Line 6 Helix Stadium Pre-Launch Discussion

[Karl Houseknecht]

@Digital Igloo is this just misleading from LivePlayRock, or is it actually a clip of the Stadium? My guess is that they're using Helix models as a teaser.



Edit: It's just a Helix clip. Answer was buried in the comments. Not cool, Liveplayrock.

 

[Mongillo19]

@Digital Igloo is this just misleading from LivePlayRock, or is it actually a clip of the Stadium? My guess is that they're using Helix models as a teaser.

I'm assuming misleading since I can't imagine pulling up the Revv Red and thinking that's the first thing that I'll play/that's what people will want to hear for that amp

But I'll be curious what DI says

 

[Lysander]

@Digital Igloo is this just misleading from LivePlayRock, or is it actually a clip of the Stadium? My guess is that they're using Helix models as a teaser.

It's the Bogner Ecstasy model from OG Helix (and sounding really damn good!).

Bogner Ecstasy Style | HELIX HX STOMP Presets + IR by Liveplayrock

Explore Bogner Ecstasy tones with Line 6 HELIX HX STOMP, using Liveplayrock presets and IRs. Inspired by the German Xtra modeler, perfect for pro guitarists

liveplayrock.com

 

[Karl Houseknecht]

It's the Bogner Ecstasy model from OG Helix (and sounding really damn good!).

Yeah, found that buried in a comment on the video. Not cool to imply that it was the Stadium, though.

 

[banned]

It's the Bogner Ecstasy model from OG Helix (and sounding really damn good!).

Bogner Ecstasy Style | HELIX HX STOMP Presets + IR by Liveplayrock

Explore Bogner Ecstasy tones with Line 6 HELIX HX STOMP, using Liveplayrock presets and IRs. Inspired by the German Xtra modeler, perfect for pro guitarists

liveplayrock.com

That does sound super. Wouldn't have guessed that was the XTC...got a nice raw edge to it

 

[Mooselake]

At this point there's been zero (as far as I know) word about new effects. Fair assumption they'll happen soon, but at this point it very much is a said top tier unit costing 2k+ at launch that, again, as far as we know, will come out from factory with only last gen effects. You may disagree, I personally think it's lazy. They might be holding stuff in about this, they even probably are, but at this point, with the information I have, no assumptions made, I don't really like it.




Don't disagree with anything really, still don't like the idea of a unit like this coming out with the stuff that were announced at this point.

And I get it, my idea of what's better is my idea. They certainly have a way better understanding about market demands, what will sell or won't, that's for sure.

I think because of the Helix 10-year anniversary they announced Stadium earlier in its development timeline than they might have had that event not occurred recently. DI has stated numerous times that they are still fully engaged with ensuring the Agoura Amp modeling is polished enough for public consumption. Rather than lazy I see it as rather sporty to announce and ship on the timeline they are attempting. Despite all the trappings, the amp modeling is still the core function of the unit (for most users) and it seems prudent to maximize resources towards ensuring a strong debut from Agoura.

I think effects are always going to be controversial in the Stadium world simply because I think OG Helix, with a limited number of exceptions, will be capable of running effects, or at least very good facsimiles of them, "developed for Stadium", leading to complaints of "It's a ripoff because they are mostly adding OG effects but calling them 'new'." I suppose L6 could pretend future new effects are too cool for school and not make them available in OG variants even when those OG variants have the DSP power to execute them, thus making Stadium appear to be a little more cork-sniffy and exclusive relative to OG than it is. That, IMO, would be lazy.

On Day One, I'll be content with a good sampling of Agoura amp models and the full complement of Helix effects I'm used to. I also presume the cabs will esentaially be the latest gen of OG cabs. I consumed nearly everything DI has said on the topic of Stadium and nothing has lead me to believe that L6 intends to abandon effect development. L6 has been clear that Agoura amp modeling is the focus right now, and actually I'm not even sure whether the Agoura topology is even all that relevant to most effects. It could be that really all they need to advance in that realm is the beefed up DSP. I mean, wiring harness capacitance and tube plate voltage characteristics don't seem particularly relevant to reverb and pitch effects, for example.

I understand the concern, and it's not for me to say what other people should consider, but I'd rather see them release something where Agoura hits the stage with its best foot forward. With L6 I'm willing to take a flyer that they'll do their best to add effects that rival best-in-class over time.

 

[GTR37]

Yeah, found that buried in a comment on the video. Not cool to imply that it was the Stadium, though.

I think DI said in another post no one except for Line6 team and a couple of beta testers have the actual units at this point

 

[HotRats]

At this point there's been zero (as far as I know) word about new effects. Fair assumption they'll happen soon, but at this point it very much is a said top tier unit costing 2k+ at launch that, again, as far as we know, will come out from factory with only last gen effects. You may disagree, I personally think it's lazy. They might be holding stuff in about this, they even probably are, but at this point, with the information I have, no assumptions made, I don't really like it.




Don't disagree with anything really, still don't like the idea of a unit like this coming out with the stuff that were announced at this point.

And I get it, my idea of what's better is my idea. They certainly have a way better understanding about market demands, what will sell or won't, that's for sure.

I understand you point but Stadium is not a new product, like was OG Helix.

