HeadRush MX5®

The most powerful compact guitar FX and amp modeling processor.

HeadRush MX5®

Super-compact yet loaded with all the power of HeadRush, MX5® is an incredibly easy to use and realistic-sounding guitar FX and amp modeler that’s ideal for the desktop, the studio and the stage. Featuring a finely-tuned multi-core processor and 4” high-resolution touch display, the HeadRush MX5 makes tone building easy, letting you touch, swipe and drag-and-drop to instantly create and edit your perfect tone in an unprecedentedly realistic and intuitive way.

MX5 Features

  • Custom-designed DSP system with powerful multi-core processing
  • High-resolution 4” touch display with guitarist-centric interface
  • Versatile library of realistic & responsive amplifier, cabinet, mic and FX models
  • Gapless preset switching with reverb/delay tail spillover
  • Load virtually unlimited custom impulse response files
  • Hands-free edit mode for quick on-the-fly live editing
  • Looper with save and load loop features
  • Built-in expression pedal with toe-switch and adjustable tension
  • Stereo FX loop for external FX or 4-cable connectivity with guitar/bass amps
  • 1/8” (3.5mm) aux input, 1/8” (3.5mm) headphones output; MIDI input and output
  • Record and re-amp via USB (up to 24-bit/96kHz)

Meet MX5

Amazing 4-inch Touch Display

Center stage on the HeadRush MX5 is an ultra-responsive 4-inch touch display (Exclusive Patent Pending Technology) and a guitarist-centric, intuitive user interface – literally touch, swipe and drag-and-drop to instantly create rigs with lightning speed and precision.

For the gigging guitarist, MX5’s radiant high-resolution display has you covered, providing critical feedback exactly where, and when, you need it - especially when tweaking tones via the expression pedal in 'Hands-Free Mode’. Everything about the HeadRush MX5 is designed to make it simple, fast and intuitive to jump right in and create your perfect tone in seconds.

Desk Friendly & Road Ready!

Perfectly Portable and Flexible

Equally suited to home recording or live performance situations, the HeadRush MX5 is incredibly portable at just 3.5 lbs. (1.6 kg) and can fit in most backpacks or instrument cases. It’s never been this easy to bring the best classic vintage and modern gear to rehearsals, performances, or recording sessions near or far, without breaking the bank—or your back!

MX5 Special Edition Silver
Ever-Expanding Universe of Incredibly Realistic Models

Ever-Expanding Universe of Incredibly Realistic Models

The HeadRush MX5 packs a big punch of tone with an immense library of 50 amplifier models, 15 cabinets with 10 microphone emulations, 300 impulse responses, and more than 65 premium FX! All HeadRush models are flawless simulations of the most sought-after vintage and modern gear with unrivalled accuracy and authentic dynamic response. There’s even an expertly curated selection of premium HeadRush FX that can’t be found anywhere else. This library will continue to be expanded with regular firmware updates that add new models and features based on user requests and feedback.

Unlimited Tonal Expansion with Third Party IR Support

Unlimited Tonal Expansion with Third Party IR Support

Out the box, the HeadRush MX5 includes over 300 precision-captured impulse responses, meticulously crafted in IoSR Studios with some of the world’s most revered guitar cabs. Loading your own third-party IRs is a snap; simply hook up the MX5 to your Mac or PC via USB and drag-and-drop your choice IRs. Plus, with virtually unlimited storage for IRs with 1024 and 2048 sample lengths, MX5’s tone sculpting possibilities are virtually limitless!

Gapless Preset Switching with Reverb/Delay Tail Spillover

Gapless Preset Switching with Reverb/Delay Tail Spillover

Gapless preset-switching is an exclusive HeadRush feature, ensuring any reverb or delay-tails will continue to ring out, even after changing your preset or rig. The result? No break in your sound, and your rig changes sound fluid and seamless.

Easy-to-use Stomp, Rig and Hybrid Footswitch Modes

Easy-to-use Stomp, Rig and Hybrid Footswitch Modes

Controlling your sound has never been easier courtesy of MX5’s 3 built-in footswitches that toggle 3 models or scenes, change rigs, or access your setlists. Quickly switch between the footswitch modes by holding footswitch 1 to select your desired mode. You can also select setlists, enter hands-free mode, and lock the touch display from this menu.

