With the introduction of the new Flex Prime compact multi-FX processor, Headrush have yet again brought a game-changer to the table.
Since 2010, Headrush have carved their way into the upper echelons of the guitar gear world, revolutionising how guitarists approach their sound both on stage and in the studio.
With the introduction of the new Flex Prime compact multi-FX processor, Headrush have yet again brought a game-changer to the table. The Headrush Flex Prime gives guitarists and bassists immediate access to state-of-the-art amp, cab, fx, and mic simulations all at the tips of their fingers.
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As a successor to the fabled MX5, I was curious to see what updates Headrush had under the hood of the new Flex Prime.
Upon unboxing the unit I was immediately greeted with the same footprint and general form factor as the aforementioned effects unit. The new Flex Prime unit feels sturdy indeed, boasting heavy-duty switches, control knobs and an expression pedal that is built to last.
Guitar pedal
The three footswitches on the face of the unit represent Stomp/Rig, Loop, and Tuner functions. However, these footswitches also serve as the primary means of navigating patches on the Flex Prime and two separate scenes can be assigned to each individual footswitch.
The face of the unit is rounded out by the Flex Primes handy scroll wheel, which selects user options via push, as well as the Master Volume situated on the top left-hand corner of the processor’s faceplate.
The rear panel of the Flex Prime harbours a ¼” guitar input, fx loop send and returns, an input for an external expression pedal, and stereo output jacks.
Additionally, Headrush has included four 3.5mm jacks for headphones, MIDI, and an Auxillary input. Audio can also be streamed through the unit via Bluetooth.
The Flex Prime is powered by the included 12v adapter and also features a USB port for PC and Mac connectivity. This means that the unit doubles as an audio interface with the ability to record 24bit-96khz resolution.
This time around Headrush have had the insight to include direct WIFI connectivity which enables the user to share clones and presets wirelessly. If this wasn’t enough the Flex Prime also supports Headrush Remote, Headrush’s own wireless web-based editing software.
The Flex Prime features the same updated user-friendly UI as the rest of the units in the Headrush Prime line, with a brilliant high-definition 4” colour display that is never hard to interpret even on the darkest of stages.
Intuitivity is the name of the game when it comes to this brilliant fx processor, familiar graphics represent amp and pedal modules, and the menus are easy to navigate. Never leaving me scratching my head when it came to finding exactly what I was after.
Flex Prime enables the user to stack 14 DSP blocks, i.e. FX, Cabs, Amps, Pedals etc., per preset in one of 5 different signal path types. This offers a world of flexibility for even the most discerning player when it comes to customising and storing patches.
I found a range of tones within the Flex Prime without much effort, from ambient clean soundscapes through to the rowdiest of high gain, it’s all here for you to unlock.
A feature which I wasn’t expecting to find much use in is the native looper, but in actuality I found myself experimenting with it for quite some time.
Headrush have given the looper the ability to house overdubs, and even play loops backwards, all with a max time of 5 minutes per loop or 20 minutes total with overdubs!
Perhaps the most exciting new feature of the Flex Prime is its compatibility with Headrush’s own Revavler Amp Cloner software comes bundled with the unit, which enables users to clone not only amplifier models but also VST plugins, which can then in turn be loaded up on the unit itself.
It doesn’t end here though, as Revalver Amp Cloner enables the user to create profiles based on multiple snapshots—known in Headrush terminology as ‘Super Clones’.
Flex Prime
Super Clones give added flexibility to Amp captures that aren’t possible with competitors who typically create profiles from a signal snapshot. In practice, Amp Cloner is a dream to use, in comparison to other amp cloners. It doesn’t take a very long time to create accurate captures, which is fantastic in a scenario where you need to redo a capture.
To test Amp Cloner I made a capture of my old faithful 6505 head, and was very pleased with the results. Amp Cloner provided me with a patch that I’d be more than happy to use either on stage or in the studio on my next recording session.
Likewise, Headrush Remote is also fantastic in use. The UI is essentially the same user experience as on the Flex Prime unit itself leaving no real adjustment period. This means you can get to tweaking fantastic guitar tones right away without wasting time flicking through PDFs or googling.
All in all the Headrush Flex Prime is a gamechanger for both professional and hobbyist guitarists. So whether you are learning your first barre chords in the bedroom or conquering arenas night after night this is definitely one to check out!
For local Headrush enquiries, visit ELFA.
