Should You Get An HX Stomp In 2024?

Thanks for watching my retrospective review and demo of the Line 6 HX Stomp in 2024! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! Cheers!
Gear used in this video:
- ESP LTD EC1000T
- Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s
- Schecter E1 Apocalypse Red reign
- Schecter Sunset-7 Triad
- Line 6 HX Stomp
- ML Drums by ML Sound Lab
- Cubase 13 Pro
- OwnHammer Impulse Responses
This channel is sponsored by:
OwnHammer: www.ownhammer.com/
ML Sound Lab (ML Drums): ml-sound-lab.com/pages/ml-drums
An original song of mine with me on vocals (Helix Native was used): kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqCnZWSCi96BaMk
Thanks for watching! Please subscribe along with the bell and follow SDS at:
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#hxstomp #stillworthit #2024
Disclaimer: Line 6 sent me the HX Stomp so I could use it on this channel but as always all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own!
Timecodes:
00:00 Is The HX Stomp Still The Best In 2024?
01:12 Modern Rock Demo (Solo Lead OD & LTD EC1000T)
02:52 Modern Rock Preset Settings & Details
04:37 The Amp Modeling Quality And Realism
05:18 Powerful Rig For Guitarists
06:21 Clean Tone Demo (Jazz Rivet 120 & Schecter E1 Apocalypse)
08:00 Clean Tone Preset Settings & Details
09:25 Assigning The Switches
10:40 Modern Metal Demo (Schecter Sunset-7 Triad & PV Vitriol)
12:11 Modern Metal Preset Settings & Details
13:15 Classic Crunch Demo (Les Paul Std. 60s & Brit Plexi Jump)
14:47 Classic Crunch Preset Settings & Details
15:33 Snapshots
16:44 My Thoughts And Conclusion
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[@SonicDriveStudio]

What do you think, is the HX Stomp still the greatest?

[@the_hippykiller22]

Haven't even watched yet but as an owner of the stomp and Effects, they're the best when it comes to effects IMO and the Stomp with its incredible form factor is still one of the best options on the market. I use it as a live spare rig on tour and at home, hard to beat the versatility, size and price. I still think the amps and cabs aren't on the level of the profilers but they're not that far and again, best effects on the modeler/profiler market. The day I finally go digital the Tonex will replace my 5150III and I'll keep my HX FX.

[@Simonguitar]

I have the Pod Go, and i absolutely love it! Stands its ground in every situation

[@obdmpod]

Kind of wish you used the default IRs on the box. Then compare to the Ownhammer

[@Simonguitar]

@@obdmpod absolutely! The stock IRs are not really good, so a comparison would be awesome!

[@flachmann161]

​@@SimonguitarThe stock cabs are very good since they upgraded it in 3.5

[@TeslaChad]

The HX Stomp is my main live and studio rig sound. People underestimate how powerful the Stomp actually is.

[@CeciShaw]

I recently purchased a UA Lion and it sounds amazing, but I was able to dial my HX to sound just like it. The Lion is going back, Stomp still king after 5 years.

[@aquaxbat]

What model did you use?

[@odyn152]

Been using HX Stomp for everything from recording and reharsing to gigging for five years and I'm still in love with that thing. For the price it's unbeatable and the free updates give the unit a breath of fresh air once in a while.

[@RobertWalsh-f4m]

I have had a helix since the day they came out in the uk, thanks to channels like yours i am still learning what I can do, as soon as you think you have dialled in the best possible tone, you find someone doing something you have not thought, in short it is as relevant now as it was when it came out

[@scottyknows]

The stomp sounds fantastic with the lastest update. The changes to the cab block sound really good. I find I dont need external IRs.

[@willtato8778]

The good thing about real amps is that they don't really get outdated. In some cases, they become even dearer. The regular line 6 updates are the next best thing imo.

[@gabrielstevens41]

Over the last 4 years my Helix has slowly taken over for both recording and live. It's just sounds so good and is still powerful and Line 6's support is unmatched. Helix Native is amazing as well

[@Assburgersaretasty]

How are you running it live ?

