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Line 6 HX Effects
- Thread starter ChubbyJerk
- Start date
Oh, and I really like the DSP bypass. It’s like a nice, super clear and clean buffer. Analogue is great too. But I think the DSP bypass is where it’s at for me.
Ya know at first, I didn’t think much of the synths on here. I thought they were weird. Not very traditional. And I still don’t feel like they are really. But I’m starting to dig into them and I am really liking them. A lot. They can get some really cool and unique sounds. Figured I’d report back anyway.
I've tried the Redwirez SVT impulses, but IMO the Ownhammer stuff is quite superior. Ownhammer has MOSTLY guitar cabinet impulses, and not so many bass cabinets. Another source that I've heard a lot about, but never tried myself, is from 3 Sigma. They have a series of bass cab IRs from Mesa: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
That's as good a place to start as any, I suppose.
Wow Jumbo!! For sure hide it on a power bar under your board but not a deal breaker for me.
Nice man I was curious about the synth effects too..Thanks for the report!
Wow, what in the world...crazy sized adapter.
I was basically going to use a GigRig Generator (Invalid Link Removed) and find an appropriate tip adapter. The trouble will be finding an adapter I think.
They've updated the FAQ thread re: power:
Can I power HX Effects from my DC pedalboard supply?
Line 6 only officially supports operation with the included DC-3G. However, we have tried HX Effects with a number of third-party pedalboard power supplies and it can work, with the caveats mentioned below:
IMPORTANT NOTE #1: HX Effects has a lot of stuff going on under the hood and its six scribble strips and initial boot process pull more than your average pedal. Hence, we used a DC IN jack with a larger center pin to sort of disincentivize people from throwing whatever at it. The stock DC cables that come with the power supplies listed below will NOT fit. Note that Eventide does the exact same thing with their H9.
IMPORTANT NOTE #2: YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. Feel free to use this FAQ as a starting point, but Line 6 is not responsible for any damage incurred when using HX Effects with any third-party power supplies. That is, if someone writes "B-b-but Line 6 said I could use [power supply X!]," someone will hopefully refer them to this post where I make it perfectly clear that we only *officially* support our DC-3G.
That said, here's the far-from-comprehensive list and their tested noise specs:
Strymon Zuma R300—Appears to work fine when doubling up TWO 9V outputs (-140dBr)
Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 4x4—Appears to work fine when doubling up TWO 9V outputs (-124dBr)
Godlyke Power-All PA-9D—Appears to work fine, but there is a bit of additional noise (-116dBr)
Truetone 1 SPOT (NW1CP2-US)—Appears to work fine, but there is additional noise (-103dBr)
Yeah but I can tell you right now, the 1spot plug does not fit into the hole of the HX power out. So idk what’s up with them saying it does. And yes, it’s a 9v pedal. But it’s 3 AMPS. That’s a lot. To give you an idea of how much more that is than usual, a regular 1spot is 0.35 amps. (At least I believe that .35A on the 1spot means amps. I’m gonna feel really stupid if it’s not!!!
)
Yeah but I can tell you right now, the 1spot plug does not fit into the hole of the HX power out. So idk what’s up with them saying it does. And yes, it’s a 9v pedal. But it’s 3 AMPS. That’s a lot. To give you an idea of how much more that is than usual, a regular 1spot is 0.35 amps. (At least I believe that .35A on the 1spot means amps. I’m gonna feel really stupid if it’s not!!!
Yeah, that's why I'm surprised the solutions they've put forward work - the total power output of 2 Strymon outputs is only 1A. That's why if I wanted a custom power supply, I'd go with the Generator in the link I posted above - 5A!
Yes. You can find the manual on the Line 6 site, it lays everything out quite nicely.
