Programmable multi-FX for pro live use?

[JonathanPDX]

Many years ago I tried a few of the big digital multi-fx pedals and was always disappointed. The big bulky Boss, Zoom, or Digitech units always felt like something you could fiddle with at home but not really use on a gig. I don't want to be tapping to bank through various banks of sounds between songs, and I don't need built in drum machines or other nonsense.

Over the years I put together a pedalboard, but seeing the modern era of multi-fx units that are programmable and can be adjusted via USB or Bluetooth instead of getting down on the floor for 2 hours, I'm curious if it might be time to look into consolidating my pedalboard to cover at least some sounds in a single unit.

Units like the Eventide H9, Line 6 Hx, and TC Toneprint Multi-FX are all intriguing to me, but I don't want to invest a ton in a boutique piece of gear without doing my homework.

I wouldn't need all of these in a single box, but right now I use chorus, octave down, light overdrive (tube emulation), compression, envelope filter, and sometimes a delay/reverb and a freeze pedal. Nothing super crazy. Ideally I'd like to add an EQ/compression to stomp on for the more classic Marcus Miller scooped tone, and maybe a big wet synth sound, but that's more for fun than because I need it for work.

Are there any units you'd recommend that are high quality sound-wise, realistic for real-world gig situations, and easy to tweak and program without needing an engineering degree? I don't need 500 different sounds or amp emulation, I just want a handful of good quality effects I can access easily and ideally mix-and-match on stage.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I've owned lots and lots of multi effects and never used any of them more than a handful of times. Spent from under $100 to over $600. Bottom line for me is that I hate carrying extra gear around, I hate setting up extra gear, I hate bending down to tweak and take out the manual to make the smallest changes, and well... I wasn't too crazy about the sound of any of the effects I ever had, either.

Then I found this for $89.

It sounds better than pretty much any other multi I've owned (and still own), its easy to program and use, it fits in my gigbag and adds no weight to it - and best of all for me, its the best tuner I ever had. Blows away a Pitchblack I was using before it, and IMO is worth the $89 even if I only ever used it as a tuner. Nothing to lose IMO buying this, even if buying it just to check out.

 

[Skybone]

Line6 HX FX

 

[JonathanPDX]

Line6 HX FX

Have you used this one before? Any feedback on how it functions in a live setting?

It looks really good, though after watching the tutorial videos I'm a bit intimidated by just how much it can do! Assuming the actual effect blocks are good quality, it seems like a great candidate to replace a lot of common pedals in a single unit, which would be perfect.

 

[Naigewron]

+1 for Line6 HX Effects.

It's the most "pedalboard"-ish multi-FX I've used. Very simple to use and edit presets and effects, and with six dedicated footswitches you can set it up in any number of ways.

I went from the HX Stomp to the HX Effects, and I'm really happy I did. The HX Stomp is extremely powerful and compact, but the editing is fiddly, and the lack of footswitches is really limiting. With the HX Effects, I'm not missing anything at all.

I mostly stay on a single preset with footswitches dedicated to each effect (two drives, chorus, compressor, octave and fuzz), and then I have 1-2 other presets that are set up for more specialty use (one for ambience, one for a "fake guitar" doubling, etc).

Absolutely highly recommended unit.

I also use the HX Effects for my electric guitar noodling at home, and for unplugged gigs with my acoustic guitar.

My setup:


The other pedal on the board is my amp modeler/DI solution. The HX Effects splits to run into my amp, and into the modeler for going direct (because I really dislike the sound of overdriven bass without an amp and cab)

 

[JonathanPDX]

+1 for Line6 HX Effects.

It's the most "pedalboard"-ish multi-FX I've used. Very simple to use and edit presets and effects, and with six dedicated footswitches you can set it up in any number of ways.

I went from the HX Stomp to the HX Effects, and I'm really happy I did. The HX Stomp is extremely powerful and compact, but the editing is fiddly, and the lack of footswitches is really limiting. With the HX Effects, I'm not missing anything at all.

I mostly stay on a single preset with footswitches dedicated to each effect (two drives, chorus, compressor, octave and fuzz), and then I have 1-2 other presets that are set up for more specialty use (one for ambience, one for a "fake guitar" doubling, etc).

