You Shouldn't Buy The HX Stomp In 2024 If THIS Matters To You…

The HX Stomp came out 6 years ago. I dont think you should buy the HX Stomp in 2024 if you care about this one specific thing...

Let me know what you think, and until next time, let the music play!

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[sorinromanescu]

I don’t wanna say I don’t agree with this point of view about the “ancient technology”…but there is also a very long debate about how you choose to make music: by making the best out of whatever gear you already own or by keeping up with the technology renewing every year. Is the modern technology REALLY helping the musician, is it a REAL SUPPORT in the creative process of making music on stage or in the studio? Is that REALLY NECESSARY to firstly become quite rich to afford every year to buy all that new technology gear for making music? Of course, new technology is attractive and marketing is an important tool to make us become attracted to new technology. But…are we attracted more to new gadgets or to making good music? Where is the border line? Still more to say but I stop.

[deeballdesign]

"Don't buy. This technology is really old."
Plugs his strat into a Plexi.

[Madcap]

If your running out of processing power then your using the wrong line6 product. I think this video is misleading by saying the HX Stomp xl is old and restricted when they have 3 more models above this product that fix all your problems you described with the xl. I own Helix floor and have no problem with DSP and run very complex patches. I recently got Stomp xl to use with my tube amp and it's perfect. This is why they have options. Very misleading to say don't use line6 products because it's old technology. As far as routing options, range of platforms, continuous updates, customer service, build quality and the list goes on line6 is miles ahead of the competition. Sorry but feel you just gave line6 a bad wrap by comparing the problem you have with one of there platforms when they give the public so many more options. Look up which Helix/Hx product is right for you and you will find any of the problems you have are fixed with one of the many options they have that the competition does not offer. That's what make line6 keep up with the times. Research before you buy. Misleading to review one product and then have it reflect the entire product line.

[jeffcarricoguitar]

"You shouldn't buy this because it's old, but I'm still using one."

[shakarocks]

I agree and disagree. The HX Stomp holds it's own today. The proof is in the sound. L6 has done a great job with updates to keep it relevant. Until L6 gives us a sniff of a new platform the Helix stuff will continue to be a great choice.

[JalenRawley]

I'd like to point out that while the HX Stomp has the Helix effects in it, it also has a lot of the Legacy Line6 effects in it that are much older. This could be used to support your opinion that this is older technology and there's bound to be something bigger and better coming out soon enough, but it also could be used as a counter to your opinion that this older technology could be considered obsolete and one might want to wait until the bigger and better product line comes out. These Legacy effects are there because they do a good job. They weren't obsolete when the Helix line came out and were always a major part of that. I think It's safe to assume that the next wave of Line6 products will continue to draw upon their current palette of effects like they always have so even if Line6 released their next generation modeling line tomorrow, most if not all of the models in the Helix line will be incorporated within it.

So it really is more about the hardware end of things and it already has enough power for just about anything you'll want to do with it. I don't see a whole lot of situations where the full on Helix doesn't have enough horsepower to do what needs to be done. The Stomp and Stomp XL are there for the user that wants the same quality but doesn't require the same quantity as the full boat models. Now, if you want infinite effects in a super tiny package, that's not an option yet but could be on the horizon.

However, I don't disagree with what you're saying in the video at all. I do thing that it really comes down to how long you want to wait for the next thing, while you've been missing out on the Stomp/Stomp XL the whole time you've been waiting. When the next generation does come along there will be a bump in demand as people sell off their Helix stuff to get the new stuff. You won't make all of your money back, but you certainly won't have an obsolete paperweight on your hands either.

I just wanted to comment because I'm someone who will be picking up an HX Stomp here soon and it wouldn't sway me in any way if there was a new line announced and released, regardless of whether it's new hardware or software. Plus I don't like waiting around with nothing waiting for the perfect something to come along some day. I haven't picked one up until this point because I really haven't needed one, it would have just been a neat additional toy around. But the HX Stomp would be absolutely perfect for the gig I'm doing right now and would definitely replace my entire pedalboard and scale down everything while not sacrficing a single thing. It's all gains for me.