Convenient Hands-Free Edit Mode

Convenient Hands-Free Edit Mode

Need to add a little more gain at the last minute? No problem! Using the hands-free edit mode, you can adjust any parameter mid-song without having to stop playing and/or bend over. Simply select the model that you want to adjust, select the parameter, and then use the built-in expression pedal to fine-tune your settings!

Toggle Multiple FX with Just 1 Footswitch

Toggle Multiple FX with Just 1 Footswitch

The powerful Scenes feature enables you to turn multiple models on or off in each rig, as well as select different model presets using only one footswitch. When you press the footswitch assigned to that scene, all models included in that scene will turn on or off, or change to a different preset depending on how you assign them. This powerful feature is an incredibly efficient way to create quick access for different tones in the same rig.

Fully-Assignable Expression Pedal for Maximum Control

Fully-Assignable Expression Pedal for Maximum Control

The expression pedal has two powerful modes, Classic Mode and Advanced Mode, alongside a toe switch to switch between two banks — Expression Pedal A or B. In Classic mode, if you assign a wah pedal to Expression Pedal A and a volume pedal to Expression Pedal B, only one of them will be active at any time; when you are controlling the wah pedal, the volume pedal will be bypassed, and vice versa. With the Advanced setting you can assign up to four parameters to each expression pedal (A and B). Moving the pedal will adjust all of its assigned parameters simultaneously. Using the toe switch will select the other expression pedal and leave the current pedal’s parameters active and at their maximum values.

Best-In-Class Looper with Save & Load Functionality

Best-In-Class Looper with Save & Load Functionality

The HeadRush MX5 has an advanced built-in looper that you can use to layer parts during performances, or use as a songwriting tool when inspiration strikes. You can load .WAV and .MP3 audio files into the Looper to play along with backing tracks; you can also save your new loops as .WAV files and export them to your Mac/PC via USB Transfer Mode for sharing with the world. Each loop has a maximum length of 5 minutes, and can hold up to a whopping 20 minutes of layered audio at a time.

Instant Apply Global EQ to Sound Great in Any Room

Instant Apply Global EQ to Sound Great in Any Room

The HeadRush MX5’s Global EQ feature is perfect for tailoring your sound to any space; whether it’s a venue or rehearsal space, fine tune your presets to ensure you sound great and complement the acoustic characteristics of any environment. Dial back the Low and Low mids in boomier venues or push up the high end in soundproofed rehearsal spaces - whatever your space demands, MX5 delivers, letting you quickly apply some corrective equalization to your main ¼” outputs and all of your presets without permanently altering them.

Quickly Organize Your Rigs for Performances

Quickly Organize Your Rigs for Performances

You can use the convenient Setlists feature to quickly organize and re-order your rigs for an upcoming performance. A setlist is a saved collection of rigs, which you can save and recall at a later time - perfect if you only need some of your rigs for a performance.

Record and Reamp via the Built-in USB Audio Interface

Record and Reamp via the Built-in USB Audio Interface

HeadRush MX5’s USB connection opens up a world of feature-rich, intuitive recording and reamping to a computer. When the HeadRush MX5 is connected to your computer, you can select and use the HeadRush MX5 as a 24-bit 96 kHz audio interface! When choosing the Reamp option you can add the tone coloration of an amp to a pre-recorded audio signal—in this case, sending audio from your DAW through the HeadRush MX5 and then recording it back into your DAW. This time saving feature is perfect for changing the sound of a pre-recorded killer guitar take without having to manually play the same part again.

All the connections you need

The HeadRush MX5 integrates seamlessly into your current rig with all the connections you need to handle any performance situation. Combining a ¼-inch guitar input, (2) ¼-inch TRS outputs switchable between amp or line level, a 1/8-inch output for headphones, 5-Pin MIDI in/out via 2 1/8"-to-MIDI adapters, plus an onboard ¼-inch stereo FX loop to integrate external pedals at any point in the signal chain, effortless integration into your existing setup is a snap! The HeadRush MX5 even features a ¼-inch TRS input to connect an external expression pedal. The HeadRush MX5 unites your existing equipment while opening up a world of new sonic possibilities.

