Line 6 Helix Stadium Talk

[Sascha Franck]

Can anyone with a Stadium compare the effects between old helix and also Helix Native?

If the improvements are solely down to a better audio path, then Helix Native should fare well. If there is under the hood changes, then those audible improvements should be apparent.

Keen to hear as it’s been mentioned a few times but not a single audible example of it

Interested in that as well - which is why I've asked DI pretty much the same thing in the other thread already.

 

[Orvillain]

I have Stadium, Helix Floor, and Helix Native.

What do we actually want compared? I'm happy to do it, and do it properly. But I don't want to waste a bunch of time for no good reason.

 

[dean701]

Overall I think the effects between Stadium and OG are too close to bother at this point. However 1.3 might add something new.
Somewhat related.
I downloaded these yesterday but am yet to audition them. I was going to compare something internally myself and I pondered what to compare. There are a lot of effects. Then I found these.

Favorite Effects Free Pack - Line 6 HX, Stadium - Signal Theory

Download our Favorites Free Pack - over 50 free settings for our favorite sounds

signaltheoryaudio.com

Could be a starting point for comparisons

 

[EOengineer]

Can anyone with a Stadium compare the effects between old helix and also Helix Native?

If the improvements are solely down to a better audio path, then Helix Native should fare well. If there is under the hood changes, then those audible improvements should be apparent.

Keen to hear as it’s been mentioned a few times but not a single audible example of it

Given current return policies at most big box outlets, why not grab one and try for yourself?

 

[dean701]

I confirmed with the L6 Dev team, an upcoming firmware will address Impulse Response issues. They worked with my backup file and it seems better on the upcoming code.

 

[EOengineer]

L6 support continues to kill. Never had a bad experience with them.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

Given current return policies at most big box outlets, why not grab one and try for yourself?

Absolutely zero interest or need in a floorboard modeller and full on workstation. I'll likely dive into Stadium era products when the line gets expanded but these current models aren't for me (I had an HX stomp and Helix Native from the previous gen). I'm interested if there was any under the hood DSP improvements compared to what I'm getting with in Helix Native (or if it's simply the AD/DA and analog signal path). And if it is just the AD/DA, Im just curious how noticeable it actually is, because it's been described by several people but no one has actually posted an example of it.

If it's just the analog circuitry thats improved, then Helix Native, or current gen Helix used digitally should be better still.

I think certain aspects definitely benefit from a hands on experience, but even if I had the HW I'm using the computer editing and keeping the unit out of the way. And tbh, for where my personal interests lay, audible examples count for way more than usability. There are way more people saying "it sounds better" compared to audio examples of that.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

Given current return policies at most big box outlets, why not grab one and try for yourself?

Also, each to their own (and I have no positive feelings towards shops like Andertons etc), but I'm not throwing down £1500+ on something I intend to return (and barely want) just to scratch my own curiosity, when audio examples will do just fine. I think subjective user experience is useful, but if there are claims of "it sounds better" then actual audio examples really do the job much better.

 

[dean701]

I really disagree with that, the only way to truly test a unit is to have the unit and not rely on anyone's posted clips. The effects may or may not be better, but if the amp sound has improved with Agoura, it will make the effect sound improved.

However, in your case, since you don't want another modeler in your environment, the wait for Stadium Native is on.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

I really disagree with that, the only way to truly test a unit is to have the unit and not rely on anyone's posted clips. The effects may or may not be better, but if the amp is improved it will make the effect sound improved.

However, in your case, since you don't want another modeler in your environment, the wait for Stadium Native is on.

If someone says "it sounds much better", then a clip is sufficient (and arguably the absolute BEST way for me to understand what they mean by that).

Lets assume I'm using Stadium over digital and comparing like for like FX or amps - will I hear a difference? It doesn't need me having a unit in my position to hear a difference for that. And tbh, if someone is convinced that it sounds better in any area, I really want to hear it. If someone says "this Burl converter sounds way better than my 2i2", then I'd like to hear that too. It's so easy to just provide audio examples if there is a sonic improvement. If I can hear a clear improvement or advantage then that might be a reason for me to try one out in person.

if it sounds better, I wanna hear it. Recording a clip is so simple in 2026, we can all do it.

 

[EOengineer]

I’d be skeptical if the differences extend beyond the hardware differences. I suppose we will see if someone comes along to prove otherwise.

 

[dean701]

If someone says "it sounds much better", then a clip is sufficient (and arguably the absolute BEST way for me to understand what they mean by that).

