So my HX Stomp might be shot... what now?

[Rex_Rocker]

The USB connection on it broke. I tried reparing it with superglue (LOL), but I think I made it worse. I can't find a shop in town that wants to take it in for repair.

I can still play it. It still makes sound. But I cannot access the desktop editor, I cannot record via USB, and I cannot play along to songs that I like with it using headphones. These were like 75% of the things that I used it for.

So I wonder what my other options are in a similar form factor that are more up-to-date than this was. I kinda really want a Kemper Player, but it seems kinda expensive for what it is consiering the software is at least a decade old now. I think the Tone X might be it, but I'm not sure how I feel that it's not actual modeling, just profiling, and I don't know of many players/producers/engineers that I look up that offer profiles for it. Like, for the Kemper, I'm sure I'd like the Josh Middeton profiles. I'm not sure what captures would be as good on the Tone X?

Not sure if I wanna go Ampero or Headrush. The tech seems kind of last gen. Not that they don't sound good, but I don't want to buy something to find out something new is replacing it in a few months or even a year. The Boss GT-Core, I haven't heard any clip of it that I've been impressed by. I don't think Boss modeling is as advanced, is it? Is it component modeling like Helix or Fratctal? Fractal is kind of spendy too.

So... what do you think I should look at in a similar form factor?

Thanks.

 

[Securb]

Have you considered a simple audio interface and using VSTs

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Have you considered a simple audio interface and using VSTs

No. I tried that years ago, but the latency I got was so bad, I couldn't play. I'm sure better stuff has come out, and I have a better computer now too. Maybe I should look into it.

 

[Mincer]

Does it have basic 5 pin midi? You could access the editor that way. But super glue was probably not the best idea...

 

[Seashore]

Sounds like a great time to drop $2k on the new Helix!

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Sounds like a great time to drop $2k on the new Helix!

Nah. Don't like the huge pedalboard format. Honestly, if I could get a single footswitch Helix that only has the 5150III model, the IR loader, the noise gate, and the Parametric EQ, I could get by, LOL.

But super glue was probably not the best idea...

It's like the pin that's in the middle of the USB B connection. I had already done it before, and it worked. But it broke again, I fixed it the same way, but it didn't work now.​

 

[jeremy]

be more careful with yours toys man

 

[Rex_Rocker]

be more careful with yours toys man

I bought it used, but I never mistreated it. The little post in the middle of the USB-B port broke once I unplugged it to wipe it down a couple years ago. I tried finding shops locally that would fix it, and it was the same as it is now. Drop of super glue, and I got it working again. Then recently, I got a new shorter USB cable for it to sit on my desktop (I rarely even step on it unless I'm using it live which must have been like 10 times at most). Plugged it in. Unplugged it to wipe it down, and the little post broke again. Tried supergluing it again, but now, my computer doesn't see it plugged in.

I really really don't mistreat it. It's pretty much the core of my sound since I can't crank a loud amp here at my apartment.

 

[Mincer]

It is probably just a regular jack soldered to a few traces on a PC board. You might be able to see if you can fix it properly yourself. You probably can't make it worse.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

It is probably just a regular jack soldered to a few traces on a PC board. You might be able to see if you can fix it properly yourself. You probably can't make it worse.

You know what, you're probably right. I was browsing Amazon for USB-B female connectors, and all of them look pretty much the same regardless of brand. So maybe it's like a standard piece. I'm going to pull it apart and check how it looks inside tomorrow.

 

[jeremy]

i was just giving you a hard time man

i assume it is a standard jack so you should be able to find a replacement. might be a pita to solder it into place, but its worth a try

 

[Masta' C]

Definitely try to fix it yourself, but if you can register the serial number to your Line 6 account, you should be able to grab Helix Native for $60 right now during their once-a-year Summer sale:

https://shop-us.line6.com/software/plugins/helix-native/

Since you're basically using the Stomp tied to a computer anyway for editing, headphone playing, recording, etc., I think getting Helix Native at this price and just running it on your computer is a good idea.

 

[Hank-]

Mouser or Digikey would be worth searching for replacement parts. You could email L6 support and find a replacement part no. & then get it or its equivalent on mouser. Probably get the replacement done by someone reputable if your not good with working on modern pcb boards, the traces can be too thin & difficult to work with if lead free solder is used.

The Boss IR200 or IR2 is probably their HX equivalent, their amp modeling is advanced but the approach is different from L6, probably don't switch boats if the fix is simple.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I found a place that took it in, luckily.

That being said, it would still be a good idea to start thinking about replacing it. It's last-gen tech at this point, so updates and support are probably going to stop coming at some point in the near future.

 

[Mincer]

I found a place that took it in, luckily.

That being said, it would still be a good idea to start thinking about replacing it. It's last-gen tech at this point, so updates and support are probably going to stop coming at some point in the near future.

To be fair, whatever next-gen product that takes over from the HX Stomp isn't out yet, and like the HX Stomp , many of the cool sounds and effects were left over from the POD generation before. So, if you like what it does, get it fixed, and don't hop on the 'if it isn't new, it isn't good' train that Line 6 is hoping you will do.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

To be fair, whatever next-gen product that takes over from the HX Stomp isn't out yet, and like the HX Stomp , many of the cool sounds and effects were left over from the POD generation before. So, if you like what it does, get it fixed, and don't hop on the 'if it isn't new, it isn't good' train that Line 6 is hoping you will do.

Nah, to be fair, I've been wanting to swap it out for a while. The new Helix is yet another reason to do so.

It sounds good under certain conditions, yes, but there are a few downsides I see to it. The main thing is I've noticed either the built-in headphone amp or the DAC element or both aren't awesome. I suppose it has more to do with the headphone amp, because it records well via USB, and the recordings I have of it being played through something a bit "nicer", sound, well... nicer, LOL.

But who expects an audiophile-level headphone sound out of a compact guitar processor? Well, seeing as 99% of my playing is through it and headphones, I wouldn't mind it being better, honestly.

But I guess now as I'm typing it, I realize need something "nicer" for it to sound "nicer", LOL. Otherwise, I'd just be sidegrading.

 

[Mincer]

I'd think the new Helix is overkill for headphone playing. I'd either use a software solution or a ToneX.

 

[Seashore]

Judging by what they say on the Line 6 website, the new Helix is overkill for anybody who isn't a touring professional with a complex stage show.

I haven't used anything from Tonex, but one of my friends has two of the Tonex One units in a stereo/bi-amp setup and he says great things. Might be worth checking out, given how comparatively cheap they are.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Yeah, no. I'm not even considering the new Helix until they come out with a "Stomp" version.

I wish Fractal had something smaller than the FM3. Cheaper too.

 

[donaldr]

Nah. Don't like the huge pedalboard format. Honestly, if I could get a single footswitch Helix that only has the 5150III model, the IR loader, the noise gate, and the Parametric EQ, I could get by, LOL.

Have a look at Line 6 Pod Express, it's pretty just that.

For 5150 model, have a look at Atomic Amplifire. Satchel used to gig with a 5150 amp but switched to an Ampli Firebox (stomp box) years ago and now using an Amplifire 3. I bought a used model 1 for $150CAD and a new model 2 for $199USD.