KC I think plenty of people have shown that IR’s can and do sound great. For recording purposes I find it very hard to tell the differences between IR’s and a properly mic’ed amp without prior knowledge of each specific tone.
I think that if the HX stomp gets close to the sound it is amazing, and it totally pulls it off. When a trained ear has to really concentrate on the tone to try and tell the difference its close enough for me. The value packed into the HX is unreal to me. Who cares if it don't sound identical to one particular amp, as someone else pointed out, even the real amps don't sound exactly like one another. I really enjoy your content, you are one of my favorite channels now. I like the way you present the information in your videos, they are always very informative and well made.
Thanks for the kind words! Yeah, the HX Stomp is one of the best values out right and really hits a sweet spot for a lot of players as far as versatility and tone goes.
@@MichaelWWestbrook I totally agree, I thought about going up to the LT but when i play a 3 or 4 block patch most of the time I don't see the point. The only thing that I would get out of the LT is a built in expression pedal. I have been looking into getting one for the stomp, is the any particular ones that stand out above the rest or are there any that just flat out don't work? I have seen so many it is hard to choose. I just want it to maybe control a wah or a parameter on the whammy or both if that is possible. Any suggestions would be appreciated greatly, like I said I'm kinda lost on what would be the best option.
As far as expression pedals go, I don’t use them very often. I use 2 additional foot switches on mine so I have 4 assignable buttons and Tap. I have a Moog EP-1 that I’ve had forever but haven’t used it with the HX. I need to check out the new EP-3. The price point is great too $50 new. The EP-2 was heavy duty metal and felt nice so I would assume the 3 is the same. I also have no idea about the functionality with the HX. If it were me I’d check out one of those, one of the smaller Boss ones (EV-30. The features on the Boss look cool.
@@MichaelWWestbrook Thank you very much for the info I will check them out. The two additional buttons sound good too that gives me some stuff to think about thanks again.
Man i go back to when i was starting out with guitar and there was no way i'd think something like the HX would get that close to a tube amp. Like, holy shit this is great.
I'm so glad someone is saying these things about the lack of mid forwardness / in your face sound in the HX. I've been thinking this for ages and too many people don't pick up on it. I get fed up with folk just saying it's user error, it's not. Keep making these great insightful comparison vids. :-)
Great video! The JMP is one of my favorite Marshall heads, so its great to see someone do a video of this. I didn't even realize that the HX Stomp had an emulation of this head.
Funny when you were playing I thought “the amp has a stronger midrange while the Helix is subdued which brings out the highs more” and then you stated the exact same observation. Great comparison!
Asbsolutely. Modellers sound kind of lifeless to me compared to the actual amp. I have a Headrush pedlaboard and 2 tube amps (Marshall DSL 100 and EVH Stealth 50 watt) and I only use the Headrush when I want to play on quieter levels late at night. Any other time it's the tube amps over the Headrush every time.
I've used a Helix and Axe FX III and they aren't 💩compared to my tube amps. Not even close. If you like gutless processed sounds with no thump through the speaker...go with a digital modeller. I'm not that guy.@@bikeman1x11
1) you should play Marshalls - you sound so good through this one. 2) quite astonishing how close this model is to the amp - and strange that it sounds closer on chords with more harmonic complexity than it does on single note runs, where the modeler sounds significantly "simpler".
Big helix fan, own the floor unit myself. You definitely get close here! Wish I had the luxury of comparing but more than satisfied watching these tutorials and seeing how close it is. I use ownhammer IR’s mainly but like you said, truly splitting hairs. I’ve subbed and great work sir, cool that you play with crowder. I’m curious on the fender model. That’s one of my favorite amps in real life but I too, haven’t loved it as much as the British amps in helix. Maybe try the tweed next? The Fullerton models are really nice. What do you think the presence is we’re hearing on these tests?
I’ve found adjusting the input impedance helps with some of the top end. Also finding some darker IR’s (like the MBritt ones in my videos) helps a lot with the top end.
I absolutely love how you showed the HX Edit screen of all your settings. Man it would be awesome if you could do this for a ton of different amps!!! :) But, yeah, very helpful. Well done. And really nice playing btw....I'm trying to copy you!
