Headrush Looperboard - A Singer/Songwriter/Live Looper Perspective

[@HeadRushFX]

Thank you so much for taking your own time to make this video. Your feedback is really helpful and you had a great comment at the beginning... Firmware! This unit is something we are always going to be taking feedback on improving. 😎

[@reverenddoctor]

You kidding? My pleasure. The more options you give people to loop their own way the more dominant your platform is going to be in the market. It’s already the most creative pedalboard on the market. Us loopers just have the way we use our tools and integrating something like this takes time and practice and a hell of a lot of incentive. Hopefully this video continues to be a place for y’all to check comments and get to know your audience!

[@HeadRushFX]

Reverend Doctor we totally understand there are so many different loopers out there and learning the work flows of as many as possible is going to be very important. This has already been a big help. Thank you again and we are open ears to all ideas. 😎❤️

[@reverenddoctor]

Right??? We’re crazies.

[@sebastiansaintjamesmusic]

Do you see an update anytime soon that allows you (for example) stop recording on track 2 when you hit record on track 3. Also an update that allows you to not have to wait till the full loop cycles to start a fresh recording. These 2 things are what hold me back from jumping the Boss ship Ive been touring with for so many years. PS can I EQ each input separately? Would be the dream loop pedal @@HeadRushFX

[@christopherpederson1021]

This thing just came out. Doubtful they would already have an update like that. @@sebastiansaintjamesmusic

[@naphets100]

Best review I have seen so far!!

[@reverenddoctor]

Thanks! A lot has changed with this pedal even in the last few weeks.

[@naphets100]

@@reverenddoctor what has changed? Thanks

[@brandonaikin5445]

I've watched several videos about this product, as I am thinking of purchasing one and I have to say that your words alone are more helpful than any of the demos or tutorials that I've yet seen. Thanks!

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Thank GOD this video exists! This is EXACTLY what we needed! Thanks you thanks you! This is what I do too: RC300 & TChelicon Voicelive Play so amazing idea / video.

[@planzed.2023]

Brilliant review - thank you! Looking forward to seeing and hearing more from you..

[@reverenddoctor]

Thanks! I'm looking forward to releasing more soon!

[@hakonsoreide]

This is one of the best reviews and descriptions of any audio gear I have seen on KZbin, which is saying a lot. Well done. I have no experience in looping besides 10-second loops on the original Kaossilator KO-1, but I just stumbled on this as I am researching getting a mixer for electronic/ambient/experimental music now that I am starting to work with several sound sources while improvising and recording a stereo mixdown as a finished track. What I like about this pedal is that it looks like it could actually work as a (slightly fiddly) performance mixer in addition to its looping capabilities. I will definitely start with a simpler mixer and try out some looping with what I already have (I have an Empress Zoia which has looping capabilities in addition to all the other stuff it can do), but I will keep this style of product in mind for the future, and I am sure there will be further even more mature options available by then. On another note, I see you merely have 447 subscribers but several great videos. On principle, I have started subscribing to every small channel I see with fewer than 1,000 subscribers if they have just a single video I like, and as you have several, I will definitely add my subscription to your channel, and hopefully it will help you get up to the required number for you to get your channel the well-deserved option of getting monetised as well as higher visibility after the change in the KZbin algorithm just a few years ago. Keep up the great work, and I hope you post more videos.

[@xxnonstopdancingxx]

That car horn loop you did at 5:12 was pretty rad. Ended up sounding like a car alarm. Sold

[@andysorenson3394]

Hi RD. Thanks for this review. You put a lotta time in there! Appreciated. Been looping a long time (rc units, many versions overtime) Enjoying most of the comments and conversations here. One live performance fun fact that i haven't seen mentioned here or elsewhere... in your review you mentioned that you miss the onboard expression pedal.. I get that.. for me as a synth and electronics playing singer, i have often had to mount any looper hardware up off the floor where my instrument is. I run virtually all functionality of the looper (loops rec stop start) with an external controller from my feet... apart from selecting patches and volume controls which i can do with my hands up near the synth/s for easy access. For me the LACK of expression pedal on units is a plus. Synth players who learned on pianos often pedal sustain and other thing with their right foot... so an expression pedal (which i need) is wasted on me mounted on the right hand side of a piece of hardware... if you want to pedal synth functions with your right foot you have to be a ballerina to get your left all the way over to the right also and it is not easy to balance. Very long winded way of saying to add an external expression where we particular peeps need em - is great! Thanks again. Will be checking in here and elsewhere to see if some of our concerns can be addressed. A.

[@reverenddoctor]

Glad it’s a feature for you! I did find a nice portable expression pedal. I’m hoping Headrush gives us more global FX to be able to use it (filters, modulation, etc).

[@ronsandersmusic7505]

this has been a really good comparison and has answered alot of the questions I had about switching to the head rush from my rc300... Ive been looping for over 10 years and started with the original RC 20. I thought that the head rush might be the breakthrough I've been looking for, but after watching this I think i'll hold off.

[@reverenddoctor]

Yeah, I'm hoping they'll release the new firmware soon, but it's still in beta. I would say let us early-adopters try and sort the bugs out and grab it in about 6th months if you're a creature of habit.

[@premyogi7657]

Same here! Rc 300 plus a vocal pedal, drum machine, and multi effects processor and I’m good to go. The All in one HeadRush dream will just not be intuitive enough. Plus we’ve already put in our 10.000 hours. Might as well leverage that

[@Yahoomediaclub]

I’m with you on that…great video with great depth and really honestly we’ll explained. But I’ll be holding off for sure about future improvements before I decide now 😅

[@premyogi7657]

Thank you SOOO much for making this video! Extremely helpful! ☺️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🥳

[@scottbecker3485]

Not sure if you‘re reading comments here anymore (several really good ones, and also good questions) have gone unanswered for anywhere from 6 months to a year. But even if you‘re not checking in, I also want to express a huge thank you for this incredibly useful review covering all the bases relevant to me as an acoustic player, and one with little looping experience so far. You successfully scared me aware from what would have ended up being more than I can (or want to) handle at this point. That said, I‘ll now stay tuned on what Headrush does to the firmware to kill complexity, and whether they might come up with a new, more foot-friendly and functional hardware design more akin to the Boss RC300‘s. Your delivery is so clear, astute and to-the-point that I‘ll now go check out your other videos and consider subscribing.

