Line 6 Helix Stadium Pre-Launch Discussion

[GTR37]

The whole Turkey Sandwich of course! But I'm guessing you want to make something smaller than that.

The reason why I never bought the HX Stomp was how gimped the UI was compared to the full Helix. So I would like to see the full HX Stadium UI shrunk down to something more compact. I get the HX Stomp form factor is great, but IMO it could be a little bit larger just fine.

I think the HX Stomp I/O is pretty spot on, I'd maybe swap the MIDI DIN jacks for 1/8" TRS, and obviously USB-C instead of USB-B.

Otherwise I'm down with @metropolis_4 's list of improvements. I think on the HX Stadium Stomp the starting point should be "this is a multifx unit" first, full blown modeler second.

I feel the smaller HX Stadium is still large for people who are fans of e.g HX Effects. The full HX Turkey Sandwich in my mockup is somewhere between the Fractal VP4 and HX Effects in size.

I’ll take 5

 

[Karl Houseknecht]

Curious how that smaller mockup compares in size to the current Stomp. I like the idea. It's kinda like an FM3.

 

[GTR37]

Another intresting thing I saw
A Japan store seems to have the regular Stadium showing delivers Dec 16th

 

[mbenigni]

Yeah that PSU sucks big hairy donkey b@ll$ .. don't know what they were thinking but it is what it is.

Form-factor alone though the QC is just perfect imho; absolute joy to grab-and-go, fit in a case etc.

I do legitimately like the QC, in terms of UI and the tones I've tried. But yeah, not a fan of that PS shit.

The wall wart and barrel jack connector actually work better for me in some ways.



QC itself is smaller than it otherwise would be, and I can easily run it on a laptop battery under a pedal board. That said, the QC's noise floor is a little worrisome, but no one's managed to convince me (yet) that the wall wart is the reason. (I think it's more likely a matter of "smaller" resulting in more cumulative induced noise between circuit elements.) Regardless, I'm expecting the Stadium will be quieter, and that'll probably be enough to chase the QCs out of the house by and by.

 

[mbenigni]

Exactly the same, just shrunk down to 75%. $699. And change the name to Helium.
If not, just do whatever you want, I trust you.

 

[Jarick]

Laxu's design is super cool! I love the idea of a Stadium Stomp which is proportional to the current HX Stomp but larger to accommodate at least one extra switch (maybe two?) and a bigger screen. Somewhere in between the HX Stomp, Stomp XL, and HX Effects IMO. You want a bigger screen with at least one more parameter knob, keep full size MIDI, two effects loops would be killer, etc.

You could keep the HX One (or maybe there's a Stadium Two) as the small pedalboard version, but the Stadium Stomp would be the heart of a pedalboard without needing additional MIDI controllers. Not sure what the DSP would be, but all that functionality would justify a bump in retail price as I'd expect it to land around $900 or so?

 

[JiveTurkey]

Laxu's design is super cool! I love the idea of a Stadium Stomp which is proportional to the current HX Stomp but larger to accommodate at least one extra switch (maybe two?) and a bigger screen. Somewhere in between the HX Stomp, Stomp XL, and HX Effects IMO. You want a bigger screen with at least one more parameter knob, keep full size MIDI, two effects loops would be killer, etc.

You could keep the HX One (or maybe there's a Stadium Two) as the small pedalboard version, but the Stadium Stomp would be the heart of a pedalboard without needing additional MIDI controllers. Not sure what the DSP would be, but all that functionality would justify a bump in retail price as I'd expect it to land around $900 or so?

Remove the silk screens on the switches and make them do whatever we want. Also; sell a 4 button expansion switch with bi-directional communication to reflect block/switch status

 

[EOengineer]

While the vintage unit does have a low input impedance, it's a common mod to have it raised, you'll see many many pedal manufatures go on about this. No modern unit that is known for replicating a vintage unit behaves like this, the Strymon Volante or Boss RE 202 for example.

As an example, the PastFx CE-1 clone provides a SWITCHABLE mod to change the impedance of the classic CE-1 circuit to a more guitar friendly one.

Common mod != everyone uses it that way. You’re proposing an opinionated behavioral change to fit YOUR preference. My preference is to alllw the user to decide what works best for their needs.

 

[bearcore]

Speaking of which, what would everyone want to see in a Stadium Stomp besides the obvious?

