Is the HX Stomp a Good Audio Interface (For DAW Use & Playback Only)?

[Sleezy E]

only a maniac uses a modeller as an interface in 2025 when a dedicated one costs less than $100 brand new

 

[MirrorProfiles]

I think it's more that it would be less clutter on the desk, but yeah.

Swings and roundabouts, my cable management is way neater by not having headphones/studio monitors/cables going into the modeller and keeping them all as minimal as possible.

The idea of sending signal to my monitors from the modeller is just asking for all kinds of loud blasts and unexpected routing.

 

[Jarick]

Swings and roundabouts, my cable management is way neater by not having headphones/studio monitors/cables going into the modeller and keeping them all as minimal as possible.

The idea of sending signal to my monitors from the modeller is just asking for all kinds of loud blasts and unexpected routing.

Yeah I hate the idea of running direct from modeler to monitors. Headphones aren't as bad because I always have the volume very low. But nothing worse than the pop when turning things on/off. Just about ever interface I've had has some kind of protection from the popping when turning on/off.

 

[mercifulfuzziness]

only a maniac uses a modeller as an interface in 2025 when a dedicated one costs less than $100 brand new

Well, in my defense .. I already had the stomp so I just started using it as the audio interface

 

[mercifulfuzziness]

Yeah I hate the idea of running direct from modeler to monitors. Headphones aren't as bad because I always have the volume very low. But nothing worse than the pop when turning things on/off. Just about ever interface I've had has some kind of protection from the popping when turning on/off.

What? I have never experienced this one. What pop?

 

[MirrorProfiles]

Well, in my defense .. I already had the stomp so I just started using it as the audio interface

Ha it’s very valid as a stopgap or problem solver, but a very easy quality of life upgrade for long term use

 

[mercifulfuzziness]

Ha it’s very valid as a stopgap or problem solver, but a very easy quality of life upgrade for long term use

Okay but why ? Serious question! If the sound quality is the same and I don’t need to worry about latency.. why still upgrade to a motu or Scarlett?

Now an Apollo or babyface … I get that. That looks sexy as hell!

 

[MirrorProfiles]

Okay but why ? Serious question! If the sound quality is the same and I don’t need to worry about latency.. why still upgrade to a motu or Scarlett?

Now an Apollo or babyface … I get that. That looks sexy as hell!

- you can move your modeller around with you (to rehearsals/gigs/away from your computer) without having to unplug your monitors each time
- you can stomp on your pedal without fear of pulling cables and knocking speakers over
- less clutter between having ALL of your necessary cabling on available I/O
- easier to balance levels of various audio sources using a dedicated interface
- which can lead to less unexpected/accidental blasts of noise
- it'll make it easier to use other mics and gear

 

[mercifulfuzziness]

- you can move your modeller around with you (to rehearsals/gigs/away from your computer) without having to unplug your monitors each time
- you can stomp on your pedal without fear of pulling cables and knocking speakers over
- less clutter between having ALL of your necessary cabling on available I/O
- easier to balance levels of various audio sources using a dedicated interface
- which can lead to less unexpected/accidental blasts of noise
- it'll make it easier to use other mics and gear

Haha okay you did not read my first post :)

 

[MirrorProfiles]

Haha okay you did not read my first post :)

Because I mentioned using it with guitars? If its literally just playing audio back, why not use a built in computer sound card and skip the middle man?

 

[paisleywookiee]

only a maniac uses a modeller as an interface in 2025 when a dedicated one costs less than $100 brand new

I use the FM9 as an interface, but only if it’s that which I’m recording. Otherwise, I’ve got a UA Volt 476.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

I use the FM9 as an interface, but only if it’s that which I’m recording. Otherwise, I’ve got a UA Volt 476.

Out of interest, what’s the reason vs just running it into the Volt? To record DI’s and main outs and minimise rounds of conversion?

 

[paisleywookiee]

Out of interest, what’s the reason vs just running it into the Volt? To record DI’s and main outs and minimise rounds of conversion?

Yessir, both those reasons.

 

[LP59]

• Drivers & Latency: HX Stomp performs decently here. It’s class-compliant and works fine on most systems, but it’s not as rock-solid or low-latency optimized as interfaces designed specifically for studio workflows. MOTU in particular tends to have better performance/stability in this range.

It's not a matter of optimization to get low latency. A multifx has more processing to do than a dedicated audio interface, so a multifx will always have higher latency. There's no free lunch. OTOH, when you're recording the HX Stomp, the latency doesn't matter. The latency would only matter if you're monitoring through your DAW, for example when using it to play an amp sim plugin.

 

[mercifulfuzziness]

It's not a matter of optimization to get low latency. A multifx has more processing to do than a dedicated audio interface, so a multifx will always have higher latency. There's no free lunch. OTOH, when you're recording the HX Stomp, the latency doesn't matter. The latency would only matter if you're monitoring through your DAW, for example when using it to play an amp sim plugin.

That is what I am doing.

Think logic, bunch of channels. Vsts.

But on page 1 somebody also said that latency is barely an issue and the drivers are clean.

 

[mercifulfuzziness]

Maybe a side question.

If I need a new audio interface (still bit confused about that)

What would I need more?

Headphones or the audio interface?

I am not mixing on studio monitors but the room is untreated. So I mix , then I export it to wav and listen in my car .. in the living room etc

But maybe it’s better to also have good headphones so I have not a room interfering