What’s included:

• 1 HX/Helix Preset - “CMC Bass Rig 1”

• 3 Tonex Presets - “Ampeg Bass Grinder”

• Instructions to Download Tonex Capture on ToneNet (see below)

Installation

All presets require the most recent updates of the Tonex software app, HX Edit, and current firmware release for both pedals. If you run into trouble early, this is likely where your problem is. 

To install:

1. Unzip the file to preferred location

2. Connect your HX product

3. Open the HX Edit software on your computer. 

4. Navigate to the folder you want your preset in within HX Edit

5. Drag and drop the presets from your folder into the preset column of HX Edit. A dialogue box will ask if you want to replace the current preset, so make sure it’s over an empty preset (or one you want to replace) and click Yes. 

6. You can close HX Edit and disconnect your pedal.

1. Connect your Tonex

2. Open the Tonex software on your computer. 

3. Go to the “Librarian” tab at the top left of the window. 

4. Find a bank of 3 with 3 presets you’re okay to replace. Drag “Ampeg Bass Grinder Drive” onto preset A. Drag “Ampeg Bass Grinder” onto preset B. Drag “Ampeg Bass Grinder Clean” onto preset C. Placing them in this order will align them with the foot switches in my video, but you can lay them out however you want.

5. Go to: https://tone.net/tonex/tonemodels/31459 and click “Download” to install the “Ampeg Bass Grinder” Tone Model to your device

IMPORTANT: Set the “Volume” on the Tonex to max. Use the Stomp Volume for master output level.

If you have questions, reach out on social media or email me at jordan@churchmusicco.com

Signal Chain with Block Descriptions

HX Stomp:

1. Deluxe Comp

2. Boctaver

3. Synth String

4. Vermin Dist in parallel signal path

5. Ampeg Liquifier Chorus

6. FX Loop (to and from Tonex)

7. EQ for Low-pass Filter 

• Snapshot 1: Clean

• Snapshot 2: Synth + EQ

• Snapshot 3: Chorus

Tonex:

1. Noise Gate

2. Amp

3. EQ

4. Compressor

Footswitch Assignments

You can make the rig work with any combination of Tonex and HX products, but if you install it on a full Tonex and an HX Stomp, you can apply my footswitch assignments as well. Here’s how they’re set up:

HX Stomp:

IMPORTANT: For these assignments to be accurate, you’ll need a passive footswitch (extra) and to set your footswitch 4 & 5  to “Stomp 4” and “Stomp 5” respectively in the global settings of the pedal.

1. Rat in Parallel

2. Octave Down

3. Tuner

4. Chorus

5. Synth + Low Pass Filter

Tonex:

  A. Ampeg SVT - driven with mid push

  B. Ampeg SVT - on the edge of breakup

  C. Ampeg SVT - CLEAN clean with heavy compression

Best Practices and Use Cases

HX Stomp:

• Use the Rat aggressively. You can get away with it a lot more often than you’d think.

• The octave pedal tends to track better on the E string and the A string, so you’ll do better to play high on those strings rather than play your higher notes on your D and G string. Best rule of thumb- keep the octaving to the first two strings.

• The chorus is set pretty subtle. A lot of songs employ chorus when playing chords higher on the neck. This chorus sounds fantastic in that scenario.

• The synth is really pumpy and does some wild stuff character-wise. Play around with combining it with the Rat when the octaver just isn’t what you’re looking for. 

• You can switch footswitch 3 to another function if you want to access your tuner with the “Action” and “Page >” buttons

Tonex:

• The middle footswitch (B) on the Tonex is meant to be home base. If you need less drive, roll your volume back a little or play a little more lightly. 

• If you need ZERO drive and to fill the dang subs for an indefinite period of time, switch over to footswitch C on the Tonex to engage the clean preset

• If you need the final level of gain to send the song to the top, engage footswitch A on the Tonex for the drive and mid push preset.

FAQ and Troubleshooting 

Can I use these presets with a Helix, HX Effects, or Tonex ONE?

• Yes. You won’t have the same footswitch functionality, but all presets and captures are compatible with all HX and Tonex products.

Can I use these presets with a PodGo?

• No. Unfortunately, HX Presets and Pod presets are not cross-compatible.

How do I wire my pedals to work correctly?

• Plug your input from your guitar into the Input of the HX Stomp. Plug a patch cable into the “Send” on the right side of the Stomp and then into the Input of the Tonex. Patch the output of the Tonex into the L/Mono return on the HX Stomp. 

I’m getting signal to my tuner, but no output from the Stomp

• The problem is likely the patch cables going from the Stomp to the Tonex and back. Try switching the plugs on just the HX Stomp and see if that fixes it. Double check to make sure the Tonex volume is turned up.

How do I use footswitch 4 and 5 on the HX Stomp

• The original sized HX Stomp only has 3 foot switches, so you’ll need a passive pair of foot switches from a third party manufacturer. I recommend the Pedalnetics Helauxy Duo that mounts directly on top.

My signal is too quiet or too driven. Is it supposed to sound like this?

• The patches have a good amount of distortion, which is especially noticeable when you’re playing alone. Try playing with a recording at a loud volume to see how it sounds in a mix. If your signal needs adjusting (especially up), raise the “Level” setting on the compressor block of the HX Stomp up or down 2-3 dB. If you need help getting the patches to sound right, please reach out.

If you have questions, reach out on social media or email me at jordan@churchmusicco.com