Line 6 HX Effects. The King of Multi Effects. 3 years on review.

Hey all.

In this video I'm sort of checking in on my thoughts on the Line6 HX effects after Gigging it extensively for four years. I made a lot of content about it when I first got it. The HX effects has been the centrepiece of my compact live rig for pretty much every gig I've done int eh last three years and in that time I have never been able to find anything that can match it's tone and it's functionality.

When it comes to an all in one multi effects solution for a vast variety of situations the HX Effects is simply the King of multi effects units.

This is because of it's stellar quality effects, it's extensive IO and external control capability and its outstanding user interface. One hugely interesting fact about the HX Effects is that there simply is no exisitng competitor to it. Nothing that does what it does as well as it does it. which after all this time is very notable.

This video is 40 mins long. Which is a bit of a slog. I get that but I feel it all needs to be said. So here are the time stamps"

Intro and the WHY? 00:40
Sounds of the HX effects by itself: 07:01
Sounds of the HX effects with an amp and controlling the amp with MIDI: 16:54
Sounds of the HX effects with outboard pedals: 24:06

I'm not a big enough YouTuber to be on Line 6's radar, so this video is not sponsored in ANY way. I'm simply a massive line6 fanboy and have been since pretty much the beginning of their offerings.

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[peterjessop]

The HX effects hardware is absolutely brilliant. I used mine for nearly 2 years live as a midi controller for my Axe FX, mainly due to the scribble strips. It also acted as back up for the axe fx because I could put an amp sim pedal in the fx loop and use the onboard effects.(not as good as the fractal but more than good enough). Only reason I stopped is I now own a Fractal FM9. I still take it to every gig however as it still remains my back up with a Boss IR2.

[philipmarsh]

This thing is the nerve center for my rig. The loops and midi are completely programmable, the effects sound great (although they do need some tweaking) and pretty much every setting can be set to change with different snapshots and even within a button (like the button can switch your always-on drive between boost and overdrive). You can also name your snapshots and rename your stomp buttons. It’s pretty amazing.

[cc_]

Nice one! I’m in the market for new effects and you have all the best stuff covered.

I think you’re right about something if it works it works. Not many channels or reviewers say it. I add in effects for my cover band and if something sounds good live then it sounds good no matter what it is. No one will ever come up to you and say your Minotaur doesn’t sound like a centaur live … and even if it wasn’t live. I think there’s so much snobbery about. Everything has its place

[MotownGuitarJoe]

I bought one three months ago.

It is a great unit, and I actually took to it quicker than I thought would.

But then the Fractal VP4 came out. It's not even close. Fractal, hands down. Selling my HX Effects.

[Gretchenstrasse]

Great stuff, thx! I didn't get how you control the two sides of the Pedal via the switching jacks you mentioned at around 23:35. I understand you only need one fx loop to do so, could you please explain?

[LysanderLH]

I cannot get my head around snapshots and how to make it save the effects I need for different parts on the same track. The thing has stayed in its box for years except for when I give it yet another go and end up going back to pedals…with knobs and an on/off button.

[JoseStudios]

I bought one 3 days ago. Learning how to use this. 😅

[bennettskb]

Great video, informative and enjoyable.
I did have a HX Effects a few years ago(now using a Stomp XL), do you detect any tone suck on the HXFX ?
Best Wishes

[michaelpeacestewart]

i use 2 one in front of my soldano pedal and one after sounds amazing i use in my dokken tribute into the fire my tone is awesome i use a fryette tube poweramp that goes out stereo to two marshall 4 12s

[davidfaustino]

Ummm no. You mean the Fractal VP4. The HX effects suck hard in comparison.

[davidfaustino]

Bro. Just use the right amp and dont rely on Line6s AWFUL overdrives and distortions. ICK.