[@climbtibet]

Dude thanks so much for sharing your time and expertise. Huge help and thanks for your honest perspective on best approach to using the product. I am just starting to use the pedal and your help is invaluable; Thank you Sir!

[@grausound]

"I'm farther away from the ground than other artists" is my favorite line in this video

[@jordankneal]

Super informitive from another perspective. Thanks for making this!

[@glennmcmullen5192]

Looking forward to your review of the new firmware update to see how it stacks up now?

[@philipTOMPSETT]

Me too!

[@scottscott7586]

Hi RD Dam I just upgraded from a busted RC20 to the 300 and I see this!! Maybe a return is in my immediate future!! Love the live shows and your originals. Keep the vids coming!! THANK YOU!!!❤️

[@reverenddoctor]

Thanks! Have you checked out the RC-600 yet??

[@GlitchWolf]

Wonderful video and still essential 8 months later. What so many whom have a similar workflow need!

[@reverenddoctor]

Thanks! They’ve been crafting a beta rather than releasing updates in small increments. Fascinating how different companies handle releases.

[@GlitchWolf]

@@reverenddoctor Lol, it's like you read my mind. I work in software development using various agile methodologies, and all the projects I work on are based on bringing value to the customer in small frequent increments. I'm still hesitating to buy one now in December where from my understanding there has been 1 firmware release in 7 months. This concerns me as I fear how much this pedal is really going to be supported over the years, but I guess they are just following a more waterfall method of taking 1/2 a year to bring 6 new features instead of releasing a new feature each month. This seems to be traditional to all the InMusic products. I'm still on the fence... The looperboard has so much of what I would like in a looper, but beyond likes, what I "need" is a mode something like Sync but where tracks 2-4 can be based off of "Bars" rather than the length of loop 1. So if lopp 1 is 8 bars, then loop 2 could be five bars, loop 3, four bars, and loop 4, three bars (as an example).

[@Dink391]

Daniel LeGrand I am certified in scrum and worked for an org that implemented a lot of the agile workflow, but did it in their own way so I’m also used to thinking about incremental updates. But musicians don’t necessarily work with their gear like tech people do: used to incremental updates, plugging in their device. I’m betting, had they implemented Bluetooth into this platform (a huge miss in retrospect and something I want to talk about in a future video) they might adopt more incremental releases (but probably not as you mentioned their company culture doesn’t do). Fishing for that wonky usb cable and connecting it to a computer, downloading the software, restarting the platform, updating, and restarting the platform 2 more times? Not to mention backing up and transferring data. Long story long, if you had Bluetooth, the update would be no different than pairing a set of headphones. Not to mention all the Bluetooth midi capable accessories out there. Long story even longer, headrush, if you’re listening, it’s imperative you pull the trigger on a stable firmware update the earliest possible Q1. Or people like yourself are just not going to make the switch.

[@bestreason3438]

Hey, top class conversational output from an intelligent source!, I can’t justify buying on of these yet but sure wish i could. Once I get further experience with my own simpler devices I’ll come back to this and see what’s new. I recon two things will change though. 1. The brightness/contrast for the led indicators might become adjustable and 2. The display will be made detachable or extendable to be brought onto the mic stand level.. You saw it here first.... Respect Kieth, cheers.

[@wadejennings]

I really appreciate this review. Thank you. You're words are so familiar, I've taken the exact same journey hold up in my basement - trial by fire. I've owned the RC-300 since it first hit the market and it is a powerful looping station, but you're right started to feel dated. I just got the Headrush Looperboard yesterday, and am started to dive in deep. I'm working mostly in sync & free modes until I figure out the workflow. The touchscreen tech and stomp features that allow to be hands-free is incredible. Anyway man, brilliant review...subbed.

[@Yahoomediaclub]

Appreciate that you have highlighted these variables…👌

[@TheNevadaProject]

Thanks for the vid I got a lot out of it. I too bought a headrush looperboard the day it came out. So far I’m loving it! I particularly love the drums, super high quality! I’ve also started loading in my own samples off of an SD card, very cool!

[@TheNevadaProject]

Looking forward to you posting another video after you’ve spent a little more time with it?

[@reverenddoctor]

Absolutely! I brought the board with me on tour however I don’t feel comfortable enough to use it live yet. I’ve got a layover in 3 weeks, plan on setting it up then and attempting to use it the last 3 weeks. I’m back home in early June and hope to have more thoughts then.

[@TheNevadaProject]

Maybe post some “hotel room jams” or some footage from the road, I’d love to see your live setup and vibe!

[@bartholomewfuchs4447]

Awesome review man thank you so much, especially for getting HeadRush’s attention. If this pedal was more like the RC-300, but could just let us loop with different lengths, more legit inputs that we can actually mix, and USB midi that would be a god send.

[@reverenddoctor]

Thanks! And Right??? I’m currently integrating a midi footswitch to see if that helps me breakout any more power the pedal has.

[@bartholomewfuchs4447]

@@reverenddoctor What Midi controller are you using? I'm trying to figure out how USB Midi works, tried it at a guitar center and my MPK mini wasn't working with it, but I might have not known where the right setting was.

[@reverenddoctor]

Literally only hooked it up yesterday. Trying this first: www.microdesignum.cz. I have the 3 foot switch controller. If this doesn’t function how I want I’m going to sell it and try a few others.

[@grausound]

I appreciate your genuine nature

[@somebody1960]

very useful review. thanks for taking the time.

[@reverenddoctor]

Yw!

[@wallacenock7423]

Thanks for a great review. A honest one is worth so much more. I am a Boss looper for many years using the RC 300 and a pedalboard full of pedals. However I would love to have one unit that works and this seems like it could be the one. I see the small things that they have missed but I’m sure updates will include them. So I have taken the plunge and ordered it. Watch this space 🤣🤣

[@garyheimbauer4206]

How is it working out ??

