Line 6 HX Stomp

review
LINE 6 HX STOMP
108
Guitarist january 2019
presets within a preset that can have
altered parameters, a different number of
active blocks or a combination of both. The
fourth mode, Scroll, lets you use the first
two footswitches to scroll up and down
through the presets, instantly loading them,
or alternatively lets you do the same for the
three snapshots in a preset.
With time put in preparing the content
and order of presets ready for use, there’s
likely enough there to ensure you can call
up the sounds you need when you want
them. But if you want more options you can
add two assignable external footswitches.
A possible pedalboard use might then be to
have a different block assigned to each of
five footswitches in Stomp mode. There’s
also the possibility of MIDI control, as any
block or parameter can be assigned to an
incoming CC message.
In terms of sound, it’s Helix all the way
with really authentic amp models to suit
considerable and varied musical genres and
just about all the effects you’d need – and
then some. Six blocks doesn’t feel like we’re
being short-changed because there’s loads
you can do with those and split/parallel
signal paths, whether it’s a full signal
chain with, say, compressor, drive, amp/
cab, modulation, delay and reverb, or just a
string of effects.
Whether you want to recreate some
classic rigs such as a Rangemaster in front
of an AC30, or get all spacey by feeding the
Cosmos Echo into the Ganymede reverb,
there’s little here that will disappoint.
Verdict
When Line 6’s first bean-shaped POD
appeared it was something of a revelation,
bringing amp and effects modelling to the
masses in an affordable hardware unit. In
many ways, this is the Helix range’s modern
equivalent. Its greatest appeal may lie in
offering access to a set of Helix amp and
effects sounds at a much lower price point
than previously (it’s street price is around
£465), but it’s also that there are so many
ways to use the HX Stomp.
Like a POD, it can be a practical table-top
facility for recording and practice, while for
live work it could suit the hardcore Helix
users who want a backup for their main
rig or a compact hand-luggage version for
gigs they have to fly to. There may be many
users, however, who are happy to have the
amp sims but really want the HX Stomp
for its effects – while it is quite capable
of being the sole effects unit on stage, it
is most likely to find a role slotted into a
pedalboard, immensely expanding the
sonic possibilities.
LINE 6 HX STOMP
PRICE: £558
ORIGIN: China
TYPE: Multi-effects pedal with
amp/cabs and effects
FEATURES: Selectable buffered or
true bypass, 126 preset locations
(42 banks of 3), 8in/8out audio
interface, looper, MIDI
MODELS: Over 300 effects and
models from Helix, M-Series, and
legacy Line 6 products
CONTROLS: Volume, 5x soft knobs,
4x buttons, 3x footswitch
CONNECTIONS: Standard inputs
(L/Mono, R), standard outputs
(L/Mono, R), Stereo Send, Return/
Aux In L/Mono and R, Exp pedal,
MIDI In, MIDI Out/Thru, standard
stereo headphone ouput, USB
POWER: Supplied 9V DC DC-3G
adaptor 3000 mA
DIMENSIONS: 170 (w) x 120 (d) x
60mm (h)
PROS Helix sounds at a more
affordable price; compact size;
fl exible use of footswitches;
practical connectivity options;
comprehensive audio interface
functionality; MIDI control
CONS Needs high current; the
supplied adaptor is not the
most ergonomic we’ve seen for
pedalboard mounting
9
THE RIVALS
If the small size doesn’t do it for you and you
have the cash, you might wish to look at the
full-size Helix models: the top-of-the range
Line 6 Helix Floor (£1,632) and the Helix LT
(£1,117). For an alternative small amp
modeller with effects at around the same
price, there’s the six-footswitch Atomic
AmpliFire 6 (£529). If you just want a box full
of high-quality effects as an add-on to your
rig, the Eventide H9 Max (£565) ticks a lot of
boxes, with access to all the algorithms from
Eventide’s existing pedals plus any to be
released in future.
3. The three soft knobs are
assigned to functions
and values in the screen
above, and have both
push and turn actions
4. You can connect a single
expression pedal or
footswitch to the EXP
1/2, FS 4/5 socket, but
you can have two if you
use a Y-cable. The socket
is set for a Mission SP1-
L6H Line 6 Expression
Pedal, with a toe switch
that toggles between EXP
1 (Wah/Pitch Wham) and
EXP 2 (Volume/Pan)
5. Ins and outs can be
used as an effects loop
for inserting external
stompboxes between
specifi c blocks
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GIT441.rev_line6.indd 108 11/29/18 3:43 PM