I love this set up, it's such a good blend of digital and analogue. It's like all of the best parts of analogue gear mixed with all the good parts of digital set ups.
I’m an old ‘dyed in the wool analog, tube amp’ guy. My bass player has been using an HX since they came out, and about 6 months ago he talked me into getting one. He built it and a poly tune into a road case of me. At first I was not very impressed, as the drives sounds thin to me. Didn’t have that ‘umph’ that say, my OCD had. Started running it into my blues junior and playing with it. It takes some time, but I’m really starting to like it. It’s all I’m using now. But, as I said, it takes some time to get what you’re looking for.
This video helped me decide to buy the HX Effects and I love it so far. It does exactly what I was needing, which is a simple and inexpensive (compared to buying a switcher and individual pedals) way to control my entire rig. Once I sort out the internal noise gates I’ll be able to be completely pedal free other than an expression pedal. Not even an channel switcher for my amp.
I hear you on the pedal board idea. I had a massive pile of random pedals, and unfortunately a bunch of them disappeared from storage while I lived overseas (like all my delay pedals for example). I bought a Line6 M5 to give me access to time based fx again, but then I realized that I really, really liked all the fx on it. So I ended up selling all of my remaining pedals, and bought a secondhand Line6 HD500 for pretty cheap (That's actually how I found your channel, I was looking for videos of people using it). I have real amps for my main tones, but I've been incredibly happy having everything all in one box.
Every time I try a digital all-in-one instead of my pedalboard, I found that they all take the “edge” off the amp. My experience of digital Multi effects with real amps are - the digital ODs and Distortions sound awful and they don’t push my amp in a nice way like say a tube screamer , DS1, SD1 or an OCD would, but their modulation and delays/reverbs are generally useable, but they still all take something away from the amp. I love using my Headrush Gigboard in 4CM with my amp for tidiness and playing having fun messing with the huge choice of effects...I have got virtual pedalboards set up for every genre and favorite artist on the Headrush (Hendrix, Van Halen pedalboards etc). But when I connect the real pedals back on the amp, the amp just comes alive, sounds bigger, less sterile, fatter and more percussive thump.
This does also offer the Snapshots option the LT and both Helix and Rack offer. I used this unit with my 5150iii and ext pedals to control them as well as my amp via midi. At the end I ended up with a Helix rack that replaced it all. It’s much less time consuming to program, sounds great and still lets me have fun experimenting but much more convenient, saves space and is much easier to transport in a rack case then the my previous rig was.
@@aaron9142 You can set the HX to send CC messages for turning the FX loop on and off. After trying it I never used that option again since I could program any loop effects on/off from the unit itself but always keep a noise gate in the loop signal path to keep the preamp noise to a minimum.
just got one of these on Monday and haven't had much time to play with it, but pretty amazing piece of gear. So many options, but easy enough to use that you don't get option-paralysis. :)
Exactly, I have a really nice Darkglass head, why would I wanna emulate anything else lol. I just wanna fuck with pedals without building a full on board trying to figure out what ones work well on bass. This is perfect for that.
With regards to all the cables running back and forth, I honestly don't think you need to worry about that. You could get a cable snake so you have one fat cable instead of a half dozen small ones. There *might* be some tone suck, but considering all the connections should be buffered anyway, I really don't think it would be anything that you couldn't solve by just turning up the treble or presence knob a few degrees.
This is what I did for years before I got the Axefx system. 8 way multicore took care of 3xaudio, 2xswitching and 1x9V power. I think I've still got it kicking around in my box of cables.
I have to admit, this definitely looks better than the two all in one pedal boards i currently have. My biggest issue would be figuring out placement on my pedal board for this unit. It's not uncommon for me to run 12 or more pedals on my rig. Im very picky about which pedals I use and I'm even pickier about where they go in the rig. It would be cool if i could put certain pedals in between this pedal boards buttons. For example, it would be cool if I could use and place my El Capistan in between the fifth and sixth button on this pedal board.
Thanks for doing this video. I just ordered an HX Effects last night, and this was a great intro to learning its functions and interface. I'm really looking forward to it. I've grown tired of constantly having to bend down to mess with pedals to change sounds (I'm an older guy, and bending down isn't what it used to be!). This seems like it will be much more enjoyable to work with, and is so flexible, plus once I have sounds I like, I can just store them and bring them up with the tap of a button.
@@martinus19 Yeah, it's a good unit. From a content standpoint, it's the same thing as the HELIX, only without the amp models. It just has the FX. Some complain that it sucks tone and touch sensitivity from your rig, which may be true, especially if you're using a four cable setup. If you're particularly picky about that sort of thing, then that may be a con for you. However, I haven't noted anything severe enough to make me abandon the unit, and I'm actually running a double four cable rig with an external preamp, too.
