Line 6 Helix Stadium Talk

[Melodioso]

So unfortunately I’ve actually returned mine. It’s a similar story to Rhett Shull’s video (can’t believe I’m in agreement with him) but ultimately it’s just too buggy and unfinished in its current state.

I’m actually pretty disappointed that it’s shipped with so many issues, which are a deal breaker for me. I appreciate that if you’re a home player or hobbyist then you can wait for bug fixes, but if you’re doing paid gigs you can’t be waiting for it to lose audio or make weird pops or volume spikes during a performance.

It definitely has the sounds and I’m sure it’ll all get sorted eventually, but it’s being sold as unit that can be used by pros right now and it’s not that.

I'm thinking of doing the same, although the return period for me is over; so it's more likely going to be sold than returned.

The reason is not because of the many issues, but I'm realizing this product is not for me: I don't care for a such a big screen or for the nice graphics, it makes the unit huge. I don't need or use Showcase. Not sure also if it's a good idea to have such a unit being potentially a single source of failure during a show (if used for backing tracks, lights, etc.). For 2000 USD I was expecting more in terms of improvements I guess, specially sound wise. I feel I got the same old OG unit but with 16 new models (they sound good yes) but ended up using mainly the Mark IV, again.

I am not bashing the unit, for some people this may be a dream come true.

 

[Digital Igloo]

Yeah, the Stadium thread over on ToS was apparently completely nuked and this one went dormant for a few days.

That's all from one user who scrapes the internet looking for any thread or YouTube video the least bit critical of Stadium and then shares it as a new thread. The dude apparently keeps getting banned, and then comes back with a new alt, only to do the same stuff again. If anyone calls him out, he claims he's being "stalked" and then reports them. It's pathetic.

 

[ccc118]

You just made me realize I had something not on defaul. AM4 input level was at 10dB. But that would mean, +22dB gain from Stadium input through SPDIF to the AM4 to get to the same gain level as the AM4 analog input. And because this is the Stadium thread, the takeaway so far is Stadiums input level seems to low. Or AM4 to high. That could explain why some find FAS more attracting. Or it is just me finding my Stadium sounds more FAS with some boost on the frontend.

I didn't follow that whole comparison thing the last weeks. Did those guys set both models to the exact same settings? Did you find the amps (models) had the same amount of gain when doing so?

I just double checked with JTM45 and AC30 models. Without any boost on the Stadium and same setting on both models, the FAS model seems to have way more gain.

I have noticed that Fractal tends to have more gain in general. It actually makes dialing in medium gain type tones easier for me on the Stadium. Fractal is also a lot more compressed, but some of that is likely due to the advanced speaker parameters (compression, drive, etc....). I don't know how much gain there should be, but it is something I've noticed.

 

[Digital Igloo]

Nice write-up on various stem separation tools from Music Radar here.

 

[Dimiguitar]

I have noticed that Fractal tends to have more gain in general. It actually makes dialing in medium gain type tones easier for me on the Stadium. Fractal is also a lot more compressed, but some of that is likely due to the advanced speaker parameters (compression, drive, etc....). I don't know how much gain there should be, but it is something I've noticed.

Typically I turn all these speaker parameters to 0 on the fractal.

 

[ccc118]

That's all from one user who scrapes the internet looking for any thread or YouTube video the least bit critical of Stadium and then shares it as a new thread. The dude apparently keeps getting banned, and then comes back with a new alt, only to do the same stuff again. If anyone calls him out, he claims he's being "stalked" and then reports them. It's pathetic.

That guy is pretty ridiculous. He also uses very misleading thread titles to try to imply the video he's linking is more negative than it really is.

 

[GTR37]

That's all from one user who scrapes the internet looking for any thread or YouTube video the least bit critical of Stadium and then shares it as a new thread. The dude apparently keeps getting banned, and then comes back with a new alt, only to do the same stuff again. If anyone calls him out, he claims he's being "stalked" and then reports them. It's pathetic.

