HEADRUSH Looperboard - with 7" Touch Display Quick Start Guide
- Quick start manual (80 pages) ,
- User manual (49 pages) ,
- Quick start manual (97 pages)
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Introduction
Box Contents
- HeadRush Looperboard
- USB Cable
- Power Adapter
- Software Download Card
- Quickstart Guide
- Safety & Warranty Manual
This Quickstart Guide covers the basic functionality of the HeadRush Looperboard. Please visit headrushfx.com to download the detailed User Guide, which may also contain additional information on new features and improvements in firmware updates.
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
- Touchscreen: This full-color multi-touch display shows information relevant to the HeadRush Looperboard's current operation. Touch the display (and use the hardware controls) to control the interface. See Operation > Overview to learn how it works.
- 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.
- Input Gain: Turn these knobs to adjust the independent gain level of each input.
- Footswitches: Use these footswitches to perform different functions. The eight right-most footswitches correspond to the four tracks of a loop. See the Operation chapter to learn how to use them.
- Footswitch Indicators: These lights indicate the status of different functions (performed by the footswitch below each one). See the Operation chapter to learn about them.
- Main: Turn this knob to adjust the volume level of the outputs.
- Phones: Turn this knob to adjust the volume level of the Phones output.
- Aux: 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 and cannot be used for recording directly to a looper track. It is also unaffected by the Main volume or phones volume knobs.
Rear Panel
- Power Input (19 VDC, 3.42 A, center-positive): Connect this input to a power outlet using the included power adapter.
- Power Adapter Restraint: Secure the power adapter cable to this restraint to prevent it from accidentally unplugging.
- Power Switch: Press this button to turn the HeadRush Looperboard's power on. Press and hold this button to turn the HeadRush Looperboard's power off.
- Vent: Make sure this vent is unobstructed while using the HeadRush Looperboard.
- Inputs (XLR or 1/4"/6.35 mm, balanced): Connect your guitar, instrument, drum machine, keyboard, or other audio source to these inputs. You can enable or disable +48V phantom power for these inputs in the Global Settings page.
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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. - Aux Input (1/8"/3.5 mm, TRS): Connect an optional audio source (e.g., smartphone, tablet, etc.) to this input. Use the Aux knob to control the volume level.
- Outputs (XLR): Connect these outputs to the inputs of your mixer, active loudspeaker, etc. Use the Main knob to control the volume level. You can adjust the ground-lift setting for these outputs in the Global Settings page.
- Outputs (1/4"/6.35 mm, balanced): Connect these outputs to the inputs of your amplifier, audio interface, mixer, etc. Use the Main knob to control the volume level. You can switch the level of these outputs between Amp and Line in the Global Settings page.
- Phones Output (1/4"/6.35 mm, TRS): Connect stereo headphones to this output. Use the Phones knob to control the volume level.
- Expression Pedal Input (1/4"/6.35 mm, TRS): Connect an optional expression pedal to this input.
- MIDI In (5-pin DIN): Use a standard MIDI cable to connect this input to the MIDI output of an optional external MIDI device. See External MIDI Control for more information.
- 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.
- USB Type-B Port: Connect this USB port to a computer using a standard USB cable. This connection allows the HeadRush Looperboard to send and receive the digital audio signal to and from your computer. You can also use this connection to import or export loops, individual audio files, backing tracks, etc. See USB Connection for more information.
This connection is also used to update the firmware. Visit headrushfx.com to check for available firmware updates. - USB Type-A Ports: Connect USB flash drives to these USB ports for additional storage. You can save and load loops with the connected USB flash drive, as well as record loops directly to the USB flash drive. Backing tracks can be played directly from the USB flash drive. Class-compliant USB devices can be connected to these USB ports for external MIDI control.
- SD Card Slot: Insert a standard SD/SDHC card into this slot for additional storage. You can save and load loops with the SD card, as well as record loops directly to the SD card. Backing tracks can be played directly from the SD card.
To avoid file loss or damage to your media, only disconnect USB and SD storage devices from HeadRush Looperboard while it is powered off. Alternatively, go to the Storage page and then tap the storage device's eject icon.
Setup
Items not listed under Introduction > Box Contents are sold separately.
Operation
This chapter describes some of HeadRush Looperboard's basic functions.
Overview
Timeline Page
- These track info boxes show each track's name, number of bars, and the number of recorded layers. Double-tap the track name to change it.
