Helix Floor/LT/HX/Stomp/PodGo owners' Club - Tips, Ideas & Patches

[krispn]

On 13/10/2021 at 10:57, javi_bassist said:

I have a question for you guys. Does any of you combine the HX Stomp with an external preamp? How do you do it?

 

I have a preamp that I love and I've been trying with the HX lately. Since it has DI out, I tried it at the end of the chain. However, I have also experimenting with IRs and I like come cab simulation blended with some dry signal. The amps in the HX are great (I've used the SVT4 and the SVT Nrm in many shows) but I still prefer the sound of my preamp. For those of you who uses the HX with another preamp, do you use it at the end of chain or in the FX loop?  

You could add it in via the fx loop and then drop it in anywhere along the signal chain. I’ve been tweaking my board as I wanted to add a boost and toyed with the fx loop but settles on having it after the Stomp but before my amp but I’m quite likely using it in a different manner to how you wish to integrate the preamp. 
 

If you do try it via the fx loop remember to save the patch with the fx loop switch engaged so it’s always on when you switch to that patch!

[javi_bassist]

1 hour ago, krispn said:

You could add it in via the fx loop and then drop it in anywhere along the signal chain. I’ve been tweaking my board as I wanted to add a boost and toyed with the fx loop but settles on having it after the Stomp but before my amp but I’m quite likely using it in a different manner to how you wish to integrate the preamp. 
 

If you do try it via the fx loop remember to save the patch with the fx loop switch engaged so it’s always on when you switch to that patch!

I have been trying different positions and I really like to have the preamp in the FX loop, then add an EQ block simulating an 8x10 (from Dr Labs) in path B, having path A for a clean signal. It sounds really good

[krispn]

3 minutes ago, javi_bassist said:

I have been trying different positions and I really like to have the preamp in the FX loop, then add an EQ block simulating an 8x10 (from Dr Labs) in path B, having path A for a clean signal. It sounds really good

Yeah that makes good sense. The stomp really does have some good flexibility. I did have a cab sim on a parallel path too so if I wanted to darken the sound I could just switch it in. Worked well.

[Elfrasho]

I'm sure it's been asked before... But.. What midi foot controller are we all using on the hx stomp? 

 

I'm looking for one with 4 to 6 buttons, basically to use as a break out box for individual pedals. Don't need anything fancy, no real need for Led displays and whatnot and ideally it would be more or less the same size as the hx stomp itself. Any thoughts? 

[Hugsonic]

Morningstar MC6 mk2. It will do whatever you need. 

 

Edited November 3, 2021 by Hugsonic

[SumOne]

9 hours ago, Elfrasho said:

I'm sure it's been asked before... But.. What midi foot controller are we all using on the hx stomp? 

 

I'm looking for one with 4 to 6 buttons, basically to use as a break out box for individual pedals. Don't need anything fancy, no real need for Led displays and whatnot and ideally it would be more or less the same size as the hx stomp itself. Any thoughts? 

 

I know this is an annoying answer but the choice I made was to sell the Stomp and (eventually) get a Stomp XL. 

 

My Stomp sold for £330 and I bought a second hand XL for £435 so it cost me £105 to get the additional 5x colour assignable capacitive touch footswitches all integrated with no programming, no extra cables and power supplies, it also gets 4x snapshots per preset (all well laid out lit up and easily accessed as the A, B, C, D buttons when clicking to snapshot mode so it's actually easily usable for clicking between 4x different parts of a song) and similar new 'A,B,C,D' layout/accessibility mode for instantly switching between 4x presets and there's an edit mode where the footswitches change all the block parameters, and the 6 button looper with all the footswitches automatically corresponding to the screen layout. Also, I prefer the cables all being at the back and the volume being spring loaded.

 

Edited November 3, 2021 by SumOne

[Elfrasho]

5 hours ago, SumOne said:

 

I know this is an annoying answer but the choice I made was to sell the Stomp and (eventually) get a Stomp XL. 

