HX Stomp or GT 1000 Core, and why??

[BassikLee]

I'm currently playing a Pod Go, which does most of what I want. I just got a C4, and I want a smaller footprint than the PG plus C4, plus midi controller for the C4.

I've played with an HX Stomp, and I'm familiar with the Line6 UI. I'm certain the HX would suit me fine.

I know the Core would likely also be fine. It would require learning BOSS's way of doing things.

Having been in a similar situation, which did you choose, and why?

Side note, already tried the AMPERO-II Stomp, and it's not up to snuff. Pitch effects are unusable, modulation doesn't move me, etc.

TIA,

Lee

 

[furym]

Stomp would have the same familiar effects as the Pod. I say go that way if you already like the Line 6 stuff. (it's the one I chose btw).

 

[furym]

Read carefully the Boss manual before you decide to go that way. From the way I understood it, you get more blocks but they are fixed in what you can choose to put in them. The Stomp's blocks are wide open but limited in DSP. Depends on what you need on your board.

 

[BassikLee]

Yeah, I've seen that. Several fixed blocks. Something like three or four that have to be delays, four that are EQ, two gates. That still leaves some fourteen open blocks though.

I'm not super needy with effects. That, and the more I dig into the C4, the more I'm thinking it will do most of them. Octave, dirt, auto filter? Yep, plus the synth stuff.

 

[BEADist]

About the Core:

I use a Boss Core and like it, but I am always 'warning' when Core vs. Stomp (or anythng else) pops up : with the Core you can NOT use the 3 footswitches to choose between 3 presets (something that is not immediately clear when you read the f* manual).

And there are only 3 'open' blocks. You can only use one reverb at a time.

You can have 4 fx paths in parallel but if you are not going to use many effects I don't think that is an advantage.

 

[Derek Williams]

I prefer the interface (physical and UI), larger screen, and routing options on the Boss, but prefer the effects on the Helix. It’s a frustrating decision to make, but ended up with a Helix and sold the Boss. I only use it as a substitute for my Quad Cortex when I don’t want to go through the hassle of unplugging it.

 

[BassikLee]

It's good to have options.

 

[JForest]

About the Core:

I use a Boss Core and like it, but I am always 'warning' when Core vs. Stomp (or anythng else) pops up : with the Core you can NOT use the 3 footswitches to choose between 3 presets (something that is not immediately clear when you read the f* manual).

And there are only 3 'open' blocks. You can only use one reverb at a time.

No you can assign anything you want anyway you like.
For the reverb yes you are right one block.
But you can assign and program a change of reverb on any footswitch.

 

[JForest]

I've played with an HX Stomp, and I'm familiar with the Line6 UI. I'm certain the HX would suit me fine.

I know the Core would likely also be fine. It would require learning BOSS's way of doing things.

Having been in a similar situation, which did you choose, and why?

Go with Line 6
If you know how operate a Line 6 unit you will be at home.
The Boss is very "Boss" so if you haven't operate a Boss unit in the past don't go there.
I own and have owned several Boss products and prefere them.

 

[BEADist]

No you can assign anything you want anyway you like.
For the reverb yes you are right one block.
But you can assign and program a change of reverb on any footswitch.

Maybe you misunderstood my post, but please explain to me how I can set up the Core so I can select preset 1 with FS-1, select preset 2 with FS-2 and select preset 3 with FS-3. I do not think you can but I would sooo much like you being right and me being wrong . The fact I cannot use the Core this way is my biggest gripe with it!

 

[JForest]

Maybe you misunderstood my post, but please explain to me how I can set up the Core so I can select preset 1 with FS-1, select preset 2 with FS-2 and select preset 3 with FS-3. I do not think you can but I would sooo much like you being right and me being wrong . The fact I cannot use the Core this way is my biggest gripe with it!

Ok, I've re read your post and you are right.
I confused with my GT1000.
On the GT1000 you can because of the "Banks".
You go in one bank and then Can select num1, num2 etc...
On the CORE you don't have this option...
You must go UP or down with the patches...

Except if you go with midi...

 

[BEADist]

Ok, I've re read your post and you are right.
I confused with my GT1000.
On the GT1000 you can because of the "Banks".
You go in one bank and then Can select num1, num2 etc...
On the CORE you don't have this option...
You must go UP or down with the patches...

Except if you go with midi...

Ah, bummer, I was sooo hoping you were right haha!

To OP: a small detail but maybe huge if it fits your workflow/application:
With the Core you can set a fx-block to 'stompbox-mode'. If you make parameter changes to this 'stompbox-mode' block they will be made globally, so all the presets containing this block will be updated to these new settings. Normally a multi-fx has just a global EQ but with this feature you can also have a (for example) global compressor!

