Is the HX Effects Still Relevant? Possibly the Best Multi Effects Form Factor?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ค. 2024
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A bit of a follow up - I've started gigging the HX Effects again (I used one with Bass before lockdown) - I REALLY dig the form factor for live use, the scribble strips and colour footswitches.
/ johnnathancordy get my backing tracks here
www.buymeacoffee.com/johnnath... - if you like what I do and
only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!
Get my PADs bundle here: www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr... (this folder will grow, and I'd encourage you to ask for different keys/songs and stuff that might suit this type of preset?)
I've decided to make it possible to grab both my Helix/HX Stomp bundles (the expression bundle with freeze presets has always been separate) together - www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr... - I will then email you a link to both bundles!
Try my general patches for Helix or HX Stomp in this bundle using this link - I will then send out the patches! www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr...
You can get my EXPRESSION patches in this bundle using this link - I will then send out the patches! www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr...
Try my patches for Pod GO using this link - I will then send out the patches! www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr...
/ johnnathancordy get my backing tracks here
www.buymeacoffee.com/johnnath... - if you like what I do and
only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!
00:00 Intro
5:30 Lenny is back!
6:20 Why I used an HX Effects in the past
6:39 What are the downsides to the HX Effects?
7:30 How I'm using it Live
10:36 Why I'm REALLY digging it
13:45 The ODD ONE OUT - เพลง
Yeah, it's absolutely great. Especially now you can get one used for quite a bit less than the stomps or the Helix. I just got one, and it pairs beautifully with my Bluguitar Amp1. I think the quality of the sounds, the flexibility the size...and the user friendliness will keep this thing around for a long time.
Lately I find I'm watching John's videos as much for the Lenny updates as the guitar info and music.
LOL! She's home now and doing good
To start off with, Congratulations to both you and your wife!
I've had my HX Effects for two years now and I love it. I got it to compliment a tube amp I purchased around the same time. As a hobby guitarist, it is great to have so many options of overdrives and effects without having to spend a lot of money on individual pedals. The only pedals I would get were preamp pedals. Since then I purchased a HX Stomp to use as the guitar/bass amp to use in conjunction with the Effects.
Good to hear that mum and baby is doing ok - we’re due our second this weekend and it’s always worrying if something happens that you need a check for.
The HX effects is a great tool. Currently using my HX stomp in a 4 cable method with my amp so wondering whether to swap over - don’t play live anymore though so not as essential for the strips. Probably won’t though as I do like the Rockerverb on the stomp too much!
I got hx effects because of your videos a couple of years ago during lockdown and I have to say it’s the best purchase I’ve ever made. As a bass player who loves a valve amp this thing just does everything I’ll ever need . Add a couple of source audio pedals C4 etc and and empress Zoia and I had everything covered I used to have 28 pedals on tour . Plus as everything is midi my set lists are done in hx effects and all hooked up via midi and it’s all just works .
Great unit
I love my HX Effects. So many routing options, great size, quality sounding effects, easy to use and learn, snapshots, scribble strips, etc. I've used mine consistently for a good number of years and its never let me down. Superb unit.
Do you use it solely for effects or drives as well. I couldn't set up the drives for a nice feel when I had the helix.
@@KM-302 Mainly effects (delay, verb, chorus etc) But I do use the Kinky Boost & the Tubescreamer clone, here and there. My main boost and solo drive was my external Way Huge Pork Loin. With the Line 6 drives, the hardest part to get right are the high cut and low cut. On some of the drive models the cuts work vice versa. Very odd, lol. So I can see why people get frustrated with them.
Nice piece of kit I use it in the 4 cable method via a Bugera V22 infinium. I can reduce the volume/power of the amp using a volume control in the Helix after the send and return. Plus adding an IR( Vox AC15) I can get close to an old Shadows type lead. The advantage of this is that I can increase the output of the power amp side of the Bugera but not the actual volume.Nice one for bedroom volume and keeping the family happy. Could be useful JC with your Good News.
This pedal paired with a ToneX is a perfect match!
Yep that’s exactly what I was thinking an the reason I’m here.
EXACTLY!
YOU READ MY MIND
Late comment but you might benefit more from the boss ir 200 because it has an effects loop.