[@manuseal5983]

Really enjoyed your video, bro. Thank you for sharing your experience

[@MikeydeLaraCovers]

Great stuff, man. I really appreciate it. I wanted to run out and get this, but I'm digging that you gave a very fair and pragmatic review... Though I still want one bad. hahaha! Your video is making me look at taking a bit more time with my choice. I use two rc-300s to double the tracks and 3 pedals (no other effects). I'm cool giving up two tracks for more functionality and ease with creating. I'm going to give them a call tomorrow and see if they'll say. Thanks!

[@reverenddoctor]

No problem! Having owned one for a while now (using my Rc-300 live and looperboard in practice) I can say that for a performer like myself that has middling natural ability, there’s a bit of steep curve for me with integrating it. Could I get it done? Yeah. Would there be the occasional train-wreck? Absolutely. Lol

[@mikegorgas3332]

Very informative and excited to get going!

[@WuduDionysia]

Thanks for the detailed review! I've got me a looperboard too, but there is one little thing that freaks me out: When I'm playing a loop and decide to add a drum sample, it just stops the whole looop!!? wtf how is that possible for a loopstation especially made for live artist. This means you cant play a fluid live Set or even worse: u can never spontaniously decide to just add anything as soon as you started your first loop.. either you have to load in drums before you create anything or your screwed. Or did i miss out on any essential function or settings here? how do you work around that? Would love to hear how you manage to play live with a challenge like that.. let me know please (:

[@paultew579]

Good review thank you for sharing from the perspective of an actual gigging musician

[@giuseppecroce4959]

Lovely review and comparison! Wish I had done that!

[@reverenddoctor]

Not too late. This is just one dudes opinion. The bigger we make the scene/culture/feedback around this, the more feedback Headrush has, the better it gets, the better its competition gets.

[@scottbuchanan4826]

In regards to how sturdy the 7" screen is, I have the Headrush Guitar processor. A sound guy dropped a mic on it at a gig, and other than a small scratch, it held up with no issue.

[@reverenddoctor]

I like to hear this! I’d expect scratches and scuffs. Particularly if the screen was a polymer like plexiglass. This bodes well!

[@gladejustglade]

Ok, great chat. There's literally nothing like this on the internet right now for people thinking about moving on from the RC-300. By the way, I had to gaff tape the volume knob down on my RC-300.

[@reverenddoctor]

😂 the layout struggle is real

[@sebastiansaintjamesmusic]

curious are you able to assign an eq to each input? Also the waiting a whole round to record thing seems like a deal breaker to me. Since your an IT guy do you think that is a plausible software update they'll do sooner than later? sincerely, tired of gigging with an rc 300 and mixing board guy

[@reverenddoctor]

You are, in fact, able to add things like EQ per each input. The recording after a whole round only happens on 2 of the five modes: the serial mode (the one you use when you're creating a verse/chorus/bridge arrangement.) Is it possible for them to make it so that you don't have to wait a whole round? It seems like it to me: It's not a function of its hardware that requires for the repeat to finish before allowing you to overdub on a different channel. It seems to me that this oversight is from not observing enough different kinds of looping artists. We each use our loopers in such drastically different ways sometimes. @@sebastiansaintjamesmusic

[@sebastiansaintjamesmusic]

Your awesome, Thank you! They should be paying you ; )@@reverenddoctor

[@aragorntudon]

Thanks for the review! Live Loopers should have another Looper reviewing any loop pedal!

[@gladejustglade]

Well, the 2.0 update addressed every concern I had.

[@Kwaician]

So I do live looping Ed Sheeran style. Just guitar and a mic as inputs, singer songwriter style. I use an RC300 rn as well. This board has 4 inputs and corresponding outputs for each correct? Can I route the inputs to the outputs the way I choose? For example guitar is in input 1 but can record to tracks 1, 2, 3, or 4 depending on which foot switch I press? But also whatever track I record guitar to is sent to the corresponding output of that track? Basically does each input have it’s own output or does each TRACK have it’s own output? That’s something I’ve been looking for forever. I’d love to have each track have it’s own output so I can have guitar percussion, guitar chords, and my loop vocals separated so they can be treated by my sound engineer individually instead of combined like they are on the RC300. That’s for reading this!

[@reverenddoctor]

Sorry for the delay, and you’ve probably figured it out by now, but you have complete flexibility over routing whether you want certain tracks to be routed to outputs or certain inputs routed strictly to outputs. For all the shortcomings and feature requests headrush had on day 1 the one thing they had was incredible flexibility for their I/O routing. Don’t know if you saw, but headrush actually built a user forum on their site where if in the future you have a question you can just ask the community. Thanks for watching!

[@Yahoomediaclub]

I was an owner of the RC 300 and sold it 2 yrs later….looks fwd to this video 👍

[@stuffnuns]

The 24bit sound quality on the Headrush, and the TC Helicon VoiceLive 3xt, was a very big factor in making a decision, and the build on both the Headrush and the Voicelive is tank-like. But, I chose the plasticky built RC-505, with its 16bit audio. And it’s not because I’m a tabletop guy. It was the 505’s physical layout and its UI, with big, fat, well lit buttons. The audio quality is good, and access to the menus is one button away. The 505 does much of what the HDRush does, but, for me, using the 505’s board is more intuitive. That said, I hope the Headrush does well, which will set a fire up Roland’s butt to make their Tabletop LoopStations roadworthy. I carry mine in a foam lined hardshell case (originally to keep my Hasselblad camera and lenses unharmed). boss actually did a 505 firmware update last year, which is rare for Boss gear. Maybe Boss/Roland is already looking over their shoulder.

[@gladejustglade]

15:53 I have read the manual like 100 times and I get mine in about a week. You can stereo-link the inputs, but no, you can't use four stereo input tracks. If you have a stereo keyboard, for example, you can stereo link inputs 1 and 2 and then it'll loop them simultaneously to channels 1 and 2.

[@reverenddoctor]

This is my understanding as well. Lucky for me, it’s the exact number of inputs I need.

