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Line 6 HX Effects

Thanks for the info!Yes I want independent volume/ mute control of each path separately so to do that would require using up 2 of the 9 blocks and require 2 expression pedals connected to HX. Alternatively could I split the signal with my existing ehx switchblade+ and have each of my existing volume pedals inline to the L/R inputs creating 2 parallel paths which doing this way would free up 2 blocks and both expression inputs?

I admit I'm not 100% sure about this one.

I know the Helix does have the ability to have more than separate paths, path (I saw a video where the guy was running his vocal mic, guitar and in-ear monitors).

While the HX does have left and right ins, I believe it only has the option for one internal path, unless I just haven't gotten that far with it yet. It sounds to me like you would need to separate paths to accomplish keeping both exp and loops free on the HX, so at my current level with it... I don't think it would work.

5sg.
 
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So here is a really crude “demo”. It’s the OCD first. Then when the fuzz comes on, it’s one of the HX’s muffs. Then I kinda A/B it with the ehx green Russian reissue. I wasn’t trying to match the two mind you. Just wanted to try and get it to where you can hear how well line 6 did with the models.

 
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Regarding the Helix replacing the A/O - I think you could get in the ballpark but it would take a complicated patch. Set up path 1 with 2 parallel chains, one more guitar amp like (maybe the HiWatt), call that your Alpha, and something based on a distortion or fuzz for Omega.

Well I just tried this out for giggles:

First clip is Helix Native with 1.5kHz mid boost going into a signal split between a HiWatt amp + cab (sorry HX users you don't get this effect!) in parallel with the Facial Fuzz, then a clean channel on a separate path.

Second is an Alpha Omega with the knobs mostly around noon, bite on and growl off.

I literally only spent a few minutes tweaking and recording this so they're not EQ'd that closely. First clip needs a bit less 100Hz and a bit more 500Hz for example, but as a proof of concept I think it's not that bad!

Alfa Amiga.mp3
 
Well I just tried this out for giggles:

First clip is Helix Native with 1.5kHz mid boost going into a signal split between a HiWatt amp + cab (sorry HX users you don't get this effect!) in parallel with the Facial Fuzz, then a clean channel on a separate path.

Second is an Alpha Omega with the knobs mostly around noon, bite on and growl off.

I literally only spent a few minutes tweaking and recording this so they're not EQ'd that closely. First clip needs a bit less 100Hz and a bit more 500Hz for example, but as a proof of concept I think it's not that bad!

Alfa Amiga.mp3

What dirt model you use?? Sounds pretty close. Missing the high mid like you said. But if wanted to match it at more gain and EQ it could be tricker. But yeah, that clip sounded pretty close.
 
So this is how I ended up dealing with the power plug. Not perfect. Or may not be permanent either. I ordered one of those extensions somebody linked earlier in the thread from amazon so I can just run it from my power strip to the plug. But this works so far ok.

F21576FE-07A5-4D0C-83B1-79C66E1BFE0A.jpeg
806E5AF3-CB39-4F1F-83D9-A4F140868DD9.jpeg



This is a crappy extension cord I’m using till that one I ordered gets here:
A9DDED88-AEAA-4967-B8D9-DFE7246328C9.jpeg


I could even snuggle it up between the wah and Ictineo too. But the way I put my board in my soft case, the higher up it is, the better.
 
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I admit I'm not 100% sure about this one.

I know the Helix does have the ability to have more than separate paths, path (I saw a video where the guy was running his vocal mic, guitar and in-ear monitors).

While the HX does have left and right ins, I believe it only has the option for one internal path, unless I just haven't gotten that far with it yet. It sounds to me like you would need to separate paths to accomplish keeping both exp and loops free on the HX, so at my current level with it... I don't think it would work.

5sg.
Thanks man I appreciate it! I guess another option is just create snapshots of A muted and another with B muted and swap each path in and out that way so I’m confident I’ll be able to figure it out once I have on hand experience.. Theres allot of routing options so I’m not worried. Cheers!
 
