 mm, TRS): Connect these outputs to the inputs of your amplifier, audio interface, etc. If you only need to use one output, use the one labeled L/Mono.
17. Outputs (XLR): Connect these outputs to the inputs of your mixer, active loudspeaker, etc. If you only need to use one output, use the one labeled Left/Mono.
18. MIDI Input (5-pin DIN): Use a standard MIDI cable to connect this input to the MIDI output of an optional external MIDI device.
19. MIDI Out/Thru (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 in the Global Settings page.

Setup

Items not listed under Introduction > Box Contents are sold separately.

In the Global Settings Menu, make sure you set the Outputs to send signal at amp level if you are using a traditional guitar amplifier, or line level (default) if you are using a full-range flat-response amplifier, mixer, PA speaker or audio interface.

*
Only connect this output to amplifiers that have a "short-to-sleeve" footswitch input. If you connect this output to any other type of footswitch input, you may cause permanent damage to your equipment. If you are unsure if your amplifier has a "short-to-sleeve" footswitch input, please consult the amplifier's manual or manufacturer to confirm before attempting.

Basic Operation

This chapter describes some of HeadRush Prime's basic functions. You can visit headrushfx.com to download the complete User Guide for even more information.

Main Screen

1. Turn the encoder to move through selectable items onscreen or to adjust parameters. Press the encoder as an Enter command.
2. Double-tap to view the Input Settings page.
3. Tap to view the Menu page and access more features and settings.
4. Tap and drag this bar downward to view the Rig List page. Double-tap to rename the rig.
5. Tap to view the Hardware Assign page.
6. Tap to save the rig.
7. Turn the parameter knobs to adjust the corresponding parameters. If a block has more than three parameters, drag your finger up or down this column to bring the additional parameters into focus.
8. Double-tap to view the Output Settings page.
9. Tap to change the signal chain type. (guitar, vocal, guitar/vocal, etc.)
10. This button enables or disables reverb and delay tails when switching to another rig.
11. Double-tap an effect, amp, or cab to view its Detailed Settings page.

The sequence of blocks in your signal chain is not necessarily reflected in the footswitches. You can freely assign blocks to available footswitches without changing your signal chain at all—and vice versa. See the User Guide to learn about this.

To assign a block (amp, cab, impulse response, or effect) to an empty slot, tap it (Ê) and then use the list that appears.
To show a block's Detailed Settings screen, double-tap it.
To show a block's parameters on the right edge of the screen, tap the block so it is outlined in green. You can then turn the parameter knobs to adjust the parameters to their left. If a block has more than three parameters that you would like to adjust, drag your finger up or down the column to bring the additional parameters into focus. When no block is selected, the parameters will be ones that you assign in the Hardware Assign page.

To rearrange the blocks in your signal chain, tap and drag a block to another slot or between two other blocks (the ones after that position will shift one slot further down the signal chain).
To activate or deactivate a block, press the footswitch assigned to it, or tap the block and then tap the On/Off button that appears at the bottom of the screen.

To remove a block, tap and hold the block, and then drag it to the bottom bar.
To load another rig (preset):

• Press the upper-left (Rig ) or lower-left (Rig ) footswitch to load the previous or next rig immediately.
• Tap the or next to the name of the current rig on the screen.
• Tap the name of the rig on the screen and then turn the encoder.

To view other options, tap the menu icon in the upper-left corner, and then tap an option.