That's very helpful, thank you!

A couple more questions if you don't mind:

From watching the tutorial videos, it looks like you could add an expression pedal and set it to control a different parameter for each effect (IE speed of delay, sweep of envelope, etc.) is that correct? I like the idea of having even more control with my feet.

Is it very difficult to dial things in through the software program and get them into the pedal itself? Editing on the PC sounds way more appealing than tweaking the knobs.

Once you set the sound you like, does it save easily and remain gig-ready? I have that fear from the old, complex pedals that you'd hit the wrong button and delete everything or undo all your custom tweaks.

When you say you have other presets, how do you toggle between them? Is the preset an effect within a specific "pedal" button, or a preset that changes how the entire unit is set up?

Thanks again, it feels a lot better to look at buying gear when you can talk to someone who actually uses the same unit in the real world!

 

[J_Bass]

Many years ago I tried a few of the big digital multi-fx pedals and was always disappointed. The big bulky Boss, Zoom, or Digitech units always felt like something you could fiddle with at home but not really use on a gig. I don't want to be tapping to bank through various banks of sounds between songs, and I don't need built in drum machines or other nonsense.

Over the years I put together a pedalboard, but seeing the modern era of multi-fx units that are programmable and can be adjusted via USB or Bluetooth instead of getting down on the floor for 2 hours, I'm curious if it might be time to look into consolidating my pedalboard to cover at least some sounds in a single unit.

Units like the Eventide H9, Line 6 Hx, and TC Toneprint Multi-FX are all intriguing to me, but I don't want to invest a ton in a boutique piece of gear without doing my homework.

I wouldn't need all of these in a single box, but right now I use chorus, octave down, light overdrive (tube emulation), compression, envelope filter, and sometimes a delay/reverb and a freeze pedal. Nothing super crazy. Ideally I'd like to add an EQ/compression to stomp on for the more classic Marcus Miller scooped tone, and maybe a big wet synth sound, but that's more for fun than because I need it for work.

Are there any units you'd recommend that are high quality sound-wise, realistic for real-world gig situations, and easy to tweak and program without needing an engineering degree? I don't need 500 different sounds or amp emulation, I just want a handful of good quality effects I can access easily and ideally mix-and-match on stage.

You just described my pedal board almost piece by piece!

 

[Wretched Banana]

@JonathanPDX Obligatory reminder: You can try the software-only version Helix Native for free for 15 days on your computer and see for yourself what it sounds like and how the effect chain is put together.

 

[Barisaxman]

I'm currently using the POD Go. Same tech/models as the Helix pedals in a less expensive, but less flexible platform. I'm pretty much a compressor, chorus, drive guy so nothing too complex. I'm using 3rd party IR for cabinet sim and getting everything I could want out of one simple box. The software is super easy as well.

 

[Dave W]

The HXFX is great. It's very easy to program and make tweaks at the gig. All of the Helix stuff is for that matter.
Tweaking on the computer is super easy too, and you can save backups so if you do happen to hit that delete button you can easily go back...

 

[Naigewron]

From watching the tutorial videos, it looks like you could add an expression pedal and set it to control a different parameter for each effect (IE speed of delay, sweep of envelope, etc.) is that correct? I like the idea of having even more control with my feet.

Yep, that's correct. You can run two expression pedals and they can control any parameter on eny effect (or control multiple parameters at once).

Is it very difficult to dial things in through the software program and get them into the pedal itself? Editing on the PC sounds way more appealing than tweaking the knobs.

The software is really easy, but the magic of the HX Effects for me is how easy it is to dial in on the unit itself. Both are really simple to get into, definitely a lot simpler than any other unit I've owned or tested.

Once you set the sound you like, does it save easily and remain gig-ready? I have that fear from the old, complex pedals that you'd hit the wrong button and delete everything or undo all your custom tweaks.

I've had instances of losing some work because I jumped to another preset while working, but that's rare. Saving is really easy, so just get into the habit of saving as you go, and you'll be safe against mistakes.

When you say you have other presets, how do you toggle between them? Is the preset an effect within a specific "pedal" button, or a preset that changes how the entire unit is set up?

