| name | mmd-device-hx-stomp |
| description | Guide for using the Line 6 HX Stomp device library in MMD files. Use when the user mentions HX Stomp, HX Stomp guitar processor, or needs help with HX Stomp's 3-snapshot limitation, USB MIDI setup, All Bypass control, Mode switching, or workarounds for limited snapshots. |
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:
- ❌ Cannot chain with non-USB MIDI gear without interface
- ⚠️ USB MIDI has higher jitter than DIN (affects clock sync)
- ❌ No MIDI Thru capability for hardware (can't daisy-chain)
- ⚠️ Requires computer or USB MIDI host for most controllers
- ❌ 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
| Issue | Solution |
|---|
| Only 3 snapshots isn't enough | Use preset changes for sections, snapshots for variations |
| Can't connect MIDI controller | Requires USB-C or USB MIDI Host adapter (no 5-pin DIN) |
| Preset changes have gaps/pops | Use All Bypass to mute during changes |
| Command Center doesn't work | Update to firmware 3.00+ (mandatory) |
| MIDI timing is sloppy | USB has jitter - use quality cable, avoid hubs |
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
