Line 6 Helix Stadium Talk

[Orvillain]

Stadium on R Channel?

What makes you say that out of interest?

 

[mavrick102000]

I wasn't listening through my good cans so I couldn't isolate them enough to really compare. It could be that the signal seemed a little louder on the R channel as well - which can skew perception.

Just a little more crisp on the highs.

Not in a bad way but usually in comparison to Fractal, there is a little more high mids and highs when listening, they just poke out a little more than the other.

 

[Orvillain]

Well funnily enough the fractal is on the right, stadium on the left. But they're so close.

 

[ejecta]

The SL68 is IMO a great example of a late 60s Marshall. I’d actually expect yours to sound and feel a lot closer to the Agoura BritPlexi than my 70s spec 1959. What have your impressions been of the Agoura Plexi compared to your Suhr?

Like you said I find it pretty dang close to my SL68. In fact I had built a board and rig around either loading down a Marshall SC20 or the Synergy Syn1 with the Marshall SLP module. I even thought about turning down the purchase option from Sweetwater of the Stadium when I got it the email because I didn’t think it would live up. Glad decided to give it a shot because it’s so close. I’m selling off some of the gear for that rig now and going with just gigging the Stadium.

 

[EOengineer]

Had an extended run at the Agoura 2203 today and JFC that model absolutely rips. The kerrang is so nice, there’s a better pick attack and response than the Hx model. I could probably live on this model for like 70% of my playing. Absolutely loves my Gibsons.

Like you said I find it pretty dang close to my SL68. In fact I had built a board and rig around either loading down a Marshall SC20 or the Synergy Syn1 with the Marshall SLP module. I even thought about turning down the purchase option from Sweetwater of the Stadium when I got it the email because I didn’t think it would live up. Glad decided to give it a shot because it’s so close. I’m selling off some of the gear for that rig now and going with just gigging the Stadium.

This is funny to read. I had basically left the Hx ecosystem and was running my 1959 or 2204 through a Suhr RL and just recording that way. Honestly the real amp rig works and sounds great so I’m naturally side-eyeing all the modeling stuff like I don’t trust it or something.

While the SL isn’t hitting for me, the 60s Plexi guys seem to love it so there you go. The Agoura 2203 scratches my 2204 itch in a real way. I feel like it’s pedantic to ask for a 70s SL with a 68 and a Superbass already in Stadium LMAO. I can probably get most of what I’m looking for from the Brit2203.

 

[ejecta]

Had an extended run at the Agoura 2203 today and JFC that model absolutely rips. The kerrang is so nice, there’s a better pick attack and response than the Hx model. I could probably live on this model for like 70% of my playing. Absolutely loves my Gibsons.


This is funny to read. I had basically left the Hx ecosystem and was running my 1959 or 2204 through a Suhr IR and just recording that way. Honestly the real amp rig works and sounds great so I’m naturally side-eyeing all the modeling stuff like I don’t trust it or something.

While the SL isn’t hitting for me, the 60s Plexi guys seem to love it so there you go. The Agoura 2203 scratches my 2204 itch in a real way. I feel like it’s pedantic to ask for a 70s SL with a 68 and a Superbass already in Stadium LMAO. I can probably get most of what I’m looking for from the Brit2203.

Man the Brit2203 is great! I still have a lot of exploring to do on it with more of the other models. I’d like to build a rig around the Superbass at some point. My freelance work is really digging into my gear messing around time. Gotta make money to fund the gear. If I could get the gear monkey off my back I wouldn’t have to work more and would have more time to mess with this stuff.

 

[EOengineer]

My favorite “Plexi” in Hx is the Brit Trem Bright. I like it infinity more than the Hx Plexi. Definitely wouldn’t hate seeing that pop up in Agoura.

 

[ejecta]

Definitely wouldn’t hate seeing that pop up in Agoura.

That would be great for sure. I’m thinking if L6 can get the capturing process to be an easy process like the rest of their gear is easy and it sounds as good as Agoura then I’ll have my amps that I really like in an easy portable rig as well. We’ll see how that goes. I’m hoping for some good things since Agoura is sounds and feeling really nice.

 

[Orvillain]

I kinda can't wait for the Cali IIC+ - much anticipate.

