[Comparing small models] Explaining the differences between the Line 6 HX series and how to choose the best one! HX Stomp, HX Stomp XL, HX Effects, HX One [Reviews and sound demos]

The unit is extremely compact, measuring 64mm high x 122mm deep x 170mm wide, and weighing approximately 820g. It fits easily into the gaps in your pedal board, and is easy to carry around.

On the top of the unit3 foot switchesEach switch can be used for multiple functions, such as switching modes and turning effects on/off by tapping or pressing and holding it, and it also has a built-in capacitive touch sensor, so you can display the name of the effect assigned to each switch on the display just by touching it. Although it is small, it is also easy to use.

on the backStereo input (L/MONO, R),Stereo output (L/MONO, R),Effect loop SEND x 1, RETURN x 2(Mono loop x 1, stereo compatible),MIDI IN/OUT (TRS mini connector)AndDual EXP/FS terminalsEquipped with.

Use a Y-cable to connect the EXP terminalIt can connect two expression pedals or foot switches (FS2/4), and you can expand functionality by adding an external foot switch.

Although it is small, it allows for flexible routing and is compatible with the 4-cable method (4CM).

Also headphone outputIt is also equipped with a mic input, so you can practice at home without an amplifier.

With HX StompMaximum 6 blocksYou can use up to 3.0 amps/cabs/effects simultaneously (up to 8 blocks in firmware XNUMX and later).

However, the installed DSP is smaller than that of Helix Floor.Single DSPTherefore, using multiple heavy amp models may result in a lack of DSP.

Although it has half the processing power of the Helix Floor (up to 12 blocks with dual DSP), it still has enough power for small effects chains.

It works fine with a few typical amp + effect presets, and many users will be pleased with its power.

HX Stomp is powered by the included 9V DC adapter.Current consumption is about 900mA(Officially, the price is a little high.)9V 3A(Adapter included).

If you are using a standard power supply, you will need to take measures such as using an isolated 9V port in parallel.

However, in recent years, the number of high-capacity pedal board power supplies has increased, making them easier to use.

The original price including tax was about 79,920 yen, but the current market price isApproximately 8 to 9 yen.

As of 2025, it is being sold for about 8.2 yen on Amazon, and about 81,850 yen at major music stores. The second-hand market price is in the early 6 yen range.

HX Stomp"I want to use a multi-effects unit, including an amplifier, in the smallest possible size."This is ideal for guitarists/bassists who:

For example,

• People who want to use a single device for everything from home recording to live performances
• People who want to build a carry-on board for fly gigging
• Those who want to add digital sounds to their existing pedal board

It is suitable for the following:

Although there are limitations with only three switches, the simple operability and snapshot function (switching between multiple scenes within one preset) make it possible to perform satisfactorily even during live performances.

It is also popular among bassists, and its wide range of bass amp models and effects makes it a useful alternative to a DI or as an effects pedal.

Small and easy to handleUsed by many pros as a sub or maindoing.

Funk guitarist abroadCory Wong(Vulfpeck) has been incorporating HX Stomp into his live performances and appreciates its raw, amp-like tone and simplicity of operation.

Metal band MastodonBill kelliherHe is also known for incorporating HX Stomp into his own rig (he is a fan of the raw, distorted sound of the Helix style).

In Japan, for example, J-Pop guitarists and support musiciansFly RigsWe are seeing an increasing number of people putting together mini boards consisting of an HX Stomp and a few pedals.

Its versatility is so highly regarded among studio musicians that some say, "In the end, one HX Stomp is enough to handle most situations."

It is 68mm high x 316mm wide x 120mm deep, and weighs approximately 1.5kg, making it nearly twice as wide and heavier than the HX Stomp.

Still, it's still a reasonable size to fit on an effects board, and since it doesn't have a built-in expression pedal, it's smaller and lighter than the Helix LT, for example.

All eight foot switches are equipped with color LED rings and touch sensors.

The XL has a wide range of switches that let you freely assign individual effect on/off and snapshot switching, which are often lacking on the three-switch HX Stomp.

The small LCD screen is the same as the HX Stomp, but the color of the LED rings and touch functions make it easier to visually understand the role of each switch.

It is basically equipped with the same stereo IN/OUT, one effect loop, MIDI IN/OUT, and EXP/FS terminals as the HX Stomp.

In addition, HX Stomp XL is equipped with an amp switching output that can be used to switch channels on an external amp, allowing you to control external devices not only via MIDI but also via analog methods.

The EXP jack is dual compatible, just like the HX Stomp, and allows you to connect two external foot switches or an expression pedal.