@@silentstormstudios thanks man. If i use it without the four cable setup is the tone better? Or still lot of tone suck. What amp are you using it with?
@@martinus19 Yeah, less cabling will result in less tone suck. You might still have a bit, but probably not significant if you're using high quality cables. I'm using a Victory V4 Countess floor preamp and a Peavey ValveKing ii 1x12 tube combo with a Warehouse ET-65 speaker. The Victory and the HX Effects are both four cabled, so I can use either the Victory or the Peavey preamp simply by tapping the bypass on the Victory. With the HX Effects four cabled also, I can put FX either before or after either preamp by using an FX send/return block in the HX. Flexible setup, but it makes most of the presets in the HX unusable since most of them don't have an FX send/return block as part of the configuration. No sound going to the HX's FX send means no sound at all with this setup, so I'm required to create my own presets that have an FX send/return in the config. It is very cool to be able to create setups that have compressors, overdrives, etc. in front of the preamps, and reverb, delay, chorus, etc. after the preamps, and be able to switch between preamps.
Line 6 should make a nice thicc and shielded 4-in-1 cable connector to 4-cable connect the whole thing. I bet people will be all over that. 1 big cable is better that 4 or 5 cables running back and forth.
Go for the LT. The money you will spent in good cables for the 4CM (plus the backup cables you need, cause, you know, cables will break), plus bags for the amp, bags for the pedal, etc, will get you in the LT $ territory, which is a single unit and cable.
IDK how you would get away with one cable. The point of 4+CM is that you are using an actual amp. Otherwise you wouldn't think about purchasing HX anyway. For those of us that love our amps the HX is awesome.
@S RT hey i know, I was jk'n. I guess my point is if your going to play a musical instrument with the intention of performance or studio your going to have to invest in an entire slew of things. Buy pedals (you will need cables and powersuplies,) By a guitar (still need straps, strings, and setups) By an amp (tubes go bad) Get protools and line6 studio gear (you still need to acoustically fine tune a room) Being a musician (especially depending on the country you live in) can be extremely expensive. You best investment is your personal ability and knowledge once that makes you a budget then you can worry about your tools. I didn't mean to insult you or Tiago in any way. Have a good a day.
Sounds fantastic bro 😊 but I still feel that you should own a Helix Lt, cuz you can switch your amp Drive on and off with helix Lt aswell and also for small gigs where you dont have to load your laney amp everytime and may be just use the Helix lt. But bro honestly, Line6 should Endorse you bro... your reviews are fantastic 😊
I think you should worry not only about 4 cables method but also how to take real amp with you everywhere. Watch your back! My dilemma is between small and portable gear like Line6 XH Effects + Vox MV50 Clean amp or Impulses AND Line6 LT ... but in the second case it's much more expensive and much bigger/heavier device, which is not good...
I once also had 4 calbe method running whilst using only analog pedals and manual foot switching the amp....than I sold most of the gear and bought a 19" rack unit paired with a midi controller....way easier to use for me....soon I will be upgrading to a helix stomp I guess
Once you try the HX effects, you won’t want the LT the scribble strips are amazing, plus if you do studio stuff, the I/o on the helix floor/rack there is nothing like it. It’s got 4 fx loops, the lt does not. Plus huge difference in build quality, the lt is kind of plastics not the floor has been described as a tank.
Logan, My HX effects doubles for my acoustic and electric pedal board. I don't need the amps or irs for acoustic and really don't prefer them for electric as I just love old Marshalls and Fenders. The HX Stomp fits a market I guess, but it's not for everyone. A ton of players love their amps, drives, and delays but love the HX for modulation and routing. Not everyone has your preferences I guess. I love the modulation effect in it already but am hoping/wishing that they do a huge synth/pitch shift/filter update as that is how the HX is intended in my rig.
@@lashram32 exactly... I love my amps. Exploring this now for effects. Growing beyond a mini pedalboard is starting to turn into a tap dance. I realize I may lose the "true" sound of real pedals, once programmed this seems real convenient.
Man, you can totally do this with the 4-cable method, and be 50 metres away from your rig, without signal loss. Spend a few extra euros on quality made-to-measure cables. Don't buy run-of-the-mill Thomann Snake cables or something. A good quality cable with quality connectors will not make your tone any worse! Plus it's probably a really good idea, to invest in a cable-snake (or a cable sock), so they become one solid cable. Makes everything much easier, and I used to do this with my previous Line6 effects and my Fractal FX8. But! Unless you're gonna be playing Rock Am Ring or something, keep the cable lengths as short as possible. Sure, it's nice to have plenty of cable, but if you're gonna be playing club-gigs for the next couple of years, go out and get a 6 meter cable at most. :)
You will have noticiable if not significant high-end roll off over those distances. You would need to use DI boxes over that distance so you could use balanced XLR cables for the long runs. That's $$$.
