Line 6 Helix Stadium Pre-Launch Discussion
- Thread starter Lysander
- Start date
laxu
Rock Star
- Messages
- 8,380
I didn't really love the higher gain tones here, but the other ones sounded very nice.
But I'm really impressed by the thoughtful workflow and user experience design of the HX Stadium. Line6 is again the company to emulate for the next generation of modelers.
Sascha Franck
Goatlord
- Messages
- 10,996
Skipped through the video with Lettieri. Soundwise, it didn't bring much to my table that I didn't kinda knew already (sounds great, couldn't care less about metal chugging, and even if so, I kinda like more midrangey sounds anyway, so what I heard was fine).
The editing however looks as great as I imagined, that's been the biggest takeway of this and the Zappa video.
So yes, this is causing some itiching for sure. We'll see next year.
The editing however looks as great as I imagined, that's been the biggest takeway of this and the Zappa video.
So yes, this is causing some itiching for sure. We'll see next year.
EOengineer
Rock Star
- Messages
- 4,267
I didn’t pull much more away from the video than reinforcing how bad I want to audition these tones myself. TBH I don’t think Ben Adrian is much of a high gain player so when they tilted towards the gainier tones he seemed a little lost to me? Like he legit seemed unable to get the brown sound out of that Plexi which KINDA seems like something you should have locked and loaded going into an hour long demo video or your new amp modeling platform?
In either event the thing that’s exciting me with the gain is a consistently “chewier” quality I’m hearing in the midrange with some bloom when notes and chords sustain. That seems head and shoulders outside the capabilities of current helix. Dialing the knobs, cabs, and mic differently is easy.
In either event the thing that’s exciting me with the gain is a consistently “chewier” quality I’m hearing in the midrange with some bloom when notes and chords sustain. That seems head and shoulders outside the capabilities of current helix. Dialing the knobs, cabs, and mic differently is easy.
- Messages
- 10,138
I dunno man, pretty sure he's played in a lot of ferocious wall of death type bands.
EOengineer
Rock Star
- Messages
- 4,267
Perhaps I’m mistaken on the high gain then, but he def seemed lost with that Plexi towards the end.
EOengineer
Rock Star
- Messages
- 4,267
Now would be a good time for L6 to drop some high gain brutality put together by someone who lives in that world.
I appreciated the live demo and those cleans/mid gain tones sound great, but these videos are NOT going to quiet the minds of those concerned about high gain and heavy tones.
I appreciated the live demo and those cleans/mid gain tones sound great, but these videos are NOT going to quiet the minds of those concerned about high gain and heavy tones.
Lysander
Rock Star
- Messages
- 3,299
There are tons of great high gain demos of the existing Helix and every sound it has is in this box. If anything, the AMS demo just had a couple of unforced errors:
Every time they indulged in well-laid out factory presets (REVV Redemption), the results were great and the included clip brought even more context.
When Ben started pulling up random amps at the end, he was just twisting dials with no rhyme or reason (Why not swipe between focus zones?!? Why not use the search function for metal or high Gain?), and it seemed like he used a common cab across all of those which is even worse.
It won't be but so long before Sonic Drive Studios, John Browne or Leon Todd gets their hands on this, then people can calm down about high gain.
Last edited:
ian_dissonance
Shredder
- Messages
- 1,856
They should give one to Buster Odeholm and see if he can pull his HLB tones out of it.
At this point, there's obviously a deliberate strategy to deprioritize modern high gain in terms of first impressions with the unit. I guess it's a marketing one, but it's not accidental.
We're like, what, 12 videos in without a proper showing. They are REALLY trying to establish its bonafides elsewhere, and I'm sure the gains in dynamics and responsiveness with Agoura are driving that.
EOengineer
Rock Star
- Messages
- 4,267
Yes, but I don’t want to pay $2200 for Helix sounds that I already have in Helix Floor and Native. I’m not using those amp models much these days. I’d been migrating back to amps and pedals when Stadium was announced. My Floor hasn’t left its backpack in 6 months.
No doubt there is increased realism in the fenders and Marshalls we’ve seen. I am excited for that, but that alone doesn’t bring enough value to the table. I need to hear something that demonstrates a significant step forward in the high gain realm and, to be fair to L6, I don’t think either of those live demos were the best venue for that.
Really hoping to see something convincing soon.
What do I know, but I feel like you’re overthinking everything. Sit back and relax. You’ll get what you want to hear soon enough without the need to dig a conspiratorial hole for everything that differs from what’s best for you or aligns with your opinion.
PorcinePicker
Roadie
- Messages
- 189
Maybe not 'modern high gain', but the video stated an intent to build a 'brown' tone, with Mark playing very creditable interpretations of Eddie's licks. IMO, the tone wasn't there. Maybe Ben doesn't do 'brown'.
GTR37
Rock Star
- Messages
- 4,905
I am the same and I don’t think that is unreasonable I have an FM9 that sounds really good so it not a need
As mentioned just like the original helix launch the cleans and EOB are very well represented but even the Plexi go listen to them what the new Synergy plexi module demo from Jon or Studio Rats that Kerrrang and chunk is what I want to hear
Granted again Leterri in not a hi gain guy Ben says it “ I think of you more as a clean / EOB
Jazz fusion player
We need Igor to Gojira it
It's a conspiracy to observe a statistical pattern? You seem to be confusing that with a complaint.
I've been clear that I like the slow, deliberate rollout of information and expert expectation-managing done by DI here and elsewhere.
I'm relaxed, but also an engaged observer and big fan of the high gain sounds already in Helix. This isn't panic or worry rearing their ugly heads. I'm simply noticing that they're emphasizing that the biggest differentiator with Agoura is responsiveness and dynamics, and it's natural they'd go deeper into lower gain players and tones to demonstrate that.
For modern high gain, that still matters and people are going to go over the Agoura high gain amp bass response and palm mutes with a fine-tooth comb. But they are deliberately slow playing that, and that's fine. My preorder is as solid as ever.
Lysander
Rock Star
- Messages
- 3,299
Really? That's odd - when Lettieri starting doing that trademarked those EVH pick scrape things i immediately went "OMG, that's the sound!"
If we're talking kerrang, I am definitely looking forward to Michael Nielsen working out the Agoura Plexi/2203/Ecstasy models.
His demo is my favorite of the Synergy JMP ones.
Similar threads