So here is a really crude “demo”. It’s the OCD first. Then when the fuzz comes on, it’s one of the HX’s muffs. Then I kinda A/B it with the ehx green Russian reissue. I wasn’t trying to match the two mind you. Just wanted to try and get it to where you can hear how well line 6 did with the models.



Jesus, I thought you were about to launch into RHCP - Around The World when you kicked that fuzz on!

Sounds quite synth and soupy, not bad at all.
 
What dirt model you use?? Sounds pretty close. Missing the high mid like you said. But if wanted to match it at more gain and EQ it could be tricker. But yeah, that clip sounded pretty close.

The HiWatt amp is 'Alpha' and the Facial Fuzz is 'Omega'. Note the Facial Fuzz is a legacy effect, the updated Helix Fuzz Face is worthless on bass!

I don't think they sound that close, bit it does go to show how you can come up with your own sounds by blending and EQing the ingredients on offer.
 
Can anyone tell me the size of the power input jack on the HX?

Is it the slightly larger 2.5mm plug Line 6 use on some of their other pedals? Or a custom plug?

I wanna say it's a 2.1mm actually. But then I could be wrong. I know the center post is a little fatter than normal because my regular 1spot wouldn't fit in the hole. Did try powering it with a 1spot, I just wanted to see if that plug type would fit it. It does not. And I believe it's because of the center post.
 
HX Effects Octaver Comparison

Could you please record two sound samples?
Set it like this.
Sample 1 - Bass Octaver - Dry: 0. Wet 100% - Whatever the tone you want. . Play just a note. Lets's say D, 12th fret 2nd string.
Sampler 2 - Boss OC2 . Dry 0 - OCT'1 100% , OCT2: 0. Same note
And if you want. Make a 3rd simple. Boss OC2. Dry 0 - OCT1 100%, OCT2.. 100% or something like that...

@bgmww I had some time last night to record some audio samples for you. I included not only the HX Effects Bass Octaver model and Boss OC2 per your request, but I also included the MXR Bass Octave Deluxe, 3Leaf Octabvre, and Aguilar Octamizer since I was already doing recordings. I also added a sample of my dry bass, just because.

I used the OC2 as a reference, including five different samples. By comparison, I stand by my statement that the Bass Octaver in the HX Effects indeed does not have the -2 baked in.

Invalid Link Removed

A quick note for anyone else listening: All of these octavers are quite capable of a much wider variety of tones than I included in the sample files. This comparison was specifically done to compare the HX Bass Octaver to the Oct1 + Oct2 sound of the OC2. :thumbsup:

Further thoughts: Revisiting a couple octavers I haven't used in a while (Aguilar and MXR) was fairly refreshing. It reminded me that they all sound good (including a passable OC2 impression by the MXR's Growl knob), but it also made me think that the Bass Octaver in the HX holds it's own. Don't get me wrong... It doesn't really cop the OC2 sound on it's own and I still much prefer my Octabvre & OC2. But I spent some time with the HX and figured out that by adding a touch of chorus (like the Dimension model) after it, it comes closer. :cool:

Spending time really dissecting and comparing the OC2 to these other octavers, I kept having the thought that to TRULY get the OC2 sound, you'd need a synth more than an octaver.

Another thing to keep in mind: When directly scrutinizing and A/B comparing like this, it's easy to tell the difference between the different octavers, and the subtle (and not so subtle) variations in flavor that they have. As standalone units and in a mix, they're all good in their own ways.

Also like any piece of gear, the beauty is that we don't all have to like the same things. Some may not like the Bass Octaver in the HX. I think it's pretty decent. But I'll still be keeping my Octabvre in an FX loop when I do my HX board build. ;)

5sg.
 