I'd think one of these FX units have buffers. That ought to do the trick. If not, proper good cable will do the trick. I've had a 25 meter cable-snake for festival-gigs, and there was no noticeable difference between that and my 3 meter setup :)
It does make the traditional pedalboard look archaic, it must be said. And it's certain your audience won't go home after a show saying "not bad, but that overdrive sounded like ass tho, that guy better gets a real overdrive pedal for 250 bucks". The effects are on point.
@@avik1992 you can put 9 blocks in each signal path, but only have 6 foot switches, or blocks as they cal, them. If you never turn your reverb off, you can put it in the signal chain, but not assign it to a foot switch. When you go to that preset, your reverb will always be on. You can do this with any of the effects. You’re only assigning the effects that you turn on and off to the foot switch. For instance, I have a preset that has a compressor and reverb in the chain, but they’re always on, but the switches are assigned to chorus, phaser, wah, dirt, delay and fuzz.
Have you tried to use Hx effects with Prs mt15 for channel switching? I heard people that experienced noise problems with this configuration. Did you? Thanks in advance :D
You want stereo line 6 has the best stereo fx, buy one Frfr power cabinet. Or a less costly amp head. I last year purchased 2 line 6 DT 50s best amps ever plus they wirk with line 6 hd 500 x and the Helix. Floor/rack.
Using a real amp live is always a far better choice on a big stage. If I could find a digital multi effects that doesn’t deaden my amp sound then I’m in.
Does the HX Effects support Patches from the LT? I want to purchase some patches but they're from the LT. Can I use this as a ground control for my other pedals? Thanks! I'am in the progress of buying one
I know this is an old vid, I have an Ironheart 120 where are you plugging the ext amp cable from the hx into the Laney? Does it need to be a 5 pin din to 1/4" Trs? Cant for the life of me figure it out!
Nope, since the live playing situation didn't occur... I've build a real pedalboard though (for fun and home use). It's definitely much less effective than the HX Effects, I would totally go back to that if I had to play on stage.
using it to switch amp channels,what cable does it use? my mesa mark v amp uses a 9 pin connector cable so not sure how or if the helix can switch my amp channels?
tempting to have this paired with laney. if is not a problem to take with you all the things instead 1 cable and lt, is perfect. really hard decision...+ and - in all cases. I love valve amps, but I think lt to fh is perfect choice overall.
Thanks for your demo! I realize this was 3 months ago so hopefully you'll see my question... If I only use headphones do I need something like an amp simulator? Or is this really all I need? (Expression pedals aside of course) Edit: While I'm on the subject of the pedals... Can I get two expression pedals and then appoint them to a footswitch on the unit to be used as expression, volume and/or wah pedal? So... Say I want to use them as volume and expression but then as expression and wah for the next song is it just a matter of clicking the footswitch to switch effects settings? Not sure if that question makes sense but I hope so... I'm not exactly tech savvy 😋 if it can do all this I'm 100% sold!
To me each video i watched of HX Effects sounds bright somehow, hard to explain, but always have some air frequencies that analog , or even digital pedals dont possess. Maybe i`m wrong, but that is my impression so far.
I bought one of these hoping to use it to replace my current pedal board. But unfortunately I had to return it because it sounded terrible compared to my current reverb pedal, fuzz pedal, etc. There are some options for tweaking the presets but I just couldn't dial in effects I liked. The HX can do a lot but it doesn't seem to do any of it well.
Agreed. Nothing beats a proper real amp and real classic analog drive and modulation pedals. If you need everything automated then buy a switcher system /midi controller.
Du könntest das Effects auch per Midi schalten lassen das würde dir lange Kabel sparen. Einfach ein Projekt in der Daw anlegen, mit den entsprechenden Befehlen. Bei uns läuft das über den Click und Backing Track den unser Drummer mitlaufen lässt.
Think imma switch out my tc nova system for one of these. It’s a great unit but I can only choose fox loop or line in. No 4 cable method and editing is a bit of a pain and some limitations in comparison to the hx
I am realy interested in buying this unit to use in front of a clean Fender HRD (my go-to amp for clean tone, that I use at least 50% of the time). My big concern is: does the Helix HX changes the basic tone of the amp when bypassed? Or should I use a buffer, specific settings change the ap EQ etc?
Great video! I've got an LT, and love that I've got the possibility to use it with amp simultation for playing at home (either through monitors or headphones). I'm crazy about my EVH amp, but it isn't always practical to crank it up at home :) (I also use my LT with 4CM, but use MIDI for channel switching. :-) ) Also - i need an expression pedal, so I would have to buy that separately if I've gone the HX Effects route.