Just got one of these for Christmas. I think it’s awesome. Effects are great. Replaced a bunch of my pedals and then adds loads more. Do wish that there was more shareable content for the unit in either the Custom Tone or Marketplace.
Congratulations on the coming new baby!
Glad all is well with the pregnancy, first and foremost. That relief when everything comes back ok is quite the thing.
As a user of what I view as this unit’s (far less capable) predecessor, the M9, I’m with you on the form factor. It’s ideal if you need a lot of options right in front of you at any given moment. It’s served me very well over the years.
Maybe that’s why the HX Effects is a bit of a misfit in the Helix family… because it’s really more connected, spiritually, to that DL4/MM4/M9/M13 lineage.
I had it and loved it!
I used it with a Shiftline Twin 2 tube preamp pedal and a Mooer Radar for power+cab sim.
I had 3 power adapters for that board and wanted to purchase one power supply that could power all of them.
When I did the math I figured I could sell some of them and purchase a second hand Helix LT for the same price as I would pay for a power supply, which I of course did.
Helix LT is just amazing.
I love my HX Effects. I use it in a regular amp/cab rig as I'M not ready to go full modeler yet. I use a 40 watts head as a pedal platform (Revv Dynamis 7-40) which can be switched to 7 watts. It really has the clean tone I'd been looking for for years. Fendery chime but warm and round too. I use it in a Revv 1x12 or my trusty Marshall 4x12 depending on the gig. I don't play very loud but I really do prefer the feel of a full amp rig and the guitar/speaker interaction.
The HX Effects is the center of my rig. I have the amp preamp in loop 2 (4CM method) and I have a 4 loops midi switcher in loop one where I have 3 analog drives and the Boss SY-1 synth pedal. There's some good drives in the HX but I prefer those I use as they give me exactly the tone I wanted and the fact that I have actual knobs to tweak them directly is something I wanted too. I gain stage with them and use the HX for everything else like compression when I use it, boost, modulation, delays, reverbs, EQ on all presets (hi and low pass mostly) and noise gate as well as some other things like harmonizing.
I have the amp pristine clean (no hair on it unless I boost it and gain stage using the Tumnus Deluxe as my klowest gain (Wampler Knole with separate bass and mids control). It's used as a boost and I'M not overly found of the Klon type crunch. Next is the Revv G2 which does edge of breakup, crunch and classic rock level gain when maxxed and more when pushed with the Tumnus. Last is the Revv G4 for heavy crunch to hi gain (leads, heavy chording). So 3 pedals into a clean amp give me all the gain staging I need and the HX Effects takes care of everything else.
Works well for me and the HX replaced a Boss MS-3 I've used for years in a similar role. Before that (back in the 90s to early 2000s my rig was more rack based. The HX Effects is indeed the best multi-effects unit I have ever used. I love it!!
Hi John. Glad to hear all is well with baby! Mine is due this month too. I’d like to buy the hx effects presets but I can’t find them on the gumroad site? I can only see the helix / stomp ones. I use my hx effects into my sheriff 44 and am very happy with it. 👍
Glad Lenny and baby are doing well. Does the HX Effects Lopped have "auto-sensing" to star recording without having to hit a button in perfect time?
I, too, have trouble editing presets on that unit. Would love some videos of you building presets on it in real time. They really helped me with the stomp.
If you have amps you like and want a wide range off effects, the HX Effects works great.
I usually go direct into my tube amps, but I have several patches in the HX Effects I can use in front or in the loop of my tube amps.
I use the HX Effects + Catalyst 100 in 4CM with MIDI to change the amp channel and turn the amp boost on/off. I don't use the effects in the amp except when I want an always on reverb. Versatile, small amp rig.
So I really like the sounds you’re getting here. What do I need to buy to get the freeze/pad thing for the HX Effects? I freaking love that, and I need it to experiment. 😎
I use mine through a Fender Blues Deluxe and/or a Vox AC30 and I can't seem to get a good overdrive out of it. That said, I run a Morning Glory and a Big Muff through the effects loops in the HXFX. I'd love to get rid of the analog pedals to strip it down. Any tips for getting good dirt tones thought a tube amp? Thanks! Love your vids John and Happy New Year!
