Line 6 HX Effects

[gregmon79]

Whawhahwa???... can you explain further?

Ive got some killer tones dialed into the MD. But I’ve barely dug into the HX modulation realm. Just messed with it. Not saying it’s not better or worse. Off the jump, A/B’ing the two, I like my MD more right now. The HX stuff is good. Just gotta dial them in, spend some time with them. I will say this, the trems on the HX are beautiful. Def best the MD atm.

 

[gumtown]

If you like the MD500, then you will like the new Boss GT-1000.
It has the 500 series effects in there.

Discussion topic here
Boss GT-1000. Just released new multieffect.

 

[been_effected]

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?

Or to my mind, why not make it more like a laptop adapter, where you have a separate "brick". Would be much easier to mount!

 

[been_effected]

Damn. Its only been 20 min, but I’m A/B’ing the HX with my board......man they are dead close. I can almost get the heavy dist (legacy rat) to sound exactly like my fuzzro rat tail. Like so close. This is surprising to me. I didn’t think it would get THIS close. But I’m liking the boss MD500 a little more so far. But it’s only been 20 min haha and I still need to get it in with the band. I’ve not even scratched the surface yet...

This gives me some hope that I won't need to run ALL of my drives in a loop...

 

[gregmon79]

Hey you know what, you can get freeze type a thing with the 3 or 4 note generators. It’s different but sorta the same if set right. And you cant really move along with a progression but it can do it. Sorta.

 

[gregmon79]

If you like the MD500, then you will like the new Boss GT-1000.
It has the 500 series effects in there.

Discussion topic here
Boss GT-1000. Just released new multieffect.

I’m sure that thing rocks butts.

 

[Seanbassplayer]

Hey you know what, you can get freeze type a thing with the 3 or 4 note generators. It’s different but sorta the same if set right. And you cant really move along with a progression but it can do it. Sorta.

I'll have to check that out when I get mine thanks man.

 

[254 stringer]

Looking at getting this EHX expression. Its got a 10k ohm pot so should be more compatible with the HX. I’ll let y’all know if it seems like a good option when I get it. It’s plastic but so is the moog I’m using.
Electro-Harmonix Expression Pedal - Single Output

 

[gregmon79]

Looking at getting this EHX expression. Its got a 10k ohm pot so should be more compatible with the HX. I’ll let y’all know if it seems like a good option when I get it. It’s plastic but so is the moog I’m using.
Electro-Harmonix Expression Pedal - Single Output

I may get that one too. I don’t like how the moog responds to some things on the HX.

 

[Seanbassplayer]

I wonder how my mooer mini expression will interact. I can't seem to find any info for what the ohm pot is on it or in the manual.

 

[gregmon79]

I think I’m gonna go with the ehx dual exp. hopefully that’ll do the trick.

 

[nostatic]

I have to agree. It’s not like I never had faith in digital multis. The ones I’ve tried just never really “got there” for me sonically. I was initially impressed with most of what the HX had to offer. But after spending some real time with it and A/B’ing it to my actual board, I’m even more impressed. They really did nail it and there is a reason why so many guys are switching over. The helix platform is quite good.

Most of my pedals are now boxed and heading to new owners. There are a couple of effects that I use regularly - delay (and need a tap tempo button, ideally with a visual tempo indication), "analog" octave down, octave up/down (eg Pog) for an organ sound, good dirt (also helps with organ - faux Jon Lord), and some sort of mod. The problem was sometimes I wanted a univibe (love the VooDooLab Microvibe), sometimes phaser, sometimes chorus or flange. I'd end up swapping things in and out of my board. The HX nails all of the above - better than other MultiFX I've tried in the past.

But mostly it is about the user interface. I don't want to have to think too much ahead of time, and I want to be able to easily tweak a setting live. This is the first pedal that gets close to pedal board interface imho.

 

[fivestringgecko]

Okay, so... Round two with the HX explorations.

EDIT: continued from Part I posted here.