Which setup to use impulse responses with the hx effects ? How do we do to run the IR after the power amp, it only can seems to be ruined in a loop between the preamp and the power amp
I do know you can load an IR onto the effects. AFAIK, you need to plug the output from effects to an interface on your computer and record through that. I read somewhere that the Stomp allows you to record direct with USB whereas the HX Effects does not since it has no amp models and you would be using your own amp.
Hey mate, if I use this with my current amp does that take up a switch? Does that mean I have 5 usable switches left to use for effects? Like if I use it with one real amp and head, how many switches do I have left for different effects to run simultaneously? Thanks. Also I bought the Pod Go version and Im thinking of returning it because u can one have 4 effects of your choice running simultaneously and the other two switches is taken up with amp out and EQ, does the Hx effects have a switch taken up with Eq?
Spartan I used one and you can get some type of fuzz and just turn the sustain down and it sounds like a heavy distortion, it also has many distortion pedals on it that work great
You'd probably want a guitar preamp in there, as well, since the HX Effects doesn't have any amp models. But given that, yes, you could run this to front of house if you utilize the cabinet IR capability.
I'm torn. A full floor model has so many additional options, especially for recording, but this seems so practical and loaded for the price. Hmmmmmmmmm. 600 bucks or 1400 bucks... . 600 seems so much better!
same here...and I don't even really need all of the amp/cab stuff at the moment, but I've always been the kind of person that would prefer to have it and not need it, than to one day need it and not have it. :(
superflea72 get one amp simulation pedal. That's what I am planning. There are so many sim stomps. Just get one that does clean well and you'll have endless possibilities
Great video thank you. I have had my HX FX for around a year and am that confused by it I have left it alone! If you have a three/four channel amp, can you set it up to change between those channels eg Clean, Crunch and Lead?
5:20. You're welcome.
I love this set up, it's such a good blend of digital and analogue. It's like all of the best parts of analogue gear mixed with all the good parts of digital set ups.
The is the first helpful video I've seen on the HX Effects. Well done. Thank you for taking the guitarist's perspective, not the engineer's.
I’m an old ‘dyed in the wool analog, tube amp’ guy. My bass player has been using an HX since they came out, and about 6 months ago he talked me into getting one. He built it and a poly tune into a road case of me. At first I was not very impressed, as the drives sounds thin to me. Didn’t have that ‘umph’ that say, my OCD had. Started running it into my blues junior and playing with it. It takes some time, but I’m really starting to like it. It’s all I’m using now. But, as I said, it takes some time to get what you’re looking for.
The M13 can’t be beaten for simplicity and ease of use and options available
The HX effects is awesome - it has become my go to unit for all time, modulation and pitch based effects that you can stick in the effects loop :)
I have the IRT120, and have just bought the HX FX, now after watching your video has made me happy
come on line 6, send this guy one hx stomp mini helix for review! 👍🏻
YES!! I support the idea
This effect saved my money. They should get a Nobel prize
I’m in the same boat. I run a 5150 or Duel Recto 4 CM with HD500. Don’t need amps just need effects. This unit has my vote.
This video helped me decide to buy the HX Effects and I love it so far. It does exactly what I was needing, which is a simple and inexpensive (compared to buying a switcher and individual pedals) way to control my entire rig. Once I sort out the internal noise gates I’ll be able to be completely pedal free other than an expression pedal. Not even an channel switcher for my amp.
Very useful review from a metal guitarist perspective. Thanks!
I bought it four months ago and I'm really happy with it. Excellent value for money.
The winner is your Laney. Wow. That grind!
I hear you on the pedal board idea. I had a massive pile of random pedals, and unfortunately a bunch of them disappeared from storage while I lived overseas (like all my delay pedals for example). I bought a Line6 M5 to give me access to time based fx again, but then I realized that I really, really liked all the fx on it. So I ended up selling all of my remaining pedals, and bought a secondhand Line6 HD500 for pretty cheap (That's actually how I found your channel, I was looking for videos of people using it). I have real amps for my main tones, but I've been incredibly happy having everything all in one box.
Welp, I'm sold. gotta love Line6. Will be a great addition to my Fryette Pitbull.
Every time I try a digital all-in-one instead of my pedalboard, I found that they all take the “edge” off the amp. My experience of digital Multi effects with real amps are - the digital ODs and Distortions sound awful and they don’t push my amp in a nice way like say a tube screamer , DS1, SD1 or an OCD would, but their modulation and delays/reverbs are generally useable, but they still all take something away from the amp. I love using my Headrush Gigboard in 4CM with my amp for tidiness and playing having fun messing with the huge choice of effects...I have got virtual pedalboards set up for every genre and favorite artist on the Headrush (Hendrix, Van Halen pedalboards etc). But when I connect the real pedals back on the amp, the amp just comes alive, sounds bigger, less sterile, fatter and more percussive thump.