Lets assume I'm using Stadium over digital and comparing like for like FX or amps - will I hear a difference? It doesn't need me having a unit in my position to hear a difference for that. And tbh, if someone is convinced that it sounds better in any area, I really want to hear it. If someone says "this Burl converter sounds way better than my 2i2", then I'd like to hear that too. It's so easy to just provide audio examples if there is a sonic improvement. If I can hear a clear improvement or advantage then that might be a reason for me to try one out in person.

if it sounds better, I wanna hear it. Recording a clip is so simple in 2026, we can all do it.

sure but you are relying on someone else's 'stated' methodologies.
Anyone can record a DI. However their re-amping technique might not be apples to apples

example
Someone records a DI to their daw.
test 1) they now reamp and reroute it out through an audio interface to the Stadium's analog input and back in via analog xlr.
test 1b) they could also route it out their audio interface to the Stadium via digital which 'could' sound different without the conversion depending on their audio interface.
test 2) test native, they simply add the native vst and it doesn't go out at all and stays in the DAW circumventing the analog or digital paths and potential extra conversions and audio alterations.
test 3a/b) they test their physical Helix Floor via either analog or digital like test1a and 1b. Now you are using different hardware yet again.

Overall, you are relying on their gear and their re-amp strategies. My point is, I'd rather do everything myself having the unit in my possession.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

1b) they could also route it out their audio interface to the Stadium via digital which 'could' sound different without the conversion depending on their audio interface.

How exactly?

I think someone claims it sounds better, I’d still like to hear it. Unless it’s something like a headphone output where it’s not really relevant. But several have stated that their same fx and chains sound better on the new HW, there’s either an audible difference or there isn’t.

 

[dean701]

How exactly?

I think someone claims it sounds better, I’d still like to hear it. Unless it’s something like a headphone output where it’s not really relevant. But several have stated that their same fx and chains sound better on the new HW, there’s either an audible difference or there isn’t.

I can tell you first hand that when I re-amp via analog out through my audient id44 versus going out spdif, the analog sounds slightly warmer. Burr brown converters or whatever, it's not identical.

I agree that people saying it sounds better is subjective but using their clips is also not trustworthy IMO.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

I can tell you first hand that when I re-amp via analog out through my audient id44 versus going out spdif, the analog sounds slightly warmer. Burr brown converters or whatever, it's not identical.

I agree that people saying it sounds better is subjective but using their clips is also not trustworthy IMO.

Oh for sure, but comparing digital in and out vs a plugin?

I’m not really too precious about converters, although if there is a notable difference then it’s cool to hear it. If anyone can hear a difference then they can also record it.

 

[Deadpan]

Oh for sure, but comparing digital in and out vs a plugin?

I’m not really too precious about converters, although if there is a notable difference then it’s cool to hear it. If anyone can hear a difference then they can also record it.

If you need a Stadium playing a HX preset to compare to Native, send me a preset and I will reamp it via spdif.

 

[Digital Igloo]

Ok, fine so far.
But, as people have mentioned that, say, the reverbs would sound "better" as well, let's assume we'd take all of the analog I/Os out of the equation and feed HX Native through the Stadium via USB, use a reverb existing on both and listen to the two through the same output. Would there still be a difference?

Had to get confirmation from Brandon, but the hardware platform is doing the heavy lifting here; the raw DSP should be the same, at least for existing effects. For example, effects in one instance of Helix Native should sound identical to effects in an instance of a potential, theoretical, future Helix Stadium Native.

 

[molul]

For example, effects in one instance of Helix Native should sound identical to effects in an instance of a potential, theoretical, future Helix Stadium Native.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Had to get confirmation from Brandon, but the hardware platform is doing the heavy lifting here; the raw DSP should be the same, at least for existing effects. For example, effects in one instance of Helix Native should sound identical to effects in an instance of a potential, theoretical, future Helix Stadium Native.

IOW, people claiming that the reverbs would now sound "better" as well are either victims of perception bias or never listened to them through proper DA converters.

 

[Digital Igloo]

IOW, people claiming that the reverbs would now sound "better" as well are either victims of perception bias or never listened to them through proper DA converters.

Stadium's D/As are better than Helix/HX's yes, but the hardware's been improved in many other ways. (See my earlier post.)

One reason why Bricasti rackmount reverb units sound so good is their hardware platform. Back in the day, a few studios used them as their A/D/A converters for tracking and mixing. I think a couple mastering engineers might've used them as well, with the DSP bypassed.