[@gabrielstevens41]

@Augustheatsucks I split my signal: one with a Bogren IR going to the FOH and one without that goes to a small power amp that powers a 2x12 on stage behind me.

[@ArchProjectionMusic]

I recently purchased an HX Stomp XL and have been using Ownhammer and York Audio IRS since I love the sound from your videos. You definitely make me excited to use Helix products! Cheers!

[@aposven9803]

In my opinion, the HX Stomp is even more worthwhile these days. The many updates that Helix Core has received so far have also improved and upgraded the HX Stomp. Some modules, such as the Cab module, have been completely reworked. More amps and pedals are still being added. Simply great. Line 6 Helix is still right up there with the big boys like Fractal Audio, Kemper and Tonex. Unfortunately, the price of the HX Stomp has gone up everywhere. I bought the HX Stomp at the introductory price. It was much cheaper then. But to be fair, it has to be said that when it was launched it couldn't do everything that it can do today thanks to the updates. The Helix firmware has developed very well over the years. I'm curious to see what other updates will come out, or perhaps Helix 2?

[@enricobenvenuto2542]

thanks john for your videos! they are fantastic!🤟

[@harrisondvargo72]

Yup, still the best. Mine is always on, works perfectly with a hybrid rig, great routing options, well-built, 10/10.

[@thiagonogueira9363]

Thx for the video! Too Cool!

[@MotoRiff77]

Tonex pedal in the loop and HXStomp for FX is unbeatable for the $

[@michaelrichardson8343]

Dude you can make anything sound good, not just the guitar tone but the entire mix is amazing!

[@jamesshafer6700]

Great playing as always dude!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks!

[@Margilio5150]

Came here to say the same, tasty riffs 🤘🏽

[@frankyfire-tech]

It is simply awesome! Keeps getting better with every update. You can even use it as a full audio interface if you don't have one and have no need for a mic. I mainly use it for playing live. The whole band is using HX Stomps. We daisy-chained the MIDI ports and control the changes with the DAW which is also playing backing track and click for monitoring. So we do not need to tap on any pedals anymore. Only I still do, because I love some of my analog pedals too much.

[@LonelyRocker]

You can never have enough Line 6 products ;) Great video as always!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks buddy!

[@scentia_est]

HX Stomp and Helix Native, nothing beats that! Nothing!

[@daiganzen7794]

I had a hx stomp since launch and it’s been my live rig ever since. Make playing live a breeze

[@jannik19191]

One thing the stomp also does well in my opinion is usability, especially considering how small it is and how many features it has, it's still pretty straightforward to set up some sounds and snapshots. Only when going into deeper editing, e.g. setting names/colors for snapshots, you really have to use the pc editor.

[@dimerocks123]

I still wouldn't say it's complicated per se to rename and change colors of switches, just rather cumbersome because you have to use the dial to cycle through letters/numbers forever to do it lol and I have the full Helix.

[@chrisdover8507]

Great tracks in this by the way. Great writing 🫡

[@jimmywade4086]

I opted for the HX Stomp XL because I am a lazy guitarist. I love the Stomp with the extra buttons. I have it on my pedal board with just a couple of other pedals and it is still incredible. I have recommended to friends in the market that if they can, try and go for the Stomp XL. You will be glad you did.

[@texasbuttercup]

I just got one used and it came with a bunch of presets which was cool. I'm just glad I can finally hear something even a little close to all these amps I want but can't afford. I think my favorite is and will always be the panama but I'm really digging the cali iv lead. It's fun to just get that tallica tone :3

[@Peuf74]

Even my Quad Cortex is a bit more ergonomic and does have capture mode, it doesn't beat the effects available with my HX Stomp. A such tiny and powerfull thing like the HX Stomp is a must have, doesn't matter if it's for the studio, live, rehearsals, and travelling.

[@fivefingerfullprice3403]

I love my Stomp, especially the last few updates have been amazing. I urge everyone to try out the Dripman that's found in the bass guitar section, but use it on guitar. It's amazing!

