Line 6 Helix Stadium Pre-Launch Discussion

I believe the Stadium will be the only device that will have capturing tech that also has an SPDIF I/O? This feature makes integration with my VP4 a no brainer.
 
laxu said:
Yeah having them be interactive would be mostly just distracting when every time you adjust a parameter, multiple things on screen move around.
It was clear from the start to me that because the pics are 3D they are not meant to be interactive in any way.

I see the pictures as just flair to give each model some identity. I think it's a good thing because otherwise all models kinda blend together. Imagine if your entire real pedalboard was just blank bare boxes or your amp collection all looked exactly the same. That's no fun, right?

With this you might grow some attachment to "that cool Line6 original amp" compared to e.g Helix where the (visual) difference between a Plexi and a Deluxe Reverb is basically what parameters are on screen.
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For me, it’s more of an “at a glance” type thing where looking through the sliders can look a bit samey. Graphics give you colours, fonts, specific places to look, and a lot more visual clues on what’s going on. It’s not a big deal for me but I do prefer that approach.

Tonocracy had a kind of “worst of both” in their GUI of amp style skeuomorphic knobs (which looked like generic stock graphics) and a plain style underneath. It took loads of space and didn’t really take advantage of the benefits of either approach. I know L6 won’t make those kinds of mistakes but I maybe prefer how TMP has done it
 
Paul Hindmarsh needs to learn to play 46 & 2 by Tool and Beginning & The End by ISIS - I'll settle for So Did We as well.

<ducks>


I don't mind the graphics. But they're not the focal point for me really. As long as there is easy visualisation of the controls and I can set them quickly and finely if I need to, then I'm happy. My interests are mostly in the sound quality of everything, and the workflow. It needs to be fast and fun to use. I'm confident it will be. I'm curious about 4-cable-method performance with a Boogie Mark V !!
 
I really did think I was able to use my finger on the amp controls.....and that it looked weird with the picture not centered..

It`s soon 2026 and plugins are a big thing, when you have a big TS like Stadium and make the Focus thing the main thing and not letting me see the controls of the amp model and just have a big picture of the `real amp/pedal` it just seems weird in 2025. TMP made a cool thing, and when a cool thing happens, and folks like to use it, others should make `the same thing` as folks will expect to be able to do it in the future. Just my 2 Cents
 
SeeD said:
I really did think I was able to use my finger on the amp controls.....and that it looked weird with the picture not centered..

It`s soon 2026 and plugins are a big thing, when you have a big TS like Stadium and make the Focus thing the main thing and not letting me see the controls of the amp model and just have a big picture of the `real amp/pedal` it just seems weird in 2025. TMP made a cool thing, and when a cool thing happens, and folks like to use it, others should make `the same thing` as folks will expect to be able to do it in the future. Just my 2 Cents
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DI explained pretty clearly how this wouldn't work or make sense with Focus Mode.

I get what people are saying but you have the typical amp controls at the bottom of the screen.
 
SeeD said:
I really did think I was able to use my finger on the amp controls.....and that it looked weird with the picture not centered..

It`s soon 2026 and plugins are a big thing, when you have a big TS like Stadium and make the Focus thing the main thing and not letting me see the controls of the amp model and just have a big picture of the `real amp/pedal` it just seems weird in 2025. TMP made a cool thing, and when a cool thing happens, and folks like to use it, others should make `the same thing` as folks will expect to be able to do it in the future. Just my 2 Cents
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Listen, I enjoyed the TMP UI when I had it as well, but it's not the apex of that particular design style. Helix Stadium has 8 always-there hardware encoders at the bottom of every screen with the accompanying value directly above it. WHY would they then also zoom in on the amp knobs so every turn of the encoder makes two separate things on the screen move at the same time? It's duplicative and distracting.
 
Fireproof said:
Well I guess it’s perfect timing to put the Helix Stadium Backpack on my Christmas list then…
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Dude, allow me to gush a bit. Helix Stadium Backpack might be the most well-designed and well-thought-out thing Line 6 has ever made. Other than a couple of suggestions, I had nothing to do with it; that was all Dale and he knocked it out of the park.

