Line 6 Helix Stadium Talk

[Gary_W]

More or less I just want to shove the inevitable Agoura triple rectifier through the 8inch tweed champ cab so I finally know what that sounds like without cooking my real amps. I’m hoping Agoura accurately models a full on meltdown.

First amp I ever had was a 2nd hand Gorilla practice amp where someone had cut a slash in the speaker to cheer it up (apparently that was a thing). If they ever model that I’ll be putting a plexi through it with a tear in my eye

 

[EOengineer]

I have two Deluxe Reverbs. One is an almost 100% original '67 Deluxe with an Oxford speaker. The other is an Alessandro re-built deluxe, built to '65 specs with an Alessandro GA-SC64 speaker (which is supposed to replicate an old Jensen, I think?).

The breakup character of the my '67 is almost exactly like the Agoura model. The HX model breaks before my actual amp does.

The Alessandro amp is actually cleaner than the Agoura model. Could be the speaker is more efficient, maybe?. But it's just evidence that all these real-world amps behave a bit differently, and it probably all depends on the actual amp Line 6 has, and whether it's vintage or not. I'd love for them to give us more info on the actual amps they modeled. Like what year they are, what, if any, mods have been done (or un-done) to them, etc. But I'm an amp nerd, ha.

Great points and I’ll echo your request for more of the specific amp info. I’ll need to hook up my 78 SFDR to do a comparison soon. I could be misremembering how much crunch mine delivers.

 

[GTR37]

Speaking of fizz and harsh top end , hear is a really good example IMO of a 5153 blue channel w a57 /121 , if you turn this up on headphones it will tear heads but in a mix it probably sounds glorious

 

[JiveTurkey]

IMHO if I were you I’d go back to Fractal because that seems to be where your tastes seem be best satisfied. Not sure you’re going to find anything outside those sounds since you seem so into the company and their products. I don’t think any of the modern modelers are worth switching between so much just to think the tones are going to be light years different between them because they are not. The whole grass isn’t greener thing and as always YMMV

I didn't leave Fractal. I still have my FM3 and 9 and use them both regularly. This purchase wasn't about "leaving" or "replacing" anything. Just being a gear nut more than anything as it has been quite some time since I have given the HX stuff a chance? I've definitely done the Gasp thing over the years as far as trying to "maximize my tone" that last .73 percent and it's a futile task imo. I'm pleased with my purchase overall. More jam time with it will be the ticket I'd say.

 

[fr8_trane]

So this comparison brings me back to…why does the Agoura Deluxe Reverb have SO LITTLE gain compared to the Hx model. It’s immediately apparent in this comparison. It’s not a small difference. Sure, we’re not usually looking for a deluxe to breath fire…but it’s an interesting detail.


I’ve used the Cali Lead preamp into my Simul 2:90 with fantastic results - MUCH more realistic than using the amp model. I think results are just highly variable.

Hmmm... maybe because that's a high gain model? I'm mostly using low to mid gain fender, vox and old school marshall amps.

 

[AlbertA]

What do you guys think of this?

Yeah sounded like two variations - there was no clear "oh yeah that one is much better" than the other.

 

[jellodog]

Not meant for people on this forum per se, but are there any Fractal Audio fans out there who can be like "cool unit, good for line 6, enjoy guys!". Cause, I'm seeing much more of the other approach...

Yeah... I'm totally in that camp, I think. We're not all rabid!

Love the L6 guys; love the Fractal guys. It's aaaaallll good

 

[yek]

Not meant for people on this forum per se, but are there any Fractal Audio fans out there who can be like "cool unit, good for line 6, enjoy guys!". Cause, I'm seeing much more of the other approach...

View attachment raise-hands-raise-idea.webp

 

[GLiDE-BPM]

'm sure there will be many of these comparison videos to watch, but here is a look at the HX vs Agoura Deluxe Reverb (vibrato) amp model:



Playing the two models side by side, you can definitely feel/hear a difference. But you have to be able to A/B between them quickly in the exact same listening environment. You'd be VERY hard pressed to hear a tone in a mix, or sit down and play something without knowing what it is, and say, "Yes that's an Agoura amp model, and not an HX model".

That said, I definitely heard and felt what I would describe as a significant improvement.

