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Good pre/di to go with HX Stomp

richntiff

richntiff

Sep 13, 2012
4,343
8,459
Northern Wisconsin
#1
I’m pretty new to the HX Stomp world, but having fun and finding some great tones. Only one gig so far, but it went well. I ran a 1/4 -XLR out of the stomp direct to FOH. However, I’d really like to add a dedicated di box so I have ground lift, and it would be really nice to have some ‘last ditch’ EQ and level control available and fast/simple. I don’t have much real estate left on my board, so I’m looking at the MXR M-81. Does anyone have experience with that combo? Any other suggestions? Yes, a Capo would be great, but I’m primarily a live player, rock and country, and the Capo seems like maybe it’s expensive overkill in that role.
 
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#3
I have an HX Stomp. Instead of a DI, I use a Pinstripe DISO line isolator. It is made for pedals like the stomp and gives a much cleaner signal. The mono version is called the MISO.

Pinstripe Pedals - DISO

IMG_1497.jpeg
 
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#4
richntiff said:
I’d really like to add a dedicated di box so I have ground lift
Click to expand...
You can solder or buy an XLR ground-lifted cable adapter. So when you need to lift the ground, you simply add the adapter.

xlr ground lift adapter cable at DuckDuckGo

DuckDuckGo. Privacy, Simplified.
duckduckgo.com duckduckgo.com

However…
richntiff said:
it would be really nice to have some ‘last ditch’ EQ and level control available and fast/simple.
Click to expand...
… this all is the reason I'm also taking a Tech 21 QStrip to gigs as a last resort, for just-in-case. Sometimes, a "case" happens.
The downer:
Tech 21 has discontinued the QStrip last year.
 
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#6
I would say Eden wtdi or mxr m80. The m80 is the m81 just without the overdrive so it’s smaller. I have the m81 and I like the option of the drive and mixing it in sometimes but it’s not a necessity. It’s a great little pedal though. I started playing with a Mesa subway preamp and I pair it with the mxr to give it some extra clarity to go with the smooth punchy mesa tone. The Eden is a great little pedal too but it has a slightly more hifi tone over the mxr which doesn’t have a lot of color either but there’s something special in that circuit. Lots of small eq pedals out there that also have a xlr.
 
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#7
Another vote for the Q strip after the Stomp- gives you on the fly EQ (2 semi para meds), ground lift, and serves as an excellent backup should things go sideways with the Stomp. I also swap out the Q with a Broughton Messenger Jr. It only has one para mid but adds adds variable HPF/LPF and takes up less space. Both preamps have great DIs and are squeaky clean as well.
 
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#8
GTHintz said:
I would say Eden wtdi or mxr m80. The m80 is the m81 just without the overdrive so it’s smaller. I have the m81 and I like the option of the drive and mixing it in sometimes but it’s not a necessity. It’s a great little pedal though. I started playing with a Mesa subway preamp and I pair it with the mxr to give it some extra clarity to go with the smooth punchy mesa tone. The Eden is a great little pedal too but it has a slightly more hifi tone over the mxr which doesn’t have a lot of color either but there’s something special in that circuit. Lots of small eq pedals out there that also have a xlr.
Click to expand...


The M81 is the smaller form-factor 3-band with swept mids and no distortion. The M80 is larger, has fixed mids, and a distortion engine. I've not used the M80, so I don't know if the EQ is the same. The M81 has high supply rails internally, so it has lots of headroom and doesn't distort; it should be able to handle the output from the HX Stomp easily.
 
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#12
lowfreqgeek said:
The MXR M81 is great! I would categorize it as clean and transparent - I have actually used it with DB because it's so clean. The DI is very good. It's utilitarian, but it does what it's supposed to do and the EQ works well.
Click to expand...
Thank you! This is kind of feedback I was hoping for. I’ve decided I really want the flexibility of easily accessible EQ because both of my bands run their own sound most of the time, and it’s a quick way to at least partially fix a big problem.
 
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#13
richntiff said:
Thank you! This is kind of feedback I was hoping for. I’ve decided I really want the flexibility of easily accessible EQ because both of my bands run their own sound most of the time, and it’s a quick way to at least partially fix a big problem.
Click to expand...
The HX Stomp has very flexible and power EQ options, but it's not easy to quickly dial it in on the spot. Sometimes a simple knob is better.
 
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#14
IMO look for a used deal on one of these common rock solid offerings:

Tech 21 sansamp/VTDI/Q strip/paradriver
Aguilar Tonehammer di
MXR DI (either)
Walrus Badwater DI

They all do a fine job as a DI when not engaged, and can give you either clean EQ or some grit/emulation if wanted (except for the M81).

I ended up getting the VTDI with my Stomp and used it as an amp sim, and used the stomp for FX. That freed up some blocks, and I still had the option of taking it by itself if I wanted to travel light or have a backup. With my Quad Cortex now, I found a great deal on a used ToneHammer that I keep in the car as a backup.
 
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#15
PotsdamBass8 said:
IMO look for a used deal on one of these common rock solid offerings:

Tech 21 sansamp/VTDI/Q strip/paradriver
Aguilar Tonehammer di
MXR DI (either)
Walrus Badwater DI

They all do a fine job as a DI when not engaged, and can give you either clean EQ or some grit/emulation if wanted (except for the M81).

I ended up getting the VTDI with my Stomp and used it as an amp sim, and used the stomp for FX. That freed up some blocks, and I still had the option of taking it by itself if I wanted to travel light or have a backup. With my Quad Cortex now, I found a great deal on a used ToneHammer that I keep in the car as a backup.
Click to expand...
I definitely say tone hammer is a great sounding pedal. How is the bad water compared to the others? I’ve always been curious but have too many pedals to justify getting it.
 
#16
I’m a big fan of the Sushi Box Finally after the HX Stomp as my DI, and sound guys dig it - Gives a little warm fairy dust and works simply and easily as you want. My normal electric rig is clean and simple - tuner/compressor (currently favoring the Cali76s)/pre-DI. When I use effects, the Stomp/Finally combo gets the nod. I went on a ridiculous DI bonanza over the last couple of years, and I got all of the majors that I have wanted to try (some for years) - the Finally, Capo, Noble, Grace BiX and Grace Felix (I play upright as well as electric). Each one is exactly what people love about them, and I have zero complaints about any of them, so I have had a hard time deciding what to sell. The Sushi Box Finally is awesome, small, easy and affordable. Each of the rest of the stable lacks at least one of those characteristics (the bigger ones are killer and worth the real estate to me when I want what they have, but I’m debating selling the Noble; because I don’t think anyone can tell the difference, and the price and size vs. the Finally …

And I have zero affiliation with any of those brands (unfortunately ;-)
 
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