This does also offer the Snapshots option the LT and both Helix and Rack offer. I used this unit with my 5150iii and ext pedals to control them as well as my amp via midi. At the end I ended up with a Helix rack that replaced it all. It’s much less time consuming to program, sounds great and still lets me have fun experimenting but much more convenient, saves space and is much easier to transport in a rack case then the my previous rig was.
How did the amp control feature work with the 5150III? I'm concerned about losing the effects loop on/off provided by the amp's stock footswitch.
@@aaron9142 You can set the HX to send CC messages for turning the FX loop on and off. After trying it I never used that option again since I could program any loop effects on/off from the unit itself but always keep a noise gate in the loop signal path to keep the preamp noise to a minimum.
just got one of these on Monday and haven't had much time to play with it, but pretty amazing piece of gear. So many options, but easy enough to use that you don't get option-paralysis. :)
Thats what I want.....simple!
This line 6 is good enough for some guy named Billy Corgan. Maybe you heard of him, he's a bit of a bid deal.
4:30 question: because I want to use my real amp, and just need the effects, no IR, cab simulation or whatever
Exactly, I have a really nice Darkglass head, why would I wanna emulate anything else lol. I just wanna fuck with pedals without building a full on board trying to figure out what ones work well on bass. This is perfect for that.
It doesn’t have amp simulations in it, it’s affects only
@@FoamSquatch because IRs allows you to record your REAL AMP without the mess of use mics
With regards to all the cables running back and forth, I honestly don't think you need to worry about that. You could get a cable snake so you have one fat cable instead of a half dozen small ones. There *might* be some tone suck, but considering all the connections should be buffered anyway, I really don't think it would be anything that you couldn't solve by just turning up the treble or presence knob a few degrees.
This is what I did for years before I got the Axefx system. 8 way multicore took care of 3xaudio, 2xswitching and 1x9V power. I think I've still got it kicking around in my box of cables.
I have to admit, this definitely looks better than the two all in one pedal boards i currently have. My biggest issue would be figuring out placement on my pedal board for this unit. It's not uncommon for me to run 12 or more pedals on my rig. Im very picky about which pedals I use and I'm even pickier about where they go in the rig. It would be cool if i could put certain pedals in between this pedal boards buttons. For example, it would be cool if I could use and place my El Capistan in between the fifth and sixth button on this pedal board.
Thanks for doing this video. I just ordered an HX Effects last night, and this was a great intro to learning its functions and interface. I'm really looking forward to it. I've grown tired of constantly having to bend down to mess with pedals to change sounds (I'm an older guy, and bending down isn't what it used to be!). This seems like it will be much more enjoyable to work with, and is so flexible, plus once I have sounds I like, I can just store them and bring them up with the tap of a button.
still enjoying? Im about to pull the trigger on something this week..
Still enjoying? . I want to sell my effects and buy a line6 helix but i dont know if this is good
@@martinus19 Yeah, it's a good unit. From a content standpoint, it's the same thing as the HELIX, only without the amp models. It just has the FX. Some complain that it sucks tone and touch sensitivity from your rig, which may be true, especially if you're using a four cable setup. If you're particularly picky about that sort of thing, then that may be a con for you. However, I haven't noted anything severe enough to make me abandon the unit, and I'm actually running a double four cable rig with an external preamp, too.
@@silentstormstudios thanks man.
If i use it without the four cable setup is the tone better? Or still lot of tone suck. What amp are you using it with?
@@martinus19 Yeah, less cabling will result in less tone suck. You might still have a bit, but probably not significant if you're using high quality cables. I'm using a Victory V4 Countess floor preamp and a Peavey ValveKing ii 1x12 tube combo with a Warehouse ET-65 speaker. The Victory and the HX Effects are both four cabled, so I can use either the Victory or the Peavey preamp simply by tapping the bypass on the Victory. With the HX Effects four cabled also, I can put FX either before or after either preamp by using an FX send/return block in the HX. Flexible setup, but it makes most of the presets in the HX unusable since most of them don't have an FX send/return block as part of the configuration. No sound going to the HX's FX send means no sound at all with this setup, so I'm required to create my own presets that have an FX send/return in the config. It is very cool to be able to create setups that have compressors, overdrives, etc. in front of the preamps, and reverb, delay, chorus, etc. after the preamps, and be able to switch between preamps.
Line 6 should make a nice thicc and shielded 4-in-1 cable connector to 4-cable connect the whole thing. I bet people will be all over that. 1 big cable is better that 4 or 5 cables running back and forth.
Bravo Milane Odlično Video. I'm going to get one of these stomp boxes.i will use it with Fender Tone Master Solid state.
Go for the LT. The money you will spent in good cables for the 4CM (plus the backup cables you need, cause, you know, cables will break), plus bags for the amp, bags for the pedal, etc, will get you in the LT $ territory, which is a single unit and cable.
This is probably the best advice.
