HX Stomp & HX Effects via Midi

[ridgwayt]

I own an HX Stomp and also an HX Effects. I think I've come to the conclusion of how I want to use them together, but I need some instruction from you fine folks. I'm really trying to minimize the tap dancing.

 

I asked this group for similar advice recently. I got some good and some contradictory info and I was left still confused. I racked my brain and eventually gave about a month ago. I know things would be simpler with a full sized Helix but I'd much rather make this work.

 

I'm running the Effects into the fx loop of the Stomp. The Stomp provides the Pitch, Overdrives, EQ, Amps/Cabs, yada yada... The Effects then handles all of the time based and coloring stuff after the amp section in the Stomp. The signal is then sent out as either "line" or "instrument" level, depending if I'm using an amp or going direct. It's all hooked up and sounds great.

 

The part that's getting me is that I want to set the three switches on the Stomp to do the following, via midi.

 

• Preset Up (Songs in a Setlist from both the Stomp and the Effects simultaneously)

• Snapshot Change (I just learned that in Control Center you can program a single switch to navigate snapshot numbers back and forth in any programmed order. I'd like for this switch to control the snapshots of the Stomp and the Effects simultaneously)

• Boost / Lead (on any given preset used)

 

This is asking a lot... but is there anybody out there that really knows this stuff and would PLEASE be willing to take the time to give me the EXACT settings in detail (midi and otherwise) for each device, so this can be done? Seriously, I'll Venmo a decent chunk of change to someone for their time if they could get me hooked up.

 

I've got It all cabled-up with midi going to and from the two pedals. I just don't understand the settings despite reading the owner's manuals and my previous research. Apparently I'm frickin' hopeless without you.

 

Thanks!

[rd2rk]

1 - Set the Stomp Send/Return to INST. Set the HXFX INPUT to INST. 

FX loops add a SMALL amount of noise to the signal. There's no advantage in this scenario to using the HXFX FX Loop, so don't.

Take the Stomp SEND to the HXFX INPUT.

 

2- Set the HXFX Output to INST and take it into the Stomp RETURN.

 

3- I'm not clear on your MIDI requirements. Are you using a SETLIST app to send MIDI to the Stomp for song changes? Or a separate MIDI controller?

IF YES THEN on the Stomp, set Global Settings>MIDI/Tempo>MIDI THRU = OFF;

MIDI PC Tx = ON (or OFF if using CommandCenter, see below);

MIDI PC Rx = MIDI (if using a controller) or USB (if using a setlist app from a computer) or MIDI+USB if you want to cover all the bases;

Snapshot CC SEND = OFF

 

On the HXFX, set MIDI PC Rx = MIDI; MIDI THRU and MIDI PC Tx = OFF.

 

You only need to connect the Stomp MIDI Out to the HXFX MIDI IN. There's no purpose for the HXFX MIDI Out>Stomp MIDI IN.

 

Above I mentioned settings for the Stomp MIDI PC Tx. When set ON this automatically sends the default PC#.

IOW - the default PC# for Stomp Preset 01A is 0. When you load 01A the Stomp sends PC#000.

This means that the HXFX preset will always correspond to the Stomp preset.

If you set MIDI PC Tx = OFF you can use CommandCenter Instant Commands to link ANY Stomp Preset to ANY HXFX preset, even changing the HXFX preset at will within a Stomp preset using Snapshots. IOW - a loaded Stomp preset can have multiple HXFX configurations without changing Stomp presets.

Likewise, you can use Instant Commands (IC) to send Snapshot messages to the HXFX.

A Stomp preset's Snapshots can also load an HXFX preset with a Snapshot other than its default SAVED Snapshot.

IOW - a Stomp Snapshot can load any HXFX preset with any of that preset's Snapshots.

 

To create a CLEAN BOOST without using a GAIN BLOCK, assign the Output Block Level to a FS and set the MIN/MAX levels appropriately.

For example, MIN=0db; MAX = 4db.

That gives you the default unity gain (0db) at MIN and a 4db BOOST at MAX.

 

I've attached an example preset that demonstrates some of these techniques.

FS1 switches Snapshots. SS1 and SS2 send MIDI to the HXFX on the BASE MIDI CHANNEL which is, by default CH1.

Check both devices to confirm that they are set to BASE in Global Settings>MIDI/Tempo.

 

Note the use of WAIT times when loading the HXFX Snapshot using ICs. This prevents the Snapshot loading before the preset has time to load, a random quirk of sending multiple simultaneous MIDI messages.

 

Note also that when a Stomp Mode FS is used to call different Snapshots, the FS needs to be programmed in EACH Snapshot.

 

I recommend that you DL a MIDI MONITOR so that you can keep track of what the Stomp is ACTUALLY sending vs what you HOPE it's sending!

 

I recommend MIDIOX, the gold standard of MIDI utilities It's FREE!

Unless, of course, you're using a MAC, in which case you'll need to research the MAC equivalent.

Good Luck!

 

In MIDIOX be sure to deselect both options under OPTIONS>DATA DISPLAY so that you can see the values in decimal rather than the default hex. 

 

If this sounds complicated, you're right, it is. That's one reason to get a LT/FLOOR/RACK. Much easier to configure, not to mention less latency.

While it limits you in some ways, all of this stuff can still be done.

 

More questions? Feel free to ask. I get off on this MIDI stuff - I know, I'm weird like that!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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