Helix Stadium wishlist

[molul]

There will be so many comments about what we saw yesterday, so I thought I'd create a separate thread for this.

These are the things that were not talked about yesterday, but might (hopefully) still be part of the Stadium on release or shortly after:

• New Helix Native (because they've said the Agoura amps won't hit Native, so I really hope that only means there's a new plugin on the works). Not ever having this, would be a big deal breaker for me, as much as I loved what I saw yesterday.
• Endless or huge amount of snapshots that you can arrange in a sequence.
• Poly synths.
• A 3-voice harmonizer with formants that can be used for vocals, so I can get rid of my Boss VE500 and use Helix Stadium as the Helix Vocals I always wished for.
• Insta-tuner access (thread)
• Better fuzzes.

 

[Sascha Franck]

New Helix Native (because they've said the Agoura amps won't hit Native, so I really hope that only means there's a new plugin on the works). Not ever having this, would be a big deal breaker for me, as much as I loved what I saw yesterday.

No idea about anything else, but I'm pretty sure they'll come up with a HXS Native plugin, given how many existing HX users just love the interplay between plugin and hardware. Also quite a USP.

 

[molul]

Another minor thing: consistent parameter order between blocks of the same type.

And more a fear than a request: please don't do like Kemper and don't charge for features unlocking.

 

[laxu]

Another minor thing: consistent parameter order between blocks of the same type.

Absolutely. This is my biggest beef with the current Helix.



If you look at the timestamped section of the video where they scroll through amp models, you can see this issue still exists on the Helix Stadium. While it's unavoidable for some models that just have a very different control system, it still sucks that you have e.g Drive move around because there's a channel selector as the 1st param, and similarly Level is not a parameter that is always the last in the first page.

Another issue is that Drive is at the opposite end from Level and Master. To me those tie together so heavily that they should be grouped together, see mockup below:

Another thing I'd like to see is parameter grouping based on their importance. This is more important for effects, where e.g a tape delay wow&flutter is not as important as delay time or feedback. The idea is to help the user understand "is this a typically adjusted, or an advanced tweak parameter?"

I made a mockup of this previously for Helix Native, the idea is simply color coded grouping with the colors based on a palette for the block colors.

 

[TheTrueZoltan!]

1. Low latency USB drivers
2. Plugin version

 

[molul]

Absolutely. This is my biggest beef with the current Helix.



If you look at the timestamped section of the video where they scroll through amp models, you can see this issue still exists on the Helix Stadium. While it's unavoidable for some models that just have a very different control system, it still sucks that you have e.g Drive move around because there's a channel selector as the 1st param, and similarly Level is not a parameter that is always the last in the first page.

Another issue is that Drive is at the opposite end from Level and Master. To me those tie together so heavily that they should be grouped together, see mockup below:


View attachment 46402
Another thing I'd like to see is parameter grouping based on their importance. This is more important for effects, where e.g a tape delay wow&flutter is not as important as delay time or feedback. The idea is to help the user understand "is this a typically adjusted, or an advanced tweak parameter?"

I made a mockup of this previously for Helix Native, the idea is simply color coded grouping with the colors based on a palette for the block colors.

I would argue that delay time and feedback should be at the top of any delay parameters list, being the common ones and the first ones you should set.

 

[contrario]

They should at least give us the ability to change the power tubes, a bright cap toggle and negative feedback parameter if not many more parameters like Fractal.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

- Plugin Version, but also, a plugin that really goes to town and pushes boundaries on that platform. Not just Stadium Edit as a plugin. I bought into the Helix HW because I knew there was a plugin too.

- UPDATES/SUPPORT FOR METALLURGY! Total abandonware/red headed stepchild since launch.

- Bin that side angle 3D graphic view. I don’t mind Helix’s generic look/sliders as much as some, but I think as Laxu says, the way parameters are presented can be improved a lot. I’d actually like to see more graphics, more visual feedback, more distinction between control types and how they’re laid out. Let’s move away from a long list of parameters. Borrow the best things about using the real HW.

- modular peripherals. DI/reamp box, maybe a customised fx loop expander, additional screen or haptic encoders, maybe even a mixer

- smart preset levelling. The devices have DI’s on board, I’m sure behind the scenes they could run them through presets and make a guess at a correct output level.

- presets within blocks. As well as user created versions of settings, they could even contain behind the scenes tweaks. Modded versions of amps, different production revisions etc. Group the like for like stuff, get away from lists. Pretty sure this will be implemented already to some degree but I hope they can go to town on it. It would be cool to have some smart way of handling presets on different platforms - for instance keeping routing or signal paths consistent but only importing certain blocks. Maybe a way to apply like for like settings from one preset to another but without importing anything new.

- I wouldn’t mind seeing more modular plugins. Plugins are already used as a means of mixing and matching different things. A dedicated streamlined version of just a tuner or just amps or just a cab engine would be nice.

- Maybe some smart views that can organise things based on how often they’re used.

- Better reverbs. IMO they just lag behind the standard of other model categories on the platform. No excuses now with the extra processing power to really raise the bar. Compete with the best out there, hire a reverb nerd. Dont cop out with IR’s. Lead the way.

 

[Orvillain]

As much as I hate to admit it, in the end the reason I moved away from the Helix was that I just wasn't getting what I wanted from the deleays and reverbs anymore.

Transistor Tape, Cosmos Echo, Adriatic Delay, Bucket Brigade, Elephant Man, Glitch Delay... those are all REALLY REALLY GOOD.

But the bog standard Digital 'Simple' Delay... it's either too simple, and not doing what a DD3 or DD8 would do behind the scenes... or there's a bug that was never caught. It doesn't 'pop' in the mix, it doesn't give you enough echoes at medium feedback settings, it's like there's the whole lost world of tweakery between 80-85% that you can't access. Hard to explain, but very difficult to balance.