- Tap here to access the navigation menu.
- This is the name of the loop.
- Tap here to save the loop.
- This is the Looper Mode indicator.
- This is the length of the longest track in this loop.
- This is the current playback position.
- This is the current tempo, which you can change by pressing the Tempo footswitch at the desired speed, or by tapping here and turning the encoder.
Mixer Page
- Touch and drag these sliders to adjust the balance of each track. Doubletap to enlarge the slider for fine adjustments.
- These meters show the volume level of the tracks as they play. Tap and drag the white line at the top of a meter to adjust the volume level of a track.
Navigation Menu
On the Navigation Menu page, you can tap an icon to quickly navigate to HeadRush Looperboard's features:
- Timeline: Tap here to access the HeadRush Looperboard's timeline performance view.
- Mixer: Tap here to adjust volume and panning of looper tracks, click track, and backing track.
- FX: Tap here to assign and use the built-in FX.
- Function: Tap here to access the Function footswitch features.
- Loop Settings: Tap here to adjust the available settings that can be adjusted per loop.
- New Loop: Tap here to discard the current loop and create a new loop.
- Load Loop: Tap here to load a previously saved loop.
- Audio Routing: Tap here to adjust the HeadRush Looperboard's audio routing settings.
- Backing Track: Tap here to access the backing track player feature.
- Tuner: Tap here to access the tuner feature.
- Storage: Tap here to view available storage and to select a target storage device.
- Transfer: Tap here to enter USB Transfer Mode and transfer files to/from a computer.
- Global Settings: Tap here to adjust the available settings that can be adjusted globally.
- Firmware Update: Tap here to enter Firmware Update mode.
Recording & Playing Tracks
The HeadRush Looperboard lets you record audio onto four tracks and store each set of four tracks as a loop. Each track can have up to 99 layers. Each track can be a minimum of 1 second long, and each track has no maximum length limit. You can record, play, and stop tracks independently of each other depending on the loop mode and other settings.
Each track's info box, meter, and/or waveform will use a color to indicate its current state:
- Red: recording or overdubbing
- Green: playing
- Blue: stopped
Use the Timeline page to view the waveforms of each track's recorded audio in your loop.
To show the Timeline page, tap the Navigation Menu icon at the top left of the touchscreen, then tap the Timeline icon.
Use the Mixer page to adjust the volume levels and panning of each track.
To show the Mixer page, tap the Navigation Menu icon at the top left of the touchscreen, then tap the Mixer icon.
To adjust the volume level of a track, tap and drag the white line at the top of a meter.
To adjust the volume of the main outputs, turn the Main knob.
The left time counter in the bottom bar of the Timeline and Mixer pages indicates the current playback position of the loop. The right time counter in the bottom bar indicates the length of the longest track in the loop. Both are displayed as hours: minutes:seconds.centiseconds.
Tip: You can tap the Function footswitch twice to quickly return to the Timeline page from any other HeadRush Looperboard page.
To record a track, press its •Rec/Play/Dub footswitch.
Before recording anything, set the input volume level by turning the Input (1–4) knob for each input you want to use.
To finish recording and start playback of a track, press its •Rec/Play/Dub footswitch again.
To overdub on a track that is currently playing, press the •Rec/Play/Dub footswitch again.
Tip: Use the Global Settings page to set HeadRush Looperboard to overdub immediately after recording a track (instead of just playing it).
To stop a track at any point, press its •Stop/–Undo footswitch.
To restart a track's playback, press its •Stop/–Undo footswitch again.
To restart a track and immediately start overdubbing, press its •Rec/Play/Dub footswitch.
Tip: Use the Global Settings page to set HeadRush Looperboard to restart a track's playback without overdubbing when pressing the •Rec/Play/Dub footswitch.
To stop all tracks at any point, press the Start/Stop All footswitch when one or more tracks are playing.
To start playback of all tracks simultaneously, press the Start/Stop All footswitch when all tracks are stopped.
To undo everything you have recorded since you last pressed a •Rec/Play/Dub footswitch, press and hold the •Stop/–Undo footswitch for that track for approximately 1.5 seconds.
To re-add everything you just undid, press and hold the •Stop/–Undo footswitch for that track for approximately 1.5 seconds again.
To peel the most recent layer of a track, hold the •Rec/Play/Dub footswitch for approximately 1.5 seconds.