I've had my hx effects for a couple years as well. I run it into a couple different tube amps in 4cm...it sounds amazing.
Hey - great review. I’ve been thinking of taking the plunge and buying the HXFX to replace some pedals. It seems like a good fit for me, because I have a DSM Humboldt Simplifier DLX which I absolutely LOVE and this have no need for a combined effects/amp/cab modeler, but would love the versatility and convenience of the modeler for effects only. But I have yet to see a video of someone trying out an HXFX with a DSM Humboldt Simplifier DLX. Have you tried those two units together? Would love some informed opinions on that before I buy this unit (great as it seems). Either way, thanks for all of your great vids. 👍🏼
@jonnathancordy Those HX Effects presets you made, are they part of the “Helix and HX Stomp General Presets“ folder?
Thanks for the video, I think it helped cement my decision to get one of these. Question that may have been asked: I noticed one of the scribbles labeled: Logic/GarageBand. Is there a specific reason?
I have an HX Stomp and an HX Effects. I use the Stomp to be quiet at home or maybe rehearsal but I use the Effects playing out. I just have more fun with a real amp. If I did it a lot of gigs I would probably do it different but for a couple times a month it's what I like. I use a Tone King head/cab that is not very heavy. I keep a favorite overdrive in the HX FX Loop . I talkin about a Magma57 form origin effects. I haven't found anything in HX that will replace that and I like that pedal a lot. I can put it any where in the path so I can use it as a amp modeler or an overdrive, I use an amp switcher at the end of my path so I can got to an amp or to the board. I keep it all in an effects loop pedal so I can go straight to my amp if I want. There is a difference even with all FX turned off. So I have a reasonably sized pedal board that can do everything I want.
Hi, regarding the Presets - are they for the HX Effects specifically or are they based on an Amp model/IR? Will they work with a standalone HX Effects unit?
I've been using it live with my cover band along with a TC-100 amp from Mesa. I use midi to switch the channels and boost on the amp and voilà! Great product for those who already own amps and are attached to them :)
hi there. i enjoyed the video. do you happen to have any presets available for HX EFFECTS?
I’ve used it gigging 4 years now. Just straight into my amp with a couple pedals. Volume. Wah. It’s a great unit if you don’t want cabs.
Hey John, do you get good tones with the helix on headphones? If so are they in your folder? Maybe you could make a video about that. I think there are probably a few people with kids who want to play at night cheers
A year later. I have a very good two channel, tube preamp and a Cab M+. I wanted a Line 6 product but I was thinking I would not need my preamp and Cab M anymore with most of the Line 6 boards. This resolves that. I can do amp, cabinet, microphone and tube simulations with the Cab M+. The Cab M is set up to simulate a Silver Face. So, yes, for me it's relevant. I don't need the Helix or Stomp models.
Have been gigging full fat Helix with Laney LFR212 and PowerCab112 in stereo for some years now. Just ordered a ToneMaster Twin, mainly since I miss that big stage filling sound of an open cab 212. Will use Helix as my FX only board, but may still get the HX Effects instead, small board, expression pedal. The end.
I love mine and have had it for years!
I really love my HX Effects. I wish Line 6 would offer with an update a 6 button Snapshot mode, similar to the HX Stomp using all 3 buttons for Snapshots. For me, having 6 Snapshots avaiailbe would be much more versatile.
I bought the pod go. I have the m9 and still see the m9 on nashville player boards. I tried to use the pod go as just effects in the front of an amp and didn’t care for it. I even compared the m9 to the pod go effects and can’t really tell much difference. Is there a reason to upgrade? They say the effects sound better but not sure i hear that. Maybe the reliability is a reason.
Hey Thomas! There's new effects in the HX Effects/Pod Go that aren't in the M9 but if there's not anything specific you're missing, then no need?
I use one in a 4 cable method set up with my amp so don’t need the amp models, I also do use it with other pedals into the front and as a stereo set up and sending out midi messages so it great for me. The helix pedal models are great aren’t they some great weird pedals to muck about with.
I have about 12 presets all in all with the snap shots it’s a massive amount of sounds as much as anyone could need in a gig.
