Line 6 HX Stomp Usage Guide

Line 6 HX Stomp Usage Guide

Expert guidance for using the HX Stomp device library in MIDI Markdown files.

When to Use This Skill

Invoke this skill when working with:

• Line 6 HX Stomp compact guitar processor
• HX Stomp's 3-snapshot limitation (critical constraint)
• USB MIDI-only connectivity (no 5-pin DIN)
• All Bypass control (HX Stomp specific)
• Mode switching (Stomp/​Scroll/​Preset/​Snapshot modes)
• Workarounds for 3-snapshot limitation
• 5 footswitch control

Quick Start

Import the Library

@import "devices/​hx_stomp.mmd"

Basic Preset Loading

[00:00.000]
# Load preset 5 (direct PC, no bank select needed)
- hxstomp_preset 1 5

# Load preset and switch to snapshot
- hxstomp_load_snapshot 1 5 2  # Preset 5, Snapshot 3

Snapshot Control (3 Snapshots Only!)

[00:00.000]
# Named snapshots (1-3)
- hxstomp_snap_1 1
- hxstomp_snap_2 1
- hxstomp_snap_3 1

# Parameterized (0-2)
- hxstomp_snapshot 1 2  # Snapshot 3

⚠️ CRITICAL: 3-Snapshot Limitation

The Biggest Constraint

HX Stomp has ONLY 3 SNAPSHOTS (0-2)

This is the single biggest limitation for live performance compared to:

• Full Helix: 8 snapshots
• HX Stomp XL: 4 snapshots
• HX Effects: 4 snapshots

Impact on Live Performance

Challenge: Most songs have 4+ sections (intro, verse, chorus, bridge, solo, outro)

3 snapshots is often not enough for:

• Verse/​chorus/​bridge/​solo arrangements
• Clean/​crunch/​drive/​lead tone staging
• Complex dynamic songs

Workarounds for 3-Snapshot Limitation

Strategy 1: Use Preset Changes for Major Sections

Keep verse/​chorus/​bridge in separate presets, use snapshots for variations within sections.

[00:00.000]
# Intro preset
- hxstomp_preset 1 10

# Verse preset (3 snapshots for variations)
[00:16.000]
- hxstomp_preset 1 11
- hxstomp_snap_1 1  # Verse rhythm

[00:24.000]
- hxstomp_snap_2 1  # Verse lead fill

# Chorus preset
[00:32.000]
- hxstomp_preset 1 12
- hxstomp_snap_1 1  # Chorus rhythm

# Bridge preset
[00:48.000]
- hxstomp_preset 1 13

Strategy 2: Hybrid Preset+Snapshot Workflow

Organize presets by song, use 3 snapshots for verse/​chorus/​bridge.

[00:00.000]
# Song 1 preset
- hxstomp_preset 1 20

# Use 3 snapshots for main sections
- hxstomp_snap_1 1  # Intro/​Verse

[00:16.000]
- hxstomp_snap_2 1  # Chorus

[00:32.000]
- hxstomp_snap_3 1  # Bridge/​Solo

# Song 2 preset
[01:00.000]
- hxstomp_song_change 1 21 0  # Load song 2, snapshot 1

Strategy 3: Use Mode Switching for Flexibility

Switch to Snapshot mode temporarily, change snapshot, return to Stomp mode.

[00:00.000]
# Quick snapshot change with mode switching
- hxstomp_quick_snapshot 1 2

# This expands to:
# - Switch to Snapshot mode
# - Change to snapshot 3
# - Return to Stomp mode

Strategy 4: Leverage All Bypass for Mute

Use All Bypass as a "mute" function between sections to cover preset changes.

