Line 6 HX Effects

[gumtown]

Actually I do have a question on the HXFX,
I use a Tech21 Vt-Bass pedal, so.. is there a good Ampeg kind of a tone in there which would replace the Tech21.?
I know it doesn't have preamps as such, but a low gain drive maybe similar?
Looking for a reasonably grindy-aggressive tone for rock.

What about the IR's can these be used live through a bass amp/cab or a full range system.
Weighing up my future options, as currently I use a Marshall VBA400 all tube, and a monster 810 cab (sometimes that lot x 2),
which is a bit of a ridiculous overkill on size and weight.
Might look at a compact class D amp (Subway800?) and maybe (full-range?) light weight cabinet or 2.

I have also used multi-effects and synths for years, Boss GT6B, GT10B, Roland GR20, Roland GR55, Boss SY300.
I currently use the GR-55 + Tech21 pedal, but the GR-55 is nearly worn to death and due for replacement.
Looking now to use the SY-300 (similar to Deep Impact) and a new MFX, it's a toss up between the GT-1000 and the HXFX,
the HXFX is looking a pretty good contender so far.

 

[been_effected]

Might look at a compact class D amp (Subway800?) and maybe (full-range?) light weight cabinet or 2.

To snip everything out - maybe consider looking at a Darkglass M900 first as your compact class D amp. The VMT/B3K channels are pretty great, VMT in particular may get you to where you want to go with a moderate amount of drive.

 

[gregmon79]

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!

I have not used those other models. At first, you will get lost in menu diving. But when you learn the interface and learn all the tricks the HX has up its sleeve, the HX will allow you to not have to worry so much about your concern. At least that's how I feel. That is the one thing holding me back from fully integrating it to my board, I don't want to have to worry about getting stuck so to speak. I slapped some Velcro on my HX last night so it's def staying. But I am going to spend some more time with it before it gets integrated in. I want to make sure I know the interface and routing in and out. I also want to get a better suited exp for it.

Actually I do have a question on the HXFX,
I use a Tech21 Vt-Bass pedal, so.. is there a good Ampeg kind of a tone in there which would replace the Tech21.?
I know it doesn't have preamps as such, but a low gain drive maybe similar?
Looking for a reasonably grindy-aggressive tone for rock.

What about the IR's can these be used live through a bass amp/cab or a full range system.
Weighing up my future options, as currently I use a Marshall VBA400 all tube, and a monster 810 cab (sometimes that lot x 2),
which is a bit of a ridiculous overkill on size and weight.
Might look at a compact class D amp (Subway800?) and maybe (full-range?) light weight cabinet or 2.

I have also used multi-effects and synths for years, Boss GT6B, GT10B, Roland GR20, Roland GR55, Boss SY300.
I currently use the GR-55 + Tech21 pedal, but the GR-55 is nearly worn to death and due for replacement.
Looking now to use the SY-300 (similar to Deep Impact) and a new MFX, it's a toss up between the GT-1000 and the HXFX,
the HXFX is looking a pretty good contender so far.

The HX does not have an Ampeg sim or model as of yet. It does have some drives that are sorta Ampeg'ish. But I bet you money if they have a B7KU model on there they will get an Ampeg model on there like the BDDI in an update eventually. In the meantime you can load an Ampeg IR on to it. That could get you close say with the 250 model. I can't believe how good the dirt is on the HX. I bet you could find something in the same realm as the Ampeg sound with what's on there. But you'll have to play it to find out for sure. Just remember, Line 6 updates regularly. I hear this is one area where they are really shine.

 

[TheLowDown33]

I have not used those other models. At first, you will get lost in menu diving. But when you learn the interface and learn all the tricks the HX has up its sleeve, the HX will allow you to not have to worry so much about your concern. At least that's how I feel. That is the one thing holding me back from fully integrating it to my board, I don't want to have to worry about getting stuck so to speak. I slapped some Velcro on my HX last night so it's def staying. But I am going to spend some more time with it before it gets integrated in. I want to make sure I know the interface and routing in and out. I also want to get a better suited exp for it.



The HX does not have an Ampeg sim or model as of yet. It does have some drives that are sorta Ampeg'ish. But I bet you money if they have a B7KU model on there they will get an Ampeg model on there like the BDDI in an update eventually. In the meantime you can load an Ampeg IR on to it. That could get you close say with the 250 model. I can't believe how good the dirt is on the HX. I bet you could find something in the same realm as the Ampeg sound with what's on there. But you'll have to play it to find out for sure. Just remember, Line 6 updates regularly. I hear this is one area where they are really shine.

