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This is specifically for when you want to switch channels and EQ status on a Mesa/Boogie Mark V:25 / 35, directly from HX Effects presets you've created, which contain one or more effect (i.e.; one preset footswitch controls both the effects you've assigned to the preset, AND the Mark V:25's amp channels and EQ, according to your needs). It is not for assigning a single footswitch to simply switch between amp channels, although this may be helpful for that where the TRS jack connections are concerned.
I'm posting this to hopefully save many people countless hours of Internet searching and video-watching. I know many people have gotten frustrated trying to figure out how to do this, as it has been difficult with some MESA Mark series amps with the footswitchable EQ. So here's how to successfully set up the Mark V:25 with the Line 6 HX Effects unit, so that you have full switching capabilities:
NOTE: I have only tested this with a Mark V:25, but I suspect it may work with the Mark V:35 and the Mark V.
This is how I'm using the HX Effects in conjunction with my Mesa Mark V:25 ...
HX FX in BANK Mode: 4 switches, each containing multiple effects, each with it's own amp switching option. You will need to translate this to your own type of mode: Bank mode, Preset mode, Snapshot mode, etc. In BANK mode, I can make the settings to an 'unlimited' number of footswitch Presets - or whatever they call it when you step on a switch and many effects & functions change at once.
CONFIGUARATIONS:
On your Mark V:25, make sure the EQ switches are set to 'EQ-FS', so that it will accept commands from the HX-FX.
Power on the HX-FX, connect it to your computer, open the HX Edit software, and make sure the HX-FX is recognized by the software.
Plug the (MESA original) TRS cable into the HR-FX's 'Ext. Amp' jack 1 (I have not tried jack 2, but it's probably exactly the same).
Plug the other end into the Mark V's channel jack, and then power the amp on.
You will need to edit each individual preset (active footswitch, whatever you call all these crap terms they're using) separately, making sure each one is not just highlighted in the software, but that you actually have it selected.
In HX Edit, select your preset from the left side column (double-click to make sure it's activated). Then go to: top menu Window > Command Center > Source Type > select 'Ext Amp' from the drop-down, and then make the settings for each of your presets (footswitches) as follows, according to which amp control settings you want (see image below). IMPORTANT - make sure you Save your presets each time you make a change to a footswitch patch. You can select the same (in my case, the 1st) lighting bolt icon, as it's settings are not shared with other presets. Other lighting bolts (commands) can be set for various other things per preset.
'Source Type' TRS controller settings (use as needed, but here are all four config's):
• Chan 1 with EQ Off = no assign
• Chan 1 with EQ On = (1 Ring)
• Chan 2 with EQ On = (1 T+R)
• Chan 2 with EQ Off = (1 Tip)
You have to manually switch each channel's mode, of course.
As an example, I use the above settings as follows:
- Footswitch preset 1: Chan 1 with EQ Off - (for completely clean tones using the Mark V:25's Clean & Fat mode. For me, this is a stand-alone setting that I only use occasionally, with chorus, delay, reverb, etc.).
- Footswitch preset 2: Chan 1 with with EQ On - (for a great crunch/rhythm tone using the Mark V:25's Crunch mode. This is where I spent the most time, using the guitar's volume control for more/less gain).
- Footswitch preset 3: Chan 2 with EQ On - (for Rock/Metal rhythm tones. Balance the master volume with the Crunch channel for hi-gain rhythms, or increase the master if you want it to be your solo channel).
- Footswitch preset 4: Chan 2 with EQ Off - (I don't use Chan 2 without the EQ, but you can if you want to. I may set this up as a volume or gain boost preset for solos.)
There are other possiblities, but the haeart of this is understanding how the TRS configuration works to create all 4 possible functions.
A visual of how make the controller settings in HX Edit:
You shouldn't have any issues (I haven't), but if you've made the correct settings and something's not working right, try power cycling the HX-FX. I have not needed to do this.
