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Line 6 HX Effects

#3,041
GentProvocateur said:
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:help:
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been_effected said:
Definitely filters and synths.
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Synth is the only weak point in my mind.

The HX synth options aren't "bad" by any means, there's more there than a lot of synth pedal options give you. And you can actually do a lot by combining various other effects (octaver, dirt, filter, chorus in particular) to achieve some really great sounds. But the Future Impact and C4 set the bar high and I use both for a couple different cover bands. I know it's not a truly fair comparison because they're both dedicated synth pedals, but the HX isn't quite there (yet?) in terms of synth.

Several people in the Stomp/HXFX threads have mentioned filters as weak, but I respectfully submit that the Helix's Auto filter model is KILLER... you just have to take some time to understand it. It's a beast with a ton of options, you can definitely get any sound out of it that you want. For anyone struggling with it, check out my Auto Filter Quick Start to help get you on the road to filter goodness. I've tried or owned 39+ envelope filters now, and the Auto Filter is in my top three favs, and it combos well with just about everything in my experience.

5sg.
 
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#3,042
fivestringgecko said:
Synth is the only weak point in my mind.

The HX synth options aren't "bad" by any means, there's more there than a lot of synth pedal options give you. And you can actually do a lot by combining various other effects (octaver, dirt, filter, chorus in particular) to achieve some really great sounds. But the Future Impact and C4 set the bar high and I use both for a couple different cover bands. I know it's not a truly fair comparison because they're both dedicated synth pedals, but the HX isn't quite there (yet?) in terms of synth.

Several people in the Stomp/HXFX threads have mentioned filters as weak, but I respectfully submit that the Helix's Auto filter model is KILLER... you just have to take some time to understand it. It's a beast with a ton of options, you can definitely get any sound out of it that you want. For anyone struggling with it, check out my Auto Filter Quick Start to help get you on the road to filter goodness. I've tried or owned 39+ envelope filters now, and the Auto Filter is in my top three favs, and it combos well with just about everything in my experience.

5sg.
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Have you been able to get a deep low pass filter sound like a Moog or xerograph? If yes care to share?
 
#3,043
Well, this is pretty nifty. The Stomp in the loop of the HXFX opens up a whole new world of possibilities.... (Rest of my Barefoot Buttons will be delivered tomorrow).
5EF7C305-68BF-4BAF-8CE0-DC50F2642EC1.jpeg
 
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#3,045
fivestringgecko said:
Synth is the only weak point in my mind.

The HX synth options aren't "bad" by any means, there's more there than a lot of synth pedal options give you. And you can actually do a lot by combining various other effects (octaver, dirt, filter, chorus in particular) to achieve some really great sounds. But the Future Impact and C4 set the bar high and I use both for a couple different cover bands. I know it's not a truly fair comparison because they're both dedicated synth pedals, but the HX isn't quite there (yet?) in terms of synth.

Several people in the Stomp/HXFX threads have mentioned filters as weak, but I respectfully submit that the Helix's Auto filter model is KILLER... you just have to take some time to understand it. It's a beast with a ton of options, you can definitely get any sound out of it that you want. For anyone struggling with it, check out my Auto Filter Quick Start to help get you on the road to filter goodness. I've tried or owned 39+ envelope filters now, and the Auto Filter is in my top three favs, and it combos well with just about everything in my experience.

5sg.
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Sorry, my answer was short and off the cuff.
I feel the filters are "weak" because it's not as straightforward to reach a usable sound as it is with a dedicated pedal. And yeah, I'd given up on the filters in the Helix until I saw your Quick Start guide.

The filters aren't weak because they're inherently "bad" sounding - my comment is they're weak, as it takes a lot longer to get a usable sound vs their dedicated competition.

I think really the key here is I'm the "weak" point - my lack of knowledge around filters comes out, whereas I want to plug and play. When I sit down and work at it, I can get a decent filter sound.
 
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#3,048
jasonmitsch said:
Have you been able to get a deep low pass filter sound like a Moog or xerograph? If yes care to share?
Click to expand...

I suspect that starting with low Frequency and Freq Depth settings would be a starting point, but sadly I've never had the chance to even try any of the Moog filters, and only a very brief time with a Xerograph. :( If you have some kind of audio sample/reference, I'd be happy to tinker with the Auto Filter and see what I can come up with though.

5sg.
 
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#3,049
fivestringgecko said:
I suspect that starting with low Frequency and Freq Depth settings would be a starting point, but sadly I've never had the chance to even try any of the Moog filters, and only a very brief time with a Xerograph. :( If you have some kind of audio sample/reference, I'd be happy to tinker with the Auto Filter and see what I can come up with though.

