Summary
• Pros: The Akai E2 Headrush has a user friendly interface. The dual footswitch makes it hands-free to use.
• Cons: No quantize option available. No memory storage.
• Overall: The Akai E2 Headrush is a relatively inexpensive, easy to use, and robust looper that works well for both live performances and home use, but lacks many of the bells and whistles of other loopers available today.
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Amazon: Akai E2 Headrush
Full Review
The Akai E2 Headrush Delay/Looper pedal promised to take off where it’s fairly successful predecessor (the E1) had left off. Specifically, Akai promised better headroom, more looping time and a solution to the noise problems with the E1. Akai delivered on its promises, but the looper is still fairly simplistic compared to other options. In some cases, this could be an advantage, however. For example, the E2 Headrush is fairly easy to use straight out of the box. It features the following three play modes: Loop Recorder Mode, Normal Delay Mode, and Tape Echo Mode.
Looping Recorder Mode
In this mode, the Akai E2 Headrush lets you play and record a phrase that can be played back as a loop immediately. There are unlimited overdubs so you can build up your loop endlessly. You can stretch overdubs and loops by an extra 10 seconds in the Extend mode. If you want to record entire verse and chorus parts, though, you may be disappointed. You only get about 24 seconds at 44.1KHz. You can stretch this to 35 seconds at a lower sampling rate of 29.4Khz. If you want to overdub, though, then cut these numbers in half. You would be looking at 11.9 to 17.8 seconds of recording time. This is still enough for most situations and can be eight bars or longer depending on the tempo of your song.
Simply put, this isn’t the Boss RC-300 Loop Station, so you can’t loop different parts of an entire song. However, what you can do is use the Akai E2 Headrush intelligently to play backing tracks for parts of your songs in a live performance…among other things.
The Looper Function Is Easy to Use
Even with no previous looping experience, you can use the E2 Headrush right out of the box. The user manual isn’t as helpful as you would expect it to be so you will have to discover some of the features for yourself. Luckily there are tons of videos on YouTube that give through demonstrations of the Headrush’s looping capabilities.
No Quantization and No Memory for the Looper
Significantly, there is no quantize option, so you will need spot-on timing to be able to use the looper effectively (as is the case with any looper pedal without quantization). Also, the E2 Headrush has no memory, so you can’t save anything when you finish jamming. Some might say that’s a very Zen feature, but if you want to save your loops, we recommend you check out some of the other loopers on this site before making your purchase.
Volume Issue Using the Looper
The biggest problem we encountered while testing the E2 Headrush was that there is a volume issue with each layer you add. In other words, you cannot adjust the individual input level for each layer that you loop. This can cause a jumbled up sound because all the layers don’t always sit well together. One possible solution to this, unless you are playing something that cuts right through, is to use tonal variation via your pickup switches to solve the mix issue.
Normal Delay Mode
Once in delay mode, you can use the right foot switch to tap the time (tempo tap). After you nail the delay time, you can adjust the wet/dry quotient of the delay. It works well depending on how much you plan to use this. I do feel that there should have been an option of Reverse Delay, which would have made this even better. The delay doesn’t sound ‘digital’ and has the warmth required. When used with an electro-acoustic guitar, it sounded natural and plush (and guess what? There was none of the crackle or hiss either).
Noticeably, there aren’t a lot of delay effects to choose from on the Headrush. The other downside (which is a common problem) is that you CAN’T use Delay and Looping at the same time. If you want to do that, a better option is the Digitech Jamman Delay.
Tape Echo Mode
The Akai E2 Headrush promises a classic analog sound when you switch to Tape Echo Mode. You can get some good sound by working the HF Damp knob (High Frequency adjustment) once you’re in Tape Echo Mode. The sound is a bit muffled, however. The four inputs are useful if you have that sort of gear and amps to lug around, otherwise it’ a bit of an obsolete feature for most users.
A Few Considerations Before Buying the Akai E2 Headrush
Sound
Noise, especially a hissing sound, was the nemesis of the Akai E1 pedal. Even with the Akai E2 Headrush, there have been a lot of complaints regarding a hiss and/or a buzz. Simply put, most of these seem exaggerated. Noise problems, if any, may be due to something in the pedal chain being overlooked or perhaps something as simple as too much gain. That being said, the E2 Headrush is not the quietest pedal out there either. There is nothing ‘digital’ about the sounds created. This delay is natural and rich. It works great for live and if you know your equipment well, there shouldn’t be any problem with noise. Out of the three modes, this unit works seems to work best as a looper.
Features
The E2 offers a good share of options while still maintaining a not-so-complicated user interface. Almost everything is accessible using the two foot switches. You can switch between the three modes (Tape Echo, Normal Delay & Looper) by pressing down simultaneous on both. An LED light flashes to indicate the tempo/speed of the delay or loop and another indicates which effect is currently in use. You can stomp on the right foot switch twice on the beat to set the tap tempo in the Delay mode. So basically you can do things without having to stop playing, including switching modes and changing delay tempo. For the price, it is packed with plenty of cool features.
Construction/Build/Quality
The footswitches on the Akai E2 Headrush are sturdy and the general build of the pedal is solid due to the dicast metal body. The two foot switches are far apart to ensure that there are no accidents. The feel is rugged and study and it seems like it could last for quite a few years without trouble. The biggest letdown is that there is no battery compartment and you have to power it through an adapter only.
Ease of Use
Spend 10 minutes reading the user manual, spend an hour or two fiddling with it and you should be in control of the E2 Headrush. At the most, give it a week you and will be able to milk it to get the most out of it. Frankly, this pedal gets a bonus point for being so friendly and easy to use. If you have a good sense of timing, you can get a hang of this very quickly.
Artists who use the Akai E2 Headrush
Mike Sullivan, KT Tunstall, Mike Doughty, Radiohead and others.
Where to Buy the Akai E2 Headrush?
• Amazon: Akai E2 Headrush
Akai E2 Headrush Product Video
Avoid this looper. Worked great at first. Now nothing but frustration. Complaints by other users all the same. Now shuts down at any point of a loop. Look at other brands! TG Golden
I have used the Akai E2 Headrush for over 5 years and not the first problem. Does what it claims and does it well. As the review indicates, not alot of bells and whistles; however, sounds great.