EDIT: And part III brain dump here

Volume/Expression
I got my Dunlop Mini Volume X hooked up as an expression. When the Aux Out is in Tuner mode, it uses a 250k pot, but changing the Aux to Expression mode (via internal switch) switches to a 10k pot. It's small, built like a tank, and works great with the HX.

I also realized that I have a Source Audio Dual Expression in my effects closet, which I want to try. It which has dual outs, so I could plug it into both expression ins on the HX and have one pedal for bith expression and volume. That's just a theory though, because both outs are 50k ohms so I'm not sure how well/if it will work. I'll report back on this when I have a chance to try.

Pedal inversion setting is pretty neat, for anyone who wants to invert heel/toe use.

I haven't found anything other than the Pitch/Synth models that allow for expression control. Or am I just missing them? Delay and reverb that allow for control of the wet mix would be nice (to do something like the intro for The O'Jays' tune Money).

EDIT: Special thanks to @Chace90 and @gregmon79 for pointing out that assigning the EXP pedal to any parameter is just something I was just a little confused about. The wah models assign the EXP automatically, but you can manually assign the EXP to different parameters... see page 33 in the HX manual!

Tuner
I've found the tuner to be deadly accurate. It has three different scales of reference. 1) big block tuning scale across three scribble strips* for main tuning 2) smaller blocks at the top of the middle window that start moving when you get closer to center 3) switch LEDs light up in red, yellow, and green depending on how far you're out of tune. As if that wasn't enough, there are dual arrows at the top middle window around the note name, too. I like it.

Out of tune

Getting There.........

Oingo Boingo.

Programming Continued (from my initial thoughts posted here)
There's a way to program one switch to turn on/off multiple effects, which is cool. Found it by mistake and need to refer to the manual again in my next session with the HX. That's a cool feature.

Another interesting feature I found by accident (and may have missed in the manual) that requires more research: You can program multiple pedals to one footswitch, and it scrolls between them, rather than turning them all on/off together. So if you have 9 effects programmed in a chain, you can program a couple extra effects to a particular switch and be able to turn them on/off individually. Seems a bit awkward, but also seems like a handy feature at the same time. Again... More research required.

My girlfriend was watching me edit an effect, and she pointed out something that totally blew my mind... can't believe I didn't think of it on my own. lol She made the observation that most single effects "just have knobs" and changes seem to be rough guesses, but the HX shows a ton of info (depending on model) that allows for super in-depth fine tuning.

Examples:
Effects models show you EXACTLY how much you are changing things... Bass (+2.8dB), or treble (-4.0dB). Things like Mix (56%) or Drive (8.4)... instead of "bass knob is at 2:30ish."

You can program the EXACT frequency points of the heel down/toe up position on wahs.

Many effects let you change exact frequencies, in Hz. Same with high/low cut frequencies, you can program the exact number. Etc.

Obsidian model

Searchlights reverb (I think? it was late.)

HX Wizardry
(aka...The HX can solve problems you didn't know you had)

I'm currently having a PM discussion with TB user @TinyE about using the HX's MIDI commands to control stage lights. It looks like it's possible, and it proves to be an interesting thought. Both of us control stage lights for bands, so that would be a killer option. He's got more info than I currently do at the moment, I haven't had a chance to explore yet. (and honestly it's not a super high priority on my list). We're both still early on in the discussion, but hit him up for more info! A quick snippet of the conversation, in reference to also using OpenDMX and DMXIS from Enttec:

i read the hx manual. you can indeed control your light show from it. i just bought a midi footpedal, and am going to use it, and jsut keep my pedals for now, then if i decide to go hx, i can switch over.

midi has channels, and you can send a signal across the channels that will tell the light controller what to do.
for instance, if you had 5 light sequences created, you could easily select any of them via MIDI, or select next, etc... you can even control individual lights by sending the address and command across midi, in one foot press. pretty cool

Also, I have a friend (@Chace90 e90 here on TB) who supplements his amp setup with a personal in-ear monitor and has been searching for a way to send a pre-EQ signal to his amp/the board, and a separate post-EQ signal to his in-ears. Well... the HX can do that.