[@Crunch104]

I love using my Stomp for effects only in 4 Cable Mode with my 5150 III 50 watt. It's great when I want to go with something more compact for effects. Then I use the amp sims at home for practice and recording. Love the thing. I wish I had this back in the 80s when I started out.

[@cheatingatmath3722]

I do this as well with the XL and a 5153 50w. Precision Drive on the blue channel with a gate in the loop too and effects. Switchless wah. I inject a Princeton in the loop for cleans bc the green channel sucks and handle all of the channel changes over MIDI. 4 scenes per song. No more tap dancing. No more gates cutting off my cleans. If we played to a click, it could be fully automated.

[@Crunch104]

@@cheatingatmath3722 I use the midi as well. It's cool that the 5150 III is midi controllable! Change channels on the fly. I also use the switchless wah. I wouldn't mind going to the XL as well. It should be mentioned that Line 6 are still updating this awesome pedal.

[@cheatingatmath3722]

@@Crunch104 absolutely. i use the pedals i actually own in the thing and I'd never go back live. one of my favorite things was i created a differential eq profile to make my bridge pickup sound like my neck pickup, and if I switch to a clean patch it basically changes pickups for me too. you don't see people talk about using these how we do enough. even if you have to buy a MIDI Matrix to change channels on a non midi amp, you're still way under the cost of loopers and pedals and it's endlessly versatile. like bittorrent for guitar gear. i've never really used it as a standalone amp modeler and still feel like it's a steal in every way.

[@LeeJoRo]

I got mine in white for £350. I love it. Great for bass too

[@JonJourdan]

Always the dopest reviews 🔥

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks man!

[@TVoltG]

The Diezel models in the Stomp are pretty spot on..

[@kylemundy8871]

If you want an all in one pedal board, this is it. If yiu want amp emulation, there is better out there, but this holds up in that regard too.

[@jorismak]

I bought a stomp a few years ago... to get something for me - an amateur - to be 'my endgame'. No, not the best there ever is. But to get something and just be happy with it and be done. If you can't get something that sounds good out of it, the problem isn't the device :). Yes, I somehow convinced myself to get a Victory preamp and some pedals, etc... to get a pedalboard 'analog rig'. But depending on the little town gig, or practice, or just sitting at home this thing is still often in my bag or on my desk.

[@mczfender]

Best value for its price. All you need in most live situations is flexible amp sim good IR and snapshots

[@GearStuffandThings]

It is one of the most versatile pieces of gear for guitar. It holds up.

[@sanuhwa]

Sound so nice! good job!!

[@DareBear2099]

Love my stomp. It’s my workhorse and has been for years

[@carlosbazan8512]

What I love about the hx stomp is the size , if there were some neural or fractal with that size I’d think which one to use

[@enakki]

I believe the HX stop is still the best in it's class - those routing options are amazing. The only drawback for me - and why I sold it was lack of processing power. If there is updated version with more powerful CPU I would buy it again.

[@justmehere6094]

We, that have embraced digital gear in place of legacy amps, always hear "It will be outdated in a few years, and you have to get a new one". Just not true any more, even IF the HX Stomp was outdated (which it isn't). Yea, once upn a time, in the last 10 years, we were still improving digital and modelling tech. We WERE on the up climb of a logarithmic improvement scale. But, we are now at the point where improvements in tone, feel etc is very small increments. As you say the HX Stomp sounds as close to legacy amps as most people can discern. Ten years from now, it will still sound as good.

[@ChaseMusic87]

Cant wait get hx stomp. Delivery today. 😊

[@ruvchbrevth]

Fantastic video, nice Schecter’s. 🤪

[@gazzaduce3424]

Hi mate. Was wondering how you set up that pitch shifting thing you did ?. And for how did you to do it to stay on just for the 1 push and not permanently stay on ?. Was your settings for it all?. Sounded killer

[@LucasLeCompteMusic]

For what it does and the price I think it's good

[@DIMESCIPLE01]

Always interested in this and I’m waaaay late to the HX party. I’m not really in a need for 1,000 effects .. but sound quality and amp and pre amp choices. The St Rock Amperium Live or HX ?

