Line 6 HX Effects 4CM without Power Amp

[iqbalirmawan]

Hi, guys since I'm no expert when it comes to routing/ building pedalboard I want to ask all of you this question and I know this question it may seems little bit funny for all of you.

so I've been using Nux Amp Academy as my main preamp for a few weeks now and I want to build a simple pedalboard with the line 6 hxfx (nux amp academy + line 6 hxfx). but after I did some research the best way to connect the line 6 hxfx to an real amp were by connecting it with 4CM so the fx blocks from the line 6 hxfx can be moved and separated (before/ after the preamp and the power amp section of the real amp) correct? But the main problem is my nux amp academy did not have a powered amp built on it. So does it possible for line 6 hxfx to run a 4CM thru a non powered preamp (preamp in a box)? thank you.

[rd2rk]

I assume that you REALLY LIKE the NUX, which is why you're considering getting a HXFX vs just replacing the NUX with a HXSXL.

 

DISCLAIMER! The following is based on my reading of the Amp Academy Manual. I don't own one.

 

TL;DR - Yes, 4cm will work fine with HXFX and the NUX.

 

With a real guitar amp, placing the time-based FX in the FX loop puts them BETWEEN the pre-amp OUT and power-amp IN sections.

With a real amp's FX loop, you're not running the FX after the power amp. Trying to do that would destroy your FX unit unless you're using some sort of reactive load.

Your NUX combines the pre and power amp sections of a real amp, with its FX loop AFTER the power amp.

The difference being that the NUX power amp is a SIMULATION of a power amp. To actually drive a speaker you still need a real power amp.

 

Here's how I would do this:

 

Guitar>HXFX Input*>HXFX OD/DIST/MODs>HXFX SEND>NUX Input>NUX NR/FX if desired>NUX Amp section>NUX SEND>HXFX RETURN>>

>>HXFX time-based FX>HX Out>NUX RETURN>NUX Reverb>NUX Out>power-amp and cab or FRFR and DI to FOH

 

Set the HXFX Input, S/R and Output to INST.

 

Here you have decisions to make. Reverb is a big DSP hog, especially spring. The above configuration allows you to use the NUX Reverb without or in addition to the HXFX reverbs. If you're using HXFX MODs before the NUX, you may not want to use the NUX ODs. OTOH, sometimes that sounds good (somebody once claimed...).

 

You can add the NUX built-in cab sim to either (both?) the 1/4" out for a stage monitor (with for FRFR, w/o for guitar amp return) and to the XLR out for FOH (default?). If you use a guitar amp for a stage monitor, be aware that a tube amp will add its own "color" to the power amp simulation being provided by the NUX. You might like it, or not.

When I use my Helix as you're describing, for a stage monitor I'm using either an FRFR or the power amp in of my Catalyst 100. The Cat's SS amp is flat relative to a tube amp. IOW - for a stage monitor you probably want to use a SS amp (such as a Seymour Duncan Powerstage) into a guitar speaker cab (w/o cab sim) or an FRFR (with cab sim).

 

* Unlike the Helix and HXS/HXSXL, the HXFX input does not have the auto-impedance circuitry. Helix FX are very accurately modeled, so without this circuitry certain FX, particularly Fuzzes which have <1M input impedance, might not sound right. NBD unless you're really into the Fuzz Face.

 

 

[iqbalirmawan]

On 9/21/2023 at 10:30 AM, rd2rk said:

I assume that you REALLY LIKE the NUX, which is why you're considering getting a HXFX vs just replacing the NUX with a HXSXL.

 

DISCLAIMER! The following is based on my reading of the Amp Academy Manual. I don't own one.

 

TL;DR - Yes, 4cm will work fine with HXFX and the NUX.

 

With a real guitar amp, placing the time-based FX in the FX loop puts them BETWEEN the pre-amp OUT and power-amp IN sections.

With a real amp's FX loop, you're not running the FX after the power amp. Trying to do that would destroy your FX unit unless you're using some sort of reactive load.

Your NUX combines the pre and power amp sections of a real amp, with its FX loop AFTER the power amp.

The difference being that the NUX power amp is a SIMULATION of a power amp. To actually drive a speaker you still need a real power amp.

 

Here's how I would do this:

 

Guitar>HXFX Input*>HXFX OD/DIST/MODs>HXFX SEND>NUX Input>NUX NR/FX if desired>NUX Amp section>NUX SEND>HXFX RETURN>>

>>HXFX time-based FX>HX Out>NUX RETURN>NUX Reverb>NUX Out>power-amp and cab or FRFR and DI to FOH

 

Set the HXFX Input, S/R and Output to INST.

 

Here you have decisions to make. Reverb is a big DSP hog, especially spring. The above configuration allows you to use the NUX Reverb without or in addition to the HXFX reverbs. If you're using HXFX MODs before the NUX, you may not want to use the NUX ODs. OTOH, sometimes that sounds good (somebody once claimed...).

 

You can add the NUX built-in cab sim to either (both?) the 1/4" out for a stage monitor (with for FRFR, w/o for guitar amp return) and to the XLR out for FOH (default?). If you use a guitar amp for a stage monitor, be aware that a tube amp will add its own "color" to the power amp simulation being provided by the NUX. You might like it, or not.

When I use my Helix as you're describing, for a stage monitor I'm using either an FRFR or the power amp in of my Catalyst 100. The Cat's SS amp is flat relative to a tube amp. IOW - for a stage monitor you probably want to use a SS amp (such as a Seymour Duncan Powerstage) into a guitar speaker cab (w/o cab sim) or an FRFR (with cab sim).

 

* Unlike the Helix and HXS/HXSXL, the HXFX input does not have the auto-impedance circuitry. Helix FX are very accurately modeled, so without this circuitry certain FX, particularly Fuzzes which have <1M input impedance, might not sound right. NBD unless you're really into the Fuzz Face.

 

 

Wow! Thanks for all of your explanation! My line 6 HXFX just arrived and I just followed your instruction and surprisingly it sound nice! I already tried 2 signal chain thru DI and the Amps and yes you were correct there's a lil bit of "coloring" on the amps because of the power amp but It is not a big deal.

And yes I put the last reverb on my Nux because I don't do reverb all the time and it is not my main sound. So yeah, like what you just said if I want to make the sound of my pedalboard as flat as possible the best option is using a SS amp  or an FRFR.

Once again, thank you for all of you helps and explanation.
Cheers!