Media Gallery

The HeadRush MX5® delivers the most versatile, realistic-sounding and responsive amplifier, cabinet, microphone and FX models ever found in a road-ready floorboard guitar FX processor.

MX5 Tutorials

This is a playlist of tutorial videos that cover the HeadRush MX5.

In this series:
Hardware Overview
Getting Started
Hardware Assign
Creating A Rig
Creating Scenes
Pedal Modes
Setlist Mode
Global Settings
Stereo FX Loop
Downloading and Installing IRs

MX5 in action with Memory Lame

FX Overview

AMPLIFIER (52)

  • 59 TWEED BASS
  • 59 TWEED DELUXE
  • 59 DELUXE GAIN MOD
  • 59 TWEED PRINCE
  • 64 BLACK LUX NORM
  • 64 BLACK LUX VIB
  • 64 BLACK VIB
  • 65 BLACK MINI
  • 65 BLACK PRINCE
  • 65 BLACK PRINCE REV
  • 65 BLACK SR
  • 67 BLACK DUO
  • 67 BLACK SHIMMER
  • 66 AC Hi BOOST
  • 66 AC HI BOOST MOD
  • 66 FLIP BASS
  • 69 BLUE LINE BASS
  • 69 BLUE LINE SCOOP
  • 65 J45
  • 67 PLEXIGLAS VARI
  • 68 PLEXI EL84 MOD
  • 69 PLEXIGLAS 100W
  • 68 PLEXIGLAS 50W
  • 82 LEAD 800 100W
  • 82 LEAD 800 50W
  • 82 LEAD 800 BASS MOD
  • 82 LEAD 800 BRIGHT
  • 82 LEAD 800 TS MOD
  • 83 400R
  • 84 J-120H
  • 85 M-2 LEAD
  • 85 M-2 LEAD CAP MOD
  • 92 TREADPLATE MODERN
  • 92 TREADPLATE RAW
  • 92 TREADPLATE VINTAGE
  • 93 MS30
  • 99 PV51 II CLEAN
  • 99 PV51 II CRUNCH
  • 99 PV51 II LEAD
  • 97 RB-01B GREEN
  • 97 RB-01B BLUE
  • 97 RB-01B RED
  • 89 SL-100 CLEAN
  • 89 SL-100 CRUNCH
  • 89 SL-100 DRIVE
  • 89 SL-100 EXT RANGE
  • Tangerine 30 Channel 1
  • Tangerine 30 Channel 2
  • 11 EPB II HI-LEAD
  • 11 EPB II LO-LEAD
  • 11 EPB II CRUNCH
  • 11 EPB II CLEAN

CABINET (15)

  • 1X8 CUSTOM
  • 1X12 BLACK PANEL LUX
  • 1X12 TWEED LUX
  • 1X15 OPEN BACK
  • 2X12 AC BLUE
  • 2X12 BLACK PANEL DUO
  • 2X12 B30
  • 2X12 SILVER CONE
  • 4X10 TWEED BASS
  • 4X10 BLACK SR
  • 4X12 CLASSIC 30W
  • 4X12 65W
  • 4X12 GREEN 25W
  • 4X12 GREEN 20W
  • 8X10 BLUE LINE

MICROPHONE (10)

  • DYN 7
  • DYN 57
  • DYN 409
  • DYN 421
  • COND 67
  • COND 87
  • COND 414
  • RIBBON 121
  • DYN 20
  • DYN 12

DISTORTION (16)

  • WHITE BOOST
  • GREEN JRC-OD
  • DC DISTORT
  • BLACK OP
  • TRI FUZZ
  • 8-BIT CRUSH
  • ANXIETY OD
  • ANXIETY OD V2
  • D1 Distortion
  • K DRIVE
  • MX Dist
  • Round Fuzz
  • B DIST 7000
  • OCT FUZZ
  • D250 DRIVE
  • S1 DRIVE

DYNAMICS/EQ (10)

  • GRAY COMP
  • DYN111 COMP
  • GRAPHIC EQ
  • PARA EQ
  • BASS EQ
  • GATE
  • AUTOSWELL
  • NOISE FILTER
  • SIDE COMP
  • HOLD

MODULATION (22)

