Line 6 HX Effects

[Al Krow]

I'm actually debating between getting an Aftershock or the Multiwave Distortion. The Multiwave seems more justified to to me since it wouldn't overlap with the HX and OFD. There was rumor of a One Series of the Multiwave forthcoming so I might just sit tight until that is released.

Using the HXFX as the centerpiece of my board, I'll probably use loop 1 for SA pedals controlled by the Hub and loop 2 for the H9.

Makes sense - you and I seem to have a v similar approach in putting our HX Effects at the centre of our boards. Cue gratuitous pic

 

[jasonmitsch]

Makes sense - you and I seem to have a v similar approach in putting our HX Effects at the centre of our boards. Cue gratuitous pic

View attachment 3803549

One advantage of having all of my gigs cancelled is I have plenty time to figure out what size board I need. I have a PT JR currently and need to go bigger, and get a more robust power supply than my pp2+. Decisions, decisions.

 

[been_effected]

I've been using the Pitch Ring Mod OC2 settings a lot and I am digging it. I remember back when the first Subterranea pedals were released that the owner said the OC2 sounds the way it does because it also has a 5th in its tone. In my attempt to get closer to that I put a Dual Pitch after the Pitch Ring Mod.

Interval 1: 0
Cents 1: -20.0
Delay 1: 0
Vol 1: 5.0
Interval 2: +7
Cents 2: -5.0
Delay 2: 0
Vol 2: 1.5
Mix: 50%

The first interval gives a nice static detuned chorus effect. The second interval is the fifth with its volume back to where the it is barely audible. It helps beef up the tone slightly but without that in your face power chord effect.

Brilliant - giving this a go.

 

[CRich0205]

Question for you all. I’ve started a support ticket but I tried to update my hxfx but neither of my computers would connect to the line 6 website. I just kept getting an error that said safari can’t connect to line 6 server so I couldn’t download the updates.

computers both run Yosemite 10.10.5 and I was able to pull up the website on my phone so o don’t think the website was down. Anyone experienced this before?

 

[Mo'Phat]

Could be Safari - possible to use Chrome instead?

 

[Plastalmonus]

Question for you all. I’ve started a support ticket but I tried to update my hxfx but neither of my computers would connect to the line 6 website. I just kept getting an error that said safari can’t connect to line 6 server so I couldn’t download the updates.

computers both run Yosemite 10.10.5 and I was able to pull up the website on my phone so o don’t think the website was down. Anyone experienced this before?

Last version of Safari that Yosemite got was 10.1.12 in July 2017. Good chance Line 6 have implemented security protocols that are no longer compatible with that legacy version of Safari.

As suggested try downloading Chrome or Firefox.

 

[CRich0205]

I’ll give that a shot and see. Could very well explain why my phone would get on the site. I love had my HX since they came out and have updated a few times with no issue before so this was new. Thanks for the tips.

 

[gregmon79]

After a week with the HXFX I already want a Stomp someday. My B3 is cutting it for now as my recording interface and amp sim and my minimal set up if I don't want to bring my full board, but I can just imagine the leap in quality the Stomp has.

Yeah, the sonic quality coming from the Zoom to the L6 stuff is night and day. I like the Zoom stuff too for what it is. But the Helix stuff is simply better in every way. And yes, the Stomp works seamlessly with that stuff. Love it!

 

[gregmon79]

Do / did any of you Helix owners have a SA Aftershock?

I think of the AS as being a drive multifx and given there is such a wide range of drive effects on the Helix, I suspect my AS is not going to get too much use going forward and it's probably time to move it on.

Just wondering whether any of you held onto your Aftershocks after getting a Helix and are managing to put it to good use?

Idk why, but I've had the AS and the OFD. I liked them at first but for some reason, they just won't grow on me. I actually like the dirt in the Helix stuff more. It's the same difference but the Helix stuff, most of it, seems so organic comparably. The AS is def a great pedal and it works for some. I just can't seem to gel with it though.

 

[Ryan L.]

Idk why, but I've had the AS and the OFD. I liked them at first but for some reason, they just won't grow on me. I actually like the dirt in the Helix stuff more. It's the same difference but the Helix stuff, most of it, seems so organic comparably. The AS is def a great pedal and it works for some. I just can't seem to gel with it though.

I’m really, really liking some of the dirt options on the HX. I was very surprised at just how great some of them sound with bass.

