Can the HX Effects REPLACE a PedalBoard?

[@juanmacaceres2702]

I've been considering one for some time now. I don't own any pedals, I just play straight to the amp. If I wanted to build a pedalboard, I would need a power supply, cables, a board, an the basics, OD, Reverb, Delay and maybe a tuner, or I could just buy one of these used and have everything

[@treyspears913]

Your playing absolutely moves me.. so inspiring! I am here after ordering an hx effects. Excited to try and learn this masterpiece!

[@NeverEatenChestnut]

That intro jam was STUNNING.

[@markdonatelli5742]

My hx stomp xl replaced my entire pedalboard except when the gig has a backline amp, then I use an angry charlie for high gain along with hx. Never been happier with my rig!

[@m4ssi86]

I often use my fractal just as pedalboard in front of my tube amp and I love it. Maybe you don’t have that particular tone from one particular pedal, but for me the ability to switch between scenes, avoid cables, Velcro and the ability to create really strange routings for me it’s fantastic. Also how to manage the overall volume is better than analog for me.

[@seventhsamuel]

In 4 cable method I take it? Also- what are you using to switch, and how many scenes do you shift between? Thanks!

[@dracul74]

Great points. For years I have mixed modelers, tube amps and pedals. When I played live I had the hardest time getting the sound that fit the way I wanted with modelers even with analog pedals. I noticed it was worse when playing in bands with 2 guitarists when the other had a tube amp . For the home studio I still switch it up all the time.

[@FabrizioPeretti]

I actually have been using helix floor as a "stomp" pedalboard for the best part of 3-4 years, after a lot of experimenting going direct I settled for a live setup with whatever clean amp and the drives from the helix. Ts9 into the badger (set not too aggressive and not too bright) and the prince of tone for a milder breakup. Works fantastically and leaves space for tons of fun effects. I always use the same couple of delay, comp chorus and phaser LOL

[@johnnathancordy]

I think it's a really sensible idea to kind of limit yourself to some key favourite models that you get to know really well right?

[@FabrizioPeretti]

@@johnnathancordy especially because at the end of the day you're going to really like just a small fraction of the models. My friends who gravitate more towards John Mayer's style tend to use a completely different set of blocks

[@donewithmodernlife]

I use my HX in conjunction with my drive pedals & am very pleased with my tone. I run the drives (Klon Centaur, Ram’s Head Muff & Hudson Broadcast Dual ftsw) in the first loop. I have a Strymon Flint in the second loop. I then go into the front end of a 1x12 Fender Princeton or a Dr. Z Maz 18 NR. I also have a Danelectro Eisenhower in front of the HX as it likes to see the direct signal from the pickups. I use the HX for wah, comp, mod, delays & some reverb. The delay & mod effects are lovely, as Line 6 is well known for. The looper is great too. I’ve tried lots of different setups over the 30+ years I’ve been playing & this is by far the best sounding & most flexible rig I’ve ever had.

[@tonepilot]

Yes, I think they all can now. My Quad Cortex has replaced all my pedals and all my amps. Super happy with my sound and so is the audience from what they tell me. Always inspired by your playing.

[@kevinreddoch5214]

I actually just got an hx FX on order then stumbled across this gem of a vid 👍. I'm pairing it with the Tonex. I plan to run my go-to drives as well in front of the Tonex. Always liked the helix FX but prefer Tonex for amp sounds. I enjoy seeing your creative set-up because it gives me some ideas of things to try. 👍

[@damienabyss5336]

I think it makes it far more taxing to use the unit interface to program presets than simply hooking it up by USB to your computer and using the HX Edit. I love the unit honestly and don't ever see myself going back to individual pedals. I understand what I like and use in effects is different than someone else though. And I don't need a lot either. I just play originals so the unique few presets and various snapshots I write, I use for all my material. I have a hard rock/progressive style and sculpting unique tones is what I care about. And I use very particular effects just about all the time. But these are a great unit to me, and would absolutely recommend someone trying one out and delving deeper into really setting up your presets. I don't think it's worth comparing or worrying whether this modeled pedal exactly sounds like the actual pedal, compared to how good it does sound in it's own and how useable it is.. What should matter I think, is can it give you the tone and versatility you like and need for what you play. The unit is pretty versatile and easy to use I think. And like many units these days, consistently upgradeable through downloads and updates. And as far as the adjustability and space to use is quite a lot.

