ChudFusk wrote: Tue Jul 18, 2023 4:02 pm I think the hand-wringing about “menu-diving” is based on fear which is based on ignorance. The shit is not that complicated if you just give it a try.

Seriously. If Johnny Demarco or whatever his name is can figure this stuff out so can y'all.

I'll never forget from my first recording experience, my mind being blown left and right by the skills of a 20-something dude taking bong rips every hour.. "how did you learn all of this??"

"I read the instruction manuals."

A little bit self-directed as I need to read up on the Minilogue Edit modes

Time spent reading and posting on this forum could be used for reading manuals and experimenting with settings, jussayin.

Maybe start by ceasing to tell yourself you can’t learn, and at least acknowledge that you have simply decided that you won’t. And then, if that does not sound like the kind of person you want to be, then decide that you can and will learn.

Remember, there are people out there who say that pedals are too complicated and that they just want to use a guitar and an amp. You are obviously OK with using pedals, so know that it is all in the mind.

Hold up, all. There’s a lot of assumptions happening here. Of course we can learn it. I go through a shitload of menus setting up a tv when I get a new one. I read the manual. I know how to use all of the parameters on an analog synth. As a parallel example, it’s still a huge fucking drag programming a synth that has eliminated all of the knobs and replaced them with a dedicated data wheel. I hate little screens with deep menus. I’ve tried! At some point I stop doing it and abandon those synths altogether. Everyone’s patience, interest, and propensity to rabbit hole on different topics and technical manuals is different. End of soap box.

Back to Ben’s awesome job.

I have the Helix Native plugin for my DAW (thanks, Ben!) and it sounds great. I’d totally entertain getting the Helix Stomp for my bass rig if I had a gig that justified it. The only thing that concerns me about stuff like that (I feel the same way about digital mixers) is that if something breaks on it you’re SoL.

I had an HX stomp for a bit and I really liked the amps & cabs but I had issues with replicating some of my effects pedals. Additionally, the lack of "Spillover" when switching between presets on the HX Stomp made it really difficult to use it in a live setting as there is a brief cut out when changing presets. It is a minor quibble, but it made it tough to switch between complex patches seamlessly.

I think everyone is entitled to create art in whatever manner works for them

penningtron wrote: Tue Jul 18, 2023 5:12 pm

ChudFusk wrote: Tue Jul 18, 2023 4:02 pm I think the hand-wringing about “menu-diving” is based on fear which is based on ignorance. The shit is not that complicated if you just give it a try.

Seriously. If Johnny Demarco or whatever his name is can figure this stuff out so can y'all.

In my case, it's not about not being able to figure it out. I'm fine with that. I just don't particularly enjoy the peering and the workflow. Twiddling knobs and listening to the results lands differently with me, for some reason. The pedals/devices I have with menus just get used less.

WeStartToDrift wrote: Tue Jul 18, 2023 7:34 pm Additionally, the lack of "Spillover" when switching between presets on the HX Stomp made it really difficult to use it in a live setting as there is a brief cut out when changing presets. It is a minor quibble, but it made it tough to switch between complex patches seamlessly.

As in switching to a new pedal bank on the spot? That's probably going beyond its reasonable capabilities, the analog equivalent would be rearranging pedals or swapping out a whole board on the spot. Also a good case to move up a size if that's something you need to do a lot (the 3 switches on the small model does seem a bit limiting).

I can totally appreciate the work, knowledge and expertise of our esteemed friend Ben. He is taking something that (as evidenced by this thread) was once maligned and alienating to a certain type of person, and helped to expand the usability and quality of the technology and interface to a point that world class musicians are not only taking note, but taking part. I have nothing but respect and admiration for you, Ben.

I will also say that it is completely fair to be an artist that prefers to draw with charcoal rather than on an iPad. Certain tools help ignite the spark of creativity or simplify the act of expression and that relationship is different for everyone.

penningtron wrote: Tue Jul 18, 2023 5:12 pm

ChudFusk wrote: Tue Jul 18, 2023 4:02 pm I think the hand-wringing about “menu-diving” is based on fear which is based on ignorance. The shit is not that complicated if you just give it a try.

Seriously. If Johnny Demarco or whatever his name is can figure this stuff out so can y'all.

I'll never forget from my first recording experience, my mind being blown left and right by the skills of a 20-something dude taking bong rips every hour.. "how did you learn all of this??"

"I read the instruction manuals."

A little bit self-directed as I need to read up on the Minilogue Edit modes

Not to mention the tiny cryptic 16 digit dark LED screens of the 90's era Yamaha and Roland stuff are mostly a thing of the past. These days some screens are near phone level GUI that are so user friendly you can work it without looking at a manual at all. Some shit even gives you phone interface over bluetooth like UA (I think). Pretty easy to use. There are exceptions, looking at you Sonicware!