Hi Michael my name is Jim. The Marshall JMP you have closely resembles mine, and I wanted to tell you what I know about it. Unique, the JMP is a non master volume diode rectified 50 watter, a 4 holer. The sound is taylor-made, loud but clean, and has a subtle breakup that gives it character. When I'm recording it, it'll come through multiple mic lines, breaking through noise gates, a natural multi mic experience. None of the other amps do this because they're not as loud. The JMP has tons of bottom end, and I went with an outboard EQ on the mic line to begin to tame it. Now that it's set hot, and firing off on numerous mics, I play a little softer. And she cleans right up. As I play a little harder, it begins to break up. Give a good hard whack, and it's full on rock music. All of the other amps need to be set up specifically for their gain character, and yeah they'll clean up when the volume knob is reduced, they're nowhere near as responsive. The Marshall is special. All of my other amplifiers want to be like the Marshall, but none behave the same. The JMP is more human than most amplifiers, it has a full range of emotions on display, and it changes quickly. Love that amp, but there are so many more versions of Marshall out there, it's hard to keep just one. Enjoy your time with it.
Not bad for the HX Stomp. I think you have the 2204 dialed in pretty bright for someone who prefers a darker amp. I'd personally up the bass in on the 2204 and increase the gain to noon to get a thicker sound. If you did that then they'd sound even closer IMO. With the pre-amp that low on the 2204 the bright cap is very much dominating the upper register.
Excellent comparison of the Marshall vs HX stomp. The short riff with rapid switching between modeler/amp is effective way to compare/contrast. btw, don't worry about the light drooping - could see fine - call it mood lighting and shoot in the dark! I also wonder if the forward presence of the amps that you mention is something more visceral rather than auditory? I really had trouble hearing much difference and couldn't sense what you were describing as the more in-the-face characteristic of the amp in the video.
I’ve been watching tons of comparison videos, and was debating weather to buy a real Marshall amp head or a helix stomp. every time even on blind comparison videos the helix just sounds 20% better to my ears… it might not sound the same but it sounds better to me. It makes as mixing up a cab has its imperfections.
I think that if you like original amp tones use an amp! But if you like versatility and ease of use, use the stomp. Especially if your packing to another location. I just use my stomp with computer, headphones, Or powered speakers.
So you are saying that a computer is easier to use than the simplicity of a six knob, single channel amp? Come on! And the versatility argument is pretty worthless as well, people have been making incredible hits with these "limited" Marshall Amps for 50 years... and will be doing it for decades after the HX Stomp is obsolete (in a few years)
@@weschilton we Americans think anywhere we go we can plug and play. . Try flying your big 50 pound amp into a third world country like West Africa and see how you do! When my stomp and headphones with my lap top makes it easy. Then I can just plug into powered speakers if needed. In other words try finding an electric guitar where I have a farm. Ease of travel sir and use. I have 3 nice amps at home in America I use, one being a Plexi tube amp. 😃🍺 The Stomp, MacBook air, headphones all fit nicely in my backpack. My Plexi don't even try to fit it in a big suitcase.
Man, I've seen Rhett Shull do a million of these tone videos, and I just don't get why my Helix doesn't sound 5% as good as this! Thanks for the video though, I learned a lot!
Same... I watch demos and they all sound great, like the real thing. I can get some decent clean tones, but all of my overdrive tones sound digital / harsh.
That’s impressing! They sound almost the same. If you would use this and didn’t say anything. I would be sure it’s the real thing. Why do use or with the real JMP?
I'm SPECIFICALLY buying a ToneX to get your Def Leppard JMP presets and ADA presets lol my wife thanks you for me not buying a bigger rack and more vintage gear! 😂
I love your videos. I believe I saw a video where someone suggested pulling 3k or 3.5k down using the parametric EQ. Not sure if that would help the forwardness your we’re talking about.
while i will never use a helix...it was very informative vid...Love the punch of the amp too much need that kinetic energy of air moving but that's just me....but now i know what an IR is...thanks
@@MichaelWWestbrook Is the IR used inte this vid available on your page, if so, what pack? A side note: it strikes me abit strange that the bass mid and treb are so far off from the real amp, i mean 0.1 bass... any clues to why that is? Cheers
I don’t use many high gain tones but the HX seems to do a good job with them and they are easier to dial in than the real amps I’ve played. There is something special about the clean-ish tones on the amp though.
From my own expiruence, almost all the amps i compared in HX stomp and their real world counterfeits, the real amps always sound "wider" to me. Especially with those "half-muted" dead notes. Even here in this great example!
Hi you said the the hx stomp sounds more dry or mid frequented. I feel the same comparing to kemper. The „organic“ of rhe kemper is that warmer feeling. Want to find that with the stomp too... what do you think of using the hx stomp with pedals in front of an real tube amp. I feel it steals some dynamic?