 

[fivestringgecko]

I’m really, really liking some of the dirt options on the HX. I was very surprised at just how great some of them sound with bass.

I dig on a few as well including the new Alpaca and Legendary Drive, but the Teemah has really been my personal fav. It's great for higher gain stuff and is pretty versatile with the built in high/low cut, but I use it mostly as a preamp of sorts... a little high cut, and just a touch of "rasp" (read: Gain = 1.2). Kills with my passive Pbass in particular.

5sg.

 

[fivestringgecko]

A fun curiosity, since we're on the subject of HX drives:
I posted an A/B blind taste test of the Legendary Drive vs. the Brown Acid fuzz over in the Stomp thread, and it was split right about 50/50 over there as to which people thought was the Acid and which was the Stomp. I'm actually pretty surprised/pleased with how close the two actually are. I bet the Legendary could be dialed in to get even closer to the Brown Acid, but it was getting late.

Here are the settings I landed on & samples if anyone's interested. No blind test here though, since we already did it over there... mp3 file names will tell you which are which.

5sg.

 

[BunchyMutt]

Idk why, but I've had the AS and the OFD. I liked them at first but for some reason, they just won't grow on me. I actually like the dirt in the Helix stuff more. It's the same difference but the Helix stuff, most of it, seems so organic comparably. The AS is def a great pedal and it works for some. I just can't seem to gel with it though.

same

 

[gregmon79]

I’m really, really liking some of the dirt options on the HX. I was very surprised at just how great some of them sound with bass.

Hell yeah. I was taken aback when I got my HX on the dirt. I'm a dirt hound for sure. So I'm hella picky. As aren't we all?! But when I found the parallel blending options I was like HELL YES!! Haha Now there are a couple to a few models I'm not big on. But the majority of all the dirt from fuzz to OD, I actually really like and could/would use if I had/wanted to.

A fun curiosity, since we're on the subject of HX drives:
I posted an A/B blind taste test of the Legendary Drive vs. the Brown Acid fuzz over in the Stomp thread, and it was split right about 50/50 over there as to which people thought was the Acid and which was the Stomp. I'm actually pretty surprised/pleased with how close the two actually are. I bet the Legendary could be dialed in to get even closer to the Brown Acid, but it was getting late.

Here are the settings I landed on & samples if anyone's interested. No blind test here though, since we already did it over there... mp3 file names will tell you which are which.

5sg.

View attachment 3806361

View attachment 3806363

This is so cool man!!! I have to say, the MXR is more smooth. The Legendary is pretty harsh, I like that though. I can hear the difference for sure though. Pretty darn close though.

 

[BunchyMutt]

out of curiosity, what does everyone thing is the weakest link on the HX platform now that dirt (which has historically been pretty underwhelming on multi effects) is acceptable too great?

I'm mostly asking because I have space on my pedalboard after tidying things up and I like window shopping

 

[gregmon79]

out of curiosity, what does everyone thing is the weakest link on the HX platform now that dirt (which has historically been pretty underwhelming on multi effects) is acceptable too great?

I'm mostly asking because I have space on my pedalboard after tidying things up and I like window shopping

Me? Pitch shifting is its biggest weakness. While it’s not terrible, it simply won’t track most chords. They know they aren’t that great. And they supposedly had a team come in there to work on it. But last I heard that was like when the HXFX just came out. If they improved upon on all the pitch shifting, I’d be hella happy.

Other than that, I wish they’d at least add the preamps to the HXFX. So you could use all those as well, preamps. I know there are platform limitations. But imo, the HXFX would kill even more if it provided those preamp circuits. But I know it’ll never happen. So I got over it. And I got a stomp.....haha damn you line 6!!!!

And the synths. I wish and hope they add another moog synth or two like a freqbox in the future. The ones on there are actually pretty nice. Just a tad limited. On the ones I use anyway. Not a huge deal. I’ve used the existing synths with my old band and it sounded great. So it’s not a huge deal for me. But it’s a minor, very minor gripe. I know L6 is always and progressively working to continue making the helix line get better over time. I love new updates. It’s makes my day. Week sometimes. Love my helix pedals. They just rule. Not a whole lot to gripe about. From my end anyway. But there are a couple things I wish they’d get improving on already. Biggest one for me, the pitch shifting.

