Line6 - Pod GO vs. HX Stomp

[William Sellers]

Hey Folks,

I'm looking for a multi-effects pedal to use with my Trace Elliot ELF Head + 2x8" Cab. I was looking at the Boss Katana 110 Bass combo amp--- but decided to just use my Trace Elliot Elf rig.

Wanting the following:

• Looking for an all-in-one solution.
• Multi-effects pedal (a built in volume pedal is a plus)
• Decent USB Audio interface for running into Mac for home recording
• Something that I can use with headphones-only at my computer desk and practice/record. Amp Models might be interesting.

Something around $500 or less. I don't gig out anymore---and just play at home and practice.

One of the CONS that I've read about with using the PodGO is that it's single chain----and not dual chain to blend in dirty/clean signals. I typically DON'T play with FUZZ/Distortion----but would like Octave, Synth, etc. Not sure if this would be an issue or not. I never really worried about dual-chain when I ran stomp boxes, etc, etc. But, Just wanted to get your opinions. BTW, This would be used as my primary/only effects pedal.

I was looking at either the Line6 PodGo or the Line6 HX Stomp... Can I get your
thoughts? Opinions? THANKS SO MUCH EVERYONE!

 

[WhoopingHonky]

I use the Stomp for pretty much everything I do on bass. You don't get a built in volume pedal, but the dual path is fun to mess with for blending effects.

 

[William Sellers]

@WhoopingHonky --- Thanks... I'm really leaning towards the HX Stomp... Here are my reasons:

• Although the PodGO has a built in volume pedal, I've read it's kinda "flimsy." I'm a bigger guy---and if I accidentally lean onto the expression pedal, I might break it----hence, damaging that part of the unit. Having an external expression pedal seems something I could replace easier/cheaper if I do something stupid or by accident. I can always get a volume pedal later----when I actually "NEED" one.

• The PodGO is ~14" wide---which would take of a good bit of space on my computer desk in the home office.... This "MIGHT" make it less appealing for me to pop in to the office to record/practice/take online lessons at my computer, using headphones. The HX Stomp is only about 6" wide---this would easily fit on my desk with room to spare. I might actually use the HX Stomp more---just due to it being easier to place on the desk....and move around with.

• I've heard time and again that bassists love playing around with the dual path for blending effects. This is something that I'd like to play around with and learn. I probably wouldn't really notice the different at the beginning---however, I'm thinking that I want to at least have the opportunity to tinker around with this.

• It just seems that the HX Stomp is marketed as more of a more professional unit----and might receive more updates later, etc. My thinking is that if I go with the PodGO...I'll always be thinking in the back of my mind, "I should have just gotten the HX Stomp...and been done with it." I've recently dug into how to use snapshots----and I think that the 3 snapshot foot switches per preset would be fine for me. I could always have additional presets with snapshots. I'm not gigging live----sooo taking a few seconds/minutes to switch to the presets I want is probably fine.

Again, I ONLY play at home these days---- but like good gear and tinker around with things. I'd love to start recording myself---- Bass (primary instrument), Guitar, vocals, etc.... just to have some fun. I know I don't need to go with something like the Helix LT or full Helix units----soooo, the more I think about it, I feel the HX Stomp might be my best bet.

One question I want to make absolutely sure of with using the HX Stomp: Can I do dual-path blending with any type of AMP? My Trace Elliot head/cab DOES NOT have a FX Loop---so it's just an instrument-in on the front and that's it.

Overall thoughts? Opinions? I'm targeting the HX Stomp as my ONLY pedal ...adding the additional expression pedal later. I know the HX Stomp is more expensive---but it might be a better long-term solution.

Sooooo with that, I'm now leaning to the HX Stomp. BTW, PLEASE say a prayer for my poor wife that has been hearing me talk about the pros/cons all weekend... LMAO

THANKS EVERYONE!

 

[HelpImaRock]

@WhoopingHonky --- Thanks... I'm really leaning towards the HX Stomp... Here are my reasons:

• Although the PodGO has a built in volume pedal, I've read it's kinda "flimsy." I'm a bigger guy---and if I accidentally lean onto the expression pedal, I might break it----hence, damaging that part of the unit. Having an external expression pedal seems something I could replace easier/cheaper if I do something stupid or by accident. I can always get a volume pedal later----when I actually "NEED" one.

• The PodGO is ~14" wide---which would take of a good bit of space on my computer desk in the home office.... This "MIGHT" make it less appealing for me to pop in to the office to record/practice/take online lessons at my computer, using headphones. The HX Stomp is only about 6" wide---this would easily fit on my desk with room to spare. I might actually use the HX Stomp more---just due to it being easier to place on the desk....and move around with.

• I've heard time and again that bassists love playing around with the dual path for blending effects. This is something that I'd like to play around with and learn. I probably wouldn't really notice the different at the beginning---however, I'm thinking that I want to at least have the opportunity to tinker around with this.

