Best Compact ALL-in-ONE? (midi content) HX-Stomp H9

[smo]

I'm considering a compact all-in-one adddition to my ridiculous big-board. After deciding to switch to Midi, it's shrunk considerably, but I'm feeling a compact all-in-one is where I'm aiming to be.

The Eventide H9 is one I've been on the fence about for years, given it's expense, one effect at a time, and the pay-wall attached. Now that Line6 has released the HX-Stomp, I'm heavily considering it as something to cover a whole lot of ground on my MIDI board. (Other Midi pedals currently on board: Future Impact, Strymon Mobius, Ehx Hog2, plus analog comp & dirt)

Given the HX-stomp can run multiple effects at once (I'm aware it's not the "full 6" quoted by Line6, given processing power limitations, effects selection dependant), I'm looking at picking one of these up, in addition to my current roster of midi-controllable pedals.
But.....
I'd like to hear what everyone thinks?
Is the HX-stomp superior to the H9?
Are there any other (compact) options I should consider?

Cheers

 

[46and2]

If you don't need amp/cab sims, I believe the HX Effects can run more effects at once and has more foot switches than the HX Stomp.

 

[JES]

I have a H9 Max that’s been a staple on my board since 2015, and have a HX as well. Ask me anything. The short version: I much prefer the Eventide’s reverbs (except for the dual tank), pitch effects (including pitch delay), and modulation. The Line 6 has an easier interface (though the H9 isn’t hard) and the drives are much much better. The modulations are good, I just like the H9 better. And the Stomp has great amp and cab sims if you need them. I use both.

 

[smo]

... HX Effects can run more effects at once and has more foot switches than the HX Stomp.

Is too big.
Looking for a compact-ish option to fit on a pedalboard that already has a Midi-switcher.

I have a H9 Max that’s been a staple on my board since 2015, and have a HX as well. Ask me anything. The short version: I much prefer the Eventide’s reverbs (except for the dual tank), pitch effects (including pitch delay), and modulation. The Line 6 has an easier interface (though the H9 isn’t hard) and the drives are much much better. The modulations are good, I just like the H9 better. And the Stomp has great amp and cab sims if you need them. I use both.

Thanks. Think I'll take you up on that

Do you use Midi with either of these pedals? Are either of these limited with how you use them?
You say the drives are better with the Line6 - is this specifically for bass, or do you play guitar as well? (I play both)

 

[JES]

The H9 takes MIDI very well. I have done program changes on it, and used MIDI for expression pedal control with no problem. You could conceivably buy a box of knobs or something and have a full featured interface. It's also highly flexible. For instance, for program changes, the default is that each slot is a given program number (eg, slot 3 is program 3) but you can change that if you want (so slot 3 is program change 1). The HX Effects also responds fine to program changes and MIDI controller assignments but I haven't tried as much with it. The one slightly confusing thing is that present numbers (eg, 10C) don't intuitively match up to program change numbers but it's hardly a dealbreaker. I think you can also switch snapshots via MIDI but I haven't tried it.

I play a bit of guitar, though not in any bands. The H9 distortions tend toward the highly processed sounding, whereas the Line6 ones, modelled as they are on other amps and pedals, have a wider sonic range to my ears. That said, the combination of distortion and EQ on the H9 is good for wilder sounds, and I actually to play a heavily overdriven, high passed bass solo with pitch-shifted delays and harmonies in one song and it works great for that kind of thing. My bandmates love it.

I highly recommend trying both. The functionality is different and the sound is pretty different. I find both valuable for different things.

 

[Ryan L.]

I’ve got two H9’s on my board, and am considering adding a 3rd. I don’t use midi (I’m midi-stupid), but I’ve heard they’re easily controlled via midi.

One of my main reasons for going the H9 route initially was the ease of use. Using the H9 Control app, I can sit on my couch with my bass and my phone, and completely configure every setting on the pedals with ease, via Bluetooth. There’s no hunkering down over my pedalboard scrolling through menus on a little screen, it’s all done with my iPhone. And the effects are great quality, imo.

