Line 6 Helix Stadium Pre-Launch Discussion

[mbenigni]

Very defenitely!

And on a pretty serious note: I could possibly even like the QC. But with those switch distances, it's a defnite no-go.

I can count on one hand the number of times I've put a QC on the floor and used the encoders as foot switches anyway. That would be a tragic waste of the UI as a whole. (I expect to feel the same way about the Stadium. Actually, probably more so.)

 

[Sascha Franck]

I can count on one hand the number of times I've put a QC on the floor and used the encoders as foot switches anyway. That would be a tragic waste of the UI as a whole. (I expect to feel the same way about the Stadium. Actually, probably more so.)

 Well, I'm a live player for the most part, so things have to move to the floor at one point.

 

[laxu]

Here's both Stadium I/O panels from Sweetwater's product pics:

HX Stadium XL:

HX Stadium:

Inputs/outputs (bolded = difference)	HX Stadium XL	HX Stadium
Variable impedance instrument inputs	2	1
Effects loops	4	2
External expression pedals	4	2
External amp control outs	4	2
Drum trigger inputs	4	2
XLR mic preamp	1	1
S/PDIF in/out	1	1
Nexus™ port	1	1
USB-C, USB-A, removable 32GB microSD storage	1	1

 

[jmcecil]

I know it's too late .. but in the future the headphone jack belongs in the front IMO. The back panel placement seems to be becoming more common on physical units. Even audio interfaces, which is mind blowing. There's probably a noise/build/optimization reason for putting it on the back. But the damn thing belongs on the front.

 

[Digital Igloo]

Here's both Stadium I/O panels from Sweetwater's product pics:

HX Stadium XL:

HX Stadium:

Inputs/outputs (bolded = difference)	HX Stadium XL	HX Stadium
Variable impedance instrument inputs	2	1
Effects loops	4	2
External expression pedals	4	2
External amp control outs	4	2
Drum trigger inputs	4	2
XLR mic preamp	1	1
S/PDIF in/out	1	1
Nexus™ port	1	1
USB-C, USB-A, removable 32GB microSD storage	1	1

We now have our first Helix Stadium XL Limited Edition:

 

[laxu]

We now have our first Helix Stadium XL Limited Edition:
View attachment 53641

You can ship it to me any time!

 

[jmcecil]

We now have our first Helix Stadium XL Limited Edition:
View attachment 53641

I guess I shouldn't assume .. so, can I assume that the signal flow is similar to Helix? This allows return 1/2 to be used as inputs onto separate DSP lines and that the outputs are then optional destinations on a dsp line? And that maybe the returns can be set to instrument level? I have no idea if the paths are dsp based, by the way.

In other words, you still have plenty of input/output combinations on the non-XL version.

 

[laxu]

I know it's too late .. but in the future the headphone jack belongs in the front IMO. The back panel placement seems to be becoming more common on physical units. Even audio interfaces, which is mind blowing. There's probably a noise/build/optimization reason for putting it on the back. But the damn thing belongs on the front.

Honestly I wish the headphone jack on my Audient EVO 8 was in the back. I'll pretty much never unplug it, and the 1/4" jack with cable takes more space than I'd like. Should bother soldering an angled connector on it.

I could see the convenience of a front jack on a modeler like this tho.

 

[jmcecil]

Honestly I wish the headphone jack on my Audient EVO 8 was in the back. I'll pretty much never unplug it, and the 1/4" jack with cable takes more space than I'd like. Should bother soldering an angled connector on it.

I could see the convenience of a front jack on a modeler like this tho.

hah, having to route the cable around/under units drives me mad Ok, so more horses for courses.

 

[synthpenguin]

I like headphone jacks on the front for tabletop use, but always find it annoying for floor use. I'd be fine with either though, and I've never had an issue with the Stomp's side placement in either case.

 

[Digital Igloo]

I know it's too late .. but in the future the headphone jack belongs in the front IMO. The back panel placement seems to be becoming more common on physical units. Even audio interfaces, which is mind blowing. There's probably a noise/build/optimization reason for putting it on the back. But the damn thing belongs on the front.

Eeek!