I had a lightbulb moment... put a send block in a separate path, which would send a separate pre-EQ signal out to his amp via FX Send 1. Then pop an EQ block at the end of the chain, to send the EQ'd signal out to his in-ear setup. Voila. Problem solved.

The HX continues to impress me with what it can do. Will I replace my entire pedalboard with it? Most likely not. I have a couple specific pedals that I either need for a specific band (the Future Impact for the 80's band I play with) or the Funk Face... I don't think the HX has a Bass Balls model (yet?), and the Funk Face has an actual tube. So, the current plan is to have a main board with the HX integrated into it, but also have it as a standalone option when I don't need/want the full heavy board. I think the HX will shine in either option.

I'm also very much anticipating full programming with the HX Edit software.

More thoughts to come of course. But happy to answer any questions, too.

5sg.

*I'm sorry, but I just feel dumb saying/typing "scribble strips."

 

[fivestringgecko]

The thing I want to do is control the frequency like in a wah. But in a ladder LPF (moog filter).
I think it is the most musical filter for bass

I was checking things out when I got my the Vol X hooked up last night, I guess I'm still not sure what you're looking to do. PM me more details? I admit I'm not sure what a "ladder" LPF is... I've never had the opportunity to try a Moog!

5sg.

 

[Seanbassplayer]

Okay, so... Round two with the HX explorations. Continued here from my previous posted thoughts.

Volume/Expression
I got my Dunlop Mini Volume X hooked up as an expression. When the Aux Out is in Tuner mode, it uses a 250k pot, but changing the Aux to Expression mode (via internal switch) switches to a 10k pot. It's small, built like a tank, and works great with the HX.

I also realized that I have a Source Audio Dual Expression in my effects closet, which I want to try. It which has dual outs, so I could plug it into both expression ins on the HX and have one pedal for bith expression and volume. That's just a theory though, because both outs are 50k ohms so I'm not sure how well/if it will work. I'll report back on this when I have a chance to try.

Pedal inversion setting is pretty neat, for anyone who wants to invert heel/toe use.

I haven't found anything other than the Pitch/Synth models that allow for expression control. Or am I just missing them? Delay and reverb that allow for control of the wet mix would be nice (to do something like the intro for The O'Jays' tune Money).

Tuner
I've found the tuner to be deadly accurate. It has three different scales of reference. 1) big block tuning scale across three scribble strips* for main tuning 2) smaller blocks at the top of the middle window that start moving when you get closer to center 3) switch LEDs light up in red, yellow, and green depending on how far you're out of tune. As if that wasn't enough, there are dual arrows at the top middle window around the note name, too. I like it.

Out of tune
View attachment 2921363

Getting There.........
View attachment 2921364

Oingo Boingo.
View attachment 2921365

Programming Continued (from my initial thoughts posted here)
My girlfriend was watching me edit an effect, and she pointed out something that totally blew my mind. She made the observation that most single effects "just have knobs" and changes seem to be estimates, but the HX, shows a ton of info (depending on model) that allows for super in-depth fine tuning.

Examples:
Effects models show you EXACTLY how much you are changing things... Bass (+3.3dB), or treble (-2.7dB). Things like Mix (56%) or Drive (8.4)... instead of "bass knob is at 2:30ish."

You can program the EXACT frequency points of the heel down/toe up position on wahs.

Many effects let you change exact frequencies, in Hz. Same with high/low cut frequencies, you can program the exact number. Etc.

Obsidian model
View attachment 2921334

Searchlights reverb (I think? it was late.)
View attachment 2921335


HX Wizardry
(aka...The HX can solve problems you didn't know you had)

I'm currently having a PM discussion with TB user @TinyE about using the HX's MIDI commands to control stage lights. It looks like it's possible, and it proves to be an interesting thought. Both of us control stage lights for bands, so that would be a killer option. He's got more info than I currently do at the moment, I haven't had a chance to explore yet. (and honestly it's not a super high priority on my list). We're both still early on in the discussion, but hit him up for more info! A quick snippet of the conversation, in reference to also using OpenDMX and DMXIS from Enttec:



Also, I have a friend who supplements his amp setup with a personal in-ear monitor and has been searching for a way to send a pre-EQ signal to his amp/the board, and a separate post-EQ signal to his in-ears. Well... the HX can do that.

