Line 6 Helix Stadium Pre-Launch Discussion

benadrian said:
I believe that Howards was brought in when we had some "why is it like this?" questions. I don't know the details in this specific case.



To start, I haven't figured out what I can say publicly about the process and what we have to keep to ourselves. So, unfortunately, I can't get too into the details yet. However, someone earlier commented about component modeling vs. the HX "sub circuit" modeling.

In HX, we have DSP elements that can change the sound; filters, gain, tube simulators, power supply sag, etc. All of these start at a neutral point, like the DSP is zeroed out. When making HX models, we measure the change of sound in a small bit of analog circuit, and then we set the DSP elements to make those same changes. All of the sonic changes have to be matched manually or semi-manually. Anything that is "feel" related comes along with matching the measurements. If it's not quite there, we can tune it manually. It's a long process, but everyone liked the results. In addition, this type of modeling easily allows original models to be made.

Agoura modeling is different. Like I said, I can't get into it, but it doesn't start with DSP set at a zero point that we then manually configure.

I know this might still leave you in the dark. As an egalitarian, DIY punk rocker, I want to share everything and live in an open source world. I'd love to talk about the fine details in depth. It's so new, so specific, and took a lot of R&D to develop. I'm sure we will have talking points and informational video in the mid-length future. Right now, we're all working on 1.2, 1.3, and beyond.

Thanks!
Ben
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing Ben. I know it’s hard to walk that line but we all appreciate your participation here and sharing what you can.
 
So you heard it here first. Ben is working on some OTHER sound design project.

Happy Shaquille O Neal GIF by Papa Johns
 
I'm not sure what all this comparisons is about??' If it sounds good then it is good if you only have say a Helix or a Fractal or a QC or ToneX you don't have anything to compare it to no??

Just my thoughts

¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
Stone said:
I'm not sure what all this comparisons is about??' If it sounds good then it is good if you only have say a Helix or a Fractal or a QC or ToneX you don't have anything to compare it to no??

Just my thoughts

¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Click to expand...
Yep. Agree.

But forums gonna forum.

Just the nature of these gear discussions. For me I’ve had time with all the main modelers and have a good idea what I like and how I like to dial in tones, so I have no concerns it’s going to be perfect for me.

So following along these discussions is really just entertainment in between the actual usage conversations where I can pick up tips or learn something new.
 
I don't know which of the Helix threads is the best fit for this question / idea, so I'll post it here. @Digital Igloo - the integrated audio clip attached to each preset - could that be used to provide some kind of EQ-match function to enable a player to hear the preset "as the creator intended"? (I'm sure there's some philosophical discussion to be had about artistry and intention, but I think you know what I mean.) I imagine the challenge would be getting the user to play something similar enough to the integrated riff in order for the EQ match function to yield good results, but maybe not - I don't know.
 
eggpl@nt said:
I don't know which of the Helix threads is the best fit for this question / idea, so I'll post it here. @Digital Igloo - the integrated audio clip attached to each preset - could that be used to provide some kind of EQ-match function to enable a player to hear the preset "as the creator intended"? (I'm sure there's some philosophical discussion to be had about artistry and intention, but I think you know what I mean.) I imagine the challenge would be getting the user to play something similar enough to the integrated riff in order for the EQ match function to yield good results, but maybe not - I don't know.
Click to expand...
A DI match could be super cool!
 
I'm going rogue and getting set up to spend a few more minutes with Stadium tonight. I have to gush at how effortlessly the Stadium app detected and connected to my hardware. The app is very responsive on Mac. Losing the USB cable sounds like a small thing but it is SO much easier for me to control the hardware from the computer in the middle of a session. Really solid work.
 
Just a quick first blush post after messing with it last night.

As to super broad overview of the sounds… as always with modelers and real amps to a degree, I can make it sound good and I could make it sound like complete ass. Need more time to play around with the cabs and maybe some of my own IRs. I still say cabs in modelers are still the weakest link though the new cabs in the Stadium are much better than the old ones.

