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4CM Method Question


jmh276
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Hi All,

 

I have just bought an HX stomp with the intention of using it into a power amp pedal through one of my cabs. After a limited amount of experimenting I prefer it through the Return on my Fender Bassbreaker. Would hooking it up via the 4CM method mean that I could use the Stomp as I have been, but could also use the actual amp and the stomp as an effects pedal simply by plugging the guitar into the amp?  I appreciate that I would have to use different presets for this, but cant quite get my head around the necessary path.

 

Thanks in advance 

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On 11/22/2024 at 5:23 AM, jmh276 said:

Hi All,

 

I have just bought an HX stomp with the intention of using it into a power amp pedal through one of my cabs. After a limited amount of experimenting I prefer it through the Return on my Fender Bassbreaker. Would hooking it up via the 4CM method mean that I could use the Stomp as I have been, but could also use the actual amp and the stomp as an effects pedal simply by plugging the guitar into the amp?  I appreciate that I would have to use different presets for this, but cant quite get my head around the necessary path.

 

Thanks in advance 


Hi,

 

In an attempt to save lots of typing- watch this for an insight to using 4CM with the HX Stomp.

 

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

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Hook it up once in 4cm, you get these possible configurations with the 4cm wiring:

 

1 - If you include an FX Loop Block in the signal chain, then the path is:

 

Guitar>HXS IN>HXS FX>HXS SEND>AMP INPUT>AMP SEND>HXS RETURN>HXS FX>HXS OUT>AMP RETURN

You have FX PRE and POST your amp's preamp.

In this configuration, if you place an HXS AMP/PREAMP next to the FX Loop Block you can sub your amp's PREAMP for the HXS AMP/PREAMP simply by toggling the FX Loop ON and the HXS AMP OFF (normal 4cm using your amp's preamp with FX pre/post) or vice versa (HXS AMP ON/FX Loop OFF=HXS AMP/PREAMP/ALL FX straight to your amp's power section).

 

If you don't use any HXS FX between the HXS IN and the HXS SEND (FX Loop ON), then it's like placing FX in the amp's FX Loop.

Guitar>HXS IN>HXS SEND>AMP INPUT>AMP SEND>HXS RETURN HXS FX>HXS OUT>AMP RETURN

 

2 - If you EXCLUDE the FX Loop Block, then the path is:

 

Guitar>HXS IN>HXS FX>HXS AMP>HXS FX>HXS OUT>AMP RETURN

You're using the HXS AMP/FX into your amp's power section. Your amp's preamp is out of the path.

 

3 - If you only use an FX SEND with the THRU parameter set to -120db (OFF) then the path is:

 

Guitar>HXS IN>HXS FX>HXS SEND>AMP INPUT

Just like an old school pedalboard.

 

IOW - no need to rewire for different presets!

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  • 2 weeks later...

despite watching the videos on youtube and following the instructions above, I cant seem to make this work. I have the HX amp before the Loop in the signal chain, but when I go to use my actual amp, I get no sound at all. have treble checked the cable are in the correct locations. I seem to be making it half work as the amps reverb is audible when using the hx amp -what am I doing wrong?

 

Thanks

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Probably the treble checking the cables part. See the illustration on page 9 of the 3.8 manual.

To use a simple loop, a 1/4" TR cable is all you need.

SEND>AMP INPUT>AMP SEND>RETURN L/MONO.

If you're using the second loop the only thing that changes is that you use a 1/4' TR Cable connected to the RIGHT side of a TRS cable connected to the SEND.

LEFT is always Loop 1.

 

Also, check that Global Settings>Ins/Outs>Return Type = Return.

 

Attached example preset for clarity. This is how I've done it hundreds of times.

4cm.hlx

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Let's make sure your amp works correctly:

  • Connect only the guitar to your amp and play - you should hear sound.
  • Connect a second cable from the amp's send to it's return - you should hear sound.
  • Disconnect only the plug on the amp's send so that only one side of the cable is plugged into the return - you should NOT hear sound.

If your amp passes this test it is not the issue.

 

Make sure to test all cables, too.

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Hi, Ive checked that all cables work and that the amp is working as well. My cables runs as follows Guitar>Input L Mono>HX Send(stereo)> Amp Input>Amp Send>HX Return L Mono>HS Send>Amp Return.

 

Like I say, I can use the amps reverb, but not the amps preamp. Is it something in my hx signal chain? Say if I have a standard signal path on the HX distortion> preamp>reverb but then wanted to be able to switch between the amps preamp, and the Hx preamp what would the chain look like in HX edit?

 

Thanks for your responses so far, much appreciated!

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sorry, yes I did and also just checked your preset. when I turn the loop block on I get no sound. Also I just noticed that if I turn the Stomp off but leave the amp on I get the actual amp sound at full volume, although I guess that is just the poweramp so is to be expected?

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On 12/6/2024 at 5:18 PM, jmh276 said:

sorry, yes I did and also just checked your preset. when I turn the loop block on I get no sound. Also I just noticed that if I turn the Stomp off but leave the amp on I get the actual amp sound at full volume, although I guess that is just the poweramp so is to be expected?

Yes. HX is true bypassed when it's off so your guitar is basically plugged straight into the power amp / return.

 

Confirm that your amp's send works correctly and that your cables are not defective.

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On 12/7/2024 at 3:03 AM, Schmalle said:

Yes. HX is true bypassed when it's off so your guitar is basically plugged straight into the power amp / return.

 

Confirm that your amp's send works correctly and that your cables are not defective.

all cables work and the amp works unless I unplug the cable in the send when it is silent

 

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O.K. so it's not your amp.

 

Do this test:

A)

  • empty preset
  • connect guitar -> HX In
  • connect HX Out -> amp return

You hear the guitar plugged into the power amp at this point.

 

B)

  • add FX Loop L block in the preset

You don't hear the guitar anymore.

 

C)

  • connect HX Send -> HX Return L/Mono

You hear the guitar plugged into the power amp again.

 

D)

  • disconnect HX Send -> HX Return L/Mono again
  • connect HX Send -> amp input
  • connect amp send -> HX Return L/Mono

You should hear the amp now.

 

Do you successfully get through the steps A...D?

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half way there - when I do step A I can hear the amp but not at full volume as it is when I switch the stomp off. When i get to the end of step D I can now switch between the stomp and amp, but the amp itself is extremely quiet -like whisper volumes. Presumably a setting I havent got right?

Thanks

 

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Good.

 

We go on with the empty patch where only an FX Loop L block (Send 0dB, Return 0dB, Mix 100%) is added:

In Global Settings->Ins/Outs set Input Level, Output Level and Send/ReturnL to Inst and Return Type to Return. Crank HX's VOLUME knob to get unity gain.

 

Now volume shouldn't be an issue and it should work.

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