Headrush MX5 VS Headrush Pedalboard: Which Wins?

[@tommanseau6277]

From everything I'm reading about the 2, the processor is exactly the same. This actually makes sense for 2 reasons: cost of scale and supply. The chip shortage hasn't been about capacity so much as planned production runs. The output volume is about 2 dB down on the MX5 per Headrush. In other words subtle yet perceived as tonal change because of volume changes.

[@tranqbee6543]

You always sound great and help me decide on equipment as I write ambient style guitar and have toured with many of the recommendations you thoroughly review

[@philw8049]

I’ve had the mx5 for a couple of weeks now and I love the thing. Due to medical conditions weight REALLY matters to me. Any shortcomings with fewer switches and the smaller screen are MORE than made up for with the fact I can toss this with a couple cables into my gig bag and be good to go! I love it. If I really need a cab I bring a frfr108 with me and it sounds great.

[@TR-zf6io]

Do you use drive pedals in front of the headrush? I have a POD HD 500 and find that drive pedals in front sound like a hot mess. I'm hoping this might be different as I might sell the 500 and get something like this with upgraded models.

[@philw8049]

@@TR-zf6io honestly I’ve been more than happy with the pedals in the mx5. I don’t really have a heavy distortion pedal but I do have a tube screamer type I could try running into the mx5. I’ll try and get that done in the next day or 2 and I’ll let ya know what I think.

[@TR-zf6io]

@@philw8049 wow! Thank you! I would appreciate that. I also use a low gain drive (boss SD-1) which is TS like. The MX5 seems like an affordable upgrade to the Pod as far as amp modelling goes and looks like it could have a similar place on a pedalboard to the HX stomp.

[@philw8049]

@@TR-zf6io ok, so I finally remembered to try this. Running a blues driver into the mx5 sounds fine, no different then running it into my marshall combo amp. But here’s the thing, there’s no reason to need to do that. I can simply put a tube screamer (or whatever drive I want) before the amp in the signal chain right on the mx5 and it works exactly the same (I do this in most of my distorted patches). You don’t need a separate pedal to do that.

[@TR-zf6io]

@@philw8049 Fantastic! thank you for letting me know about your real world experience using the MX5. It's definitely on my short list as far as an upgrade to an all-in-one modelling solution. The Line 6 Pod HD 500 I'm currently using is feeling long in the tooth at this point. Considering the MX5 is half the price of the alternative I'm considering (Boss GT1000 core), the MX5 looks very tempting. Thanks again and keep up the great content on your channel.

[@jonstout7635]

They both sound great. There seems to be a bit more brightness with the large board. Great quality review!

[@tommyibanez3958]

I had the full size board when it first released, went through a few updates with it, then ended up selling it as the sounds were kind of lifeless to me (high gain). I bought the MX5 2 weeks ago just to check it out and I fell in love instantly. I'm sure the full size board is now capable of everything I'm getting with the MX5 (and more), but man this thing is incredible. And, all of my Headrush rigs and tone packs loaded right in, a huge plus since I have many folders of them.

[@chordsoforion]

Great to hear you are liking it!!

[@daveg4236]

Aren't they exactly the same thing

[@frissonified]

excellent comparison. always interesting videos on your channel

[@SalvoVecchioGuitar]

Mx5 sounds so smooth; I prefer that kind of sound and for me it is more than enough. Both amazing, easy to program, but the easier something is, the better it is for me as I don't really need that many presets on the floor. A good clean, a good crunch, a smooth lead and than some spice here and there with the stompboxes... I go with the Mx5

[@redvikinghobbies]

The MX5 had considerably more bass vs. the Pedalboard. The treble seemed high and sounded like it lacked mid on the Pedalboard. I know they're supposed to be "the same" but since this can be used for bass rigs I wonder if the bass and mids aren't higher intentionally on the MX5. Thought it was you guitar before you did the side by side. Buying an MX5 to do my own shoot out to see if I can save space-Thank you!!!

[@bstoner1300]

I’ve been looking at the MX5…so glad to see you do a video!!

