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Akai Professional E2 HeadRush Delay/Looper

Akai Professional E2 HeadRush Delay/Looper main image

Photo of Akai Professional E2 HeadRush Delay/Looper and more gear in a pedal, drum machine, and closeup

Photo of Akai Professional E2 HeadRush Delay/Looper

Akai Professional E2 HeadRush Delay/Looper

^# 16

Equipboard's ranking is determined by analyzing factors such as professional artist usage, popularity, user ratings, reviews, and more.

$107.13 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (24)

2 Critic Reviews

6 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Akai Professional E2 HeadRush

6 community setups

16 wishlisted

81 saved

Page last updated Jun 09, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 9, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (18)

$107.13 4 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $107

Standard/Professional

$100

$301+

Price Tier

In the Looper Effects Pedals category, Akai Professional E2 HeadRush Delay/Looper is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Unleash your creativity with the Akai Professional E2 HeadRush Delay/Looper, a powerhouse pedal that blends cutting-edge digital delay with vintage-inspired analog tape echo. Designed for musicians who crave versatility and depth in their sound, this pedal is a master of both delay and looping. With a maximum delay time of 23.8 seconds, it's ideal for crafting expansive soundscapes or rhythmic patterns. Whether you're a guitarist, bassist, or vocalist, the E2 HeadRush provides an intuitive platform for layering and experimenting with your music.

One of its standout features is the 4-head analog tape echo machine simulator, which offers four individual outputs for each head, allowing creative routing options and mind-bending sound manipulation. This feature is perfect for those looking to add a touch of classic warmth and character to their performance. With its user-friendly interface and convenient LED display, you can effortlessly navigate through its features and maintain control even during live performances. Whether you're looping a simple riff or orchestrating a complex arrangement, the Akai Professional E2 HeadRush is your ticket to musical innovation.

Key Features:

Maximum delay time of 23.8 seconds
4-head analog tape echo machine simulator with individual outputs
Looping recorder functionality
Real-time delay control with tap-tempo
16-bit digital delay with a 44.1kHz sample rate
User-friendly LED display
Powered by 9V DC with 160mA consumption

Product specs

Brand	Akai
Model	E2 Headrush Delay/Looper
Finish	Blue
Year	2010s
Categories	Delay Pedals, Loop Pedals and Samplers

FAQs

What are the main features of the Akai Professional E2 HeadRush Delay/Looper?: The Akai Professional E2 HeadRush offers versatile delay effects and looping capabilities, with up to 35 minutes of total loop recording time. It features four footswitches for intuitive control, stereo outputs, and a tape echo mode for vintage-style delay sounds.
Can the Akai E2 HeadRush be used with both electric guitar and bass?: Yes, the Akai E2 HeadRush is suitable for both electric guitar and bass, providing rich delay and looping features that complement a wide range of musical styles and instruments.
How does the looping function work on the Akai E2 HeadRush?: The looping function on the Akai E2 HeadRush allows for seamless recording, overdubbing, and playback of loops. It features an intuitive interface with dedicated footswitches for easy control over loop creation and management.
Does the Akai E2 HeadRush require a specific power supply?: The Akai E2 HeadRush requires a 9V DC power supply, which is standard for many guitar pedals, ensuring compatibility with most pedalboard setups.
What makes the Akai E2 HeadRush different from other delay pedals?: The Akai E2 HeadRush stands out with its combination of high-quality delay effects and robust looping capabilities, along with features like stereo outputs and a unique tape echo mode that offers a classic, warm delay sound.