That is seriously disappointing. What on earth made them decide that was the right way to go? I'd rather a regular IEC cable than that monstrosity of a wall wart. I'm not saying it's a dealbreaker, but it makes me wonder... is all of that power supply external to the HX because they think it will fail? Is the pedal seriously so jam packed full that they couldn't move all that nonsense inside? If it's meant to work with ones pedalboard, why not make the power supply pedalboard compatible?
Somebody on the Line 6 forums suggested one of these. I ordered it. Should work fine. It'll give some slack so you have leeway on wart placement. I'm not happy that it's necessary, but whatever.
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Leader...29672&sr=8-29&keywords=power+splitter+2+prong
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Leader...29672&sr=8-29&keywords=power+splitter+2+prong
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Somehow I missed this and yes I want whammy no dry no sub and100% octave up wet but wanna control adding the 5th with expression pedal as it makes it really easy during songs switching from single notes to power chords. Thanks for the reply man really appreciate it.
Edit: aww yes the mono is like an oc2 and poly is whammy sub n up etc and understand the tracking issues using mono when trying to do chord phrases which I don't want for this application. Although would be nice using mono octave down for other different applications. Cheers
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I’ll say this, the HX feels jam packed. And it’s hefty. So I’m not sure if they could’ve fit it in there. It sure does feel pretty solid to me. But I totally get what you’re saying.
How do the volume blocks work? I mean is that block controlled by volume pedal connected to hx or button assigned turns volume on and of of maybe set values ? Wondering on a 2 seperate path setup how to control volume on each path independantly or is it a matter of just hitting a button to turn the whole path off . Thanks
So! I was able to spend about 5 hours last night tinkering with the HX, and my initial reaction is that I REALLY dig it. Here are some initial thoughts (aka brain dump):
EDIT: Brain dump thoughts continued, posted here.
EDIT: Part III brain dump posted here.
Reverb Dreams HX Effects patch (audio sample and .hlx file) posted here.
Menus/Navigation/Patch Programming
I've never used the Helix Floor like @ChubbyJerk so I don't have the reference, but like @gregmon79 said, the interface didn't really take me long to get used to. After only an hour or so, I was navigating around just fine and am already finding that programming is becoming "muscle memory.”
The touch sensitive switches are what actually took me the longest to get used to! Ha ha
I found programming patches to be super easy, once you get the hang of how it works. The combination of the touch sensitive switches and control knobs is pretty easy to work with. I've already found that I'm in the habit of automatically touching/holding a switch to expand the window(s) to see all the control parameters an effect has.
I haven't really programmed any parallel effects yet, but it seems super easy to do. Just highlight the effect you want do side chain, turn a knob and it creates a parallel path. Easy.
Build Quality
The HX feels like a high end piece of gear, that happens to be ready for some stage abuse. Like Gregmon said, it's quite a chunk. But it's not as big as I thought it would be. The scribble strips may be a possible weak link, but there's a Helix facebook group that has links to "screen protectors" if you're worried about it. I'm not too worried about them yet, as I'm pretty OCD about my gear and am fortunate to have pretty good stage setups with both of my main bands. I really dig the colored LEDs around the switches, which you can program, BTW... note the Bass Octaver and Sub Octave in my photo are both the Bass Octaver patch, but have different colors. Sub Octave is the Bass Octaver with octave down only. The power supply cable itself (not the wall wart) seems maybe a little weak, I wish it had a thicker cable like a 1-spot, but so far I don't see it being a big problem.
Effects models
The effects models seem quite good in general and I dig a lot more than I thought I would, but there are a few head scratchers in there. That was the same on the M5, though. (Octi Synth, I'm lookin' at you... ha ha).
Since I'm a total filter junkie, the filters were my first stop, and I was happy with what I found. The Proton is my current king out of 36 filters owned or tried, which the HX hasn't changed. BUT... I liked the Tron Up on the M5, and the Mutant Filter in the HX seems even better. That'll be my go-to filter if/when I use the HX as a standalone unit. I posted a sound clip of the Tron Up a couple pages ago, I'll see if I can find some time and get a Mutant Filter sample recorded this coming week.
