User Guide (English) Manual Version 1.
Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................4 Box Contents .......................................................................................4 Support ................................................................................................4 Features .................................................................................................5 Top Panel ............................................................
Adjusting Settings ............................................................................. 16 Overview ........................................................................................................................... 16 Parameters....................................................................................................................... 17 Saving a Block Preset .................................................................................................... 20 Hardware Assign .
Introduction Box Contents HeadRush MX5 USB Cable (2) 1/8” (3.5mm) to MIDI Adapters Power Adapter Software Download Card Quickstart Guide Safety & Warranty Manual 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 2 3 1 4 5 6 1. Display: This full-color multi-touch display shows information relevant to HeadRush MX5’s current operation. Touch the display (and use the hardware controls) to control the interface. See Operation to learn how it works. 2. Main Volume: Turn this knob to adjust the volume level of the outputs. 3. Encoder: Turn this encoder to scroll through the available menu options or adjust the parameter values of the selected field in the display.
Rear Panel 1 3 2 6 8 4 5 7 9 13 10 11 12 1. Guitar Input (1/4”/6.35 mm, mono): Connect your guitar to this input using a standard instrument cable. 2. Expression Pedal Input (1/4”/6.35 mm, TRS): Connect an optional additional expression pedal to this input using a standard 1/4" (6.35 mm) TRS cable. 3. FX Send Output (1/4”/6.35 mm, stereo): Connect this output to the input of another effects module, an effect pedal, or the effects loop return of an amplifier. 4. FX Return Input (1/4”/6.
Setup Items not listed under Introduction > Box Contents are sold separately. IMPORTANT! 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. Guitar Computer Power outlet Expression pedal External effect stompboxes, modules, etc.
Operation This chapter describes some of HeadRush MX5’s basic functions. Main Screen Overview Tap to view setlists. Turn encoder to move through selectable items onscreen or to adjust parameters. Press encoder as an Enter command. Tap and drag this bar downward to view list of rigs. Rig name. Tap to save rig. This button toggles between the different routing options for a rig. This button enables or disables reverb and delay tails when switching to another rig.
To load another rig (preset): • Tap the name of the rig on the screen and then turn the encoder. • Press footswitches 1 and 2 (), or footswitches 2 and 3 () simultaneously when MX5 is in Stomp Mode. • Press a footswitch assigned to a preset when MX5 is in Rig Mode. • Press a footswitch assigned to Prev Rig or Next Rig when MX5 is in Hybrid Mode. To create a new rig, tap the button in the upper-right corner, and then tap New Rig.
Reverb/Delay Tail Spillover The MX5 features two types of Reverb/Delay Tail Spillover: • If you have reverb and/or delay effect(s) active on your rig and then switch to a different rig, the effect(s) will continue to decay after switching to the second rig. • If you have a reverb or delay effect active on your rig and then bypass this effect, it will continue to decay after it is bypassed. To enable or disable this feature for the current rig, tap Tail on the Main Screen.
Signal Path You can easily reconfigure the path of your signal chain to split, which will create more complex routings. To reconfigure the signal path, tap toward the top right of the main screen. The icon will change to match one three possible signal paths (as shown below). This straight signal path is the default and the most common. This signal path splits in the middle and rejoins near the end.
Stereo vs. Mono The outgoing signal from the HeadRush MX5 can be mono or stereo, depending on the models in your rig, the signal path, and which outputs you are using. An indicator near the end of the signal path indicates the current configuration. The signal will be stereo if you do any one of the following: • Use any stereo effect model in your signal chain. Even if you have placed mono effect models after it.
Footswitch Modes The three footswitches can be used to activate or bypass models (amps, cabs, impulse responses, or effects) as well as select scenes, rigs, or setlists. These footswitches are always in one of four modes: Stomp, Rig, Hybrid, or Setlist.
Rigs While using HeadRush MX5, a rig is a preset: the combination of assigned models—the amps, cabs, impulse responses, and effects—and the parameter settings of each of them. You can create, edit, save, and load rigs, making it easy to recall the perfect sound for each part of your performance. Each rig has 11 slots, each of which can have one model (amp, cab, or effect) assigned to it. Assigned slots will show graphical representations of the models, and empty slots will show a symbol.