Videos

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gearwire

Akai E2 Head Rush Delay / Looper Pedal Demonstration, Part One

gearwire

Akai E2 Head Rush Delay / Looper Pedal Demonstration, Part Two: The Five Amp Special

gearwire

Akai E2 Headrush Delay/Loop Pedal with Katy Tunstall

Gear4music Guitars

Akai Head Rush E2 Delay

shnobel

Akai Headrush E2 - Getting The Most From This Amazing Pedal

Guitar and Music Institute

GEAR UP: AKAI E2 Head Rush - Delay / Looper Pedal

THE MUSICIAN NETWORK (TMNtv)

Akai Professional E2 HeadRush Delay/Tape Echo/Looper

Pedal of the Day

Akai E2 Headrush - Tape Echo Mode with 5 Different Amps (Headphones, please)

Pedal of the Day

Reviews

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PROS

Rare and unique sounds, not "plastic" sounding
Combines delay and looper features effectively
Effective for live performances, simple and reliable
Tape echo function highly praised
Enables endless jam sessions with looping
Essential for specific song performances

CONS

Learning curve due to controls
Large size, takes up significant pedalboard space

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Akai Professional E2 HeadRush Delay/Looper.

Features and functionality

0 0

The pedal's Tape mode allows for manipulation of delay shape using two extra knobs, enhancing sound customization.
Source
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The E2 does not produce oscillation effects, which may be a limitation for those seeking experimental soundscapes.
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Owners appreciate the Headrush's dedicated stop button and seamless overdubbing with an overdub redo function, praised for its simplicity despite its larger size.
Source

Use cases and applications

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The multiple outputs are highlighted as useful for studio settings, providing unique post-production effects.
Source
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The looper is considered basic, suitable for simple playback and rudimentary overdubbing, not for complex looping tasks.
Source

Comparisons

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Compared to analog delays like the BOSS DM-2w, the Akai E2 lacks the character and depth some users seek.
Source
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The Keeley Eccos is noted as a suitable alternative, offering combined tape delay and looping with added chorus and flanging capabilities, although at a higher price point.
Source

Value and pricing

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Previously priced at $150-$175, the E2 is now considered a bargain at $69, offering both delay and looping capabilities.
Source

User experience

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Some users remain loyal to the Headrush despite its size, highlighting its straightforward operation as a key reason for retention.
Source

Critic Reviews

Akai E2 Headrush Delay/Looper Pedal Review

looperpedalreviews.com

The Akai E2 Headrush Delay/Looper is a straightforward, robust pedal that shines in live settings with its user-friendly interface and solid construction. However, it falls short with no quantize feature or memory storage, requiring perfect timing and offering no saving options for your loops. While its sound quality is natural and warm, especially in Delay Mode, the lack of versatility and inability to use delay and looping simultaneously limits its appeal. It's a decent, cost-effective choice for those seeking simplicity but may leave advanced users wanting more.

neutral

Full Review

Akai Professional E2 Headrush Delay/Looper Review * Ashley J. Saunders

ashleyjsaunders.com

The Akai Professional E2 HeadRush Delay/Looper impresses with its rich, analog-like delay tones and versatile looper function, offering unlimited overdubs and up to 24 seconds of recording time. Its robust build quality and intuitive controls make it a reliable choice for live performances. However, its large size may be a drawback for those with limited pedalboard space, and the inability to store loops limits its utility beyond practice sessions. Despite these drawbacks, its sound quality and features make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a versatile delay/looper pedal.

positive

Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 6 Reviews and 24 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

monochrome

1064

over 5 years ago

Great with Juno-6/60.

Get one while you can. They are getting rare these days... sounds to be had are amazing and it does not sound too "plastic" even though it is fully digital.

Roles:

Drummer Keyboardist Composer

Genres:

Electronic Hip Hop Jazz

From Gear Setup

oliverduffy

1125

over 11 years ago

Hours of fun

A very useful pedal, the idea of looping just creates endless jam sessions and solos, the fact that its a delay pedal too makes it way better, I use the loop feature in an intro to one of my bands songs and it works very effectively, to the point where we couldn't play the song without this pedal.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Keyboardist

Genres:

Electronic Rock Alternative rock

albinoguitman

271

almost 8 years ago

Sweet

This pedal has a lot to offer once you get familiar with the nobs and looping its great. takes up a lot of space though.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Blues Jazz

poonce_dong

256

about 10 years ago

Hectic piece of machinery

Was the first pedal I ever bought because of the loop function. It hardy, and you can delete the last loop over the top of the stuff underneath. I use the tape echo a lot more than the delay.