HeadRush AutoTune VX5 User Guide

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Box Contents

AutoTune VX5 Unit
USB Cable
Power Cable
Quickstart Guide
Safety & Warranty Manual

Items not listed under Box Contents are sold separately.

1.2 Support

For the latest information about this product, including documentation, technical specifications, system requirements, and compatibility information, visit headrushfx.com. For additional product support, visit support.headrushfx.com.

2.0 Setup

Note: For best results, use AutoTune on only one singer.

Press the Preset button. Rotate the encoder and then push the encoder to select a preset that closely matches your incoming source audio.
Press the Key button and turn the Preset/Edit encoder to set the Key, Scale, and Range for the singer.
Press the AutoTune button to turn on the AutoTune feature.
Adjust the Speed knob. A slower setting gives a more natural sounding pitch correction, while a faster setting gives a more noticeable effect.
Adjust the Humanize knob to add more or less natural sounding pitch correction on sustained notes.
Press the Harmony button to turn the effect on (indicated by the button's backlight). Press the Harmony or FX button to turn on the respective feature. Then, press and hold the respective button again to enter the menu. You can also select the "Inst." setting to use the guitar input to determine the key and scale.
Press the FX button to turn the effect on (indicated by the button's backlight). Press and hold the FX button, then turn the Preset/Edit encoder to adjust parameters to create your own signature sound.

When you are finished using AutoTune VX5 and ready to shut it down, power off your connected output devices first, and then power off AutoTune VX5.

2.1 Connection Diagram

The diagram illustrates the rear panel connections for the HeadRush AutoTune VX5. A guitar is connected to the 'Guitar Input' (right-side 1/4" TS, Mono). A microphone is connected to the 'Microphone Input' (XLR, Mono, Balanced). The 'Main Output' (XLR, Balanced) connects to an amplifier or speakers. Headphones connect to the 'Phones Output' (1/8" / 3.5 mm stereo). A computer connects to the 'USB-B Port'. The unit is powered via the 'Power Input' (DC 9V, 1A).

3.0 Features

3.1 Top Panel

The top panel of the AutoTune VX5 features several controls:

A. Display: A 1.8-inch color screen used to view menus and edit parameters. Press the Key button to enter the menu; press and hold the Harmony or FX buttons to enter their respective menus.
B. Volume Knob: Adjusts the overall output level for the Main and Phones Outputs.
C. Preset/Edit Encoder: Turn this encoder to adjust parameters. Press it to enter or exit menus. Hold it to save the current preset. The last selected preset is retained when the unit is powered off and on.
D. Speed Knob: Controls the speed of pitch correction, ranging from slow (more natural) to fast (more noticeable effect).
E. Humanize Knob: Adjusts the realism of sustained notes by preserving subtle pitch variations. Turning it clockwise adds realism; turning it counterclockwise minimizes it for a more "robotic" Auto-Tune effect.
F. Footswitch (Preset Down / A/B Mode): Press to switch to the previous preset. Press and hold for two seconds to enter A/B mode, allowing the left and right footswitches to toggle effects within a preset. Press and hold again to exit A/B mode.
G. Footswitch (Preset Up / Talk Mode): Press to switch to the next preset. Press and hold for two seconds to activate Talk mode, which bypasses all effects (AutoTune, Harmony, FX) without altering your vocal signal. Press either footswitch to exit Talk mode.
H. Peak LED: This LED flashes red if the XLR input signal is clipping. Reduce the microphone level using the Input Gain knob if this occurs.
I. Preset Button: Press to access the Preset screen to view or select presets.
J. Key Button: Press to access the Key screen to set the key, scale, and vocal range for the preset.
K. AutoTune Button: Press to toggle the AutoTune feature on or off for the current preset.
L. Harmony Button: Press to toggle the Harmony feature on or off. The backlight illuminates when active. Press and hold to enter the parameter edit screen for Harmony.
M. FX Button: Press to toggle the FX feature on or off. The backlight illuminates when active. Press and hold to enter the parameter edit screen for FX.