 

[EOengineer]

I kinda can't wait for the Cali IIC+ - much anticipate.

This is the most anticipation I’ve had for any amp model, really. I feel like it’s a hard amp to capture, and a hard amp to model. I’m SO INTERESTED in how it’s going to come out.

A solid 2203 and IIC+ covers like 90% of my amp needs. A great rectifier model sets me up all the way.

 

[HotRats]

When you guys talk rotary, are we talking a slow univiby pulsey kind of thing? Or like…full blown SRV Coldshot?

For me rotary means a Leslie simulation with slow, fast, acceleration between the two and possibly some control over the balance between horns and drum.

 

[Richard_G]

I'm on the G66 AM4 waitlist. I think the AM4 might be perfect for me, but I can't help thinking about the alternatives—specifically whether a Stadium XL or non-XL (or really a forthcoming Stadium Stomp) should be my main target.

One concern I can't quite get over is that the AM4 is part of the current generation, while Fractal has been pretty clear that a next-gen line is coming. I'd hate for the AM4 not to be ‘future-proof’ in the sense that it might not get enough attention from FAS after the next generation is released.

And yes, of course there's a difference in target use here (the Stadium as an all-in-one solution vs. the AM4 as an all-in-one-in-some-situations but mainly a pedalboard component). What I'm trying to figure out is whether I should spend the extra money to get in early in the Stadium’s lifespan, or buy the AM4 and accept that it's a late-third-generation, transitional product.

 

[mikah912]

This is the most anticipation I’ve had for any amp model, really. I feel like it’s a hard amp to capture, and a hard amp to model. I’m SO INTERESTED in how it’s going to come out.

A solid 2203 and IIC+ covers like 90% of my amp needs. A great rectifier model sets me up all the way.

I feel similar, but I'd substitute more hot-rodded Agoura Marshall variants for the "great rectifier model". Looks like the Silver Jubilee will be a wonderful addition, and having it, the Ecstasy and the SLO out of the gate is Christmas for me.

Rectos are great and absolutely unique, but like 5150s....I like them boosted and EQed to reduce some of the woofiness and extra fizz.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Why does Stadium edit look for .hss or hls files when importing presets when .hsp are the preset file formats?

 

[ccc118]

Why does Stadium edit look for .hss or hls files when importing presets when .hsp are the preset file formats?

Are you in the librarian tab? You might be clicking the import button under the set list column. The preset column is on the right and has it's own import button. here's also a preset import option if you click "file" in the upper left. I kept making that mistake at first also until I realized what was going on. Just make sure you're on a blank preset first, otherwise if you're on a preset and import a new one, it will overwrite it. I made that mistake once.

 

[EOengineer]

I am having a ton of fun with the 2203. I discovered that I could crank the master way up to 7 and it sounds like its going to explode out of the speakers.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Are you in the librarian tab? You might be clicking the import button under the set list column. The preset column is on the right and has it's own import button. here's also a preset import option if you click "file" in the upper left. I kept making that mistake at first also until I realized what was going on. Just make sure you're on a blank preset first, otherwise if you're on a preset and import a new one, it will overwrite it. I made that mistake once.

That's what it was. It looks like you have to click an empty preset slot and then the 'Import' button lights up or just drag and drop the preset. I'm not really sure why drag and drop didn't work when I tried it before? Thank you sir!

 

[dbagchee]

This is the most anticipation I’ve had for any amp model, really. I feel like it’s a hard amp to capture, and a hard amp to model. I’m SO INTERESTED in how it’s going to come out.

A solid 2203 and IIC+ covers like 90% of my amp needs. A great rectifier model sets me up all the way.

Especially if it is the full amp with all of the push pull knobs, switches, and eq

 

[paisleywookiee]

A solid 2203 and IIC+ covers like 90% of my amp needs. A great rectifier model sets me up all the way.

Ya goddamned right. I’m basically a 2203/Mark/SLO guy these days.

 

[Karl Houseknecht]

Fractal has been pretty clear that a next-gen line is coming

I'd submit that they've been anything but clear about that. One off-hand comment about how the next generation of Fractal devices will make all the others "look like Game Boys" isn't exactly an announcement. That's an awful large current product line to obsolete overnight.