HX STOMP makes bad noise when changing presets...

[uddude]

Hi am relatively new to Helix ( I have the HX Stomp XL) 

I am trying to get it setup and running well to replace a big board for fly dates. 

 

One problem I am having is that most ( not all of the time) when I change presets between songs when practicing ( I have not yet gigged with it) 

Is that it produces a loud thump/ chunk/ popping sound when changing presets - similar (but not quite as bad as) to pulling a cable in and out of a guitar with out muting first.  

 

What do I need to do to ensure that this "changing preset noise" does not get to the amp / mixer on a gig. 

 

Thanks 

 

 

[georgie_n]

I ran into this situation when switching presets on both HX Stomp & Stomp XL.

 

After a day or testing presets, I learned it only happened with adjacent presets where the looper block was last in chain, after the Dual IR block. 

 

After I modified my presets to have my looper block before my IR block, the problem disappeared on both HX Stomp & Hx Stomp XL. 

 

Hope this helps

[theElevators]

I've heard that on my Helix--if you have different amps between the 2 presets, and if you have any transpose blocks, or if you have a different impedance settings for the same amp, they do produce a noise.

[georgie_n]

On 3/15/2023 at 1:04 PM, theElevators said:

I've heard that on my Helix--if you have different amps between the 2 presets, and if you have any transpose blocks, or if you have a different impedance settings for the same amp, they do produce a noise.

Yep, anything with a big change in gain stages, output levels or impedances can cause a pop when switching presets. That instant change with the differences is essentially acting like a DC spike aka switch pop. 

 

The Looper last in chain with 2 identical presets can cause this as well with HX Stomp & Hx Stomp XL. I think that may be a 3.5 bug as it only started since I upgraded to last firmware on both my Stomp and XL units. On separate board builds. Now I always ensure my Looper is not last block and/or before the IR block. Hopefully that is addressed in next firmware build 

[uddude]

Ok - good to know

 

I have not yet gone through the process of leveling out the gain of different presets. I will do that AND move looper away from last block. 

 

Hopefully that makes this thing useable on stage. 

 

( I am new here so I only ever used 3.5) 

[PierM]

On 3/13/2023 at 12:07 AM, uddude said:

Hi am relatively new to Helix ( I have the HX Stomp XL) 

I am trying to get it setup and running well to replace a big board for fly dates. 

 

One problem I am having is that most ( not all of the time) when I change presets between songs when practicing ( I have not yet gigged with it) 

Is that it produces a loud thump/ chunk/ popping sound when changing presets - similar (but not quite as bad as) to pulling a cable in and out of a guitar with out muting first.  

 

What do I need to do to ensure that this "changing preset noise" does not get to the amp / mixer on a gig. 

 

Thanks 

 

 

 

 

Use Snapshots instead jumping presets. You wont have a seamless preset change, even if you do a volume leveling between all of them.

 

The pop and noise is mostly due the DSP memory unload and reload happening every time you change presets.

[uddude]

Sure of course I am using snapshots to change tones within a song, but between songs ( where I might be changing instruments) I certainly need to change presets without making the sound techs ( and audience) hate me. 

 

Should there be a way to do this.   People are not using the same preset ( with different) snap shots for an entire gig?

[silverhead]

On 3/15/2023 at 1:19 PM, uddude said:

…I have not yet gone through the process of leveling out the gain of different presets. I will do that AND move looper away from last block. 

….

 

On 3/19/2023 at 6:24 PM, uddude said:

…

Should there be a way to do this.   People are not using the same preset ( with different) snap shots for an entire gig?

Unfortunately you do need to spend a good deal of time balancing your preset levels. Set the device Master Volume high; this sends the cleanest signal to FOH and also allows the lower gain, clean presets to reach a good volume. Use the level controls that do not colour the tone; the ones I find most useful are amp Channel Volume and the Output block Level. Start with the clean presets. After getting those to a good level, and balanced among themselves, move on to the crunchy tones and finally the hi-gain tones. You’ll need to do a lot of back and forth comparing and adjusting among all the presets.

 

I’ve heard some people say they manage a complete gig using only one or two presets with several snapshots in each. Those folks are far better tone builders than me and must be able to coax a wider variety of tones out of a single preset. I think it also depends on your band/gig. If you play in a tribute band, or a genre band (e.g. blues) you probably don’t need as many presets.  But if you play in a wide ranging  cover band and want to nail the sound you will need a lot of presets. And that’s where gain staging among presets becomes very important.