3.2 Rear Panel

The rear panel provides all the necessary input and output connections:

A. Guitar Input: A 1/4-inch TS, Mono jack located on the right-side panel for connecting your guitar.
B. Guitar Thru: A 1/4-inch TS, Mono jack on the left-side panel. Connect this to an amplifier or powered speaker to pass the guitar signal through.
C. Microphone Input: An XLR, Mono, Balanced jack for connecting a dynamic or condenser microphone.
D. Microphone Input Gain Knob: Adjusts the input gain for the Microphone Input. If the Peak LED flashes, reduce the gain.
E. +48V Phantom Power Switch: Use this switch to enable +48V phantom power for condenser microphones connected to the Microphone Input.
F. Main Output: An XLR, Balanced jack for connecting to an amplifier system or speakers.
G. Ground Lift Switch: Engage this switch to reduce hum or noise.
H. Phones Output: A 1/8-inch (3.5 mm) stereo jack for connecting headphones.
I. USB-B Port: Connect this port to a computer to send/receive stereo audio, send MIDI messages (for preset recall, A/B mode, Talk mode), and access the web interface for software updates.
J. Power Input: A DC 9V, 1A connector with a center-negative polarity. Connect the included power cable here.
K. Power Button: Press this button to power the unit on or off.

4.0 Operation

This chapter describes how to use the AutoTune VX5.

4.1 Main Screen Overview

To access the main screen (the default screen upon powering on), press the Preset button from any menu. Turn the Preset/Edit encoder to scroll through available presets, then press it again to select and load a preset. To cancel loading a preset, press the Preset button to return to the main screen or wait five seconds for it to return automatically.

4.2 Preset/Edit Menu

Loading/Saving a Preset

From the main screen, turn the Preset/Edit encoder to select a preset. Push the encoder again to load the selected preset.
Adjust the Humanize, Speed, Key, Harmony, or FX parameters for the preset.
Press and hold the Preset/Edit encoder to select from the following options:
- Select Save: Overwrites the existing preset.
- Select Save and Rename: Saves to a new preset.
- Select Copy: Copies over another preset.
To name a preset: Turn the Preset/Edit encoder to scroll to a character, then push the encoder to highlight it. Scroll through the character list. Push the encoder to select a character. Press the Key button on a highlighted character space to delete that character. Once the preset is named, press the Preset button to save it.

Renaming a Preset

Turn the Preset/Edit encoder to select a preset.
Press and hold the Preset/Edit encoder, then turn the encoder to select "Save & Rename". Scroll through the alphanumeric characters. Up to nine characters can be used for a name. Push the encoder to select a character and advance to the next position.
To save the preset name, press the Preset button.

Copying a Preset

Note: Saving over a preset slot will erase that preset. Save to an <Empty> slot to avoid this.

Press and hold the Preset/Edit encoder.
Turn the Preset/Edit encoder to select "Copy".

Note: Always rename your presets before copying them to avoid naming confusion.

In the "Save to Preset" menu, select a preset slot and save a copy of the loaded preset to that slot by pressing the Preset/Edit encoder.

4.3 Speed

Turn the Speed knob to adjust how rapidly pitch correction is applied to incoming audio (0 – 400ms). For a more noticeable effect, turn the Speed knob towards the "Fast" side. For more natural sounding pitch correction, turn it towards the "Slow" side.

4.4 Humanize

Turn the Humanize knob (Off - Max) clockwise for a more natural or human voice. Turn the knob counterclockwise to minimize natural sounding pitch correction for a classic "robotic" AutoTune effect.

4.5 Key Menu

Press the Key button to select the key, scale, and vocal range for the preset.

Parameter	Options
Key Range	C, Db, D, Eb, E, F, F#/Gb, G, Ab, A, Bb, B
Scale	Chromatic, Major, Minor, Melodic Minor, Harmonic Minor, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Locrian
Range	Very Low, Low, Mid, High, Very High

4.6 AutoTune Menu

Press the AutoTune button to turn the autotune function on or off for the loaded preset. This can be turned off if you only wish to use the Harmony or FX parts of the preset without autotuning the input signal.