If a track only has 1 layer, performing the undo function will clear the track, and the layer cannot be restored.
Tip: Use the Global Settings page to customize the hold functions for the •Stop/–Undo and •Rec/Play/Dub footswitches.
Looper Modes
The HeadRush Looperboard provides 5 different Looper Modes to record, overdub and play your looper tracks. The currently selected Looper Mode is indicated in the bottom right of the touchscreen on the Timeline View and Mixer View pages.
Generally, each mode supports a different style of looping workflow. The best way to find out which Looper Mode works best with your workflow is to experiment and have fun!
To set how the looper records, overdubs, or plays your tracks, tap the Looper Mode tab on the Loop Settings page and then select a mode. You can access this setting quickly by tapping the Looper Mode icon on the Timeline or Mixer pages.
Tip: Set your Looper Mode before recording or importing any audio into your loop. While you may be able to change the selected mode after recording, your options may be limited.
- Fixed Mode: Use this mode if you want 4 looper tracks with the same length. In this mode:
- You can record, overdub or play all looper tracks simultaneously.
- All track lengths will be the same length as the first recorded looper track.
- When you set a track to record, overdub or play, it will happen immediately.
- Serial Mode: Use this mode if you want to use each of the 4 looper tracks as a different section of a song (e.g., verse, chorus, bridge and outro). In this mode:
- You can record, overdub or play on only one looper track at a time.
- All looper tracks can be different lengths.
- When you set a currently playing track to overdub, it will happen immediately.
- When you set a currently stopped track to play or record/overdub, it will happen as soon as the currently playing track reaches its end and stops. When a track is armed for playback or recording/overdubbing while another track is playing back, the corresponding LED will flash green or red, respectively.
- Sync Mode: Use this mode if you want 4 looper tracks with different lengths that always stay in sync. In this mode:
- You can record or play multiple tracks simultaneously.
- You must record a primary track first.
- After the primary track has been recorded, all other looper tracks must be the same length, or a multiple of its length.
- If new tracks are shorter or longer than the primary track, HeadRush Looperboard will automatically quantize them to keep them in sync with the primary track.
Tip: You can change how tracks will start and stop in Sync Mode on the Track Start/Stop tab of the Loop Settings page.
- Serial-Sync Mode: This mode is similar to Serial Mode, but it enables you to keep 1 primary looper track (e.g., a drum or percussion track) playing at all times while switching between different song sections on looper tracks 2, 3 and 4 (e.g., verse, chorus and bridge). In this mode:
- The primary track and only one other looper track can be playing, recording or overdubbing at the same time.
- You must record a primary track first.
- After the primary track has been recorded, all other looper tracks must be the same length, or a multiple of its length.
- HeadRush Looperboard will auto-trim (or extend) the endpoints of the other looper tracks to always keep them in sync.
Tip: You can change how tracks will start and stop in Serial-Sync Mode on the Track Start/Stop tab of the Loop Settings page.
- Free Mode: This mode is useful for creating ambient soundscapes or for musicians who just like to break the rules! In this mode:
- You can record, overdub or play all looper tracks simultaneously.
- All looper tracks can be different lengths.
- When you set a track to record, overdub or play, it will happen immediately.
Importing Audio
In addition to creating loops using input sources, you can also import a. WAV or. MP3 audio file (such as a recorded drum beat) directly into an empty looper track.
To import an audio file:
- While viewing the Timeline page, tap the Import Audio icon on any empty track.
- Select a source by tapping one of the icons on the left column of the browser:
- Factory: This is a collection of over 300 exclusive drum and percussion loops provided by HeadRush.
- Internal: This is the internal storage of HeadRush Looperboard.
- USB 1/USB 2/SD: These sources will appear if you have external storage connected to the respective ports on the rear panel of HeadRush Looperboard.
- Use the touchscreen to navigate through folders, as necessary. You can search for an audio file in a folder by tapping in the field in the top center of the touchscreen, next to the magnifying glass. Tap the X icon to clear your search.
- Select a file, and then tap the Play button if you would like to preview the audio file or tap the Import button to load the audio file into the looper track.
- After tapping the Import button, a dialog will appear with up to 3 options:
- ADJUST BPM: This will change your loop's tempo to match the auto detected tempo of the imported audio file.