Saving a Rig If you have made certain changes to the rig at all since loading it, you will see an asterisk () next to its name at the top of the screen.
Adjusting Settings To adjust the settings of an item in your rig, double-tap it to open its settings screen. You can adjust the settings of any model (amp, cab, or effect), the input (the In/Lock icon), the output (the Out icon), or mix (the Mix icon). Overview Tap to return to retain your changes and return to the main screen. Turn encoder to move through selectable items onscreen or to adjust parameters. Press encoder as an Enter command.
Parameters These are some of the parameters that you can adjust for each type of rig item. The types include amps, cabs, effects, input settings, output settings, and mix settings (if you are using a split signal path). See Saving a Block Preset to learn how to save your preset after adjusting its parameters. Amp The Amp category is a list of popular guitar amplifiers. Preset: This is the current amp preset, which includes the model, all its settings, and its color assignment. Model: This is the amp model.
IR The IR category contains factory-loaded and user-loaded impulse response files. The HeadRush MX5 supports all .WAV format impulse response files with sample rates up to 192 kHz, bit depths up to 32-bit, and sample lengths up to 2,048 samples. Preset: This is the current IR preset, which includes the impulse response, all its settings, and its color assignment. Folder: This is the folder containing your IR files.
In These input settings control the signal into the models of your rig: Preset: This is the current input preset, which includes its settings on the right edge of the display and its locked/ unlocked state. Parameters: This menu determines whether these input settings are locked or unlocked. When unlocked, the settings will change to the new rig’s input settings each time you load a new rig. The lock icon on the main screen will be grey.
Mix These settings control mix of a split signal path. This is available only for rigs with split signal paths (see Main Screen > Signal Path to learn more): Preset: This is the current mix preset, which includes its settings on the right edge of the display. A Lev / B Lev (Level): These settings control the volume levels the upper (A) and lower (B) branches of the signal path. The range is -60.0 dB to +12.0 dB.
Hardware Assign The Hardware Assign screen enables you to customize how HeadRush MX5’s footswitches and an expression pedal control each rig. To open the Hardware Assign screen, tap the button in the upper-right corner of the main screen, and then tap Hardware Assign. To return to the main screen, tap the button in the upper-left corner. Important: The Hardware Assign settings are all part of the overall rig, so remember to save your changes you want to keep.
Footswitches The 3 boxes in the lower-left corner represent the 3 footswitches of HeadRush MX5. You can assign any switchbased parameters (ones with only two states) to any of the footswitches—regardless of their location in the signal chain. To assign a parameter to a footswitch: 1. Tap a box. indicates an empty box. 2. In the list that appears, tap the model with the parameter you want to assign. 3. In the list that appears, tap the parameter you want to assign.
Expression Pedal The expression pedal can control two parameters (in Classic Mode) or two sets of parameters (in Advanced Mode). Use the toe switch to switch between them—Expression Pedal A or B. To activate the toe switch, move the “toe end” of the expression pedal so it touches the MX5, and then press down. Note: When you save your rig, the current selected Expression Pedal state (A or B) will be saved and then recalled when you load the rig again.
Setlists You can use setlists to organize your rigs. A setlist is a saved collection of rigs, which you can save and recall at a later time. This is useful, for instance, if you only need some of your rigs for a performance; you can save a setlist of just those rigs so you don’t have to spend time searching through all of your rigs before playing the next song. To view your setlists, tap the ≡ button in the upper-left corner of the main screen. The Setlists screen will appear.
Hands-Free Mode Hands-Free Mode enables you to adjust any of the settings on your models by using just the footswitches and expression pedal. To enter Hands-Free Mode, press and hold footswitch 1 to enter the mode select page, and then press and hold footswitch 1 again. To increase or decrease the value shown, move the expression pedal. To decrease the value shown in small increments, press footswitch 1 and 2 () simultaneously.
Looper The HeadRush MX5 has a built-in looper that you can use to layer your performances. While the looper’s operation is shown in the display, you can control most of it conveniently with the footswitches. The looper can hold up to 20 minutes of audio at a time across a maximum of 50 layers. The first layer of your loop can be up to 5 minutes long. Rig name. Loop file name. Tap here to save, load, rename and delete loops.