4.7 Harmony Menu

Editing a Harmony

Press and release the Harmony button to toggle it on/off. Press and hold the button again to enter its options menu.
Turn the Preset/Edit encoder to select the Harmony Range, Source, or Level, and push the encoder to see its options.
Turn the Preset/Edit encoder to browse parameters. Push the encoder to select a parameter and turn the encoder to adjust it.
Push the Preset/Edit encoder button again to select the parameter and return to the options menu.

Parameter	Options
Harmony Range (Source set to Instrument)	Highest, Higher, High, Unison, Low, Lower, Lowest
Harmony Range (Source set to Off)	3rd High, 5th High, Oct High, 3rd Low, 5th Low, Oct Low, 3rd Low + 3rd High, 5th Low + 3rd High, 5th Low + 5th High, 3rd High + 5th High, Oct Low + Oct High
Source	Off, Instrument
Level	0 – 100%

4.8 FX Menu

Selecting an Effect

Press the FX button to toggle it on/off. Then press and hold the button again to enter the menu.
Rotate the Preset/Edit encoder and then push to select Compressor, Flavor, Chorus, Reverb, or Delay.
Push the Preset/Edit encoder to select a parameter and rotate the encoder to browse effects presets or adjust parameters. Press the Preset button to go back to the main preset page.
Push the Preset/Edit encoder to confirm parameter selections or to toggle the effect's on/off switches.

Compressor

Parameter	Options
Compressor Type	Soft, Mild, Hard, Crunch
Mix	0 – 100%

Flavor

Parameter	Options
Flavor Type	Sizzle, Megaphone, Radio, Soft LoFi, Tube, Phone Vox, Zinger
Mix	0 – 100%

Chorus

Parameter	Options
Chorus Type	Basic, Smooth, Deep Chorus, Heavy Slow, Robot Voice
Mix	0 – 100%

Reverb

Parameter	Options
Reverb Type	Hall, Big Room, Chamber, Ambient, Church
Mix	0 – 100%

Delay

Parameter	Options
Delay Type	Short Echo, Long Echo, Slapback, Ping Pong, Rhythmic Tail, Dub Delay, DM Resonator
Time	1ms – 4.00s
Mix	0 – 100%

4.9 Footswitch Menu

Press the Preset Down / -A/B footswitch to switch to the previous preset. Press and hold the footswitch for two seconds to enter A/B mode. Then use the left and right footswitches to turn a selected effect on or off within a preset. Press and hold the footswitch to exit A/B mode.

Press the Preset Up / Talk Mode footswitch to switch to the next preset. Press and hold the footswitch for two seconds to activate Talk mode to bypass the AutoTune, Harmony, and FX features without any effects applied to your vocals. Press either footswitch to exit Talk mode.

4.10 Factory Reset

Hold the Key and Preset buttons while powering on VX5 to confirm or cancel a reset to factory default settings. This will clear all user presets and restore the factory presets.

4.11 Web Interface

Connect AutoTune VX5 to your computer and go to vx5.local in a web browser to access the web interface. (Windows 11 and macOS 13 - 15 are supported). When firmware updates are available, follow the instructions included with the firmware update file to update AutoTune VX5.

4.12 MIDI Control

External MIDI Control

When external MIDI control is enabled, you can use a MIDI device to remotely control some functions of AutoTune VX5. AutoTune VX5 receives MIDI messages on ALL channels. The chart below lists the parameters that can be controlled by sending the listed incoming MIDI messages from your external MIDI hardware:

Function	MIDI Message	Values
Select Preset (Within the current bank)	Program Change	0-127 (Bank 1) 0-121 (Bank 2)
Select Preset Bank	CC 32	0 = Bank 1 (Presets 1-128) 1 = Bank 2 (Presets 129-250)
Footswitch A/B Mode	CC 16	0 = Disables Footswitch A/B Mode 1 = Selects Footswitch A Mode 2 = Selects Footswitch B Mode
Talk Mode	CC 17	0-63 = Disable Talk Mode 64-127 = Enable Talk Mode

5.0 Appendix

5.1 Presets

The following tables list the available presets:

Presets 1-29

Preset #	Category	Preset Name	Preset #	Category	Preset Name
1	AUTOTUNE	Hard Tune	30	AT + FX [Delay]	MildTail
2	AUTOTUNE	Warm Tune	31	AT + HARM + FX [Comp + Flavor]	Oct Vox
3	AUTOTUNE	Soft Tune	32	AT + FX [Comp + Flavor]	WarmSizzl
4	AUTOTUNE	Mild Tune	33	AT + HARM + FX [Comp + Flavor]	Oct LoFi
5	HARM + FX [Comp + Chorus]	Octaves	34	AT + FX [Comp + Flavor]	WarmZing
6	HARM + FX [Comp + Chorus]	Fifths	35	AT + HARM + FX [Comp + Flavor]	Oct Radio
7	AT + FX [Verb]	HardVerb1	36	AT + HARM + FX [Chorus + Verb]	HardJuice
8	AT + FX [Verb]	HardVerb2	37	AT + HARM + FX [Chorus + Verb + Delay]	WarmJuice
9	AT + FX [Verb]	HardVerb3	38	AT + HARM + FX [Flavor + Chorus + Verb]	SoftJuice
10	AT + FX [Verb]	WarmVerb1	39	AT + HARM + FX [Chorus + Verb]	MildJuice
11	AT + FX [Verb]	WarmVerb2	40	AT + HARM + FX [Flavor + Chorus + Delay]	HardWow
12	AT + FX [Verb]	WarmVerb3	41	AT + HARM + FX [Chorus + Verb + Delay]	WarmWow
13	AT + FX [Verb]	SoftVerb1	42	AT + HARM + FX [Chorus + Verb + Delay]	SoftWow
14	AT + FX [Verb]	SoftVerb2	43	AT + HARM + FX [Chorus + Delay]	MildWow
15	AT + FX [Verb]	SoftVerb3	44	FX [Verb]	Hall
16	AT + FX [Verb]	MildVerb1	45	FX [Verb]	Room
17	AT + FX [Verb]	MildVerb2	46	FX [Verb]	Chamber
18	AT + FX [Verb]	MildVerb3	47	FX [Verb]	Ambient
19	AT + FX [Delay]	HardSlap	48	FX [Verb]	Church
20	AT + FX [Delay]	HardEcho	49	FX [Delay]	SlapBack
21	AT + FX [Delay]	HardPong	50	FX [Delay]	ShortEcho
22	AT + FX [Delay]	WarmSlap	51	FX [Delay]	LongEcho
23	AT + FX [Delay]	WarmEcho	52	FX [Delay]	PingPong
24	AT + FX [Delay]	WarmDub	53	FX [Delay]	DubDelay
25	AT + FX [Delay]	SoftSlap	54	FX [Delay]	Rhythmic
26	AT + FX [Delay]	SoftEcho	55	FX [Delay]	Resonator
27	AT + FX [Delay]	SoftPong	56	FX [Chorus]	Chorus
28	AT + FX [Delay]	MildSlap	57	FX [Chorus]	Smooth C
29	AT + FX [Delay]	MildEcho	58	FX [Chorus]	Deep C