[@eskilseter]

Love the HX Effects. Great effects (obviously), and by far the most "pedal-like" editing of any multi-FX unit I've tried. Touch the footswitch, and edit the effect more or less like knobs on a pedal. Love my HX Stomp too, but the editing is just fiddly and I always end up using the PC editor.

[@allanb1402]

It's funny that I was just messing with this last night in an attempt to fit things onto a smaller board. For the past couple of years I have been splitting the difference with the HXFX in my amp loop that does all the time and pitch effects, and analog drive and compressor in front of the amp. I was revisiting the HXFX drives and comps last night and definitely noticed things were much brighter and a little sterile, but certainly usable. Today I'm going to try just my Orange Kongpressor in front of the HX to see if that warms things up a bit.

[@zoomzoom3950]

HX Effects + Catalyst 100 using 4CM. Working great, versatile, sounds great, lightweight. I also use my HX Effects with my tube Marshall, Fender and Engl.

[@curtlondon]

I use a 4-cable method with a Mark V 35 head and cab. I like it. I make sure my amp sounds good first before any pedals and then layer pedals as needed for a cover band as the only guitar. Use a parametric EQ for each song preset. Added a new Andy Timmons Halo and will add the Strymon Cloudburst when shipped. My pedal board was getting too big because I also use a large vocal harmonizer effect.

[@WTC_2U]

I live somewhere between the Line 6 and pedal worlds. I have both a Helix and an HX Effects (and lots of pedals). I have been using the HX Effects as the center of a pedal driven board for a while, but the board was large, bulky, with both FX Loops in use (loop one for 4CM, loop two carrying two drive pedals), no wah or expression pedal unless I hauled one around with me. But when I really compared it's sound with well-tweaked Helix presets, I found that I could get all of that, plus a Wah/Expression pedal, in a single unit. No fuss, no muss, I had to be honest with myself. So am I back to the Helix? Yes/No - I use the Helix mostly with my larger stereo rig, and I use the HX Effects, mounted on a smaller pedaltrain board, with a couple drive pedals and a Vox wah, for the mono gigs. But, I have realized I could easily run the HX Effects board in stereo and with 4CM if I want to! In fact, I have multiple stereo based presets already programmed. Conclusion? It's down to size - simpler/mono/cramped for space gigs, I go with the smaller HX Effects driven board. Larger/stereo gigs that need the additional blocks per preset, I go with the Helix. And it could all change again, tomorrow.... 😄

[@MH-tz5xf]

John that is really a nice rig!!!

[@AlecBourneMidiMadScientist]

The one time I do actually find analog pedals better is when you’re giving your all to that ONE pedal. Reduce the tweaks so you’re dealing with those 3 to 6 knobs and then you’ll find a level of satisfaction. You’re limiting interaction to one spot If the pedal is in reach. If like this on the floor though, you’re likely super uncomfortable 😣. Little bear g3 is a fine example adding a cranking bit of gain and the swishy ness of a tube into the mix.

[@scke3717]

Two words: Scribble Strips: the ability to see in words what every preset/bank/snapshot is; just like a pedal-board, no guessing what will happen when you step on a button. A few favorite pedals in front or in the HXFX loop, run straight into amp (in my case Katana100), no more time wasted tweeking amp models/IRs. Done.

[@RogerThat902]

Really good video and helps me a lot w/ the current state I'm in. I pretty much am a guitar into amp player but I have a couple of pedals for specific sounds. At the same time I love hearing a song and then trying to play it with an effect in the song. Right now the modelers scratch that itch but take up room for random use and I can't play through my favorite amp. Seems like the stomp would be perfect for me when I just want a tremolo pedal or some chorus when it's not something I play with often. Think I'm going to settle on a stomp because don't need a bunch of footswitches and if I ever want to try out the amp models it's there. The Effects is cool but just too big and unnecessary for my personal use. The other thing I was looking at is the TC electronics board (sans drives). I like almost everything I've seen re that unit but the big negative is no drive. If I'm buying something like that and still have to bring some drive pedals it lowers one of the major benefits of a stomp--that everything can be contained in that one unit if you so choose. I really wish they had even 3 drives then I'd be all over it

[@savilior]

I think yes. I used to have a simple rig and went for HXS for the super flexibility. In the box or to FOH it is great. However for the last couple of years I am forced to plug into a random amp and I was bummed as just turning off the amp+cab in my presets produced garbage sounds but I don't want to go nuts with to much gear. I saw the other post of yours with the HXFX into an amp and so I think its the same approach as to stay small and use the HXS as an HXFX into an amp.