The internal DSP and maximum number of effects is the same as HX Stomp, and up to 8 blocks can be used simultaneously (Version 3.0 and later).

Compared to the Helix Floor, it is only 1 DSP, but the Stomp XL alone is sufficient for an amp + some effects + looper.

There are no changes in sound quality or power from HX Stomp.

The power supply is also 9V center negative, and the current consumption is estimated to be around 1A (the same as HX Stomp or slightly more).

The included adapter is the same as that used with HX Stomp.

The list price (tax included) is about 99,000 yen, but the actual selling price is around 10 to 11 yen.

It is expensive, costing around 108,000 yen on major online retailers, and 121,000 yen for the limited edition white color.

The price is about 2 to 3 yen higher than the HX Stomp.

HX Stomp XL"I want to make HX Stomp easier to use in live performances."We respond to these needs.

It's perfect for guitarists who want to turn a variety of effects on and off during live performances, or for users who feel that HX Stomp does not have enough switches and are considering adding an external controller.

For those who want something as compact as possible but are worried about only having 3 switches, the XL's 8 switches are a reassuring choice.

Even if MIDI operation is difficult, you can complete the process using just your feet, making it ideal for players who want to use it intuitively without having to deal with complex controls.

On the other hand, if you are already using HX Stomp with a MIDI foot controller, you can achieve the same results as before, so the deciding factor is whether you want to make the additional investment to get an all-in-one setup.

Although the HX Stomp XL itself is a relatively new model, it is already being used by many professionals on tour and in live performances.

For example, Cory Wong, mentioned above, has switched from HX Stomp to XL, giving him more control over effects at his feet.

In addition, well-known YouTuber guitarist John Cordy has introduced advanced ways to use HX Stomp/XL, proving that it is fully functional even in professional settings.

It is larger and sturdier than other HX series models, measuring 76mm high x 200mm deep x 274mm wide and weighing approximately 2.3kg.

It is heavy because it has a metal casing and eight large foot switches, but it is also extremely durable and stable.

It has been described as having a "tough chassis and the feel of the footswitch is the same as that of the Helix Floor," and is designed to withstand stage use.

Each of the eight footswitches has a colored LED ring and scribble strip (a small LCD display) for the same visibility as the Helix Floor.

Each switch is electrostatic touch compatible, so when you touch it with your finger the name of the assigned effect is displayed, making effect editing and assignment intuitive.

You can turn multiple effects on and off individually just like on a pedal board, and freely assign mode switching, tap tempo, tuner, etc., making the UI easy to use even during live performances.

The appeal of HX Effects is its extensive I/O.

In addition to instrument inputs (L/MONO, R) and outputs (L/MONO, R), it is equipped with two effect loops (SEND2/1, RETURN2/1), allowing you to incorporate external pedals or use the 2-cable method.

It also comes with standard-sized MIDI In/Out terminals.

In addition, there is an external amp control terminal, which allows you to send latch/momentary signals such as for switching amplifier channels.

There are two expression pedal terminals, allowing up to two volume pedals or wah-like operations to be used simultaneously.

Please note that the HX Effects unit itself does not have a headphone output or USB audio function (USB is used for editor connection/MIDI purposes).

Therefore, it is not suitable for headphone practice or direct recording at home, but is designed to be used in combination with an existing amplifier/audio I/F.

Up to 9 effect blocks can be used simultaneously.

Since it does not have an amp model, it has ample DSP resources and can operate even when combined with a large number of large effects such as delay and reverb (it uses the same single DSP chip as HX Stomp, but has relatively more capacity since it does not have amp processing).

Nine simultaneous effects is more than enough for most users, and in fact"All the effects you need in one unit"There are a lot of voices.

The included adapter is 9V DC (3A), and the current consumption is approximately 1.1 to 1.3A.

As with HX Stomp, care must be taken when using it with a pedal board power source, but there has been an increase in compatible high-output supplies recently.

The only drawback is that the power adapter is a bit large due to the size of the device.

The list price including tax is about 103,400 yen, but the actual selling price isApproximately 8 to 9 yen.

When it was first released, it was priced the same as the HX Stomp, at around 79,920 yen, but the price has since increased slightly due to price fluctuations.

As of 2025, it costs around 81,800 yen at music stores.

It's in roughly the same price range as Stomp, and if you don't need the amp functionality, HX Effects is a better value for your money.

HX Effects"I want to take advantage of the sound of my favorite amp while adding top-notch effects."Perfect for guitarists/bassists.