[@Kirk-Monteux-Production]

I'm about to develop my own ambient style and man you gave some inspiration. Thanks

[@TheBigH1975]

The full size seemed to have a little more presence. I actually liked the sounds in the smaller one a little better, but purely personal preference. Cool vid.

[@cmcg5788]

Very close, but it seemed the PB was "hotter" - had more punch and clarity (volume?)

[@JeffHendricks]

It looks like it's essentially the exact same software, so (assuming the I/O buffers are the same) it should be identical. That price point is fantastic!

[@AA-ih6kt]

same...

[@hanovergreen4091]

Just doesn't have Song view....yet. HR says they plan to add song view functionality to all devices.

[@theothertonydutch]

MX5? Miata? TRACKDAY BRO!

[@chordsoforion]

Oh yeah!!!!

[@smashmash]

MX5 darker with very humped bottom end which comes over strong on my AKGs, the big Headrush has more presence and more top on the shimmer. They do sound different but why is the question…

[@KateLynnBeatty]

I heard the same on my sennheisser 800’s …..you could EQu that and make em the same…. But if you had only one the. You EQu to your preference

[@jaricklosey4607]

I just got an MX5 and using Beyer headphones it sounds like a bass boost. Even playing audio over the unit via USB. There may be something in the audio engine that boosts the bass a bit?

[@QuikdethDeviantart]

A lot of folks think the full board is “brighter” or similar… could it be your global EQs are set differently or is it like the guy said below, a 2db drop (and if so why would they do that, because it’s 1/4” only rather than XLR)

[@alexdenton6586]

For me it will be the Head rush 🤚🏻🙋🏼‍♂️, because of the touch screen and the interface that looks not only more pleasant but also more intuitive

[@hanovergreen4091]

Thank You Boss and Best Regards!

[@unorignalworkaccount]

I love this guy. He is like the Bob Ross of pedals. Plus, I'm not certain if he's wearing pants.....

[@andrequerobino]

Great video, congratulations.

[@JaffaRoad]

MX5 vs hx stomp xl for a fly rig ? Looks like this has more processing power on tap? Been renting an hx and like it more than I thought I would but find it a bit too easy to run out of dsp.....

[@chordsoforion]

The MX5 has enough DSP for the number of effect slots it supports. As far as whether is sounds better than the HX Stomp - only you can make that call. 🙂 It's on sale now, and is a good bit cheaper than the HX Stomp, so there's that too.

[@jazzcat1056]

Which is your favorite of the around $1000 multi effects units? Love the channel.

[@harcw7832]

nice comparison video, just wonder what prs u're using? thanks

[@chordsoforion]

Thanks! The guitar is a semi-hollow PRS SE-277 baritone.

[@JJ19-ICU]

Great video!

[@AA-ih6kt]

supposed to have same dsp/looper inside.

[@jazzcat1056]

There seemed to be more more highs and mids on the pedalboard.

[@robrobbins4906]

Tough to tell. You seemed to always punch in the PB when you went to higher notes and back to the MX5 when you were playing the lower notes.

[@ReelFrontier]

They both sound similar to me. But many people talk about sound, which is important. But how do they compare in terms of feel in hands when you play? Lastly, if you had to pick, which one of these would you use?

[@chordsoforion]

They feel exactly the same to me. As far as picking goes, if you are playing out live, then the full size pedalboard no question, given the footswitches and the heavy build quality. But for home studio use, the MX5 is very compelling, as it has all the sounds and almost all of the features.

[@ReelFrontier]

@@chordsoforion Awesome. Thanks!

[@Ksamenk]

hi Bill please make a tutorial of how to do Frippertronics with the new firmware of the Headrush pedalboard, many thanks in advance!

[@marciosaccani]

I have bought a headrush mx5 and brought it to Brazil... 2 mouths of use it stopped working and they didn't pay me back... desapoited with Headhush.... I should buy a Hotone

[@bkhawaii]

Your previous complaint of the Gigboard was that it didn't have stereo send/return. MX5 has stereo send/return and sounds as good as the big board. Now you complain that it not road worthy as the big unit. Just get an Axe FX FM9 already sheesh!

