Line 6 Helix Stadium Pre-Launch Discussion

[GTR37]

As you mentioned, I think you will need to try the new modeling methodology to determine this. However, I do agree. If it was simply traditional Helix amps with a revamped UI and the additional Stadium features, I wouldn't be as interested.

To me Tone >>>>>> Everything else

UI is a huge plus as the audio quality between units gets smaller but I agree with you that I much prefer fractal models (and QC models) over most of the current Helix lineup (not all). I do think the new modeling will make it very close where the Stadium is just the better total package.

But time will tell!

I am the same , I love the UI and Proxy captures will be cool but I am most interested in Agoura and the fact that they are adding 2 new amp in the next and DI says they are already working on amps for 1.3 have me optimistic that they have a decent number of Agoura amps by this time next year, of course if it turns out Agoura isn't quite as good as hoped that a moot point

I still love my Fractal but after being at recent sessions , recording and rehearsal its honestly just very time consuming to change things up on the fly at least for me , now the tones are stellar as are the effects so nothing to complain about there

 

[sashimi]

I don’t think Cliff wants to adapt a slick interface like this helix is maybe because of the manpower involved or he has to hire some people to do it or the fractal system is just too complicated to actually involve a touchscreen maybe? But I know this if that helix interface was on a fractal FM nine or whatever There’s no way Cliff could keep up with all the orders so maybe that’s part of it. He doesn’t wanna create something that he knows he can’t produce fast enough.

So you’re saying Cliff is intentionally gimping the GUI so he sells less Fractals

 

[timbuck3]

VP4 is already way easier to use than any of their other products so I think they’re on the right track and realize they need to step up.

The next 10 years of these products will have less to do with accuracy and more to do with user experience as they are all good and getting better al the time. It matters to a lot of people. Everytime I pull out my pedalboard and it’s all just simple stuff it really is a breath of fresh air. Stadium seems to be closest to that experience from what I’ve seen and why I pre-ordered one. It has the simplicity of pedals without the downsides of having to cable and power them all. I love my FM9 but it’s pretty much only filled with ‘pre-built’ sounds and I only use it for that case. For me I’m hoping stadium can replace my traditional pedalboards and FM9. Prebuilt sounds for when I want them and quick workflow for when I want to just ‘twist knobs’ and get creative

vp4 is only effects and far less complicated sub menu wise though

 

[Richard_G]

There’s no way Cliff could keep up with all the orders so maybe that’s part of it. He doesn’t wanna create something that he knows he can’t produce fast enough.

That is NOT it.

 

[timbuck3]

That is NOT it.

 

[timbuck3]

That is NOT it.

What is it then?

 

[Frodebro]

But what if it was?

Then we’d be arguing about which bubble jets tickled our balls better.

 

[laxu]

Fractal complexity doesn't fit within a Stadium-like UI, but it doesn't need to.

Axe-Edit isn't that far away from the Helix UI, and the only additional complexity is how much more there is to footswitch programming and how many more exposed parameters are available. All that would mean is more pages, but a better system would be the VP4 style "easy" vs "advanced" views because most people don't touch e.g advanced amp, delay or reverb options at all.

Cliff could just make an FM9 where the push encoders do what you expect them to, block libraries are live on the device and easily selectable and creating patches from scratch is much easier.

Just those simple things would move mountains for people who've used the platform and left.

Absolutely. There's tons of low hanging fruit on the existing platform, it just seems to be hard to get Fractal to address any of them.

I think the VP4 would have been way better if it just had dedicated buttons (or encoder push buttons) that would simply open each block slot instead of that Select knob for scrolling blocks/params. At least to me that seems like an obvious way to use it when you see it the first time. That's why initially I was hoping Fractal could maybe add that kind of behavior to the knob push functions...but of course they chose to use non-pushable encoders...

Fractal's challenge for next gen is how to make things so fast to use that users can really fly on the onboard UI.

 

[jay mitchell]

Acquisitions are about the people, not the products.

Private equity capital would like a word. FYI, it's neither; it's liquid or liquidatable (is that a word?) assets and creditworthiness. Buy low, sell high, collect early, pay late. Pump and dump.

 

[DanRad]

Will Stadium Command Center be able to send sys-ex messages through MIDI? Or at least pass them unblocked from MIDI IN and out through the MIDI OUT/THROUGH?

 

[jay mitchell]

I think he's one of those 'higher' individuals

 

[dws2384]

vp4 is only effects and far less complicated sub menu wise though

I’ve owned Axe 3, Fm9 and VP4. It has nothing to do with that. It’s the workflow in general, it’s much better. There are many effect blocks that have way more complicated parameters than an amp . It’s about getting to things quickly and efficiently. Hitting the edit button a bunch of times to get to the effect near the end of your signal chain in 2025 is ludicrous. Have fun when you go past it and have to loop back around to the start and do it again, which I do about 25% of the time, along with an expletive.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

{rivate equity capital would like a word. FYI, it's neither; it's liquid or liquidatable (is that a word) assets and creditworthiness. Buy low, sell high, collect early, pay late. Pump and dump.

Randall Smith would probably like a word, too.

 

[dws2384]

Axe-Edit isn't that far away from the Helix UI, and the only additional complexity is how much more there is to footswitch programming and how many more exposed parameters are available. All that would mean is more pages, but a better system would be the VP4 style "easy" vs "advanced" views because most people don't touch e.g advanced amp, delay or reverb options at all.

The biggest downfall is the horrible view of the signal chain on device. Line 6 got it right, Neural ripped it off, and fender went with a more realistic view. They need to figure that out.

 

[timbuck3]

I’ve owned Axe 3, Fm9 and VP4. It has nothing to do with that. It’s the workflow in general, it’s much better. There are many effect blocks that have way more complicated parameters than an amp . It’s about getting to things quickly and efficiently. Hitting the edit button a bunch of times to get to the effect near the end of your signal chain in 2025 is ludicrous. Have fun when you go past it and have to loop back around to the start and do it again, which I do about 25% of the time, along with an expletive.

OK, thanks for that. I haven’t played the unit, but I will guess that the next fractal will probably have an interface similar to what you describe with the VP 4 . But likely not a touchscreen like the TMP or the helix Stadium.

 

[GTR37]

OK, thanks for that. I haven’t played the unit, but I will guess that the next fractal will probably have an interface similar to what you describe with the VP 4 . But likely not a touchscreen like the TMP or the helix Stadium.

Honest question Tim because I can’t recall but have you owned a Fractal ? The AX8 the AXe3 or FM3 or FM9
I am just curious

 

[dws2384]

But likely not a touchscreen like the TMP or the helix Stadium.

You keep repeating this but there’s zero evidence either way. Just a bunch of forum noise. I would be shocked if they decided to skip a touchscreen on a next gen device.

 

[Dom Mcsweeney]

I think the next Fractal product will probably be embedded in a small/medium sized Hotub, perfect for folks like @timbuck3 to dial in all their favourite tones AND get their bubbles right, at the same time. Of course it'll have a touch screen too, that way there's no menu diving in the heat of the moment and you wanna impress your guests by tweaking all the tones and bubble settings.

 

[AlbertA]

Just so I understand, we talk about Fractal on the line6 stadium thread but health issues on the Fractal talk thread, right?

 

[timbuck3]

BullYou keep repeating this but there’s zero evidence either way. Just a bunch of forum noise. I would be shocked if they decided to skip a touchscreen on a next gen device.