Last words:
If you get lost, just power cycle your HX-FX and start over.
Once you are successful, don't forget to perform a full backup.
If you can find ways to use single footswitches for toggling your own channel switching functions, God bless you, and post about it here clearly and concisely.
I'm posting this to hopefully save many people countless hours of Internet searching and video-watching. I know many people have gotten frustrated trying to figure out how to do this, as it has been difficult with some MESA Mark series amps with the footswitchable EQ. So here's how to successfully set up the Mark V:25 with the Line 6 HX Effects unit, so that you have full switching capabilities:
NOTE: I have only tested this with a Mark V:25, but I suspect it may work with the Mark V:35 and the Mark V.
This is how I'm using the HX Effects in conjunction with my Mesa Mark V:25 ...
HX FX in BANK Mode: 4 switches, each containing multiple effects, each with it's own amp switching option. You will need to translate this to your own type of mode: Bank mode, Preset mode, Snapshot mode, etc. In BANK mode, I can make the settings to an 'unlimited' number of footswitch Presets - or whatever they call it when you step on a switch and many effects & functions change at once.
CONFIGUARATIONS:
On your Mark V:25, make sure the EQ switches are set to 'EQ-FS', so that it will accept commands from the HX-FX.
Power on the HX-FX, connect it to your computer, open the HX Edit software, and make sure the HX-FX is recognized by the software.
Plug the (MESA original) TRS cable into the HR-FX's 'Ext. Amp' jack 1 (I have not tried jack 2, but it's probably exactly the same).
Plug the other end into the Mark V's channel jack, and then power the amp on.
You will need to edit each individual preset (active footswitch, whatever you call all these crap terms they're using) separately, making sure each one is not just highlighted in the software, but that you actually have it selected.
In HX Edit, select your preset from the left side column (double-click to make sure it's activated). Then go to: top menu Window > Command Center > Source Type > select 'Ext Amp' from the drop-down, and then make the settings for each of your presets (footswitches) as follows, according to which amp control settings you want (see image below). IMPORTANT - make sure you Save your presets each time you make a change to a footswitch patch. You can select the same (in my case, the 1st) lighting bolt icon, as it's settings are not shared with other presets. Other lighting bolts (commands) can be set for various other things per preset.
'Source Type' TRS controller settings (use as needed, but here are all four config's):
• Chan 1 with EQ Off = no assign
• Chan 1 with EQ On = (1 Ring)
• Chan 2 with EQ On = (1 T+R)
• Chan 2 with EQ Off = (1 Tip)
You have to manually switch each channel's mode, of course.
As an example, I use the above settings as follows:
- Footswitch preset 1: Chan 1 with EQ Off - (for completely clean tones using the Mark V:25's Clean & Fat mode. For me, this is a stand-alone setting that I only use occasionally, with chorus, delay, reverb, etc.).
- Footswitch preset 2: Chan 1 with with EQ On - (for a great crunch/rhythm tone using the Mark V:25's Crunch mode. This is where I spent the most time, using the guitar's volume control for more/less gain).
- Footswitch preset 3: Chan 2 with EQ On - (for Rock/Metal rhythm tones. Balance the master volume with the Crunch channel for hi-gain rhythms, or increase the master if you want it to be your solo channel).
- Footswitch preset 4: Chan 2 with EQ Off - (I don't use Chan 2 without the EQ, but you can if you want to. I may set this up as a volume or gain boost preset for solos.)
There are other possiblities, but the haeart of this is understanding how the TRS configuration works to create all 4 possible functions.
A visual of how make the controller settings in HX Edit:
You shouldn't have any issues (I haven't), but if you've made the correct settings and something's not working right, try power cycling the HX-FX. I have not needed to do this.
Last words:
If you get lost, just power cycle your HX-FX and start over.
Once you are successful, don't forget to perform a full backup.
If you can find ways to use single footswitches for toggling your own channel switching functions, God bless you, and post about it here clearly and concisely.
Last edited:
