Line 6 Helix Stadium Pre-Launch Discussion

It would be even better suited if they made a rack version…

:sofa

Maybe, maybe not. Slapped onto a music stand, IMO the vanilla Stadium should be *the* best thing ever to be edited straight on the unit. A rack unit would very likely not offer the best angle for touchscreen operation, let alone it'd likely be placed less than ideal.
But sure, cables sticking out from the top of a unit mounted on a stand will look less elegant.
 
So exciting.

I can’t wait. This time around with Helix - I’m going to avoid IRs, avoid proxy amps, and only edit on the device. I want to learn how to get the goodness out of it directly and fast.

I remember when I had my Helix LT - I had only done editing on the computer so when I was at a friends or practice session and I needed to do anything beyond minor tweaking - it took me forever.

And then I spent too many hours auditioning IRs and going down that rabbit hole.

With the agoura amps, latest cabs with easy mic manipulation, and focus and hype features - I’m confident all I need is what’s in the box!
 
So exciting.

I can’t wait. This time around with Helix - I’m going to avoid IRs, avoid proxy amps, and only edit on the device. I want to learn how to get the goodness out of it directly and fast.

I remember when I had my Helix LT - I had only done editing on the computer so when I was at a friends or practice session and I needed to do anything beyond minor tweaking - it took me forever.

And then I spent too many hours auditioning IRs and going down that rabbit hole.

With the agoura amps, latest cabs with easy mic manipulation, and focus and hype features - I’m confident all I need is what’s in the box!

Yeah, I've deep dived into tone creation on the current Helix and I've discovered the Matchless 2x12, 4x12 Greenback 25, Uber V30/T75, Cartographer and XXL V30 cabs do pretty much everything I need across every amp.

I A/B them against my favorite York Audio IRs, and they're all right up there. Little different, but nothing is left on the table.
 
If they came out swinging with a revision F or G Recto and a IIC+ they could pretty much pack up development now and I’m all smiles.

Not going to front....I'm 90 percent good with just the Agoura launch amps already listed and the existing HX amps.

The missing 10 percent would be a Recto, Mark, and a good Jose-mod style Marshall (doesn't have to be the Friedman Jose either. Lots of fish in that sea and a Line 6 Originals version of it would be best of all.).
 
If the Mesa Lonestar and Park75 amps don't ultimately migrate over to Agoura, I may not buy. Those are some very special amps. I also feel like the Bogner XTC may need to be re-modeled - something isn't coming all together in HX on the Blue channel.

Additionally, VERY unfortunately, it looks like we have lost the Trainwreck Express forever with Agoura. It seems Ben misplaced his notes and they no longer have access to the amp to re-model. If there was one amp on HX that could have really used Agoura - it's the Trainwreck - this is an entirely feel driven amp. This is one additional SUPER important amp that has got me thinking about Fractal's next product instead of L6 because of this news.
 
You think about purchasing an entirely different product because of one amp model?
Guess I'll never understand some people...

Why not?

a) I had the privilege to play one and it was unforgettable, and I've always longed to play another again.
b) It is one of the most famous amps in the world with incredible dynamic response found almost nowhere else
c) These have become prohibitively expensive....even the clones like Komet, JM Trainwrecks etc.

My reason for buying a modeler was to have a 'closet' full of amps that I could otherwise never access (once I found how I could achieve near parity with real amps by playing through guitar cabs).

So, my goal is to NOT just obtain a nice guitar tone to play with and record - of which there are plenty of solutions even in software - Mercurrial, Amplitube etc. - but rather to also have a 'collection' of important tube amps available to me that I could otherwise never afford/maintain - the Fryette Aethers, Jim Kelly Line Amps, the Trainwrecks, some Dumbles, vintage Marshalls, Voxs etc. I have a bit of Joe Bonamassa in me minus the available funds.
I can never buy THIS Marshall, which, to me, sounds just :crazy-



or this Wreck demonstrated here in all its raw, gritty glory -



But if someone models it accurately, I know I can recreate something very similar to play through it at home/on stage through my small collection of guitar cabs.

All things equal, if someone else offers an important amp very important to me, I'll pivot as I'm not locked into the L6 ecosystem in any way nor am I fanboy. As it stands though, all things aren't equal. I think Fractal's UI and interface today is clunky and antiquated - so I'm waiting to see how everyone else responds to Stadium. Competition is good.
 
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I don’t see people talking about the helix trainwreck model much. Does it not hold up well compared to more recent models?
 
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