Anybody using a Boss GT-1000CORE or a Headrush MX5?

[Rex_Rocker]

I'm currently using a Line 6 HX Stomp. I dig it for the most part, but it's getting kinda stale, and I wouldn't mind switching it up and get stuff moving to keep things interesting.

I'm aware either the Boss or the Headrush wouldn't be an upgrade. Maybe a crossgrade. I don't mind that. I just don't want it to be a downgrade.

I'm looking at these because they're compact and budget-friendy. To be honest, I don't really need anything other than a Rectifier model that behaves as realistic as possible. Same as a Tube Screamer, and some capabilities to fine-tune the EQ.

I don't really need anything fancier like a Fractal. As much as I'd love an FM3, it's a bit overkill (and oversized) for what I want, especially since I just really want a good Rectifier model.

Soooooo... opinions on either? Or do you guys think I'm better off keeping the Line 6?​

 

[jeremy]

i know two guys who have the headrush pedalboard and they love it. not sure how different the mx5 would sound, i assume similar?

 

[Securb]

Pick up a used H9 for ~$250 and put it in the loop of the Line 6.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Pick up a used H9 for ~$250 and put it in the loop of the Line 6.

Does the H9 have amp models? I don't really want effects, LOL.

 

[Securb]

Nope

 

[Hsb]

I have an MX5 and for my uses its great. I can run it through my Marshall or I just use headphones with it more than anything.

Id done both 4 cable method and plugging into effects loop return, currently through the return. Pretty happy with it, Ive never played a Rectifier but with some eq it gives me a pretty good old Metallica tone.

If youre into recording, it also acts as its own interface, via usb. Granted thats only using the MX5 only, ud need a mic and seperate interface for that.

I live in a townhouse and honestly for that fact alone ots one of the best purchases Ive made regarding musical gear.

The biggest reason I went with the MX5 vs the PodGo is the ability to run two amp sims at once. I have a cpl amps combined, Recto/JCM800 and an Engl/Orange.

The biggest complaint I hear about the MX5 is there is not a computer interface that allows you to tweak parameters from your computer. Headrush considers the touchscreen sufficient enough to to not need an computer interface.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

The biggest complaint I hear about the MX5 is there is not a computer interface that allows you to tweak parameters from your computer. Headrush considers the touchscreen sufficient enough to to not need an computer interface.

Oh... that's kind of an oversight.

You can load your IR's into it, right?

 

[Hsb]

Oh... that's kind of an oversight.

You can load your IR's into it, right?

Yep you can load irs if you want. Mine can with a code for two Celestian ir downloads, think its a specific greanback and a creamback.

You can also find "Artist" packs which will include an amp sim, ir(s) and any effects a specific artist uses. Ive used a few from Headrush that are decent

The lack of computer interface isnt a huge deal to me, its small enough I can put it on my desk and tweak things if I want to change things or build a rig.

if the computer interface is important to you, may need to look at the Boss or the PodGo, but for me, I liked the sounds of the MX5 a little better than the PodGo. Plus the MX5 had an Engl amp sim that the PodGo didnt have, I think that may have changed though

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Yep you can load irs if you want. Mine can with a code for two Celestian ir downloads, think its a specific greanback and a creamback.

You can also find "Artist" packs which will include an amp sim, ir(s) and any effects a specific artist uses. Ive used a few from Headrush that are decent

The lack of computer interface isnt a huge deal to me, its small enough I can put it on my desk and tweak things if I want to change things or build a rig.

if the computer interface is important to you, may need to look at the Boss or the PodGo, but for me, I liked the sounds of the MX5 a little better than the PodGo. Plus the MX5 had an Engl amp sim that the PodGo didnt have, I think that may have changed though

And how is the Rectifier model in particular? Do the knobs behave the real thing?

 

[Hsb]

And how is the Rectifier model in particular? Do the knobs behave the real thing?

Ive never played a Rectifier before and have delved deep enough into it to really know. From my understanding and correct me if Im wrong, but dont each of the tone stack knobs affect the other ones? Let me know how they are supposed to be and I can play around with a Rectifier sim and see what happens.


Ill say, through my headphones, the Recitifer is very bassy, running it through my Marshalls return its not as bad. Using it through headphones, I have the bass all the way down to about 30%. The MX5 measures the volume, tone stack, etc is measured in percentages vs in numbers 1-10, unless your Spinal Tap, the. It goes to 11

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Ive never played a Rectifier before and have delved deep enough into it to really know. From my understanding and correct me if Im wrong, but dont each of the tone stack knobs affect the other ones? Let me know how they are supposed to be and I can play around with a Rectifier sim and see what happens.


Ill say, through my headphones, the Recitifer is very bassy, running it through my Marshalls return its not as bad. Using it through headphones, I have the bass all the way down to about 30%. The MX5 measures the volume, tone stack, etc is measured in percentages vs in numbers 1-10, unless your Spinal Tap, the. It goes to 11

Yeah, the Recto knobs are interactive with each other. I think for me the biggest thing about the Recto is the treble knob also kind of acts as a contour knob. The more you raise it, the more scooped the sound becomes. The lower you have it, the more mid-forward it becomes. So if you want a Recto to sound not as scooped as it's famous for being, you run the treble low (even on 0), and then brighten it up with the presence, which is also different than other amps in that it is actually in the preamp, not the poweramp, and so it behaves really aggressively and in a frequency that's very high-up treble sizzle.

