HX Stomp XL Guitar Multi-effects Floor Processor Review

Replaces most of my gear

As a long-time tube amp snob I was hoping the Stomp XL could 'approximate' the sounds I wanted in a more convenient package. Line 6 has blown my mind with what they've got here - my extensive collection of pedals & amps has been gathering dust since I got this in January. As a bonus, recording direct from the Stomp has improved my recorded guitar sounds - plus they're savable, so… read more there's no "what the heck were my settings?" kind of thing anymore. Bravo!

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Best $650 I've spent in guitar equipment

At first, I was pretty frustrated with my purchase. I was seriously debating sending it back or selling it because it sounded so bad and I was overwhelmed with all the videos on how to "properly" set up the HX stomp. Instead of watching hours of videos on how to set up the stock cabs, I purchased a Celestion greenback IR pack from York Audio for $15. This was definitely worth it.… read more The IR pack made the HX stomp come alive and gave the amp model a great tonal character. I do not regret my purchase at all. It can be overwhelming at first so I would just recommend buying an IR pack of your favorite speakers and running a compressor behind your amp model and IR in the HX stomp. I was really torn between this and the Strymon Iridium, but after purchasing the IR pack I don't think there would be much of a difference between the two. This offers way more usable features than the Iridium such as an effects loop, does not require an audio interface, a built-in looper, and a tuner. Another benefit of the HX stomp is Line 6 has actively supported this device and is constantly working on firmware updates to make it better. The only reason I rated it as 4.5/5 is due to the crappy stock cabs loaded into the HX stomp. I hope Line 6 eventually comes out with software similar to Line 6 Metallurgy for the HX stomp that allows you to mic up virtual guitar cabinets.

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Better than expected

I had expectations… and it's better than what I thought

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Little Monster

This little beast shocked me. It's only got half the processing power of the full Helix, but for most guitarists, it's all you'd ever need. If you paired it with a PowerCab 112+, you'd have the ultimate compact rig. Used it direct to PA with a TRS to XLR cable, and it sounded great. I actually bought it as a hold-over while my full Helix Floor was being fixed (I was a dufus and… read more didn't use HX Edit for 4 years and finally wore out the Helix joystick). For a moment, I actually considered selling my full Helix when I got it back and getting a PowerCab, but I like all the routing options of the full Helix. I'm gifting the HX Stomp XL to my nephew for him to use with a Bogner Red pedal, Tube Screemer, and Wampler Euphoria, through a Fender HRD3. It's an awesome effects unit for that purpose also. Just can't say enough good things about it. It's would also make a killer bass rig. Also, I bought the Mission Expression pedal that has the toe switch, with it, and that just competes the package! Using it also reminded me how much power the Helix Floor actually has, once I got it back.

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A whole pedalboard. Just they way YOU like it

Wow! This thing is crazy cool. So many options it will make you dizzy. Maybe be good, maybe not?? The drive oedals are very accurate representations of what they are modeling. Reverbs are out of this world good!! Strymon or better quality for sure. The delays lime 6 has out together are nuts You get all the major repros of tape, BBD, digital, analong etc of delays. Then, they… read more got delays that have built in modulation. Like chorus and reverbs. Slapback and reverse delays as well. A little bit of a learning curve as building a preset can be daunting at first.YouTube has a ton of vids about this modal and all things helix family. Sweetwater has a PDA for Helix family processors (stomp and xl included). This book is like having a conversation with someone about this product and how to use it. A must. A few groups om Facebook have been helpful too! Service from sweetwater is too notch as usual. They even loaded up the new 3.15 update a week after it was released!! If your on the fence, not be. The XL version is great with all the extra pedals making it more like a conventional pedalboard. My only complaint so far is the looper. You cant save a few loops. Like the ditto plus. Can save only the one you just laid down. Keep you on your toes at a gig. XLR outs and the L6 link would be nice.

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