[@chordsoforion]

That was not a complaint - just an observation. I am definitely keeping the MX5 (unlike the G igboard which got returned right I made the older video) and have now used it on a bunch of videos. And come on - the FM9 is more that triple the price of the MX5.

[@franciscobravoortiz566]

For me it was just a little bit more output from the pedalboard, but the tone is the same.

[@paulcanz]

MX5 could be a good back up board to bring on the road or any gig ,and it sounds pretty much the same.

[@daniellarson3068]

It would be interesting to see this guy review the cheap ZOOM MS 70 pedal.

[@JeffHendricks]

He had one. Bill decided not to review it.

[@kevinmendel9161]

Hey Bill! Love your videos, I'm really trying to compare the MX5 to the HX stomp for an on-pedalboard build (would pair a handful of pedals with either unit depending on what I felt was lacking or missing). I can't seem to find anyone on here comparing the two directly, seeing as though you've used both is there one you might prefer for this task? I'm located in the US so the MX5 is $200 cheaper than an HX Stomp, the extra processing power and lower price-tag on the MX5 has been drawing me towards it but I can't shake the feeling that I may be making the wrong choice.

[@chordsoforion]

The MX5 is a great choice for a pedalboard "brain", as long as you are OK with the smaller set of effects that come with it compared to the HXStomp. I am biased though, as I personally prefer Headrush amp modeling to Helix amp modeling. But your question gives me an idea - maybe I can do a pedalboard with the MX5 and post a video about it.

[@mdbmusic4109]

Hello I currently own a headrush pedalboard and I would like to know if my presets saved on it are transferable to the mx5. How will my RIGS reorganize knowing that the headrush pedalboard has 4 footswitches that I programmed for 4 scenes and the mx5 has only 3 footswtichs? thank you for your reply

[@Ben.Paints]

For noodling around at home, is there any reason to go Pedalboard over the MX-5 and a MIDI foot switch? I’m thinking the small form factor of the MX-5 means it can sit on a desktop for easy access to the screen, but controlled with a MIDI controller to alleviate the lack of foot switches. Also means the small expression pedal is irrelevant.

[@chordsoforion]

No reason to get the larger Pedalboard for home and studio use. You can create the same patches and sounds with the MX-5.

[@johnnymittens77]

MX5 sounded bassier than the Pedalboard on my speakers. Not that that's a bad thing. I have the HRPB and I love it

[@INeverWanted2010]

Hey man, I'm having trouble finding some good reverbs on Headrush. Since you're an ambient guy, do you have any tips? Or possibly any rigs to share? Thanks.

[@chordsoforion]

I tend to use multiple delays in a rig followed by one of the reverbs. That way, you can get "ambience" without the mud of a lot of reverb. But another thing you might try is stacking 2 reverbs of different types together at the end of the chain. And...you might try placing a reverb BEFORE a delay. Sometimes you can get very cool textures with this technique.

[@INeverWanted2010]

@@chordsoforion Thank you so much.

[@bradleyjennings8512]

The pedalboard does sound brighter. Do they both have the same global eq settings? They do sound very close.

[@timbaugh1944]

Impressive unit - I couldn't detect a difference. Both units sounded great to my ears. Chorus after reverb? Not tried that before. A question for your Bill - would you sell all your Strymon pedals and just use a floorboard like the Headrush?

[@chordsoforion]

Hey Tim: I don't think I would, as some of the Strymon pedals have very unique sounds - the "Strymon" sound. And when I last performed live in 2019, the core of my live rig was indeed the Headrush Pedalboard with a small sideboard with 4 additional pedals patched into the effects loop.

[@charlarge3555]

I didn’t detect a difference in sound. Is the sound quality equal to your individual pedals? Have you tried it with connecting one of your pedals? Would you recommend the Mx5 to someone who is just beginning to put a pedal board together, instead of acquiring several pedals? Thanks for this review, Bill. So appreciated.

[@chordsoforion]

As far as sound quality goes, I have always liked Headrush's amp sims, which were based on the old Eleven Rack, still one of my favs. As far as the individual effects, you would have to judge for yourself if they are as good or better than a particular pedal. That being said, as a whole, the effects sound very good. I do think that the MX5 is a good candidate for an all in one recording/home use multi-effects unit.