 

My Stomp sold for £330 and I bought a second hand XL for £435 so it cost me £105 to get the additional 5x colour assignable capacitive touch footswitches all integrated with no programming, no extra cables and power supplies, it also gets 4x snapshots per preset (all well laid out lit up and easily accessed as the A, B, C, D buttons when clicking to snapshot mode so it's actually easily usable for clicking between 4x different parts of a song) and similar new 'A,B,C,D' layout/accessibility mode for instantly switching between 4x presets and there's an edit mode where the footswitches change all the block parameters, and the 6 button looper with all the footswitches automatically corresponding to the screen layout. Also, I prefer the cables all being at the back and the volume being spring loaded.

 

Funnily enough, I had these thoughts before I bought the standard stomp. But, still went with the standard with view to buying a midi controller. Simply because the bread and butter gigs (ie 99%) are basic bass gigs where I use little or no fx. The small form factor was the main benefit of it. There's one project I've got going, could be doing with a larger footswitch selection. So, for me, the HX stomp on its own is what I'll use, but for occasional use, ill crack out a midi controller to accompany it when required!

 

My guitarist mate just recently bought the HX XL, and it's excellent! Just a bit overkill for my use 99% of the time.

[javi_bassist]

Hello guys

 

I have a question regarding the Line Out of the HX Stomp. I am going ampless and I use an IEM. I had a full pedalboard before I switched to the HX Stomp. Besides, I bought a stereo jack>XLR adapter. However, in my last gig, the sound guy told me that this adapters are no good since you still to match impedances. What do you guys think?

[SumOne]

4 hours ago, javi_bassist said:

Hello guys

 

I have a question regarding the Line Out of the HX Stomp. I am going ampless and I use an IEM. I had a full pedalboard before I switched to the HX Stomp. Besides, I bought a stereo jack>XLR adapter. However, in my last gig, the sound guy told me that this adapters are no good since you still to match impedances. What do you guys think?

 

I looked into this a bit as I have a DI/EQ pedal (Q-Strip) that I thought I might need to keep but I think the Stomp has it covered. This text is from Line 6 for the HX Effects, but I assume the Stomp is the same:

 

Although all the outputs use TRS jacks, they are not true balanced outputs. They are only impedance-balanced.

 

·         A true balanced output would have the tip and ring driven with (out-of-phase) audio signal. The outputs on HX Effects are only driven on the tip.

·         However, because they are impedance-balanced, you can still get some common-mode rejection of external noise sources (i.e. power line hum) if a TRS cable is used to connect the HX Effect outputs to a device with balanced inputs.

 

So I gather that because the Stomp output is impedance-balanced and output level can be adjusted it's fine to use a 1/4" TRS to XLR adapter go into a mixer (or just a the 1/4" TRS cable if the mixer accepts it).

 

Perhaps there's confusion because 1/4" outputs from effects pedals are usually un-balanced (whereas XLR are always balanced), and most 1/4" cables are TS rather than TRS . 

 

Being plugged into a phantom power XLR slot in the mixer is something to look out for though, I expect it would be bad news for the Stomp.

 

 

 

 

Edited November 4, 2021 by SumOne

[SumOne]

I'm finding that an expression pedal is a great Stomp addition. A £12 M-Audio one is doing the job fine but it might not be the best thing for all Stomp features (see below). 

 

The most obvious things are using it for stuff like wah and volume control but it can also simultaniously control multiple parameters across multiple blocks per preset e.g. increase delay feedback and mix while also increasing reverb mix and the distortion tone, then click to next preset to control just the volume or EQ etc. 

