Line 6 Helix Stadium

[mikah912]

So exciting.

I can’t wait. This time around with Helix - I’m going to avoid IRs, avoid proxy amps, and only edit on the device. I want to learn how to get the goodness out of it directly and fast.

I remember when I had my Helix LT - I had only done editing on the computer so when I was at a friends or practice session and I needed to do anything beyond minor tweaking - it took me forever.

And then I spent too many hours auditioning IRs and going down that rabbit hole.

With the agoura amps, latest cabs with easy mic manipulation, and focus and hype features - I’m confident all I need is what’s in the box!

Yeah, I've deep dived into tone creation on the current Helix and I've discovered the Matchless 2x12, 4x12 Greenback 25, Uber V30/T75, Cartographer and XXL V30 cabs do pretty much everything I need across every amp.

I A/B them against my favorite York Audio IRs, and they're all right up there. Little different, but nothing is left on the table.

 

[mikah912]

Saw this on one of the FB groups thought it was pretty cool from Igloo I think

We already have at least three not-yet-announced Agoura amps cooking.

Fingers crossed that at least one is a Mesa Mark.

 

[GTR37]

Fingers crossed that at least one is a Mesa Mark.

My wild random guess
Silver Jubillee
Matchless Chieftain
Some Mesa mk or Recto

 

[mikah912]

My wild random guess
Silver Jubillee
Matchless Chieftain
Some Mesa mk or Recto

I thought they might do a Badlander before the Jubilee, but who knows?

 

[EOengineer]

If they came out swinging with a revision F or G Recto and a IIC+ they could pretty much pack up development now and I’m all smiles.

 

[mikah912]

If they came out swinging with a revision F or G Recto and a IIC+ they could pretty much pack up development now and I’m all smiles.

Not going to front....I'm 90 percent good with just the Agoura launch amps already listed and the existing HX amps.

The missing 10 percent would be a Recto, Mark, and a good Jose-mod style Marshall (doesn't have to be the Friedman Jose either. Lots of fish in that sea and a Line 6 Originals version of it would be best of all.).

 

[DanRad]

Yeah that clip was just all goodness to me. Makes me want to play it. Real. Bad.

Real bad is the only way I know how to play, luckily.

 

[Lysander]

I can’t wait. This time around with Helix - I’m going to avoid IRs, avoid proxy amps, and only edit on the device. I want to learn how to get the goodness out of it directly and fast.

I stopped bothering with IRs entirely when 3.50 dropped for the OG Helix. Cabs now are really that good.

 

[KingsXJJ]

I can’t wait to hear what you guys think of this once they arrive. Very cool!

 

[Richard_G]

If a few Mesa amps are added, I think the initial Agoura amp list is very impressive and useful.

 

[banned]

If the Mesa Lonestar and Park75 amps don't ultimately migrate over to Agoura, I may not buy. Those are some very special amps. I also feel like the Bogner XTC may need to be re-modeled - something isn't coming all together in HX on the Blue channel.

Additionally, VERY unfortunately, it looks like we have lost the Trainwreck Express forever with Agoura. It seems Ben misplaced his notes and they no longer have access to the amp to re-model. If there was one amp on HX that could have really used Agoura - it's the Trainwreck - this is an entirely feel driven amp. This is one additional SUPER important amp that has got me thinking about Fractal's next product instead of L6 because of this news.

 

[Sascha Franck]

This is one additional SUPER important amp that has got me thinking about Fractal's next product instead of L6 because of this news.

You think about purchasing an entirely different product because of one amp model?
Guess I'll never understand some people...

 

[Chocol8]

That’s why I like the idea of Proxy to fill in gaps.

 

[Sascha Franck]

I really don't get it how absolute outlier amps all of a sudden become "SUPER important". For what purpose?

 

[banned]

You think about purchasing an entirely different product because of one amp model?
Guess I'll never understand some people...

Why not?

a) I had the privilege to play one and it was unforgettable, and I've always longed to play another again.
b) It is one of the most famous amps in the world with incredible dynamic response found almost nowhere else
c) These have become prohibitively expensive....even the clones like Komet, JM Trainwrecks etc.

