Line 6 Helix Stadium Talk

[SlipperyBill]

I can’t even get it to connect to my computer right so I can’t even update it. I may come back and see later…. but maybe not this piece.

You've already announced your departure . Nobody cared than, and nobody cares now .
Follow with another sad departure message , go

 

[dean701]

With no cab or only IRs, Stadium loads the SIC for that amp's default matched cab.

@Digital Igloo
Hey Eric,
Going back to this
Can you please tell me whether there are plans to address this in the future?
When using an IR, it would be more fitting to be able to choose a SIC that is more appropriate with the IR.
Thanks

 

[CrazyD]

Well I’m out on this product.

Bye.


Helix XL is really cool but what’s the exact polar opposite of that….. is the F’n WiFi. They’ll never learn. Let me hook it up only with the USB with no care in the world about WiFi. Why is that so hard?

Taking it Wednesday to Nashville for trade bait on some other gear. I don’t even care to try sell and ship the thing.

Gotta a plan for a cooler board with a Syn1 JMP preamp and some pedals for my direct gig anyway.

Pretty sure I see a VP4 in my future.

Hey there @ejecta ,
Take a look at my post about Wi-Fi.
Can you check if it's the case for you?

Here it is:

Hey there fellow Stadium users.

I've been following this thread some time now ( what a ride) and since the weekend I am also in the game. So far, no issues and loving it.

While I didn't have any Wi-Fi issue, I followed a discussion on the German Helix site that could be a reason for Wi-Fi issues worth mentioning here.

If you have 2,4ghz and 5,8ghz activated on your router and they both are using the same SSID the Helix Stadium connection was always unstable. Turning off or using a separate SSID for 5.8ghz solved the issue for the people.

I have also a separate SSID for 5.8ghz

For the ones with issues, take a look and try it out. Would be great to get some feedback

Cheers

 

[crispsandwich]

@Digital Igloo
Hey Eric,
Going back to this
Can you please tell me whether there are plans to address this in the future?
When using an IR, it would be more fitting to be able to choose a SIC that is more appropriate with the IR.
Thanks

Agreed. For me, this was when Fractal's modelling took a big step forward. Selectable speaker impedance curves changed everything. That interaction is a crucial part of getting the 'feel' right.

 

[Foxmeister]

When using an IR, it would be more fitting to be able to choose a SIC that is more appropriate with the IR.

I agree that this is a good idea but can't it at least be "simulated" by linking and bypassing the cabinet with the desired SIC before running the output into an IR?

 

[Orvillain]

I agree that this is a good idea but can't it at least be "simulated" by linking and bypassing the cabinet with the desired SIC before running the output into an IR?

No I don't think that works right now. At least it doesn't sound like it to me. Loading an IR block always seems to make the amp just use its default SIC.

 

[Foxmeister]

No I don't think that works right now. At least it doesn't sound like it to me. Loading an IR block always seems to make the amp just use its default SIC.

You may well be correct, but that was the impression I got from DI's posts below.

IMO, the "only IRs" bit seems to imply that an IR would use a linked cabs SIC.

With no cab or only IRs, Stadium loads the SIC for that amp's default matched cab.

Just confirmed with Brandon. If a linked Cab block is bypassed, it still informs its Amp block's SIC.

 

[EOengineer]

Agoura Plexi just kind of shows that Line 6 didn’t really learn what people wanted out of a proper Marshall Super Lead. Helix Legacy got so close and at least offered plenty of choice. The Agoura model ain’t it. They’ll get there eventually but it’s baffling that they chose this one for the first batch.

Back when I really lost my shit and threw my regrettable little childish temper tantrum over the Agoura Plexi, this was the core of my frustration.

I’ve dropped $5k+ into the Helix & Stadium ecosystem over almost a decade and still can’t get a decent Superlead crunch. Fractal got me there for $768 and 1 knob turn. To say I have concerns about whether my investment is going to pay off would be an understatement. I’m beginning to feel like I’m in a plane that isn’t going to clear the runway.

I’m hoping the Beta helps crowdsource some of this knowledge. I think there’s a more open process than what may have existed with Helix.

Take a look at my post about Wi-Fi.
Can you check if it's the case for you?

Here it is:

I think their point is that software probably shouldn’t be going out the door with broken core/critical functionality. The dual band SSID thing isn’t unusual or crumbling edge tech at this point.

We’ve had a couple FW updates, big feature releases like showcase and soon Proxy, yet foundational core pieces of the system aren’t currently working well.

This sort of thing fuels the perception that L6 is spread too thin and focusing too much on shiny stuff (showcase/proxy) while overlooking the meat and potatoes functionality. I’m a dev, I get it, and I’ve repeatedly defended L6 on this point but at this point even I’m starting to have my doubts.

No I don't think that works right now. At least it doesn't sound like it to me. Loading an IR block always seems to make the amp just use its default SIC.

I had similar findings performing tests a couple weeks ago. The SIC selection thing is something they are going to have to expose. Period. In this day and age too many people use IRs to not provide control of this parameter. This should have been in 1.0 and if they aren’t planning to implement it they are going to get laughed out of this space.

I don’t need a $2200 iPod. I need to reproduce real world signal and amp behavior.

Get shit right, add toys later.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

I don’t want to disparage people I don’t know and have never met. I’ll just say that if it’s an individual making these amp selection choices, L6 can do better. They have big knowledge gaps and not just with the Marshalls. If it’s a process, that process is failing.

I’ve dropped $5k+ into the Helix & Stadium ecosystem over almost a decade and still can’t get a decent Superlead crunch. Fractal got me there for $768 and 1 knob turn. To say I have concerns about whether my investment is going to pay off would be an understatement. I’m beginning to feel like I’m in a plane that isn’t going to clear the runway.