I own this. Sometimes it bugs me that i missed out on the amp models. But the pros are amazing.
- got it for 400$
- 6 footswitches
- never need to buy effect pedals or power supplies again
- can pair it with other amp-only systems like iridium or tonex or real tube amps
Helps to think of effects as separate from the amp which is the main voice. My only wet dream is for line6 to make an amp-only pedal like hx-one, and id have my dream rig. For now i use it with catalyst which basically does exactly that. (Got that for 200$)
I just got an EVH 5150 stealth and I'd like to be able to switch channels on the amp with this using snapshots while also activating certain effects in the amps effects loop. So let's say I'm on the rhythm channel and for the lead I press one button, which ideally switches to channel 3 (lead channel) on the amp but also turns on delay/chorus/etc.. Is that possible with the hx effects?
Hey Tyler - I think it depends on how your Amp switches - I was able to set up something like that with my Mesa V:25 th-cam.com/video/Kniq8_bc9FQ/w-d-xo.html
@@johnnathancordy Thanks for the reply 👍
So glad they're ok
I’m on the verge buying an HX Stomp to stick on the end of my pedal board as a utility pedal, for one off sounds, looping for practice, and as a solution to go direct (if ever required). Question is, is this going to be replaced by Line 6 anytime soon? And if so, would I be better waiting until something newer comes out?
The thing with digital is there's always a new and improved hardware model on the horizon.
As long as the chips are made and they don't run out of processing power, no reason to upgrade the hardware unless competitors release something that makes HX less competitive.
For digital gear, it's usually best to get in early on the new hardware release and ride it out until the next hardware release to maximize the value of your investment. IMO.
That said, even if new and improved hardware is released, the current hardware will still sound the same as it does now. Unless you need latest and greatest or specific features of the new hardware, if the current hardware does what you need now, it will still do the same thing in the future.
Agreed here. Take this versus something like the plethora, the HXFX wins out on almost every single front, the relay switches, huge scribble strips! As an adjunct to the stomp or extension of the helix floor it is perfect. The only thing that turned my cheek away from it, was the fact that having already two helix products that act as the glue to everything else, would you really want a 3rd ?
Id encourage a deep look at the plethora or other multi fx made to be a part of a larger rig, and not the all in one camp like helix. There are frankly far better ideas stitched into that other architecture and merging the two worlds makes for far better sounds.
I’m going back and forth on HX Effects into HX Stomp, vs. HX Stomp into HX Effects. Could you maybe do a video on your views on that? Advantages/Disadvantages of either option…
Hey Patrick! I can have a think.
If you're going back and forth it might be best to go with a 4 cable set up between the two?
Right now I’m using the HX Effects first for drives, including loops for external analog drives. Then go into HX Stomp for Amp models and time based stuff with a loop for external time based pedals. I control the stomp via Midi from the HX Effects. Your video makes me think about the advantages of having the looper in the HX Effects at the end now…
With the 4 cable method I would lose switchable loops, that’s why I’m kinda against that.
I love the HX effects form factor. If they could just put the full function of the hx stomp in the HX stomp, that would be nice. That's sorta what the Stomp XL is, but I still prefer the HX effects form factor.
This box would be a killer deal for anyone with synthesizers, or modular synths.
I have a Juno D-I synth! I have yet to sync them up…what should I do with them??
I was thinking about using the “MIDI BASS PEDALS” to trigger some pads and synths on the Juno!
In this day and age, I’m after a budget multi fx unit. Should I go for the hex effects or the TC electronic plethora?
HX Effects is in another class.
Sorry John, but the downsides you're describing are what they designed the Helix and the Stomp for. They designed the HX Effects specifically to work as an effects unit with a separate amp and not have modeling and be an interface. And it works very well for that to me. Anyone looking to use it for the purpose, I think it's still very relevant. And an excellent unit. I use it with my different tube amps and find it the best current solution multi effects processor for that. But it has been around a while though, and I would think they could improve on it by now. Making the effects and processing even better and maybe refine the menus and controls even more. Adding a volume/wah pedal to the unit and making a great travel case for it players could buy separately. But it's still a great effects processor and very relevant as it. I've even considered buying a second.
