How to Record the Headrush Core into Logic Pro over USB

The Headrush Core is a USB audio interface, so you don't need anything else between it and Logic Pro. Plug it into the Mac, open Logic's Audio settings, choose the Core as both input and output device, and the amp-modelled signal shows up on a stereo input. That is how every electric guitar on my record got into the computer.

Here is the exact setup, plus the two things that tripped me up the first week.

What you need

• The Headrush Core and the USB cable it came with (or any decent USB-C to USB-C or USB-C to USB-A cable).
• A Mac running Logic Pro. The Core is class compliant, so macOS sees it without installing a driver.
• Headphones or monitors plugged into the Core, not the Mac. More on why below.

Step by step

1. Power the Core on first, then connect the USB cable to the Mac.
2. In Logic Pro, open Settings > Audio > Devices.
3. Set Output Device and Input Device to the Headrush Core. Click Apply Changes.
4. Create a new audio track. Set the input to the Core's stereo pair so you capture the full modelled chain, including stereo effects like delay and reverb.
5. Arm the track and play. You should see level in Logic and hear yourself through whatever is plugged into the Core's outputs.

That is the whole thing. If you only hear silence, check step 3 again. Logic likes to fall back to the Mac's built-in output when a device is plugged in after the project is open.

Should you record the processed sound or the dry guitar?

I record the processed sound. The whole point of buying the Core was to commit to a tone at the rig, the same way I would with a real amp, and move on. It keeps me writing instead of tweaking.

If you want the safety net, record the Core's processed signal on one track and a second, dry track from the Core's direct signal so you can re-amp later with Logic's own amp plugins or Softube Amp Room. Check the Core's USB settings to see which channels carry the dry signal on your firmware.

Monitoring: listen through the Core, not the Mac

Set Logic's output to the Core and plug your headphones into the Core. Two reasons:

• You hear the amp model with no latency, because the Core is doing the processing before the signal ever reaches Logic.
• You avoid the doubled, flanged sound you get when Logic's software monitoring and the Core's own output both feed your ears.

If you do leave Logic's output on the Mac's speakers, turn Software Monitoring off in Settings > Audio > General.

Buffer size

Because the Core handles the guitar tone, latency in Logic barely matters for tracking guitar. I leave the I/O buffer at 256 samples and never think about it. Drop it only if you are playing a software instrument through Logic at the same time.

Gain staging

The Core's output level knob affects what hits Logic. I aim for peaks around -12 dBFS on the Logic meter with the master volume on the Core sitting where it sounds good in headphones. If your waveform is tiny, turn the Core's output up before you touch the Logic fader.

FAQ

Does the Headrush Core work as an audio interface for Logic Pro?

Yes. It is a class-compliant USB audio interface. macOS and Logic Pro see it without a driver, and you can set it as both the input and output device.

Can I record vocals through the Headrush Core into Logic?

Yes. The Core has a mic input with its own vocal processing. Set the Core as Logic's input device and pick the channel that carries the mic signal.

Do I need a separate audio interface if I own a Headrush Core?

Not for guitar, bass, or a single vocal. I use the Core as my only interface for guitars and bass. You would only need another interface for more simultaneous inputs than the Core offers.

Bottom line

Plug in, set the Core as Logic's input and output, record the stereo processed signal, listen through the Core. Commit to the tone at the pedalboard and spend your time on the song. If you want to go deeper on what each amp model in the Core actually is, the Headrush Core FX Browser lists all of them with the real gear they are based on.