Octavers were my next stop, and I was able to check the box here, too. The Bass Octaver will be a go to, but I haven't had a chance to compare it directly with my other octavers (MIT & MIJ OC2, Octamizer, Octabvre) to see how it compares. The Dual Pitch was pretty cool for the POG effect. It's a POG, but with more options. Instead of just oct up & oct down, you can select your intervals. (I.E. you can program 1 oct down and 1 oct up, or you could do a 5th up and 1 oct up. Etc etc). Sounded pretty digital, but then again... so does the POG.
I really liked the reverbs and delays in the HX, but I'll disclaim this by saying I'm fairly easily pleased in these categories. They're currently more novelty effects for me, in my current gigs. There are basic delays and reverbs in the HX of course, but some of the other models have some more character, which I really liked. I mentioned previously that Particle Verb is a guilty pleasure and that hasn't changed. Ha ha Off the top of my head, I also really liked Searchlights, Double Tank and Octo for reverbs that have more flavor. For delays: Reverse, Pitch Echo, Sweep Echo, Cosmos and Lo Res were some of my favs to mess around with. (Your results and real world applications may vary.)
I'm working on a patch I've dubbed called Reverb Dreams:
Obsidian (low-medium drive) > Particle Verb 100% wet > Glitz > Dimension > Reverse Delay. When I get it done, I'll share the patch. Lol
Like Gregmon, I also was fairly impressed with some of the dirt models. I think for now, the Obsidian model will be my first stop since that's what I'm most familiar with for single pedals, but I'll definitely be exploring this category further. The Sub Oct Fuzz is pretty badass and will definitely warrant further investigation a.s.a.p. Lol I also liked the OCD model quite a bit.
Sidenote: In the main patch I out together last night, I programmed a second Obsidian... turned the dirt off and put it at the end of the chain as a clean EQ/preamp. Pretty killer.
Synths: I'm going to explore further because there were a couple that caught my ear, but I don't think the HX will compare to my Future Impact. I've found that the FI pretty much stomps anthing else for synth.
The modulation category had some great models as well. I've always been a detune guy when it comes to Chorus, so the Dimension model is my favorite (the Dual Pitch model seems like it could also be used here, if one wanted to really drill down and control the pitches). That said, I also liked a couple of the other chorus models quite a bit: 70s Chorus, PlastiChorus and Tri Chorus. The Script Mod Phase was instant O'jays territory (I also dug the Deluxe Phaser a lot). Some of the other stuff in this category will take further exploration... I've never used Tremolo, Vibe, or Rotary stuff.
I haven't had a chance to hook up my Mini Volume X to see how it works with expression stuff.
Stuff I'm not so fond of
Don't get me wrong... the HX isn't all sunshine and daisies:
The lack of an XLR out really bums me out. I do a lot of work using in-ear monitors, so I often don't have an amp with me. When the HX will be integrated into my board, it won't be a problem, but if I want to use the HX as a standalone, I'll have to have an external DI solution. Not a deal breaker, but it sure would've been nice.
As others have mentioned, the power supply is quite... interesting. Again, not a deal breaker though, since it's at least oriented in a way that will work with a power strip under my board. Just... weird. Something to be aware of for those that don't have an HX yet. And like I said above, I wish the power cable itself was a little tougher.
The displays Line 6 used for the scribble strips seem a bit... “dated?” (I think that's the word I'm looking for). Cool to have them on the box of course, but could have been executed better IMO. Maybe add some color!
EDIT/UPDATE: It's a real bummer that they took the USB recording interface functionality out of the HX. The models in my Zoom B3 aren't nearly as good as the HX, but the Zoom still functions as a USB interface. Seems like a deliberate oversight on Line 6's part.
