Line 6 Helix Stadium

[GTR37]

Firmware is the long pole at this point. Hardware is rock solid; it's all about how soon we can deliver 1.1, and if Showcase can be pushed to 1.2 (we haven't decided yet), 1.1 can be delivered much earlier. 1.1 sans-Showcase is actually in really good shape today; mostly just bug squashing left to do.

That’s cool so just to clarify
Stadium floor could possibly be out by Christmas depending on what happens with the same thing that when received would update to 1.1 or possibly 1.2 by that time

 

[ccc118]

I think Showcase is something that only some people will be using, which is probably the case with Proxy as well. I think it's totally fine to ship it without it and add it later.

 

[Gary_W]

I’d prefer sooner please; although I’m looking forward to see what showcase will do, the fact you’re saying ‘you should have that by Christmas anyway’. I think it’s a no brainer to have the unit personally.

 

[KingsXJJ]

Firmware is the long pole at this point. Hardware is rock solid; it's all about how soon we can deliver 1.1, and if Showcase can be pushed to 1.2 (we haven't decided yet), 1.1 can be delivered much earlier. 1.1 sans-Showcase is actually in really good shape today; mostly just bug squashing left to do.

Push showcase IMO.

 

[Fireproof]

Just posted this on Chad and Chris' FB Group:

Hey, everyone! Apologies for the occasional all caps.

Here's an OFFICIAL update on Helix Stadium XL:

• 1.0 firmware has been complete for a while. This is the firmware that gets burned into brand new units at the factory.
• Because regression testing, distribution, integration, and validation takes months, 1.0 will clearly be out of date by the time Helix Stadium XL units find their way into users' hands. Therefore, 1.1 firmware will be available on day one; it adds a ton of missing features, bug fixes, sonic improvements, and DSP optimization. We cannot recommend strongly enough that everyone update to 1.1 right after opening the box and powering up. In fact, there's a concierge screen that'll walk you through getting Stadium XL onto Wi-Fi, logging into your Line 6 account, and updating to 1.1—all wirelessly. Yes, technically, we could wait until 1.1 is finished and then burn 1.1 into units and call *that* 1.0, but the aforementioned regression testing, distribution, integration, and validation would literally push back the release by months.
• This one was just confirmed yesterday: While we fully intend to deliver everything THIS FALL (Proxy notwithstanding), Showcase has turned out to be the deciding factor on when this fall. If the public insists that 1.1 includes Showcase, yeah—it's likely gonna be December. If most people are okay with 1.1 not including Showcase, we have an opportunity to ship Stadium XL much earlier. If we indeed do this, Showcase would then appear in 1.2 (along with perhaps an extra Agoura amp or two!) and the goal would be to deliver 1.2 by December 20, which is STILL WITHIN THE FALL WINDOW. We haven't decided yet. To be honest, it's really kinda up to all of you. Do you want Stadium XL with Showcase in December or Stadium XL without Showcase much sooner, knowing it can be added in December?
• The Helix Stadium desktop app (Mac/PC) will be available at launch (which almost never happens!), but to start, it's likely going to be just a librarian for loading your existing Helix/HX presets and IRs.
• 1.1 will have 64 factory presets (48 guitar, 16 bass), each with preset info, unique dry clips, and 4-8 snapshots. It's a lot of fun hearing everything in context, almost like the author is in the room with you. We'll add more factory presets in coming updates.
• Everything is really coming together nicely. Despite being the most annoyingly picky squeaky wheel at Line 6, I've started to really have serious fun with Stadium. It truly sounds awesome and is stupid quick to get around. Some of the more unique features (Focus view, Preset Clips, Matrix Mixer, XY Controller, More Mode, etc.) are turning out to be way cooler than we imagined.

Hugs and Kisses and Black Metal,

E—

Wooohoo!!

Awesome update.

And I’ll go ahead speak for all the smart users (lol) and say you HAVE to release it early without Showcase.

There’s literally no downside - according to your timeline - it doesn’t delay the release of showcase. That’s still coming December. So why wouldn’t people want to go ahead and get it in their hands to start learning and experiencing all the other awesome aspects of it. Especially when they have THIS to look forward to:

• Everything is really coming together nicely. Despite being the most annoyingly picky squeaky wheel at Line 6, I've started to really have serious fun with Stadium. It truly sounds awesome and is stupid quick to get around. Some of the more unique features (Focus view, Preset Clips, Matrix Mixer, XY Controller, More Mode, etc.) are turning out to be way cooler than we imagined.

And if that bothers some people that the initial hardware wont have showcase - they can just wait until December to buy theirs. Instead of punishing the rest of us by causing an unnecessary delay.

 

[Hapless]

Soonerer

 

[CHOCOLATETHUNDER]

I’d prefer the earlier release!

 

[EOengineer]

DI’s update was legendary. So pumped to hear of all this coming together. Loving that there’s a desktop app, even if it’s simple. Showcase isn’t even really a big selling point for me at the moment, so that’s a non issue.

I’d love to know more about the mic preamp. I feel like that comment slipped under the radar. What did L6 pull off with the mic preamp?

 

[12tone]

Yeah, releasing without showcase would be great. It will give us some time to get used to the rest of the features anyway.

 

[Fireproof]

For those not on FB or in that user group - I just checked and there were 178 replies to DI’s post and an overwhelming majority is saying “ship asap, without showcase”.

And many people aren’t even buying it for showcase. So why make them wait?

So if Line6 is truly using these channels as an informal poll of users and will listen to the majority - I think we are in for a treat sooner than later.

 

[GTR37]

I would vote with the ship without showcase and add it December
Honestly there is enough to keep people busy and it would be cool to get in the hands of some demo guys sooner as well like Leon Todd , Micheal Nielson , Sonic Drive studio .

Getting stadium in say November and getting an update 6 weeks later is awesome , then there is more cool stuff to look forward in January

 

[timbuck3]

I vote for Feb release with 2.0 installed

 

[HotRats]

I'd release it with out showcase.

 

[TheTrueZoltan!]

I vote for an immediate release of Stadium Native instead.

 

[Stone]

Makes total sense for a feature Most won't use and as many pointed out you have plenty to keep yourself busy and yes those who absolutely want it, then wait to buy it when showcase is released.

 

[StarF666]

It could also be seen as a promotional thing. Stadium is released with so much new stuff already and then 2 months later release the showcase update which could have been a product on its own, showing everybody L6's great update policy.

 

[2dor]

@Digital Igloo as soon as possible imho. FW updates at later stages is very likely something most folks don't have any problems with coming from L6.

 

[Karl Houseknecht]

If most people are okay with 1.1 not including Showcase, we have an opportunity to ship Stadium XL much earlier.

Is this really a debate? Who would want to wait on this?

 

[Goontone]

I like the idea of earlier release and wait for showcase. Being stadium fluent before showcase drops will probably be pretty beneficial.

 

[Goontone]

Is this really a debate? Who would want to wait in this?

People with PTSD from another companies release...