  • MULTICHORUS
  • CHORUS
  • FLANGER
  • VIBRATO
  • AIR FILTER
  • AIR FLANGER
  • AIR VIBRATO
  • VIBE PHASER
  • ORANGE PHASER
  • TRON PHASER
  • STONE PHASER
  • ROTARY
  • TREMOLO
  • OCTAVES
  • SMART HARM
  • TRON FILTER
  • RING MOD
  • DROP TUNE
  • Acoustic Sim
  • Detune
  • Octaves Up
  • ENV FILTER

REVERB/DELAY (13)

  • STEREO DOUBLER
  • AIR REVERB
  • ELEVEN REVERB
  • SPRING REVERB
  • TAPE ECHO
  • BBD DELAY
  • DYN DELAY
  • SHIMMER
  • AIR DELAY
  • REVERSE DELAY
  • PITCH DELAY
  • AMBI VERB
  • RESO DELAY

EXPRESSION (10)

  • VOLUME
  • SHINE WAH
  • BLACK WAH
  • MORE WAH
  • PANNER
  • WHAM
  • HARM
  • CHORD WHAM
  • FEEDBACK
  • TIME WARP

AMPLIFIER (52)

59 TWEED BASS
Based on
Fender® ’59 Bassman
59 TWEED DELUXE
Based on
Fender® Tweed Deluxe
59 DELUXE GAIN MOD
Based on
Fender® Tweed Deluxe (Gain Mod)
59 TWEED PRINCE
Based on
Fender® ’59 Princeton
64 BLACK LUX NORM
Based on
Fender® Deluxe Reverb (Normal)
64 BLACK LUX VIB
Based on
Fender® Deluxe Reverb (Vibrato)
64 BLACK VIB
Based on
Fender® Vibroverb
65 BLACK MINI
Based on
Fender® Champ 6w
65 BLACK PRINCE
Based on
Fender® Princeton
65 BLACK PRINCE REV
Based on
Fender® Princeton Reverb
65 BLACK SR
Based on
Fender® Super Reverb "Blackface"
67 BLACK DUO
Based on
Fender® Twin Reverb "Blackface"
67 BLACK SHIMMER
Based on
Fender® Dual Showman
66 AC Hi BOOST
Based on
Vox® AC30 Top Boost
66 AC HI BOOST MOD
Based on
Vox® AC30 Top Boost (Mod)
66 FLIP BASS
Based on
Ampeg® Portaflex B15-N
69 BLUE LINE BASS
Based on
Ampeg® SVT 300w
69 BLUE LINE SCOOP
Based on
Ampeg® SVT 300w (Scooped)
65 J45
Based on
Marshall® JTM45
67 PLEXIGLAS VARI
Based on
Marshall® Super Lead Plexi (Variac Mod)
68 PLEXI EL84 MOD
Based on
Marshall® Super Lead Plexi (EL34 tubes mod)
69 PLEXIGLAS 100W
Based on
Marshall® Super Lead Plexi 100W
68 PLEXIGLAS 50W
Based on
Marshall® Super Lead Plexi 50W
82 LEAD 800 100W
Based on
Marshall® JCM800 (Normal)
82 LEAD 800 50W
Based on
Marshall® JCM800 50w
82 LEAD 800 BASS MOD
Based on
Marshall® JCM800 (Bass Mod)
82 LEAD 800 BRIGHT
Based on
Marshall® JCM800 (Bright)
82 LEAD 800 TS MOD
Based on
Marshall® JCM800 (TS Mod)
83 400R
Based on Gallien-Krueger® 800RB
84 J-120H
Based on Roland® Jazz Chorus 120 (Head)
85 M-2 LEAD
Based on
Mesa/Boogie® Mark IIc+ (Drive)
85 M-2 LEAD CAP MOD
Based on
Mesa/Boogie® Mark IIc+ (Coupling Cap Mod)
92 TREADPLATE MODERN
Based on
Mesa/Boogie® Dual Rectifier (Modern)
92 TREADPLATE RAW
Based on
Mesa/Boogie® Dual Rectifier (Raw)
92 TREADPLATE VINTAGE
Based on
Mesa/Boogie® Dual Rectifier (Vintage)
93 MS30
Based on
Matchless® DC30
99 PV51 II CLEAN
Based on
Peavey® 5150 II (Clean)
99 PV51 II CRUNCH
Based on
Peavey® 5150 II (Crunch)
99 PV51 II LEAD
Based on
Peavey® 5150 II (Lead)
97 RB-01B GREEN
Based on
Bogner® Ecstasy 101B (Green Channel)
97 RB-01B BLUE
Based on
Bogner® Ecstasy 101B (Blue Channel)
97 RB-01B RED
Based on
Bogner® Ecstasy 101B (Red Channel)
89 SL-100 CLEAN
Based on
Soldano® SLO-100 (Clean)
89 SL-100 CRUNCH
Based on
Soldano® SLO-100 (Crunch)
89 SL-100 DRIVE
Based on
Soldano® SLO-100 (Drive)
89 SL-100 EXT RANGE
Based on
Soldano® SLO-100 (Extreme)
Tangerine 30 Channel 1
Based on
Orange® AD30HTC ® Clean Channel
Tangerine 30 Channel 2
Based on
Orange® AD30HTC ® Dirty Channel
11 EPB II HI-LEAD
Based on
2011 ENGL® Powerball II
11 EPB II LO-LEAD
Based on
2011 ENGL® Powerball II
11 EPB II CRUNCH
Based on
2011 ENGL® Powerball II
11 EPB II CLEAN
Based on
2011 ENGL® Powerball II

