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RE: Akai Headrush Questions
Well,
if you are looking for the "perfect" guitar rig, and you are serious about
looping, in particular, there are some better loopers out there. The
Headrush E1 (virtually exactly the same thing as the E2 except the switch
between functions is a different button) was my first looper (I still own it,
bit am thinking about selling it, since I got an Echoplex Digital Pro).
The Echoplex Digital Pro and the MKII Repeater are considered the best looping
devices available (by most). Each piece of equipment has some limitation
of some sort. I think if the Echoplex had upgraded memory and storage
capabilities, it would be the clear winner, IMO.
As far
as limitations of the Headrush....you only get 11.9 seconds of recording
capability with overdub.....and twice that if you just record one take and play
it back (no overdubs). The processing is 44.1khz, but compared directly to
say the Echoplex (which is supposedly slightly lower than 44.1) the Echoplex is
much better, less noise and more headroom. One of the most important
features it lacks is a feedback control for the looper, feedback is always at
100%, so you can't really "morph" the loops into something else, you can only
build and build and build then destroy it. It also lacks a progressive
undo feature, if you make a mistake in overdub mode, you either keep it or you
have to erase all layers you have created and go back to the original phrase you
recorded. It does not have the ability to record and switch between
multiple loops. You cannot change the loop length once you have recorded
the phrase (add more measures, or re-define the loop length), you can't
play/recorded in reverse. No MIDI capability. There are just some of
the features that are limiting as a looper. If you are like me, it will
make you addicted to looping, and act as a spring board to spend some serious
money on a more advanced real-time looper.
In
terms of which one is the best, as far as pedals go....check Loopers
Delight Web site and see the comparisons....each one seems to have advantages
and disadvantages, so it may depend on what your needs are, as to which one is
the best. Some will let you store loops, but many are limited in this
regard in a live setting as you actually have to stop the loop to store it, then
switch to the next one....so you may have to pre-store loops for a show and save
them in memorey. Also Digitech is apparently coming out with a new looper
that has some nice features for $299, but the complete details are not here
quite yet. I would say the Headrush is one of the least advanced
loopers out there right now (and one of the least expensive, though), but like I
said, I had tons of fun with it. I noticed the limitations pretty quickly,
but I didn't realize how limiting it was until I got an EDP.
This
is all assuming you bought the Headrush for looping purposes more than
traditional delay purposes, of course. As a delay unit is has some
features that are hard to find...such as 4 outputs to simulate 4 seperate tape
heads.
Brian
In a message dated 5/19/2005 3:08:38 PM Central Standard
Time, Brian@porterresearch.com writes:
>>>>>But it does have some serious
limitations. I know the manual isn't much help, but for looping purposes
(not all the delay stuff), there really isn't much to it.
BTW ....What
made it a "blem?"<<<<<
I guess it was the error in the manual! ;)
I went back and triple checked and the manual is indeed incorrect.
Wouldn't you know it: for once I take the time to read the instructions and
this happens....
I could tell it had been used because the unit wasn't
in "pristine" dust and fingerprint free condition and the wall wart cord was
rudely wrapped around the transformer. As an aside, the majority of MF blems
I've purchased have been in virtually new condition; only one item was
noticeably banged up.
I remain on my "Eternal Quest For The Perfect
Guitar Rig" so I'll impose further and ask you what are the limitations and is
any looper better?
Or will I just start some flame war about which is
best....? ;)
BTW, thanks very much for your quick and
informative reply to my original questions!
Mike