Sweet. That's just what I'm looking to hear. I'll probably take the plunge on it soon in that case

 

[Challanger2]

Actually I do have a question on the HXFX,
I use a Tech21 Vt-Bass pedal, so.. is there a good Ampeg kind of a tone in there which would replace the Tech21.?
I know it doesn't have preamps as such, but a low gain drive maybe similar?
Looking for a reasonably grindy-aggressive tone for rock.

What about the IR's can these be used live through a bass amp/cab or a full range system.
Weighing up my future options, as currently I use a Marshall VBA400 all tube, and a monster 810 cab (sometimes that lot x 2),
which is a bit of a ridiculous overkill on size and weight.
Might look at a compact class D amp (Subway800?) and maybe (full-range?) light weight cabinet or 2.

I have also used multi-effects and synths for years, Boss GT6B, GT10B, Roland GR20, Roland GR55, Boss SY300.
I currently use the GR-55 + Tech21 pedal, but the GR-55 is nearly worn to death and due for replacement.
Looking now to use the SY-300 (similar to Deep Impact) and a new MFX, it's a toss up between the GT-1000 and the HXFX,
the HXFX is looking a pretty good contender so far.

If you go up from the HX to the Helix LT, Helix Floor or Helix Rack, they have both channels of a SVT model, as well as the B15 fliptop, as well as matching cab models for each.

 

[Johno Dunn]

You guys are killing me with this thing. I am totally satisfied with my Zoom set up! At least I was!

 

[gregmon79]

You guys are killing me with this thing. I am totally satisfied with my Zoom set up! At least I was!

I’ve been a fan of the newer Zoom offerings, you know this, the ms60b, the B1Xon, the B3…..and the HX makes that stuff “sound OK”……the Helix platform kills it no contest. And I still like my 60b. But again, the HX kills it.

 

[Digital Igloo]

Holy hell, this thread blew up...

There are other subtle omissions as well. I went through the manual and haven't found anything on global EQ, so I guess that's missing too. Not really dealbrakers for me, but good to note.

We specifically omitted things like USB audio, a headphone out, Global EQ, amp/cab blocks, and any other "modeler" things. HX Effects is designed 100% for your pedalboard; add too much modeler stuff to it and the masses of amp and pedalboard musicians will avoid it like the plague. We know because we asked.

The only thing I feel like Line 6 missed here is the HX really could do with an XLR out.

XLR outs would blow the footprint up considerably. Plus, as above, XLRs aren't really an amp-and-pedalboard thing.

Back when the Helix was announced / teased / hard to come by, the forums over there had a lot of people asking about a PC editor. Digital Igloo (a L6 rep) said basically they didn't see the point because it was so easy to use.

We talked about the editor from the beginning, as it was always in the plan. I still maintain that aside from renaming/reordering presets, it's way easier to edit Helix from the front panel than it is from HX Edit.

The FB group doesn't have much love for bassists... I had posted about being disappointed there were no new dedicate bass effects in the 2.5 patch, and got told by several people that since there had been a dedicated bass patch a while back, bassists should be good to wait a year or two for more stuff, and to be happy we are getting anything at all.

Gah! Sorry 'bout that. Next time I see that I'll ask Chad to smack 'em around. It's generally a friendly group.

FWIW, much of Team Helix plays bass, including me. It's Dom's main instrument.

Have been reading some threads (Helix related, admittedly, but still close enough) where multiple people have commented that due to the output of the loops and without running a buffer in front of them, drive pedals react considerably differently (and not at all nicely...)

Any models based on pedals not around 1M Ohm—like many fuzzes—won't load your pickups correctly, but that's why you should always put your fuzzes before HX Effects. The vast majority of HX's drives sound virtually indistinguishable from the specific pedals we modeled.

I actually could see this being a deal breaker for some. I was on the line 6 forum last night and someone did find an alternative that was more 1spot shaped/sized. But then there’s the ol "if it’s not line 6 approved don’t use it!!" thing. Which it’s not.

It's a legal thing. We have to tell people we only officially support the DC-3G but fully expect our customers to share their experiences with third-party supplies.