If I add a 3rd unit, it’ll be used solely for EQ settings from the EQ/Compressor algorithm. I’ve dialed in some killer preamp sounds, but want to keep my current two strictly for effects use.

I use the Barn3 Ox9 auxiliary switches for mine, and they do everything I want quite nicely.

 

[CallMeBlind]

I have both pedals on my board. I can only say that those are two different things. It's not possible to say which one is better, unless you can explain in more details what is your exact need.

I have a feeling that H9 has more original content, however it's much more useful on guitar/synth in my opinion.

Line 6 has nice routing possibilities for two additional devices. for instance you can do something like brining in another pedal into the mix with the move of expression pedal.

I'm actually planning to get rid of both of them long-term.

Main concerns are: H9 not possible to use without app, not practical.
Line 6 has amazing synths, like attack synth, that can't be matched by anything else I've tried. All other effects are good too, but if you already have a big board you will not be impressed.

I would say go for H9 if you want something special to use sometimes.
Line 6 for more practical matters e.g. routing and or if you like line 6 synths.

 

[JES]

"Main concerns are: H9 not possible to use without app, not practical."

I used to think this as well. I haven't tried switching algorithms or rearranging patches on the pedal, but after owning it for something like 4 years, I took a couple hours to figure it out and editing presets is a lot easier and more useful than I thought and WAY better than the app when you just want to adjust a parameter in practice (like wet/dry).

Sounds are, of course, totally subjective, but I agree that outside the drives, the H9 has some more interesting and beautiful effects. Whether your music will call for them is another question.

 

[Geddy Claypool]

I just added an H9 Max yesterday after wanting one for months. I think the Helix stuff is absolutely awesome as well.

I think it comes down to the fact that they really aren't comparable, not because of quality but just because they serve different purposes.

Ideal H9 User:
-Only needs one H9 effect at a time (though there are many algorithms with combinations)
-Wants a smaller footprint
-Appreciates excellent sound quality (subjective)
-Appreciates ease/convenience of editing with mobile app

Ideal HX Stomp User:
-Wants more of an all-in-one solution for replacing an entire rig
-Is okay with a slightly larger footprint
-Needs amp/cab sims

I know this isn't true in every scenario, but for me the H9 is if you want to add a swiss army knife centerpiece to your pedalboard. It has everything available, and most of it sounds incredible. I would use an HX Stomp if I were looking for a rig-in-a-box and not running with an amp. It has the kind of power and sound to be able to do everything bass->front of house.

Both are cool, and I might end up with a stomp at some point as well. But I was looking for something super versatile and smallish-footprint to round out my small board (running with Darkglass AOU, SA Spectrum, and Turbo Tuner) and the H9 so far has been perfect.

 

[Ryan L.]

I feel quite the opposite about the app with the H9...I think it’s one of the most practical things about it. I HATE kneeling over a pedalboard and scrolling through confusing menus on a little screen. That’s mainly what steers me away from units like the HX Effects, etc.

My 3rd H9 should be delivered on Monday or Tuesday of next week, so my board will have a Max and 2 Cores (Maxes by default once registered) on it. #3 is going to be used mainly for EQ/Compressor settings, leaving my current 2 for effects.

I also like the drives it’s capable of, with some tweaking. I’ve got a great mild, touch sensitive OD preset, a heavier distortion preset with different amounts of drive on the lows and highs, and a fuzz preset that easily rivals my old 3Leaf Doom pedal.

 

[smo]

Thanks for all the replies
FWIW, I'm going to buy one of these to use with a Midi Controller. The idea is to shrink my board down to a few indispensable drives (to cover both guitar and bass), midi-controllable Pog2 and most likely a Future Impact Synth, and use either a Stomp or H9 to cover as much as possible.
I will be using am expression pedal too.