Yeah, I know what you mean in regards to the Kemper feeing warmer. I don’t think the Kemper or the HX handle drives/boost like an amp. I prefer using external overdrives with the HX because when set up well it helps it feel a little more real.
what to do you use to get the amp signal through the IR ? Because the loadbox has a non-sublte impact on the sound. My research in comparing my real marshall, is that Helix master volume saturate quicker. I get far better result by gettin the master around 2 to 3, and reducing the bias around 2-3. It will reduce the mid forwardness you are talking about and the "sponginess"
Velhos Novos Not using anything in the global EQ in this video but I would assume the IR’s have been made with high and low pass filters but that’s just a guess!
I love these comparisons, however I wish they were more specific to how to get the sound through a cabinet. I guess its different for everybody but I have no interest in how to duplicate the sound on a computer level. Im interested in live playing and sound. FOH hook up of course, but cabinet for me all the time.
I totally get it. I would prefer to use the real amp all the time but unfortunately more and more that’s not an option for everyone, myself included. I think the best option to use these tones live would be to use a transparent powered speaker similar to the new Line 6 cab.
I know the HX is a great pedal. You're comparing the holy grail of master volume heads to a toaster. I have two JMP 2204s that both have their own mojo. the '77 is so killer it's been my #1 for over 30 years and I have Friedmans and some Mesa stuff. Nothing can compare the the JMP 2204 with a nice Tube Screamer. There's just no comparison.
Michael W. Westbrook yeah I thought that I read that somewhere but it seems to me that it takes out some low end thickness, especially at high gain. I’m gonna do some more experimenting.
Kevin White I did a quick test.. As you turn up the “hum” it starts ghosting and getting some inconsistencies. With it way up it’s almost like the filter caps are going bad. Could be cool for getting some of the vintage style amps to sound more “organic” and imperfect.
Did they sound close? Sure. Did they sound the same? No way. Also, play these both through a real Marshall 4x12 at stage volume and you'll hear--and FEEL--a much bigger difference. The Marshall will also outlive you (and gain value), whereas the HX Stomp will be obsolete in less than 5. That's my experience owning both real amps and Line 6 products.
Thanks for watching! Look for a preset pack coming very soon. Presets dialed in from actual amp sounds with custom IR’s!
KC I think plenty of people have shown that IR’s can and do sound great. For recording purposes I find it very hard to tell the differences between IR’s and a properly mic’ed amp without prior knowledge of each specific tone.
Just got your deluxe preset and really like it. Looking forward to getting this one.
I think that if the HX stomp gets close to the sound it is amazing, and it totally pulls it off. When a trained ear has to really concentrate on the tone to try and tell the difference its close enough for me. The value packed into the HX is unreal to me. Who cares if it don't sound identical to one particular amp, as someone else pointed out, even the real amps don't sound exactly like one another. I really enjoy your content, you are one of my favorite channels now. I like the way you present the information in your videos, they are always very informative and well made.
Thanks for the kind words! Yeah, the HX Stomp is one of the best values out right and really hits a sweet spot for a lot of players as far as versatility and tone goes.
@@MichaelWWestbrook I totally agree, I thought about going up to the LT but when i play a 3 or 4 block patch most of the time I don't see the point. The only thing that I would get out of the LT is a built in expression pedal. I have been looking into getting one for the stomp, is the any particular ones that stand out above the rest or are there any that just flat out don't work? I have seen so many it is hard to choose. I just want it to maybe control a wah or a parameter on the whammy or both if that is possible. Any suggestions would be appreciated greatly, like I said I'm kinda lost on what would be the best option.
As far as expression pedals go, I don’t use them very often. I use 2 additional foot switches on mine so I have 4 assignable buttons and Tap. I have a Moog EP-1 that I’ve had forever but haven’t used it with the HX. I need to check out the new EP-3. The price point is great too $50 new. The EP-2 was heavy duty metal and felt nice so I would assume the 3 is the same. I also have no idea about the functionality with the HX. If it were me I’d check out one of those, one of the smaller Boss ones (EV-30. The features on the Boss look cool.
@@MichaelWWestbrook Thank you very much for the info I will check them out. The two additional buttons sound good too that gives me some stuff to think about thanks again.
Yeah, Just depends on what’s more useful for you. I like being able to turn blocks on and off or assign changes via switches
Man i go back to when i was starting out with guitar and there was no way i'd think something like the HX would get that close to a tube amp. Like, holy shit this is great.