[@charlarge3555]

@@chordsoforion Thanks, Bill. I so appreciate your taking the time to answer my questions. You are most kind. I am new to ambient guitar and I am slowly creating my pedalboard. I have a Timeline and a Ventris. The Mk5 might be the way for me to get the additional pedals without the cost…especially because it has the ability to connect other pedals.🙏🏻

[@RulesRedefined]

do both of they ave the same amount of DSP ?

[@PatrickPretorius]

So enjoy watching your videos! If I may ask, does the MX5 (or any other multi effects board that you are aware of) have a sustain/freeze pedal, a la EHX Freeze? Thanks, for your answer and your videos!

[@domenicovitolo6105]

Hi there. Which one do you recommend between the MX5 and the Gigboard?

[@ianbuchanan1170]

The big pedalboard has more presence and less filtered

[@michaelvolkel5714]

Maybe I missed something, but I think you didn't mention the looper function. Is there a looper on the small one? Anyway I'm very pleased with my pedalboard so I don't have any intentions to use the downsized version. Thanks for your clip, Bill. Inspiring as ever. I would looove, if you would show us some more patches for the pedalboard.

[@chordsoforion]

There is a looper on the small one, and it has the same basic capability as the Pedalboard, although there are less foot switches to work with.

[@michaelvolkel5714]

@@chordsoforion thanks

[@Kadehr]

I hear that the pedalboard sound "clearer" than the MX5. Just bought the MX5, after solding my Gigboard. And have the surprise that the MX5 doesn't sound exactly the same as the gigboard!! It's like they put some cheap AD/DA converter in the MX5, and it doesn't sound as clear as the other headrush pedals. It has a king of mid'ish nasal sound, which is horrible!

[@Kadehr]

edit : I finally sold my MX5, and got the NUX MG-30. And believe it or not : right of the bat it sounds better than the MX5! Not as powerful as the MX5, but it sounds better

[@jbognap]

Unfortunately, the only way to add external footswitches is through MIDI - typically a more expensive alternative.

[@chordsoforion]

very true - and if that is a requirement for you, then it may be worth considering the full size Pedalboard.

[@pyropedals5553]

Can it frippertronic like the stomp bill?

[@chordsoforion]

Yes, however, the HX Stomp is more flexible in that regard due to the ability to place the looper anywhere in the signal chain.

[@davidswilliams5259]

Why is the pedalboard discontinued?

[@markusi_wagner]

Because of Prime

[@AA-ih6kt]

are your patches avail?

[@Michael-xr5yx]

Is the patch editing just as deep on each unit? You have access to all the same parameters on the MX5? Just the hardware is different? Thanks man, great review.

[@chordsoforion]

Yes. The patch editing is essentially the same. All effects have the same parameters etc.

[@Michael-xr5yx]

@@chordsoforion Awesome! What a price then... i'll have to get one

[@ckhanpe]

can external footswitch be used in the exp in?

[@GlennMarshallRocks]

Yes, that's what it's for. another dedicated expression pedal.

[@loopertronicsheavenlymusic4168]

Bill, Can the MX5 do Frippertronics or would you have to use an external pedal for a longer delay? Keep up the good work, especially like me keeping the art of Frippertronics alive.

[@chordsoforion]

Yes, you can do Frippertronics with the MX5. The latest firmware updates do allow the looper to decay loop layers. In addition, there are delay times of 4 seconds available that allow for shorter Frippertronics loop. That being said, if I were to do a serious Frippertronics session, I would likely consider patching the El Capistan or the TC Ditto X4 into the effects loop.

[@joshneel1107]

More air space in the big pedal board.

[@finchisfunny]

Have you tried a null test?

[@chordsoforion]

nope. There's no way that the signal would null with all the delay, reverb and stereo widening.

[@finchisfunny]

@@chordsoforion Just a thought. Perhaps with a dry signal. Null would indicate the units are identical or at least very close. I often do this with mixers etc when I get too in the weeds of "what converter/preamp is better". The mx5 is all but sold to me. A grab and go wet/dry solution at that size and price point? I'm in.

[@darkflash32]

is it worth buying the mx5 vs the gigboard?