[stevecassidyguitar]

I've been gigging the HX XL for 2 years now as my entire gig rig.
Completely satisfied, it ticks all my boxes.
Never had any dsp issues, but my needs are very basic.
I don't use snapshots, just stomp mode, and I don't even run it in stereo. Just one cable straight to the PA using IEM's.
...and it fits in the front pocket of my gigbag 😁👍 (That was the main selling point for me)
It sounds great to me, but my ears aren't super refined for these thing, I still love the tones out of my old Fender Mustang 3 v2 amp 😂👍

[josephballew]

Even if they do come out with new modeler, the price will be higher. This is good for people just wanting 6 effects or less and one amp.

[rethinktone]

Are you upset that line 6 isn't asking you to drain your bank account? You didn't give one example of how it shows its age lol. You just keep saying it's old as if that's the only point you need. Like you're upset you can't run complex chains on the miniature version. It's suppose to be limited. The ampero has 12 blocks but there are limitations with that. We actually probably had the technology back then to have more blocks. But they didn't want to make their own competitor. Why would you buy the big helix if the small one is sufficient for every scenario.

[dykeneuk]

Tonex with my drives into HX stomp input at line level, Strymon reverb in the Stomp FX Loop. Plenty stomp processing power for more FX.

[ChrisJones-htzn]

I applaud line 6. Products should be built to last and even though I don't use their products, I don't think I have seen a product, or product range that has been so well supported. I'm actually thinking of incorporating a stomp into my rig. I'll be using UAFX for my amps and cabs and the stomp for effects and amps that UAFX can't do. The effects won't date. They will be usable for years to come.

[cliffdykes]

I did it was on sale at Sweet Water, great buy

[lancenunez]

Does it sound good? Yes. Wasn’t that the goal? I got the HX Stomp because I wanted to stop buying gear. So far, mission accomplished.

[jacobeastham]

Providing us alternative to buy instead would be great, maybe a follow up video

[teresaravenshaw]

How many effects does one person need at a time? Where do we stop? "Check out the new AxFX8 Turbo Supreme! Enough processing power to run up to 320 blocks at once, and allows for up to 16 simultaneous instruments! Plus, you can save up to 5000 presets. This thing kills everything, and then crushes the corpses, grinds them to a fine powder and makes a coffee blend out of it! Each effect has been so utterly and finely crafted, they sound 30 times better than the actual analogue pedals and amps they were modelled on. This thing slays harder than a Zennial drag queen vampire hunter after a glow-up (whatever those are)! Ooh yeah!"

[rburakkarabudak]

Totally understand your main reason but people spend so much money for "vintage amps". If line 6 is ancient; vintage amps is "dinasour" XD. I'm still use line 6 xl and i don't feel any serious hearing when copare with quad cortex. ; )

[willch]

Since you've ruled out software and firmware, I'm curious what specific piece of hardware in the helix is actually causing its obsolescence? Any thoughts?

[portpo]

HX stomp is the swiss army knife of pedals,
Like the swiss army knife, It is old but it does everything it was designed to do so same as the HX stomp, HX stomp is still the best when it comes to it it's price point.
More Juice = more $$$

[EUCRAZY_AU]

Im sorry Ryan but after listening to you i have to disagree with most things you are saying the reason why they haven't done anything is because there is nothing better.

[joeltunnah]

The fact that you mention the iPhone highlights the flaws in your argument. Music gear is not equivalent (nor does it need to be) to smartphones. Not to mention that phones are mainly on 1 year release cycles for marketing reasons.
I have guitar pedals that haven't changed in 30 years. Still sound great. Saying a modeler from 2015 is out of date is silly. It worked then, it works now just the same.
And if you need more DSP buy a Helix Floor, or use the Stomp's fx loop to offload some blocks to other pedals.