Nail on the head again man. These comparisons are great, and make me very happy that I have my helix.
Thanks! Yeah, on certain settings I’m not sure if I could tell the difference... especially without hearing them back to back.
I'm so glad someone is saying these things about the lack of mid forwardness / in your face sound in the HX. I've been thinking this for ages and too many people don't pick up on it. I get fed up with folk just saying it's user error, it's not. Keep making these great insightful comparison vids. :-)
Another great video. It proves, once again, how solid the HX Stomp is... Looking forward to the Preset Pack!
Sergio Rodrigues Thanks and absolutely! So much in such a little package.
Great video! The JMP is one of my favorite Marshall heads, so its great to see someone do a video of this. I didn't even realize that the HX Stomp had an emulation of this head.
Ethan Marshall Thanks! It’s quickly becoming one of my favorites.
Looking forward to many more of these. These are the best matches I have ever seen on youtube thus far.
Luke Xavier Thanks!!
Rhett Shull brought me here. Looks like I'm staying! Subbed : ) Great work man.
Funny when you were playing I thought “the amp has a stronger midrange while the Helix is subdued which brings out the highs more” and then you stated the exact same observation. Great comparison!
Thanks for confirming what I’m hearing! After A/B’ing for long periods of time it’s hard to know what you’re hearing sometimes 😂
I realize tube amps are heavy and laborious to carry around but still nothing better than that pure, tube overdrive and warmth.
I completely agree!
Asbsolutely. Modellers sound kind of lifeless to me compared to the actual amp. I have a Headrush pedlaboard and 2 tube amps (Marshall DSL 100 and EVH Stealth 50 watt) and I only use the Headrush when I want to play on quieter levels late at night. Any other time it's the tube amps over the Headrush every time.
@@craigharrison5406 headrush isnt close to helix or kemper etc
I've used a Helix and Axe FX III and they aren't 💩compared to my tube amps. Not even close. If you like gutless processed sounds with no thump through the speaker...go with a digital modeller. I'm not that guy.@@bikeman1x11
1) you should play Marshalls - you sound so good through this one. 2) quite astonishing how close this model is to the amp - and strange that it sounds closer on chords with more harmonic complexity than it does on single note runs, where the modeler sounds significantly "simpler".
Big helix fan, own the floor unit myself. You definitely get close here! Wish I had the luxury of comparing but more than satisfied watching these tutorials and seeing how close it is. I use ownhammer IR’s mainly but like you said, truly splitting hairs. I’ve subbed and great work sir, cool that you play with crowder.
I’m curious on the fender model. That’s one of my favorite amps in real life but I too, haven’t loved it as much as the British amps in helix. Maybe try the tweed next? The Fullerton models are really nice. What do you think the presence is we’re hearing on these tests?
I’ve found adjusting the input impedance helps with some of the top end. Also finding some darker IR’s (like the MBritt ones in my videos) helps a lot with the top end.
I absolutely love how you showed the HX Edit screen of all your settings. Man it would be awesome if you could do this for a ton of different amps!!! :) But, yeah, very helpful. Well done. And really nice playing btw....I'm trying to copy you!
Hi Michael my name is Jim. The Marshall JMP you have closely resembles mine, and I wanted to tell you what I know about it. Unique, the JMP is a non master volume diode rectified 50 watter, a 4 holer. The sound is taylor-made, loud but clean, and has a subtle breakup that gives it character. When I'm recording it, it'll come through multiple mic lines, breaking through noise gates, a natural multi mic experience. None of the other amps do this because they're not as loud. The JMP has tons of bottom end, and I went with an outboard EQ on the mic line to begin to tame it. Now that it's set hot, and firing off on numerous mics, I play a little softer. And she cleans right up. As I play a little harder, it begins to break up. Give a good hard whack, and it's full on rock music. All of the other amps need to be set up specifically for their gain character, and yeah they'll clean up when the volume knob is reduced, they're nowhere near as responsive. The Marshall is special. All of my other amplifiers want to be like the Marshall, but none behave the same. The JMP is more human than most amplifiers, it has a full range of emotions on display, and it changes quickly. Love that amp, but there are so many more versions of Marshall out there, it's hard to keep just one. Enjoy your time with it.
