Line 6 Helix Stadium Pre-Launch Discussion

[Dez]

Something has to be causing them a roadblock imo. It's been way too long especially when their next update is allegedly mostly PCOM updates

Yeah the lack of transparency heavily inspired me to move devices. No idea what's going on, no news, trickles of shitty advertising lol. Done with it lol

 

[paisleywookiee]

Lol, I know I'm not a mod, thanks I just wanted to warn you in case you got banned for not having read that, but ok

Fair enough, dear old chap.

Aaaaaaand my QC just sold full Stadium hype train for me for the next 6 months.

You're fucking nuts for jumping without a net, but I admire your adventurous nature.

 

[HomespunEffects]

So who will go for the big daddy XL and who will wait for the regular Stadium?

Scribble strips worth living with the expression pedal and extra size (assuming for someone with no real use or desire for said expression pedal)?

(Those who want the exp pedal - choice is simple).

I want the expression pedal. And I’ll add another.

 

[Dez]

Fair enough, dear old chap.

You're fucking nuts for jumping without a net, but I admire your adventurous nature.

I've been jumping without a net for a long time
Really, I've never gotten any modeler when it was released because I couldn't afford it - and now I can/would rather gamble with the brand new L6 device. Life is short, I jump and sometimes I get hurt lol

 

[Sascha Franck]

I may be wrong, but I think DI said so in one of the interviews.

From all I remember, what was said was:

- 16 Agoura amps.
- Full OG HX compatibility except the old hybrid cabs.
- Much more stuff to come.

None of that excludes the option of there to be one or the other new effect type thrown in as well at release. Guess only time will tell.

Personally, if I needed (or rather wanted) a new all-in-one unit, which might be the case some day, this would be enough already to justify purchasing it over any competitor's product or an OG Helix. Not because of the 16 amps or the promise of what might happen in the future but simply because so far I feel that this is possibly the most user friendly device there ever was. Heck, I'd even consider it if there was zero updated "sound content".

 

[Digital Igloo]

I hope that the inclusion of the Expand D10 indicates that Variax has some sort of future? I would love it if that concept came back.

Can't say whether or not we're working on new Variaxes (would love to revisit but there's a LOT of pushback, due to its relatively low sales), but I would imagine we'd design it with a Nexus port, negating the need for Expand D10.

Yep, that's what I remember, although I also remember a very obvious statement that more newer effects will be in the pipeline. I think a thing that gave a misimpression maybe is that they will port every new effect they can onto the OG platforms. My personal suspicion is that that will mean most of them. Exceptions might be largely in the realm of pitch shifting, reverb, and maybe fancy delays. I'm sort of neutral about Helix reverbs to date. I'm not someone who likes to soak things in verb, but it would be cool to see the L6 guys come up with something that makes me change my tune on that. But them not having a super processor intensive new reverb lineup doesn't make me think it's prudent to wait and see. It's more the nuts and bolts I'm after, and for me reverb isn't in the nuts and bolts category. I'll be interested in seeing whether the other things you mention will work their way into the lineup, and whether any solutions find their way to the OG stuff.

There are a handful of new effects in our repository, waiting for inclusion and validation, but Sound Design's main priority is nailing the 22 Agoura amps for 1.0. We almost included a new effect in 1.0 that wouldn't work in Helix/HX (due to feature constraints, not DSP), but pulled it at the last second to make sure it gets the proper attention.

Presumably, the new effects (except the feature-constrained one) could also appear in a Helix/HX update.

 

[TubeStack]

So who will go for the big daddy XL and who will wait for the regular Stadium?

Scribble strips worth living with the expression pedal and extra size (assuming for someone with no real use or desire for said expression pedal)?

(Those who want the exp pedal - choice is simple).

I don’t think I’ll be getting the Stadium (although who knows, of course) however, if I did, it would be with the expression pedal. I’d want an all-in-one, total pedalboard replacement for 4cm use with my MKVII. Part of the point for me would be replacing my whole pedalboard with one sleek device (like I did with the Floor in the past, and was happy).

That being said, I’m currently all-in on my analog in front + VP4 in loop setup, love it.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Can't say whether or not we're working on new Variaxes (would love to revisit but there's a LOT of pushback, due to its relatively low sales), but I would imagine we'd design it with a Nexus port,

And MIDI support, please! I would very defenitely consider one in that case.