On the front where? We were worried enough with HX Stomp's Phones jack on the left side. In the front on rack or tabletop form factors? Sure, but never on something you repeatedly step on.

I guess I shouldn't assume .. so, can I assume that the signal flow is similar to Helix? This allows return 1/2 to be used as inputs onto separate DSP lines and that the outputs are then optional destinations on a dsp line? And that maybe the returns can be set to instrument level? I have no idea if the paths are dsp based, by the way.

In other words, you still have plenty of input/output combinations on the non-XL version.

Similar to Helix but more flexible:

• 12 block locations per path (48 total, but Splits and Merges now take up blocks)
• Up to 6 Splits and Merges per path (although that's a massive waste of blocks)
• Splits and Merges are much easier to create—tap an empty location and then tap Split or Merge
• Effects blocks can be placed between linked Amp and Cab blocks
• Block editing/moving and path routing has multiple levels of undo/redo
• Blocks can be freely moved between Paths 1A/B and Path 2A/B on the hardware; you no longer have to copy/paste
• Parallel paths no longer require a block be added to maintain them
• Path B block management is more efficient because the paths enter/exit blocks from the top
• Multiple parallel loops can be quickly merged together
• Blocks can be quickly cleared by swiping them off the screen
• Parallel loops can be quickly cleared
• A lot of minor UI improvements like FX Loops appearing like I/O blocks, more granular iconography (especially helpful with different types of Splits), etc.
• Other stuff I can't remember right now

 

[Sascha Franck]

I know it's too late .. but in the future the headphone jack belongs in the front IMO. The back panel placement seems to be becoming more common on physical units. Even audio interfaces, which is mind blowing. There's probably a noise/build/optimization reason for putting it on the back. But the damn thing belongs on the front.

I'd even say it belongs on the top.

 

[Digital Igloo]

What's everyone's take on 1/4" vs. 1/8" phone jacks? 1/8" makes the most sense on something like POD Express—where people aren't likely connecting their Sennheiser HD800s—but it is 1/8" better or worse for something like HX Stomp?

 

[Mongillo19]

What's everyone's take on 1/4" vs. 1/8" phone jacks? 1/8" makes the most sense on something like POD Express—where people aren't likely connecting their Sennheiser HD800s—but it is 1/8" better or worse for something like HX Stomp?

I'm a 1/4 kinda guy

 

[dean701]

You can get rid of the headphone jack altogether. Never ever used it. Bluetooth headphones are the modern replacement. Or use an IEM solution when the device is cabled into your audio interface.
Room for another input

 

[Mongillo19]

You can get rid of the headphone jack altogether. Never ever used it. Bluetooth headphones are the modern replacement.
Room for another input

 

[JiveTurkey]

I can count on one hand the number of times I've put a QC on the floor and used the encoders as foot switches anyway. That would be a tragic waste of the UI as a whole. (I expect to feel the same way about the Stadium. Actually, probably more so.)

Poo switches for the win!

 

[sashimi]

You can get rid of the headphone jack altogether. Never ever used it. Bluetooth headphones are the modern replacement.
Room for another input

Isn’t Bluetooth too slow for this? How is the latency?

 

[ian_dissonance]

I know it's too late .. but in the future the headphone jack belongs in the front IMO. The back panel placement seems to be becoming more common on physical units. Even audio interfaces, which is mind blowing. There's probably a noise/build/optimization reason for putting it on the back. But the damn thing belongs on the front.

I’d guess it’s because a floor unit not a desktop unit. The make inexpensive right angle cable adapters and extenders so if it lives on a stand/desk you can route that little tiny little plug wherever is comfortable.

What's everyone's take on 1/4" vs. 1/8" phone jacks? 1/8" makes the most sense on something like POD Express—where people aren't likely connecting their Sennheiser HD800s—but it is 1/8" better or worse for something like HX Stomp?

1/4” all the way for me. Though even some very nice headphones have a 1/8 jack I prefer to just never take that adapter off lest it end up on my bag’s little pocket where there are 40 of them at all times except when I need one.

 

[Digital Igloo]

Isn’t Bluetooth too slow for this? How is the latency?

Faaaaaar too slow for realtime playing/recording.