Line 6 HX Effects

[gregmon79]

I was literally just going to ask about pitch shifting. I know you're a B Wham guy, too. I've missed mine since I sold it and have been hemming and hawing over getting another. I tended to use it more for pitch shifting up and harmonies. If it can't handle three note or barre chords in the upper register then that's disappointing, but also not something I do a ton of anyway.

I'd be very interested in seeing someone show what the HXFX can do as far as pitch shifting +1 octave when playing melodic lines above the 12th fret.

Good to know on the B:assmaster'esque setting. I think if I get an HXFX (maybe in January when money is less tight), I'd plan on keeping my BEAD Fuzz, Joshwah, and Broughctave run in the loops. Maybe by then they'll have also improved the pitch shifting with bass, too.

My current plan of action is to pick up a Darkglass box for the gigs I have coming up this winter, then I'll flip the DG unit for an HX once the gigs are done and I have more time to play around with and program the HXFX.

Yeah man the pitch shifting is great ok single notes. They sound great. But it really struggles with chords unfortunately. But I do have faith Line 6 will remedy that eventually. I just want a good POG in there. I’ll be keeping my whammy onboard no matter what. It’s the king in bass pitch shifting imo. Plus I’m like you, I don’t use it much. But when I do, I want to make sure it tracks well.

If you ever get an HX in your hands, I bet it’ll surprise you dirt wise. It did me. I was told by guys I trust that the dirt was up to snuff. I was still skeptical. Then I got one. It pleased me quite a bit. Still does. I’m very picky about OD, I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of my MBD1. But I gotta tell ya, the Timmy model on the HX can get very close to it in sound and feel.

 

[dannybuoy]

2) How are the ODs and fuzzes on the 60B vs the HX?

Helix OD’s are much better, but the Zoom’s Bass Big Muff is better than the Helix Muff options. At least with my bass!

 

[gregmon79]

Helix OD’s are much better, but the Zoom’s Bass Big Muff is better than the Helix Muff options. At least with my bass!

For me, I wouldn’t say better. I’ll admit I was kinda surprised at how good the muff was on the 60b. But I think the HX sounds better (so I guess I would say better, sue me ). I can get it very close to my ehx green Russian reissue.

 

[JustSomeDude]

For me, I wouldn’t say better. I’ll admit I was kinda surprised at how good the muff was on the 60b. But I think the HX sounds better (so I guess I would say better, sue me ). I can get it very close to my ehx green Russian reissue.

I've been preferring the legacy Facial Fuzz on bass as it has Low/Mid/high.
The Legacy muff too

 

[dannybuoy]

I found the legacy versions of the classic fuzzes more usable too. I could not get a usable tone out of the main Helix muff fuzz whatsoever on bass. Sounded over loaded and thin/spitty, as if the input signal was too high. Perhaps lowering the volume before it may have improved matters. Whereas the Zoom one is quite harmonically rich and reacts well to my playing.

The legacy Fuzz Face at low gain was very good on bass, the new ‘improved’ one might sound awesome on guitar but was unusable on bass for me.

 

[gregmon79]

I've been preferring the legacy Facial Fuzz on bass as it has Low/Mid/high.
The Legacy muff too

Yes. Love the facial fuzz. Great bass fuzz.

 

[JustSomeDude]

I found the legacy versions of the classic fuzzes more usable too. I could not get a usable tone out of the main Helix muff fuzz whatsoever on bass. Sounded over loaded and thin/spitty, as if the input signal was too high. Perhaps lowering the volume before it may have improved matters. Whereas the Zoom one is quite harmonically rich and reacts well to my playing.

The legacy Fuzz Face at low gain was very good on bass, the new ‘improved’ one might sound awesome on guitar but was unusable on bass for me.

The new versions are more authentic.
That TriFuzz is excellent on guitar.

I prefer getting these fuzz tones and not using a Blend if I don't have to.

 

[parapentep70]

I found the legacy versions of the classic fuzzes more usable too. I could not get a usable tone out of the main Helix muff fuzz whatsoever on bass. Sounded over loaded and thin/spitty, as if the input signal was too high. Perhaps lowering the volume before it may have improved matters. Whereas the Zoom one is quite harmonically rich and reacts well to my playing.

The legacy Fuzz Face at low gain was very good on bass, the new ‘improved’ one might sound awesome on guitar but was unusable on bass for me.

I had the same experience. I tried to see if I was doing something wrong, minimum gain is too much gain to use some of the non-legacy fuzzes with bass.