 

One thing I haven't worked out is how to increase one parameter while simultaniously reducing the value of another parameter e.g. increase EQ block mids while simultaniously reducing reverb mix. Getting both parameters to increase or decrease together and setting their ranges of movement is simple - getting them to move in opposite directions is not so obvious though, is there a simple way to reverse the direction of one parameter?  Alternatively, I think it can be done by assigning EXP 1 & EXP 2 accordingly e.g. EQ block mids parameter assigned to EXP 1 with Heel = 0%, toe = 100%.  Reverb block mix parameter assigned to EXP 2 with Heel = 100%, toe = 0%.  That doesn't seem to work for me though, I think it's a limitation of the M-Audio pedal because it's not clear if it's a dual expression pedal but I expect that is what would be needed. 

Edited November 15, 2021 by SumOne

[ratman]

It’s pretty simple. Just have the ‘minimum value’ higher than the ‘maximum value’, and you’ll decrease the parameter value as you sweep the pedal forward. 

[SumOne]

25 minutes ago, ratman said:

It’s pretty simple. Just have the ‘minimum value’ higher than the ‘maximum value’, and you’ll decrease the parameter value as you sweep the pedal forward. 

 

Nice one!

[Greg Edwards69]

2 hours ago, SumOne said:

I'm finding that an expression pedal is a great Stomp addition. A £12 M-Audio one is doing the job fine but it might not be the best thing for all Stomp features (see below). 

 

The most obvious things are using it for stuff like wah and volume control but it can also simultaniously control multiple parameters across multiple blocks per preset e.g. increase delay feedback and mix while also increasing reverb mix and the distortion tone, then click to next preset to control just the volume or EQ etc. 

 

One thing I haven't worked out is how to increase one parameter while simultaniously reducing the value of another parameter e.g. increase EQ block mids while simultaniously reducing reverb mix. Getting both parameters to increase or decrease together and setting their ranges of movement is simple - getting them to move in opposite directions is not so obvious though, is there a simple way to reverse the direction of one parameter?  Alternatively, I think it can be done by assigning EXP 1 & EXP 2 accordingly e.g. EQ block mids parameter assigned to EXP 1 with Heel = 0%, toe = 100%.  Reverb block mix parameter assigned to EXP 2 with Heel = 100%, toe = 0%.  That doesn't seem to work for me though, I think it's a limitation of the M-Audio pedal because it's not clear if it's a dual expression pedal but I expect that is what would be needed. 

I remember my old Zoom b9.1ut had a "Z-Pedal". It was laterally rotating treadle plate, so you could use it as a regular forward/backward expression pedal, but also rotate it sideways to control other parameters at the same time.  I wonder if you can buy a standalone unit that does the same thing?

[SumOne]

30 minutes ago, Greg Edwards69 said:

I remember my old Zoom b9.1ut had a "Z-Pedal". It was laterally rotating treadle plate, so you could use it as a regular forward/backward expression pedal, but also rotate it sideways to control other parameters at the same time.  I wonder if you can buy a standalone unit that does the same thing?

 

That would be great, could do stuff like toe/heel as wah and left/right tilt for amount of reverb -  like having two separate expression pedals that you can control individually at the same time with one foot. Setting one parameter Helix EXP 1 control and one as EXP 2 should work so I think the software is already there to handle it. It's a kickstarter opportunity for anyone with the know-how,  could bodge a mock-up by sticking one expression pedal on top of another at 90 degrees!

 

 

Edited November 15, 2021 by SumOne

[Woodinblack]

28 minutes ago, SumOne said:

It's a kickstarter opportunity for anyone with the know-how,  could bodge a mock-up by sticking one expression pedal on top of another at 90 degrees!

 

Or do it like this:

http://dbinstrumentamp.com/products/4e-dual-axis-expression-pedal/

[SumOne]

3 minutes ago, Woodinblack said:

 

Or do it like this:

http://dbinstrumentamp.com/products/4e-dual-axis-expression-pedal/

 

Ah, someone got there already. And they charge $359 (which I guess means + tax + customs+ postage), and is sold out. I'll undercut them by gluing two M-Audo pedals together and selling for £200.