I think the thing about the HX Stomp that I don't dig is that it does do this, just not as much as an actual Recto or some other Recto models do.

I think the other big thing for me is that the Recto is not that high gain (compared to a 5150, that is). I tend to use really high output pickups and then use a boost pedal with Rectos, and even then, I keep the gain past 1:00-ish. The thing about the Recto's gain knob is the further you turn it up, the woolier, looser, and stuffier the tone becomes. I assume Rectos might have a bright cap like Marshalls, so you want to keep that gain knob on a Recto as low as you can either by hitting it with really hot pickups, a boost, or both.

The HX does do this.

Thank you for looking into it.

 

[Hsb]

Yeah, the Recto knobs are interactive with each other. I think for me the biggest thing about the Recto is the treble knob also kind of acts as a contour knob. The more you raise it, the more scooped the sound becomes. The lower you have it, the more mid-forward it becomes. So if you want a Recto to sound not as scooped as it's famous for being, you run the treble low (even on 0), and then brighten it up with the presence, which is also different than other amps in that it is actually in the preamp, not the poweramp, and so it behaves really aggressively and in a frequency that's very high-up treble sizzle.

I think the thing about the HX Stomp that I don't dig is that it does do this, just not as much as an actual Recto or some other Recto models do.

I think the other big thing for me is that the Recto is not that high gain (compared to a 5150, that is). I tend to use really high output pickups and then use a boost pedal with Rectos, and even then, I keep the gain past 1:00-ish. The thing about the Recto's gain knob is the further you turn it up, the woolier, looser, and stuffier the tone becomes. I assume Rectos might have a bright cap like Marshalls, so you want to keep that gain knob on a Recto as low as you can either by hitting it with really hot pickups, a boost, or both.

The HX does do this.

Thank you for looking into it.

More than happy to play around with the Recto sim. I do have thehighs and mids up almost all the way because it does sound bassy but may I have the gain up higher than Im thinking.

Ill keep a mind on you info above and play around with the Mesa a bit. I can hit it with either a Distortion or Black Winter.

Ill see what I come up with and see if I can get some playing in this afternoon or eveni g and will report back to ya.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

More than happy to play around with the Recto sim. I do have thehighs and mids up almost all the way because it does sound bassy but may I have the gain up higher than Im thinking.

Ill keep a mind on you info above and play around with the Mesa a bit. I can hit it with either a Distortion or Black Winter.

Ill see what I come up with and see if I can get some playing in this afternoon or eveni g and will report back to ya.

Thank you!

Yeah, I have the lows down on the HX Stomp's Recto, and then some EQ block afterwards further taming/shaping the lows and low mids.

 

[Hsb]

Took a few mins and played w the Recto sim, 2 "92 Treadplate, Modern" using 2 4x12 cabs with G12 65s. I also used a IR a Marshall using 4x12s with G12 75s, using my Iceman loaded with a Distortion.

I also ran it through my Marshalls effects return an just used he power amp section through the matching Marshall cab with 2 T75s. Both Mesa sims were set exactly the same, volume about 75%, highs at 15%, mids are between 75 & 80%, dont recall exactly, lows were at 32% and Presence was set at 100%. Now I realize the percent doesnt quite mean anything but if you think of 50% being a mid point, kinda putting a knob at 5, its not exact but close to that idea.

As I tweaked the tone sliders there def a difference how each slider affects the other tone factors, by dropping the highs almost all the way down it opened up the rest of the tones and didnt feel so woofy. Versus I started out with the highs right around 100%.

Made adjustments to the lows and mids sliders as well as the presence slider and they all had an over all effect across the board like I mentioned above about the highs.

For chits and giggles I threw a TS and Klon sim in front and a 5 band parametric eq after the amp. Both the TS and Klon were set as a clean boost and the EQ boosted everything but the very lows.

TS and Klon were similar but as we all know the TS is a different mid boost flavor to the Klon. Overall the eq brightened up the rig, maybe a bit too much but thats easily remedied.

Out of everything I liked the 2 amp sims through the Marshall head overall but Ive come to realize my headphones are a bit dark and dont have the same dymanic range as the actual cab.

What I picked up also is that Mesa crisp crunch that sits underneath the slightly buzzier Mesa tone.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Very interesting. Thank you for taking the time.

Couple last questions... how in depth are the amp controls on the Headrush? Do you get control over the poweramp kinda like you with the HX (sag, bias, etc.)? Or is it more in-depth even ala Fractal? Or is it less ala Boss stuff?

Also, on the 5150 model, do you get the resonance control as well?

 

[Hsb]

Youre very welcome, happy to answer any questions you have about the MX5.

You dont get power amp controls, so probably more Boss but in the 5150 you do get the resonance control.

Also the cab/ir controls are limited. Cabs you get quite a few cabs and about 8 different mics, and set on or off axis.

The IRs, same cabs but more variation, normal, dark, bright, room and I think one more variation. I usually use the SM57 sim off axis for all that I use IRs.

The MX5 is also the base model Headrush unit, it does everything I want, esp as just a home player. Your experience may vary than mine, better or worse, only you will know if you try one out. Ultimately your ear and mind will knownif it works for you.

As I said, Im incredibly happy with it and there is a lot I havent really explored with it, like the Global EQ or scenes, which are variations of a rig

 

[Hsb]

Here is a link to all the available amps, cabs, effects, mics and IRs

https://images.app.goo.gl/NrGd5xiPw6obxU6x5