Line 6 HX Effects

[been_effected]

I use a bunch of effects within the HX - modulations, delays, reverbs, the "synth string" effect, pitch shifting/octaving (the COG T16 in the insert is for a pure octave "synth" style tone), IR's, EQ, Compression (as an effect), Drive/Dist/Fuzz (KWB, Teemah, Minotaur, Kinky Boost, Clawthorn, Obsidian, Industrial Fuzz, Wringer).

Some notes:
I almost always add the the Kinky Boost to any patch with the Future Impact (I find it gives it a bit more life and a more 'organic' sound).
I'm also pretty much always running an EQ for LPF/HPF at the end of the chain.

Ultimately, if I had to, I could probably do all I need with the HX, however I like that having the effects in the inserts allows me to free up the processing power of the HX for some more utility style things and spatial or "special" effects (modulations/delays/reverbs). I'm particularly enjoying the expressive nature of the HX too - allowing me to throw in bursts of sound with momentary control of effects like fuzz, sub octaves, self-oscillating delays...etc.

The whole thing then runs into a Jule Amps Monique. With the sub output of the Mantic going to it's own DI output (it passes clean/dry signal through the rest of the signal path).

Good lord it's like I found someone who has my ideal rig. I have a Monique on the buy list but there's a heap of bills to pay...

Here's my board:

The HX is the "brain".

I have the Morningstar in one HX loop, and the AOU in the other.
The Cali, VMT and T16 are in loops connected to the Morningstar, and the HX switches effects in and out automatically via MIDI. Gives me full control over multiple analog pedal changes. My conceptual goal is I should be able to do pretty much anything in terms of changes with a single footswitch. No tapdancing!

And yes, it does annoy my sense of good design that theres a bloody gaping big hole between the VMT and AOU...blame the mounting plates so the power supplies could be mounted underneath.

 

[sifi2112]

Can the HX be used as a preamp to drive a power amp ? I’ve been reading through the manual & know it can be set to ‘instrument’ or ‘line level’ but not sure if it has a master volume for all presets like the Helix has .. btw I’m only on page 38 of this thread so excuse me if this has been asked/discussed

 

[gregmon79]

Can the HX be used as a preamp to drive a power amp ? I’ve been reading through the manual & know it can be set to ‘instrument’ or ‘line level’ but not sure if it has a master volume for all presets like the Helix has .. btw I’m only on page 38 of this thread so excuse me if this has been asked/discussed

I don't see why I wouldn't. There are some models on there that can put out some serious heat/headroom.

 

[Chace90]

Since we're all sharing, here's mine. Another Temple boards user here. I just switched from their proprietary adhesive plates system to 3M dual lock. I just didn't have a great experience with the plates, though I did try. Maybe @been_effected has some tips? The big thing for me was the spacing. Just don't have the same options as you do with velcro or dual lock. I also found that some of the plate screws would wiggle loose over time. I found it annoying to have to be always checking them. And in some cases the plates weren't thick enough to overcome screws sticking out of the bottom of some pedals. I will say though that once I got them properly bonded to the pedal, they held strong.

HX is headquarters on my board. Most of my effects are done on there, or are in the loops. Just added the Pigtronix Bass Envelope Phaser last night for fun. Not sure if it'll stay or not.

Signal chain: Bass --> Cali76 (always on) --> HX --> Loop 1 (Octabvre & Pigtronix) --> Loop 2 (Future Impact, MIDI connected) --> Dunlop Mini Volume X (expression controller) --> HX out --> GigRig HumDinger (isolated out --> amp, buffered out --> MXR m80 --> Rolls Headphone amp)

I use in-ears on nearly every gig, so I have the MXR and Rolls on the board for that purpose. MXR basically serves as a preamp/EQ for my in-ear bass tone, which I can mix separately from whatever monitor mix I happen to get from FOH. Also doesn't affect my amp tone. No shouting/waving at a sound person to get more bass in my mix.

I did use the HX once as a preamp & EQ for a gig I was doubling on a while back. Worked great for taming the feedback issues from a loud stage with the upright bass.

 

[gregmon79]

Well I wanna share too!!! Just redid mine. Again

 

[Basssy]

Well I wanna share too!!! Just redid mine. Again

View attachment 3160902

Hey gregmon, sorry to hijack the thread but where did you get that pedal plate (?) for your Bass Whammy? I really like the look of that

 

[gregmon79]

Hey gregmon, sorry to hijack the thread but where did you get that pedal plate (?) for your Bass Whammy? I really like the look of that

No hijack, I got it from someone on here, @JonnyAngle. He does acid etching on the side. Or maybe he's doing full time by now? Not sure. He does great work regardless. He did the plate on my wah too.

 

[Basssy]

No hijack, I got it from someone on here, @JonnyAngle. He does acid etching on the side. Or maybe he's doing full time by now? Not sure. He does great work regardless. He did the plate on my wah too.

Very cool thanks for the info! And now, back to the HXFX

 

[been_effected]

Since we're all sharing, here's mine. Another Temple boards user here. I just switched from their proprietary adhesive plates system to 3M dual lock. I just didn't have a great experience with the plates, though I did try. Maybe @been_effected has some tips? The big thing for me was the spacing. Just don't have the same options as you do with velcro or dual lock. I also found that some of the plate screws would wiggle loose over time. I found it annoying to have to be always checking them. And in some cases the plates weren't thick enough to overcome screws sticking out of the bottom of some pedals. I will say though that once I got them properly bonded to the pedal, they held strong.

The plates definitely take a little more planning than using good quality dual lock. I kinda approached things the other way - I'd not had good experiences over the years with velcro and finally got the s**ts with it.

