When I first started playing guitar, I didn’t have an amp. My folks got me a Line 6 GuitarPort that connected to a giant Toshiba laptop. Later, I would save up money to buy a real tube amp and pedals—leading to a ridiculous spaceship pedalboard and dual boutique amp rig that with a few taps could send my sound into oblivion. But eventually I realized that a lot of my favorite effects were just DSP, and that the technology in profiling and modeling had drastically improved since I was a kid.
We were preparing to record the new Mosaic MSC live record, “Human,” and I wanted to use a device that could give me a ton of tonal options and signal routing options—enter the HX Stomp. Without the distraction of dozens of buttons under my feet, I could focus on worship and express dynamics with my hands. It helped me zoom out and think “what does this song actually need?”
It’s hilarious to me that I’ve come full-circle, and I’m playing guitar through a computer again. These patches are my first meandering into the world of the HX Stomp—tailored to each song on the Human (Deluxe) record. I keep coming back to them as the building blocks for future sounds.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
I built these patches using my Fender Ed O’Brien Sustainer Stratocaser, and Gretsch 6118 Double Anniversary model. Most of the patches are tailored to output stereo.
For each song, the ‘necessary’ effects are linked to the foot switches. Some of which will activate and bypass different blocks for maximum flexibility with the 2 available switches.
Snapshots are wide open for you to save adjustments that you like and come back to.
In each patch, there is a stereo effects loop block for sending signal to other devices. I like to connect things like an OP-1, modular synth, or tape deck for looping or sampling.
PATCH NOTES:
Everlasting Light - A15 (for less headroom) with tape delay, optional reverb
You, It’s Only You - A30 Fawn, light compression for the softer parts, wild fuzz for the big parts
Steady - A30 Fawn, like the song title suggests, keep it steady. Optional ‘vibe’ for vibe
Close To You - US Princess, multi delay thing going on for some more complex layering to an arpeggio part.
Fountain - A30 Fawn, chorus on the whole time, optional delay to bloom the ending
Dreams - A30 Fawn, switchable OD and Octave effects for the guitar line in the instrumental. Delay is sensitive, so try pressing into it with different dynamics.
Can’t Refuse - US Deluxe, this one is nice when played finger-style, optional reverb
You Never Fail Me - PHASER ALERT! Just a gentle swirl to play with the delays, a la Parachutes (you could also sub for the DL4 Sweep Echo but I like to turn the phase off sometimes)
Millions - A15 (kind like the less headroom on this one). It’s a little more rock and roll
Maker Of The Heavens - A15, very straightforward “staying out of the way” playing
Not Going Back - Matchstick Ch1, my favorite of the pack. Tape delay with very high feedback. Amp block also responds very well to dynamics. The lead part in the bridge is where this patch shines.