I had a lightbulb moment... put a send block in a separate path, which would send a separate pre-EQ signal out to his amp via FX Send 1. Then pop an EQ block at the end of the chain, to send the EQ'd signal out to his in-ear setup. Voila. Problem solved.

View attachment 2921352


The HX continues to impress me with what it can do. Will I replace my entire pedalboard with it? Most likely not. I have a couple specific pedals that I either need for a specific band (the Future Impact for the 80's band I play with) or the Funk Face... I don't think the HX has a Bass Balls model (yet?), and the Funk Face has an actual tube. So, the current plan is to have a main board with the HX integrated into it, but also have it as a standalone option when I don't need/want the full heavy board. I think the HX will shine in either option.

I'm also very much anticipating full programming with the HX Edit software.

More thoughts to come of course. But happy to answer any questions, too.

5sg.

*I'm sorry, but I just feel dumb saying/typing "scribble strips."

Thank you for sharing that! Love hearing peoples experiences with this unit. Cant wait to get one!

 

[gregmon79]

Okay, so... Round two with the HX explorations. Continued here from my previous posted thoughts.

Volume/Expression
I got my Dunlop Mini Volume X hooked up as an expression. When the Aux Out is in Tuner mode, it uses a 250k pot, but changing the Aux to Expression mode (via internal switch) switches to a 10k pot. It's small, built like a tank, and works great with the HX.

I also realized that I have a Source Audio Dual Expression in my effects closet, which I want to try. It which has dual outs, so I could plug it into both expression ins on the HX and have one pedal for bith expression and volume. That's just a theory though, because both outs are 50k ohms so I'm not sure how well/if it will work. I'll report back on this when I have a chance to try.

Pedal inversion setting is pretty neat, for anyone who wants to invert heel/toe use.

I haven't found anything other than the Pitch/Synth models that allow for expression control. Or am I just missing them? Delay and reverb that allow for control of the wet mix would be nice (to do something like the intro for The O'Jays' tune Money).

Tuner
I've found the tuner to be deadly accurate. It has three different scales of reference. 1) big block tuning scale across three scribble strips* for main tuning 2) smaller blocks at the top of the middle window that start moving when you get closer to center 3) switch LEDs light up in red, yellow, and green depending on how far you're out of tune. As if that wasn't enough, there are dual arrows at the top middle window around the note name, too. I like it.

Out of tune
View attachment 2921363

Getting There.........
View attachment 2921364

Oingo Boingo.
View attachment 2921365

Programming Continued (from my initial thoughts posted here)
My girlfriend was watching me edit an effect, and she pointed out something that totally blew my mind... can't believe I didn't think of it on my own. lol She made the observation that most single effects "just have knobs" and changes seem to be rough guesses, but the HX shows a ton of info (depending on model) that allows for super in-depth fine tuning.

Examples:
Effects models show you EXACTLY how much you are changing things... Bass (+2.8dB), or treble (-4.0dB). Things like Mix (56%) or Drive (8.4)... instead of "bass knob is at 2:30ish."

You can program the EXACT frequency points of the heel down/toe up position on wahs.

Many effects let you change exact frequencies, in Hz. Same with high/low cut frequencies, you can program the exact number. Etc.