While you might think the spacing is a bit limiting, I found that the "little" bit of space lost by shifting a plate over could inevitably be counteracted by shifting the pedal slightly in the other direction.

Haven't had any issues with plate screws coming loose, though I have made sure to tighten mine properly with a screwdriver once I was happy with the layout. Honestly if I had issues with the screws, there's nothing a little Loctite can't fix.

The HX/M9's are the only pedals I've had the issue you mentioned, and the HX juuuuust fits (with a tiny bit of flex). When I had my M9, I just grabbed some replacement flat-head screws and switched them out.

If anything, I've had more issues with getting the adhesive OFF the plates when I've removed a plate and need to "recharge" it with a new adhesive pad. It's freaking indestructible. But hey, I love my board and it works for me (aside from wishing I could come up with a better way to organise the pedals/mounting. Would love to fit a Future Impact on there if I could)

 

[Tandark]

Not as extensive as others but love the compact Metro24 set up for this dual guitar/bass rig.
Just need to wiggle things closer to the edges/closer together to accomodate my new ADA GCS-3 for silent practice and when I want signals to Guitar amp, bass amp and PA simultaneously.
The dream would be to go slightly bigger with a couple more pedals controlled via the HX and a Morningstar ML5 (like another user has done if i remember correctly?)

 

[gregmon79]

What exactly does that Morningstar do for those who are using it?

 

[been_effected]

What exactly does that Morningstar do for those who are using it?

It's a compact MIDI-controller looper.

Basically, it lets me use MIDI signals to switch certain loops on or off.
So with a single MIDI message I can go from zero loops on to loop 1, 3 and 4 on.
With a different message, I can go from 1, 3 and 4 to 2 and 4, etc.

When you combine that with the amount of routing flexibility in the HX, I can completely rework my entire analog and digital signal chain at the touch of a button.

 

[bassophile]

Is there difference in sound when looper block is inserted but not activated comparing to not having it in chain?

 

[MascisMan]

Is there difference in sound when looper block is inserted but not activated comparing to not having it in chain?

I haven't specifically tried the looper block, but, I wouldn't think so. I don't find any discernible sound difference with other effects in the chain turned off vs. not in the chain at all.

 

[MascisMan]

Not as extensive as others but love the compact Metro24 set up for this dual guitar/bass rig.
Just need to wiggle things closer to the edges/closer together to accomodate my new ADA GCS-3 for silent practice and when I want signals to Guitar amp, bass amp and PA simultaneously.
The dream would be to go slightly bigger with a couple more pedals controlled via the HX and a Morningstar ML5 (like another user has done if i remember correctly?)
View attachment 3161861

So this is really inspiring me to try a Metro 24 for a sleek, "linear," board.

What cables are you using? Also, what kind of clearance do you have from under the Metro to the floor? If I did the 24 I would probably try to run a Radial DI underneath (about 1.75" tall). Also, is your expression pedal on the board or on the floor in this pic? Hard to tell.

 

[Chace90]

Is there difference in sound when looper block is inserted but not activated comparing to not having it in chain?

I have the 6 button looper in one of my regular presets. When it is (or isn't engaged), I don't notice any signal change/difference. Pretty sure whenever you load presets, whatever blocks are in the preset are loaded into the DSP so they're ready to turn on/off without any lag, but they don't necessarily alter your signal unless they're actually engaged.

Best way to test this I think would be to setup a preset with a looper as the only block. Then use it, turn it off, etc. And toggle Analog Bypass on/off. As noted in various places on this thread and the manual, the HX doesn't have input and output settings besides line/instrument level. So I would think without any blocks turned on, you shouldn't hear any audible difference when the blocks are bypassed and analog bypass on or off. Does that make sense?

I'll test if I have time at my soundcheck today and report back.

 

[MascisMan]

I got inspired by Tandark. This is using a Temple Solo 18. I had to take off the right handle to make everything fit. The Shure hangs over the edge maybe a 1/4". There is plenty of room to still use the DVP4 in my Vans shoes. Of course I could remove the left handle as well if I wanted a little more room for the DVP4.

Power for the HX is the factory power supply, the Shure and DI are powered by the BoxKing. The BK and the DI are attached via Dual Lock.

The DI switch clears underneath so it doesnt touch the ground as long as it is positioned like this with the DI out on the inside rather than against the wall of the board.

 

[gregmon79]

I got inspired by Tandark. This is using a Temple Solo 18. I had to take off the right handle to make everything fit. The Shure hangs over the edge maybe a 1/4". There is plenty of room to still use the DVP4 in my Vans shoes. Of course I could remove the left handle as well if I wanted a little more room for the DVP4.

Power for the HX is the factory power supply, the Shure and DI are powered by the BoxKing. The BK and the DI are attached via Dual Lock.

The DI switch clears underneath so it doesnt touch the ground as long as it is positioned like this with the DI out on the inside rather than against the wall of the board.

View attachment 3165440 View attachment 3165441 View attachment 3165442View attachment 3165446

Oh man I LOVE that. I’ve been seriously considering doing something like this. I’m waiting to see where this new band goes and where our writing and tone avenues go. If it stays the same as it has been on these older songs before I came on we’ve been working on it will happen.

 

[Digital Igloo]

Is there difference in sound when looper block is inserted but not activated comparing to not having it in chain?

There shouldn't be.

 

[smeet]

I split the signal and put some effects on the B path to run in parallel with A. In the mix block I assign a footswitch to the B Level, which works nicely to turn off the B path. But when I toggle the B path back on, the Level jumps up to + 12dB. Is there a way I can have it toggle between -60dB and 0dB? Or even between two arbitrary volume settings?