Line 6 Helix Stadium Pre-Launch Discussion

[laxu]

What would be cool would be if there could be like block snapshots, so I could do three different channel/EQ settings of an SLO100 for example, while also having foot switches for effect on/off. Kinda like how Fractal does “per preset” layouts.

You can do this on Helix by combining snapshots and fx bypass functionality. I don't remember how you configure it, but I ran my Helix so that the top row was individual, per preset fx bypass functions and the bottom row was snapshots. I'm sure there are other ways to do this.

Fractal's per preset layout is where you tell on a preset basis what that per preset switch does, but the per preset layout stays the same across presets. I don't remember if Helix has some fx bypass mode that would show something similar and auto-populate it with your fx?

 

[CakeEater]

What's everyone's take on 1/4" vs. 1/8" phone jacks? 1/8" makes the most sense on something like POD Express—where people aren't likely connecting their Sennheiser HD800s—but it is 1/8" better or worse for something like HX Stomp?

I wouldn't want anything on the floor to have 1/8" jack, that's for phones/mp3 players only. Aren't most 1/8" earphones waist length as well?

 

[Sascha Franck]

Are people seriously advocating for headphone jacks on the face of a floor units though? That seems insane.

It actually is pretty logical. Very little people will likely use the HP out when the unit is sitting on the floor. So they may already have it up on their desks, a stand or whatever. And you will as well kinda naturally tilt the unit a bit, so it's sorta facing you similar to a rack unit. Now, where would you put the HP out on a rack unit? See?

If there’s anything I absolutely don’t want, it’s a top-facing 1/4 jack on the unit for some asshole (probably me) to dump a beer in.

If you dump beer on the top of your modeler, there's very likely more significant things to worry about than a messy HP out.

And fwiw, I don't actually expect anyone to come up with a top-facing HP out, largely for the reasons @Digital Igloo already mentioned - yet, for all my use cases that'd be the best location.

 

[bucephalus]

It actually is pretty logical. Very little people will likely use the HP out when the unit is sitting on the floor. So they may already have it up on their desks, a stand or whatever. And you will as well kinda naturally tilt the unit a bit, so it's sorta facing you similar to a rack unit. Now, where would you put the HP out on a rack unit? See?

This, I agree totally.

 

[Orvillain]

It actually is pretty logical. Very little people will likely use the HP out when the unit is sitting on the floor. So they may already have it up on their desks, a stand or whatever. And you will as well kinda naturally tilt the unit a bit, so it's sorta facing you similar to a rack unit. Now, where would you put the HP out on a rack unit? See?

This seems like it makes sense, but it really doesn't to me. I don't want a headphone cable getting in the way of my foot or finger stomps. I don't want a headphone jack - which are more commonly straight jacks than angled - popping out of the top or front edges of my unit. It is way more of a risk of damaging the unit than on the back.

A tilted floor unit is not at all like a rack unit. I bet Kemper have done studies on the perfect angle for both. Ahem.

 

[EOengineer]

Very little people will likely use the HP out when the unit is sitting on the floor.

So are there other floor units around that have a headphone out on the face? I can’t think of any but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but can't Helix do this now, via the Command Center?

I have no idea. I’ve been out of the Helix game for a few years. That’s why I’m looking forward to the manual.

 

[Sascha Franck]

This seems like it makes sense, but it really doesn't to me.

This is why I explicitely said "for my use cases". Right now, my most common use case is checking things on stage before soundcheck starts. A HP out on the back is pointless for me here because it's hidden under an additional tier in my pedalboard case. So I need to have an extension cable mounted all the time, which is getting on my nerves as it just hangs around.
At home, I rareley ever connect to anything else but my interface or a small mixer anyway.

Anyhow, if I was to get a Stadium, I'd likely arrange a stand with all required cables in a kinda snake, fixed on the stand. That'd as well include a HP extension cable. So I'd be fine with a back connection.

 

[bucephalus]

I have no idea. I’ve been out of the Helix game for a few years. That’s why I’m looking forward to the manual.

 

[mbenigni]

 Well, I'm a live player for the most part, so things have to move to the floor at one point.

Anyhow, if I was to get a Stadium, I'd likely arrange a stand with all required cables in a kinda snake, fixed on the stand. That'd as well include a HP extension cable. So I'd be fine with a back connection.

And I thought I was hard to please.

 

[mbenigni]

I have no idea. I’ve been out of the Helix game for a few years. That’s why I’m looking forward to the manual.

I’ve lost track of whether we’re talking about Helix or Stadium here. The issue with the OG Helix is that the individual channels of any given amp are realized as different blocks, so you need to add multiple blocks and toggle their bypass states in snapshots. That’s totally doable, but the question began with whether the channel parameter in a Stadium amp block could be be changed per preset. (I’m guessing yes.)

 

[Richard_G]

Very little people will likely use the HP out when the unit is sitting on the floor.

I often use headphones when I’m playing at home after the kids are asleep, with my pedal board sitting on the floor…

 

[Fireproof]

I have no idea. I’ve been out of the Helix game for a few years. That’s why I’m looking forward to the manual.

Has @Digital Igloo said anything about an online manual being released before we might get our hands on the unit?

That would be cool!!

 

[EOengineer]

I’ve read some unsubstantiated internet chatter that there’s going to be some other big feature or product announcement that hits when the upcoming firmware update gets released.

It’s a single source that allegedly got the info from a contact at one of the larger retailers. I fully expect it to be BS and wouldn’t get too excited, but I’m bored and would rather daydream than refactor code right now.

 

[Mongillo19]

I’ve read some unsubstantiated internet chatter that there’s going to be some other big feature or product announcement that hits when the upcoming firmware update gets released.

It’s a single source that allegedly got the info from a contact at one of the larger retailers. I funnily expect it to be BS and wouldn’t get too excited, but I’m bored and would rather daydream than refactor code right now.

Are you saying it's a line 6 product and or additional Stadium feature?

Or some other company?

 

[GTR37]

I’ve read some unsubstantiated internet chatter that there’s going to be some other big feature or product announcement that hits when the upcoming firmware update gets released.

It’s a single source that allegedly got the info from a contact at one of the larger retailers. I fully expect it to be BS and wouldn’t get too excited, but I’m bored and would rather daydream than refactor code right now.

Well that December so that would make sense for NAMM time

 

[EOengineer]

Are you saying it's a line 6 product and or additional Stadium feature?

Or some other company?

What I read mentioned unspecified Stadium features and maybe a new L6 product. Just reiterating - likely BS but fun to consider.

 

[EOengineer]

Well that December so that would make sense for NAMM time

I had that thought as well. My guess is they are confused and thinking of nexus, which was already announced.

 

[GTR37]

What I read mentioned unspecified Stadium features and maybe a new L6 product. Just reiterating - likely BS but fun to consider.

Only thing I could think of is maybe Stadium Native

 

[EOengineer]

Only thing I could think of is maybe Stadium Native

I’m pretty sure DI said that’s not going to be ready but that is a fun idea! A new native would rock my world right now.