For example, if someone using a tube amp + pedal board installs HX Effects, they will be able to freely use a huge range of modulation, delay, reverb, pitch, etc., and it will become the central component of their pedal board.

By taking advantage of the two effect loops, you can easily incorporate your favorite compact effects, such as distortion effects.

By using the 4CM to place effects before the amp's pre-amp and in the effects loop, a previously complex setup can be handled with just one unit.

The operation is simple, and the fact that it can be used like a traditional pedal board is an advantage even for those who are unfamiliar with the equipment. On the other hand, since there is no amp model, it is not suitable if you are thinking of using it as a direct PA without an amplifier (※It has an IR loader function, so if you prepare a separate preamp, you can use a pseudo direct PA).

Even top professionals who use Helix Floor sometimes use HX Effects for the purpose of "playing the amp live and leaving the effects to the Helix series."

For example, American studio guitarists Tim Pierce and Tom Bukovac have long been fans of Line 6 M9/M5 in their studios, and as an extension of that, they also rate HX Effects highly.

During live performances, members of the backing band for big-name artists often place HX Effects at their feet to manage everything from amp channel switching to MIDI synchronization (HX Effects has the specs to function as a "command center for the entire system").

In Japan, professional guitarist Tomoyasu Hotei once combined Helix with a real amplifier, and an increasing number of guitarists are adopting a similar approach and incorporating HX Effects into their pedal boards.

Amplifier fans in particular have given it high praise, saying, "The sound quality is good and there is little noise, so I can use it with confidence."

Its dimensions are 62mm high x 125mm deep x 96mm wide, making it slightly larger than a compact effect pedal.

It is said to be shallower than the Boss Compact, with a width of about 1.5 units, making it small enough to fit on any pedal board. It weighs 450g and is easy to carry.

Two foot switches are installed on the main unit.

One can be assigned to turn effects on/off, the other to tap tempo or to switch effect parameters, etc. (users can change the settings).

The two switches improve operability within a single effect, allowing you to, for example, tap input of delay time, switch tremolo speed, and record/playback of looper.

The HX One itself also has a looper function, so the two switches allow for simple looper operation.

Although it is small, it is equipped with stereo input (standard L/R), stereo output (L/R), and MIDI IN/OUT (TRS mini terminal), meeting the requirements of modern pedal boards.

It also has an EXP/FS terminal, allowing you to connect one external expression pedal or two foot switches.

It supports flexible external control, just like the HX Stomp series.

Although it does not have an effects loop terminal, it can be linked with other pedals via MIDI.

The headphone output has been omitted.

It has over 270 Helix-type effect models (as of the latest firmware).

Almost all of the effects included in Helix are available, including distortion, delay, reverb, modulation, filter, pitch, compression, EQ, wah, looper, etc.

Only one block can be used at a time, and multiple effects cannot be chained.

However, as a unique feature of HX One,Flux ControllerIt is equipped with a modulation function that allows you to automatically change specific parameters of an effect over time.

For example, you can gradually increase the resonance of a phaser, or perform other elaborate tasks with just one pedal.

The DSP is probably the same as or lower than HX Stomp, but since it is dedicated to one effect, DSP load is unlikely to be an issue.

It can handle heavy reverb and pitch effects well on its own.

The HX One runs on the included 9.6V DC adapter (500mA) and has a nominal current draw of approximately 500mA.

It has significantly lower power requirements than other HX series pedals and can be easily powered from a standard pedal board power supply.

The official statement is that "it can be powered by the pedal board's power supply, making it easy to incorporate."

The list price (tax included) is 55,000 yen, but the actual selling price is around 3.8 to 4.5 yen.

This is the cheapest model in the Helix series, and the price is about the same as buying several high-quality standalone pedals.

The HX One is a pedal that meets the ambitious yet straightforward desire for a single, simple effect pedal that can do everything.

For example, if you normally use analog pedals but want to use this one unit to cover effects you only need for certain songs (harmonic tremolo, special filters, etc.), this is the perfect choice, or if you want to fit a jack-of-all-trades pedal into the empty space on your board.

You can store over 1 different tones with the ease of a single effect pedal, so you can flexibly respond to sudden sound needs during a session.

It will also be attractive to guitarists who want to try out various pedals but don't have the budget or space.

On the other hand, since you cannot use multiple effects at the same time, it is not suitable for creating sounds that require simultaneous use, such as delay + reverb.

The operation is "enjoy one type at a time." Also, since it does not have an amp model, it is suitable for adding ambient sounds mainly for spatial effects.