[@gravyblue]

Love my Helix. It's good enough. Start writing killer songs !

[@picksalot1]

I've had an HX Stomp for over 3 years, and it's still mind blowing what it can do. It's hard to beat, but your skills at dialing in great sounding, epic tones on it is equally impressive! Most of us know how critically important the Cab Block is. It would be great if you could do a comparison of what kind of results you can get from the Cab Block compared to one of your Favorite OwnHammper IRs. Is the HX Stomp in the same Ball Park? What are the really significant differences that we should be aware of? I would like to see a comparison of the Hotone Ampero 2 Stage against the HX Stomp or XL version. The Stage looks great, has impressive modern features, sounds a lot like a Fractal to me, and has combined some of the best features from Fractal, Line 6, and Neural DSP. It does have some latency issues with the Amp and Cab Block, according to Leo Gibson's recent video. Thanks

[@davidezaccagnini6392]

Can I ask some techinical? The audio interface mode and caratteristics of the hx stomp is the same of the helix? And the quality of the headphone out is the same? Thx One of the best video in this moment.

[@okaight7248]

I'm always impressed with your tones! I can never get close and I'm starting to feel like it's really because I'm using stock cabs. Even with the new cabs update, do you still highly prefer Ownhammer? Have you made any tones with the new stock cabs system on your page?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I always prefer using OH irs for ease of use but I feel like they are also a part of my personal sound if that makes sense

[@dimerocks123]

I personally think the stock cabs sound great. If you aren't real familiar with proper cab mike up techniques though, you may be better off with third party IRs. I personally hate using IRs. For me, its just endless cycling through a billion individual IRs never finding one I like. It makes me overthink when I have that many to choose from. I prefer less options and more perceived tweakability.

[@ianlahaye9476]

Tasty tones! Just the stomp into the interface? No Poweramp required or does the Fractal serve as one?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Straight into the pc

[@TheGooseChaseMusic]

I need to build a new pedalboard around one, it's still the most bang for your buck option IMHO.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Hell yeah dude

[@Ventuss95]

I sold my Kemper rack unit when I fell out playing guitar. I was recently looking into the new Kemper Player, but I saw it does have as many effects blocks. Before I got the Kemper, I was considering going Helix. I’m torn between the stomp XL or the LT. What would you recommend for someone that just messes around at home, and rarely goes to jam with friends?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

If you don't use a lot of effects at the same time the Stomp will do fine

[@zoomzoom3950]

would help demo the HX Stomp itself without third-party IRs IMO. Helix Floor is still my go to modeler. edit: I also use HX-Effects with my tube amps, and Catalyst 100

[@gwynbleiddroach2589]

I agree, my main is the Tone Master Pro. Trying to find something just as versatile as that, but just for a at home practice setting, and easier to carry arpund house. The HX stomp looks to be like it coukd be good for that.

[@strik979]

Do you have a video how to install and use IR's on Hx Stomp? I can't figure this out.

[@he11bent6]

Lol I hope it’s still worth it because I JUST bought one on Reverb.

[@xsteox770]

Still the best for ease of use. Love mine.

[@jamesshafer6700]

Me thinks you got around to using the helix SLO model because of your newest amp in your collection! ❤

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Yessir

[@newstuff1107]

Just bought a Friedman ir-x tube preamp, and frankly my HXStomp, dialed in very closely, sounds the same.

[@ericvandruten]

thanks for saving me 600 bucks..

[@newstuff1107]

@@ericvandruten yeah no problem. Almost the same exact tone, and I use the « almost » but it’s not really required.

[@sjorda12]

Really struggling to decide between a modeler and something like a Revv G20 with the two notes for playing at home. Any thoughts?

[@stiman1]

that's tough, I've played the G20 and it's awesome. I think it comes down to the effects - do you need them? Do you want them? what will you do for effects otherwise?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Both a modeler and an amp can be a very powerful combo

[@sjorda12]

@@SonicDriveStudio I tried a Headrush Pedalboard with an amp and found the effects to be a bit bland. Are the helix ones better?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

@@sjorda12 in my opinion, yes

[@sjorda12]

@@SonicDriveStudiothank you for the replies, it’s really appreciated! Love all your demos. Would love to see some 4-cable method videos with this HX Stomp and a real amp if possible!