[@juanvaldez5422]

I got the looperboard. I am still working on the learning curve. There is so many ways to do so much. I hope headrush puts out some advanced practice videos. There are a ton of effects setup in 6 categories by use, i.e guitar, drums, lofi, "dub", studio. Most effects are completly usuable and all can be tweaked. However I hope they continue to update these via firmware updates as there is some room for improvement. But I have never seen a looper with any where near the number or quality of effects. Sound quality with multiple heavy tracks are excellent. I am coming from a boss rc 30 and sound qualitu with multiple tracks was ok at best. This is a huge improvement in that area. It will take time to fully learn and utilize this board. Its more like a songwriting 'hub' if you will.

[@reverenddoctor]

That’s a great way of putting it! Inspiration machine. Honestly, the way the pedal is setup it makes me curious if they have any hardcore loopers on staff or if they set it up really only putting the features in place like a checklist. But I expect the community to grow and for the users to put out advanced techniques. They’ve already given us a lot of inspiring tools, but I agree they need to be tweaked.

[@IanEricLive]

Great review and excellent insights. I gotta say - the Headrush Looperboard is not at all ready for "prime time". As a full-time musician who does a lot of live looping (with a Boss RC300) I was SOOO excited to see innovation in the market, but I bought and returned the Headrush within 24 hours. There are so many features missing. Template patch creation. Auto-tempo sensing. Switch assignments, both on-board and outboard. Perhaps future firmware will improve it. But I'm not waiting. I bought outboard control switches and I'm now dedicated to using my RC300's immense potential. Headrush - you guys got it wrong. Especially for $900. I'll be back when it gets better....maybe. I still can't get over the top/bottom button layout. On my RC300, I often hit "stop" and "play/rec" of adjacent tracks simultaneously; just not possible on the Looperboard.

[@reverenddoctor]

Sounds like you made a good decision with the return. Keep your rig, make headrush earn your money. It makes it better for all of us.

[@scottbecker3485]

Ian Eric Live A year later: Have you revisited the Headrush Looperboard? If so, what‘s your verdict, now? Or perhaps you’ve tried out the Aeros looper? I have one, and am still (stupidly?) waiting for the firmware to reach the point where all the promised functionality is there and everything works as it‘s supposed to. Should have sold it right away, Otherwise, a lot of power in a very small footprint, and with a Midi pedal hooked up (e.g. the pre-configured Midi Maestro from the same maker), it becomes even better. Maybe I‘ll still become friends with it one day...or just ditch my lofty looping intentions and go back to something simply yet sexy, e.g. the Boss RC-10R with built-in drums.

[@IanEricLive]

@@scottbecker3485- No, I haven't revisited the Headrush. From what I can tell, the core functionality of the BOSS RC300 is still far superior. It has its limitations, but it also has certain abilities that other looper makers seem to ignore, yet I find indispensable. What I have done in the past year is become even more familiar with the RC300 and have explored even more of what it can do. Switch assignments (and using outboard additional switches) has been a game-changer. I looked at the Aeros, and for those who want to pair a looper with a drum machine, it seems to be a good fit. But I myself don't use drum machines, so again the BOSS comes out on top in my book. I only hope that one day soon BOSS releases a new version of the RC300 with even more functionality, stability, and power. I'm not sure how they could improve upon it, except to remove all the little glitches (they do happen) and perhaps give us more tracks to play with. I'd also love a mic routing switch (loop or bypass) built in, though I currently use an outboard piece of gear for that which works great.

[@Sesay101]

Have you looked into the Aeros Loop studio?

[@reverenddoctor]

I have! My problem with Aeros is that in order to get more functionality out of the pedal I would just be using an external controller, and by that point I'm just building something at least as large, but more complicated, than the HR Looperboard. Also, hi!

[@dustinnance3163]

I have a friend that uses the rc300 he plays the drum tracks, the bass guitar tracks, the guitar tracks, and he makes different parts, sings and plays lead, no one I have ever seen does what he does it took him a week of practice before live performances very gifted

[@reverenddoctor]

Much more talented than I, that’s for sure 😂

[@TheNevadaProject]

Post a link to one of his videos, would love to see

[@Onelychild]

Great in depth review! Thank you for sharing this!

[@reverenddoctor]

As always, my pleasure :)

[@VJFranzK]

Rev Dr. you're cool and this is a great discussion!

[@reverenddoctor]

Thanks! 😎✊🏽

[@michaelpowell3392]

Thanks for the deep dive!

[@aasherwright4130]

the advertizing and manual are indeed misleading. It says 24 bit / 48 khz, then elsewere says 24/96, thenin another section says tracks get converted to 16/48 ( really? in 2019? ) then again, elsewere it says stereo tracks, then mono, then it also says it accepts up to 192 khz. This is BS. It reads like 5 different people wrote the copy and no one did a copy check. Aparently the backing track ( like 5th track, stays in pristine 24/96 without conversion ) I AM CONFUSED

[@jerricabenton842]

also confused. looks good tho. 16 bit is prolly a deal breaker, but it depends on how it sounds. I'm gonna grab one at guitar center and test it out

[@clintmorgensternmusic5972]

Does this create/play/make, intro, outro and fill patterns on the drums during live performance?

[@reverenddoctor]

negative

[@aasherwright4130]

its actually a four MONO track at 16 bit / 48 Khz. Its hidden on the FAQ but dont bee fooled, it is not a 24 bit unit. The sound engine, FX, and AD / DA converters may be 24 bit but not what is recorded on the "digital tape"

[@ryancrarymusic]

This was helpful. I’m trying to replace my RC300 with Headrush. Been using it for 10 years!!! Beach life music 🤘🏽🤘🏽

[@CitizenWarwick]

Really awesome video thanks there is not so much about this. I use the EHX 45000 and wondering if this is a good replacement. Firstly on the EHX45000 you don't need to specify a tempo up front and it will create a loop based on when you start and end loop, can headrush do that? And if you can do that can you create new loops on top that are multiples of the first loop? (45000 has not multiply feature)

[@reverenddoctor]

Head rush doesn’t do it right out of the box, but you can tweak the global setting so that it does. I’m going to try to reset my headrush back to factory settings soon so I can determine this.