[Greg Edwards69]

On 15/11/2021 at 14:36, SumOne said:

 

That would be great, could do stuff like toe/heel as wah and left/right tilt for amount of reverb -  like having two separate expression pedals that you can control individually at the same time with one foot. Setting one parameter Helix EXP 1 control and one as EXP 2 should work so I think the software is already there to handle it. It's a kickstarter opportunity for anyone with the know-how,  could bodge a mock-up by sticking one expression pedal on top of another at 90 degrees!

Intruiging idea, but not quite what I had in mind. The Zoom Z-pedal “twisted from side to side rather than rocking sideways. 

[Elfrasho]

On 15/11/2021 at 14:07, Greg Edwards69 said:

I remember my old Zoom b9.1ut had a "Z-Pedal". It was laterally rotating treadle plate, so you could use it as a regular forward/backward expression pedal, but also rotate it sideways to control other parameters at the same time.  I wonder if you can buy a standalone unit that does the same thing?

 

I had one and loved that! It worked perfectly for the project I had at the time. I had a wammy on the sidey way pedal, think it was a distortion blend on the up/down pedal. 

[bagsieblue]

On 03/09/2021 at 13:41, M@23 said:

My Stomp PSU crapped out mid set at a wedding last night. On inspection it seems that the issue is the 3 pin clip on part, as something is rattling around inside it. 
GAK sell the PSU for a reasonable price, but will only ship the to Isle of Wight orders of £140+. 
Line 6 were very unhelpful when contacted. 
Does anybody have the 3 pin bit they no longer use and would sell, or the whole DC3 PSU? Please PM me if you do!

This just happened to me...

Got a gig tomorrow, Saturday night.

Anyone local to Chorley, Lancashire able to lend me a power supply, or to identify an alternative route that I could sort in one day!!

[bagsieblue]

Can someone please direct me to a replacement power supply for my HX Stomp.

Original or decent 3rd Party is fine.

Strangely I can't find much about online that look to have good reviews...........

[SumOne]

1 hour ago, bagsieblue said:

Can someone please direct me to a replacement power supply for my HX Stomp.

Original or decent 3rd Party is fine.

Strangely I can't find much about online that look to have good reviews...........

 

You need a barrel converter and at least 900mA of current from 9v.

 

My power supply only put out 500mA so I used a current doubler from two outputs. 

 

It looks like one spot supies put out that current and come with a line 6 barrel convertor (I haven't used it though so can't confirm it works, seems to fit the bill though). You might need to bear the 4th post in this line 6 thread in mind for some adapters though. 

Edited November 28, 2021 by SumOne

[Apeneck Sweeney]

2 hours ago, bagsieblue said:

Can someone please direct me to a replacement power supply for my HX Stomp.

Original or decent 3rd Party is fine.

Strangely I can't find much about online that look to have good reviews...........

 

I have one of these

 

https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/210217366881025--voodoo-lab-hx-current-doubler-cable

 

though they are out of stock at guitarguitar atm. Maybe you can source one elsewhere.

[bassfan]

I have a question for you helix specialists. 😃
 

I have some external pedals into my helix. One is a synth. Is there a way of splitting the sound on the helix so you hear clean bass and the synth pedal at the same time? 

 

Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere! 

[SumOne]

1 hour ago, bassfan said:

I have a question for you helix specialists. 😃
 

I have some external pedals into my helix. One is a synth. Is there a way of splitting the sound on the helix so you hear clean bass and the synth pedal at the same time? 

 

Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere! 

Yeah you'd need to physically wire them up as an fx loop using the Stomp send/return sockets, then add an fx loop block somewhere into your Preset, then you can split the path ahead of it for parallel routing adjustments. 

[Woodinblack]

I have a helix HX, a SY200 and a jamman solo that plays samples.

The Helix is in the effects loop of the SY200, the Jamman goes into the effects return. 

The effects return is the last block in the chain (after the effects) on the helix so it gets neither the effects of the SY or the effects in the HX