I've now had the Stadium for over a month and I am closing in fast on having to make a decision if the Stadium stays, gets returned, or I keep it a bit longer and deal with the risks of selling used? At the moment I gyrate between days I love it and want to keep it to days I like the FM3 more. Not the clear cut win I was hoping for. I usually try to stick with a one in one out policy for my main rig, but as of now I'm not sure... I'm guessing others are also nearing the end of their return window and I'm wondering what others are going to do?
Here are my current thoughts about the Stadium.
- Pros
- UI: Unquestionably the best UI I have used on a modeler. I have owned Fractal, Helix, QC, and Headrush devices. No experience with the TMP. The screen is clear and touch response is nearly iPhone level.
- OLED scribble strips are more readable than the backlit LCD scribble strips on Fractal, although I've not used the MK II devices with bigger scribble strips.
- Amp Tones: There are a few models I actually like more on Stadium than my FM3 when doing a direct comparison using a ABY foot switch (Revv, Bogner and Vox), while others I have no strong preference and others I like less (Marshall and Mesa). I also really like having more of the channels and switches built into a single model (Revv Purple for example) vs being split apart into separate models like Fractal does. Unfortunately, Revv, 5153, etc. must still be separate models for blue/red and purple/red, etc.
- Effects: Some of the effects are really great and as good or better than the equivalent found on Fractal.
- Neutral
- Screen size: I feel like the unit is bigger than it needs to be due to screen size. I think a wide screen the same width as the current screen, but an inch or so less tall would have been nearly as usable while allowing for a smaller unit.
- Focus View: For all intents and purposes it is 5 block presets with inbetween settings. I love the idea of blocks having presets built into the unit. But I would be just as happy with a list of 5+ block presets to get me started and give me ideas.
- Hype knob: Sometimes I like a little, but most of the time I don't like what it does and don't use it.
- Showcase: I haven't found a use for this yet, so no opinion.
- Cons
- No channels in blocks: This missing feature really reduces the amount of DSP available the way I use snapshots/scenes. I commonly set up two snapshots for cleans, often something like a double reverb with matching cab. Two crunch snapshots with something like a 5153 blue or Mesa yellow with matching cab. Two plus lead snapshots with something like a 5153 red or Mesa red with matching cab. With Fractal this only requires one amp block and one cab block. With the Stadium it requires 3x3 to do the same thing. In my testing this can eat up nearly 75% of available DSP when using Stadiums new amps.
- DSP limitations are more apparent than I would expect from a next generation modeler. But as previously mentioned, I chalk this up to not having block channels.
- Foot switch flexibility: the foot switching is not nearly as flexible as Fractal.
- Limited number or amp models. In the occurrences where I preferred a model on the Stadium, Vox AC30 for example, I can often find an alternative model I like even more in the Fractal. In this case I preferred the Morgan AC20 over the Stadium AC30, and I still have a Matchless on the Fractal to try.
- Speaker Impedance Curve: SIC implementation is okay with just one amp or cab. Use more than one amp or an IR and it gets really wonky or just downright bad. Fractal handles SIC much better.
- Computer Editor: I'm glad it exists as I use it a lot. But definitely prefer Axe Edit.
- Effects: effects earn a place on the pros and cons list. While some sound great, others don't sound as good to me or are just missing compared to FM3.
- Amps: another that earns a place on both the pros and cons lists. Some amp models I like less than those in the Fractal.
- Bugs: Lock ups, loss of sound without reboot, etc. I'm sure they will get it sorted out, but there are more major bugs than expected.
- Price: At twice the price of an FM3 and around 25% more than directly competing products, I guess I hoped for more.
I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting at the moment, but I think this is a pretty complete list. So what have other Stadium users decided?
