Line 6 Helix Stadium Talk

[Richard_G]

Thanks for posting these, @Karl Houseknecht, this was very interesting!

 

[GTR37]

A = Agoura
B = Fractal

I didn’t go to any special trouble to match these other than using the same settings and then trying to match levels. Imagine what someone with better ears for that could do.

I had the same results with the 2203, EVH, Revv, and Ecstasy. The AC30 is more different because they are different amps but it is still close. This amp is particularly eyebrow raising because Fractal is known for / prides themselves on their accuracy of the Mark models.

My main point here is anyone claiming “light years” of difference in the modeling quality between the platforms is listening with their eyes. And even I fully expected Fractal to still have an edge. If they do, it’s not something I can quantify.

They were very close
It sounds like the only amp that may have something odd now Is the 5153
And maybe Jubilee
But the Mark 2 , XTC, 800, Revv, SLO
They seem to have nailed pretty good

 

[Karl Houseknecht]

the only amp that may have something odd now Is the 5153

What are you hearing there?

 

[GTR37]

What are you hearing there?

Again , I am only judging a clip but there seemed to be some discrepancy vs Dead pan real amp and the Stadium
Albeit it could could down to many things mic’s , cab choices etc
Although I think he used same IRs
Mirror pointed it out to , but in your clips I don’t hear that kind of tone
Kind of woofy lows like depth is cranked and and upper mid spike that is a bit too present

 

[Mongillo19]

Me trying to be helpful

 

[JiveTurkey]

Credit to @MirrorProfiles for the DI:

AM4:

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Stadium

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Both 2C+ with Miko plugin (same cab settings).
My first time successfully reamping (ever) but I'm worried I did it wrong given how different the amps sound. However, it was done over USB for both the stadium and AM so leveling should be correct? Anyway, I got some FOMO on the 1.2 update so I am borrowing a friends to make sure I'm not a dumbass and buy another stadium honestly, I think I prefer the Stadium here but it doesn't really have the dryness of the AM....which I personally associate with the Mark series.

I like the Stadium better here too. IRL; I got some OK results but greatly preferred the FAS stuff. And again; if I have to use extreme settings to get the results I want; that seems like a step backwards.

 

[Marksh]

I like the Stadium better here too. IRL; I got some OK results but greatly preferred the FAS stuff. And again; if I have to use extreme settings to get the results I want; that seems like a step backwards.

Although @Karl Houseknecht used the same exact settings on both.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Although @Karl used the same exact settings on both.

My point was I'm never setting the presence on .6. Ever. I know you need to listen with your ears and not your eyes but if I dialed the real amp in; the presence is going up just because that's the way I dial it in. This just takes me back to the "Set the master on .5 and you're set!"

 

[Karl Houseknecht]

My point was I'm never setting the presence on .6. Ever. I know you need to listen with your ears and not your eyes but if I dialed the real amp in; the presence is going up just because that's the way I dial it in.

On real Marks I never set the presence high. I guess it just depends on what you want to hear. I think of it as a way to add top end sheen, but only if called for.

 

[mikah912]

They were very close
It sounds like the only amp that may have something odd now Is the 5153
And maybe Jubilee
But the Mark 2 , XTC, 800, Revv, SLO
They seem to have nailed pretty good

Don't know why you include the Jubilee. I frickin' love that amp model. Got nothing but great results from day one, and I've heard nothing but compliments on my tones with it both last weekend's gig and in the clip I shared here.

 

[JiveTurkey]

On real Marks I never set the presence high. I guess it just depends on what you want to hear. I think of it as a way to add top end sheen, but only if called for.

I think my ears are blown out so that might explain it

Here's my entrance into the reamp wars. I just did the IIC on the Stadium. I used my favorite HX Mandarin 2x12 V30 cab. DI by LT I believe I disabled the GEQ and Minotaur block on this reamp but this is whereI landed with my IIC Stadium amp block.

 

[Karl Houseknecht]

Jube is really good. The mid and treble controls are so effective. Pairing with a nice V30 cab is my trick with this one.

 

[Karl Houseknecht]

I think my ears are blown out so that might explain it

Here's my entrance into the reamp wars. I just did the IIC on the Stadium. I used my favorite HX Mandarin 2x12 V30 cab. DI by LT I believe I disabled the GEQ and Minotaur block on this reamp but this is whereI landed with my IIC Stadium amp block.

There's some weirdness happening there. Extreme upper high end static or clipping. I'm not going to say the name of the rodent because I don't think it's that and I don't hear it in the model when I play it. But that's what it reminds me of.

 

[JiveTurkey]

There's some weirdness happening there. Extreme upper high end static or clipping. I'm not going to say the name of the rodent because I don't think it's that and I don't hear it in the model when I play it. But that's what it reminds me of.