- MATCH BPM: This will change the imported audio file to match the current tempo of your loop.
- AS IS: This will import the audio file without changing the tempo of the audio file, or the tempo of your loop.
- You may also need to indicate the number of bars of your imported file. You can tap the Play icon to preview the file at this point if needed for reference.
FX Racks
Applying FX
On the FX Page, you can assign multiple effects (called FX Racks) at once to an audio input or looper track. Each FX Rack is made up of multiple effects that can be individually edited and toggled on the FX Rack Edit page.
To enter the FX Page, press the footswitch labeled FX, or tap the Navigation Menu icon at the topleft of the touchscreen, and then tap the FX icon.
To add an FX Rack, tap the plus sign (+) in an empty slot.
To enable or bypass an FX Rack, tap the footswitches labeled 1–4, or tap the On/Off button on the touchscreen.
To change the FX Rack type of an existing FX Rack, tap the FX Rack icon on the touchscreen. This icon looks like a guitar, drums, etc.
To change the settings for the FX Rack, tap the knob icon on the touchscreen.
To remove an FX Rack, tap the X icon on the touchscreen.
To customize the footswitch assignments of the FX Racks, tap the Footswitch Assign button at the bottom of the touchscreen.
To assign FX parameters to an external expression pedal, tap the Expression Pedal Assign button at the bottom of the touchscreen.
To exit the FX Page, press the footswitch labeled FX, or tap the Navigation Menu icon in the topleft corner of the touchscreen.
Editing FX
To enable or bypass the full FX Rack, tap the Enable/Bypass button in the top left corner of the touchscreen, underneath the back arrow.
To change the FX Rack type, tap the FX Rack drop-down menu, and then tap the FX Rack type you would like to load.
To load a factory or previously saved FX Rack preset, tap the Preset drop-down menu, and then tap the preset you would like to load.
To save your settings as an FX Rack preset, tap the save icon in the top right corner of the touchscreen.
To set the target audio for the FX Rack, tap the target dropdown menu and then select Inputs 1–4 or Tracks 1–4. If you have previously named your loop's tracks, the new names will appear instead of Tracks 1-4.
To enable or bypass individual effects within the FX rack, tap the Enable/Bypass buttons located below each individual effect's name.
To access and adjust an individual effect parameter within the FX rack, tap the individual FX rack's name, and then tap and drag a parameter slider in the lower section. You can also tap the parameter slider and then turn the encoder for fine adjustment.
Managing Loops
To create a new loop (and discard unsaved changes), tap the Navigation Menu icon, and then tap New Loop icon.
To save the current loop, tap the Save icon in the top right corner of the Timeline, Mixer, or Navigation Menu pages. Tap Save (to save over the existing file) or Save New Loop (to save the loop as a new file), or tap Cancel to return to the previous screen. A save browser will then appear for you to select your desired target storage device and folder for saving.
Note: When saving to a storage device using the exFAT or FAT32 file system, the maximum file size for saving. WAV files is 4GB (about 6 hours and 11 minutes of audio). If you are saving to a storage device using the FAT16 file system, then the limit for saving. WAV files is 2GB.
To load a previously saved loop, tap the Navigation Menu icon, and then tap the Load Loop icon. The Load Loop browser will then appear, where you can locate a loop and then tap the Load button to load it.
You can also Delete or Rename a previously saved loop in the load loop browser by tapping the loop name, and then tapping Delete or Rename buttons accordingly.
Tip: You can search for a Loop in a folder in the Load or Save Loop browsers by tapping in the search field in the top center of the touchscreen, next to the magnifying glass. Tap the X icon to clear your search.
Storage
As you create and save loops, your HeadRush Looperboard's internal storage may become full. To prevent this, you can connect external USB or SD storage as needed. This gives you virtually unlimited storage of loops!
To enter the Storage page, tap the Navigation Menu icon in the top-left corner, and then tap the Storage icon.
On the storage page, you will see meters that show the available storage space as well as the remaining available looping time for HeadRush Looperboard's internal storage, as well as any connected USB/SD external storage devices.
To select a new storage device to use for looping, tap the name of the device. Once the device has been selected, all new loops created will be using this storage device.
After making your selection, you can exit the Storage page by tapping the Navigation Menu icon in the top-left corner of the touchscreen.
