The only thing that will save Headrush is NAM compatibility

[GuitarBilly74]

People got great tones out of the Elevenrack too. Definitely not bad, just not state of the art 2025

It sounded just fine in 2025 so idk.

Forums can be funny sometimes with the "it needs this or that" . I heard or saw nothing in terms of sound or operation of his rig that seemed outdated or inappropriate for a gig right now.

 

[JCW308]

Obviously a small sample size, but the people I know doing music as a living aren’t using NAM on a regular basis. I have yet to see it pop up in any of the production classes or mix walk-throughs.

NAM is the new standard. Like back in the day when there was a bunch of word processor software and then MS Word hit. I guarantee NAM is going to be THAT for our industry. Watch!

 

[Chocol8]

NAM is the new standard. Like back in the day when there was a bunch of word processor software and then MS Word hit. I guarantee NAM is going to be THAT for our industry. Watch!

I highly doubt it. With Line6 deciding to do their own tech, I just don't see an open source solution becoming universal anytime soon, and if one does, it's going to be very different than current NAM in a number of ways.

 

[Chocol8]

It sounded just fine in 2025 so idk.

It sounds just as good in 2025 as it did in 2010 which was and is pretty good if you know how to dial it in.

 

[Dom Mcsweeney]

Nam is an open source tool - so you can use it to make a variant based on convolution, or wavenet, or LSTM.
Take some of those foundations, build out a snapshot, or a parametric, or various other potential model-styles.
You can adapt it, potential is huge. You can make your own inputs, make your own model architecture, use preset-architectures... whatever you like.
NAM is to modelling what something like Linux is to computing in general.

You are using Linux every day, because you access services run on Linux whether you know that or not.
Just like convolution reverbs and cab IRs are now something you hear every day, or use every day... NAM is part of this family tree of useful technologies/tools, and more people should see it as not just 'the nam plugin' or 'a place to try other people's captures'.
It's so much more than that, but, easy to think it's just a nerdy thing a few people use, if you aren't looking at it from a bigger perspective.
There are people using it in all directions, not just a few detail obsessed guitarists in the corner.

 

[Dom Mcsweeney]

Anyway, I see no reason to not use a Headrush (with or without NAM support). They look cool, I've never owned one or tried one, but I'm sure it would be a great thing to have in your live rig.

 

[Chocol8]

Linux is probably a better comparison than MS Word. Word is a default product virtually everyone knows and directly interacts with. NAM is more likely to be behind the scenes for the average Joe and Jane.

 

[GuitarBilly74]

It sounds just as good in 2025 as it did in 2010 which was and is pretty good if you know how to dial it in.

Exactly. So no issues at all.

 

[Chocol8]

Exactly. So no issues at all.

Sound wise not really any issues other than some things it doesn't do, but I wouldn't spend much (anything) on one now, considering the alternatives now available and other features. I still have one, so it's effectively free to me, but I haven't turned it on in at least a couple years now. The Headrush adds a lot in the UI/UX area, plus other features, but again the competition is different now.

 

[MadMaxG79]

Sound wise not really any issues other than some things it doesn't do, but I wouldn't spend much (anything) on one now, considering the alternatives now available and other features. I still have one, so it's effectively free to me, but I haven't turned it on in at least a couple years now. The Headrush adds a lot in the UI/UX area, plus other features, but again the competition is different now.

That's fair. As with so many other things in this space, I think it's a very individual thing. For me, HR (Prime) is the product in it's price range that has the best feature set to match my needs. But I'm very aware that I value UI/UX and workflow much higher than a lot of other users out there.

 

[JCW308]

I'm actually thinking about trying the HR CORE at a gig this weekend. Never thought I'd see the day. I did some more reliability tests over the past two weeks and have had no issues. The one thing that worries me is that I have no backup power supply. Can't find an OEM anywhere.

 

[Lysander]

The one thing that worries me is that I have no backup power supply. Can't find an OEM anywhere.

Pretty sure the Headrush Core uses a 12v DC 3amp power supply; you can find replacements with those specs easily, and cheap, online.

 

[JCW308]

Pretty sure the Headrush Core uses a 12v DC 3amp power supply; you can find replacements with those specs easily, and cheap, online.

They're all two-prong and the OEM is 3-prong going to the US AC outlet. Not sure if it makes a difference but I don't want to mess with noise issues. I'd like to find a couple of OEM adapters if possible.

 

[Lysander]

They're all two-prong and the OEM is 3-prong going to the US AC outlet. Not sure if it makes a difference but I don't want to mess with noise issues. I'd like to find a couple of OEM adapters if possible.

Likely won't, but worst case scenario you can definitely find alternative power supplies with proper grounding. I prefer the "laptop brick" style ones myself:

All in all, PSUs for Headrushes are much easier to source than, say, Line 6 products. Don't let it dissuade you from trying out the Core

 

[JCW308]

Likely won't, but worst case scenario you can definitely find alternative power supplies with proper grounding. I prefer the "laptop brick" style ones myself:

View attachment 50643


All in all, PSUs for Headrushes are much easier to source than, say, Line 6 products. Don't let it dissuade you from trying out the Core

12v 3amp center-tip 3-prong unicorn!

 

[JCW308]

Would this work with the Core?

AC Adapter

 

[Lysander]

Would this work with the Core?

AC Adapter

I can't seem to find a DC plug size for the Core anywhere but it looks like a standard 2.1x5.5mm to me. In that case, yeah, that PSU matches the Core's needs:

 

[Fireproof]

Anyway, I see no reason to not use a Headrush (with or without NAM support). They look cool, I've never owned one or tried one, but I'm sure it would be a great thing to have in your live rig.

Yeah I use the original Headrush for wake surfing and kneeboarding behind my buddies boat!

 

[JCW308]

I can't seem to find a DC plug size for the Core anywhere but it looks like a standard 2.1x5.5mm to me. In that case, yeah, that PSU matches the Core's needs:

View attachment 50644 View attachment 50648

Confirmed that this works for the Core. It would make an OK backup power supply but the build quality is incredibly bad. Better off finding the OEM, which is this: