You're not alone. I started playing praise band at church almost 2 years ago. The MX5 isn't terrible by any means and has more than my basic needs. Overtime I needed something user friendly like the POD GO for easier access. However I decided to stick with my MX5 being that the tone of the MX5 is more mature. In October unannounced the dropped the Headrush Flex. This was the second time this happened when I bought the HR FRFR108 a year ago the 3 months later it's upgraded. I no longer use the MX5 not because of their lack of giving products users a heads up. Remember it has limitations. So this accelerated my decision and go with the Boss GX 100. I've seen others still using Digitech, Boss, and l8ne 6 well after they put a product out. I don't want to gamble my chances on a company that's only been around a little over a decade. I'm in no way angry or bitter. But certain customer practices work for some but not everyone
Just bought the flex a couple weeks ago. No issues so far. I have been enjoying all the tones so far. Still learning a lot it. Feel like I have barely scratched the surface.
@@defur45 thanks for the answer. Do you think if there is some more clipping it can be fixed with equalizer or changing the parameters of the input block? (like adjusting the gain/level knob of the input of an audio interface?)
@@gokumighty5742 Definitely. I use a EQ and noise gate often to deal with the clipping. I never owned the MX5, but I think they fixed many of the problems they had with clipping.
Excellent review - and very interesting application. The latency is obscene, but then again it works for you and it’s not an expensive unit like a fractal or quad cortex. I admire your lack of Gear Acquisition Syndrome - like we guitarists.
Thanks! I definitely have Gear Acquisition Syndrome, I just usually manage to restrain myself when it comes to music gadgets. But for example, right after making this, I bought a teleprompter to use with my fancy camera, so I wouldn't have to keep breaking eye contact in my next video.
I used to get a lot of strange errors and shutdown problems with my MX5, but after a couple of updates those problems seem to have been fixed. It's been working flawlessly for at least the last year. Because this was Headrush's cheapest offering I didn't and don't expect them to support updates on the MX5 for too long. If I got another unit I might go with one of the new offerings from Ampero. That being said, I really like how easy it is to navigate the MX5. I never had to crack the manual.
On the one hand I feel like you should have known that with the Prime there would be a replacement for the older core. On the other hand it is really confusing that it's still labeled as new on the headrush site. Overall it really does just suck that you bought in at this time. It's probably best you just enjoy what it offers and don't fret too much about what it should do. The reason the pitch shifting doesn't track well is probably because it's made for guitar though. As for the expression pedal, you could put it on a pedalboard and use an external expression pedal. Or do what I did and switch to a quad cortex, that thing is awesome, even for vocals.
I've tried the pitch shifting with guitar too, and I've seen complaints on the forum. I don't think that's the issue. I am enjoying it and not really upset about the timing. It's hard for me not to think about what could be better, though, as an engineer who always wants to be involved in product decisions.
You're not alone. I started playing praise band at church almost 2 years ago. The MX5 isn't terrible by any means and has more than my basic needs. Overtime I needed something user friendly like the POD GO for easier access. However I decided to stick with my MX5 being that the tone of the MX5 is more mature. In October unannounced the dropped the Headrush Flex. This was the second time this happened when I bought the HR FRFR108 a year ago the 3 months later it's upgraded. I no longer use the MX5 not because of their lack of giving products users a heads up. Remember it has limitations. So this accelerated my decision and go with the Boss GX 100. I've seen others still using Digitech, Boss, and l8ne 6 well after they put a product out. I don't want to gamble my chances on a company that's only been around a little over a decade. I'm in no way angry or bitter. But certain customer practices work for some but not everyone
Just bought the flex a couple weeks ago. No issues so far. I have been enjoying all the tones so far. Still learning a lot it. Feel like I have barely scratched the surface.
Do you have a problem of input clipping? Similar to focusrite gen 1.
@@gokumighty5742 No. I have had some clipping, but nowhere like Gen 1 focusrite.
I am still enjoying it a lot after a month.
Agree. I play bass and I am enjoying it. Some of the effects are amazing. I will be recording our second ep with it next month.
@@defur45 thanks for the answer. Do you think if there is some more clipping it can be fixed with equalizer or changing the parameters of the input block? (like adjusting the gain/level knob of the input of an audio interface?)
@@gokumighty5742 Definitely. I use a EQ and noise gate often to deal with the clipping.
I never owned the MX5, but I think they fixed many of the problems they had with clipping.
Excellent review - and very interesting application. The latency is obscene, but then again it works for you and it’s not an expensive unit like a fractal or quad cortex. I admire your lack of Gear Acquisition Syndrome - like we guitarists.
Thanks! I definitely have Gear Acquisition Syndrome, I just usually manage to restrain myself when it comes to music gadgets. But for example, right after making this, I bought a teleprompter to use with my fancy camera, so I wouldn't have to keep breaking eye contact in my next video.
(I almost said "I definitely have GAS", but decided maybe it was better to spell it out.)
@ I thought the same thing when I said it, er, typed it. 🤣
I used to get a lot of strange errors and shutdown problems with my MX5, but after a couple of updates those problems seem to have been fixed. It's been working flawlessly for at least the last year. Because this was Headrush's cheapest offering I didn't and don't expect them to support updates on the MX5 for too long. If I got another unit I might go with one of the new offerings from Ampero. That being said, I really like how easy it is to navigate the MX5. I never had to crack the manual.
On the one hand I feel like you should have known that with the Prime there would be a replacement for the older core. On the other hand it is really confusing that it's still labeled as new on the headrush site. Overall it really does just suck that you bought in at this time. It's probably best you just enjoy what it offers and don't fret too much about what it should do.
The reason the pitch shifting doesn't track well is probably because it's made for guitar though. As for the expression pedal, you could put it on a pedalboard and use an external expression pedal. Or do what I did and switch to a quad cortex, that thing is awesome, even for vocals.
I've tried the pitch shifting with guitar too, and I've seen complaints on the forum. I don't think that's the issue.
I am enjoying it and not really upset about the timing. It's hard for me not to think about what could be better, though, as an engineer who always wants to be involved in product decisions.
Good video!
Yeah, Indeed a great unit, certainly the best in its price range, but disapointing how the issues are not addressed
Flex Prime is MUCH better