Is it Yvan / Jean Bloomberg ?

 

[StarF666]

I have noticed that Fractal tends to have more gain in general. It actually makes dialing in medium gain type tones easier for me on the Stadium. Fractal is also a lot more compressed, but some of that is likely due to the advanced speaker parameters (compression, drive, etc....). I don't know how much gain there should be, but it is something I've noticed.

Oh good, I'm not crazy. I really like both units for what they do. I cannot say one sounds better than the other. It really comes down to form factor, UX and features needed.

 

[Digital Igloo]

You just made me realize I had something not on defaul. AM4 input level was at 10dB. But that would mean, +22dB gain from Stadium input through SPDIF to the AM4 to get to the same gain level as the AM4 analog input. And because this is the Stadium thread, the takeaway so far is Stadiums input level seems to low. Or AM4 to high. That could explain why some find FAS more attracting. Or it is just me finding my Stadium sounds more FAS with some boost on the frontend.

I didn't follow that whole comparison thing the last weeks. Did those guys set both models to the exact same settings? Did you find the amps (models) had the same amount of gain when doing so?

I just double checked with JTM45 and AC30 models. Without any boost on the Stadium and same setting on both models, the FAS model seems to have way more gain.

Stadium adds an adjustable input Trim (0.1dB resolution) at the Input block. Helix only had Pad on/Pad off.

This is currently only per input block, per preset, but you can make a template with the input Trims turned up if desired and start every new preset from it.

 

[Marksh]

I’m playing around with a preset where I have an IR and an HX cab on the same line, alternating between the two. Things get strange after a while when I switch between them or delete one then undo. Volume jumps and tonal differences. I don’t know exactly how the SIC works but is anyone else experiencing this? 

 

[ccc118]

Oh good, I'm not crazy. I really like both units for what they do. I cannot say one sounds better than the other. It really comes down to form factor, UX and features needed.

I've never used SPDIF, so I don't know if that's a factor. Also, you had mentioned using a +12db gain boost on the Stadium. I wouldn't say I'm noticing quite that much of a difference, but I haven't really focused much on comaring enough to say how much it is. As DI mentioned, there is an input trim. Fractal has this as well so you can dial in the gain further with those if you want.

 

[ccc118]

I’m playing around with a preset where I have an IR and an HX cab on the same line, alternating between the two. Things get strange after a while when I switch between them or delete one then undo. Volume jumps and tonal differences. I don’t know exactly how the SIC works but is anyone else experiencing this? 

Yes, I think this is a known bug.

 

[CakeEater]

I've had my stadium for a few weeks now. And while I can see certain aspects have some maturing to do, overall I'm incredibly satisfied. I'm big into ambient, praise and worship, post-rock scene, and what Stadium has allowed me to do has been absolutely exceptional. My kitchen sink patch now has a mono boost, mono drive, mono gain, 4 stereo delays, 5 stereo reverbs, 2 Agora amps and cabs, a stereo chorus and a stereo tremolo. That’s wild.

I've definitely noticed a substantial improvement in the overall feel, interaction and sound quality of the Agoura amps. I'm using the Deluxe Reverb model, the interaction with my guitars’ volume knob and picking dynamics really comes through, and they just sound bigger, better, and more responsive, so on tones, I'm entirely happy.

Also, wireless editing is really convenient. I have had dropouts from time to time. But I'm sure that will improve. And been able to play music through Stadium using Bluetooth is a nice luxury.

A few points, or things that I think could be improved in the future;

One, the nature of creating copies of a preset and saving them where you like in the preset list isn't
as easy as it was on OG Helix.

Two, I've noticed that Instrument Input 2 has less gain than Instrument Input 1. Perhaps that's fixable with the trim, or perhaps it's got a different Z level. Not a big deal, but I was expecting them to be identical.