Presets 59-99

Preset #	Category	Preset Name	Preset #	Category	Preset Name
59	FX [Chorus]	Heavy C	80	FX [Flavor]	Zinger
60	FX [Chorus]	Robot C	81	AT + FX [Comp + Flavor]	HardZing
61	AT + HARM + FX [Comp + Chorus + Verb]	3HiVerbMj	82	HARM + FX [Comp + Flavor + Chorus]	HarmZing
62	AT + HARM + FX [Comp + Chorus + Verb]	3HiVerbMn	83	FX [Flavor]	Radio
63	HARM + FX [Comp + Chorus + Verb]	5HiVerb	84	AT + FX [Comp + Flavor]	HardRadio
64	HARM + FX [Comp + Chorus + Verb]	OctHiVerb	85	HARM + FX [Comp + Flavor + Chorus]	HarmRadio
65	AT + HARM + FX [Comp + Chorus + Verb]	3LoVerbMj	86	FX [Flavor]	Mega
66	AT + HARM + FX [Comp + Chorus + Verb]	3LoVerbMn	87	AT + FX [Comp + Flavor]	HardMega
67	HARM + FX [Comp + Chorus + Verb]	5LoVerb	88	HARM + FX [Comp + Flavor + Chorus]	HarmMega
68	HARM + FX [Comp + Chorus + Verb]	OctLoVerb	89	FX [Flavor]	Phone
69	HARM + FX [Comp + Chorus + Verb]	DblOctVrb	90	AT + FX [Comp + Flavor]	HardPhone
70	HARM + FX [Comp + Chorus + Verb]	5ths Verb	91	HARM + FX [Comp + Flavor + Chorus]	HarmPhone
71	FX [Flavor]	Sizzle	92	AT + HARM + FX [Flavor + Chorus + Delay]	Crazinger
72	AT + FX [Comp + Flavor]	HardSiz	93	AT + HARM + FX [Flavor + Chorus + Delay]	Flosizzle
73	HARM + FX [Comp + Flavor + Chorus]	HarmSiz	94	AT + HARM + FX [Comp + Flavor + Chorus + Verb]	MinorLoFi
74	FX [Flavor]	LoFi	95	AT + HARM + FX [Comp + Flavor + Chorus + Verb]	MajorLoFi
75	AT + FX [Comp + Flavor]	HardLoFi	96	AT + HARM + FX [Comp + Flavor + Chorus + Delay]	RadioGaGa
76	HARM + FX [Comp + Flavor + Chorus]	HarmLoFi	97	AT + HARM + FX [Flavor + Chorus + Delay]	Tubular
77	FX [Flavor]	Tube	98	AT + HARM + FX [Comp + Flavor + Chorus + Verb + Delay]	SpookyHrm
78	AT + FX [Comp + Flavor]	HardTube	99	AT + HARM + FX [Comp + Flavor + Chorus + Verb + Delay]	MeloMinor
79	HARM + FX [Comp + Flavor + Chorus]	HarmTube

5.2 Technical Specifications

XLR Input (Balanced XLR)

Parameter	Value
Frequency Response	20 Hz – 20 kHz (±0.2 dB)
Dynamic Range	111 dB (A-weighted)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	110 dB (1 kHz, +4 dBu, A-weighted)
THD+N	0.003% (1 kHz, +4 dBu, -1 dBFS)
Preamp EIN	-133 dBu (max gain, 40 Ω source, A-weighted) -127 dBu (max gain, 150 Ω source, unweighted)
Max Input Level	+10 dBu
Sensitivity	-46 dBu
Gain Range	59 dB
+48V Phantom Power	Switchable on/off

Guitar Input (Balanced 1/4" / 6.35 mm TRS or unbalanced 1/4" TS)

Parameter	Value
Frequency Response	20 Hz - 20 kHz (±0.2 dB)
Dynamic Range	111 dB (A-weighted)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	110 dB (1 kHz, +4 dBu, A-weighted)
THD+N	0.003% (1 kHz, +4 dBu, -1 dBFS)
Max Input Level	+13 dBu
Input Impedance	1 MΩ
Sensitivity	-46 dBu

Guitar Thru (Balanced 1/4" / 6.35 mm TRS or unbalanced 1/4" TS)

Parameter	Value
Output Impedance	540/270 Ω (unbalanced/balanced)
Buffered	Yes

Main XLR Output (Balanced XLR)

Parameter	Value
Frequency Response	20 Hz - 20 kHz (±0.2 dB)
Dynamic Range	113 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N	0.001% (1 kHz, -1 dBFS)
Maximum Output Level	+20 dBu
Output Impedance	100 Ω
Ground Lift	Switchable on/off

Headphone Output (1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS)

Parameter	Value
Frequency Response	20 Hz - 20 kHz (+0.2 dB)
Dynamic Range	112 dB (A-weighted)
THD+N	0.008% (1 kHz, 10mW per channel into 32 Ω)
Maximum Output Level	+20 dBu (unloaded)
Power Output	100 mW RMS (per channel into 32 Ω)
Output Impedance	32 Ω

5.3 Trademarks & Licenses

HeadRush is a trademark of inMusic Brands, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

macOS is a trademark of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S.A. and other countries.

This product may incorporate technologies used under license. Please refer to inmusicbrands.com/product-legal for more information. You can access the product's web interface for further software license information.

All other product names, company names, trademarks, or trade names are those of their respective owners.

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