IDK how you would get away with one cable. The point of 4+CM is that you are using an actual amp. Otherwise you wouldn't think about purchasing HX anyway. For those of us that love our amps the HX is awesome.
@S RT what if your strings break and you have to purchase new ones.... You should just study accordion.
@S RT hey i know, I was jk'n. I guess my point is if your going to play a musical instrument with the intention of performance or studio your going to have to invest in an entire slew of things. Buy pedals (you will need cables and powersuplies,) By a guitar (still need straps, strings, and setups) By an amp (tubes go bad) Get protools and line6 studio gear (you still need to acoustically fine tune a room) Being a musician (especially depending on the country you live in) can be extremely expensive. You best investment is your personal ability and knowledge once that makes you a budget then you can worry about your tools. I didn't mean to insult you or Tiago in any way. Have a good a day.
Sounds fantastic bro 😊 but I still feel that you should own a Helix Lt, cuz you can switch your amp Drive on and off with helix Lt aswell and also for small gigs where you dont have to load your laney amp everytime and may be just use the Helix lt.
But bro honestly, Line6 should Endorse you bro... your reviews are fantastic 😊
this is essentially a replacement for the TC G-System
Really like his presentation style.
I think you should worry not only about 4 cables method but also how to take real amp with you everywhere. Watch your back! My dilemma is between small and portable gear like Line6 XH Effects + Vox MV50 Clean amp or Impulses AND Line6 LT ... but in the second case it's much more expensive and much bigger/heavier device, which is not good...
Love to hear the use of one or two expression pedals to bring a reverb or delay in from 0-100 or warp/increase repeats🤟🏻
Thanx for the awsome Video...I want this HX Effects...and your Review helped me to made my decision...
I once also had 4 calbe method running whilst using only analog pedals and manual foot switching the amp....than I sold most of the gear and bought a 19" rack unit paired with a midi controller....way easier to use for me....soon I will be upgrading to a helix stomp I guess
Once you try the HX effects, you won’t want the LT the scribble strips are amazing, plus if you do studio stuff, the I/o on the helix floor/rack there is nothing like it. It’s got 4 fx loops, the lt does not. Plus huge difference in build quality, the lt is kind of plastics not the floor has been described as a tank.
You got to check out the Helix stomp box. The entire Helix is built into this little box.
You know it’s good review when you hear “sorry, just playing some random shit” and “it’s just so much fun”
why not hx stomp? use it for effects live and then in studio it can be everything for guitar and bass
More expensive, 6FX blocks instead of 9 (and FX LOOP takes a block so..)
It's why I didn't buy it (and only 3 stomps for live is bad..)
Idan Shahar you can add up to two more switches with a trs cable so you can have 5 total
which you have to buy..... so add to the price. If you don't need the amp modeling stuff, HX effects is the better choice than the stomp
Logan, My HX effects doubles for my acoustic and electric pedal board. I don't need the amps or irs for acoustic and really don't prefer them for electric as I just love old Marshalls and Fenders. The HX Stomp fits a market I guess, but it's not for everyone. A ton of players love their amps, drives, and delays but love the HX for modulation and routing. Not everyone has your preferences I guess. I love the modulation effect in it already but am hoping/wishing that they do a huge synth/pitch shift/filter update as that is how the HX is intended in my rig.
@@lashram32 exactly... I love my amps. Exploring this now for effects. Growing beyond a mini pedalboard is starting to turn into a tap dance. I realize I may lose the "true" sound of real pedals, once programmed this seems real convenient.
Mine is coming tomorrow and like you I chose the Hx because I like using an actual amp.
Your content is so touching
very good review and explanation of the setup!
Man, you can totally do this with the 4-cable method, and be 50 metres away from your rig, without signal loss.
Spend a few extra euros on quality made-to-measure cables. Don't buy run-of-the-mill Thomann Snake cables or something.
A good quality cable with quality connectors will not make your tone any worse!
Plus it's probably a really good idea, to invest in a cable-snake (or a cable sock), so they become one solid cable. Makes everything much easier, and I used to do this with my previous Line6 effects and my Fractal FX8.
But! Unless you're gonna be playing Rock Am Ring or something, keep the cable lengths as short as possible. Sure, it's nice to have plenty of cable, but if you're gonna be playing club-gigs for the next couple of years, go out and get a 6 meter cable at most. :)
You will have noticiable if not significant high-end roll off over those distances. You would need to use DI boxes over that distance so you could use balanced XLR cables for the long runs. That's $$$.
I'd think one of these FX units have buffers. That ought to do the trick.
If not, proper good cable will do the trick. I've had a 25 meter cable-snake for festival-gigs, and there was no noticeable difference between that and my 3 meter setup :)
Besides, if you setup your tone for the cable that's already long, you'll just tweak your way out of the problem in your amp/pedal settings :)
I never thought I'd give up individual stomps until I plugged into the HX Effects. Now I wonder what took me so long to get one.
