HX stomp XL input question

[stokkimojito]

Hi there all ya helixers,

 

I've been working and gigging with my stomp XL for 6 months now, and I'm loving it (even more in the last few days since 3.50  came out), BUTTT... there is something that bothers me and I wonder if any of you guys (and gals) could help me out.

 

I'm using the stomp as an all-in-one solution (replacing all my pedals and amp) with two electric guitars in the Main inputs.

 

I'm trying to create presets which use only one of the two main inputs and mute the other one. So let's say my Telecaster is in Main input L, my semi-hollow Michael Kelly jumbo FT is in Main input R. I want some presets where I can play only the Telecaster (input L) and have the other one muted, and some where it is vice versa. I can only seem to achieve this by putting a 'volume' block (which does absolutely nothing) on path B and have the Y-points set so that  the B-path is turned all the way down on the 'mixer'. But this way I'm losing a block...

 

So my question is: is there a some 'hidden' way that I missed to mute one of the inputs? Or can it only be done by sacrificing a block? 

 

Oh please fellow helixers, shine your lights of wisdom!

 

much obliged.

 

Greetings, Stokki

[datacommando]

On 11/10/2022 at 10:33 PM, stokkimojito said:

I can only seem to achieve this by putting a 'volume' block (which does absolutely nothing) on path B and have the Y-points set so that  the B-path is turned all the way down on the 'mixer'. But this way I'm losing a block...

Hi,

 

I’m not near my Helix right now to check this out, and I’m not entirely sure about it, but try this.

 

If you’re wanting to use a Y-Split to switch between the two paths you shouldn’t need to add a turned down volume block. You could set the Y-Split to path A to 100% and path B to 0%. Likewise you can set path A to 0% and B to 100%. This could be assigned to swap around when you change between Presets that use either the Tele or the Semi. This should feed the input signal to either one of the paths while silencing the other.
 

You need to check out the HX Stomp XL Owner’s Manual - see page 40 - Split - Split Y Settings.

 

https://line6.com/data/6/0a020a3f21c86112a483099fb/application/pdf/HX Stomp XL Owner's Manual - Rev B - English .pdf

 

I maybe need to rethink this when I have the Helix available.
 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

 

 

[rd2rk]

It's going to cost you a Block no matter what.

If you're not wanting to use both inputs in a single preset, just one at a time, you put a Pan Block first in the chain.

For Input L you pan LEFT 100%, Input R pan RIGHT 100%. You SAVE your Presets accordingly.

If you want the option to use either, then you assign the Pan Parameter to a FS, MIN=Full Left; MAX=Full Right.

If you want to use each on a separate Path then you use a Y Split Panned L/R and do the same on the MIX point.

Either way, if you have an instrument plugged into L/Mono you also need to have an instrument plugged into the RIGHT Input else the L/Mono will send on both Paths.

[stokkimojito]

On 11/11/2022 at 1:18 AM, datacommando said:

Hi,

 

I’m not near my Helix right now to check this out, and I’m not entirely sure about it, but try this.

 

If you’re wanting to use a Y-Split to switch between the two paths you shouldn’t need to add a turned down volume block. You could set the Y-Split to path A to 100% and path B to 0%. Likewise you can set path A to 0% and B to 100%. This could be assigned to swap around when you change between Presets that use either the Tele or the Semi. This should feed the input signal to either one of the paths while silencing the other.
 

You need to check out the HX Stomp XL Owner’s Manual - see page 40 - Split - Split Y Settings.

 

https://line6.com/data/6/0a020a3f21c86112a483099fb/application/pdf/HX Stomp XL Owner's Manual - Rev B - English .pdf

 

I maybe need to rethink this when I have the Helix available.
 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

 

 

Yes I read the manual thoroughly, on page 40 it says : "a split block appears anytime a parallel path is created". The thing is, AFAIK it's impossible to create a parallel path unless you assign a block to it... Same goes for the mixer block.