Even if I didn't have Helix Stadium, I'd want one. It's pricey, but worth it IMO. We just need to try it out with other companies' products—Helix Floor, Helix LT, and the big Headrush might not fit, but any others should.
EOengineer said:
I guess I’m surprised anyone expected the background images to move or be interactive.
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Yeah. Anyone who's actually tried Stadium instantly gets what Focus view is supposed to do. We show that view more than the Home screen because A) showing what's different dissuades "Whaaa, it's just Helix with a touchscreen" and B) our IP has thus far been visually relegated to an item in a list (or in HX Edit/Helix Native, a little thumbnail) and a lot of amazing amps and pedals get skipped over because of it.
SeeD said:
TMP made a cool thing, and when a cool thing happens, and folks like to use it, others should make `the same thing` as folks will expect to be able to do it in the future. Just my 2 Cents
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Eeesh, that's a terrible strategy. The TMP is a fine product, but their "cool thing," like every UI approach (including many of ours!), has its advantages and drawbacks. How boring and lame would it be if everyone copied everything, including those drawbacks? Everything would look homogenous [Line 6, Designing Every Modeler Since 2015©], but worse, nothing would improve. Baaaaarrrrrffffff.

In the end, all I'm reading is "I'm not a UI/UX designer and I haven't actually used Helix Stadium at all, so I have zero baseline from which to compare, but little moving knobs are cute and you're doing your customers a disservice by not including little moving knobs." Which, to an actual UI/UX designer, is not meaningful feedback.
 
Digital Igloo said:
Dude, allow me to gush a bit. Helix Stadium Backpack might be the most well-designed and well-thought-out thing Line 6 has ever made. Other than a couple of suggestions, I had nothing to do with it; that was all Dale and he knocked it out of the park.

Even if I didn't have Helix Stadium, I'd want one. It's pricey, but worth it IMO. We just need to try it out with other companies' products—Helix Floor, Helix LT, and the big Headrush might not fit, but any others should.

Yeah. Anyone who's actually tried Stadium instantly gets what Focus view is supposed to do. We show that view more than the Home screen because A) showing what's different dissuades "Whaaa, it's just Helix with a touchscreen" and B) our IP has thus far been visually relegated to an item in a list (or in HX Edit/Helix Native, a little thumbnail) and a lot of amazing amps and pedals get skipped over because of it.

Eeesh, that's a terrible strategy. The TMP is a fine product, but their "cool thing," like every UI approach (including many of ours!), has its advantages and drawbacks. How boring and lame would it be if everyone copied everything, including those drawbacks? Everything would look homogenous [Line 6, Designing Every Modeler Since 2015©], but worse, nothing would improve. Baaaaarrrrrffffff.

In the end, all I'm reading is "I'm not a UI/UX designer and I haven't actually used Helix Stadium at all, so I have zero baseline from which to compare, but little moving knobs are cute and you're doing your customers a disservice by not including little moving knobs." Which, to an actual UI/UX designer, is not meaningful feedback.
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Love hearing all of this.

1. On the backpack - I know it’s not the “main thing” but it’s an important thing. Anybody that’s bought my used gear knows I keep my stuff NICE. And part of it is because I’m a bit particular about how I tote it places - I absolutely hate ill-fitting bags. Even if I could save some bucks picking a generic bag, if there’s 3 inches of space in one direction and 2-5 inches in the other, and it’s sliding around - that’s a nope for me. So I was really excited to hear that you guys built the backpack specifically for the Stadium.

2. Speaking of Focus View. That and the Hype knob and Showcase - all NEW features - have me drooling. I got into guitar relatively late, and so I’m no expert at many of those vintage pedals and how they work. I anticipate spending a lot of time just playing around in focus view learning more about the possibilities of the different effects. And I’m the user that you described that cares less about accurate in-the-room Plexi sounds, and want to more hear the sound in my head. Sounds like the Hype is built for me!! Let’s go!!
 
marshall2553 said:
Yeah, it was actually the XL that I tried it with. But I just gave it another go and it worked. Guess I need to cancel my SW preorder and grab it while I can.
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my SW guy matched the 15% off. before you cancel, try that and keep your place in line.

edit: you could place a CYA order at MF in case they remove Stadium from the eligibility list again. lock in the 15% off at MF with an order today, if SW doesn’t match, cancel. i dunno, I’m not a lawyer or fiduciary
 
AlbertA said:
Maybe but keep in mind the MF reward bucks or whatever they call them.
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Yeah for sure. The only reason I stuck with SW the first go around is because I placed my preorder right away. Im guessing there will be quite a wait at this point.

Not that it bothers some but I get FOMO 😂 I also trust SW to help me out more if something happens to it
 
AlbertA said:
Maybe but keep in mind the MF reward bucks or whatever they call them.
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Very true, and good point. For those keeping score on the MF vs SW battle, if financing matters to you, the coupon forfeits your ability to finance the purchase at MF. SW allows financing on top of 15% off.
 
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