[@chrissmith5291]

👏 thanks Keith reveren Dr very helpful I’m in the exact position of RC 300 renewal blues are boss bringing a new one out to your knowledge any time soon ? as they released the RC 500

[@jasoncheshire6153]

I'm very happy to see your review. I just got Ableton and the Apollo Twin quad processor. I don't have any experience at all with these devices. I was going to get a looper like the Headrush but after seeing the beginning of your video, you said it is possible to use a MIDI foot controller with Ableton to use as a looper. Can I really do this? I'm wondering why you would spend 899.00 when you could just buy a midi controller for 200.00 and use your laptop with Ableton. Would you please help me on this? I would really appreciate it. If I need to, I will buy the Headrush but I would rather not spend money if I don't need to. Thanks so much.

[@78simo]

Hi! congratulations! great video. A few years ago I am using the boss RC 300 professionally in my live shows. It is very good but it has some limitations and from what I am seeing the headrush looperboard can be a very good option. I have a question. In many songs I use different lenghts preconfigured. For example a percussion track of 1 bar, a guitar with 4 bars and 2 bars of voices. I have the doubt if I can also pre-configure it on the looperboard or it is during the live performance when I manually decide the duration of each track. Sorry for my english! Thanks!!

[@reverenddoctor]

It’s okay! Thanks for your comment. My understanding is that you cannot currently pre-determine track lengths on the HR looperboard. I’m hoping this feature comes out on the next update of the board. I’m sure if you asked for access to the beta program on either their Facebook page or on their site you could see if that feature is available on the beta platform.

[@SeanOnTheGulf]

Definitely the best review I have seen to date. I am actually waiting on my HRLB to be delivered. I was wondering if the latest firmware updates have made your transition from the RC-300 better?? I plan on using my HeadRush Pedal Board to push my guitar. Thanks again!!👍👍

[@gerimayawhyte154]

What about the Voicelive 3X? 24 bit looping, vocal fx, harmonies, guitar fx...

[@reverenddoctor]

That would be a really great option if I were playing my songs the same way from beginning to end. The advantage of the HR is the ability to add and subtract 4 different tracks and peel and re-add overdubs at any single moment. Otherwise, you're right, before investing in HR I stared at the Voicelive 3 long and hard because I love TC Helicon's products. In fact, their VoiceCorret XT still comes in my signal chain before my vocals hit the HR. But I'm the kind of artist that works much more in-the-moment, rather than canned, planned, routed songs that I wish I could automate. I truly do use my loopers like additional instruments because I expect them to be able to react to my whims on-the-fly, rather than automate ahead of time and go. Not to say the VL3 isn't a great pedal, because it is, particularly for the right person! Just not for me, is all.

[@gerimayawhyte154]

@@reverenddoctor That's cool I was just curious. I'm a more on the fly kind of looper musician myself. Now that I feel like I understand the Voicelive 3X (a lot more than I had)I can see that there is definitely limitations with their looper function on the unit. It's like they went all out on the vocal and guitar functions but when they got to the looper they decided "that's good enough!" I've considered trading it in for a RC 300 but it sounds the HR might be the way to go. I have a TC Helicon acoustic play so I could still use that for my vocal and guitar processing. I hate having to swap loops to open up a third loop. Would be nice to program what input I want the loop (vocal or guitar or keyboard) to be whereas (with the VL3) whatever you set the input to be your stuck with all loops. The layout with the looper is not that user friendly or flexible but it is nice to be able to add guitar and vocal fx...

[@reverenddoctor]

@@gerimayawhyte154 The looper function isn't bad on the VL3, it's just not robust. And it's hard to say it's "good enough" when no other pedal even comes close to programmed automation (except maybe Abelton Live), let alone giving you a platform that does this AT YOUR FEET WITH USABLE FX. So no, the VL3 is best-in-class at what it does. The HR is on it's way. I'd say if you invest in the Looperboard be prepared for some growing pains. The advantage you get is that I can tell the whole HR team is busting their ASS because they want to snatch the crown from Roland/Boss so bad. Honestly, they could do it if Roland isn't careful. Their lineup is mouldering for the live-looping guitarist.

[@danibal1240]

thanks! i was wondering about this model. to me it looks totally useless as a live tool, but fun in a studio. the arrangements of the buttons don’t make sense, no hierarchy, all these light indicators make it very unfriendly for beginners. but it has a lot of great features though. it also reminds me of the EHX looper… was it 9000? it looked like a mixing device with lots of track options. but they made a combination of foot switches and delicate sliders for your fingers… ground or table? i don’t know what they thought of. But the Headrush makes everything available for your toes, which is consistent. But the screen… it’s always difficult when you play with sunlight as you mentioned… personally i really love the approach of the infinity looper, they managed to make the most musical looper in the sense of being able to time everything, everything is instant, even the undo/redo (which was the reason to buy it). but alas, it’s price is a bit too high. i wash the infinity looper from pigtronix would also have a version with more than two tracks and input-options for non-guitarists.

[@reverenddoctor]

The infinity looper intrigues me, but yeah, it's rather limited on the tracks. Love Pigtronix, tho.

[@aasherwright4130]

it was a good review, thank you

[@TidesOnEarth]

Would love to see what it’s like navigating these fx “tap dancing” -also, keen to see how a midi controller would change the functionality! It was a lot of talking, but that’s exactly what I needed to understand how the experience would differ from the rc300 to the looperboard!

[@reverenddoctor]

I'll add that when I'm back in town. About to be on the road 6 weeks on tour. I'll be sure to post more thoughts when I get back, however.

[@TidesOnEarth]

Reverend Doctor awesome! Have a great tour! I’m going to get my hands on one soon... and I’ll try and make a vid myself!

[@TheNevadaProject]

Reverend, are you taking the Headrush Looperboard on the tour with you, your RC 300 or both?

[@TimStokesMusic]

Good informative vid. Love that you have a maton (mini).

