Line 6 HX Stomp XL Usage Guide

Line 6 HX Stomp XL Usage Guide

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

When to Use This Skill

Invoke this skill when working with:

• Line 6 HX Stomp XL compact guitar processor
• 4-snapshot control (middle ground)
• 8 footswitch control (double HX Stomp)
• USB MIDI-only connectivity
• All Bypass control
• Mode switching
• Direct PC addressing (no bank select)

Quick Start

Import the Library

@import "devices/​hx_stomp_xl.mmd"

Basic Preset Loading

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

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

Snapshot Control (4 Snapshots)

[00:00.000]
# Named snapshots (1-4)
- hxstompxl_snap_1 1
- hxstompxl_snap_2 1
- hxstompxl_snap_3 1
- hxstompxl_snap_4 1

# Parameterized (0-3)
- hxstompxl_snapshot 1 3  # Snapshot 4

The Middle Ground

HX Stomp XL: Best of Both Worlds

HX Stomp XL strikes a balance between:

• ✅ HX Stomp's compact size
• ✅ Full Helix's capabilities

Key Position:

• Better than HX Stomp (4 vs 3 snapshots, 8 vs 5 footswitches)
• More compact than full Helix (smaller footprint)
• Same limitations as HX Stomp (USB only, single DSP)

4 Snapshots: Good Balance

Sufficient for Most Songs

HX Stomp XL has 4 snapshots (0-3).

Better than: HX Stomp (3 snapshots) ✅ Less than: Full Helix (8 snapshots) ⚠️ Same as: HX Effects (4 snapshots)

Why 4 is good:

• Fits standard song structures: Verse/​Chorus/​Bridge/​Solo
• Enables gain staging: Clean/​Crunch/​Drive/​Lead
• Adequate for most live performances
• Better than HX Stomp's limiting 3 snapshots

[00:00.000]
# Named snapshots
- hxstompxl_snap_1 1  # Snapshot 1
- hxstompxl_snap_2 1  # Snapshot 2
- hxstompxl_snap_3 1  # Snapshot 3
- hxstompxl_snap_4 1  # Snapshot 4

# Parameterized
- hxstompxl_snapshot 1 2  # Snapshot 3

4-Snapshot Song Arrangements

Pattern 1: Standard Song Structure

[00:00.000]
# Load song preset
- hxstompxl_preset 1 10

# Snapshot 1: Verse (clean/​mild)
- hxstompxl_snap_1 1

# Snapshot 2: Chorus (driven/​wet)
[00:16.000]
- hxstompxl_snap_2 1

# Snapshot 3: Bridge (ambient/​different)
[00:32.000]
- hxstompxl_snap_3 1

# Snapshot 4: Solo (lead tone)
[00:48.000]
- hxstompxl_snap_4 1

Pattern 2: Gain Staging

[00:00.000]
# Gain-based preset organization
- hxstompxl_gain_stages 1 15

# This demonstrates 4 gain stages:
# Snapshot 1: Clean
# Snapshot 2: Light crunch
# Snapshot 3: Medium drive
# Snapshot 4: High gain lead

Pattern 3: Progressive Effects Build

[00:00.000]
- hxstompxl_preset 1 20

# Dry
- hxstompxl_snap_1 1

# Add delay
[00:08.000]
- hxstompxl_snap_2 1

# Add reverb
[00:16.000]
- hxstompxl_snap_3 1

# Full ambient (delay + reverb + modulation)
[00:24.000]
- hxstompxl_snap_4 1

8 Footswitches: Excellent Live Control

Double the HX Stomp

HX Stomp XL has 8 footswitches (FS1-8).

Comparison:

• HX Stomp: 5 footswitches ❌
• HX Stomp XL: 8 footswitches ✅ (You are here)
• HX Effects: 6 footswitches ⚠️
• Helix Floor/​LT: 11 footswitches ✅✅

Why 8 is good:

• Enough for most live scenarios
• Can control multiple effects per preset
• Progressive effect builds
• Real-time performance flexibility

[00:00.000]
# Toggle footswitches (ALWAYS toggle)
- line6_fs1 1
- line6_fs2 1
- line6_fs3 1
- line6_fs4 1
- line6_fs5 1
- line6_fs6 1
- line6_fs7 1
- line6_fs8 1

Progressive Effect Build Example

[00:00.000]
# Start with basic tone
- hxstompxl_all_bypass_off 1

# Add compression
[00:04.000]
- line6_fs1 1  # Toggle FS1 (compressor)

# Add delay
[00:08.000]
- line6_fs2 1  # Toggle FS2 (delay)

# Add reverb
[00:12.000]
- line6_fs3 1  # Toggle FS3 (reverb)

# Add modulation
[00:16.000]
- line6_fs4 1  # Toggle FS4 (chorus/​phaser)

# Add drive
[00:20.000]
- line6_fs5 1  # Toggle FS5 (overdrive)

HX Stomp XL Unique Features

All Bypass Control

Same as HX Stomp (not on full Helix).

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

# Un-bypass all
- hxstompxl_all_bypass_off 1

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

Use cases:

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

Mode Switching

Same as HX Stomp (not on full Helix).

[00:00.000]
# Switch modes
- hxstompxl_mode_stomp 1     # Stomp mode
- hxstompxl_mode_scroll 1    # Scroll mode
- hxstompxl_mode_preset 1    # Preset mode
- hxstompxl_mode_snapshot 1  # Snapshot mode

# Cycle modes
- hxstompxl_mode_next 1      # Next mode
- hxstompxl_mode_prev 1      # Previous mode

Preset Management

Direct PC Addressing (Simplified)

NO Bank Select needed! Same as HX Stomp.

HX Stomp XL uses direct PC 0-127 addressing (simpler than full Helix).

