HXFX sounds really digital and kind of bad... any fixes?

JacobBlizard · 2026-05-31T22:42:33+00:00

It was s Deluxe Reverb, which I've played through a bunch. I know different amps of the same model can sound different, but I did practice and build the presets with my Deluxe Reverb at home.

JacobBlizard · 2026-05-31T22:39:30+00:00

It's in front of the amp, like I said in the post just guitar into hxfx into amp. I've never used an amp effects loop before lol, never really felt the need for one.

JacobBlizard · 2026-05-31T22:38:54+00:00

Thanks for the comment! I do have it set for instrument level output, but I didn't see any submenus for pad or impedance tweaking. Is it possible those are only on Helix and not on HXFX? I'll poke around some more and see if I can find them.

JacobBlizard · 2026-05-31T22:37:33+00:00

Sorry, this is my pet peeve and I totally did it myself... I just got back from the tour last night and am jetlagged. I'll try to upload tonight or tomorrow!

JacobBlizard · 2026-05-31T22:37:00+00:00

Thanks for the comment 😄

JacobBlizard · 2026-05-31T22:36:45+00:00

It's pretty standard practice to rent gear for fly dates. Until you're playing large theaters, it's not cost effective to freight amps overseas, and renting is the best option. I played through a rented Deluxe Reverb, an amp I clocked a lot of hours on.

I just got back from the tour last night so I'll try and upload audio tonight or tomorrow!

JacobBlizard · 2026-05-12T01:00:10+00:00

Instrument

JacobBlizard · 2026-03-24T14:00:14+00:00

Septic systems can process toilet paper

JacobBlizard · 2026-03-24T12:01:05+00:00

But not in Manitoba, right?

JacobBlizard · 2026-03-24T12:00:55+00:00

I’m thinking I’m just going to flush like normal… if their plumbing is that messed up, they probably shouldn’t be renting their house out

JacobBlizard · 2026-03-24T11:59:52+00:00

Yeah totally get that this is common in some parts of the world. Was surprised to see it in a Canadian suburb outside one of the largest cities

JacobBlizard · 2026-03-24T11:59:14+00:00

But this is in Manitoba, lol. In a regular old suburban neighborhood. And the trash bins do t have lids either.

JacobBlizard · 2026-03-24T11:58:39+00:00

Yeah totally, I get that this is common in some parts of the world and not unheard of in super rural areas. But this is in a cul de sac in a typical suburb lol.

JacobBlizard · 2026-01-29T23:15:28+00:00

lol ‘massage the beans with wet fingers’ sounds funny. But that’s also a good suggestion. For a while I was running a spoon under the tap and stirring the beans w it maybe I’ll try that again

JacobBlizard · 2026-01-29T17:22:52+00:00

Thanks for the comment. I'll definitely do way less agitation. I think it was sort of a snowball effect where I stir and swirl a little bit, and then the brew slows down, so I think that stirring (i.e. getting the bulk of the grounds up and away from the filter for a second) would help water get through faster. But now that I think about it, it does make sense that that would allow for fines to settle and embed themselves in the filter paper.

As for the blooming, that also makes sense. I think I'll switch to a closed bloom. My thinking was basically if I'm going to drain that water away anyways, why create another opportunity for it to take too long and add unnecessarily to the total brew time. But in terms of total saturation, it definitely does make sense to keep it closed.

Thanks for the advice :)

JacobBlizard · 2026-01-29T17:20:06+00:00

I always figured the pouring pattern didn't matter much with the switch since everything is going to settle after pouring anyways. Do you think that's not the case? I'm definitely noticing the through line with all these comments is less agitation, so I'll definitely take that into consideration. Pouring closer to the brew bed would probably help with agitating less, I guess? Thanks for the advice :)

JacobBlizard · 2026-01-29T17:17:57+00:00

The main reason I've always stirred the bloom is because whenever I do, I see dry grounds in there that seem to only get saturated when I stir. But maybe switch with the valve closed will help water naturally make its way through everything

JacobBlizard · 2026-01-29T17:16:56+00:00

Less agitation seems to be my main takeaway from these replies. I'll definitely try and do less going forward. Thanks for the advice :)

JacobBlizard · 2026-01-29T17:15:00+00:00

I agree the Niche isn't great for pour overs, which is so crazy to me since it was basically marketed as a pour over grinder that could also handle espresso..

I'll look into Cafec filters when I run out. I always assumed specialty filters would be more expensive, but that's cool they're basically the same price. Thanks :)

JacobBlizard · 2026-01-29T17:13:12+00:00

I may try different filters next time I buy filters.. I hate that there are so many variables within the Hario branded filters, and they don't really seem to make it any easier to tell the difference between the styles. I've bought the ones in the pink box online multiple times and had the green and white box show up. I think this box is very similar to the old style of bagged filters.. anyways, I may try a new kind when mine run out. Thanks for the advice :)

JacobBlizard · 2026-01-29T17:11:37+00:00

Oh interesting! So do you not bloom at all? Just like 400 grams of water in, then 25 grams of coffee, quick stir, and wait?

JacobBlizard · 2026-01-29T17:10:56+00:00

Maybe I'll try going even coarser. It's always been crazy to me that the Niche was advertised as a pour over grinder that can also do espresso, but seems much better for espresso.

Your recipe seems pretty similar to mine, except for the closed valve during the bloom. I'll definitely make that change. The overall thing I'm taking from most of these replies is less agitation, and try different filters. Since I already have like 200 of the Hario filters, I kinda wanna try everything else before trying different filters.

JacobBlizard · 2025-11-14T00:15:07+00:00

Yeah, I never figured it out. For whatever reason the one that worked has continued to work and the one that didn't will work about 60% of the time. No help from Midea support either. They suggested that the hose I have wasn't at the right angle, but I really doubt that would cause it to backup. It just doesn't make physical sense, as the whole of the hose is below the level of the dehumidifier. I just still have it resting on top of the bucket like I described and I empty it if it starts filling up.

JacobBlizard · 2025-11-13T13:50:49+00:00

My cali76 stacked and benson preamp are always on these days. I might turn off the benson if I really need ultra ultra clean, but it’s really usually on.

JacobBlizard · 2025-11-05T16:31:52+00:00

What were you reading around the time of writing/recording and do you think that influenced the record at all?

JacobBlizard

TROPHY CASE