Line 6 Helix Stadium Pre-Launch Discussion

[Orvillain]

@Digital Igloo - So basically, the 'hype' knob is a way to go "okay... under the hood we have Fractal levels of complexity... but fuck showing all of that to the user.. give them a macro knob with a cheeky name!"

???

 

[Digital Igloo]

@Digital Igloo - So basically, the 'hype' knob is a way to go "okay... under the hood we have Fractal levels of complexity... but fuck showing all of that to the user.. give them a macro knob with a cheeky name!"

???

To a certain extent, yeah, maybe, although there are a lot of model tools that aren't meant to be user facing at all, even via the Hype knob. Depending on the amp, Hype may also expand control ranges beyond the amp's real limits and even control processing that isn't part of the amp at all, like additional filtering and in a few cases, dynamics.

 

[GTR37]

To a certain extent, yeah, maybe, although there are a lot of model tools that aren't meant to be user facing at all, even via the Hype knob. Depending on the amp, Hype may also expand control ranges beyond the amp's real limits and even control processing that isn't part of the amp at all, like additional filtering and in a few cases, dynamics.

I know Igor mentioned we could allow access to a ton of parameters like Fractal and choose not too
Do you think there will ever be an advanced mode where people will be able to select some a small amount of deeper features
Like Power Tube Type
Negative Feedback
Bright cap values

 

[Fireproof]

1. Naming products is the single hardest part of our Product Managers' job. It has literally resulted in dueling Powerpoints with dozens of people in the room all arguing.
2. "Helix 2" is a milquetoast name and doesn't do justice to the fact that Stadium is a from-the-ground-up endeavor.
3. "Double Helix" is an even worse name, because what's double? The DSP? The storage? The number of blocks? The number of switches? It's just asking for criticism.
4. "Helix Stadium" was an early meant-to-be-aspirational working name and it just stuck. No one could come up with anything we hated less.
5. Did I mention naming products sucks?

Ha. I know what you mean and don't envy you.

FWIW - when I first heard "Stadium" it was a positive reaction. It's not goofy or too kitchy and doesn't seem like you guys were trying too hard to be cool or something. And who doesn't want to think about rocking a sold out stadium?

 

[paisleywookiee]

5 Reasons I Don’t Give a Fuck What That Schmuck Thinks, Based Entirely On His Stupid Thumbnail Image.

 

[Digital Igloo]

I know Igor mentioned we could allow access to a ton of parameters like Fractal and choose not too
Do you think there will ever be an advanced mode where people will be able to select some a small amount of deeper features
Like Power Tube Type
Negative Feedback
Bright cap values

None of these are precluded by how we've built Agoura, although we might want to approach one or two in a different way. Plus, all Agoura amps have a new Z PrePost parameter that lets you choose the location of speaker impedance characteristics in the power amp, primarily due to negative feedback.

 

[Mongillo19]

None of these are precluded by how we've built Agoura, although we might want to approach one or two in a different way. Plus, all Agoura amps have a new Z PrePost parameter that lets you choose the location of speaker impedance characteristics in the power amp, primarily due to negative feedback.

Maybe the previous Helix interactions had this but any chance of selectable impedance curves or would that fall under the "advanced" parameters

 

[Vic Winters]

None of these are precluded by how we've built Agoura, although we might want to approach one or two in a different way. Plus, all Agoura amps have a new Z PrePost parameter that lets you choose the location of speaker impedance characteristics in the power amp, primarily due to negative feedback.

From an earlier post of mine. Would love to know any of the following if you can share:

-Will the new inter-block communication/impedance curves apply to Helix amps on Stadium or just Agoura?
-Will it work with 3rd part IR's or only Helix cabs?
-Will there be an ability to override/pick which impedance curve you want?
-Any chance impedance curves could be edited?

 

[mikah912]

None of these are precluded by how we've built Agoura, although we might want to approach one or two in a different way. Plus, all Agoura amps have a new Z PrePost parameter that lets you choose the location of speaker impedance characteristics in the power amp, primarily due to negative feedback.

Man, I'm really happy that y'all are responding to requests for more granularity. Selectable pre and power amp tube types would be major.

 

[Karl Houseknecht]

"Helix Stadium" was an early meant-to-be-aspirational working name and it just stuck. No one could come up with anything we hated less.

Sure, but why "Stadium" itself? Because it should be played in stadiums? Because the tiered footswitches look like stadium seating? Because "floor" was lame but "really big stage" just didn't have a ring to it?

 

[Karl Houseknecht]

Selectable pre and power amp tube types would be major.

Having this feature in Fractal products already, I can tell you that it's not nearly as big as you think.

 

[mikah912]

Having this feature in Fractal products already, I can tell you that it's not nearly as big as you think.

Yeah, I have a FM9. Some combos are bad. Some produce very little difference. But I have found a couple that are more than a little bit magic. Especially with the power amp alternatives.

 

[Dez]

Yeah, I have a FM9. Some combos are bad. Some produce very little difference. But I have found a couple that are more than a little bit magic. Especially with the power amp alternatives.

I do think it’s an excellent idea when coupled with the cloning tech, there are a lot of captures out there that are only preamps.

 

[Digital Igloo]

Sure, but why "Stadium" itself?

Why not? Everyone else's suggestions were far worse.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Why not? Everyone else's suggestions were far worse.

Waiting for Helix Backyard BBQ version, for Stomp replacement.

 

[Chocol8]

Having this feature in Fractal products already, I can tell you that it's not nearly as big as you think.

Having done it with real tubes in real amps, you are definitely correct. There is a difference, but not anything that would be a big deal in the feature list of done reasonably accurately.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Having done it with real tubes in real amps, you are definitely correct. There is a difference, but not anything that would be a big deal in the feature list of done reasonably accurately.

I think it’s the sum of the parts. When you change the power amp tubes, and then keep going with other deep settings, it’s very different. But yeah, just a tube change isn’t going to do much.

 

[AlbertA]

1. Naming products is the single hardest part of our Product Managers' job. It has literally resulted in dueling Powerpoints with dozens of people in the room all arguing.

Naming by committe is the worst, I've been in a couple, everybody wants too look like their contributing and it quickly becomes a shit show.

I don't see anything wrong with Helix 2 to be honest. Nice and straight forward. Kinda like Sony and Playstation brand. Microsoft on the other hand chose the confusing path with Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox One X, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S - why?

Nobody is wondering if Playstation 2, 3, 4, 5 are basically from the ground up endeavors (well 4=>5 less so, but still quite a number of significant upgrades). Sony decided to use the "Pro" nomenclature from Apple though.

 

[Mooselake]

Why not? Everyone else's suggestions were far worse.

Yeah, it's a cool enough name. Naming it " Just calling it Helix Agoura" woulda been pretty cool too (maybe that's in the "far worse" category, lol). Names sometimes get overthought.

 

[yeky83]

Why not? Everyone else's suggestions were far worse.

Helix Stage! Stadium is a bit too aspirational for my self-deprecating psyche.

"What is that pedal, what do you play dude?"
"Uh hur dur, I play the... Stadium... on this small stage... and in my bedroom..."

I know Stage crosses over to your sound system product lineup but it's dead anyway, and I know you've prob had this convo already a bunch of times internally already, and it's already Stadium so who cares, but still.