Why Amp + Cab Is So Useful on the HX Stomp Now

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[@picksalot1]

I use a separate Amp Block, and one of the new "Dual" Cab Blocks. The Dual Cabs are where things get really interesting. You can use two different Cabs and Speaker combinations, different Mics and Positions on each Cab, Mix the Cabs together to get the balance you want, and save these different settings to individual Snapshots. The wide variety of sounds available from using the Dual Cab Block within a single Preset has changed exponentially. You can have one set of speakers/mics for Lead, and a different one for Rhythm all in the same Block. On a personal note, I find that the High Cut for the Speak Cabs is generally way too high and out of Spec, as most Guitar Speakers have a frequency range that drops off pretty quickly at 5kHz or lower. When set around 5kHz, all the other settings in different Blocks are much easier to dial in. YMMV

[@ConstantineM]

It's so awesome to see Helix (HX Stomp) reviews by very experienced Fractal user guy :)

[@vc74]

Thanks for the unbiased review. You can set 'user defaults' per model so you could define High/Low cuts per cab/amp+cab as your user default and they would be automatically set every time you add that model to your signal chain.

[@jcoulter43]

Great video. Glad to see some Line 6 love from an experienced Fractal user. Here's hoping the cab update trickles down to the POD Go 👍 God bless and Merry Christmas 🎄🎸😎

[@jannik19191]

tbh I don't ever really use IRs in my stomp anymore since 3.5 came out. Before, I would always use an IR block followed by a graphic eq. Now I use a dual cab block and don't even use the eq anymore, as the two cab/mic options and mic placement are flexible enough to get all the sounds I want. Also that new ambient reverb is really great for playing with headphones.

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah the verb is a great touch

[@MrChickenking44]

How much dsp do you have left? Could you say run a flanger and 2 different verbs to switch to with snapshots?

[@alforddavis3427]

I am very happy that all the Line6 users have a new improved cabinet block system but I got 'guitar PTSD' when that cabinet screen came up during the video. I immediate got a flashback to all the hours I spent trying to get a cab setup I liked in the old firmware versions. I remember the GB25 was the only cab I liked. I had to take 2 of them with different mikes, crossovers, filters and even delays to experiment with different phase alignments.

[@3mstudiospalmdesert]

That was cool. It's great to see a pro handle it.

[@peterharvin2775]

I'm still exploring the new cabs and trying some as replacements for IR's. So far it's working pretty well, and on the whole I really like the new cabs and new capabilities. But I haven't found overwhelming reasons to get rid of my old IR's when they're working well. Just me, of course, but it's the "If it ain't broke..." thing.

[@david_farmer]

I try to follow along with Helix Native as I don't have a hardware Helix device. Since they don't offer a stand-alone player for Helix Native I load it as a VST into Blue Cat's Axiom, which works great. I always find my gain staging is tricky into plugins vs hardware devices like the Kemper & Ampero Stomp. I wish there were some way to see where your levels are hitting the HX so I could try to match those in Native. Is there any display for that in the editor? Cheers again for another cool video.

[@Iskaral_Pust]

Hey Leon, apologies if this was mentioned: When you're using the HX Stomp, are you typically playing through studio monitors? Is it necessary/advisable to get a FRFR type speaker? Great content, thanks!

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah studio mons here. If you want to make use of the built in cab modelling on the HX FRFR would be advised.

[@bestboy897]

sounds pretty sick ngl

[@tincupmike32]

The new cabs are better than any ir I've heard imo

[@mrx-in4xh]

Hi Leon, I just bought an HX Stomp so really appreciate your videos. I'm just starting to learn how to create sounds, and my first try is chasing the Steve Miller sound. Scrolling through the list of available amps I was surprised to not see Fender amps listed. Specifically I was looking for the 1964-67 Fender Super Reverb. If the amp you're looking for is not listed, can you suggest an approach on how to chose another which may be similar? thx

[@LeonTodd]

A lot of the circuits in that era of Fender are pretty much the same, the amps were just paired with different speaker configs and output stages. So try find a speaker IR closest to that and work with one of the "generic" Fenders in there

[@funkystudiocat]

Great video as usual. 😊

[@heavybrett-al4082]

Not sure the difference between hx stomp and the pod go, (CPU magic wise) but I bet it's all good, I've been blown away with line 6 so far, I'm very new to it all though.

[@bestboy897]

also wanted to know apart from the gigging aspect cant all of this happen in the helix native app?

[@LeonTodd]

I believe so

[@zendakk]

Native is just the plugin version, the devices and their modeling algorithms are identical.

[@zebric]

Gig worthy sounds and it doesn't even break the bank..what's not to like?

[@chrisdover8507]

Hey Leon does it have a Jubilee or even JVM yet?

[@LeonTodd]

I don't think so. Sunn model T is pretty fun though.

[@John-e4p1x]

I feel like this sounds like a toy next to the FM3? I have owned both in the past..

[@LeonTodd]

The stomp is no slouch but my taste certainly leans way more towards the Fractal stuff.

[@John-e4p1x]

@@LeonTodd Yeah you were a big help of course, to me this just always sound slike a toy I guess unless Cordy is playing it but he has it dieale din for him. The fractal just sounds SO professional and SO precise... you are aweosme Leon!!! Watched HOURS or DAYS of your videos!!!

[@LeonTodd]

@@John-e4p1x yeah Cordy's tones are brilliant, bloke could make a wet piece of string sing!

[@John-e4p1x]

@@LeonTodd Hes good on Hx stomp, but not so much with other modelers. You are a BEAST LEON!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bobprince1539]

I think a lot of it comes down to familiarity. Sir Cordy has been on the Line 6 train a long time…so he can get a lot outta their gear. He’s getting into Fractal now and it’s sounding great, too. I’ve had the Stomp for about a year and a half now. Love it. Perfect travel companion with great sounds. Got the FM9 a few months ago. Totally consumed with it. Thanks for the video, Leon.

[@matteomidas638]

I have the Axe3 and Helix. The main difference between the two machines is that the Helix sounds organic where the Axe3 fx feels more digitally perfect. The only great advantage of the Axe are the reverbs and delays that are absolutely incredible. The ones inside the Helix are good but not as near inspiring. The modulation fx are good on Axe fx and, again, more fair to the original in the Helix. With the same IR and same amp the two machines are absolutely on pair regarding quality. Helix more real, Axe more digital. Both great. In a music track you can't tell which one is which. It's just a subjective feeling.

[@JWyaMovieTime]

Funny, I've had the exact opposite experience. Had the Helix for several years and struggled with the digital/artifical feel of it. Switched to Fractal and was instantly blown away by the more organic feel. I'm not saying I'm right or you're wrong, just saying everybody has different results. That's why I've tried them all. At the end of the day, none of them "feel" like playing through my Marshall, but Fractal is super close.

[@matteomidas638]

@@JWyaMovieTime As you said we are all different so what's right for you isn't necessarily righ for me. The Axe for me is too much detailed (using the same IR as Helix). I don't feel the cohesion between the notes. When I switch to the Helix I feel more interaction between notes and phrases. I don't know how to explain better. So for now I use Helix a smu main "amp" and Axe3 as fx unit. Incredible marriage. I have also a Blackstar tube 100 watt head but when I use it there is no story against digital. Anyway music is still my main goal so it's not so important what I use to make real my ideas. 👍😊