5sg.
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I REALLY really really really really really REALLY hope they add the Moog Freqbox eventually. THAT would be amazing. I miss mine so much and I still kick myself in the ass every week for flipping that darn pedal. That was one of my dumber moments.
 
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#3,050
fivestringgecko said:
I suspect that starting with low Frequency and Freq Depth settings would be a starting point, but sadly I've never had the chance to even try any of the Moog filters, and only a very brief time with a Xerograph. :( If you have some kind of audio sample/reference, I'd be happy to tinker with the Auto Filter and see what I can come up with though.

5sg.
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I've never owned a moog either, just played with friends. I ended up replacing my Xerograph with the Manta since it does so much more. I mainly use the Lowpass filter at 6:00 with the 2 LEDs lit on the Manta. I don't really need to get an exact replica from the HX since I already have a Manta and I have a C4 arriving any day now.

I did save your presets for auto filter when I want that quacky sound, it is great. I just haven't been able to make the HX go deep like the pedals mentioned above.
 
#3,051
gregmon79 said:
I REALLY really really really really really REALLY hope they add the Moog Freqbox eventually. THAT would be amazing. I miss mine so much and I still kick myself in the ass every week for flipping that darn pedal. That was one of my dumber moments.
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I flipped the freqbox, lowpass filter, and ring mod all in one shot. Then Moog discontinued them all 6 months later. I feel ya man...
 
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#3,054
Did the updates on both boxes yesterday(2.91), and put the final two pieces on my board-a Mission Engineering dual footswitch so I have switches 4 and 5 available on the Stomp, and a Radial Stage Bug passive DI so I can run straight to the board if I want to go ampless.

This is by far the most versatile board I’ve ever put together, and I’ve really only scratched the surface of what it’s capable of.

E82DD593-04E4-426A-8027-DF3AF048D774.jpeg
 
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#3,055
Ryan L. said:
Did the updates on both boxes yesterday(2.91), and put the final two pieces on my board-a Mission Engineering dual footswitch so I have switches 4 and 5 available on the Stomp, and a Radial Stage Bug passive DI so I can run straight to the board if I want to go ampless.

This is by far the most versatile board I’ve ever put together, and I’ve really only scratched the surface of what it’s capable of.

View attachment 3810746
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Man..... All you'd need to truly unlock the potential there is a MIDI Controller and you'd have crazy amounts of options/control.

5sg.
 
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#3,056
fivestringgecko said:
Man..... All you'd need to truly unlock the potential there is a MIDI Controller and you'd have crazy amounts of options/control.

5sg.
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I’m pretty sure that’s in my future, but I’ve got a ton of dialing in to do now with adding the Stomp into the mix. I’d eventually like to have control of the HXFX, Stomp, and C4 with MIDI.
 
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#3,057
Ryan L. said:
I’m pretty sure that’s in my future, but I’ve got a ton of dialing in to do now with adding the Stomp into the mix. I’d eventually like to have control of the HXFX, Stomp, and C4 with MIDI.
Click to expand...

haha that’s what I said. Like 2 years ago. (Not saying you wont delve. I’m just saying I still haven’t much. A little with the HXFX but not so much so far on this new board I did. Not sure if I want to go that way yet or not). And I’m still not even scratching the surface of the midi potential on my board. And I’m STILL largely ecstatic about my board atm. I just revamped it again today because I put new feet on it. To raise it up a bit for some clearance issues I was having. Love it! Your board is amazing though. Really dig it. I still want to get toppers for the stomp. Those clear ones look pimp.

I keep swapping the C4 and SY1 out with one another. I’m diggin a couple of the readymade sounds in the SY1 atm hence it’s appearance.

4BEE59A2-CFEB-450A-BED2-FC4B9C923F6D.jpeg
 
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#3,060
gregmon79 said:
haha that’s what I said. Like 2 years ago. (Not saying you wont delve. I’m just saying I still haven’t much. A little with the HXFX but not so much so far on this new board I did. Not sure if I want to go that way yet or not). And I’m still not even scratching the surface of the midi potential on my board. And I’m STILL largely ecstatic about my board atm. I just revamped it again today because I put new feet on it. To raise it up a bit for some clearance issues I was having. Love it! Your board is amazing though. Really dig it. I still want to get toppers for the stomp. Those clear ones look pimp.

I keep swapping the C4 and SY1 out with one another. I’m diggin a couple of the readymade sounds in the SY1 atm hence it’s appearance.

View attachment 3812789
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Yeah, it’s probably quite a ways into my future, if I do it. The big thing I need to figure out is whether or not I even need MIDI control for how I’ll be using this stuff. At first I thought “hell yeah I need it”, but now I’m not so sure.

I really had a tough time deciding between the Boss and the C4. So far I’m digging the C4, but I’m only using presets from the library, I haven’t even tried coming up with my own yet.
 

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