[stokkimojito]

On 11/11/2022 at 9:37 AM, rd2rk said:

It's going to cost you a Block no matter what.

 

That's what I thought already. Bummer. I hope in the future there's a way for Line6 to introduce an 'input selection' block that works like a split or mixer block (ie doesn't count as a 'real' block), as I can't imagine there's a lot of DSP needed for that...

 

Thanks for your help, guys.

[datacommando]

On 11/11/2022 at 12:23 PM, stokkimojito said:

The thing is, AFAIK it's impossible to create a parallel path unless you assign a block to it... Same goes for the mixer block.

 

Hi,

 

O.K. Now I'm awake, it's a new day, and I have had my coffee. 

 

Correct, the usual trick to create a split path is to stick in a bypassed Gain Block that uses no discernible DSP, but as you rightly point out this means you lose a block just to provide the split. Obviously as an owner of the Helix floor this is not as big of a problem for me as it is for you.

 

Therefore, I would suggest the old school approach to your dilemma, i.e. an ABC splitter box to which you connect your two guitars (A & B) and take output "C" to the Stomp XL Mono L input. The external switch box will swap between your instruments and if you use separate Presets designed for each guitar - solved - and you don't lose any FX blocks.

 

I would suggest something like this:

 

https://www.thomann.de/gb/artec_seswb_ab_box.htm

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

 

 

[rd2rk]

On 11/11/2022 at 7:07 AM, datacommando said:

Therefore, I would suggest the old school approach to your dilemma, i.e. an ABC splitter box to which you connect your two guitars (A & B) and take output "C" to the Stomp XL Mono L input. The external switch box will swap between your instruments and if you use separate Presets designed for each guitar - solved - and you don't lose any FX blocks.

 

This is how I do it.

[stokkimojito]

On 11/11/2022 at 3:07 PM, datacommando said:

 

Hi,

 

O.K. Now I'm awake, it's a new day, and I have had my coffee. 

 

Correct, the usual trick to create a split path is to stick in a bypassed Gain Block that uses no discernible DSP, but as you rightly point out this means you lose a block just to provide the split. Obviously as an owner of the Helix floor this is not as big of a problem for me as it is for you.

 

Therefore, I would suggest the old school approach to your dilemma, i.e. an ABC splitter box to which you connect your two guitars (A & B) and take output "C" to the Stomp XL Mono L input. The external switch box will swap between your instruments and if you use separate Presets designed for each guitar - solved - and you don't lose any FX blocks.

 

I would suggest something like this:

 

https://www.thomann.de/gb/artec_seswb_ab_box.htm

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

 

 

Makes perfect sense, that's how I did things before I had the HX stomp XL (two guitars going into a boss line selector followed by the a chain of fx, even with a 10-band GEQ on the jazz guitar before the line selector to tame some of the low end) . But I wanted to downsize my gigging rig, so re-introducing those pedals is a bit of a step backwards for me. That, and my lazy brain has already gotten used to having the "guitar switch" automatically incorporated in my presets :) 

 

Anyway, thanks for confirming my suspicion, it's a very minor annoyance anyway as I only ran into 'block shortage' once or twice during the last few months, when I was really testing the limits of the stomp. But I still think having an input selection as an option outside the 'block' choice wouldn't be too stupid a thing. Now where do I file this feature request? :)

 

So yeah, thanks. Peace!

[datacommando]

On 11/11/2022 at 9:46 PM, stokkimojito said:

Now where do I file this feature request? :)

Hi,

 

This link is where you need to go to have any hope of your request being seen by anyone from Line 6:

 

https://line6.ideascale.com/a/index

 

Before posting any new ideas, please do a search to see if it's already been listed. Multiple requests for the same thing will thin out the votes. Also, if you have more suggestions, post your ideas one at a time. Many users don’t vote for combined suggestions.

You should then use this thread to let other users know what your suggestions are, with links to where they are on IdeaScale, so they can vote on them if they wish.

 

https://line6.com/support/topic/14497-helix-ideascale-community-submissions/

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

Pax!