Oh! And Adding a couple more crazy weird delays and reverbs would be amazing! Like an EQD afterneath or their rainbow machine. Some stuff like that. I’ll just stop now though haha

 

[jasonmitsch]

Idk why, but I've had the AS and the OFD. I liked them at first but for some reason, they just won't grow on me. I actually like the dirt in the Helix stuff more. It's the same difference but the Helix stuff, most of it, seems so organic comparably. The AS is def a great pedal and it works for some. I just can't seem to gel with it though.

I think a big part of it is mentality. I look at all of my 1-button-1-setting pedals and I'm just underwhelmed. After spending years with SA and Eventide gear I just expect more from a pedal. If a pedal can only do 1 thing well then it won't last on my board. I love OD/Distortion/Fuzz pedals, but my OFD and the HX get so close to any individual pedal that I don't even want to bother with trying new devices. I'm interested in the Multiwave Distortion because I know its a whole new palate that HX can't do. I'm interested in the Aftershock because of the routing options and the C4 compatibility.

Effects that can only provide 1 tone without presets just don't jive with my pedalboard mentality. I wish they did because I'd save a good bit of money.

out of curiosity, what does everyone thing is the weakest link on the HX platform now that dirt (which has historically been pretty underwhelming on multi effects) is acceptable too great?

I'm mostly asking because I have space on my pedalboard after tidying things up and I like window shopping

Filter: The HX can't do the deep synthy Low Pass Filter authentically. The onboard filters can do a lot of other quacky and dubby sounds, but I keep my SA Manta around for the deep low synth filters.

Dirt: most dirts won't sound good on bass unless using parallel blending. I find the HX OD and Distortions need less blending, the Fuzzes need more blending for bass.

 

[been_effected]

out of curiosity, what does everyone thing is the weakest link on the HX platform now that dirt (which has historically been pretty underwhelming on multi effects) is acceptable too great?

I'm mostly asking because I have space on my pedalboard after tidying things up and I like window shopping

Definitely filters and synths.

 

[Al Krow]

Me? Pitch shifting is its biggest weakness. While it’s not terrible, it simply won’t track most chords. They know they aren’t that great. And they supposedly had a team come in there to work on it. But last I heard that was like when the HXFX just came out. If they improved upon on all the pitch shifting, I’d be hella happy...

Interesting you say that. I agree that quality pitch shifting is up there with filter and synth as being some of the most difficult stuff for any multifx to do well. However compared to my Zoom B14-X multifx the HX FX is in a league above on pitch shifting (the Zoom is pretty darned poor) whereas the difference in quality between the two on some of the filters is less so.

 

[BunchyMutt]

Me? Pitch shifting is its biggest weakness. While it’s not terrible, it simply won’t track most chords. They know they aren’t that great. And they supposedly had a team come in there to work on it. But last I heard that was like when the HXFX just came out. If they improved upon on all the pitch shifting, I’d be hella happy.

Other than that, I wish they’d at least add the preamps to the HXFX. So you could use all those as well, preamps. I know there are platform limitations. But imo, the HXFX would kill even more if it provided those preamp circuits. But I know it’ll never happen. So I got over it. And I got a stomp.....haha damn you line 6!!!!

And the synths. I wish and hope they add another moog synth or two like a freqbox in the future. The ones on there are actually pretty nice. Just a tad limited. On the ones I use anyway. Not a huge deal. I’ve used the existing synths with my old band and it sounded great. So it’s not a huge deal for me. But it’s a minor, very minor gripe. I know L6 is always and progressively working to continue making the helix line get better over time. I love new updates. It’s makes my day. Week sometimes. Love my helix pedals. They just rule. Not a whole lot to gripe about. From my end anyway. But there are a couple things I wish they’d get improving on already. Biggest one for me, the pitch shifting.

Oh! And Adding a couple more crazy weird delays and reverbs would be amazing! Like an EQD afterneath or their rainbow machine. Some stuff like that. I’ll just stop now though haha

yeah as part of my [mostly always on] dirt I'm running a zoom b3n with the SVT model and a few para eqs. I actually like the B3n's SVT model quite a bit - it's not necessarily close to a real one but for my purposes it's a great tone shaper post massive gain. It handidly beat out a Broughton SV-Pre in that regard, which was too noisy and had some unusable controls in my chain (cough cough bright switch cough cough). Clean, they're a little different but both the B3n SVT and the SV-Pre work well. That said, I'm really wanting to try the Stomp's SVT model. Just can't justify the price right now