Tip: If you save a loop to an external storage device before changing to the external storage device on the storage page, you will still be working with the loop in its initial location. If you want to continue to work on the external storage device, you will need to load the loop from its new storage device.
To avoid file loss or damage to your media, only disconnect external USB and SD storage devices from HeadRush Looperboard while it is powered off. Alternatively, tap the device's eject icon on the storage page.
Audio Routing
You can use the Audio Routing page to control where your input, looper track and output audio signals are sent. These settings are global settings (not per loop) so that you can quickly configure HeadRush Looperboard to work best for your gear and performance settings.
To show the Audio Routing page, tap the Audio Routing icon on the Navigation Menu page.
To show the page for the inputs, tracks, or outputs, tap Input Setup, Track Setup or Output Setup, respectively.
Input Setup
To adjust the level of an input signal, turn its Input Gain knob (1–4) on the top panel.
To adjust the panning of an input signal, tap its Pan slider and drag left or right. You can enlarge this slider to make more detailed adjustments by double-tapping.
To select an output to directly monitor the input signal, tap the desired Output 1–4 button under Dry Sends or the Headphones Icon button under Monitor. Audio signal from the input will be sent directly to the selected output(s). Use the Main and Phones knobs to adjust the output volume level of the outputs and phones, respectively.
To stereo link your inputs if you are using a stereo audio source (e.g., drum machine, keyboard, etc.), tap the On button for Inputs 1+2 and/or Inputs 3+4 under Stereo Link on the right side of the touchscreen. Tap the Off button to disable stereo link.
Monitor Setup
You can use the Monitor Setup page for listening to your inputs while recording, overdubbing, and playing back loops. You can control the level of each input, as well as which output that you would like to monitor to them on.
To adjust the monitor level of an input, tap and drag the white line at the top of its meter.
To select an output for monitoring, tap the desired Output 1–4 buttons under Sends or the Headphone Icon button Monitor.
Track Setup
To route an input to a looper track, tap the desired Input 1–4 button. When Stereo Link is enabled, Inputs 1+2 and/or Inputs 3+4 will be selected together.
To select a track output mode, tap the Mono (monoaural) or Stereo (binaural) buttons.
To route a track to an output, tap the desired Output 1–4 button. If the output mode is Stereo, Outputs 1+2 and/or Outputs 3+4 will be selected together.
To route a track to the phones output, tap the headphone icon at the bottom of each track. Use the Phones knob to adjust the output volume level.
To route the click to an output, tap an Output 1–4 button under Click Output on the left side of the touchscreen. Tap the headphone icon to route the click to the phones output. Use the Main and Phones knobs to adjust the output volume level of the outputs and phones, respectively.
To select routing for the stereo backing track, tap the 1+2 or 3+4 buttons under Backing Track Output on the left side of the touchscreen. Tap the headphone icon to route the backing track to the phones output. Use the Main and Phones knobs to adjust the output volume level of the outputs and phones, respectively.
Output Setup
To adjust the output level of an individual output, tap and drag the white line at the top of its meter.
Using Other Functions
Press the Function footswitch to show the Functions page in the touchscreen. The footswitch indicator will be lit orange.
To select a function, press the corresponding footswitch (labeled on the top panel in orange) or tap it on the touchscreen.
You can access these functions by using their corresponding footswitches or tapping the respective icon on the touchscreen:
- Length: Select this function to multiply or divide the length of all tracks.
- Speed: Select this function to multiply or divide the speed and pitch of all tracks.
- Reverse: Select this function to reverse the playback direction of one or more tracks.
- Fade: Select this function to create a fade-out or fade-in effect on one or more tracks.
- Transpose: Select this option to shift the pitch of one or more tracks up or down in semitones.
- Peel: Select this option to permanently delete the top-most layer from a track of the loop. You can use this function to strip the track all the way down to its original layer!
- Bounce: Select this option to copy one or more tracks of the loop to a single track, creating available tracks in your loop.
- Clear: Select this option to delete the entire contents of one or more tracks.
You can access these functions by using their corresponding footswitches only:
- Loop Select: Select this function to load a different loop.
- Backing Track: Select this option to control the backing track feature.
- Tuner: Select this option to use the built-in tuner.
- Exit: Select this option to return to the previous page.
To exit the Functions page, press the Exit footswitch.
Documents / Resources
References
Download manual
Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.
Download HEADRUSH Looperboard - with 7" Touch Display Quick Start Guide
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