Line 6's new HX One unit specially targets Multi-FX Sceptics

So this is an interesting move / departure by Line 6 where their intent is obviously to target those hoards of stompbox fans who have not yet succumbed to the Multi-FX way of things a la Helix. You get the same core library of algorithms and effects - but in a more compact format - which allows you to utilise just one at a time - to dovetail into the more typical analog stompbox experience.

While I agree with other commentators that the whole charm of a Multi-FX unit is in how you can combine different effects. Many devices - like Eventide’s H90 and GFI System’s Synesthesia make a virtue of the fact that you can combine two stereo effects at a time - and with more typically large format boxes you can set up a chain of effects blocks - where you can combine as many as 20 or 30 at a time.

So when I see the HX One I totally sort of get it - but do wonder who will really want to buy it! The advantage of a Multi-FX unit is typically the sum of its parts. When you try separate and isolate each of those independently and put them up against other single FX units - say of an analog variety - how many are going to prefer the single Line 6 DSP take on that vintage circuit / pedal? I’ve actually used these kinds of boxes most as Multi-Modulators - as has been the case for both my Eventide H90 and GFI Synesthesia. So were I in the market for one of these that would be my preferred use also - so similar sized box to the Syneshtesia - but not quite with the advanced control dynamics of that.

I remember the early large format Helix units - where it was all about ’colour’ - those beautiful large high contrast colourful screens, and colour-coded LED strips that you could control for every footswitch. By contrast the HX One is largely stripped of colour / colour assignment. And the screen looks very tiny and old-fashioned / dated in this context.

The overall ergonomics of the pedal are decent - the 3 easy access Parameter knobs, and the Effects Library and Presets navigation seems very intuitive - the ability to quickly scan through categories, adjust settings and save and recall presets.

Line 6 is also making a feature of ’Flux’ footswitch control - which is essentially their take on Alexander Pedals’ footswitch ’Ramping’ - where you can Ramp up or down set parameters for each effect - really cool, and pretty well implemented from what I can see.

This is still a pretty powerful unit - with the full library of 267 effects - while I feel that more could have been done with this form factor to appeal to existing fans of the format too - so that you could say combine 3 effects at a time - like the TC Electronic Plethora X3 - that would have been really cool - and would have had far wider appeal I feel!

The $299 / €319 / £249 Price point seems about right too - so hopefully this will find its audience. I feel that every device should have some significant degree of innovation to it - while this is slightly coming across to me as a stripped-down and cut-back unit. I’m still open-minded - and even though it has more algorithms onboard - I don’t see it unseating my H90 - so somewhat surplus to my own requirements currently therefore.

Algorithms / Effects Overview

• Gain / Distortion : 59 varieties
• Dynamics & EQ : 26 varieties
• Modulation : 56 varieties
• Delay : 45 varieties
• Reverb : 23 varieties
• Pitch / Synth : 29 varieties
• Wah / Filter : 25 varieties
• Looper : 4 varieties
• TOTAL : 267

Controls - Param 1, Param 2, Param 3, Page Left, Effect Selector / Category / Settings, Page Right, On LED, Home / Save Button, Tap / Flux LED, Bypass / Up Footswitch, Tap / Flux / Down Footswitch.

Ins & Outs - MIDI In, MIDI Out/Thru, L/Mono In, Right In (Return) In, L/Mono Out, Right Out (Send), 9V DC [-] 500mA, USB-C, EXP FS 3/4.