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.

Invalid Link Removed should get people 80% of the way there.

 

[SirMoak]

I’ve been a fan of the newer Zoom offerings, you know this, the ms60b, the B1Xon, the B3…..and the HX makes that stuff “sound OK”……the Helix platform kills it no contest. And I still like my 60b. But again, the HX kills it.

I always read about the Zoom stuff. Two years ago I went the Digitech route, as those multis seemed serve my purposes better and it has to be said that both the Zoom and Digitech offerings can sound nice.

With all that said, the current generation multis and digital effects have come a long way and sound even nicer. If you already accepted the validity of digital, it's just a matter of deciding when to upgrade to a newer gen.

Or, if you are not in a hurry, there probably will be some kind of budget stuff in a couple of years which can rival for e.g. the HX. (Like a Mooer pedal, or something).

I know I'm switching now, as Line6 seems to care for the longetivity of their flagship products (I haven't seen any updates to the Digitech RP 360 XP since I bought it).

 

[SirMoak]

Hey!

Great to see answers from Digital Igloo. Thanks for caring!
If you're still reading this, can you push some shipments toward Europe?
I'm still only on the preorder list at our local Helix dealer.

 

[Challanger2]

Holy hell, this thread blew up...
We specifically omitted things like USB audio, a headphone out, Global EQ, amp/cab blocks, and any other "modeler" things. HX Effects is designed 100% for your pedalboard; add too much modeler stuff to it and the masses of amp and pedalboard musicians will avoid it like the plague. We know because we asked.XLR outs would blow the footprint up considerably. Plus, as above, XLRs aren't really an amp-and-pedalboard thing.We talked about the editor from the beginning, as it was always in the plan. I still maintain that aside from renaming/reordering presets, it's way easier to edit Helix from the front panel than it is from HX Edit.Gah! Sorry 'bout that. Next time I see that I'll ask Chad to smack 'em around. It's generally a friendly group.

FWIW, much of Team Helix plays bass, including me. It's Dom's main instrument.Any models based on pedals not around 1M Ohm—like many fuzzes—won't load your pickups correctly, but that's why you should always put your fuzzes before HX Effects. The vast majority of HX's drives sound virtually indistinguishable from the specific pedals we modeled.It's a legal thing. We have to tell people we only officially support the DC-3G but fully expect our customers to share their experiences with third-party supplies.Invalid Link Removed should get people 80% of the way there.

Don't worry about the guys on the FB group, it wasn't super serious. I could tell it was a couple users and not the general consensus.

 

[Digital Igloo]

If you're still reading this, can you push some shipments toward Europe?

Frank knows better than I do, but the EU should be getting units in any week now. I'm pretty sure they're in transit.

 

[fivestringgecko]

At first, you will get lost in menu diving. But when you learn the interface and learn all the tricks the HX has up its sleeve, the HX will allow you to not have to worry so much about your concern. At least that's how I feel.

I feel the same way. I wouldn't even really call it "menu diving" because I've messed with other multis that have much deeper menus. The HX is really organized quite well, so the main time consumption will just be learning how they have it organized. It only took me 2-3 hours to get to point where I had a good feeling where everything was at, and now I can zip around menus pretty quick. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the HX is as "grab 'n go" as a single effect, but it's worth the trade off with everything the HX can do. I mean c'mon... we're even talking about using the HX as a light controller.

We talked about the editor from the beginning, as it was always in the plan. I still maintain that aside from renaming/reordering presets, it's way easier to edit Helix from the front panel than it is from HX Edit.

FWIW, much of Team Helix plays bass, including me. It's Dom's main instrument.

Thanks for dropping by, @Digital Igloo ... always awesome to have communication with manufacturers!

Re Editor: I agree that editing from the front panel on the HX is pretty slick, but I'd still like to check out the full editor. I know Line 6 has said "spring" for full editing with the HX, any new word on a timeline?

Re Bass Players: If much of the team plays bass, that means we need more bass effect models, right? Loads of cool stuff in the Helix family of course, but c'mon... how about a little more love for the bassists on the team? ha ha

5sg.

 

[Digital Igloo]

I agree that editing from the front panel on the HX is pretty slick, but I'd still like to check out the full editor. I know Line 6 has said "spring" for full editing with the HX, any new word on a timeline?

If a release date is vague, that's because we ourselves don't yet know. Still shooting for spring.