I just think of how amazing Line 6’s amp collection is, and the potential of what they’re able to achieve with all their talent, experience, resources, connections etc. Gets more frustrating when it’s internal decisions that make them slip into avoidable potholes.

I think even when taste and personal preference comes into it, I’d hope guys who are experts in their field would still realise what choices might be polarising, or if they are including something that is a bit of an edge case, to also include something more representative of what users are used to.

I’m sure eventually the Legacy amp list will be mostly updated, assuming all the old amps still exist and are functional. Line 6 have a killer connection of Marshalls, (and that gorgeous Park) and they also have access to way more than we can ever really comprehend (through their artist relations, studios nearby in Los Angeles, having resources to buy rare items etc).

 

[ejecta]

Hey there @ejecta ,
Take a look at my post about Wi-Fi.
Can you check if it's the case for you?

Here it is:

Thanks man! That really may be it. I like the Helix so not super stoked to move to something else but I have to be able to connect to it. This was way more helpful than that retard post above yours.

 

[ejecta]

Nobody cared than, and nobody cares now

Not really accurate. You cared so much you just had to respond…. so yeah.

 

[EOengineer]

You cared enough to respond so yeah.

 

[molul]

You've already announced your departure . Nobody cared than, and nobody cares now .
Follow with another sad departure message , go

Are you one of those coming from TGP these days? At least the posting style matches.

 

[dbfretz]

The SIC thing and the Plexi thing is poor imo. Need more attention to detail with stuff like that.

 

[Chocol8]

Plexi thing is poor imo.

If you look at prices of vintage Plexi's, it looks like Line 6 copied the more popular version. Sometimes this forum suffers from group think that is not representative of the guitar playing community. As far as the SIC, Fractal is still correcting pot sweeps. No one gets it all right the first time or even the first decade. A lot of bold claims from idiots who have never produced anything themselves.

 

[dean701]

With Proxy on the way, I hope it all becomes moot. I just need one capture and I'm all good.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

If you look at prices of vintage Plexi's, it looks like Line 6 copied the more popular version. Sometimes this forum suffers from group think that is not representative of the guitar playing community. As far as the SIC, Fractal is still correcting pot sweeps. No one gets it all right the first time or even the first decade. A lot of bold claims from idiots who have never produced anything themselves.

When Marshall have reissued their 1959’s, they’ve gone to great lengths to hunt down the most desirable circuits and model versions. The 1959HW is a “pre-July 1969” circuit and IIRC their reference unit was very close in serials to some very famous users amps.

The SLP is based on a later 70’s version. Their own manual says the 1959HW has a 0.005µF bright cap and that 1965-1967 used 100pF. SLP also has a fairly aggressive bright cap.

We all know Marshall were quite inconsistent with what amps shipped with, but they also did an insane amount of research when they did their reissues and didn’t just shove them in as a novelty. They’re looking to sell as many amps as possible and are going to go for the circuit that they think players want.

I suppose the SIC aspect is interesting too because old Marshalls (and I believe the 1959HW) tap the impedance off the speaker jack, so the NFB will be affected by the impedance setting and cab that is being used. It’s another case where having some user adjustment is worthwhile.

 

[EOengineer]

The SIC thing and the Plexi thing is poor imo. Need more attention to detail with stuff like that.

there’s nuance that’s important. If the traditional 68 Plexi is what L6 was going for - they nailed it. My point is that we either need control of bright cap and filtering parameters on that model, or we need a good 70s Superlead to do “that other” Superlead thing. The L6 Plexi is an opinionated take and we’re going to need more variation. I don’t need fractals 10+ Superlead’s or whatever it is, but I need a 70s spec model.

If you look at prices of vintage Plexi's, it looks like Line 6 copied the more popular version. Sometimes this forum suffers from group think that is not representative of the guitar playing community.

Nah. There is no such thing as a “most popular” version of the Plexi. The 68 is coveted by the Hendrix and EVH guys, but that represents a very narrow take on a circuit that evolved over a couple decades and sounded quite different across those ranges. It’s unrealistic to think one Superlead model with no ability to account for some of those changes would cover all sounds the different variants produce. There are coveted tones from literally each version.

Even an “era” parameter that switches between 60s and 70s spec would go a long way towards helping us out. I don’t feel like this is a huge ask.

When Marshall have reissued their 1959’s, they’ve gone to great lengths to hunt down the most desirable circuits and model versions. The 1959HW is a “pre-July 1969” circuit and IIRC their reference unit was very close in serials to some very famous users amps.

The SLP is based on a later 70’s version. Their own manual says the 1959HW has a 0.005µF bright cap and that 1965-1967 used 100pF. SLP also has a fairly aggressive bright cap.

We all know Marshall were quite inconsistent with what amps shipped with, but they also did an insane amount of research when they did their reissues and didn’t just shove them in as a novelty. They’re looking to sell as many amps as possible and are going to go for the circuit that they think players want.

One thing L6 did that I really appreciated with Stadium was to include a SuperBass. I have to give them props because that amp doesn’t get enough recognition.

I genuinely hope the Marshall thing gets figured out. It’s such a bummer where I see them making tons of progress in other areas.

 

[Chocol8]

There is no such thing as a “most popular” version of the Plexi.

The used prices in a free market tell a very very different story.

 

[EOengineer]

The used prices in a free market tell a very very different story.

This is deeply flawed logic.

The 68 Plexi is expensive because the supply is so limited. There were a billion 70s Superleads.