Line 6’s Helix family of products delivers outstanding tone. Each model is set up for different types of players and their individual needs. For instance, if you want it all – there’s the Helix floorboard and Helix rack units. The sky is the limit with these! If you want all of the power of Helix but in a lighter board with a few fewer ports and knobs… the simpler interface is presented in the Helix LT.
Or perhaps you have an amplifier that you love and just want some of the Helix effects, then there are the HX Effects which features all of the fantastic effects options, but without the amp modeling; Simply use your amp’s natural tone.
Of course, then there are the players who really LOVE their pedals and just want to add Helix to their arsenal without the real estate cost on the floor.
Enter the HX Stomp.
HX Stomp is everything Helix in a tiny box. The size of it is comparable to a good dual overdrive pedal. It’s larger than a regular stomp pedal, but not by much. This allows HX Stomp to fit perfectly into your floorboard setup without taking up very much space at all.
The effects are quite literally the entire library of effects in the flagship Helix board. You’ll never be lacking in choices. Approximately 200 blocks to choose from: noise gates, compression, EQ, distortion, amp modeling and cabinets (and IRs), reverb, delay, and more.
The Helix floorboard and rack units have countless ports, you can go in and out a million ways, it seems. The HX Stomp is a smaller unit, so of course you won’t have all of those ins and outs. Still, it has a bit of everything, which any other pedal of its size just doesn’t have in one package. There are two 1/4 in inputs, and two 1/4 inch outputs. Just what you need for mono or stereo setups that integrate seamlessly into your pedalboard. There’s aren’t any XLR outputs but trust me the HX Stomp delivers plenty of tone without them. You can run through your other pedals, direct to an amp, direct to a PA, or if you want to record there’s a USB port that instantly turns HX Stomp into a fantastic USB interface for any of your recording needs.
All of the basic ins and outs are situated on the top (or on the back if you prefer to call it that) which I like better than side setups sometimes. The wires stay away from each other and allow a tighter arrangement on the pedalboard. On the right side are ports for the effects loop, another great option if you want to integrate pedals within the HX Stomp’s effects chain or perhaps get a little creative with your amp setup. There aren’t 4 effects loops like on the big Helix models, but HX Stomp still comes equipped with stereo returns which is great by itself. The opposite side features MIDI ports, if you so desire, and a headphone port.
HX Stomp isn’t just for live performances.
With the USB port, the HX Stomp is perfect for recording projects. It takes up nearly no space on the desk and delivers a mountain of tone and effects. With over 100 save slots (presets) you could set up tones to record an entire album. The headphone port can allow for great monitoring during recording, or even turn HX Stomp into the best practice rig ever. Imagine having a fierce pro rig that you can take anywhere and practice with (as long as you have somewhere to plug in for power, at least!) Play in the office, bedroom, studio, etc. and need nothing more than your HX Stomp, guitar, and a nice set of headphones.
Modes, modes, and more modes.
When you’re playing live, you want options. That’s where Helix was a huge win. You can assign the buttons to control patch selection, stomp bypass controls, snapshots, and combinations thereof. HX Stomp is no different… just smaller. When it’s time to jam out with your band, HX Stomp can be set up so the 3 stomp button bypass effects, control your tap tempo, or run snapshots. Sometimes 3 buttons are all you need! Less is more.
Fewer effects chains, but powerful nonetheless.
Some people look at the big Helix as incredible because it’s the ability to run up to 4 separate chains of effects or chain them together into one super chain. This is incredible, yes! The HX Stomp won’t do that since it only has one chain with no more than 6 blocks. However, with a fantastic tone and countless block options you really can’t go wrong. Sure, you won’t be creating a giant patch full of blocks that resembles the work of a mad scientist, but that doesn’t mean it won’t sound great. Some of the best players have pedalboards with no more than 6 pedals in use at a time already. If you play your cards right and select just what you need the HX Stomp can easily create a fantastic patch with only that one little chain of effects. And remember, HX Stomp fits right into your pedalboard so it’s only limited by what you already own. If you have 8 pedals in your pedalboard already, then the 6 blocks in the HX Stomp have just turned that into 14 pedals. Do you need more for your live show? And hey, don’t forget you have about 200 pedal options in HX Stomp, so you are traveling to the gig with one heck of a rig!
Conclusion:
The HX Stomp may very well be the single most versatile compact pedal out there. The interface is user-friendly, the pedal is small (but not too small) with a very clear full-color screen, and you’re armed with tons of effects, just the right amount of ports, and 3 very versatile stomp buttons. Line 6 for the win on this one!