[@DIGITAL7Media]

Great video

[@maurocasanova9929]

Absolutely!!!! It’a a mile stone!

[@risingfromruin]

HX, Helix or pod go. Can't pod go wrong either! lol

[@johnnyleo5114]

When you make record - you conect Stomp into your audio interface or conect with USb cable into PC? What type conection better?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

USB into pc in my case

[@baskoole96]

Awesome piece of gear only downside is that it cuts out for a really short time when switching presets😢

[@ericvandruten]

yeah, it does. Use snapshots instead. you can change all the parameters going from one snapshot to the other. Also, with FX, you could consider using the mix parameter rather than switching the effect in and out.

[@baskoole96]

@@ericvandruten sadly have too much different things going on for that

[@blksteve11]

If you had to choose between the Hx Stomp or the Ampero Mini what would you choose??

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Stomp

[@dinogiolitti2844]

What tuning are you in?

[@harshgarrett]

doesn't sound bad by any means but compared to your other demos of amps it's lacking something that I can't really describe with words.

[@pegasusstation4977]

I have a Fractal FM3 and FM9, but I still prefer my HX Stomp 👍

[@scottbrady4472]

Why?

[@maplechill75]

You can get the Trainwreck model on one of these?

[@AboutForget]

Thanks.

[@fasttronics6747]

Is that flyleaf

[@KreativeDevices]

🔥

[@AlexAbrego]

Las personas se dejan llevar por los modelos nuevos de procesadores, muchas veces es mas marketing que calidad o innovación de sonido. Tengo un FM3 y un ToneX y puedo decir con seguridad que el HX suena igual de bien que estos dos. Para un sonido Fender, AC30, Plexi-Brown y algo Heavy tipo Soldano; el HX suena increíblemente bien, si lo pones a la par del FM3 sin que la persona vea cual procesador esta sonando en el momento, no sabría distinguir cual es cual! pues el HX suena igual de bien. Los overdrive suena bien, los delays y reverbs no se comen la señal, etc, etc. En resumen es un excelente producto al igual que el FM3 y otros modelos.

[@zapzarap5600]

Dude! Thank you for not having an intro!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Haha

[@abteenz]

100%

[@martine.210]

The fact that you obviously buff up your guitars before recording a video makes me wanna take care of my guitars a little more.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I don't hahaha

[@latemnf]

I've always hated playing guitar with a headphone out. The amp in the room gives me the best feedback and feels the best to me. Until i got an HX stomp, i can play with headphones on and it sounds and feels great to me. HX stomp with the 3.7 firmware is just as good as anything out there sound wise.

[@sb6232]

Great video. HX is awesome. WHy can't I "Like" this video?? Only gives me the option to dislike..and I'm subbed!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

What? That's weird

[@sb6232]

@@SonicDriveStudio Just clicked again (..since your response)...The like option has re-appeared. "liked!"

[@diotcorpse]

Need bass version

[@TheFunkyman68]

Cool one Song from Nina Hagen Band

[@SonicDriveStudio]

All the music on my channel is original, so I don't cover music from other bands or artists

[@TheFunkyman68]

@@SonicDriveStudio kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6nYe2Zvjtt5f5Ysi=mbo85_JgeW4zkCUd Mimute 17,34 this Song i meaning 🎸😉😉😉😍. I love your Videos

[@galactusfortifier]

Meh.

[@theiranxican7412]

I use to own the hx stomp and it really was a great piece of gear with amazing updates which shows how L6 has a great customer base. But unfortunately for me i just couldnt bond with the clean amps for some reason and that tends to matter with me. I switched to Headrush mx5 and im much better now. With the few caveats that L6 does beat it out but im willing to look over. Maybe some day I'll come back to it.

[@yomuthabyotch]

if no insane channel, then trash.