AxeFX and Kemper have set new standards in digital amping, but with the Helix-series Line6 got back on the map with a complete renewal: pedalfunction and a big step up in DSP-power and sound. But some may argue the original Helix was huge… not only in functionality but also in size. The Helix LT was a step in shrinking the whole thing. But the HX Stomp goes even further and squeezes the whole Helix to the size of a stompbox.

Of course in comparison to the original some features had to be reduced. Less routing options, less effect slots available and only 3 footswitches. So you have to really think about how to use it efficiently. But the controls are well thought out, you won’t miss a thing. And it works well in many situations, from DI to stompbox-use. The amps are way improved to the emulations on the POD. Especially for high gain this thing delivers the goods. Same for the effects. You can even import your own impulse responses which makes it even more flexible. Easily this thing became my flight rig. You get insanely big bang for the buck… and it still fits in your pocket (though this may look a bit like the “Sticky Fingers”-cover).

So far I've used a stomp along with a compressor and an OC-2 for live gigs where I'm plugging direct and amp modeling or even in a lot of recording scenarios. Sounds great and the hx edit software makes dialing in a sound easy.

I'm also very interested in introducing this to a larger board to use as my time-based machine. The delay and reverb sounds this produces are amazing as well as some other synth style sounds. It's been really fun trying to replace pedals on my board with a block in the stomp.

I couple this with a 2 button stomp box to add another 2 stomper options but in more controlled gigs where patches are catered to a song, I simply use the snapshot modes. Super versatile. Nice swiss army pedal for several use cases.

The features and flexibility of this unit are unmatched at the price point. I use this to go from studio to rehearsal to stage with absolutely no compromises on sound. I've built out of this world sounds that make a bass sound like an orchestra, and simple patches that let the instrument be itself. (Yes, it works incredibly well for bass players.) Completely editable by hand, but can also be paired with the HX Edit app on the computer for point and click ease. And it fits in a gig bag with plenty of room to spare. What could be better?

Remember when the iPhone hit the market for the first time? Technology so light years ahead of the competition that it changes the game forever? Yeah that's what the HX Stomp does for gear. It can do so much, it's so powerful and intuitive, it's so small and can work in almost every signal chain period. Is it perfect? No. Can improvements be made? Yes, absolutely. The pro's outweigh the cons with what you can do, there are only so many blocks of processing this guy can handle (6 effects in all) but it can do a lot with what it has. It sounds amazing in any scenario, in front of amp, in effects loop of amp (either direct to a power amp or 4 cable method), in a FRFR, plugged right into PA, plugged into laptop DAW. You'll wonder why you didn't jump onboard with this guy faster. Highly recommend and a must for any serious gigging or recording musician.

As a mainly acoustic player, I was skeptical to say the least for how much this little box could do for me. I have never EVER regretted buying this. The incredible versatility of this as an amp modeler, effects pedal, tuner, etc. blows me away every time I play through it. Since I bought it, I've slowly seen even the most hardcore analog amp and pedal gearheads turn around and buy one to replace their amp and cab rigs.

This device has the form factor of Your standard two sided stomp box but the power of the helix floor. Coming fully loaded with all of line 6’s awesome amp, cab and effect models as well as space for after market IR’s this is essentially all you would ever need for lots of the gigs you may wish to do. It’s three switches are fully customisable and it’s UI is intuitive. This is not to say however it is perfect. It only allows for 6 blocks worth of models. And with in that the processing limitations of the device mean some of the more complex rigs you wish to run may not be possible. Further more the physical limitations mean that you will have to do some careful planing to use just this live.

In all however I believe this to be one of the greatest value pieces of equipment you could buy at the moment. I would think of this not as a rig replacement in the way that a helix of Kemper could be but as a excellent pedal board addition or emergency rig. I would defiantly recommend to anyone.

... one pedal of all the pedals I own, it would be the HX Stomp. Its distortion models sound 90% to 100% (depending on the model) like the real deal, it has great sounding amps galore (that Supro reminds me a lot of my rhythm master) a stereo-looper it’s really great to be able to pan your loops), the pitch-shifter are the best I ever heard (apart from the POG) - the only downside is the modulation models. Except for the new pebble Phaser there is not one phaser/flanger/chorus-type effect that sounds like the analog original. So I‘m just gonna keep my modulation pedals - and the HX Stomp.

Line 6 HX Line is seriously some of the best gear to date, the effects are extremely accurate compared to the real deal, the Amp Models are seriously Scary Good and the Ability to have Impulse Responses and preamps is a huge plus, and the user interface is incredibly easy to use!

Fantastic piece of equipment. I have much to learn with it still, but so far I love everything about it!

Just 6 blocks to EDIT. Kinda sad for me.