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While I was at it last night, I also did a recording of the Auto Filter model, which has quickly become my favorite filter model on the HX. Futher live testing in a mix is required, but I'm actually thinking this model may finally be the envelope filter to dethrone my Proton, which has remained king of the hill out of the 36 filters I've previously tried or owned. 39 now, if you count the Tron Up, Mutant Filter and Auto Filter models from Line 6. (Do those count as one each, or just one since they're technically all in one box? :D LOL)

I also updated my Reverb Dreams patch, too. I added a compressor in the chain, because the combination of everything can get out of hand pretty quickly, and the comp definitely helps tame things. (link for the .hlx file for Reverb Dreams is in the Soundcloud description. :cool: )

5sg.






and here are the settings I had on the Auto Filter

20180225_210950_sm.jpg
 
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HX Effects Octaver Comparison



@bgmww I had some time last night to record some audio samples for you. I included not only the HX Effects Bass Octaver model and Boss OC2 per your request, but I also included the MXR Bass Octave Deluxe, 3Leaf Octabvre, and Aguilar Octamizer since I was already doing recordings. I also added a sample of my dry bass, just because.

I used the OC2 as a reference, including five different samples. By comparison, I stand by my statement that the Bass Octaver in the HX Effects indeed does not have the -2 baked in.

Invalid Link Removed

A quick note for anyone else listening: All of these octavers are quite capable of a much wider variety of tones than I included in the sample files. This comparison was specifically done to compare the HX Bass Octaver to the Oct1 + Oct2 sound of the OC2. :thumbsup:

Further thoughts: Revisiting a couple octavers I haven't used in a while (Aguilar and MXR) was fairly refreshing. It reminded me that they all sound good (including a passable OC2 impression by the MXR's Growl knob), but it also made me think that the Bass Octaver in the HX holds it's own. Don't get me wrong... It doesn't really cop the OC2 sound on it's own and I still much prefer my Octabvre & OC2. But I spent some time with the HX and figured out that by adding a touch of chorus (like the Dimension model) after it, it comes closer. :cool:

Spending time really dissecting and comparing the OC2 to these other octavers, I kept having the thought that to TRULY get the OC2 sound, you'd need a synth more than an octaver.

Another thing to keep in mind: When directly scrutinizing and A/B comparing like this, it's easy to tell the difference between the different octavers, and the subtle (and not so subtle) variations in flavor that they have. As standalone units and in a mix, they're all good in their own ways.

Also like any piece of gear, the beauty is that we don't all have to like the same things. Some may not like the Bass Octaver in the HX. I think it's pretty decent. But I'll still be keeping my Octabvre in an FX loop when I do my HX board build. ;)

5sg.

Nice work!

My favorite octave boxes are the Octabrve (and the OC-2 tone in general) or the Aguilar Octamizer. When I was A/Bing the Bass Octaver in the HX to my Octabrve, I felt that the Bass Octaver sounded more similar to the Octamizer from what I could remember of it. I haven't had one on my board for a few years now but I may stick it back on just to get a better feel and what I seem to remember of it.

The felt the Bass Octaver in the HX was pretty good. It's always going to be a compromise if you prefer something else but as a standalone octave tone it was very good.
 
If no one does by the time I get home I’ll list the parameters for you.
Thanks man appreciate! I talked to my local music store and has in stock and have one aside for me but I wanted to see if I need to run pitch wham for octave up and use dual pitch for 5th up for power chords or if I can use just one or the other and use expression pedal to control adding the 5th up.. I guess just hoping I need one block instead of two to achieve this effect. Cheers!
 
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Thanks man appreciate! I talked to my local music store and has in stock and have one aside for me but I wanted to see if I need to run pitch wham for octave up and use dual pitch for 5th up for power chords or if I can use just one or the other and use expression pedal to control adding the 5th up.. I guess just hoping I need one block instead of two to achieve this effect. Cheers!

Or you can use one block to program one setting, then use snapshots to program other settings. :cool:

5sg.
 
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