In my limited experience with fuzz models, Facial Fuzz (legacy) is the easiest to use with bass. One of the few that keeps the fundamental and does not filter low frequencies too much.

Also in my notes "Arbitrator fuzz might be usable but has extreme gain, with some -20dB pad at the input is usable".

The other thing I like is the fuzz section in the Clawthorn Drive... but only when combined with something else for bass (like the OD section in the same model).

I discarded the other models as "not good for bass", but I admit I run just a few quick tests on Native, did not try in depth and using dual path configurations.

 

[Dade8283]

@Dade8283
These settings should be a fair starting point for you. I like a similar sounding filter, and my go-to settings aren't actually too far from the sounds in that TWA video. I did make a couple of adjustments, and this is where I ended up. Please keep in mind though, it all depends highly on what other gear you have, particularly the amp/cab(s) you're playing through. I have a Shuttle 6 & Bergantino setup that speak much better in the midrange than my Ampeg PF500 with 2 PF115s, so that affects my settings!

When I was experimenting along with the video, I was playing my MIA Fender Jazz V with Quarter Pounder pickups and an Audere preamp. Pretty hot output, those QPs have quite a punch.

Mode: LoPass
FltGain: +3.0
Filter Q: 3.6
Sens: 4.0
Attack: 35ms
Decay: 320ms
Frequency:120Hz
FrDpth: 2.7kHz
Directn: up
Mix: 100%
Level: 0.0dB

Stay tuned momentarily, I've put together a quick Crash Course for the Auto Filter.

5sg.

I played around with those settings for a couple of hours and got a pretty good result on the two high strings. On the low strings, especially the low E (tuned drop D) it just sounded wierd. I had to lower the sensitivity knob to around 1.7 - 2.5 to get it to work okey-ish but then I had to really pound on the higher strings instead to get the filter to open. I gues it’s a combination of my heavy picking and my insanely high output active G&L L2000 that’s the problem.

Also, I have to set the filter level to +6db or else its really quiet compared to when turning it off (mix set to 90%). I find this quite strange?

Maybe I need to lower the gain or compress my signal a bit before hitting the Auto Filter? I do use the deluxe comp model first in signal set to:
Threshold: -21.00 db
Ratio: 2:1
Attack: 2.0 ms
Decay: 50 ms
Mix: 75%
Knee: +6db
Level: 0 db

I know it’s barely compressing my bass at all but I like what it’s adding to my tone (running full Helix with GK amp sim and Mesa Powehouse IR btw).

 

[JustSomeDude]

I had the same experience. I tried to see if I was doing something wrong, minimum gain is too much gain to use some of the non-legacy fuzzes with bass.

In my limited experience with fuzz models, Facial Fuzz (legacy) is the easiest to use with bass. One of the few that keeps the fundamental and does not filter low frequencies too much.

Also in my notes "Arbitrator fuzz might be usable but has extreme gain, with some -20dB pad at the input is usable".

The other thing I like is the fuzz section in the Clawthorn Drive... but only when combined with something else for bass (like the OD section in the same model).

I discarded the other models as "not good for bass", but I admit I run just a few quick tests on Native, did not try in depth and using dual path configurations.

Clawthorn uses a lot of DSP. More of an issue on the Stomp if you are using Amps/Cabs.
But right now I am experimenting with Clawthorn, Legacy Muff Pi (try turning down it's Mids) and Legacy Facial Fuzz.

 

[aledeville]

I was having issues today. At first it worked great with a current doubler cable and the Strymon Ojai, but then it started doing things. I when choosing a preset, the visible state of the pedal with the led on and off did not match what I was hearing. It worked after switching them off and on again (and vice versa). Then I couldn't change certain effects.
Ok I thought, just switch the whole unit off and on and see. Then it was only able to flicker three times and nothing else. Just the flickering. With the original adapter it worked again (although I haven't done any testing then, I was just happy that it powered up).

So much about my experience using the Ojai to power the HX Effects.

 

[JustSomeDude]

I was having issues today. At first it worked great with a current doubler cable and the Strymon Ojai, but then it started doing things. I when choosing a preset, the visible state of the pedal with the led on and off did not match what I was hearing. It worked after switching them off and on again (and vice versa). Then I couldn't change certain effects.
Ok I thought, just switch the whole unit off and on and see. Then it was only able to flicker three times and nothing else. Just the flickering. With the original adapter it worked again (although I haven't done any testing then, I was just happy that it powered up).