Overall
The HX seems like a keeper in my book. It's a great overall package that I'm definitely going to hang onto and see where I can go with it. The models are quite good, you can get quite in-depth with programming options, and it all seems quite well thought out. A couple minor quibbles, but none are deal breakers, if you know what you're getting into. I'm really happy with it so far, and am looking into digging into it further. As with any piece of gear, how well it works out in a mix (live or studio) is what counts, so I'm definitely looking forward to putting it through it's paces.
EDIT: Brain dump thoughts continued, posted here.
EDIT: Part III brain dump posted here.
Reverb Dreams HX Effects patch (audio sample and .hlx file) posted here.
Menus/Navigation/Patch Programming
I've never used the Helix Floor like @ChubbyJerk so I don't have the reference, but like @gregmon79 said, the interface didn't really take me long to get used to. After only an hour or so, I was navigating around just fine and am already finding that programming is becoming "muscle memory.”
The touch sensitive switches are what actually took me the longest to get used to! Ha haI found programming patches to be super easy, once you get the hang of how it works. The combination of the touch sensitive switches and control knobs is pretty easy to work with. I've already found that I'm in the habit of automatically touching/holding a switch to expand the window(s) to see all the control parameters an effect has.
I haven't really programmed any parallel effects yet, but it seems super easy to do. Just highlight the effect you want do side chain, turn a knob and it creates a parallel path. Easy.
Build Quality
The HX feels like a high end piece of gear, that happens to be ready for some stage abuse. Like Gregmon said, it's quite a chunk. But it's not as big as I thought it would be. The scribble strips may be a possible weak link, but there's a Helix facebook group that has links to "screen protectors" if you're worried about it. I'm not too worried about them yet, as I'm pretty OCD about my gear and am fortunate to have pretty good stage setups with both of my main bands. I really dig the colored LEDs around the switches, which you can program, BTW... note the Bass Octaver and Sub Octave in my photo are both the Bass Octaver patch, but have different colors. Sub Octave is the Bass Octaver with octave down only. The power supply cable itself (not the wall wart) seems maybe a little weak, I wish it had a thicker cable like a 1-spot, but so far I don't see it being a big problem.
Effects models
The effects models seem quite good in general and I dig a lot more than I thought I would, but there are a few head scratchers in there. That was the same on the M5, though. (Octi Synth, I'm lookin' at you... ha ha).
Since I'm a total filter junkie, the filters were my first stop, and I was happy with what I found. The Proton is my current king out of 36 filters owned or tried, which the HX hasn't changed. BUT... I liked the Tron Up on the M5, and the Mutant Filter in the HX seems even better. That'll be my go-to filter if/when I use the HX as a standalone unit. I posted a sound clip of the Tron Up a couple pages ago, I'll see if I can find some time and get a Mutant Filter sample recorded this coming week.
Octavers were my next stop, and I was able to check the box here, too. The Bass Octaver will be a go to, but I haven't had a chance to compare it directly with my other octavers (MIT & MIJ OC2, Octamizer, Octabvre) to see how it compares. The Dual Pitch was pretty cool for the POG effect. It's a POG, but with more options. Instead of just oct up & oct down, you can select your intervals. (I.E. you can program 1 oct down and 1 oct up, or you could do a 5th up and 1 oct up. Etc etc). Sounded pretty digital, but then again... so does the POG.
I really liked the reverbs and delays in the HX, but I'll disclaim this by saying I'm fairly easily pleased in these categories. They're currently more novelty effects for me, in my current gigs. There are basic delays and reverbs in the HX of course, but some of the other models have some more character, which I really liked. I mentioned previously that Particle Verb is a guilty pleasure and that hasn't changed. Ha ha Off the top of my head, I also really liked Searchlights, Double Tank and Octo for reverbs that have more flavor. For delays: Reverse, Pitch Echo, Sweep Echo, Cosmos and Lo Res were some of my favs to mess around with. (Your results and real world applications may vary.