Line 6 absolutely knocked out of the park in the hardware design, user interface, and aesthetics. It’s a perfect size and weight and looks fantastic. Other companies should really look to what they do and get on board with modern interface options (Fractal/Kemper) and button placement width (Neural) etc. Little things like the touch screen having texture, usb C, revamped in and outs. Just great. I will say from going in blind and not really looking at the quick start… where the volume knob is was not as apparent and as to how to use it. That was my lazy fault though.

I’ll post more hopefully as I have more time with it but that’s just quick first impressions.
 
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Okay.... as I've stated before, I now currently have Fractal Axe FX III MkII Turbo, FM9 Turbo, and now the Line 6 Stadium XL,

I was able to play around a good bit with the Stadium XL and am VERY VERY happy with it thus far! I was able to do my Super Serial all in one preset with 4 DSP hungry amps: 3 Agoura for the gain stages amps and a Legacy Twin model for cleans. I was able to put the amount of effects I wanted plus a volume pedal and a Polyphonic Capo for switching to Eb tuning! While I can have 8 amps (2 amp blocks with 4 "channels" each that can be any amp model) with my FM9 and Axe III, I'm satisfied with up to 4 amp models in Stadium.

If I wanted to drop to 3 amps in Stadium (edge of breakup and classic rock level gains with scenes using the same Agoura amp model), I'd be able to add more effects goodies.

So overall, even side by side with my Fractal products, I give the Stadium high scores so far! The user interface is freaking awesome!!!!!!
 
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GLiDE-BPM said:
Okay.... as I've stated before, I now currently have Fractal Axe FX III MkII Turbo, FM9 Turbo, and now the Line 6 Stadium XL,

I was able to play around a good bit with the Stadium XL and am VERY VERY happy with it thus far! I was able to do my Super Serial all in one preset with 4 DSP hungry amps: 3 Agoura for the gain stages amps and a Legacy Twin model for cleans. I was able to put the amount of effects I wanted plus a volume pedal and a Polyphonic Capo for switching to Eb tuning! While I can have 8 amps (2 amp blocks with 4 "channels" each that can be any amp model), I'm satisfied with up to 4 amp models in Stadium.

If I wanted to drop to 3 amps in Stadium (edge of breakup and classic rock level gains with scenes using the same Agoura amp model), I'd be able to add more effects goodies.

So overall, even side by side with my Fractal products, I give the Stadium high scores so far! The user interface is freaking awesome!!!!!!
Click to expand...
That’s a solid amount of cpu
I would think 3 Agoura
Clean / Rythm / lead would be more than enough
 
GLiDE-BPM said:
Okay.... as I've stated before, I now currently have Fractal Axe FX III MkII Turbo, FM9 Turbo, and now the Line 6 Stadium XL,

I was able to play around a good bit with the Stadium XL and am VERY VERY happy with it thus far! I was able to do my Super Serial all in one preset with 4 DSP hungry amps: 3 Agoura for the gain stages amps and a Legacy Twin model for cleans. I was able to put the amount of effects I wanted plus a volume pedal and a Polyphonic Capo for switching to Eb tuning! While I can have 8 amps (2 amp blocks with 4 "channels" each that can be any amp model), I'm satisfied with up to 4 amp models in Stadium.

If I wanted to drop to 3 amps in Stadium (edge of breakup and classic rock level gains with scenes using the same Agoura amp model), I'd be able to add more effects goodies.

So overall, even side by side with my Fractal products, I give the Stadium high scores so far! The user interface is freaking awesome!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing - I’ve never had a Fractal but I’m really enjoying it so far compared to what I’m used to. However, I need to RTFM as I ran out of DSP with a very modest setup.

This is 100% user error on my part - I can see factory presets that are considerably more complex that the thing I did so I’m confident it’s me being a new guy. I’m not used to the Helix ecosystem yet so I’m not clear the elegant approaches to sharing DSP between paths / are there downsides etc. I’m sure the ethos of the approach is the same as Helix although obviously the DSP headroom is far greater here. If anyone knows a decent video that can help someone new to the ecosystem get the gist of it quickly that’d be great. If not, me and the manual will figure it out.
 
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