To set the looper’s location, tap the button next to the Playback field and then turn the encoder to place it before (Pre) or after (Post) the signal chain. Moving the looper to the Pre position enables you to edit your rig without having to play the same riff over and over again. To create a new loop, tap the button in the top right corner, and then tap New Loop. Tap Yes to clear the looper and create a new loop, or tap No to return to the Looper screen without creating a new loop.
External MIDI Control The HeadRush MX5 can be controlled by incoming MIDI CC (control change) messages from external MIDI gear. These MIDI messages can be received from hardware connected to 1/8” (3.5 mm) MIDI Input only.
Global Settings Use the global settings to configure the HeadRush MX5’s overall operation. To show the global settings, tap the button in the upper-right corner of the screen, and tap Global Settings. To select each page of the global settings, tap the number at the upper-right corner of the screen. LCD Brightness: This setting determines the brightness of the main display. Tap this field, turn the encoder to select 1 (dim) through 5 (bright), and then press the encoder.
Pedal Configuration: External Pedal: This setting determines whether or not you are using an external expression pedal with the HeadRush MX5. • Tap On to use the built-in expression pedal to control the parameter/parameters of Bank A while your external expression pedal controls the parameter/parameters of Bank B. (If you are using the expression pedal’s Classic Mode, pressing the toe switch will activate or deactivate the parameter. If you are using Advanced Mode, the toe switch will be disabled entirely.
Color Mod: If you have trouble distinguishing certain colors on your MX5’s display or if you just want to further customize the color scheme, you can use the color mod parameters to adjust their default settings. While experimenting with the settings, a sample of your adjustments will be shown in real time.
USB You can use the HeadRush MX5’s USB connection to your computer for Recording (to a digital audio workstation [DAW]), Reamping, or Transferring Files & Settings (e.g., rigs, setlists, presets, etc.). Important Note for Windows Users: Before connecting the HeadRush MX5 to your computer, download the necessary drivers from headrushfx.com/support and install them.
Reamping Reamping is a process that adds the tone coloration of an amp to a pre-recorded audio signal—in this case, sending audio from your DAW through the HeadRush MX5 and then recording it back into your DAW. This is useful for saving time because you can change the sound of an already-recorded guitar track without having to manually play the same part again. To use the HeadRush MX5 to reamp an audio signal: 1.
Transferring Files & Settings Over a USB connection, you can transfer rig, setlist, model preset, loop, and/or impulse response (IR) files between your computer and the HeadRush MX5. We recommend creating a backup copy of your files to your computer before you make any changes. Important: Do not disconnect or power off the HeadRush MX5 during the process. Any unsupported files will be ignored. You cannot transfer a folder or .zip/archive folder to/from HeadRush MX5.
Screen Lock The Screen Lock feature disables the touchscreen and gives you a simple interface that shows your current rig name, setlist name, and a customizable image. To activate the screen lock feature, tap the button in the upper-right corner of the main page, and then tap Lock Screen. To deactivate the screen lock feature, tap the unlock icon. To customize the Screen Lock image: 1. Connect your computer to the HeadRush MX5’s USB port using a standard USB cable. 2.
Firmware Update Instructions 1. Connect the USB port on your HeadRush MX5 to your computer and ensure HeadRush MX5 and your computer are powered on. 2. On your HeadRush MX5, tap the ••• icon in the upper-right corner, and tap Global Settings. 3. In the Global Settings screen, tap the ••• icon in the upper-right corner again, and tap Firmware Update. In the screen that appears, tap OK to continue. After restarting, the screen will show Update at the bottom edge. 4.
Appendix Technical Specifications Footswitches (3) footswitches with color LEDs Knobs (1) 300° master volume knob (1) 360° navigation/data encoder Display (1) full-color LED-backlit display with touch interface 4” / 102 mm (diagonal) Connectors (1) 1/4” (6.35 mm) mono input (guitar) (1) 1/4” (6.35 mm) TRS input (expression pedal) (1) 1/4” (6.35 mm) stereo output (send) (1) 1/4” (6.35 mm) stereo input (return) (2) 1/4” (6.35 mm) balanced output (main) (1) 1/8” (3.
Manual Version 1.
