Ripple setting and my ear

[jpdennis]

From Line 6

• Ripple—Controls how much AC ripple interacts with your tone. Power amp circuits will sometimes let a little bit of rectified 120Hz hum (that the power supply filter caps can't quite fully remove) into the audio signal when the power supply is being pushed hard. Much like Hum, Ripple provides a bit of non-musical distortion to the power amp at distorted settings.

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Just to baseline my findings, I use my headphones (open back 250ohm) for initial preset creation and playback.

 

I have been tracking a disturbing "remnant" when playing a hot solo since I started using the Helix Stadium.  As I was working on patch from another thread in this forum I tried something that has completely removed the "remnant" (or reduced it to below anything I can now hear).  I set the Ripple value for the amp model to the lowest value available (so far either zero or minus 10 based upon the amp model).  I haven't tested every amp.  Of the ones I use right now only the VOX AC models still retain the annoyance even at the lowest setting for the Ripple value.  Again, this is just my ear.  You may not hear it as pronounced as I do or you may hear it more pronounced.

 

With all the additional values Line 6 have been using with the new capturing it could be I never noticed it as predominant in the older Helix Floor I had.  In fact I normally set Ripple, along with Sag, a few clicks higher than default.  And I no longer own the Helix Floor for me to test.

 

I thought I would share if this helps anyone else noticing an annoying remnant to a note as it is sustained and vibrato-ed as well.

 

jpd

[hairshirt]

Amazing.  We were annoyed by this at nearly the same time.  I noticed the same annoyance in the Essex A30, both Matchless channels, and the Fawn models the most.  Which, annoyingly, are the types of amps I like the sound of most.  The artifact is almost like the radio transmission distortion while the Rebel alliance are in their attack on the Death Star.  Why would anybody want this?  I found it incredibly frustrating to have to hear it.  And it seems very pronounced in these models in particular.  Especially when playing a high A (plus or minus a few 1/2 steps).  I was getting the noise via all outputs: Fender FR-12 via a Walrus Audio Canvas and via a mixer connected to the line output of a Blackstar Amped 1 (no cab sim) into headphones.  It just didn't matter.  And I wasn't getting the remnant/distortion from my Iridium.  I thought I had a bad Stomp XL.

 

So... if you happen upon this thread... turn down the Ripple on the last page (or two) of the amp block's settings to get rid of that annoying 'remnant' or distortion.  It's simulated ripple from the power filter circuit.

[jpdennis]

On 12/20/2025 at 8:55 PM, hairshirt said:

Why would anybody want this?  I found it incredibly frustrating to have to hear it.

hairshirt,

 

Line 6, as most other model manufacturers, is attempting to get as accurate a sound as possible.  In the Line 6 reveal event for the Stadium they shared many of the latest values they are using for the modeling process.  This "rectified 120Hz hum", while extremely accurate, isn't heard on the analog physical amplifier as it can be with the digital representation of the ripple value.  I haven't used my FRFR yet.  I will be doing that after Christmas by this weekend.  Hopefully it gets buried a little more.  I will let you know in this thread my findings.

 

jpd

[jpdennis]

On 12/20/2025 at 8:55 PM, hairshirt said:

Amazing.  We were annoyed by this at nearly the same time.

 

I went back and recreated some of the patches from scratch as well as revisited the Vox patches.  It seems I can use the default or just slightly below default setting for Ripple now.  The AC isn't as pronounced as well.  I am going to be away for about two weeks.  I'll check this thread once I return just to see if there has been any furhter feedback from you or others.

 

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, and 2026 is almost here!

 

jpd

[hairshirt]

I totally understand that they are going for accuracy.  And that's one the things that makes the Stomp XL (and the whole lineup) so great.  I just don't think that a ripple setting of 50 should be the default.  But to each their own, I guess.  Overall, against the Iridium, I find it to be 1:1 alignment of sound for the models that overlap.  But with the Stomp there is so much more to choose from.  At the expense of space and complexity.

 

But the ripple was making me think I had a problem with my device.  So that's why I found it a bit frustrating.

 

 

 

 

nick

[ottoman]

Is this "ripple" effect/artificact sounding like a digitial clipping sort of? I hear these with the Fender style amps that are mildy or more driven. There is no clipping input nor output, and these artifacts the end of the signal is annoying. Doesn't happen (or I do not hear) with higher gain amps. Turning the Ripple setting down seems to help but doesn't go completely away. Will do more testing and follow up in the next couple days.