belated Headrush opine/veiled query

[Christine Bard <lerocher@pipeline.com>]

-------Javier Miranda wrote:---------------
>Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2000 23:24:53 -0800
>From: "Javier Miranda V." <gnominus@earthling.net>
>To: <Loopers-Delight@annihilist.com>
>Subject: RE: Akai Headrush review
>Message-ID: <LOBBJCEICBFKLACEKDADKEMECDAA.gnominus@earthling.net>
>
>  | options) will be put through it's paces by a dedicated loophead.
>You meant "...will be put through its paces by..."
>
>Looking forward to reading the review...
>
>  | -----Original Message-----
>  | From: K. Douglas Baldwin [mailto:dbaldwin@suffolk.lib.ny.us]
>  | Sent: Monday 28 June 1999 10:55 AM
>  | To: Loopers-Delight@annihilist.com; Loopers-Delight-d@annihilist.com
>  | Subject: Akai Headrush review
>  |



Mr. Miranda's musings about the possessive form of a neuter noun re-opened 
a
subject heading that I missed the first time around:  user reviews of the
Akai Headrush.
Probably no one thinks this is news, but, possibly, someone has resolved
some of my problems with the differences between the modal functions with
the pedal.  I find myself recommending it, but always with some caveats.
(Which go well with a good Stilton) Anyway, here are both of my 2 cents:

First,
 its a very useful box with which I can create great dimension in sounds
with the tape head delay feature.  I can make one percussive hit evolve 
into
a cavernous big boom through timed tape head settings. 
The digital Loop mode is brilliant, as well.   


The problems I have encountered involve the difference between the 
(ultra clean, clear) signal in the Loop mode and the Tape Echo mode 
(less pronounced, but still and issue, in the Delay mode.)  
It is a difference that has been so profound that a seperate sound/
level check is required for the two extremes. 
I therefore cannot swing between these functions without causing 
extreme volume/clarity shifts in the output. 

(I have to set my mixer and compresser to different settings. 
eg., I need a lot of gain on the Tape Echo setting and then no gain 
in the Loop mode. Eq must be different for the same instrument, 
as well.  This means that I have to think about my instrumentation 
and orchestration in terms of working around this issue.  This 
translates as a limitation.) 

Also, the sound person might protectively back off my entire signal 
if this discrepancy is discovered--even during the performance, so 
that when I return to the lower echo/delay signal output, my sound 
will be buried. 

Outside of the Loop Moode, the sound regeneration is grainy/murky. 
It is supposed to sound like an "analogue" tape player  -- but it is 
a model of an analogue tape player that needs a thorough head cleaning.  
  
That can be worked with, somewhat, with eq and instrumentation/pedal 
sequence choices, so the Headrush is a great pedal to have.

Best regards,

Christine Bard





                                 Christine Bard
                                0~>~<>~><~<>~<~0

             I replaced the headlights in my car with strobe lights.
                   Now it looks like I'm the only one moving. 
                                -Steven Wright