[00:00.000]
# Change preset with mute coverage (no gap/​pop)
- hxstomp_section_change_with_mute 1 15

# This expands to:
# - Mute all (bypass on)
# - Change preset
# - Wait for load
# - Un-mute (bypass off)

HX Stomp Unique Features

All Bypass Control

Exclusive to HX Stomp/​XL (not on full Helix)

[00:00.000]
# Bypass all effects (global mute)
- hxstomp_all_bypass_on 1

# Un-bypass all
- hxstomp_all_bypass_off 1

# Parameterized
- hxstomp_all_bypass 1 127  # On
- hxstomp_all_bypass 1 0    # Off

Use cases:

• Tuning
• Muting during preset changes
• Emergency cutoff
• Silent guitar swaps

Mode Switching

Exclusive to HX Stomp/​XL (not on full Helix)

[00:00.000]
# Switch modes
- hxstomp_mode_stomp 1     # Stomp mode
- hxstomp_mode_scroll 1    # Scroll mode
- hxstomp_mode_preset 1    # Preset mode
- hxstomp_mode_snapshot 1  # Snapshot mode

# Cycle modes
- hxstomp_mode_next 1      # Next mode
- hxstomp_mode_prev 1      # Previous mode

Preset Management

Direct PC Addressing (Simplified)

NO Bank Select needed! HX Stomp uses direct PC 0-127 addressing.

This is MUCH simpler than full Helix (which requires CC0/​CC32 + PC).

[00:00.000]
# Load preset 10 (just send PC 10)
- hxstomp_preset 1 10

# Load preset 127
- hxstomp_preset 1 127

Preset capacity: 128 presets total (PC 0-127)

Footswitch Control

5 Footswitches Available

HX Stomp has 5 footswitches (FS1-5).

[00:00.000]
# Toggle footswitches (ALWAYS toggle, can't force on/​off)
- line6_fs1 1
- line6_fs2 1
- line6_fs3 1
- line6_fs4 1
- line6_fs5 1

Important: Like all Helix family, footswitches ALWAYS toggle. Cannot force on/​off via MIDI.

Expression Pedal Control

2 Expression Pedals

HX Stomp has 2 expression pedals (EXP1, EXP2). No EXP3.

[00:00.000]
# Direct MIDI values
- line6_exp1 1 64
- line6_exp2 1 100

# With modulation
- line6_exp_swell 1 1 0 127       # Smooth EXP1 swell
- line6_exp_vibrato 1 1 64 3.0 20 # Vibrato effect
- line6_exp_envelope 1 1          # ADSR envelope
- line6_exp_ar 1 1 0.5 1.0        # AR envelope

Looper Control

[00:00.000]
# Start recording
- line6_looper_start_recording 1

[+8s]
# Switch to playback
- line6_looper_playback 1

[+16s]
# Stop and exit
- line6_looper_stop_exit 1

All standard Helix looper functions available (from common library).

USB MIDI Considerations

NO 5-Pin DIN MIDI

HX Stomp has USB MIDI ONLY (no 5-pin DIN).

Implications:

1. ❌ Cannot chain with non-USB MIDI gear without interface
2. ⚠️ USB MIDI has higher jitter than DIN (affects clock sync)
3. ❌ No MIDI Thru capability for hardware (can't daisy-chain)
4. ⚠️ Requires computer or USB MIDI host for most controllers
5. ❌ Ground loop isolation not possible without external USB isolator

Recommended solutions for live use:

• MIDI Solutions USB MIDI Host (converts USB to 5-pin DIN)
• Disaster Area MIDI Baby (direct USB-C to HX Stomp)
• Morningstar MC6 (USB-C compatible)

Command Center

Added in Firmware 3.00+

Mandatory: Firmware 3.00+ required for Command Center

Pre-3.00 firmware lacks Command Center entirely.

[00:00.000]
# Load preset and control external amp
- hxstomp_preset_with_amp 1 10 2
# Params: ch, preset, amp_channel

# Snapshot change with external pedal control
- hxstomp_snapshot_with_pedal 1 2 71 127
# Params: ch, snapshot, pedal_cc, pedal_value

Complete Live Song Example

This demonstrates a song arrangement using HX Stomp's limitations cleverly.