 

[JiveTurkey]

This the same DI reamped through the Cali Rectifier. No GEQ or Minotaur to provide pick attack

I always end up sizzling the living crap out of the Helix stuff.

 

[mikah912]

A = Agoura
B = Fractal

I didn’t go to any special trouble to match these other than using the same settings and then trying to match levels. Imagine what someone with better ears for that could do.

I had the same results with the 2203, EVH, Revv, and Ecstasy. The AC30 is more different because they are different amps but it is still close. This amp is particularly eyebrow raising because Fractal is known for / prides themselves on their accuracy of the Mark models.

My main point here is anyone claiming “light years” of difference in the modeling quality between the platforms is listening with their eyes. And even I fully expected Fractal to still have an edge. If they do, it’s not something I can quantify.

I agree with you 110%, and honestly didn't want to have a Fractal device onhand when I got my Stadium.

I've lost the appetite for creating A/B shootouts, personally. I was on the verge of doing it with my FM9 and ToneMaster Pro earlier this year, and every time I would boot up the the TMP and enjoy those sounds immensely...I thought "why bother"?

Agoura has more than proven itself for me across a range of models, and the Stadium XL hardware has me falling back in love with many HX models (which really shouldn't just be assumed they're a tier of quality below) too.

I get it if folks like JiveTurkey need "a range of" Mesa Marks or "a range of" modded Marshalls or whatever have you that Fractal provides. In my extensive time with the FM9, I grew to appreciate that less and less. One day, I could prefer the Mesa Mark V channels, and a week later, I'd be back to the Triaxis, then maybe the OG IIC+ after that.

The only way I could actually get down to making music with them was to pick one or two and stick with it. Honestly for my bread and butter (modded Marshalls), I'm already spoiled for choice on Agoura with the Silver Jubilee, 2203 (w/ SD-1), Soldano, and Bogner Ecstasy. For now, I'm picking the Jubilee and sticking with it.

 

[mikah912]

This the same DI reamped through the Cali Rectifier. No GEQ or Minotaur to provide pick attack

I always end up sizzling the living crap out of the Helix stuff.

Yeah, you might be missing higher frequencies in your hearing, sir, because those clips/tones are hot as hell.

I do not need EQ tricks or boosts to provide pick attack with any Stadium tones I dial up, although I do love slapping on a Precision Drive with the Attack parameter cranked to make a rhythm tone extra clanky sometimes.....

 

[MIJLOVER]

I agree with you 110%, and honestly didn't want to have a Fractal device onhand when I got my Stadium.

I've lost the appetite for creating A/B shootouts, personally. I was on the verge of doing it with my FM9 and ToneMaster Pro earlier this year, and every time I would boot up the the TMP and enjoy those sounds immensely...I thought "why bother"?

Agoura has more than proven itself for me across a range of models, and the Stadium XL hardware has me falling back in love with many HX models (which really shouldn't just be assumed they're a tier of quality below) too.

I get it if folks like JiveTurkey need "a range of" Mesa Marks or "a range of" modded Marshalls or whatever have you that Fractal provides. In my extensive time with the FM9, I grew to appreciate that less and less. One day, I could prefer the Mesa Mark V channels, and a week later, I'd be back to the Triaxis, then maybe the OG IIC+ after that.

The only way I could actually get down to making music with them was to pick one or two and stick with it. Honestly for my bread and butter (modded Marshalls), I'm already spoiled for choice on Agoura with the Silver Jubilee, 2203 (w/ SD-1), Soldano, and Bogner Ecstasy. For now, I'm picking the Jubilee and sticking with it.

That amp is soooo gratifying to play, it's silly!

In other news, I'm reading the Mesa IIC+ manual, pretending I own the actual amp

I still haven't decided what amp I'm going to use for the cover band. A lot of indie/alt rock material in the repertoire, so maybe the AC30 is the most sensible in that context, but I think I prefer playing through the Jubille and Super Reverb.

 

[mikah912]

That amp is soooo gratifying to play, it's silly!

In other news, I'm reading the Mesa IIC+ manual, pretending I own the actual amp

I still haven't decided what amp I'm going to use for the cover band. A lot of indie/alt rock material in the repertoire, so maybe the AC30 is the most sensible in that context, but I think I prefer playing through the Jubille and Super Reverb.

That Agoura Super Reverb is also a killer, killer amp model. I just keep it with the Hot Springs in front and maybe a boost pedal too, and it can do soooooooo much.

 

[DanRad]

What stand are you using with the Stadium?

I'm using this Sampson laptop stand, which I had leftover from using it as a mini-keyboard stand before moving to a different solution.