It's interesting how people attribute fizz to 'digital' (or 'digital harshness'). Having captured close to 100 real amps with mics on cabs, there is often a LOT of fizz that you hear in real amps, and things like mic choice, placement, speakers, post-EQ, compression, etc have a huge impact on how much fizz you hear, or how harsh it is.

That said, I find the Agoura Deluxe model to be much less 'fizzy'.

He was missing that the Agoura model has more presence and high end. It was not just less punchy low end. Might have to draw a smiley face on the HX. Agoura is way more lively and 3D as he stated.

 

[mikah912]

I didn't leave Fractal. I still have my FM3 and 9 and use them both regularly. This purchase wasn't about "leaving" or "replacing" anything. Just being a gear nut more than anything as it has been quite some time since I have given the HX stuff a chance? I've definitely done the Gasp thing over the years as far as trying to "maximize my tone" that last .73 percent and it's a futile task imo. I'm pleased with my purchase overall. More jam time with it will be the ticket I'd say.

I'm curious what you think of the JCM800 2203 - especially with a SD-1 in front.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I'm curious what you think of the JCM800 2203 - especially with a SD-1 in front.

I used the 2203 with the Minotaur. That was the first amp I dialed in? I am not big on SD-1s IRL overall. I like it with the Rectifier, generally speaking but always end up using a different boost.

 

[banned]

He was missing that the Agoura model has more presence and high end. It was not just less punchy low end. Might have to draw a smiley face on the HX. Agoura is way more lively and 3D as he stated.

I hear the opposite here

 

[GLiDE-BPM]

View attachment 55196

I'm a current Fractal owner and user: Axe FX III MkII Turbo and FM9 Turbo. I am waiting for my Line 6 Stadium XL to arrive tomorrow.
I have always had an open mind about modelers and brands. I was a multi year owner and user of Helix until I purchased my FM9 Turbo.
I just like having options and I'm sure I will have use for the Line 6 Stadium XL!!! My other two units require me to hook up external expression pedals for the FM9 (plus a 6 button Fractal controller) and 2 expression pedals and a Fractal FC-12 controller plus carry the Axe FX III rack.

Stadium will become my most compact and portable grab and go solution. I am looking forward to the improved HX model sounds and the new Agoura models!!! Rock On!!!!!

 

[mikah912]

I used the 2203 with the Minotaur. That was the first amp I dialed in? I am not big on SD-1s IRL overall. I like it with the Rectifier, generally speaking but always end up using a different boost.

On the OG Helix, I used to use the SD-9 Hedgehog. But with the 2203, I switch between the SD-1 and the Compulsive Drive/OCD set to V2.

 

[Chocol8]

More or less I just want to shove the inevitable Agoura triple rectifier through the 8inch tweed champ cab so I finally know what that sounds like without cooking my real amps. I’m hoping Agoura accurately models a full on meltdown.

Hah! I have a pretty good idea how that goes...

First there is a burnt smell coming from the cab, and then things go quiet and a new smell comes from the output transformer, followed shortly by screams of agony coming from your wallet. I don't think Agora can model that experience yet.

 

[JiveTurkey]

On the OG Helix, I used to use the SD-9 Hedgehog. But with the 2203, I switch between the SD-1 and the Compulsive Drive/OCD set to V2.

OCD was one I used to use back in the day as well as one of my faves in real life as well.

 

[AlbertA]

followed shortly by screams of agony coming from your wallet.

I think they got that one covered

 

[Jarick]

First amp I ever had was a 2nd hand Gorilla practice amp where someone had cut a slash in the speaker to cheer it up (apparently that was a thing). If they ever model that I’ll be putting a plexi through it with a tear in my eye

Gorilla was my practice amp too. We definitely need a Tube Stack (TM) switch on the Helix.

I’m waiting for the Marshall Valvestate 100 to get modeled. I miss that one.

 

[EOengineer]

Gorilla was my practice amp too. We definitely need a Tube Stack (TM) switch on the Helix.

I’m waiting for the Marshall Valvestate 100 to get modeled. I miss that one.

What about a Pignose amp model where you can assign the open/close amount to the expression pedal?

 

[AZG]

Gorilla was my practice amp too. We definitely need a Tube Stack (TM) switch on the Helix.

I’m waiting for the Marshall Valvestate 100 to get modeled. I miss that one.

You were lucky! I had a Crate and my friend had a Gorilla. I was always envious how much "better" his Gorilla sounded