Edit: the on/off status for the 'stompbox-mode' block is still per preset.

 

[JForest]

Ah, bummer, I was sooo hoping you were right haha!

To OP: a small detail but maybe huge if it fits your workflow/application:
With the Core you can set a fx-block to 'stompbox-mode'. If you make parameter changes to this 'stompbox-mode' block they will be made globally, so all the presets containing this block will be updated to these new settings. Normally a multi-fx has just a global EQ but with this feature you can also have a (for example) global compressor!

Workaround : You could alter a patch with the CTL and lots of assigns

 

[jdthaddeus]

I kept buying Boss multi-effects and being disappointed sightly by the tones but mostly by the interface. The Stomp sounds amazing and the interface is intuitive.

 

[JForest]

I kept buying Boss multi-effects and being disappointed sightly by the tones but mostly by the interface. The Stomp sounds amazing and the interface is intuitive.

Honestly, I feel the exact opposite.
But hey, if there are multiple products it's for multiple people.

 

[BEADist]

@BassikLee, realize (coming from PodGo) that although you can add extra switches to as well the Stomp as the Core those switches have no 'status' LED, thus limiting there useability a lot.

For example if you like to use manual/pedalboard mode you CAN switch effects on/off but you can not SEE their on/off status in a preset and so forth.

 

[SumOne]

I think Boss wins on most counts:

• Sounds better (I can't test alongside a Stomp so perhaps that's my memory playing tricks on me but I've owned the Pod Go, Stomp, Stomp XL so have a good understanding of them and I don't remember any of them sounding as good, they always felt like a good idea on paper but never quite do it for me in reality).
• Smaller, and with mostly top mounted jacks, seeems a bit tougher, lower power current needed (670mA), altogether more pedalboard friendly.
• 2 FX loops (better than the Stomp 1). 2 loops means you can do stuff like change the order of the loops in different presets, or leave pedals on and just activate them with their loop setting in a preset. Even if not using for actual individual pedal fx loops it is useful: can use as extra outputs (can just use it as a 'send' and assign where in the chain), or extra input (can just use it as Aux in).
• A lot more powerful processing than the Stomp. 26 effects blocks and 3 paths (each with divider and mixer settings) vs 8 blocks (sometimes less) and 2 paths for the Stomp.
  • It might seem overkill to have 26 blocks and 3 paths but it means you don't have to be stingy with things: e.g. A phaser can easily have its own split dynamic signal path and EQ and and delay and still leave you with plenty of space to do similar for other effects and amp sims etc. And there's additional main and 2nd output blocks each with EQ settings and individual speaker sims and IR.
  • There are limitations though, those 26 blocks are partly fixed: e.g. 4 of them can only be set as a basic delay (and 1 as a more complex 'master delay') i.e. you cannot assign any other type of effect to those 4, likewise 4 can only be EQ, 2 only distortion, 1 only chorus etc. But you can do things like add more chorus or distortion effects by using one of the additional 3x FX blocks. It is more than enough for most things but is worth being aware incase for some reason you wanted a signal chain with 26 distortions in a row! It isnt a 26 block free for all. Invalid Link Removed

The main downsides vs the Stomp are the interface:

• The screen interface isn't as user-friendly on the Core, at least not to start with. The Stomp is more intuative in almost every way and is like looking at nice Apple Mac icons, whereas the Core is reminds me of 1990's MS DOS prompt and menus. Viewing the effects chain on the Core means looking at some quite small black/white icons and text.
• The Stomp has a better thought out way of using the hardware, particularaly the footswitches: They are similar in how you can use footswitches to scroll through presets or have a mode to turn on/off effects but the Stomp also has 'soft touch' footswitch extra control, and also has 'snapshots' (but can do similar with a copied and slightly edited preset in the Core which has approx double the available presets, or by assigning a footswitch to make multiple on/off and parameter changes equivilant to a different snapshot). Also, the Stomp has useful dimmed footswich lights when effects are disengaged to show you what type of effect you will be activating - the Core does not.
• It is a shame that the Core has the 5x knobs (vs 3x Stomp) but they can only be assigned at a global level e.g. assign a knob for BPM control means every other preset must then also use that knob as its BPM control. It'd be good to have the option of having presets where they control different things. Also, their 'press' function doesn't do anything in manual mode which seems like a missed opportunity to shortcut to the other controls for the effect.
• Balanced outputs with the Stomp vs unbalanced for the Core. That's not actually an issue for me though as my amp has a pre EQ XLR. If it is an issue for anyone doing long cable runs to a mixer and they pick up interferance then passive DI boxes can got cheaply.

