Line 6 Helix Stadium

[Fireproof]

Just got an email from Frank yesterday. Thousands of units have shipped from the factory, but they'll be waiting at their destination(s) for 1.1 firmware to be finished.

1.1 code freeze is imminent, but we still have quite a few weeks of hardcore regression testing to make sure everything's rock solid. If something major is found (which, to be honest, happens) it may reset the regression testing timer, so we still have no date.

We're definitely getting there.

Ahh that’s great.

Thanks so much for the update. Even though there’s more work yet to do before it’s in our grubby little hands - it’s awesome to see (or hear about) the progress.

Thank you!

 

[banned]

Yes I do… I posted my invoice a while ago.. I look forward to trying it out to see exactly how it is

What kind of music do you play? What is your sound reproduction unit?

 

[Desertdweller]

A few things I noticed… first off the high gain amp models sound good. Really good, with minimal tweaking. The only Helix high gain model I liked was the Badonk, and I found the others always sounded pretty fake to me. This is another level. Same goes for the reverb at the end of the video. I like big spacious Eventide style reverbs, and if this this has awesome high gain amp models like this and great effects, finally, I might actually be interested in it.

 

[2dor]

A few things I noticed… first off the high gain amp models sound good. Really good, with minimal tweaking. The only Helix high gain model I liked was the Badonk, and I found the others always sounded pretty fake to me. This is another level. Same goes for the reverb at the end of the video. I like big spacious Eventide style reverbs, and if this this has awesome high gain amp models like this and great effects, finally, I might actually be interested in it.

I like the 2203 (a lot) in the Helix - not sure if it counts as "high gain" but with a boost in front, it does high gain in spades.

 

[Desertdweller]

There are a kabillion smart phone screen protectors that don’t impede touch screen use at all that I’m sure will be available for those paranoid about perfectly thrown beer bottles.

This is a problem I have with these super-high end floor modelers too. My pedalboard gets abused on stages. I’d much rather have my expensive gear in a rack behind me than on the floor in front of me.

 

[Lysander]

Ola’s wasn’t a proper demo but when he got the tubescreamer on there it sounded pretty damn good, most useful video for my ears. Can’t wait to hear it done properly.

"It sounds great, and i'm not just - and i'm not just saying that."

 

[mikah912]

A few things I noticed… first off the high gain amp models sound good. Really good, with minimal tweaking. The only Helix high gain model I liked was the Badonk, and I found the others always sounded pretty fake to me. This is another level. Same goes for the reverb at the end of the video. I like big spacious Eventide style reverbs, and if this this has awesome high gain amp models like this and great effects, finally, I might actually be interested in it.

Helix has tons of great high-gain amps besides the Badonk: Archon, Rockerverb, 5153, REVV, ENGL Fireball, Bogner Ecstasy Red, Invective, Diezel VH4, Line 6 Oblivion.

I cannot fathom anyone saying they sound "fake". I think the reverbs are underrated as well. If you like big spacious reverbs, dial up the Dynamic Plate or Hall and crank the "Decay". It's so luscious....

 

[banned]

A few things I noticed… first off the high gain amp models sound good. Really good, with minimal tweaking. The only Helix high gain model I liked was the Badonk, and I found the others always sounded pretty fake to me. This is another level. Same goes for the reverb at the end of the video. I like big spacious Eventide style reverbs, and if this this has awesome high gain amp models like this and great effects, finally, I might actually be interested in it.

Agree with you on reverb...but not on amps. What is your monitoring system?

 

[EOengineer]

One of these updates is going to be the Ampageddon update and I’m here for it.

 

[EOengineer]

I like the 2203 (a lot) in the Helix - not sure if it counts as "high gain" but with a boost in front, it does high gain in spades.

The 2203 is basically the only Hx amp model I’m using these days, though I do also love the Friedman.

 

[EOengineer]

Helix has tons of great high-gain amps besides the Badonk: Archon, Rockerverb, 5153, REVV, ENGL Fireball, Bogner Ecstasy Red, Invective, Diezel VH4, Line 6 Oblivion.

I cannot fathom anyone saying they sound "fake".

Coming from the perspective of someone who has some of the high gain amps modeled in HX and regularly tracks them direct, I have to push back a bit here.

Yes, there are some great high gain tones that can approximate the sound of the amps they target with debatable levels of accuracy, but IMO the Hx models don’t FEEL like the real deal counterparts to me. The feel is better than prior generations, but a gap still exists.

What’s interesting to me is that many of these reviews of the stadium have the players reacting to something we can’t experience in the videos, often called out as “feel” or “dynamics” or whatever. Seemingly, this gen is more amp like. That’s what is being expressed universally by everyone I’ve seen play it.

Anyway, my point is that modeling can clearly still improve. The increments will get smaller, but it’s gonna keep happening. Hx sounds great. Stadium likely sounds (and feels) better.

 

[Tito83]

Helix has tons of great high-gain amps besides the Badonk: Archon, Rockerverb, 5153, REVV, ENGL Fireball, Bogner Ecstasy Red, