Boxy (chorused) sound with STOMP XL

[TREGERIAD]

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Hello all!

 

I'm struggling with my brand new STOMP XL because, no matter what I do, I keep getting this "boxy" sound. I’ve tried running it into the amp with cab (ENGL Powerball II into a 2x12), through the amp → Fryette PS2a → audio interface, in 4CM, and even just in the amp’s FX loop. No luck.

It feels like there’s always a chorus or some kind of doubler engaged, even when I’m building a preset completely from scratch. To me, the STOMP doesn’t sound transparent at all — it really colors my tone. I must be missing something!!

I’ve checked the input and output levels (set to INST, also tried LINE), played with the onboard EQ, adjusted the PAN… still the same muddy result.

If anyone has an idea, please share — I’m starting to wonder if the STOMP XL is really the right piece of gear for me (even though I’ve read so many posts about its transparency!).

For now I just want to use it for FX, especially with my tube amp. But as it is, it feels pretty much unusable.

Thanks so much for your help!
 

[Schmalle]

What you describe as "boxy" and "chorused" is likely the phase canceling between direct and effect signal due to the latency (~2 ms) of the Stomp. The parallel FX loop of the Powerball is the cause for this. Set the Powerball's FX Loop Balance knob all the way to Effect to turn it into a serial FX loop.

 

Alternatively only use time based effects (delay, reverb, chorus, phaser, flanger etc) with Mix set to 100% after the HX's FX Loop block. In other words: make sure there is no direct signal that can cause phase issues in combination with the direct signal of the Engl's FX loop when it's used as a parallel loop.

 

 

[TREGERIAD]

Indeed, it was actually a phase issue. Another guy had the same problem with his Marshall. So I could test.
Solution : Turn the loop level all the way up on the amp, like you said.

Thanks a lot for your reply, by the way! It was really helpful, and if it can save others from losing a weekend over this, all the better!