Line 6 HX Effects

[andreas_flf]

I'm contemplating getting a Helix Effects but have a few things I want to clear up that weren't entirely clear from reading the owner's manual.

First, if I plug into both the L and R inputs (I have a bass wired to output each of the two pickups to separate channels, similar to Rick-O-Sound), can I create separate effect paths for each input simultaneously? For example, have a distortion on the L and compressor on the R. And if so can it keep those channels separate and output each to the L and R outputs?

Second, and this one I'm pretty sure of but I want to make certain, if I plug in one mono jack can the Helix split that with a crossover effect into two signal paths and then apply different effects simultaneously to each path? For example, distortion to the highs and compressions to the lows?

Finally, with parallel signal paths is there a limit to the number of effects that can be applied to each signal path?

Thanks!

Yes you can. I do that a lot and connect two different instruments (bass, e-cello) that way to my HX Effects. I use the HX Effects as a switch between the two instruments. Since levels differ, the most basic thing I need to do is use some amp effect only on one of the instruments. I use however an eq that also adjusts for frequencies coming out of my e-cello when using the piezo pickup bridge, as that signal tends to sound harsh. Later in the signal chain I use a mixer to output and further process either of the two instruments.

 

[Digital Igloo]

Mine too. I’ve been gonna buy one of these for months, but the more I read, the more I think I’ll not make use of its features very well. I have this problem where I get frustrated fast if I can’t make things do what I want right away...

HX Effects was designed to be used in two different ways:

• A—Select switch, add effect, tweak knobs, done (similar to how M9 and M13 work)
• B—Dive deeper with parallel paths, parallel assignments, snapshots, and a full MIDI controller. B features are purposely hidden behind menus and shortcuts so casual users don't have to deal with 'em until they're ready

If you watch Invalid Link Removed, you're 80-90% of the way through both A and B. If you only care about A, only watch the top video (3:22).

 

[Ryan L.]

HX Effects was designed to be used in two different ways:

• A—Select switch, add effect, tweak knobs, done (similar to how M9 and M13 work)
• B—Dive deeper with parallel paths, parallel assignments, snapshots, and a full MIDI controller. B features are purposely hidden behind menus and shortcuts so casual users don't have to deal with 'em until they're ready

If you watch Invalid Link Removed, you're 80-90% of the way through both A and B. If you only care about A, only watch the top video (3:22).

Thanks!

I’d definitely be the “A” type user!

 

[Britsie]

It's OK to be an "A" type user. I used to be one but then there is this whole new unexplored "B" land just beyond the horizon. I find myself wondering more and more into "B" type land. And just like a real explorer, what you discover is sometimes fantastic, sometimes you take a wrong direction and you end up nowhere but the journey is always interesting.

 

[Daniel Piper]

I know it ‘ain’t the helix way... but I would love a little hx effects that could load one or two effects at a time.

 

[gumtown]

I know it ‘ain’t the helix way... but I would love a little hx effects that could load one or two effects at a time.

Like the HX Stomp?

 

[Daniel Piper]

Like the HX Stomp?

Nope- like one or two effects. And smalllllllllll. Just bein a dreamer.

 

[gumtown]

Nope- like one or two effects. And smalllllllllll. Just bein a dreamer.

The HX Stomp is only the size of 2 compact stomp-box pedals.
And it has up to 6 of any Helix effects and amps/cabs

 

[redstrand]

The HX Stomp is only the size of 2 compact stomp-box pedals.
And it has up to 6 of any Helix effects and amps/cabs

It is mind blowing how small it is

 

[gregmon79]

Nope- like one or two effects. And smalllllllllll. Just bein a dreamer.

The HX Stomp is only the size of 2 compact stomp-box pedals.
And it has up to 6 of any Helix effects and amps/cabs

It is mind blowing how small it is

I was gonna say, it’s crazy how small it is considering what’s inside. I get what you’re saying @Daniel Piper bit it’s smaller than a standard strymon I think. That’s insane. But I wouldn’t be surprised if L6 dropped something like this at some point.

 

[JES]

I dialed in a pretty good b:assmaster on my HX. I’ll throw it up here in a few.

It’s a while later, and I wonder if anyone has come up with a good B:assmaster sound. Or Wood Chipper....

 

[Daniel Piper]

I was gonna say, it’s crazy how small it is considering what’s inside. I get what you’re saying @Daniel Piper bit it’s smaller than a standard strymon I think. That’s insane. But I wouldn’t be surprised if L6 dropped something like this at some point.