[@Firstinversion899]

Very helpful! Have you tried Ableton Live with the KMI Softstep 2? I’m planning to get this setup, & I’d love to hear your thoughts. The scene launch & control features seem to be more advanced than any of the hardware loopers, but I am curious about the workflow.

[@emanuelmahler]

Hey! This video is amazing. One question, is there a way to record something on a track and when you finish immediately click a pedal to start recording on.another track as you mention you can do in the Boss pedal? Thank you!

[@hetoldmetomusic]

Great review! Thanks a lot!

[@robertbuck7186]

Thanks for an actual demo on a this sampler...and some of the cans and cant do yet kind of things... One thing I would like to know is...... Does it have a scratch that button on the rig that lets you scratch the sample you made a mistake on and then lets you start over from the good tracks you are building as they are playing.. so you dont have to stop everything you are doing and delete it all and start over from the beginning? Does this thing or the boss rc-300 offer the ability to delete or erase the second or 3rd samples and start over again... I have an archaic boss rc-2 no do overs you have to wipe it all start from the beginning...get it all right and then save the sample...

[@reverenddoctor]

There is an undo and a delete feature. As far as I can tell, Even if you record on a second track and that track has numerous layers, you can undo those layers on that second track all the way back to the beginning.

[@robertbuck7186]

@@reverenddoctor Thanks for answering... this feature is something that is new to me.. and also valuable in saving time and effort saving.. I'll have to learn more about this unit as well as the boss 300 and the boss 50O... IDK if either of them allows the user to scratch the second or third track that they are working on and start right back where they left off as soon as the good tracks that they are playing come around again...

[@reverenddoctor]

I know for a fact that the rc-300 can do this. Having never used the 500, I can’t say.

[@fabianvasquezjr8852]

Ok I just bought one from Sweetwater, FedEx express be here tomorrow wooHoo!! Firmware 2.0 w/a lot of improvements. VoiceLive 3 and Beatbuddy 4 sale on Craig's List

[@MichaelWestwood]

Awesome review. Thanks. Can you let us know if they ever update the firmware to the very smart specifications you (and most of us) require?

[@Mundproductionfunkhaus]

How do you feel about the footswitches: their feel, their noisiness...

[@reverenddoctor]

The foot switches aren’t terrible. They at least don’t latch. There is a lot of give to them, I wish they hadn’t used stock foot switches. You realize that part of the brilliance of the boss-style pedals is that there’s a degree of squishiness to the pedal: you don’t have to push it far, it’s low-profile, and it makes essentially no noise. It took me a while to adjust my attack on the pedal. Due to the amount of give I found I’m much more aggressive in the speed at which I put my foot down rather than tapping with my toe, my heel on the floor. Great question! Have you used one?

[@DewsySipos]

Great informative review! I was wondering how the experiment went with the external midi foot switches for the more granular effect control?

[@jkstraw]

Hi - Thanks for a great video (actually you have a lot of great videos!). I was curious if Headrush has addressed the "time to build up a loop" issue you identified in this video? Do you still have to wait for the complete loop cycle to finish before starting the next loop? I looked on their site for firmware release notes but didn't see anything. Thanks in advance!

[@reverenddoctor]

Thanks! HR has a beta program that you can become a part of. Check out their closed facebook page and ask to be added. They have a TON of new features they're testing, but it remains to be seen how many will make it into the final version of their new firmware. I am, however, super excited for it!

[@wasdwasd12321]

Truely excellent review thanks

[@dkblive]

awesome! I'm on the fence, THIS HELPS ~!

[@reverenddoctor]

Leaning one way or the other?

[@dkblive]

@@reverenddoctor yep, I pulled the trigger. So far I love it, lots to learn. thanks for your input DOC

[@reverenddoctor]

@@dkblive You should check out the HR Looperboard Facebook page. Lots of great information/community there.

[@dkblive]

@@reverenddoctor THANKS I've been directed by HR to return it to factory for repair or replace. I def joined the fb page thanks again

[@2ES_]

appreciate ur video. i am evaluating to migrate from Voicelive 3 xt. what i am understanding that i appreciate is + more routing options , and what seems i miss more in Loopeboard : 1) harmonizer sound poor comparing with tc helicon 2) midi out? is really ? 3) aux input seems is not loopable + not tracking tor harmonies. Also am i hearing well? , is the "effect rack" not "Presettable" and programmable on pedal or external pedal? and what about expression pedal , is it assignable yes? thanks for share!

[@RandallClarke-t1c]

Great review and comparison, but I would love to hear your opinion after a couple years of live work with the Headrush board, now 2022 . Believe it or not, I still have the RC 50 and like it! But , I'm looking to upgrade and those two pedals would be my first consideration.

[@scottguitars1961]

Very good review. Thank you. I've used rc300 for several years. The above/below buttons on the HR are a bad layout in my opinion. I'm thinking the rc600 is a better choice for me. Very disappointed they got rid of the expression pedal.

[@LiveBobsMusic]

Thanks for doing this video RD. I too feel the same concerning your comments on too many foot clicks. I would also like to see options, especially in Sync mode: for instance, if I'm laying down a 32 bar instrument bed (say, on channel 1), I hate that I have to wait/listen until the end of the 32 bars on channel 1 in order to start an overdub on channel 2 (3 or 4). It would be nice to be able to have a 4-count and have my pre-recorded channel 1 track play and start recording on channel 2. Hope this all makes sense. Anyway, it's a shame you have to wait until the end of a long looping track to start a new loop track. All the best. Bob.

[@reverenddoctor]

My pleasure! And I whole-heartedly agree with you! I tried to demonstrate exactly the thing you’re describing, but ran out of time and wanted to post this vid before I went on tour.

[@LiveBobsMusic]

Great product but just those little niggles that will hopefully be addressed in the next firmware. Thanks again for taking the time to do this vid. @@reverenddoctor

[@Thecrush145]

Great review. Currently an RC300 guy here. My big question is, can you use the Looper board as your "mixer" essentially for vocal straight in to a PA allowing you to only have to have 1 thing on the floor for a super compact set up? I currently have a little board and my RC on a Pedal train board. It is heavy and cumbersome. I want to eliminate it. Possible I hope...