CABINET (15)

1X8 CUSTOM
Based on
Fender® Champ
1X12 BLACK PANEL LUX
Based on
Fender® Deluxe Reverb “Blackface” (Jensen P12N)
1X12 TWEED LUX
Based on
Fender® Tweed Deluxe (Jensen P12Q)
1X15 OPEN BACK
Based on
Ampeg® Reverberocket (Jensen C15N)
2X12 AC BLUE
Based on
Vox® AC30 (Celestion Alnico Blue)
2X12 BLACK PANEL DUO
Based on
Fender® Twin Reverb “Blackface” (Jensen C12N)
2X12 B30
Based on
Bogner® (Celestion V30)
2X12 SILVER CONE
Based on
Roland® JC-120
4X10 TWEED BASS
Based on
Fender® ’59 Bassman (Jensen P10Q)
4X10 BLACK SR
Based on
Fender® Super Reverb “Blackface” (CTS Alnico)
4X12 CLASSIC 30W
Based on
Marshall® 1960AV (Celestion V30)
4X12 65W
Based on
Marshall® (Celestion G12-65)
4X12 GREEN 25W
Based on
Marshall® 1960A (Celestion G12-H “Greenback”)
4X12 GREEN 20W
Based on
Marshall® (Celestion G12- M)
8X10 BLUE LINE
Based on
Ampeg® SVT “Blueline” (Towel Bar)

MICROPHONE (10)

DYN 7
Based on
Shure® SM7
DYN 57
Based on
Shure® SM57
DYN 409
Based on
Sennheiser® MD409
DYN 421
Based on
Sennheiser® MD421
COND 67
Based on
Neumann® U67
COND 87
Based on
Neumann® U87
COND 414
Based on
AKG® C414 XLS
RIBBON 121
Based on
Royer® 121
DYN 20
Based on
Electro-Voice® RE20
DYN 12
Based on
AKG® D112

DISTORTION (16)

WHITE BOOST
Based on
Xotic® RC Booster
GREEN JRC-OD
Based on
Ibanez® TS808
DC DISTORT
Based on
Avid® Custom Distortion (Eleven Rack)
BLACK OP
Based on
ProCo® Rat
TRI FUZZ
Based on
EHX® Big Muff Pi
8-BIT CRUSH
Based on
OTO® Biscuit
ANXIETY OD
Based on
Fulltone® OCD
ANXIETY OD V2
Based on
Fulltone® OCD
D1 Distortion
Based on
Boss® DS-1
K DRIVE
Based on
Klon® Centaur
MX Dist
Based on
MXR® Distortion
Round Fuzz
Based on
Dunlop® Fuzz Face
B DIST 7000
Based on
Darkglass® Microtubes B7K Ultra V2 Bass Preamp
OCT FUZZ
Based on
Dunlop® JH-OC1 Octavio
D250 DRIVE
Based on
DOD® Overdrive Preamp 250
S1 DRIVE
Based on
Boss® SD-1 Super Overdrive