I hear ya man.

These devices are sooooo good.

A helix product if some description will be mine before years end.

 

[gregmon79]

It’s a while later, and I wonder if anyone has come up with a good B:assmaster sound. Or Wood Chipper....

My preset is still a ways off. But I feel it’s on the same realm. Isn’t the woodcutter a rat type pedal though?

 

[JES]

Nope. It's definitely a gated fuzz but of a very particular sort. This is the one sound that eludes me.

 

[gregmon79]

Nope. It's definitely a gated fuzz but of a very particular sort. This is the one sound that eludes me.

Yeah it's not an easy one to model. I actually got really close on the HX with 3 models stuck to the same switch. I totally got mixed up with what thread I was in! (I was thinking about the Aftershock in the SASS thread when I posted this earlier ) I did in fact model a very convincing B:ASSMASTER in my HX. I used a gate, an EQ to add more treble and high mid and then I used the octave fuzz model. Those 3 together will get you close. I A/B'd it with my actual B:ASSMASTER and it was damn close. The gate and the way the octave in the fuzz is effected by the gate and the EQ is what's important and what gets it that "B:ASSMASTER: sound. If I remember I'll try to post my exact patch here later tonight.

 

[Digital Igloo]

I know it ‘ain’t the helix way... but I would love a little hx effects that could load one or two effects at a time.

The trick is that the cost of a DSP that can run 9 effects doesn't cost that much more than one that can run 2. The effects loops and amp control outs could probably go away but the rest of the I/O is table stakes. Maybe a single scribble strip instead of HX Stomp's color LCD? You'd still probably need three switches (FX1, FX2, Tap/Hold for preset up/down). Rough guess is that it might be $100-$150 less than HX Effects and HX Stomp; not sure it's all that compelling, considering what Zoom and all the Chinese knock-off companies can pull off at that price point. At that point, we'd probably just say screw it and revisit single stomps.

 

[JES]

Thanks. I’d be grateful for the patch as a starting point.

Yeah it's not an easy one to model. I actually got really close on the HX with 3 models stuck to the same switch. I totally got mixed up with what thread I was in! (I was thinking about the Aftershock in the SASS thread when I posted this earlier ) I did in fact model a very convincing B:ASSMASTER in my HX. I used a gate, an EQ to add more treble and high mid and then I used the octave fuzz model. Those 3 together will get you close. I A/B'd it with my actual B:ASSMASTER and it was damn close. The gate and the way the octave in the fuzz is effected by the gate and the EQ is what's important and what gets it that "B:ASSMASTER: sound. If I remember I'll try to post my exact patch here later tonight.

 

[Daniel Piper]

The trick is that the cost of a DSP that can run 9 effects doesn't cost that much more than one that can run 2. The effects loops and amp control outs could probably go away but the rest of the I/O is table stakes. Maybe a single scribble strip instead of HX Stomp's color LCD? You'd still probably need three switches (FX1, FX2, Tap/Hold for preset up/down). Rough guess is that it might be $100-$150 less than HX Effects and HX Stomp; not sure it's all that compelling, considering what Zoom and all the Chinese knock-off companies can pull off at that price point. At that point, we'd probably just say screw it and revisit single stomps.

Thanks for taking the time to write that up! Line 6 rules.

I’m still so happy with my m-series pedals that I dont know why I torture myself with these helix threads!!

 

[jbybj]

Thanks for taking the time to write that up! Line 6 rules.

I’m still so happy with my m-series pedals that I dont know why I torture myself with these helix threads!!

There is a lot to like about the M series, but I never really got on with the dirt. My HXFX changed all that, Six ways from Sunday.

 

[gregmon79]

@Daniel Piper, here’s what I got atm on that B:ASSMASTER model I made. Hope it helps!

Tie all 3 of these to the same switch:

Tycoctavia fuzz
Fuzz- 6.5
Level 5.5

10 band EQ
I just scooped it a little. Bump the lows and low mids a tad, then bump the high mids quite a bit and the highs to taste. This will probably be something you’ll have to just mess with to get where you like it.

Hard Gate
Open- -47
Close- -43
Hold- 10ms
Decay- fully off
Level- 0.0

Now I took those in this order, EQ>fuzz>gate

Put those on a parallel path using the split A/B and set that to A20.

Hopefully that’ll get you in the same arena as the B:ASMASTER. It did for me.