[@baseboardmatt]

Great video. Thx for doing this! I guess I’d disagree about the expression pedal.. i happen to like that it’s optional, letting you choose what kind (or brand) to use. And if you choose not to use one it doesn’t take up real estate. Also, if you break a built in exp pedal you are kind of screwed... just a few thoughts to consider.

[@reverenddoctor]

Totally. This board is already a beast. But have you seen the expression pedal on their pedalboard? It’s a tank...

[@wallacenock7423]

Ok so i have had the looperboard for a week and so far its really great but i now totally understand the shortfalls of it and also trying to get the gain structure correct is a mission but i am slowly giving it some time and will make a call in a week to see if i am definitely going to keep it or not. By the way have you seen the Singular Sound Aeros looper. Now that looks amazing too. Go check it out. Thanks Keith love the videos, would love to see more of you looping with the Acoustasonic and the Looperboard. Maybe some of your live shows..

[@marekmartinkovic3926]

Hi,will it definitely replace your pedalboard?

[@wallacenock7423]

@@marekmartinkovic3926 Marek i havd to be honest a week down the line and no ways can it replace my whole board in fact it falls short on a few areas. But the potential is amazing and love the routing and the four tracks, the effects are nasty but useable for sure. Why can they not put a descent octave pedal into a unit like this.

[@reverenddoctor]

Gain-staging with any looper is tough. I find that the more you introduce, the more you have to either control for (I literally use gaffers tape on the knobs. If you look at my insta you'll see pictures of it) or through trial-and-error learn to accommodate for. I checked out the Singular Sound. It's a really cool REALLY AFFORDABLE multi-track looper option. I like the HR just because it has the ability to engage or disengage any track that i've recorded thus far. Which is super important when I'm using it as essentially a replacement for a band--simple to create dynamics when you're removing and adding parts to your arrangement.

[@TheJazzmoose]

Hey man - thanks for a really helpful video. Wondering if you found a way around the issue you mention at 18:30 re. the auto-start new track recording when closing the first loop? I’ve seen some videos on firmware 2.0 demoing custom footswitch reassignment so wondered if this was now possible? Thanks!

[@JBauerProject]

Has ANYONE seen ANYONE do a review / demo on the VOCAL FX? Why is nobody talking about the vocal FX? lol. Mainly curious if it can do what the TC Helicon Voicelive 3 can do for vocals. (Harmony, doubles, choir, etc)

[@reverenddoctor]

Great point. Will soon remedy.

[@JBauerProject]

@@reverenddoctor I look forward to that! Thanks for your in depth review too! very deep perspectives

[@marekmartinkovic3926]

Hi thanks for your work on this video.I have one straight question:Can HL definitely replace my pedalboard with all the effects and Amp and cab sims?Would it be confortable or only compromise?

[@reverenddoctor]

Right now my answer is “No”, it cannot replace your pedal board. The amp and can sims do sound really good, but I find having some outboard effects (my octave and wah) and using a midi controller to access some of the other effects under-foot is the best option.

[@jamesdeiley3926]

Great video! I’m an RC-300 user and looking to upgrade. It’s been a year, do you still use the looperboard? Have any updates come out that address the issues you mentioned? I use an electric guitar and want to minimise the amount of pedals I need, is this a good alternative, do the guitar effects sound decent? I’m particularly interested in the amp simulators as I’ll be playing straight into a mixer in most situations. Look forward to hearing from you.

[@scottbecker3485]

James Deiley It seems the Reverend isn‘t currently responding to any more recent comments here (maybe he‘s not getting notified of them). Anyhow, I just watched a video buy a guy whose channel is called Tides on Earth, and it might help you see the changes made in the latest firmware. Watch for his „Top 7 Features...“ video, but not the one he made a year prior. The one you need to watch is the one with „Firmware 2.0“ in the title.

[@BongoJak]

Great video! very informative! ... can you tell us about that midi clock? can it be sent to external devices with ease? one thing i am really looking for in a looper is ableton link!! Thanks so much for making this! awesome!!

[@reverenddoctor]

I haven’t done anything for the midi clock yet. I look forward to using it with my SPD-SX. Linking the midi clock and command control should be a snap.

[@flintdavis2]

Can believe the effects are that hard to access. What are you doing wrong?

[@alexgregory1427]

hi. a question. need to use this as backing system. Track 1 to 4 gets stems. All they all stereo when imported (stereo import ). Can click be routed to drummers headphones. Additional 5th symphonic Backing track will be added too. Not interested in going back to lopping (playing with pedals) as I do that in Ableton. Need all tracks to be dragged and dropped from Mac OS to board to avoid USB stick hassles . Tracks are 7 minutes long each, so 5 minute limit won't work. Please confirm that all of the above is or is not possible. Thanks.

[@reverenddoctor]

I mean, I’m not a headrush rep, but: (All answers from the guide: www.headrushfx.com/assets/downloads/Looperboard%20-%20User%20Guide%20-%20v1.0.1[3].pdf) Importing audio: pgs. 15, 24, 34 of user guide. Sounds like yes. Drummers headphones: pgs 26 -28. Sounds like yes. Backing track feature is not something that can be used with looping. Pg. 33 of guide. Can be triggered separately or with midi trigger. Guide says track can only be as short as 1second, as long as 5 minutes: pg. 10.

[@georgemiller9357]

Any noticable sound quality difference through an amp or pa vs the 300?

[@reverenddoctor]

Yeah. The mic pre amps on the RC-300 are terrible. While the HR without effects won’t detract from your sound, the pre-configured patches don’t hurt. Tune them to your voice, guitar, etc and they sound 👌🏽

[@kodacvisualz]

Can I control the Looperboard using a MIDI controller foot pedal? I just want to be able to hit record with a foot pedal (on ground) and have the Looperboard on a table so I can edit without bending over to adjust stuff… If yes, what midi or usb pedal would you recommend will work?

[@reverenddoctor]

You can even in the most recent full-version of the looperboard firmware. More functionality is coming, in certain. There are a few things you can’t do from external midi that I’m hoping they make accessible.