 

[KHAAAAAAANNNNNNN!!!!!!!!]

I'm not sure if I should sell my Tone Master Pro now or wait for one more update in November. Maybe another spate of Blues Juniors, Bassbreakers (other wattages!), and "same as another amp, just with no bright cap and a different cabinet" will boost those used prices!

 

[paisleywookiee]

Can't say whether or not we're working on new Variaxes (would love to revisit but there's a LOT of pushback, due to its relatively low sales), but I would imagine we'd design it with a Nexus port, negating the need for Expand D10.

There are a handful of new effects in our repository, waiting for inclusion and validation, but Sound Design's main priority is nailing the 22 Agoura amps for 1.0. We almost included a new effect in 1.0 that wouldn't work in Helix/HX (due to feature constraints, not DSP), but pulled it at the last second to make sure it gets the proper attention.

Presumably, the new effects (except the feature-constrained one) could also appear in a Helix/HX update.

What about instead of a Variax guitar, approach it like Roland has, with a pickup? However, add a 5-way switch and mini pots? Could be cool.

 

[KingsXJJ]

What about instead of a Variax guitar, approach it like Roland has, with a pickup? However, add a 5-way switch and mini pots? Could be cool.

Yes. Because I like and know my guitars.

 

[Digital Igloo]

What about instead of a Variax guitar, approach it like Roland has, with a pickup? However, add a 5-way switch and mini pots? Could be cool.

We discussed all sorts of ways to get there, including various types of pickup integration.

 

[Mooselake]

There are a handful of new effects in our repository, waiting for inclusion and validation, but Sound Design's main priority is nailing the 22 Agoura amps for 1.0. We almost included a new effect in 1.0 that wouldn't work in Helix/HX (due to feature constraints, not DSP), but pulled it at the last second to make sure it gets the proper attention.

Presumably, the new effects (except the feature-constrained one) could also appear in a Helix/HX update.

Thanks. For my part I'm happy to hear the sound design emphasis is mainly on Agoura at this stage.

 

[GTR37]

So who will go for the big daddy XL and who will wait for the regular Stadium?

Scribble strips worth living with the expression pedal and extra size (assuming for someone with no real use or desire for said expression pedal)?

(Those who want the exp pedal - choice is simple).

I am team stadium December

 

[Digital Igloo]

I am team stadium December

Not sure where the December narrative came from. Stadium is "Winter." Even we don't know when it'll be ready.

 

[paisleywookiee]

We discussed all sorts of ways to get there, including various types of pickup integration.

Let me know when you need a beta tester!!

I loved the Variax concept. I just unfortunately had two bad experiences. One with a twisted neck, one with electronics issues. But the flexibility was awesome.

 

[GTR37]

Can't say whether or not we're working on new Variaxes (would love to revisit but there's a LOT of pushback, due to its relatively low sales), but I would imagine we'd design it with a Nexus port, negating the need for Expand D10.

There are a handful of new effects in our repository, waiting for inclusion and validation, but Sound Design's main priority is nailing the 22 Agoura amps for 1.0. We almost included a new effect in 1.0 that wouldn't work in Helix/HX (due to feature constraints, not DSP), but pulled it at the last second to make sure it gets the proper attention.

Presumably, the new effects (except the feature-constrained one) could also appear in a Helix/HX update.

Can you give an approximate time you will be able to release the initial 22 amp list
We know a few obviously but
I think a bunch of us are dying to see what’s in the pack and if out favourites show up
I know Igor mentioned you are running full amp models now instead of separate channel models which I think is great

 

[2dor]

Did they say what sample rate(s) it supports over SPDIF? I guess 48K is a given - wonder if they do 96K too.

 

[GTR37]

Not sure where the December narrative came from. Stadium is "Winter." Even we don't know when it'll be ready.

Some dealers are saying December so I guess they are hoping based on Winter it could even be 2026 it sounds like

 

[KHAAAAAAANNNNNNN!!!!!!!!]

playing something called a stadium in front of 30-50 ppl is going to be a hoot.

Just use a large hall reverb and close your eyes.
Stadium ..