Solar Guitar Studio Thanks for the info! It’s a fantastic amp for sure
Not bad for the HX Stomp. I think you have the 2204 dialed in pretty bright for someone who prefers a darker amp. I'd personally up the bass in on the 2204 and increase the gain to noon to get a thicker sound. If you did that then they'd sound even closer IMO. With the pre-amp that low on the 2204 the bright cap is very much dominating the upper register.
It's a pretty bright amp. I also don't typically use a ton of gain so I was a bit out of my element for sure!
Great video!! Good job isolating the variables! Helix is as close as another real 2204 would be to the one you were playing....
Thanks!
All the differences that I heard are less than turning my head 10 or 20 degrees... left or right! ;)
😂 For sure! It’s pretty subtle. Modeling just keeps getting better and better
My ears are completely shot
But close enough for Rock N Roll
Pretty Amazing
Bravo on that song.. Been learning it. Love the riffs..
Awesome!
Excellent comparison of the Marshall vs HX stomp. The short riff with rapid switching between modeler/amp is effective way to compare/contrast. btw, don't worry about the light drooping - could see fine - call it mood lighting and shoot in the dark! I also wonder if the forward presence of the amps that you mention is something more visceral rather than auditory? I really had trouble hearing much difference and couldn't sense what you were describing as the more in-the-face characteristic of the amp in the video.
Nice comparison I think
Thank for taking the time to do this
TFS Enjoyed!
Thanks!
Great video!
At 6:04 you mention you were going to post a link to your history of Marshall amps. I dont see that link.
The stomp is missing a little bit of squishiness I think, I found the BiasX control to affect that a lot though. Impressive how close they are >->
Pretty sweet sound mate
Gib Williamson Thanks!
I’ve been watching tons of comparison videos, and was debating weather to buy a real Marshall amp head or a helix stomp. every time even on blind comparison videos the helix just sounds 20% better to my ears… it might not sound the same but it sounds better to me.
It makes as mixing up a cab has its imperfections.
I think that if you like original amp tones use an amp! But if you like versatility and ease of use, use the stomp. Especially if your packing to another location. I just use my stomp with computer, headphones, Or powered speakers.
Yeah, for me I’d ideally use the amps but I don’t always have that option! HX Stomp is a great tool
So you are saying that a computer is easier to use than the simplicity of a six knob, single channel amp? Come on!
And the versatility argument is pretty worthless as well, people have been making incredible hits with these "limited" Marshall Amps for 50 years... and will be doing it for decades after the HX Stomp is obsolete (in a few years)
@@weschilton we Americans think anywhere we go we can plug and play. . Try flying your big 50 pound amp into a third world country like West Africa and see how you do! When my stomp and headphones with my lap top makes it easy. Then I can just plug into powered speakers if needed. In other words try finding an electric guitar where I have a farm. Ease of travel sir and use. I have 3 nice amps at home in America I use, one being a Plexi tube amp. 😃🍺 The Stomp, MacBook air, headphones all fit nicely in my backpack. My Plexi don't even try to fit it in a big suitcase.
I have a JMP 2203 that’s the 100 watts. 1981. It sounds very good but it’s way too loud. Buts it’s the sound of Marshall
Man, I've seen Rhett Shull do a million of these tone videos, and I just don't get why my Helix doesn't sound 5% as good as this!
Thanks for the video though, I learned a lot!
Same... I watch demos and they all sound great, like the real thing. I can get some decent clean tones, but all of my overdrive tones sound digital / harsh.
@@mattf5483 sounds like its your output...ie Speaker(s).
sounds like its your output...ie Speaker(s).
That’s impressing! They sound almost the same. If you would use this and didn’t say anything. I would be sure it’s the real thing. Why do use or with the real JMP?
Really well done! Thanks.
Thanks!
I'm SPECIFICALLY buying a ToneX to get your Def Leppard JMP presets and ADA presets lol my wife thanks you for me not buying a bigger rack and more vintage gear! 😂
at the end i hear more low end on the helix, which makes the actual amp sound more "bity".
I love your videos. I believe I saw a video where someone suggested pulling 3k or 3.5k down using the parametric EQ. Not sure if that would help the forwardness your we’re talking about.
Try Mid Freq 3.4kHz Mid Q 1.9 Mid Gain -6.0db
while i will never use a helix...it was very informative vid...Love the punch of the amp too much need that kinetic energy of air moving but that's just me....but now i know what an IR is...thanks
This helped me, and I thank you! Subbed! 🤙🏽
Awesome! Thanks for watching!
@@MichaelWWestbrook Is the IR used inte this vid available on your page, if so, what pack?