If much of the team plays bass, that means we need more bass effect models, right? Loads of cool stuff in the Helix family of course, but c'mon... how about a little more love for the bassists on the team?

I know, right?!

 

[fivestringgecko]

@Digital Igloo - Don't get me wrong, definitely not complaining about the editor, just curious. I got my HX Effects not even a week ago, and I'm totally impressed so far. A couple details may change with the final build of course, but this is what I have planned for the HX! It's definitely sticking around.

EDIT: as I've spent more time with it, the HX has changed my board build plans pretty drastically.

5sg.

EDIT: This is what I was originally thinking.

And this is the updated plan, moving from a Novo 24 Pedaltrain to a Novo 18. I may even ditch one of the Dunlops, and the Symmetry might get swapped for something else, probably my Octabvre.

And the HX has inspired me to clean out the Effects Storage Bin, this is what's on the sales block so far (and a couple more to be added, I'm thinking)

 

[ChubbyJerk]

Holy hell, this thread blew up...
We specifically omitted things like USB audio, a headphone out, Global EQ, amp/cab blocks, and any other "modeler" things. HX Effects is designed 100% for your pedalboard; add too much modeler stuff to it and the masses of amp and pedalboard musicians will avoid it like the plague. We know because we asked.XLR outs would blow the footprint up considerably. Plus, as above, XLRs aren't really an amp-and-pedalboard thing.We talked about the editor from the beginning, as it was always in the plan. I still maintain that aside from renaming/reordering presets, it's way easier to edit Helix from the front panel than it is from HX Edit.Gah! Sorry 'bout that. Next time I see that I'll ask Chad to smack 'em around. It's generally a friendly group.

FWIW, much of Team Helix plays bass, including me. It's Dom's main instrument.Any models based on pedals not around 1M Ohm—like many fuzzes—won't load your pickups correctly, but that's why you should always put your fuzzes before HX Effects. The vast majority of HX's drives sound virtually indistinguishable from the specific pedals we modeled.It's a legal thing. We have to tell people we only officially support the DC-3G but fully expect our customers to share their experiences with third-party supplies.Invalid Link Removed should get people 80% of the way there.

Crap, @Digital Igloo is here!

Hey, man...uh, just give me a minute to reread this thread and make sure I didn't say anything too mean...

 

[bruno40gr]

Amigos, help me decide. So here's my current setup. I know the HX can replace many of these effects, and an answer is entirely subjective, but what would you replace and/or what can the HX potentially replace?

Looking to save some money and reduce weight and complexity.

 

[gregmon79]

Amigos, help me decide. So here's my current setup. I know the HX can replace many of these effects, and an answer is entirely subjective, but what would you replace and/or what can the HX potentially replace?

Looking to save some money and reduce weight and complexity.



View attachment 2922766

Me? I would replace the Lunar, comp, parallel blender, the you're doom and depending on how happy you are with the tuner and DA switcher, those too. But I don't know how you use the DA switcher. I'm sure it can do more loops than the HX. And the tuner actually is very nice on the HX. I wasn't going to originally take the TU3 I have onboard now off, I liked the added buffer and extra power outlet. But then I tried the DSP buffer on the HX and was like, WOW, I'm good with that buffer big time.

 

[gregmon79]

I'm actually going to sit down this weekend (if I have the time too) and rip my board apart and rebuild it around the HX. I'm pretty much sold on the sound/tonal qualities on ALL it offers. I've been playing with it for a week straight pretty much and I love the HX. My board may look very different next week....

 

[fivestringgecko]

HXFX friends: here's that Reverb Dreams patch I mentioned, just for kicks and giggles.
Volume pedal block > Dual Pitch > Obsidian > Particle Verb > Searchlights > Tri Chorus > Mod/Cho Echo

It's purely a novelty patch for me, absolutely no real world use in any of my current gigs. HA HA
Your mileage may vary of course, you may have to make adjustments for your own individual gear.

Pro Tip: I found turning the tone/treble knob all the way down gave the best ambient spacey sounds... i.e. the least string noise.

In the audio sample, I started without the Obsidian and Dual Pitch blocks on, then turned them on one by one as the clip goes on. Link to .hlx HX Edit file and .mp3 audio sample below the Soundcloud player.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Reverb Dreams .hlx file and .mp3 audio sample

5sg.