[@LysanderLH]

I’m right at this exact same point! I have a load of lovely pedals as well as an HXFX. I’m at a crossroads because I’m wondering if I should invest in a switcher,cables etc etc or just go with learning how to use the HXFX.

[@williamnichols6253]

You know what problem HX Effects solved for me? Pedal GAS. I already had a stomp, and watched some KZbin videos and started buying cheap Amazon drives, then a delay/reverb, then... I was on my way to having 20 pedals I don't need. I bought an hx effects, and that cured the itch. If I want a new pedal, there's dozens in the effects unit that I haven't touched. Back to actually playing my guitar for $400, that's a bargain. Plus using it with the stomp solves problems for me in my live use case.

[@Andreas_tropicalwinter]

I like having an actual amp and a pedalboard. I do use software like NeuralDSP Plini, and GuitarRig since years, finding it more convenient for recording and I won't change that. I am able to use different cabs, heads, mics, change frequencys by adding EQs to the chain wherever I want, create FX loops, try all of the different reverbs and drives. I ended up having a bunch of lead sounds, some different clean presets as a starting point and presets for all of the fx I use. But that's the point for me. On my analog set up, I like it very much to be limited by a few pedals and one amp. I don't change my pedal order, and I don't add new stuff constantly. There's one EQ beeing the last pedal before the amp to tweak resonance and presence... that's one EQ and not more. I ain't got an FX loop like in my software. I took the time building clones to get to know different drive options, which added a whole new world to my journey. I found it beeing a BE-OD. Having the Microcosm opened another world to me. It can get expensive I know, but for me it's more time consuming programming stuff to achieve something similar.

[@chrisdavies9143]

After owning and using multiple spaceship pedalboards over a couple of decades but then more recently using modellers and multi effects instead, in my experience these units are absolutely fine substitutions for almost everything. That includes, in my opinion, drive pedals (nobody is going to come up to you after a gig and say "that drive sounded digital"! in a mix it's absolutely indistinguishable) So the ease and speed of set up, flexibility, range of sounds and comparative cost: all of it makes me think there's absolutely no reason for me to go back to lugging around thousands of quids worth of pedals and cables any more. The only place I feel modellers/digital effects are lacking sonically is modulation. They don't have the warmth, the full frequency feel of analog modulation. But again, in a mix at volume, with other musicians, nobody can tell the difference. For me now, pedals are consigned to the studio only. Helix or Fractal live.

[@markknecht9416]

When playing by myself I wonder about the modelers the same way you are in this video. When playing with others, some loud drummer banging on his set, the bass player turning up his Ampeg, I think the Helix is perfectly fine. Over the long run I think building and editing settings on the computer is more satisfying than on the modeler. I don't like searching for settings, jumping from page to page, etc. I like to see 20 software knobs on my computer where I can think about how they interact. I haven't purchased it but I think for me there might be a lot of value in the Helix Native package just to do the editing and less for recording. I also vaguely remember a couple of different articles or videos - one where Nita Strauss was talking about her Headrush, something about it not sounding right until she started writing music using it. It changed what she wrote and it only became really good for her then? Another article where Steve Howe talked about setting some Line 6 device up in his living room and just working with it to duplicate his sounds from albums - A/B-ing live vs recording - until he got the sound he was used to. For me, overall, I don't want to go back to the limitations of a stack of pedals, power supplies, patch cables, loss & theft, etc. If the Helix Tube Screamer isn't perfect yet it will likely get improved over time if enough users point that out to Line 6. With pedals they just are what they are - nothing more, nothing less until they break.

[@grondavid]

10:40 what a good lick.

[@davetube2ful]

i bought the Helix when it first came out and have never used the modeling live i use the effect only live with a tube amp and know a fender tone master blonde and i think it sounds great, i do think with single coil Pickups it sounds a little top fizz but with humbuckers its sounds smooth imo. and so much easier than messing with a pedalboard.

[@mistermatsuda]

NEED HELP: What genre would you call the music John plays in this vid?

[@levijessegonzalez3629]

what about the general stereo spread and sense of space I'm the HX reverbs and Delays (stereo) compared to a timeline or big sky etc?

[@lperry65]

Is there a way to run the HX Effects with a cab m+ so that time based effects are after the amp sim ?