[00:00.000]
# Load preset 10
- hxstompxl_preset 1 10

# Load preset 127
- hxstompxl_preset 1 127

# Load with snapshot
- hxstompxl_load_snapshot 1 10 2  # Preset 10, Snapshot 3

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

Expression Pedal Control

2 Expression Pedals

HX Stomp XL 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 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]
# Full looper workflow
- line6_looper_start_recording 1
[+8s]
- line6_looper_playback 1
[+16s]
- line6_looper_stop_exit 1

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

Command Center

Enhanced vs HX Stomp

HX Stomp XL has enhanced Command Center vs regular HX Stomp.

More footswitch assignments available due to 8 footswitches.

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

# Snapshot + external gear control
- hxstompxl_snapshot_with_external 1 2 71 127
# Params: ch, snapshot, ext_cc, ext_value

USB MIDI Considerations

NO 5-Pin DIN MIDI

Same limitation as HX Stomp (USB MIDI only).

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
4. ⚠️ Requires computer or USB MIDI host for most controllers
5. ❌ Ground loop isolation not possible without external USB isolator

Recommended solutions:

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

Complete Song Example

[00:00.000]
# Standard 4-part song with HX Stomp XL

# Load song preset
- hxstompxl_preset 1 5

# INTRO - Clean
- hxstompxl_snap_1 1

# VERSE - Rhythm
[00:16.000]
- hxstompxl_snap_2 1

# Pre-chorus build (use footswitch)
[00:28.000]
- line6_fs2 1  # Add delay

# CHORUS - Drive + reverb
[00:32.000]
- hxstompxl_snap_3 1

# BRIDGE - Ambient
[00:48.000]
- hxstompxl_snap_4 1

# SOLO - Lead tone (back to snapshot 3 with modifications)
[01:04.000]
- hxstompxl_snap_3 1
- line6_fs5 1  # Engage boost

# FINAL CHORUS
[01:36.000]
- hxstompxl_snap_3 1

Firmware Timing Requirements

Same as Other Helix Models

Firmware 3.5x: 350ms delay after PC Firmware 3.10+: CC69 buffered, can reduce to 50ms Firmware 3.80: Stable

See Helix skill for detailed timing guidance.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

Mistake 1: Expecting More Than 4 Snapshots

# ❌ WRONG - Only snapshots 0-3 available
- hxstompxl_snapshot 1 4  # ERROR!

# ✅ CORRECT - Use preset changes for more sections
- hxstompxl_preset 1 11

Mistake 2: Missing Delays After PC

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

# ✅ CORRECT - Use helper
[00:00.000]
- hxstompxl_load_snapshot 1 10 2

Mistake 3: Using USB for MIDI Clock

USB MIDI has jitter issues for clock sync.

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

Comparison: HX Stomp XL vs Others

HX Stomp

• ❌ 3 snapshots (very limited)
• ❌ 5 footswitches (limited)
• ⚠️ 2 expression pedals
• ❌ USB MIDI only
• ✅ Smallest footprint
• ✅ All Bypass + Mode switching
• ✅ Direct PC addressing

Best for: Ultra-compact setups, simple songs

HX Stomp XL (You Are Here)

• ⚠️ 4 snapshots (good balance) ✅
• ⚠️ 8 footswitches (excellent) ✅
• ⚠️ 2 expression pedals
• ❌ USB MIDI only
• ✅ Compact footprint (larger than HX Stomp)
• ✅ All Bypass + Mode switching
• ✅ Direct PC addressing
• ✅ Enhanced Command Center

Best for: Most live performers, good balance of size vs capabilities

HX Effects

• ⚠️ 4 snapshots (same as Stomp XL)
• ⚠️ 6 footswitches (less than Stomp XL)
• ⚠️ 2 expression pedals
• ✅ 5-pin DIN MIDI (advantage!)
• ✅ Effects-only (amp integration)
• ❌ No amp/​cab modeling

Best for: Effects with external amps, 5-pin DIN ecosystem

Helix Floor/​LT/​Rack

• ✅ 8 snapshots (maximum flexibility)
• ✅ 11 footswitches (Floor/​LT)
• ✅ 3 expression pedals (Floor/​Rack)
• ✅ 5-pin DIN MIDI
• ✅ Dual DSP path
• ✅ Full Command Center
• ❌ Large footprint
• ❌ More expensive

Best for: Professional touring, complex songs, maximum flexibility

Sweet Spot Analysis

Why HX Stomp XL is the "Sweet Spot"

Advantages:

1. ✅ 4 snapshots - sufficient for most songs
2. ✅ 8 footswitches - excellent live control
3. ✅ Compact size - pedalboard-friendly
4. ✅ Affordable - less than full Helix
5. ✅ Direct addressing - simpler than full Helix

Trade-offs:

1. ⚠️ USB only - no 5-pin DIN (but works for most)
2. ⚠️ Single DSP - limits simultaneous effects
3. ⚠️ No EXP3 - but 2 is usually enough

Conclusion: Best choice for most guitarists who want:

• More than HX Stomp's limitations
• Less than full Helix's size/​cost
• Good balance of features vs portability

Reserved CC Numbers

CC69  - Snapshot select (0-3)
CC70  - All Bypass
CC71  - Mode Switch

All other CCs available for MIDI Learn.

Troubleshooting

Reference

Device Library Location

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

Documentation

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

Firmware Version

3.80 (current as of library version)

See Also

• Helix Usage - Full Helix, 8 snapshots, 11 footswitches
• HX Stomp Usage - 3 snapshots, 5 footswitches
• HX Effects Usage - 4 snapshots, 5-pin DIN
• MMD Syntax Reference
• Line 6 Common Library