A side note: it strikes me abit strange that the bass mid and treb are so far off from the real amp, i mean 0.1 bass... any clues to why that is?
Cheers
I ended up liking the stomp more!
I don’t use many high gain tones but the HX seems to do a good job with them and they are easier to dial in than the real amps I’ve played. There is something special about the clean-ish tones on the amp though.
From my own expiruence, almost all the amps i compared in HX stomp and their real world counterfeits, the real amps always sound "wider" to me. Especially with those "half-muted" dead notes. Even here in this great example!
Hi you said the the hx stomp sounds more dry or mid frequented. I feel the same comparing to kemper. The „organic“ of rhe kemper is that warmer feeling. Want to find that with the stomp too... what do you think of using the hx stomp with pedals in front of an real tube amp. I feel it steals some dynamic?
Yeah, I know what you mean in regards to the Kemper feeing warmer. I don’t think the Kemper or the HX handle drives/boost like an amp. I prefer using external overdrives with the HX because when set up well it helps it feel a little more real.
Will you share your helix preset?
I’ll be releasing a preset pack with custom IR’s in the near future! Stay tuned
what to do you use to get the amp signal through the IR ? Because the loadbox has a non-sublte impact on the sound. My research in comparing my real marshall, is that Helix master volume saturate quicker. I get far better result by gettin the master around 2 to 3, and reducing the bias around 2-3. It will reduce the mid forwardness you are talking about and the "sponginess"
Is there a reason why you didn’t start with the head at say “gain at 10, master at 4” ? That seems to be where I have my real 2204....
I preferred the sound of it with the master higher and preamp gain lower. No wrong answers there, just were I liked it.
Hey michael, great Video! What about a collaboration video? I couldn’t find you at Facebook. Thanks for your answer 😄 ... 👍
Great sound🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤ thank you
Try changing your SAG and other settings
At this point I tweak everything! They differ from amp to amp depending on the circuit.
Great! Do use any hi or low cut in global eq?
Velhos Novos Not using anything in the global EQ in this video but I would assume the IR’s have been made with high and low pass filters but that’s just a guess!
@@MichaelWWestbrook Thanks!
Noticeable difference in the low end. Rest is pretty close!
I love these comparisons, however I wish they were more specific to how to get the sound through a cabinet. I guess its different for everybody but I have no interest in how to duplicate the sound on a computer level. Im interested in live playing and sound. FOH hook up of course, but cabinet for me all the time.
I totally get it. I would prefer to use the real amp all the time but unfortunately more and more that’s not an option for everyone, myself included. I think the best option to use these tones live would be to use a transparent powered speaker similar to the new Line 6 cab.
what was the IR? it wasn't stock, where can we get it?
John Spo I mention the specific IR in the video. It’s a Michael Britt IR. mbritt.com/product/mblended-ir-pack-1/
How much volume u use in hx stomp?
Well, didn't like the amp in a first clip, when HX was a lot better. There was no need to make it sound like an amp for my taste.
I know the HX is a great pedal. You're comparing the holy grail of master volume heads to a toaster. I have two JMP 2204s that both have their own mojo. the '77 is so killer it's been my #1 for over 30 years and I have Friedmans and some Mesa stuff. Nothing can compare the the JMP 2204 with a nice Tube Screamer. There's just no comparison.
Great,it’s very hard to hear the difference!!!
Absolutely! In a blind test I’m not sure I would always be able to tell the difference!
I’ve noticed you always have the hum set to 0 in all your HX videos. Is there a specific reason?
Kevin White From my understanding that’s just adding noise to make it more realistic... I keep it all the way down so there isn’t any unneeded noise.
Michael W. Westbrook yeah I thought that I read that somewhere but it seems to me that it takes out some low end thickness, especially at high gain. I’m gonna do some more experimenting.
Kevin White Cool, I’ll have to give it a listen as well!
Kevin White I did a quick test.. As you turn up the “hum” it starts ghosting and getting some inconsistencies. With it way up it’s almost like the filter caps are going bad. Could be cool for getting some of the vintage style amps to sound more “organic” and imperfect.
Did they sound close? Sure. Did they sound the same? No way.
Also, play these both through a real Marshall 4x12 at stage volume and you'll hear--and FEEL--a much bigger difference.
The Marshall will also outlive you (and gain value), whereas the HX Stomp will be obsolete in less than 5. That's my experience owning both real amps and Line 6 products.
Splitting hairs indeed.