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.
Expert guidance for using the HX Stomp device library in MIDI Markdown files.
Invoke this skill when working with:
@import "devices/hx_stomp.mmd"
[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
[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
HX Stomp has ONLY 3 SNAPSHOTS (0-2)
This is the single biggest limitation for live performance compared to:
Challenge: Most songs have 4+ sections (intro, verse, chorus, bridge, solo, outro)
3 snapshots is often not enough for:
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
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
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
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)
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:
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
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)
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.
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
[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).
HX Stomp has USB MIDI ONLY (no 5-pin DIN).
Implications:
Recommended solutions for live use:
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
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 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.
# ❌ 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
# ❌ 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
USB MIDI has jitter issues for clock sync.
Consider using external MIDI interface with 5-pin DIN output if clock sync is critical.
Best for:
Best for: Users needing more footswitches but not full Helix
Best for: Complex songs, professional touring, maximum flexibility
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.
| 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 |
devices/hx_stomp.mmddevices/line6_common.mmd (imported automatically)Official Manual: https://line6.com/support/manuals/hxstomp
3.80 (current as of library version)