Generally the Core isn't as intuative, but when you get to know it and dig deeper there are more possibilities. Overall, I think he Stomp has a better interface but the Core is better for just about everything else.

(Sorry for the cut n paste deja vu for anyone also on Basschat!)

 

[Derek Williams]

I think Boss wins on most counts:

• Sounds better (I can't test alongside a Stomp so perhaps that's my memory playing tricks on me but I've owned the Pod Go, Stomp, Stomp XL so have a good understanding of them and I don't remember any of them sounding as good, they always felt like a good idea on paper but never quite do it for me in reality).
• Smaller, and with mostly top mounted jacks, seeems a bit tougher, lower power current needed (670mA), so altogether more pedalboard friendly.
• 2 FX loops (better than the Stomp 1). 2 loops means you can do stuff like change the order of the loops in different presets, or leave pedals on and just activate them with their loop setting in a preset. Even if not using for actual individual pedal fx loops it is useful: can use as extra outputs (can just use it as a 'send' and assign where in the chain), or extra input (can just use it as Aux in).
• A lot more powerful processing than the Stomp. 26 effects blocks and 3 paths (each with divider and mixer settings) vs 8 blocks (sometimes less) and 2 paths for the Stomp.
  • It might seem overkill to have 26 blocks and 3 paths but it means you don't have to be stingy with things: e.g. A phaser can easily have its own split dynamic signal path and EQ and and delay and still leave you with plenty of space to do similar for other effects and amp sims etc. And there's additional main and 2nd output blocks each with EQ settings and individual speaker sims and IR.
  • There are limitations though, those 26 blocks are partly fixed: e.g. 4 of them can only be set as a basic delay (and 1 as a more complex 'master delay') i.e. you cannot assign any other type of effect to those 4, likewise 4 can only be EQ, 2 only distortion, 1 only chorus etc. But you can do things like add more chorus or distortion effects by using one of the additional 3x FX blocks. It is more than enough for most things but is worth being aware incase for some reason you wanted a signal chain with 26 distortions in a row! It isnt a 26 block free for all. Invalid Link Removed

The main downsides vs the Stomp are the interface:

• The screen interface isn't as user-friendly on the Core, at least not to start with. The Stomp is more intuative in almost every way and is like looking at nice Apple Mac icons, whereas the Core is reminds me of 1990's MS DOS prompt and menus.
• The Stomp has a better thought out way of using the hardware, particularaly the footswitches: They are similar in how you can use footswitches to scroll through presets or have a mode to turn on/off effects but the Stomp also has 'soft touch' footswitch extra control, and also has 'snapshots' (but can do similar with a copied and slightly edited preset in the Core which has approx double the available presets, or by assigning a footswitch to make multiple on/off and parameter changes equivilant to a different snapshot). Also, the Stomp has useful dimmed footswich lights when effects are disengaged to show you what type of effect you will be activating - the Core does not.
• It is a shame that the Core has the 5x knobs (vs 3x Stomp) but they can only be assigned at a global level e.g. assign a knob for BPM control means every other preset must then also use that knob as its BPM control. It'd be good to have the option of having presets where they control different things. Also, their 'press' function doesn't do anything in manual mode which seems like a missed opportunity to shortcut to the other controls for the effect.
• Balanced outputs with the Stomp vs unbalanced for the Core. That's not actually an issue for me though as my amp has a pre EQ XLR. If it is an issue for anyone doing long cable runs to a mixer and they pick up interferance then passive DI boxes can got cheaply.

Generally the Core isn't as intuative, but when you get to know it and dig deeper there are more possibilities. Overall, I think he Stomp has a better interface but the Core is better for just about everything else.

(Sorry for the cut n paste deja vu for anyone also on Basschat!)

Small correction: the Stomp also has 2 FX loops

 

[SumOne]

Small correction: the Stomp also has 2 FX loops

Ah yeah, you're right - using the send in stereo with a TRS and I presume splitting into 2x mono cables. I never got around into looking into that too much though as it uses valuable blocks, are they independant at separate parts in the signal chain like the Core though? This thread seems to suggest not.

 

[Derek Williams]

Ah yeah, you're right - using the send in stereo with a TRS and I presume splitting into 2x mono cables. I never got around into looking into that too much though as it uses valuable blocks, are they independant at separate parts in the signal chain like the Core though? This thread seems to suggest not.

Yes, they can be used as 2 separate mono loops, or a single stereo loop. They still use up the limited number of blocks available though, which is another downside.