Mono w/ Stereo FX in HX Stomp XL routing?

[Traemandir]

Hi All,

 

I want to update my pedal board so I can run my FX in Stereo! I think I understand how it will work but I'm looking for some advice and feedback ...

 

My rig is centered around my HX Stomp XL for routing, midi syncing, and some other effects sprinkled in here and there. My pedal chain is currently:

 

Dirt pedals > HX Stomp Input > Volume block for expression pedal > FX Loop Send > TONEX > My time based effects pedals > FX Loop Return > EQ block > HX Stomp mono output to sound board.

 

The pedals I have in the loop of my HX stomp all support stereo signal paths:

JHS Emporer v2

Meris Mercury7

Source Audio Collider

 

So I'm thinking I can already support a stereo build with the pedals I have, if I configure my board something like this:

 

Dirt pedals > TONEX > HX Stomp INPUT > Volume block for expression pedal > Split signal to stereo in a block (???) > FX Loop Send (stereo) > My time based effects pedals wired in Stereo > FX Loop Return (stereo) > EQ blocks (one for each left and right??) > HX Stomp STEREO Output

 

The expectation I'd have is that this would output a stereo signal, left and right to the sound board. With all my fx pedals OFF this would sound like a MONO signal (since there is only one Amp in the chain via the TONEX, that gets split into a left and right) but that when I kick on my time based effects pedals, these effects can now stretch their legs and use the stereo path, making the effects sound wider behind the guitar. 

 

QUESTIONS:

1. Is this understanding correct?

2. Is there some trick I should do to split the mono signal into stereo in the hx stomp, or can I just do this in the fx loop block?

3. If I'm playing a venue that only has a mono input for me to use, can I pan the output hard left in the HX Stomp to sum my output back down to mono effectively?

4. Any other tips or tricks you can advise here? :-)

 

Thank you for reading my long post and questions, LOL.

[silverhead]

1. Generally, yes. You don’t mention using any amp/cab/IR blocks. Be aware that those are mono blocks so there’s no point in using any stereo blocks preceding them in the signal chain. Anywhere there’s a mono block in your signal chain it will defeat any preceding stereo blocks.; hence make sure you use a stereo EQ block after the Returns.
2. You don’t need to split the path; it is already a stereo path. Hence you only need one stereo EQ a block. The Send jack is also stereo but you need to use a TRS cable.

3. Use only the L/Mono output. That automatically sums the signal to mono if the R output is not used.

4. Come back later with more specific questions.

[Traemandir]

Thank you for the information!! This is very helpful, I'm glad that I'm on the right track and this should be doable. To clarify on the amp / cab / IR, I wouldn't have any of these in the HX Stomp blocks because I'm handling both the Amp and IR within the Tonex pedal. I think I understand what you're saying about not having any mono blocks before the stereo chain too.

 

FOLLOWUP QUESTIONS:

1. I'm not 100% I understand what you mean when you say "You don’t need to split the path; it is already a stereo path." Is this just because the FX Loop block already splits it to stereo? I'm stuck on understanding this detail because everything I have before the FX Loop send would be mono, so in my mind jt needs to "split" or double into left and right signals at some point? But I might just be missing some context since I've never set my path to be stereo before in HX Edit.

 

2. I did not realize that the HX Stomp would sum to mono automatically if only the 'L' output is connected! Right now I have a XLR Direct Box stuck to the bottom of my pedal board with command strips, and there is a 1ft patch chord connecting this to the 'L' output jack. My original plan was to replace this with a 2-channel Direct Box so both the left and right output jacks would be connected to XLR outputs at all times, and I would hard pan left when I needed to sum to mono. Does it make sense to do that in the context that right output jack would always be plugged in to the direct box? Or would it make more sense to disconnect the right output when not needed so the HX Stomp to detect and handle this automatically? 

[silverhead]

1. The path is stereo, meaning that it carries either a dual-mono signal leaving a mono FX block, or a stereo signal after leaving a stereo FX block. A stereo FX block effectively handles both of the dual-mono signals independently (no need to split them internally) and sends out a stereo signal. There is no need to use a FX block to split the signal into L and R at any point. However you do need to use a stereo (TRS) cable for the Send jack to enable a stereo signal from that jack.

 

2. Up to you. You either hard pan left in one situation or disconnect a cable in the other. In either case you need to do something manually. Your choice. Personally I would prefer to use less hardware, so no need for a replacement or additional DI box if you don’t want one. If the mixer can afford to give you 2 channels then you can do stereo. If not, disconnect the R output cable.

[Schmalle]

On 4/13/2025 at 5:08 AM, Traemandir said:

FOLLOWUP QUESTIONS:

1. I'm not 100% I understand what you mean when you say "You don’t need to split the path; it is already a stereo path." Is this just because the FX Loop block already splits it to stereo? I'm stuck on understanding this detail because everything I have before the FX Loop send would be mono, so in my mind jt needs to "split" or double into left and right signals at some point? But I might just be missing some context since I've never set my path to be stereo before in HX Edit.

Think of the path lines connecting the blocks as stereo cables. A stereo cable can carry a dual mono or a stereo signal.