)I'm working on a patch I've dubbed called Reverb Dreams:
Obsidian (low-medium drive) > Particle Verb 100% wet > Glitz > Dimension > Reverse Delay. When I get it done, I'll share the patch. Lol
Like Gregmon, I also was fairly impressed with some of the dirt models. I think for now, the Obsidian model will be my first stop since that's what I'm most familiar with for single pedals, but I'll definitely be exploring this category further. The Sub Oct Fuzz is pretty badass and will definitely warrant further investigation a.s.a.p. Lol I also liked the OCD model quite a bit.
Sidenote: In the main patch I out together last night, I programmed a second Obsidian... turned the dirt off and put it at the end of the chain as a clean EQ/preamp. Pretty killer.
Synths: I'm going to explore further because there were a couple that caught my ear, but I don't think the HX will compare to my Future Impact. I've found that the FI pretty much stomps anthing else for synth.
The modulation category had some great models as well. I've always been a detune guy when it comes to Chorus, so the Dimension model is my favorite (the Dual Pitch model seems like it could also be used here, if one wanted to really drill down and control the pitches). That said, I also liked a couple of the other chorus models quite a bit: 70s Chorus, PlastiChorus and Tri Chorus. The Script Mod Phase was instant O'jays territory (I also dug the Deluxe Phaser a lot). Some of the other stuff in this category will take further exploration... I've never used Tremolo, Vibe, or Rotary stuff.
I haven't had a chance to hook up my Mini Volume X to see how it works with expression stuff.
Stuff I'm not so fond of
Don't get me wrong... the HX isn't all sunshine and daisies:
The lack of an XLR out really bums me out. I do a lot of work using in-ear monitors, so I often don't have an amp with me. When the HX will be integrated into my board, it won't be a problem, but if I want to use the HX as a standalone, I'll have to have an external DI solution. Not a deal breaker, but it sure would've been nice.
As others have mentioned, the power supply is quite... interesting. Again, not a deal breaker though, since it's at least oriented in a way that will work with a power strip under my board. Just... weird. Something to be aware of for those that don't have an HX yet. And like I said above, I wish the power cable itself was a little tougher.
The displays Line 6 used for the scribble strips seem a bit... “dated?” (I think that's the word I'm looking for). Cool to have them on the box of course, but could have been executed better IMO. Maybe add some color!
EDIT/UPDATE: It's a real bummer that they took the USB recording interface functionality out of the HX. The models in my Zoom B3 aren't nearly as good as the HX, but the Zoom still functions as a USB interface. Seems like a deliberate oversight on Line 6's part.
Overall
The HX seems like a keeper in my book. It's a great overall package that I'm definitely going to hang onto and see where I can go with it. The models are quite good, you can get quite in-depth with programming options, and it all seems quite well thought out. A couple minor quibbles, but none are deal breakers, if you know what you're getting into. I'm really happy with it so far, and am looking into digging into it further. As with any piece of gear, how well it works out in a mix (live or studio) is what counts, so I'm definitely looking forward to putting it through it's paces.
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The big 3 I know of are redwirez, ownhammer, and 3sigma. I think there's also some from rosen digital, but not sure. I'm thinking of starting with the 3sigma ones myself, since they give you 10 per amp, as opposed to hundreds like redwirez or ownhammer. I'll probably buy the other ones further down the line, but want to develop my IR ear first without getting sound fatigue. I wish ownhammer had more than just the ampeg 2x10 and 4x10 though.
One cool thing I've found when using the b7k model for an EQ is to keep the distortion switch on, but set the drive to zero. This lets you use the grunt/attack switches for low/high end boosts or cuts. I'm like 80% sure you can't use those switches if the distortion switch is set to off.
I'd have to go back and double check for sure, but I *seem* to remember that they both still made a difference with the distortion off. (but it was getting quite late by that point...
) When I left the distortion on, I still noticed just a hint of dirt coming through and my goal was to have it as a totally clean preamp.5sg.