I'd like a Stadium Stomp that is slightly larger than the HX Stomp to accommodate the following:
-2 XLR outs on the back. This would be highly appreciated, especially for bass.
-Stack the other jacks on the back for space.
-Move the headphone out to the back, stacked with EXP 1/2. When the stomp wasn't all the way on the left of my board, I'd have to leave a big L adapter plugged into it to make it accessible.
-Split the stereo send on the side into two jacks so I don't have to use a goofy split patch cable.
-5 parameter control knobs instead of 3. The 3 really require a lot of scrolling, and it makes the sometimes suboptimal order of the parameters very apparent.
-As large a screen as will fit on the unit. It still needs a volume knob and the parameter knobs, but I can take or leave the other controls.

I'm undecided on whether it should have a 4th footswitch, but laxu's Turkey Sandwich sure is looking tasty.

 

[laxu]

Curious how that smaller mockup compares in size to the current Stomp. I like the idea. It's kinda like an FM3.

Estimated size based on footswitch size/spacing and under display knob size.

So HX Stomp is still a lot smaller.

The Turkey Sandwich is somewhere between Fractal VP4/HX Effects. Width is probably similar to VP4 while height is closer to HX Effects.

 

[molul]

Another intresting thing I saw
A Japan store seems to have the regular Stadium showing delivers Dec 16th

Oh, I wish I was Japanese. But only on December 16th 2025. Then back to Spanish.

Anyway, I doubt that. Or at least I would find it quite surprising if Line6 released the second device just one month after the first.

I don't expect it sooner than mid February. But I'd love to be wrong.

 

[banned]

Laxu's design is super cool! I love the idea of a Stadium Stomp which is proportional to the current HX Stomp but larger to accommodate at least one extra switch (maybe two?) and a bigger screen. Somewhere in between the HX Stomp, Stomp XL, and HX Effects IMO. You want a bigger screen with at least one more parameter knob, keep full size MIDI, two effects loops would be killer, etc.

You could keep the HX One (or maybe there's a Stadium Two) as the small pedalboard version, but the Stadium Stomp would be the heart of a pedalboard without needing additional MIDI controllers. Not sure what the DSP would be, but all that functionality would justify a bump in retail price as I'd expect it to land around $900 or so?

I think Laxu's design, which everyone likes, is a little on the larger side - this could be the 'Stompium'. They could have another unit closer to current Stomp size for traditional pedalboard use cases - call it Stomp.

 

[Tito83]

As an example, the PastFx CE-1 clone provides a SWITCHABLE mod to change the impedance of the classic CE-1 circuit to a more guitar friendly one.

Common mod != everyone uses it that way. You’re proposing an opinionated behavioral change to fit YOUR preference. My preference is to alllw the user to decide what works best for their needs.

From the pastfx.com

"As the Original Ce-1 was designed with keyboards in mind, many guitarists who owned original Ce-1 pedals would replace the 50K pot for a higher value. "

Are you using your Helix with a keyboard?

 

[paisleywookiee]

View attachment 54638

Estimated size based on footswitch size/spacing and under display knob size.

So HX Stomp is still a lot smaller.

The Turkey Sandwich is somewhere between Fractal VP4/HX Effects. Width is probably similar to VP4 while height is closer to HX Effects.

The Turkey Sandwich is still a really good size.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I would take that screen at Turkey Sandwich size all day over the slightly smaller Stomp, even if it is the "better" size.

 

[banned]

View attachment 54638

Estimated size based on footswitch size/spacing and under display knob size.

So HX Stomp is still a lot smaller.

The Turkey Sandwich is somewhere between Fractal VP4/HX Effects. Width is probably similar to VP4 while height is closer to HX Effects.

What S/W are you using for all these mockups?

 

[AlbertA]

I would take that screen at Turkey Sandwich size all day over the slightly smaller Stomp, even if it is the "better" size.

<username checks out>

 

[AlbertA]

this could be the 'Stompium'.

Post in thread 'What's the next Helix Stadium SKU you'd like to be released next?'

Jun 26, 2025

If they call it Helix Stadium Stomp (and it would make total sense), rest assured it will be called "the Stompium" in places like this

Helix Stampede

• AlbertA

• 
• 
• 

 

[EOengineer]

From the pastfx.com

"As the Original Ce-1 was designed with keyboards in mind, many guitarists who owned original Ce-1 pedals would replace the 50K pot for a higher value. "

Are you using your Helix with a keyboard?

Not only have I used my Helix for keys, the guy who just bought my Helix last week bought it to use FOR KEYBOARD.

I know there’s a point you’re trying to make. I’m just not sure what it is. Flexibility is flexible. Bad assumptions aren’t.

 

[molul]

Post in thread 'What's the next Helix Stadium SKU you'd like to be released next?'

Jun 26, 2025

If they call it Helix Stadium Stomp (and it would make total sense), rest assured it will be called "the Stompium" in places like this

Helix Stampede

• AlbertA

• 
• 
• 

I would bet for Helix Stadium M. We already have the XL and L (aka non-XL).