The HeadRush Core is a professional guitar amp modeler and multi-effects processor from HeadRush, built around a 7 inch full-color touchscreen and five footswitches with color LEDs1. It launched in September 2023 at $999 (£759), positioned below the larger HeadRush Prime as a smaller and cheaper unit with fewer footswitches and no built-in expression pedal, but with the same processing and feature set elsewhere2. Its distinguishing features are native Neural Amp Modeler (NAM) support, direct TONE3000 access, and a microphone input with a set of vocal effects1.
Inputs, outputs and power
The Core's rear panel covers guitar, vocal, and studio connections. For audio in, it has an XLR / 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) microphone input and a 1/8 inch (3.5 mm) stereo auxiliary input for playing along with a device. For audio out, it has a 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) stereo pair of outputs, an XLR stereo pair of outputs, and a 1/8 inch (3.5 mm) stereo headphone output1.
| Connection | Type |
|---|---|
| Microphone input | XLR / 1/4 inch (6.35 mm)1 |
| Auxiliary input | 1/8 inch (3.5 mm) stereo1 |
| Main outputs | 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) stereo pair1 |
| Alt outputs | XLR stereo pair1 |
| Headphone output | 1/8 inch (3.5 mm) stereo1 |
| Expression pedal | 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) TRS input1 |
| Expression toe switch | 1/4 inch TS input1 |
| External amp footswitch | 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) TRS output1 |
| MIDI | 1 x 5-pin MIDI input, 1 x 5-pin MIDI output1 |
| USB | USB Type-A port and USB Type-B port1 |
Because the Core has no built-in expression pedal, the TRS expression input and TS toe switch input are how you add one externally12. The 1/4 inch TRS output for an external amp footswitch lets the Core switch a real amp's channels from the same floor unit1.
Controls on the top panel are a 300 degree main volume knob, a 300 degree headphone volume knob, and a 360 degree navigation/data encoder, alongside the touchscreen1.
The Core runs on 12V DC, 3A, center-positive power through a DC power adapter input1. That is not the center-negative standard most guitar pedals use, so it cannot share a typical pedalboard supply or a daisy chain.
Amp and cab models, NAM and TONE3000 support
The Core's model library is split across two families. It carries 53 HeadRush amp models and 44 ReValver amp models, plus 67 ReValver cabinets and 10 HeadRush cab mics1. On the vocal side, its 7 vocal effects are Auto-Tune, De-Esser, Vocal Distortion, Vocal Doubler, Vocal Harmony, Vocal Stutter, and Vocoder1.
| Model category | Count |
|---|---|
| HeadRush amp models | 531 |
| ReValver amp models | 441 |
| ReValver cabs | 671 |
| HeadRush cab mics | 101 |
| Vocal FX | 71 |
Beyond the built-in library, the Core has native Neural Amp Modeler support and direct TONE3000 access1. It also supports HeadRush Cloud access, so you can download compatible NAM and TONE3000 content from HeadRush's online platform3.
How many NAM captures you can run at once depends on the capture type3:
- A2 Full captures: 2 at the same time, either via stereo doubling, switch doubling, or 2 separate NAM blocks3
- A2 lite models: 4 models in a single rig, between 2 dedicated NAM blocks3
When MusicRadar covered the Core at launch, Rob Laing noted that while the unit was cut down in footswitches and size compared to the Prime, it was "not processing and features elsewhere," and that the UI and vocal side were what could set it apart in the multi-effects market2:
"The Headrush Core looks comprehensive as we'd expect in 2023 but it's the UI and vocal side of the unit - as on the Prime - that could set it apart in the market in the longer term."
The Core ships with native Neural Amp Modeler support and direct TONE3000 access, and supports HeadRush Cloud access for compatible NAM and TONE3000 content12. With NAM models set to A2 lite, a player can run 4 models in a single rig between 2 dedicated NAM blocks; with A2 Full Captures, the Core can play 2 at the same time, either via stereo doubling, switch doubling, or 2 separate NAM blocks3.
Videos
Andertons Music Co
HeadRush FX
Darrell Braun Guitar
Questions
Does the HeadRush Core support Neural Amp Modeler captures?
Yes. The Core has native Neural Amp Modeler support and direct TONE3000 access, and it supports HeadRush Cloud content. With NAM A2 Full captures it can play two models at the same time via stereo doubling, switch doubling, or two separate NAM blocks, and with A2 lite models it can play four models in a single rig between two dedicated NAM blocks.
Does the HeadRush Core have an expression pedal?
No. The Core has no built-in expression pedal, unlike the larger HeadRush Prime. It does have a 1/4 inch TRS input for an external expression pedal, plus a 1/4 inch TS input for an expression pedal toe switch, so you can add your own.
Can you plug a microphone into the HeadRush Core?
Yes. The Core has an XLR / 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) microphone input, and its vocal effects list includes Auto-Tune, De-Esser, Vocal Distortion, Vocal Doubler, Vocal Harmony, Vocal Stutter, and Vocoder, seven vocal effects in total.
What power supply does the HeadRush Core use?
The Core runs on a 12V DC, 3A, center-positive supply through a DC power adapter input. That voltage and polarity differ from the 9V center-negative standard most guitar pedals use, so it needs its own supply rather than a typical pedalboard power tap.
How many amp models are on the HeadRush Core?
The Core carries 53 HeadRush amp models and 44 ReValver amp models, plus 67 ReValver cabinet models and 10 HeadRush cab mics. On top of those it supports Neural Amp Modeler captures and TONE3000 content through the HeadRush Cloud.
Sources (3)
- Core | HeadRush FX, HeadRush FX (headrushfx.com), 2026
- What could the new Headrush Core offer that the multi-effects pedal competition doesn't?, MusicRadar, 2023-09-20
- HeadRush Cloud, Powered by TONE3000 & NAM, HeadRush FX (headrushfx.com), 2026