Three, the only real issue I've had to date, I've noticed that the output block that goes to the next row sometimes clips when I never had never seen OG Helix do that. It's easily solved by adding a gain block with a minus value in front of it, and then compensating at the start of the second path, but I’d prefer not to have to do that. The output block has built in level, but it doesn’t attenuate the level of the signal going in, so turning it down doesn't solve it.

Other than that, I'm very happy. I'm looking forward to more Agoura amps, of the ambient, praise and worship variety, a Matchless, another Vox, anything Fender-y, perhaps an Agoura Lonestar Special, but overall, as a hobbyist, I'm entirely satisfied.

 

[MIJLOVER]

I've had my stadium for a few weeks now. And while I can see certain aspects have some maturing to do, overall I'm incredibly satisfied. I'm big into ambient, praise and worship, post-rock scene, and what Stadium has allowed me to do has been absolutely exceptional. My kitchen sink patch now has a mono boost, mono drive, mono gain, 4 stereo delays, 5 stereo reverbs, 2 Agora amps and cabs, a stereo chorus and a stereo tremolo. That’s wild.

I've definitely noticed a substantial improvement in the overall feel, interaction and sound quality of the Agoura amps. I'm using the Deluxe Reverb model, the interaction with my guitars’ volume knob and picking dynamics really comes through, and they just sound bigger, better, and more responsive, so on tones, I'm entirely happy.

Also, wireless editing is really convenient. I have had dropouts from time to time. But I'm sure that will improve. And been able to play music through Stadium using Bluetooth is a nice luxury.

A few points, or things that I think could be improved in the future;

One, the nature of creating copies of a preset and saving them where you like in the preset list isn't
as easy as it was on OG Helix.

Two, I've noticed that Instrument Input 2 has less gain than Instrument Input 1. Perhaps that's fixable with the trim, or perhaps it's got a different Z level. Not a big deal, but I was expecting them to be identical.

Three, the only real issue I've had to date, I've noticed that the output block that goes to the next row sometimes clips when I never had never seen OG Helix do that. It's easily solved by adding a gain block with a minus value in front of it, and then compensating at the start of the second path, but I’d prefer not to have to do that. The output block has built in level, not it doesn’t attenuate the level of the signal going in, so turning it down doesn't solve the it.

Other than that, I'm very happy. I'm looking forward to more Agoura amps, of the ambient, praise and worship variety, a Matchless, another Vox, anything Fender-y, perhaps an Agoura Lonestar Special, but overall, as a hobbyist, I'm entirely satisfied.

I'm in the process of making my kitchen sink preset for the cover band I play in, but I keep getting sidetracked from just playing the amps. Today, the Silver Jubilee was the reason I was late for my appointment this afternoon. Can't praise that amp enough

I'm with you on more Agoura amps. I want some of the ones you mentioned along with the Grammatico GSG (or equivalent D-style amp), but I could make do with what's in the box for sure. The 2C+ totally caught me by surprise, love how touch responsive and dynamic it is!

 

[SlipperyBill]

Did we ever get a timeline when Proxy would make an appearance ? Im sure i remember seeing Digital Igloo mention 2026 but cant remember if he specified when exactly

 

[EOengineer]

Two, I've noticed that Instrument Input 2 has less gain than Instrument Input 1. Perhaps that's fixable with the trim, or perhaps it's got a different Z level. Not a big deal, but I was expecting them to be identical.

I have not confirmed this through use, but I’d expect those inputs to function identically given the same Z setting.

 

[MIJLOVER]

Did we ever get a timeline when Proxy would make an appearance ? Im sure i remember seeing Digital Igloo mention 2026 but cant remember if he specified when exactly

They hope to have an early preview / sneakpeak at NAMM

 

[HomespunEffects]

… I've noticed that Instrument Input 2 has less gain than Instrument Input 1. Perhaps that's fixable with the trim, or perhaps it's got a different Z level. Not a big deal, but I was expecting them to be identical. …

Quick question, are you using a noise gate side-chained to Instrument input 1?