It does make the traditional pedalboard look archaic, it must be said. And it's certain your audience won't go home after a show saying "not bad, but that overdrive sounded like ass tho, that guy better gets a real overdrive pedal for 250 bucks". The effects are on point.
I tried 1 through my 6505/mesa......all effects are great!!!....except overdrive...etc...is there a version without distortion?
Is it possible to set each footswitch to your favorite patches so you can just leave it and switch from the 6 switches?
I have the same question.. given it has been two years, any one know?
@@avik1992 you can put 9 blocks in each signal path, but only have 6 foot switches, or blocks as they cal, them.
If you never turn your reverb off, you can put it in the signal chain, but not assign it to a foot switch. When you go to that preset, your reverb will always be on. You can do this with any of the effects. You’re only assigning the effects that you turn on and off to the foot switch. For instance, I have a preset that has a compressor and reverb in the chain, but they’re always on, but the switches are assigned to chorus, phaser, wah, dirt, delay and fuzz.
Have you tried to use Hx effects with Prs mt15 for channel switching? I heard people that experienced noise problems with this configuration. Did you? Thanks in advance :D
You want stereo line 6 has the best stereo fx, buy one Frfr power cabinet. Or a less costly amp head. I last year purchased 2 line 6 DT 50s best amps ever plus they wirk with line 6 hd 500 x and the Helix. Floor/rack.
Using a real amp live is always a far better choice on a big stage. If I could find a digital multi effects that doesn’t deaden my amp sound then I’m in.
Is the noise gate better than the lt? I saw another video and you were having some issues with the gate on the lt
Does the HX Effects support Patches from the LT? I want to purchase some patches but they're from the LT. Can I use this as a ground control for my other pedals? Thanks! I'am in the progress of buying one
I would assume there is a level output, as most line 6 boards have. That is your buffer, so you dont have to worry about signal degradation.
What was the outro music? Really liked it and liked the video. It was good that you were really going into the fine details of the unit.
I know this is an old vid, I have an Ironheart 120 where are you plugging the ext amp cable from the hx into the Laney? Does it need to be a 5 pin din to 1/4" Trs? Cant for the life of me figure it out!
Hey man, you still using this? I just snagged one in a trade and I'm beyond impressed.
Nope, since the live playing situation didn't occur... I've build a real pedalboard though (for fun and home use). It's definitely much less effective than the HX Effects, I would totally go back to that if I had to play on stage.
using it to switch amp channels,what cable does it use? my mesa mark v amp uses a 9 pin connector cable so not sure how or if the helix can switch my amp channels?
The Laney has this connector too (looks like MIDI), but also has separate jack outputs, so a stereo jack cable will do the trick.
tempting to have this paired with laney. if is not a problem to take with you all the things instead 1 cable and lt, is perfect. really hard decision...+ and - in all cases. I love valve amps, but I think lt to fh is perfect choice overall.
Hey brotha! Do you think the noise gate is sufficient enough not use an external noise gate?
Interesting tone, What's that one called? you didn't say.
Hi,
How can we change amp channels with HX effects for the Laney Ironheart, please? Thanks
What about the pod go..what you tink about that? I am trying to decide between the LT and the Pod Go
Do a review for the POD Go..cheers
Thanks for your demo! I realize this was 3 months ago so hopefully you'll see my question... If I only use headphones do I need something like an amp simulator? Or is this really all I need? (Expression pedals aside of course)
Edit: While I'm on the subject of the pedals... Can I get two expression pedals and then appoint them to a footswitch on the unit to be used as expression, volume and/or wah pedal?
So... Say I want to use them as volume and expression but then as expression and wah for the next song is it just a matter of clicking the footswitch to switch effects settings?
Not sure if that question makes sense but I hope so... I'm not exactly tech savvy 😋 if it can do all this I'm 100% sold!
hey man, if i use fx loop for amp and cab sim, so i just got 5 mode stompbox right?
Hey dude, can I switch 2 different amp channel right?
To me each video i watched of HX Effects sounds bright somehow, hard to explain, but always have some air frequencies that analog , or even digital pedals dont possess. Maybe i`m wrong, but that is my impression so far.
Thank you! That was helpful
I need this thing right now
I bought one of these hoping to use it to replace my current pedal board. But unfortunately I had to return it because it sounded terrible compared to my current reverb pedal, fuzz pedal, etc. There are some options for tweaking the presets but I just couldn't dial in effects I liked. The HX can do a lot but it doesn't seem to do any of it well.
Agreed. Nothing beats a proper real amp and real classic analog drive and modulation pedals. If you need everything automated then buy a switcher system /midi controller.
Great video as always
Hello Milian, can you please explain to me which exactly cable did you use to switch amp channels?