[@jobibar9937]

hi john! i wonder if you could help me with my question. i have victory kraken amp running with torpedo captor (regular) to my pc (i have no real cab at all). i wonder , if ill buy HX FX , is there a way to connect it with PRE and POST fx (4 cable ish) but also to use the HX FX IR loader , and use headphones \ monitors direct to the HX FX? without the use of the pc? just the hardware. or do i must have cabinet? really hope you can help me, i tried to find answer for that everywhere thank you brother!

[@domizidor]

Sonically I think nowadays, many multifx are really good in therms of sound. I mean the bang for buck is ridicolously good. AND, you can have snapshots/scenes what could be game changer for many people using it live and making everything easier. For real pedals, if you got many of them you need some high quality programable switcher which costs a lot - almost as much as helix lt. I have 8 effects now a want to add 2 or 3 more. The main advantage for me is easiness of use. Like, its really simple to just turn the knob here and there when you just trying to write stuff and find the optimal sound. But there are always some limitations with real pedals. But that doesnt have to be bad. Actually the only thing Im missing is ability to have some "snapshots". I think St. Vincent she is using kemper and all effects are programmed for each song so she can focus just on performing. So to me the difference is more in how you wanna use the effects in reality not just sound.

[@benriddelluk]

Billy Corgan uses an HX Effects in his live rig because studio sounds from individual pedals don't normally translate well live (he always mentions that the Pumpkins don't use Big Muffs live due to the sound disappearing in the mix). It all comes down to "is it good enough for the application I'm using it in?" - 99% of the time the answer would be "yes" Audiences wouldn't even know if you'd used analog or digital gear to get the sound they're hearing if therig was hidden under a blanket - Metallica sound like Metallica through their current live Axe-Fx rigs as they did through their 90s "wall of tube amps" rigs

[@johnnathancordy]

Well that's an interesting take!! I hadn't heard that, will have a little google around... Really interesting in terms of the Fuzz stuff as well, as that's one area that folks consistently have trouble dialling in?

[@benriddelluk]

@@johnnathancordy here’s the video with Billy talking about Line 6 and his Randall/Salvation Mod modular tube pre-amp setup for touring kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYbalot3qZqCfJY

[@javierloperena994]

I have the headrush gigboard and like to buy the hx efects to stack them together. Can i do that and have a nice tone?

[@mixodorians12]

Have to think about noise. The HX can kick out a bit of noise particularly the earlier versions.

[@mikejones-hs7od]

Great video!

[@dennisl501]

Excellent content, brilliant advice., great musicianship as always. Why not use a good microphone for speaking?

[@levijessegonzalez3629]

does the HX have a vibrato with a random LFO waveform like the walrus Juliana? that is such a unique sound

[@grade43podcast]

Have you tried the HX Stomp plus a midi controller? Once this patch I ordered arrives, I will be giving it a go.

[@WayneT3]

Well, I'm about to bite the bullet and get an HX Effects to use in front of my Deluxe Reverb (live/fly rig.) Now, if I can just get it to sound remotely as good as Mr. Cordy does, I'll consider that a win...

[@sacredgeometry]

Yes yes yes! Very good! But will it replace groupies?

[@johnschober4008]

Something I don't like about the drives in the HX effects, and I'm aware it seems petty, is turning the dial and rotating and rotating it just to go 0-10. It feels so much better to just quickly dial a pedal in. I use mine in the effects loop of an Orange OR15 in 4CM with real drive pedals and a compressor upfront. I'll never need any other modulation, time based octavers or wahs etc. Drive pedals just feel different.

[@johnschober4008]

Never need...but I also have a full pedalboard :)

[@kyran4238]

You should revisit the M9. It is crazy cheap second hand in Australia now, about the price of a new Boss DD4 or CH1. I remember when heaps of famous guitarists and studio guys started using them on their boards. Seams like a a great option for working musicians.

[@levijessegonzalez3629]

good pedal for the bass player in the band who has no pedals. can get a chorus or filter or a fuzz or a reverb on certain parts that need it

[@kyran4238]

Yep, a good do-it-all piece of kit!

[@felipefarias7654]

My pedalboard is an HX effect, a Duellist (drive) and a Fuzz(which I think are not great in any modeller). No need for extra pedals imo

[@electricj5]

Agree, never heard a modeler do a great fuzz tone.