DYNAMICS/EQ (10)

GRAY COMP
Based on
Ross® Compressor
DYN111 COMP
Based on
Avid® Dynamic III Comp (Plug-in)
GRAPHIC EQ
Based on
Avid® Custom Graphic EQ (Eleven Rack)
PARA EQ
Based on
Avid® Custom Parametric EQ (Eleven Rack)
BASS EQ
Based on
Avid® Custom EQ (Eleven Rack)
GATE
Based on
Rocktron® Hush The Pedal (Based on)
AUTO SWELL
Based on
Digitech® Crescendo (Based on)
NOISE FILTER
Based on
Noise Filter (Headrush® Original)
SIDE COMP
Based on
Side Comp (HeadRush® Original)
HOLD
Based on Electro-Harmonix® Freeze

MODULATION (22)

MULTICHORUS
Based on
Avid® AIR Multichorus (Plug-in)
CHORUS
Based on
Boss® CE-1 (Chorus Mode)
FLANGER
Based on
TC Electronic® Thunderstorm
VIBRATO
Based on
Boss® CE-1 (Vibrato Mode)
AIR FILTER
Based on
Pro Tools® AIR Filter (Plug- in)
AIR FLANGER
Based on
Pro Tools® AIR Flanger (Plug-in)
AIR VIBRATO
Based on
Pro Tools® AIR Vibrato (Plug-in)
VIBE PHASER
Based on
Uni-Vibe®
ORANGE PHASER
Based on
MXR® Phase 90
TRON PHASER
Based on
Mu-Tron® Phasor II
STONE PHASER
Based on
EHX ®Small Stone
ROTARY
Based on
Avid® Rotary Module (Plug- in)
TREMOLO
Based on
Boss® TR-2
OCTAVES
Based on
Boss® OC-2
SMART HARM
Based on
Smart Harmonizer (Headrush Original)
TRON FILTER
Based on
Mu-Tron® III Envelope Filter
RING MOD
Based on
Moog® Ring Modulator
DROP TUNE
Based on
Digitech® Drop
Acoustic Sim
Based on
Boss® Acoustic Simulator
Detune
Based on
Detune (HeadRush® Original)
OCTAVES UP
Based on
OCTAVES UP (HeadRush® Original)
ENV FILTER
Based on DOD® FX25 Envelope Filter

REVERB/DELAY (13)

STEREO DOUBLER
Based on
Stereo Doubler (HeadRush® Original)
AIR REVERB
Based on
Pro Tools® AIR Reverb (Plug-in)
ELEVEN REVERB
Based on
Avid® Reverb One (Eleven Rack)
SPRING REVERB
Based on
Fender® Spring Reverb
TAPE ECHO
Based on
Maestro® Echoplex EP-3
BBD DELAY
Based on
EHX® Deluxe Memory Man
DYN DELAY
Based on
Pro Tools® AIR Dynamic Delay (Plug-in)
SHIMMER
Based on
Shimmer Reverb (Headrush® Original)
AIR DELAY
Based on
Pro Tools® AIR Delay (Plug-in)
REVERSE DELAY
Based on
Boss® DD-5
PITCH DELAY
Based on
Boss® PS-3
AMBI VERB
Based on
AMBI VERB (Headrush® Original)
RESO DELAY
Based on RESO DELAY (HeadRush® Original)

EXPRESSION (10)

VOLUME
Based on
Ernie Ball® Volume Pedal
SHINE WAH
Based on
Vox® V486
BLACK WAH
Based on
MXR® Cry Baby
MORE WAH
Based on
Morley® Wah
PANNER
Based on
Avid® Panner (Eleven Rack)
WHAM
Based on
Digitech® Whammy (Classic)
HARM
Based on
Digitech® Whammy (Harmonizer)
CHORD WHAM
Based on
Digitech® Whammy (Poliphonic)
FEEDBACK
Based on
Feedbacker (Headrush® Original)
TIME WARP
Based on
Digitech® Space Station (Warp Mode)
The list of models is for reference only. All registered trademarks are property of their respective owners and are used for reference purposes only and reflect no affiliation or endorsement from the owners with or to HEADRUSH.

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