[@kodacvisualz]

What foot pedal do you recommend for hitting record/stop/play ? If your using the HR looperboard as a table top..

[@reverenddoctor]

It all depends on what you’re looking to use, what footprint you’re willing to tolerate. I use the Morningstar MK1

[@kodacvisualz]

Reverend Doctor I’m looking for a nice wide foot print. Like on a Boss RC series pedal.

[@ChadBoston]

I make flip up screen guards for the Headrush screens

[@reverenddoctor]

Go on... where?

[@thovex64]

If you have save différents loops with same bpm, is it a possible to chain them without any tempo variation ? Thanks for your great video

[@reverenddoctor]

I’m not sure. I’ll try something like this out.

[@thovex64]

@@reverenddoctor It is to program several loops of 4 tracks each and to be able to chain them like intro->chorus->verse->outro. You know what I want to do? Thanks reverend doctor

[@reverenddoctor]

Oh, then absolutely. In serial or serial sync mode you can do exactly this. I don’t demo this because there are videos from headrush and other vendors that demo this.

[@Lokochannel1]

Hi!!! Thanks so much for sharing this. I have some questions about the looperboard I use RC300 and before getting this headrush, I wanted to know if: As on the rc300 is there a single track mode ? If we can choose the stop mode? (Immediate, loop End, or fade) And the last one, is there any possibility to have on each loop, a one shot mode ? Like I'm doing on my rc300, hiting start button and launch again and immediately the loop to the begining ? Thanks for your answers. From France ;)

[@reverenddoctor]

Hi, I have questions about your questions to make sure I know what you’re asking :). When you say single track mode, are you asking is the Looperboard capable of recording a sequence of tracks such as a verse, chorus, and bridge, and switching between sections of that song recorded on different tracks? As to the second part of your question, each mode of the Looperboard (fixed, serial, sync, etc.) has its own way that it behaves as far as how the track ends and how you can begin recording. I’d encourage you to look at a few tutorials released by Headrush themselves. It will make more sense than my describing them here. As to the second question, you’re going to have to add more detail because I’m uncertain what you’re describing. :)

[@Lokochannel1]

@@reverenddoctor thanks so much for your answer. Yes about single track it's exactly what I mean ;) Thanks I'll check tuto by headrush !! 🤘

[@reverenddoctor]

Yes, the looper board has that mode. It’s called “serial” or “serial sync”. Check out their demos as I’m sure a lot of your functionality questions will be answered.

[@vondras5564]

Great video, it's exactly what I was looking to know. Thanks so much. Is the extra tapping to start recording on another track related to Fixed and Serial mode only? How about the Sync mode? (I mostly use different length of loops, find it handy to use shorter loops for building percussion parts and then longer for guitars, vocals etc..) Do you also have to do extra tapping in the Sync mode? How about pre-defining number of bars (say 4 bars). Will it end the loop on track number one without unwanted recording to both tracks?

[@reverenddoctor]

Related to both modes. In sync mode you have to be careful as to the timing of closing your loops, otherwise it might cut your loop short or extend it for an extra multiple of your initial track.

[@vondras5564]

@@reverenddoctor Thanks man! So with the looperboard you can close loop only manually (with foot)? You can't pre-define that it will close after say 4 bars? That would be too bad....

[@luismiguelcalero]

Hi Mr Reverend Doctor. Thanks for your great contribution to the MUSIC !!!! I need Your help. I play for fun RolandAerophone pro,elctric guitar and violín, keyboard and others and Donald Knowles which one Will give me more fun The headrush looper board 4 tracks, boss rc 300,500 or 600 6 tracks or aeros subió loop.pls Will apareciste your advice .thanks an keep domingo so great.

[@Acoustribute]

Hey Rev, just traded in my Voicelive 3X and got a Headrush. I have a question. Whenever I lay a foundation loop like a beat in loop A and then another loop in loop B like a longer bass line whenever I stop that loop B and start it up the loop drifts and won't stay in sync. I've tried this in sync mode and serial. Is there something I have to change in loop settings?

[@reverenddoctor]

Woah. Have you updated the firmware? I feel like that happened to people that didn’t update to 2.0

[@juaquinwilson596]

Rv Dr: I. am trying to receive midi clock info from my drummers v. drum module: and using his bpm, into my Headrush Pedalboard and use that clock info for the Looper... IS THIS Possible? thank you for your video Sir.

[@theinfinate]

An iPad app called Quantiloop is more usable in my opinion. The problem is with an iPad app although is that it can be buggy and do weird things on stage

[@reverenddoctor]

Haven't checked it out. Is it compatible with the Apogee Gio or other appropriate footswitches?

[@theinfinate]

@@reverenddoctor im not sure that gio is compatible with an iPad? I use to have it set up with a line 6 USB floor pedal into a powered usb hub (powered with a power bank) then into a camera connection lightening plug into the iPad. Worked fine, nowadays I just use a nano key studio wireless midi controller stuck to my guitar, looks weird but works great and a really quick setup

[@reverenddoctor]

@@theinfinate seen this? I wish it didn't look so silly... lividinstruments.com/products/guitar-wing/

[@TheShamblingUnknown]

Great vid. Very informative.

[@rashad-music4013]

I just wanna ask you if there is any option once the all track is stop i wanna play only track one and tap to play first its play and recording also at the same time is there any option that not make it record while track one is playing anyone help me cause i am new to head rush looperboard

[@MrTewhare]

very comprehensive review cheers bro looper board sold!! hahaha

[@Onelychild]

Great review! Can you do another video on it using an instrument?

[@reverenddoctor]

My plan right now is getting a lot more proficient with it and showing my “solution” to the looperboard’s quirks. I hope to have a video out in the next month. Just need to accumulate footage!

[@Onelychild]

@@reverenddoctor Okay! Great!

[@TheNevadaProject]

How’s the tour going?

[@reverenddoctor]

Crazy busy, but that’s how I scheduled it. I plugged in the Headrush once, but haven’t had time to record. Hope to have more thoughts when I return.