[@kelseymusic2145]

When you doing a demo of the Headrush mx5? Tasty pickin bud

[@yobanyhernandez125]

Just came here to say yes 😅 Because I was an analog elitist until I bought one and the next few hours where of me selling most of my pedal board on reverb 😂🤣 But except for drives, I kept some of my real drives because it does help.

[@joakeen]

My two rock amp became alive when I got rid of the HX effects in favor of a simple board with a couple of overdrives, a Strymon flint and a capistan.

[@olsza6969]

because digital kills dynamics in live condition

[@levijessegonzalez3629]

can you be more specific

[@olsza6969]

@@levijessegonzalez3629 connect digital processor to your amp. if do not hear the difference ignore my comment.

[@Joonsik_e]

have you done a blind test? I'm sure the difference you heard must have felt quite real, but the placebo effect can mess our hearing abilities pretty bad. Without a proper blind test, you never know the difference you heard was actually real?

[@nightpandas7178]

Right if you only play 1-2 genres that's ideal

[@klextacy]

How about using "real" drive in the loop of the HX and enjoying the best of both worlds?

[@primaballerina84]

I can sy that my AX8 in 4cm definitely can replace my pedal board except for One pedal, a distortion "Raptor by Tommy Folkesson" it has a certain juice to it that none of the built in drives have no matter how I tweak. Your channel is fantastic btw 🙏🏻

[@bikergeekgd]

Perhaps I am not aware of a technology if it exists. And perhaps I am naive. But it would be great if there was a standard plugin (software) format for modelers. Why can't companies like Strymon produce software versions of their pedals that could be sold to work on devices like Helix, Kemper, Fractal, and Neural DSP? Celestion markets decent IR's for all of their guitar speakers. Instead, we have companies like Line6 that are capturing or mimicking actual products (on the sly). When will there be a partnership between the major pedal companies (and amp makers) and the modeler makers?

[@picksalot1]

If you've already got an HX Stomp, why not just add a MIDI Controller Floor unit with Scribble Strips so you get the extra Stomp buttons? 🤷

[@bryantwalley]

Velcro patch cables. Pushing knobs. Talking. 🎸👍😎

[@MotownGuitarJoe]

March 2023 Update: HX Effects + Tonex Pedal = FM9 (or better) without the wait and less $€£.

[@ithacafitnessshorts4849]

Do you sell hx patches please?

[@vladaspetrauskas2800]

Inspired!

[@geoffreysmith4618]

Great video and very helpful. But I am wondering why you are pressing hard each switch when it has capacitive switchers? Just habit? Also - your playing is fantastic. Turn around and let us see what you are playing. :)

[@dividedbytimestudios]

No, I think the HX FX needs better FX Loop, it was too noisey in my opinion, has potential, but didn’t work for me

[@AlecBourneMidiMadScientist]

My experience - and I’ve spent a good 18 months now mixing analog pedals with helix and WAZA airs, you actually cannot beat the convenience of the modeler. But beyond the HXFX the helix floor or any modeller with exp built in would again up the convenience with the possibility to morph sounds and use limits adjusting parameters across multiple pedals at once. You’d have a mild argument in favour of drives alone and a wet dry rig with latency but the second you introduce digital pedals that all goes out the window . Maybe swap the HXFX for the boss stuff, the Guvnor alone and the slow gear are worth it in that realm but yeah 100 % it is a long way more time consuming fidgeting with cables and power and all that. Better GAS relief 🥲 but for actual tonal construction I’d stick to modelers. The rest seems vastly psychological. Spend more money on gear, you’ll be convincing yourself it sounds better when in reality you are losing time swapping gear and not playing. Try the HXFX out to WAZA air and you’ll see what I mean.

[@DavidEidelberg]

What about HXFX vs TC Plethora?

[@AlecBourneMidiMadScientist]

@@DavidEidelberg not even really in the same Galaxy, zero drives , no command center, no amp control , beast of a modulation engine but I think head to head the plethora wouldn't stand a chance,

[@DavidEidelberg]

@@AlecBourneMidiMadScientist so why did I buy a Plethora when I already had an HXFX? Lolol. Really just because of the size and I prefer real analog drives to the HXFX.

[@AlecBourneMidiMadScientist]

@@DavidEidelberg for me the mash switches, editor, toneprints and it is freaking cool 😎. HXFX but with 5 exp and an APP.

[@AlecBourneMidiMadScientist]

@@DavidEidelberg ahh but which analog drives ?? Seeing as how we are avoiding gas