Line 6 Helix Stadium Pre-Launch Discussion

[Mongillo19]

Since the hardware is the problem, what if there was one or two Agoura model added Native, or even as a separate plug-in with a dead simple UI so users could try?

While it sounds great in theory, it could be a waste of resources

 

[mikah912]

Honestly; I get having no sound clips. Everyone knows what the Helix sounds like. This will be a "higher res" version of those same sounds. I don't know how you could unleash a batch of clips without the "it all sounds the same crew" chipping in with their masters on .75, presence on 1.3 presets that are dialed in to be YT friendly and nowhere near "what you would set the amp in real life" friendly. The HX is a known and proven quantity and it's really going to take getting it in the individual player's hands for them to see if it's a "step up" for them.

Bingo. They're modeling the exact same real-life amps and cabs that they own, at least initially. There won't be an ocean of difference off the jump. Just like the Helix "just" seemed like an upgraded HD500 at launch. Apparently, the Agora-modeled AC30 is a different one, so there may be more differentiation there (and perhaps in other amps), but it'll just be "higher res" iterations of whatever Helix has.

So, sound clips are both necessary at some point but also rather unlikely to change any minds.

That is until the first "Proxy" clips drop.......

 

[laxu]

Since the hardware is the problem, what if there was one or two Agoura model added Native, or even as a separate plug-in with a dead simple UI so users could try?

They'd need to add an entire new modeling engine to Helix Native. Not worth the effort

Eventually the situation you describe will exist in "Helix Studio" or "Helix Stadium Native" or whatever they choose to call the plugin.

 

[molul]

Helix Studio sounds neat, but I doubt it won't be "Helix Stadium Native", or at least "Helix Stadium something".

 

[yek]

TBH, the 'armchair engineer' attitude in this place is getting a little out of hand.

 

[ian_dissonance]

For factory presets I just want amps/cabs dialed in by people who would be actually playing music on those types of amps with the rest of crap off, but footswitchable. I was almost less impressed with the later “artist” presets because most of them felt like they gave everyone 5 minutes with some headphones at festival to make SOMETHING.

 

[Mongillo19]

TBH, the 'armchair engineer' attitude in this place is getting a little out of hand.

The attitude that companies have infinite resources is getting a little out of hand

 

[AlbertA]

TBH, the 'armchair engineer' attitude in this place is getting a little out of hand.

How so?

 

[Tito83]

While it sounds great in theory, it could be a waste of resources

It could... or it could be not

 

[AlbertA]

Even better question is why they would include any presets that are not outstanding? I would think 30 well done presets would be better than 150 mediocre to crappy ones. Heck, 10 well done ones would be better.

The issue then is, outstanding to who?

 

[Chocol8]

One person's outstanding is another person's

The issue then is, outstanding to who?

That’s why you need a number of them, but cut out all the crap that is just a showcase for effects cranked and focus on a couple dozen sounds that you know will be popular with different genres.

 

[AlbertA]

It's probably close to impossible, when you don't know what output system will be used in a store etc. At most they can try.

NeuralDSP is the only one that comes to mind for universally successful presets on their plugins, but I don't remember if the QC factory presets were that interesting bar the few that did wacky things like changing pitch drones by pressing the footswitches.

Fractal, IMO is there too with their latest rounds of Factory preset updates for latest firmware. There's many bangers in there now, again, IMO.

 

[sashimi]

For factory presets I just want amps/cabs dialed in by people who would be actually playing music on those types of amps with the rest of crap off, but footswitchable. I was almost less impressed with the later “artist” presets because most of them felt like they gave everyone 5 minutes with some headphones at festival to make SOMETHING.

Agreed, presets should showcase raw amp tones with some effects footswitchable, not just everything unrealistically slathered in delay and reverb.

 

[JiveTurkey]

FAS presets are great. Sacrilege crew checking in and this a BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG caveat of you have to like Boss amp models (turd reacts incoming obviously); they had a batch of amp&cab presets dialed in for the GT Core iirc that were exactly what you would want basic out of the box presets to show bread and butter sounds to be. As long as you were OK with their batch of original turd amps

 

[yek]

How so?

I’m just allergic to the “Line 6 (or other manufacturer) should …” statements.
It was a characteristic of TOP which was absent in the early days of this forum. Just my opinion.

 

[AlbertA]

Honestly; I get having no sound clips. Everyone knows what the Helix sounds like. This will be a "higher res" version of those same sounds.

Ummm, I see it differently (obviously), just based on the current descriptions of their new modeling. Is that what people are expecting, just like an HD sheen on it?

But I get it - it's still cooking.

 

[laxu]

Fractal, IMO is there too with their latest rounds of Factory preset updates for latest firmware. There's many bangers in there now, again, IMO.

That's great, because Fractal has the major issue where their firmware development gets so far ahead of the factory presets that they just don't have time to update them to sound best with the latest and greatest.

It would be awesome if they tweaked them a bit for every major firmware at least but I know they went a long time without updating them.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Ummm, I see it differently (obviously), just based on the current descriptions of their new modeling. Is that what people are expecting, just like an HD sheen on it?

But I get it - it's still cooking.

I know my overall thoughts on the HX sounds. So it could be I'm already projecting my own verdict on it, tones unheard I am expecting an uptick in clarity and hoping to all hope that disembodied distortion went bye-bye or that the hype knob brings that fizzy top overtone note down to the note actually being played and makes it a non-issue.

 

[Chocol8]

Ummm, I see it differently (obviously), just based on the current descriptions of their new modeling. Is that what people are expecting, just like an HD sheen on it?

But I get it - it's still cooking.

I am absolutely positive there will be plenty of clips of Agora modeling by time it is ready to ship. Today is still too early.

 

[mikah912]

FAS presets are great. Sacrilege crew checking in and this a BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG caveat of you have to like Boss amp models (turd reacts incoming obviously); they had a batch of amp&cab presets dialed in for the GT Core iirc that were exactly what you would want basic out of the box presets to show bread and butter sounds to be. As long as you were OK with their batch of original turd amps

The existing Line 6 Helix slate of presets just needs some love. The first 44 that are just amps need snapshots with contextual titles, and from what I've seen of the Stadium footage.....looks like they've already done that.

After that, you need a good set of bass presets also with snapshots. Then, your obligatory "U2/Metallica/Stevie Ray Vaughn/Van Halen/John Mayer/Dream Theater/etc." artist/song presets. Then, a block of the wacky esoteric stuff.

In other words, pretty much how Fractal does it - bass presets excepted.