rbmackstaller

Hey Bloozeman, I'm happy to try to walk you though as I've set up my HX for MIDI amp switching. First off, set your amp to a different MIDI channel than "1." Any channel number is fine but to make life simple, set it to "2." Now, any MIDI messages the HX sends out on channel 2 will be received by your amp. Before we get to that stage, there are basically two ways to integrate MIDI functionality: 1) Assigning a footswitch(es) to toggle channels, reverb, etc. or 2) Creating a setting on the amp (ie: Clean channel, Reverb on, Solo boost off) which loads when you select a preset on the HX. Which scenario are you hoping to achieve?

Yeah, exactly - I have the second loop open so I can plug anything into it. All of the analog in's and out's (including the send / return loops) are adjustable to instrument or line level. Luckily I've found with my setup everything works best as instrument level so whether I patch in the amp effects loop or other pedals it's all the same. Cheers!

Yeah, it's forced me to pare down a little but this is what I'm doing now: Compressor -> HX Input -> Loop 1 (Analog drives) -> Loop 2 (Amp Efx loop, other pedals) -> HX output The one huge feature that I don't think Line6 is featuring enough, is the two analog audio loops are completely movable based on where you assign them in the signal chain (on each preset). So on most presets, I'll have a modulation effect before the drive pedal loops and then all of my "wet" effects after the Amp effects loop. The only thing is each analog loop counts as one block (of nine) in the signal chain, so with my setup I can use seven HX effects. Which is a lot. Right now I'm digging deep into the MIDI programming (each preset can "fire" six commands on recall) to integrate my amps and amp functions. -Ryan

I'm one-week in to exploration of a similar idea: I have a large pedalboard (32" x 16") utilizing a Mobius, Timeline, Eventide Space, Empress Tremolo2, and Pigtronix Infinity Looper. The whole thing is controlled by a RJM PBC (similar to your ES-8). I also have analog drives, boost, compressor, etc. in the PBC loops. So far, I can say the HX absolutely covers what the five "big box" pedals were doing (plus more). I'm using one of the HX audio loops for my analog drive pedals (which can be positioned anywhere in the signal chain on a per preset basis). I have the compressor before the HX input. The second audio loop is dedicated for amps with effects loops (or perfect for auditioning the latest pedal du jour). With the drive loop "on," I manually turn on and off the pedals I need - so no more complex presets but honestly I am always adjusting drive and boost pedals on the fly anyways. I have to say, so far I'm really happy with the results (and my new pedalboard which is half the size!).

When testing an expression pedal output as a TRS output for amp/function switching, I've noticed it performs as a latching relay. From the documentation, it looks like this currently is not editable. Any plans in future firmware updates to allow users to select between momentary and latching for this function?

You shouldn't have any issues with drive or boost pedals clipping the HXfx - just want to make sure whatever input or loop you are using is set to "instrument" level. The one advantage of having your drive pedals in an fx loop is the ability to place the loop anywhere in the signal path on a per preset basis. So on one preset you may want your drive loop to be the first block in the signal chain, while on the next you may want to place it later (after, say, a mod or wah block).