[@chordsoforion]

Yes - I think the MX5 wins out over the Gigboard. There are only a couple of I/O differences, and the Gigboard has a larger screen. The built in volume/exp pedal, a stereo effects loop (vs. mono for the Gigboard) and the cheaper price all point to the MX5.

[@lemi_b9348]

Hello, are we hearing the sound straight from the headrush units?(being used as recording interface aswell) or are you using a soundcard to record it?

[@chordsoforion]

No. For both units, I connected the main audio outputs to line inputs on my audio interface.

[@lemi_b9348]

@@chordsoforion Thank you for the info. Does that mean that the sound recording quality of the headrush units are not so ''prestige''? Because I got very happy when I found out that MX5 can record, So I wouldn't have to buy the UA Apollo Twin

[@chordsoforion]

@@lemi_b9348 Not sure what you mean by "prestige", but audio recorded through the USB audio sounds good for both the Line 6 and the Headrush. One thing I have not tried with either unit is using it as an audio output device, where you would hook studio monitors up to the MX5 to monitor your mixes, etc.

[@lemi_b9348]

@@chordsoforion I wonder if there is a noticable quality difference between headrush usb audio recording and an actual audio interface like the ua apollo twin. The ua apollo twin is one of the best... So I think there would be a noticable difference in sound

[@happyhamster1411]

What is the name of the song you’re playing

[@chordsoforion]

There is no name. Just an improv.

[@mahengurung528]

Mx5 Is warm but no defination... but pedal board is more characterized

[@rayhatesshoegaze]

what song is being played?

[@chordsoforion]

It's one of mine. :-)

[@rayhatesshoegaze]

@@chordsoforion does it have a name? 😭

[@steve_anderson]

Quote of the day: "Why not another reverb?". 🙂

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

But can you use it as an audio interface? That's is the game changer.

[@chordsoforion]

I have not yet tried it, but the manual affirms that it can be an audio interface: "When the HeadRush MX5’s USB port is connected to your computer, you can select and use the HeadRush MX5 as a 24-bit audio interface, enabling you to play audio through it or to send its audio signal to the computer. It can use sample rates of 48 kHz or 96 kHz."

[@WilliamWyattMusic]

@@chordsoforion my PB will also do 44.1. Does the mx5 not do 44.1?

[@TR-zf6io]

Have you tried drive pedals in front of the MX5? I'm using a line 6 POD HD 500 right now, and drive pedals in front do not sound good with it. I'm wondering if they sound good with this as I'm considering selling the hd 500 and getting this instead if the amp models are superior.

[@jesus4pincho]

Hi! I have a gigboard, pedales sound like they have to sound infront of it

[@GeoversePR]

Mx5 is a bit darker, less open more bass

[@UmVtCg]

It's exactly the same modelling software with probably a smaller chip due to shrinkage of the chip manufacturing process. This happens with all silicon processors due to Moore's law and does absolutely nothing to the sound. This is a digital device, not a real tube amp. That being said there is no difference in sound between the two. And if somebody perceives a difference is it's a placebo effect. I guarantee in a blind (Pepsi) test for about a 100 tries a 50-50% result for anybody.

[@chordsoforion]

I don't disagree about the digital part, however, there is a minor difference in tone between the 2 when using the analog outputs. I chalk it up to slightly different circuitry after the D/A conversion.

[@BadRobotica]

If you dollars down and really read the specs there is no difference inside the guts. There all quad core and besides the ins and outs on the back it's all the same. The. Mx5 expression pedal is so small.

[@jurgenilg2811]

Sorry.....I love my Line 6 Pod Go😀

[@chordsoforion]

No need to feel sorry - the Pod Go is a great pedal. I have definitely enjoyed using mine. Would a comparison between the MX5 and the Line 6 of interest? I was thinking about doing a follow up.

[@mjhastings4534]

Headrush pedalboard vs line 6 lt?

[@xinaesthetic]

@@chordsoforion that’d be of interest to me.

[@andreashanke6497]

@@mjhastings4534 Yes, I would definitely be interested in such a comparison as well!

[@freeelectron8261]

Not much difference between the two IMHO.