For me, I'm looking to use it on a guitar/bass/keys all-in-one pedalboard controlled by midi.
My son may occasionally use it for flute as well. We use an Aungles Flute mic (in built pre-amp) straight into regular guitar pedals (think Strymon, Boss etc.) into an amp of his choice. We both like Ampeg for flute, nice and clean.

I have both pedals on my board....
I have a feeling that H9 has more original content, however it's much more useful on guitar/synth in my opinion.

I also play guitar. *Useful* can be subjective....
Are you saying the Stomp is more vanilla, but the H9 has some really cool effects you like?

I'm actually planning to get rid of both of them long-term.

Ok. Now I'm interested - why?

Main concerns are: H9 not possible to use without app, not practical.
Line 6 ..... if you already have a big board you will not be impressed.

So I'm one of these people who runs two boards. One for gigging (just the basics of what I need, about 4 pedals) and a larger indulgent one for fun.
The intention is that whichever of these pedals I end up buying, it could serve either board.
You say, "not impressed". Is this because the effects are vanilla? Or they're not boutique level quality? Or something else?

Sounds are, of course, totally subjective, but I agree that outside the drives, the H9 has some more interesting and beautiful effects. Whether your music will call for them is another question.

Are we mainly talking verbs, delays etc.? Like movie-score kinda stuff?

I think it comes down to the fact that they really aren't comparable, not because of quality but just because they serve different purposes.
......
I know this isn't true in every scenario, but for me the H9 is if you want to add a swiss army knife centerpiece to your pedalboard. ... I would use an HX Stomp if I were looking for a rig-in-a-box and not running with an amp. It has the kind of power and sound to be able to do everything bass->front of house..

Given that I'm looking to cover so many instruments with a Midi controllable board, versatility, flexibility and the option available to create sounds are paramount. I've looked at many online demo's of each, and whilst the verbs and delays of the H9 sound incredibly cool, my son has suggested the H9 would be his pick for this reason, one effect at a time does look limiting, especially for this non-flautist. I'm leaning towards the Stomp....

I feel quite the opposite about the app with the H9...I think it’s one of the most practical things about it. I HATE kneeling over a pedalboard and scrolling through confusing menus on a little screen.

Ok, this is good to know.
I detest having to do this when playing live. For this reason, my drives/fuzz will always be analog so I can adjust the amount of bass or mids quickly.
But I find once I setup my modulation & verbs (and to some extent delay effects), I rarely need to change them. This is mainly what I want, these effects that I rarely change or don't need frequently.

One last question;
Can the Hx-Stomp octave effects cover the POG2?

 

[CallMeBlind]

I also play guitar. *Useful* can be subjective....
Are you saying the Stomp is more vanilla, but the H9 has some really cool effects you like?

Ok. Now I'm interested - why?

So I'm one of these people who runs two boards. One for gigging (just the basics of what I need, about 4 pedals) and a larger indulgent one for fun.
The intention is that whichever of these pedals I end up buying, it could serve either board.
You say, "not impressed". Is this because the effects are vanilla? Or they're not boutique level quality? Or something else?

I would say H9 has more effects that you can't do easily with other devices. And you have a good set of factory presets. I was mainly using it to do something unusual, for instance imitate guitar sound. I find that for traditional bass playing it's less useful, as many preset would cut low frequencies or make my sound less readable in the mix.

Stomp has mostly traditional effects you find on other devices, with few exceptions. It sounds very digital to my ear, but it's a matter of taste, for me it works well on some tracks, as I play electronic music. For tone purists it might not be ideal.

Eventually after having number of multi-effects and having explored them, I'm now less inspired by those devices and I know which individual effects I prefer. Hence I was thinking to replace those two for the sake of space.
But so far haven't done it yet.

I also I prefer delay and reverb on my zoia, so it's now harder to justify keeping those 3 devices on the same board. Probably H9 will go first, as I need space for geiger counter pro or future impact that I keep on the second board for now.