Stadium is an evolution of the previous generation hardware and firmware. Having all the original Helix fxs and amps is a must. You need to them to load your presets into the new environment.

There are so much new things in stadium, so many improvements in almost every area that the word lazy sound off to me.

Anyway you are not 100% wrong here. I was expecting some new reverbs because they are still considered a "weakness" of the OG Helix fx offering.

 

[LCW]

XL preordered! Thanks to MF. 15% engage!

 

[Karl Houseknecht]

I think with 10 years of updates ahead of us that they'll get around to some new effects.

 

[eggpl@nt]

Didn’t DI specifically mention that some of the recent Helix effects were effects designed for Stadium that happened to be able to trickle into Helix in the meantime? That may not feel like it’s development for Stadium, strictly speaking, but it does make me wonder what, if anything, they already have prepared that couldn’t trickle down.

 

[Lysander]

Didn’t DI specifically mention that some of the recent Helix effects were effects designed for Stadium that happened to be able to trickle into Helix in the meantime? That may not feel like it’s development for Stadium, strictly speaking, but it does make me wonder what, if anything, they already have prepared that couldn’t trickle down.

That was the implication, from what i could gather. "Whichever new effects we can port back to Helix, we will".

We'll likely also get Agoura-modeled ODs and distortions in the future.

 

[OneEng]

At this point there's been zero (as far as I know) word about new effects. Fair assumption they'll happen soon, but at this point it very much is a said top tier unit costing 2k+ at launch that, again, as far as we know, will come out from factory with only last gen effects. You may disagree, I personally think it's lazy. They might be holding stuff in about this, they even probably are, but at this point, with the information I have, no assumptions made, I don't really like it.

Anyway you are not 100% wrong here. I was expecting some new reverbs because they are still considered a "weakness" of the OG Helix fx offering.

There is still time for L6 to make more announcements; however, I agree with this. The "base tone" of a modern "all-in-one" guitar processor is the amp tone, reverb, and delay. Nailing that along with the convivence features for different markets (which appear to be in very good shape so far) would seem to be prudent.

 

[ccc118]

I was going to ask about when we can find out about which amps made it onto the list of Agoura models so far, but saw this quote from Eric on TOP:

"I just approved a Paul Hindmarsh video where he shows the 1.0 amps. No idea when it's going live."

 

[I S]

Stadium XL preordered (no discount on this end of the world)…

 

[Karl Houseknecht]

"I just approved a Paul Hindmarsh video where he shows the 1.0 amps. No idea when it's going live."

Define "shows". I hope this also means "demonstrates".

 

[timbuck3]

In a sense the precedent is already there with the fairly long list of pre-Helix legacy effects in the OG. I have a feeling it's pretty inexpensive to port the OG Helix stuff into Stadium and beyond, so why not? I definitely don't see it as L6 trying to minimize new development. And with effects, there might continue to be a lot of overlap between OG and Stadium onward. I can think of a few areas where a lot more DSP muscle in Stadium might cause them to diverge (e.g., reverb and pitch effects), but I think for a lot of simple pedal emulations the full might and fury of Agoura might not be required.

But wouldn’t they want eventually all shouts tones in it if it’s a new and improved engine? Like the x amps in the boss units that ARE much nicer to my ears. Maybe shouts is only a new engine on the amps side of things vs effects or cabs?

 

[mikah912]

There is still time for L6 to make more announcements; however, I agree with this. The "base tone" of a modern "all-in-one" guitar processor is the amp tone, reverb, and delay. Nailing that along with the convivence features for different markets (which appear to be in very good shape so far) would seem to be prudent.

Helix has several different generations of reverb and delay in it already. It also launched with no Helix-exclusive reverbs.

I'm surprised that people are looking back on their development over the last 10 years and fretting about this.

 

[dk_ace]

Don't get me wrong, some stuff is pretty cool... but all of it? I dunno. Even if something would come from last at least if expect some kind of improvement/tweek aside from "taking advantage of the newer converters". Some of the more original/identifiable sounds like the growler or the particle getting revamped would be really cool, but aside from that it just ends up feeling a bit lazy IMO.

That’s kinda how I felt about the helix when it came out. We all see what it developed into. Same can be said for fractal products I think. New more powerful hardware, a few interesting redesigns and new features, but the differences from the last gen aren’t huge.

I think you have to take the long view with next gen modelers. What came out is the new platform they’ll be building on for years to come and will develop (hopefully) into something much cooler than current gen.

When (and if) to buy it is a totally different thing though. I tend to not buy a next gen unit until it meets the upgrade desires I had or comes out with something so mind blowing that I just had to have it. If it’s missing something I think is necessary, I wait until the development gets to that point. Others want the new thing right away.

D

 

[timbuck3]

I think with 10 years of updates ahead of us that they'll get around to some new effects.

I think the stadium is a unit between the helix and the next gen flagship. The og helix once the stadium is more mature will be maybe ended and the next non helix named flagship will arrive with full shouts everything? Or agoura2.0? And stadium will be the new og helix?
Who knows the plans really? On the stadium as a home player I see a slick touchscreen and sleeker unit with clearer scribbles strips and it seems a new engine called shouts for the amps . And maybe a nicer longer looper?