There's a "Mode"-button on the top right, which will jump between different modes depending on how youset it up. The default is to jump between preset mode, allowing you to change presets, and stomp mode, where you can control individual effects and parameters on your active preset.

You can also attach a MIDI controller to swap presets, but unless you need to swap in the middle of a song there's really no big use for it in my opinion.

 

[Eli_Kyiv]

I currently use Zoom B3n and am quite happy with it.

It's actually a more powerful version of Zoom B1Four mentioned earlier. It can have up to 7 effects per patch in any order, is easily programmable via USB from your Mac or PC, and in addition to classic patch mode could work in pedalboard or stomp mode, when you can switch desired effect(s) on or off. It also allows an external vol/exp pedal connection, though it's usage is somewhat limited.
There also are more powerful Zoom units G3Xn, G5n and G11. Technically these are for guitar, but simple firmware tweaking adds all effects from B3n to them. Zoom also has G6, but it seems to be from some other line which I'm not sure is compatible.

 

[scuzzy]

I have been using the line 6 pod hd500x for a couple years as my rig. It's capable of great sounds, but takes more effort and isn't as quickly edited as the newer helix offerings.

The dual channel/bi-amping capabilities are really great. The amps sound very convincing and the tube overdrive is very touch sensitive.

As with all these units though, you get what you put in. Read the manuals, tweak, and learn it inside and out. The new helix machines are crazy impressive, as are the fractal and Kemper offerings. Digital has come a looooooong way.

 

[JonathanPDX]

Yep, that's correct. You can run two expression pedals and they can control any parameter on eny effect (or control multiple parameters at once).

The software is really easy, but the magic of the HX Effects for me is how easy it is to dial in on the unit itself. Both are really simple to get into, definitely a lot simpler than any other unit I've owned or tested.

Thank you for all the details, that's super helpful! This sounds like just the kind of unit I've been looking for. Now I just have to clean out the old gear closet and sell some stuff to make room for it.

BTW, have you run it with 2x expression pedals? I've been looking at reviews and videos and some people say it's possible but I haven't actually found an example of somebody showing a setup with 2 pedals at once.

 

[Naigewron]

Thank you for all the details, that's super helpful! This sounds like just the kind of unit I've been looking for. Now I just have to clean out the old gear closet and sell some stuff to make room for it.

BTW, have you run it with 2x expression pedals? I've been looking at reviews and videos and some people say it's possible but I haven't actually found an example of somebody showing a setup with 2 pedals at once.

I haven't yet. But I have two expression preset footswitches coming in the mail in the next week or two (international shipping, euch). They're basically tiny footswitches that pretend to be expression pedals, jumping instantly from minimum to maximum. I'll report back with my experiences.

But it's definitely possible. When you select a controller to control a given parameter, you can choose between EXP1 and EXP2, so it's most definitely fully supported in the software.

Link to the switch, in case anyone is interested:
Micro Expression Switch – Line 6 - Loopi Pedals

 

[JonathanPDX]

I haven't yet. But I have two expression preset footswitches coming in the mail in the next week or two (international shipping, euch). They're basically tiny footswitches that pretend to be expression pedals, jumping instantly from minimum to maximum. I'll report back with my experiences.

That is a really interesting and clever solution to add flexibility while keeping the footprint small! Please do report back, I'm very curious how that setup works, and what kind of creative adjustments you find usable on gigs with the additional control.

 

[Ryan L.]

I used an HXFX live for a couple years. Moved up to the Helix Floor this year since my whole band is now ampless on stage.

The HX is extremely easy to set up/use, and sounds great. For what you say you’re looking for, it’ll do that and a whole lot more.

 

[4Mal]

Haven't used the HX EFX but I do use a Stomp with an external midi controller (Morningstar Mc6.2) I have an external2button for bank up/down on the controller. Controller controls the HX, Source Audio C4 and a Future Impact. Synth was obviously important to me and the Line 6 Synth models don't cut it or for me.

I see the Stomp as sort of a routing brain with effects and effects loops and IR support. I could easily run a simple date, country, blues, americana on just the stomp plus a switcher for multiple basses.