I could never get the digital delay I truly wanted from the Helix, after trying for years and years. I just sorta accepted it as fact. But then whenever I'd go back to a DD Boss delay, or the LVX, or anything in Fractal land ... it was truly a different experience. It could be due to companding, it could be due to some sweetening going on in the circuit, it could be to do with some interpolation method that affects delay quality. I don't know. But this was a strong motivator for me to move on.

And then reverbs ... man.... I just never liked them really. Even when they added the Dynamic ones and Fannymede and all that jazz.

I'd really like some reverbs that can hold a candle to the UA Golden, Meris MercuryX, MXR Reverb, Fractal etc. Even my Boss RV-5 has a nicer modulate reverb mode and Hall mode than the Helix.

 

[Lysander]

Sweet Jebus, the thing hasn't even released and we're doing this?

Someone has probably mentioned this already, but: an always-on tuner. If the Stadiums have room for a clock in the UI, they can certainly fit it.

It's one of my favorite features in Fractal land.

 

[Sascha Franck]

I would argue that delay time and feedback should be at the top of any delay parameters list, being the common ones and the first ones you should set.

I'd rather have feedback and mix as the very first parameters. Delay time maybe third. Delay time, at least for me, usually qualifies as "homework", whereas feedback and mix are the ones you may need to adjust quickly.
Anyhow, these three on the first page of any delay and I'm fine.
Drive blocks should have gain and level as the first two parameters without any exception.
Similar for amps. Gain, Master and Channel Volume belong on the first page.
For modulations, speed, depth/feedback and mix belong on the first page.
Etc.
It's really not complicated.

All this is less relevant on the new units with 8 encoders, but it becomes tremendously more important on units such as the Stomp - which, I'm sure, will see a next generation as well.

 

[Sascha Franck]

But the bog standard Digital 'Simple' Delay... it's either too simple, and not doing what a DD3 or DD8 would do behind the scenes... or there's a bug that was never caught. It doesn't 'pop' in the mix, it doesn't give you enough echoes at medium feedback settings, it's like there's the whole lost world of tweakery between 80-85% that you can't access. Hard to explain, but very difficult to balance.

Talking about delays: I really wish you could have different feedback "curves", as in offering sone kinda control about how quicky feedbacks become quieter. Kinda like on Logic's Delay Designer, offering control over each individual tap (so you could even have them create a rhythmic pattern - but that amount of detail would possibly be too much).

Another thing I really wish would be added to at least some delays would be a kind of transient shaper on the delay input (not affecting the dry signal, though). I fooled around with some of them in the good old DAW and it's quite amazing just how lush some delays become once you shave some bits of their attack off.

 

[[Nathan]]

+1 for a modernised helix native as a plugin
Being able to use my own captures in that plugin

 

[laxu]

Talking about delays: I really wish you could have different feedback "curves", as in offering sone kinda control about how quicky feedbacks become quieter. Kinda like on Logic's Delay Designer, offering control over each individual tap (so you could even have them create a rhythmic pattern - but that amount of detail would possibly be too much).

Another thing I really wish would be added to at least some delays would be a kind of transient shaper on the delay input (not affecting the dry signal, though). I fooled around with some of them in the good old DAW and it's quite amazing just how lush some delays become once you shave some bits of their attack off.

I think the touchscreen could potentially offer a lot of more advanced tweaking capability in the future for new models. E.g a multitap delay could make full use of the screen with controls for different taps, like maybe a mixer for different taps.

 

[Sascha Franck]

E.g a multitap delay could make full use of the screen with controls for different taps, like maybe a mixer for different taps.

Yeah, that's kinda like what Logic's Delay Designer does.
I'd rather have them hire U-He to develop a version of MFM2 for the Stadium series, though. Such a delay monster.

 

[molul]

I'd rather have feedback and mix as the very first parameters. Delay time maybe third. Delay time, at least for me, usually qualifies as "homework", whereas feedback and mix are the ones you may need to adjust quickly.
Anyhow, these three on the first page of any delay and I'm fine.

Now that you mention, I usually like to see if there's any standard out there, and I would take Boss' Digital Delay as one:

So yeah, Level, Feedback, Time and funky town makes total sense.

 

[molul]

Sweet Jebus, the thing hasn't even released and we're doing this?

Well, there are a few things that might get considered before launch if they were not already planned. A man can hope :)

Someone has probably mentioned this already, but: an always-on tuner. If the Stadiums have room for a clock in the UI, they can certainly fit it.

How does that work in Fractal?

I'd be happy with just instant tuner access, and having the tuner fill the whole big new screen. I want to be muted when I tune, so having an always-on tuner wouldn't work for me.

 

[laxu]

How does that work in Fractal?

I'd be happy with just instant tuner access, and having the tuner fill the whole big new screen. I want to be muted when I tune, so having an always-on tuner wouldn't work for me.

It's just a tiny tuner in the corner of the screen. It's useful if you just want a quick tune, e.g that pesky G-string fell out of tune so instead of activating a tuner you just check the mini tuner and tune the string.

 

[sleewell]

DSP - the more the merrier

the most accurate/tracking pitch blocks

a really good metal zone

 

[Sedaxel]

I guess none of you had (or noticed) a tone suck of pure guitar signal with Helix. I had it with my LT. Going to the LT and then to an amp, with empty chain, 1M impedance (any impedance, actually), the signal got somehow "cushioned". Very difficult to explain, and very subtle. But it didn't happen with a Zoom G1Four (empty chain). That was what finally made me to sell it.

So in the wishlist... I would ask a totally transparent treatment of the input signal.