• It just seems that the HX Stomp is marketed as more of a more professional unit----and might receive more updates later, etc. My thinking is that if I go with the PodGO...I'll always be thinking in the back of my mind, "I should have just gotten the HX Stomp...and been done with it." I've recently dug into how to use snapshots----and I think that the 3 snapshot foot switches per preset would be fine for me. I could always have additional presets with snapshots. I'm not gigging live----sooo taking a few seconds/minutes to switch to the presets I want is probably fine.

Again, I ONLY play at home these days---- but like good gear and tinker around with things. I'd love to start recording myself---- Bass (primary instrument), Guitar, vocals, etc.... just to have some fun. I know I don't need to go with something like the Helix LT or full Helix units----soooo, the more I think about it, I feel the HX Stomp might be my best bet.

One question I want to make absolutely sure of with using the HX Stomp: Can I do dual-path blending with any type of AMP? My Trace Elliot head/cab DOES NOT have a FX Loop---so it's just an instrument-in on the front and that's it.

Overall thoughts? Opinions? I'm targeting the HX Stomp as my ONLY pedal ...adding the additional expression pedal later. I know the HX Stomp is more expensive---but it might be a better long-term solution.

Sooooo with that, I'm now leaning to the HX Stomp. BTW, PLEASE say a prayer for my poor wife that has been hearing me talk about the pros/cons all weekend... LMAO

THANKS EVERYONE!

I think you're correct here. The original Helix is the flagship product. Everything else is a derivative. HX Stomp has half the processing power of the OG Helix. PodGo has less than the HX Stomp so it can live in it's own niche. Line 6 has provided the HX line with many updates in the past. Between the two, I'd go with the Stomp. That said, I'm holding out for Helix Stomp II, however many years in the future that might be released.

 

[WhoopingHonky]

The Stomp is still getting updates as the Helix gets updates, so until Line 6 discontinues the Helix, you can look forward to getting the updates free with the Stomp. There is no limitation on what Helix effects you can put in it unlike some of the other Line6 products, your only limit is how much processing power you have. Addressing your bulletpoints -

• I'm 270, and I have yet to break a volume pedal. I can't speak to the quality on the PodGo, but my preferred pedal for the Stomp is the one from Mission Engineering. It has a footswitch built in to the toe down position that you can use with the Stomp, so you not only get the expression pedal, you get a fourth footswitch. Handy if you need a boost or something.
• If it's a desktop unit, I would definitely suggest the Stomp. Any TRS cable can run down to your external expression, so you can still use your feet instead of doing the awkward hand controlled expression pedal. Which I have done more than enough when rewiring my board.
• Parallel processing is handy for bass on a lot of the standard effects, but it gives you a lot of space to be creative with it. Need a fuzz with the some clean low end built in? Easy, drop in a split path. What about something a bit more filling, toss a pitch up and overdrive in a split path and you can get a backing guitar. How about we get weird? Split a path with a reverb full wet into a delay and chorus, now you have a pad you can switch over to at a whim.
• Even if you don't use the snapshots, you can assign multiple parameters and blocks to each switch, which is how I tend to use it. Boost the gain on an amp model while cutting the channel volume so you don't have a massive volume boost, turn on a chorus and delay at the same time, etc.

As far as the dual path blending, you can set the paths to rejoin wherever in the chain you'd like. I usually only have one or two blocks in a split path into an amp sim since I run direct, but there are also folks that keep the chains split at the end to run in stereo. Even if you want a full split to the end, the Stomp can output both paths as mono without issue, so it could run right into the front end of your amp.

 

[William Sellers]

THANKS so much everyone... I appreciate all of your opinions. Gonna go with the HX Stomp. CHEERS!

 

[MovingPitchers]

I got an HX stomp for both my bass and guitar setups and honestly…it’s been the best investment I’ve made towards music gear in years.

For my bass rig sometimes I just take that with me and it’s more than enough.

 

[fretlessman71]

I sold nearly $1000 of pedals I don't/won't need anymore and got the HX Stomp. Best decision I've made in a while.

 

[William Sellers]

- @fretlessman71 , @MovingPitchers , @WhoopingHonky


Bam! Thanks everyone. unboxing time! -- OMG! MIND BLOWN!!!!! THIS thing is amazing! I've got a lot to learn----just spent some time going through the presets-----and making my standard "One of these Days" by Pink Floyd presets.....ya know...AMP+CAB and delay....something simple.

I played through headphones----and the volume seemed a little low---until I found the level adjustment at the end of the chain. SOUNDS AMAZING!

 

[WhoopingHonky]

Glad you're enjoying it. I heavily suggest going into the global settings at some point and playing around. Things like changing the input level, volume knob parameters, etc. There are a lot of little things in there that can set the experience to your particular setup.

 

[William Sellers]

Glad you're enjoying it. I heavily suggest going into the global settings at some point and playing around. Things like changing the input level, volume knob parameters, etc. There are a lot of little things in there that can set the experience to your particular setup.

THANKS SO MUCH!