[00:00.000]
# Song with 4 presets (major sections) + 3 snapshots (variations)

# INTRO - Clean preset
- hxstomp_preset 1 10
- hxstomp_snap_1 1  # Dry

[00:08.000]
- hxstomp_snap_2 1  # With reverb

# VERSE - Mild overdrive preset
[00:16.000]
- hxstomp_preset 1 11
[+350ms]
- hxstomp_snap_1 1  # Rhythm OD

[00:28.000]
- hxstomp_snap_2 1  # OD + delay (pre-chorus)

# CHORUS - High gain preset
[00:32.000]
- hxstomp_preset 1 12
[+350ms]
- hxstomp_snap_1 1  # Rhythm gain

[00:44.000]
- hxstomp_snap_2 1  # Lead gain + delay

# BRIDGE - Ambient preset
[01:16.000]
- hxstomp_preset 1 13
[+350ms]
- hxstomp_snap_1 1  # Clean + reverb

[01:24.000]
- hxstomp_snap_2 1  # Heavy reverb

# FINAL CHORUS - Back to high gain
[01:32.000]
- hxstomp_preset 1 12
[+350ms]
- hxstomp_snap_3 1  # Epic lead tone

# OUTRO - Return to clean
[01:56.000]
- hxstomp_preset 1 10
[+350ms]
- hxstomp_snap_2 1  # With reverb

Firmware Timing Requirements

Same as Full Helix

Firmware 3.5x: 350ms delay after PC Firmware 3.10+: CC69 buffered, can reduce to 50ms Firmware 3.80: Stable, use Tap Tempo for tempo sync

See Helix skill for detailed timing guidance.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

Mistake 1: Expecting More Than 3 Snapshots

# ❌ WRONG - HX Stomp only has snapshots 0-2
[00:00.000]
- hxstomp_snapshot 1 3  # ERROR! Only 0-2 available

# ✅ CORRECT - Use preset changes for additional sections
[00:00.000]
- hxstomp_preset 1 11  # Load different preset instead

Mistake 2: Missing Delays After PC

# ❌ WRONG (firmware 3.5x)
[00:00.000]
- hxstomp_preset 1 10
- hxstomp_snapshot 1 2  # Ignored!

# ✅ CORRECT
[00:00.000]
- hxstomp_load_snapshot 1 10 2  # Built-in delay

Mistake 3: Using USB for MIDI Clock

USB MIDI has jitter issues for clock sync.

Consider using external MIDI interface with 5-pin DIN output if clock sync is critical.

Comparison: HX Stomp vs Others

HX Stomp (You Are Here)

• ❌ 3 snapshots (most limited)
• ❌ 5 footswitches
• ⚠️ 2 expression pedals
• ❌ USB MIDI only
• ❌ Single DSP path
• ⚠️ Limited Command Center
• ✅ Smallest footprint
• ✅ All Bypass (unique feature)
• ✅ Mode switching (unique feature)
• ✅ Direct PC (simpler addressing)

Best for:

• Simple songs (3 sections or less)
• Heavy preset-switching workflow
• Compact pedalboard setups
• Users who prioritize small size

HX Stomp XL

• ⚠️ 4 snapshots (better, but still limited)
• ⚠️ 8 footswitches (double HX Stomp)
• ⚠️ 2 expression pedals
• ❌ USB MIDI only
• ✅ All Bypass + Mode switching
• ✅ Direct PC addressing

Best for: Users needing more footswitches but not full Helix

Helix Floor/​LT/​Rack

• ✅ 8 snapshots (maximum flexibility)
• ✅ 11 footswitches
• ✅ 3 expression pedals
• ✅ 5-pin DIN MIDI
• ✅ Dual DSP path
• ✅ Full Command Center
• ❌ Larger footprint

Best for: Complex songs, professional touring, maximum flexibility

Reserved CC Numbers

CC69  - Snapshot select (0-2 only!)
CC70  - All Bypass (HX Stomp specific)
CC71  - Mode Switch (HX Stomp specific)

All other CCs available for MIDI Learn.

Troubleshooting

Reference

Device Library Location

• Main: devices/​hx_stomp.mmd
• Common: devices/​line6_common.mmd (imported automatically)

Documentation

Official Manual: https://line6.com/support/manuals/hxstomp

Firmware Version

3.80 (current as of library version)

See Also

• Helix Usage - Full Helix, 8 snapshots
• HX Stomp XL Usage - 4 snapshots, 8 footswitches
• HX Effects Usage - Effects only, 4 snapshots
• MMD Syntax Reference
• Line 6 Common Library