Hi, you can use a 1/4 inch stereo jack cable for this
I've been subscribed for a while now... You seem such a great guy!
Thank you, glad you enjoy my videos!
Du könntest das Effects auch per Midi schalten lassen das würde dir lange Kabel sparen. Einfach ein Projekt in der Daw anlegen, mit den entsprechenden Befehlen. Bei uns läuft das über den Click und Backing Track den unser Drummer mitlaufen lässt.
t_separator sowas hab ich mir auch schon gedacht, aber ich glaube das wird zuviel gebastel
Excellent job!
Awesomeness! Thanks for this video question how’s it sound with an acoustic guitar plugin in ?
the blinking red tap button drives me crazy 😡
Think imma switch out my tc nova system for one of these. It’s a great unit but I can only choose fox loop or line in. No 4 cable method and editing is a bit of a pain and some limitations in comparison to the hx
How many effects can you set at once? Six?
Dude you made my day
Cool!!!
Fantastic review
How did you create the Low/high cut? I'm trying to replicate this on my Pod Go. Thank you.
I want one of these to run with my jca100hdm
I am realy interested in buying this unit to use in front of a clean Fender HRD (my go-to amp for clean tone, that I use at least 50% of the time). My big concern is: does the Helix HX changes the basic tone of the amp when bypassed? Or should I use a buffer, specific settings change the ap EQ etc?
Great video! I've got an LT, and love that I've got the possibility to use it with amp simultation for playing at home (either through monitors or headphones). I'm crazy about my EVH amp, but it isn't always practical to crank it up at home :) (I also use my LT with 4CM, but use MIDI for channel switching. :-) ) Also - i need an expression pedal, so I would have to buy that separately if I've gone the HX Effects route.
Which setup to use impulse responses with the hx effects ? How do we do to run the IR after the power amp, it only can seems to be ruined in a loop between the preamp and the power amp
What type of lead do I need to change the channel on the amp with the HX FX
is there a way to use the HX to record straight on the PC without using an amp?
I do know you can load an IR onto the effects. AFAIK, you need to plug the output from effects to an interface on your computer and record through that. I read somewhere that the Stomp allows you to record direct with USB whereas the HX Effects does not since it has no amp models and you would be using your own amp.
Hey mate, if I use this with my current amp does that take up a switch? Does that mean I have 5 usable switches left to use for effects? Like if I use it with one real amp and head, how many switches do I have left for different effects to run simultaneously? Thanks. Also I bought the Pod Go version and Im thinking of returning it because u can one have 4 effects of your choice running simultaneously and the other two switches is taken up with amp out and EQ, does the Hx effects have a switch taken up with Eq?
Great thanks
really nice review man ! wanna buy it now haha, tell me, what pedals are you using in front of the laney to get that beautiful distorted tone?
Sir Is this processor useful for electric violin please reply..
I'd love to hear how to get the dirtiest distortion out of this. I have gone through many pedals with no luck.
@@AD1978leo I still have it. Its way to useful to sell. Mind sharing a setup for me to try?
Spartan I used one and you can get some type of fuzz and just turn the sustain down and it sounds like a heavy distortion, it also has many distortion pedals on it that work great
I'd say try the tube screamer into the compulsive drive. Maybe throw the Cali eq after to get that Mesa sound
Yea, just stack em….
I wonder how this unit would bode well in compatibility with the boss katana artist. Would it be able to use midi control for channel selection?
Hi! I'm brand new to your channel. Which guitar are you using? Setup?
It's a Kiesel Vanquish 7 Multiscale!
I've heard this can run straight to front of house. Is this true?
In a way you could, it’s not simulating any amps. So you’re going to need an amp in front anyway.
You'd probably want a guitar preamp in there, as well, since the HX Effects doesn't have any amp models. But given that, yes, you could run this to front of house if you utilize the cabinet IR capability.
Awesome review!
I've been watching this video for 2 years and trying to figure out what are your settings on that HX effect.
I prediction..all the multi effects will following the interface like zoom g5n screen style..
I'm torn. A full floor model has so many additional options, especially for recording, but this seems so practical and loaded for the price. Hmmmmmmmmm. 600 bucks or 1400 bucks... .
600 seems so much better!
same here...and I don't even really need all of the amp/cab stuff at the moment, but I've always been the kind of person that would prefer to have it and not need it, than to one day need it and not have it. :(
That is a really good point!
superflea72 get one amp simulation pedal. That's what I am planning. There are so many sim stomps. Just get one that does clean well and you'll have endless possibilities
Great video thank you. I have had my HX FX for around a year and am that confused by it I have left it alone! If you have a three/four channel amp, can you set it up to change between those channels eg Clean, Crunch and Lead?
How did you put 2 fxs in one slot? and how many in total can you put in each slot
Great demo video man