HX Effects Help Please

[TubThumper]

Brand new HX Effects owner (got it yesterday) and I'm having some trouble figuring out a few things. First up, I'm running the HXE using the 4CM into a Mesa Mark V 90 watt head. I'm also using the HXE to handle channel switching via the external amp control and a 1/4 Stereo to dual 1/4 mono cable. That out of the way, here's my issues:

 

1. Since I'm running the HXE into my amp's effects loop, I have to place an FX Loop 1 block in my signal flow to NOT bypass the Mesa's preamp. By that I mean if I don't have an FX Loop 1 in the signal flow the amp will change channels, but I'll only get a clean/direct sound.  What I don't understand is how to route delay and modulation effects to ONLY go through the loop and NOT through the front of the amp like distortions and dynamics? I tried placing the delay/mod effects AFTER the FX Loop 1 (in the same block) in the signal flow, but then the effects don't work at all.

 

2. This Line 6 video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr97prcOtCM) at 1:03 talks about controlling more than one effect per foot switch. It shows being able to toggle between two different effects with one foot switch (handy) and also says you can have up to 8 different effects on one switch. For the 8 effects on one switch, I'm assuming that functionality is emulating a loop switch in that more than 2 effects on a switch and it's either all on or all off. This would be really handy for creating a "solo loop" where you could turn on/off say a boost/delay/modulation all at one time. 

 

3. Anyone else getting a ton of buzzing/line noise when channel switching to a high-gain channel with the HXE in the chain? I don't have any buzzing/line noise when using stomp boxes or the amp by itself. 

 

That's all I got for now. Many thanks in advance!

[musiczoner]

Got similar troubles. All I want is a dual track. Beginning  to think this helix lark is not as easy as stated. Another day of this and I go back to the boss gt1000 where not even common sense is required. Lol

good luck my friend. . 

[phil_m]

On 3/8/2018 at 5:28 PM, TubThumper said:

Brand new HX Effects owner (got it yesterday) and I'm having some trouble figuring out a few things. First up, I'm running the HXE using the 4CM into a Mesa Mark V 90 watt head. I'm also using the HXE to handle channel switching via the external amp control and a 1/4 Stereo to dual 1/4 mono cable. That out of the way, here's my issues:

 

1. Since I'm running the HXE into my amp's effects loop, I have to place an FX Loop 1 block in my signal flow to NOT bypass the Mesa's preamp. By that I mean if I don't have an FX Loop 1 in the signal flow the amp will change channels, but I'll only get a clean/direct sound.  What I don't understand is how to route delay and modulation effects to ONLY go through the loop and NOT through the front of the amp like distortions and dynamics? I tried placing the delay/mod effects AFTER the FX Loop 1 (in the same block) in the signal flow, but then the effects don't work at all.

 

2. This Line 6 video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr97prcOtCM) at 1:03 talks about controlling more than one effect per foot switch. It shows being able to toggle between two different effects with one foot switch (handy) and also says you can have up to 8 different effects on one switch. For the 8 effects on one switch, I'm assuming that functionality is emulating a loop switch in that more than 2 effects on a switch and it's either all on or all off. This would be really handy for creating a "solo loop" where you could turn on/off say a boost/delay/modulation all at one time. 

 

3. Anyone else getting a ton of buzzing/line noise when channel switching to a high-gain channel with the HXE in the chain? I don't have any buzzing/line noise when using stomp boxes or the amp by itself. 

 

That's all I got for now. Many thanks in advance!

 

1. It sounds like you most likely have some of the cable connections incorrect. For the 4CM to work you do need an FX Loop block in the signal chain, and anything before the FX Loop will be before your amp's preamp, and anything after it will be in your amp's loop. As far as the cable connections, it would be (assuming you're using FX Loop 1 on the HXFX):

 

Guitar --> HXFX in --> HXFX FX Send 1--> Amp Input --> Amp FX Send --> HXFX FX Return 1 --> HXFX Output --> Amp FX Return

 

You just have to make sure you have the FX Loop block on at all time, otherwise, as you mention, you'll bypass your amp's preamp and the signal would be going through the HXFX straight to the amp's FX return.

 

2. You can have multiple effects assigned to one footswitch. If you want to have even more flexibility, you would probably want to use snapshots. That would allow to recall the bypass states of every block in your preset along with the values of 64 parameter. It's an insanely powerful feature.

 

3. It's very possible that you run into a ground loop when making multiple connections between the same two pieces of equipment. A hum destroyer, similar to this, can be very helpful in getting rid of those sorts of problems.