Obsidian model
View attachment 2921334

Searchlights reverb (I think? it was late.)
View attachment 2921335


HX Wizardry
(aka...The HX can solve problems you didn't know you had)

I'm currently having a PM discussion with TB user @TinyE about using the HX's MIDI commands to control stage lights. It looks like it's possible, and it proves to be an interesting thought. Both of us control stage lights for bands, so that would be a killer option. He's got more info than I currently do at the moment, I haven't had a chance to explore yet. (and honestly it's not a super high priority on my list). We're both still early on in the discussion, but hit him up for more info! A quick snippet of the conversation, in reference to also using OpenDMX and DMXIS from Enttec:



Also, I have a friend (@Chace90 e90 here on TB) who supplements his amp setup with a personal in-ear monitor and has been searching for a way to send a pre-EQ signal to his amp/the board, and a separate post-EQ signal to his in-ears. Well... the HX can do that.

I had a lightbulb moment... put a send block in a separate path, which would send a separate pre-EQ signal out to his amp via FX Send 1. Then pop an EQ block at the end of the chain, to send the EQ'd signal out to his in-ear setup. Voila. Problem solved.

View attachment 2921352


The HX continues to impress me with what it can do. Will I replace my entire pedalboard with it? Most likely not. I have a couple specific pedals that I either need for a specific band (the Future Impact for the 80's band I play with) or the Funk Face... I don't think the HX has a Bass Balls model (yet?), and the Funk Face has an actual tube. So, the current plan is to have a main board with the HX integrated into it, but also have it as a standalone option when I don't need/want the full heavy board. I think the HX will shine in either option.

I'm also very much anticipating full programming with the HX Edit software.

More thoughts to come of course. But happy to answer any questions, too.

5sg.

*I'm sorry, but I just feel dumb saying/typing "scribble strips."

Quick tip: you can use expression with delays. Just gotta mess with the control center er whatever it’s called. I’ll show you later tonight.

 

[gregmon79]

Oh snap, I would like I hear more about the HX controlling stage lighting via midi. I’ve always planned on getting light boxes for our band. Making some most likey. But getting all deep with a foot controller was rhe way I was thinking of going. If I can do this with the HX TOO, I’d love to dig into that as well.

 

[gumtown]

I am doing lighting using a custom built (DIY homemade) foot controller.
It is basically a small foot box with 12 buttons for sending midi cc#, and LCD display, a USB hub, USB-Midi adapter, USB-RS422 serial adapter, and a wireless DMX transmitter all inside the box.
The buttons do 5 colour scene sequences, strobe sequences, white chase sequences (with blinders too), all blue, and blackout.
I then use a laptop running FreeStyler DMX software, with preconfigured scenes assigned to run on specific midi cc# commands, the laptop also runs video graphics for a projector.
Laptop programs auto start when powered on, so it just stays lid folded down.
All my lighting bars have a wireless DMX receiver module, running lights, lazers, gobos, and smoke machines, all using 130 DMX channels.
The wireless DMX modules can be brought on eBay from China for less than $10 each
and retrofitted into one DMX LED light can on each bar and the rest daisy chained.
Wireless DMX512 PCB Modules Board LED Controller Transmitter Receiver | eBay
I have them in each lighting bar, in the lazers, and in smoke machines.

Looking at the HXFX spec, I would say the Helix will make a good lighting controller, so long as it doesn't take away useful control for your bass.

 

[TinyE]

yes, doing very similar here. i am using freestyler DMX as well, with an enttec open dmx controller. i think i paid $60 for the controller. you can configure freestyler to accept MIDI in. I have all my light shows saved in freestyler, and now have freestyler recognizing my MIDI pedal (I don't have an HX....yet...but its MIDI out will do the same thing). My goal now is just to assign the MIDI signals to specific light shows in Freestyler. then, depending on the song, i can just select it via footswitch and start it. I believe i can also use tap/tempo in case we are playing faster than i have the show, and I can also send a blackout signal. Actually, it's kind of unlimited what you can do....

edit-add - when i get it dialed, i'll post a how-to, so you guys can try it on the hx!

 

[TheLowDown33]

I absolutely love the idea of the Helix, specifically the HX but my biggest worry is that all of the options will be lost in menu diving. Is this something I should seriously be concerned with? If any of you have used the LT or Floor model before, how does the UI compare? Thanks for your help!