So much about my experience using the Ojai to power the HX Effects.

I got some cables but had weirdness from my CS-12. I don’t think it’s worth it.

 

[gregmon79]

I was having issues today. At first it worked great with a current doubler cable and the Strymon Ojai, but then it started doing things. I when choosing a preset, the visible state of the pedal with the led on and off did not match what I was hearing. It worked after switching them off and on again (and vice versa). Then I couldn't change certain effects.
Ok I thought, just switch the whole unit off and on and see. Then it was only able to flicker three times and nothing else. Just the flickering. With the original adapter it worked again (although I haven't done any testing then, I was just happy that it powered up).

So much about my experience using the Ojai to power the HX Effects.

Mine acted weird like that with the Truetone CS7 too. I too went back to the supplied psu. I do however run my HX with a 1spot without a problem when it’s on its own and off my board.

 

[gregmon79]

Idk what you guys are talking about with only a few models being good with bass. Just goes to show you how different we all are. I think almost all of them could be used. But some do need some help with the low end. I just run it parallel and mix it with whatever sounds best of the 3 splitter options.

 

[cdwthunderfoot]

most of the dirt models I've tried have worked really well. I just like having the option to just reach down and change something on the fly with the "real thing" too much to kick off my dirt boxes.

 

[been_effected]

I was having issues today. At first it worked great with a current doubler cable and the Strymon Ojai, but then it started doing things. I when choosing a preset, the visible state of the pedal with the led on and off did not match what I was hearing. It worked after switching them off and on again (and vice versa). Then I couldn't change certain effects.
Ok I thought, just switch the whole unit off and on and see. Then it was only able to flicker three times and nothing else. Just the flickering. With the original adapter it worked again (although I haven't done any testing then, I was just happy that it powered up).

So much about my experience using the Ojai to power the HX Effects.

Oh no...I was hoping I could use an Ojai to power my incoming Stomp as it was on Line 6's recommended and tested third party list! Crap...

 

[gregmon79]

most of the dirt models I've tried have worked really well. I just like having the option to just reach down and change something on the fly with the "real thing" too much to kick off my dirt boxes.

I do have to agree with you there. That’s why I too left a few dirt boxes on my board.

 

[gregmon79]

I was having issues today. At first it worked great with a current doubler cable and the Strymon Ojai, but then it started doing things. I when choosing a preset, the visible state of the pedal with the led on and off did not match what I was hearing. It worked after switching them off and on again (and vice versa). Then I couldn't change certain effects.
Ok I thought, just switch the whole unit off and on and see. Then it was only able to flicker three times and nothing else. Just the flickering. With the original adapter it worked again (although I haven't done any testing then, I was just happy that it powered up).

So much about my experience using the Ojai to power the HX Effects.

Oh no...I was hoping I could use an Ojai to power my incoming Stomp as it was on Line 6's recommended and tested third party list! Crap...

I have a feeling these are fine to power the HX with as long as you aren’t powering many other things off the supply. Which sorta defeats the purpose of having a power supply like that imo. Unless you really only need to power a couple other low ma drawings pedals with it.

 

[JustSomeDude]

Oh no...I was hoping I could use an Ojai to power my incoming Stomp as it was on Line 6's recommended and tested third party list! Crap...

They say you can.
You can't exceed the total draw limit for the whole supply.
And I don't have a clear understanding of what adapters you need.
I have the adapter for the barrel and I have a voltage doubler.
I'll give it a try if I get a minute.
I have an Ojai

EDIT
Powering off of Ojai right now.
But not running other pedals from it.
Power doubler and a plug adapter

 

[been_effected]

They say you can.
You can't exceed the total draw limit for the whole supply.
And I don't have a clear understanding of what adapters you need.
I have the adapter for the barrel and I have a voltage doubler.
I'll give it a try if I get a minute.
I have an Ojai

EDIT
Powering off of Ojai right now.
But not running other pedals from it.
Power doubler and a plug adapter

Yep, the total power output of the Ojai adapter is 2400mAh from memory, which puts it theoretically towards the ceiling of what the Stomp needs. It'd be borderline....

I'd need to power the Stomp, a Cali76 Compact Bass (18V voltage doubler cable and about 100mAh), a Darkglass AOU (110mAh) and VMT (bugger all, like 50mAh). I think my Polytune might get turfed if the Stomp tuner is good. I feel like I'll be cutting it fine...