My reason for buying a modeler was to have a 'closet' full of amps that I could otherwise never access (once I found how I could achieve near parity with real amps by playing through guitar cabs).

So, my goal is to NOT just obtain a nice guitar tone to play with and record - of which there are plenty of solutions even in software - Mercurrial, Amplitube etc. - but rather to also have a 'collection' of important tube amps available to me that I could otherwise never afford/maintain - the Fryette Aethers, Jim Kelly Line Amps, the Trainwrecks, some Dumbles, vintage Marshalls, Voxs etc. I have a bit of Joe Bonamassa in me minus the available funds.
I can never buy THIS Marshall, which, to me, sounds just -



or this Wreck demonstrated here in all its raw, gritty glory -



But if someone models it accurately, I know I can recreate something very similar to play through it at home/on stage through my small collection of guitar cabs.

All things equal, if someone else offers an important amp very important to me, I'll pivot as I'm not locked into the L6 ecosystem in any way nor am I fanboy. As it stands though, all things aren't equal. I think Fractal's UI and interface today is clunky and antiquated - so I'm waiting to see how everyone else responds to Stadium. Competition is good.

 

[sashimi]

I don’t see people talking about the helix trainwreck model much. Does it not hold up well compared to more recent models?

 

[Sascha Franck]

So, my goal is to NOT just get a nice guitar tone to play with and record - of which there are plenty of amps - but to also have a 'collection' of important tube amps available to me that I could otherwise not afford/maintain.

All fine. I don't really understand it, though. Or rather, I can not relate. I need 2-3 kinds of basic amp tones and really don't care much what kinda amp is delivering them as long as they're good or great. Once that is achieved, pretty much anything else is vastly more important to me.

 

[banned]

All fine. I don't really understand it, though. Or rather, I can not relate. I need 2-3 kinds of basic amp tones and really don't care much what kinda amp is delivering them as long as they're good or great. Once that is achieved, pretty much anything else is vastly more important to me.

I fully agree with you. Same with guitars - I really just need a good single coil and a good humbucker guitar and I'm set. But I have bunch other guitars - just because I enjoy having them.

Same with amps - I just need 3-4 basic tones. But there's a little bit of a collector's mentality here to experience amps that I could otherwise never access or play through - and I've owned and played some very nice amps over the years.

But I don't own a SINGLE amp anymore because I'm convinced that modern amp modeling is that good. But the sound reproduction part cannot be replaced - still need the physically large guitar cabs to reproduce tones accurately in person. Which is why I still have a few cabs that I enjoy - didn't get rid of them. If you're just recording of course, no need for the cabs - recorded tones are very nice today with modelers.

 

[banned]

I don’t see people talking about the helix trainwreck model much. Does it not hold up well compared to more recent models?

I don't know - it just seems like it has a HUGE amount of gain. I don't know if they modeled a ringer or a modded amp or if they just didn't model it right? I don't like it too much to be honest.

Either way, I can't believe L6 wouldn't carefully archive their measurements, readings and notes after modeling something so rare and expensive (pushing $70K now) that is so hard to come by. It seems like it's gone forever for L6 unless they model a clone - which can vary in quality. I'd get a JM if they were to model a clone - not anything else.

Who knows - maybe someone will loan them an amp to model again. Don't know - all I know is that Fractal has one.

 

[KingsXJJ]

I don't know - it just seems like it has a HUGE amount of gain. I don't know if they modeled a ringer or a modded amp or if they just didn't model it right? I don't like it too much to be honest.

Either way, I can't believe L6 wouldn't carefully archive their measurements, readings and notes after modeling something so rare and expensive (pushing $70K now) that is so hard to come by. It seems like it's gone forever for L6 unless they model a clone - which can vary in quality. I'd get a JM if they were to model a clone - not anything else.

Who knows - maybe someone will loan them an amp to model again. Don't know - all I know is that Fractal has one.

There’s nothing wrong about hoping L6 broadens its Agoura library. I hope so too.