Lately I’ve been building modelers from blocks. For example
Clean Pre/Boost-EQ-Dist/OD-EQ-Cab IR w 4 blocks left to play w
I personally like it without a pedal, as it sits on my desk and my expression pedal plugged into it sits under my desk.
pretty much the only units with so many switching capabilities if u'r still using a real amp, or even modeling. not to mention its relatively cheap.
Is the HX Effects still supported with updates today in Aug 2023? Thanks!
It is the most under rated helix product, There is a whole crowd of people who bought a floor just for scribble strips who only use it 4cm into an amp with one line of dsp used and I have to wonder why they don't just get the FX instead
I just sold my Pod go and went back to pedals, but pretty sure I'll get something similar in the future
Just a little curious, what made you switch over to pedals?
@@loveaboveall2382 Ease of use, I know I had a ton of possibilities with the Pod Go but I mainly play classic rock, and pop covers with my band, so no use for 50 Reverbs, or what have you. While digital distortions are really, really good now (unlike with past multifx) nothing beats my OCD clone, The Hustle. Programming the Pod took a lot of time, which I rather spend playing, also I arranged my presets according to our playlist only to find myself jumping from across banks when, playing live, the setlist changed on the fly. That said, if I had money I would've kept the Pod, been playing for over 30 years and it's the best MultFX I've owned. Cheers
beautiful song mate
Good Luck
For sure it is,for many usecase 😊
The HX Effects is the best tool I have ever used for guitar playing! I play out in multiple cover gigs as well as originals and have setup many pedalboards for each specific group. I am a diehard "real amp" user, so the amp portion is not missed by me. I would rate it as one of the most valuable tools I use at each gig.
Agreed. And one of the selling points for me w the stomp is that you can use it as a backup amp. These days though, there are a million cheap amp in a box pedals that would get the job done if disaster struck.
The effects solved my needs perfectly once I made a decision to think about the main use, the effects, for me.
The new Tone X pedal with an HXFX and it’s better than any current modeler.
Doze it have any good over drive distortion.
th-cam.com/video/TzOauMaNjRw/w-d-xo.html - here's a video about drives in front of an amp and some things that I've found help
Lovely playing! Maybe someone here can clear up if the HX Effects allows for dual signal path routing (from two different signals going in to the unit), which can be done on all other HX/Helix units?
Yes it can do the DSP path split at the input thing like you can do with the HX Stomp. Remember though that it still only has one DSP chip, so it will have the same limitations for processing two signals separately as an HX Stomp would.
I'm a frequent viewer and appreciate the content but seeing you doing a gear video instead of attending a baby scan with your wife together is kind of sad, unfortunately.
some guys have to work to pay the bills. now if he misses the birth that would be different. IMO
Sock cam. Nice, spotty socks. 😁👍
The hx effects would have probably sold double or triple numbers if they just included amps and ir blocks, stupid omission
Bit strange isn't it? Although I guess they'd have sold less HX Stomps?
@@johnnathancordyIMHO there never should have been a Helix LT. Line 6 should have put amps in the HXFX. The Stomp still would’ve been a hit. Now if I could just figure out how to get the brains out of my XL and put it in an HXFX
Hardly worth calling it "HX Effects" if you're gonna throws amp and can modellers in there too. It's a HX *Effects* for what I must assume is a good reason.
I have one and havent used it in over a year because I cannot understand how pedals are not always a better choice.
Pedals are almost always a more expensive choice and don't really give you any routing options?
@@johnnathancordy i use 1 guitar and 1 amp. In between them I have a few pedals and two cables. I really have no idea what all the fuss is about.
Fun fact: Most of the effects models that make it still relevant, came with firmware updates. The original release showed a great concept, but mostly boring, mediocre effects.
You are total gracy……
It’s a horrible form factor
Using it on a pedal train classic you can fit practically nothing else on the board but tons of wasted space
The Hx stomp is the right size. Also the plethora
I hate my Hx effects. The thing sounds great but is unusable.
Stupid adapter, stupid size, no modeling- UI is good, but not great.
only problem is the lack of adjustable input impedence like all the other units have,,because of this all the fuzz models are crap
Add your favorite analog fuzz pedal into one of the loops, problem solved. :)