Line 6 Helix Stadium Pre-Launch Discussion

[Sascha Franck]

I think that a major component in the popularity of the HX Stomp is its size. Personally, I would be fine with a smaller (non touch) screen and ample encoders if it meant retaining that footprint. Matter of fact, if the only change to the new Stomp was the processing power (reusing the original case and layout), I would still buy one in a heartbeat.

I possibly would as well, but there should be some improvements, namely these:

- A dedicated amp button as on the bigger units. Ideally, when you push it, it should take you to the amp(s) and then alternate between those and where you've been before. That'd be just perfect to edit a combination of amps and dirt (or whatever) pedals.
- Better parameter order. As is, it's even almost horrible (and without much logic behind it) for some blocks, most notably for all drives with >3 parameters and for all delays/verbs with >3 parameters, as the most relevant parameters are on page 2 (or even 3).
- 1-2 more encoders.
- Ideally one more switch. Might only be me, but a 4th switch would make a most terrific difference for all my use cases. I'd happily deal with the increased size as a tradeoff. But then, I'd understand if people wanted to keep the size the same.
- More flexible output routing. I'd like to be able to have L or R for my personal feed including volume control and global EQ, whereas the other side would be used as an FOH feed without volume control and EQ.
- Allow me to completely deactivate all capacitive switch functions. This is sooo much going on my t**s sometimes.
- Get rid of the stupid 2.5mm PSU barrel plug. It serves zero purposes others than being a royal PITA.
- And while we're at it, implement global blocks. A Stomp unit would profit from them more than anything else.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Slightly larger screen and a 4th knob under the screen would've gone a long way.

Absolutely.

 

[mbenigni]

Yea I agree… stadium is best bet as size is good

We have reached peak timbuck3.

 

[mbenigni]

Yes it is. I'm not saying it should have the exact same user interface, but I think it could have had better than what it got. Slightly larger screen and a 4th knob under the screen would've gone a long way.

I had more trouble with the number of buttons than the number of encoders (though the latter could have been much improved just by way of re-ordering a few key parameters.) Things like "press this combination of buttons to X" are arbitrary and distracting until you really get the muscle memory dialed in. But a lot of this can be alleviated with even a small touchscreen and good design of on-screen labels/ buttons.

EDIT: Nevermind, @Sascha Franck summed up my thoughts pretty well in the very next post...

 

[GTR37]

and so commences another season of Who wants to be a product designer

 

[laxu]

and so commences another season of Who wants to be and product designer

I'm safe from elimination!

 

[mbenigni]

and so commences another season of Who wants to be and product designer

You're making fun of us, and rightly so, but I literally do want to be a product designer.

 

[EOengineer]

and so commences another season of Who wants to be and product designer

Holy shit it’s not every day you see a Don Zimmer gif.

 

[GTR37]

You're making fun of us, and rightly so, but I literally do want to be a product designer.

I am just hoping timbuck3 throws his hat in the ring

 

[mbenigni]

I am just hoping timbuck3 throws his hat in the ring

He already said [to himself]: the Stadium is perfect as is.

(Which will make my Fight Club memes even more apropos when he returns his?)

 

[Sascha Franck]

but I literally do want to be a product designer.

I'd rather like to be a kinda "consultant". Thing is, I'm very likely a miserable designer (so I have no ideas about how to put things into the right places and what not), but I'm a pretty experienced user with some decent ideas (sure, patting myself on the back here, but some people seem to agree every now and then...) that I'd really love to see materialize.

 

[Cactusprick]

I possibly would as well, but there should be some improvements, namely these:

- A dedicated amp button as on the bigger units. Ideally, when you push it, it should take you to the amp(s) and then alternate between those and where you've been before. That'd be just perfect to edit a combination of amps and dirt (or whatever) pedals.
- Better parameter order. As is, it's even almost horrible (and without much logic behind it) for some blocks, most notably for all drives with >3 parameters and for all delays/verbs with >3 parameters, as the most relevant parameters are on page 2 (or even 3).
- 1-2 more encoders.
- Ideally one more switch. Might only be me, but a 4th switch would make a most terrific difference for all my use cases. I'd happily deal with the increased size as a tradeoff. But then, I'd understand if people wanted to keep the size the same.
- More flexible output routing. I'd like to be able to have L or R for my personal feed including volume control and global EQ, whereas the other side would be used as an FOH feed without volume control and EQ.
- Allow me to completely deactivate all capacitive switch functions. This is sooo much going on my t**s sometimes.
- Get rid of the stupid 2.5mm PSU barrel plug. It serves zero purposes others than being a royal PITA.
- And while we're at it, implement global blocks. A Stomp unit would profit from them more than anything else.

Great list, and add a power switch!

 

[timbuck3]

He already said [to himself]: the Stadium is perfect as is.

(Which will make my Fight Club memes even more apropos when he returns his?)

Did I?

 

[timbuck3]

Did I?

Yes mate you did… stop with the black propaganda!

 

[AlbertA]

Yes mate you did… stop with the black propaganda!

 

[Cactusprick]

 

[Alex Kenivel]

 

[Sascha Franck]

Great list, and add a power switch!

The Stomp has a power switch...

 

[Cactusprick]

The Stomp has a power switch...

No it doesnt. Unless i had a dud

 

[GTR37]

Yes mate you did… stop with the black propaganda!

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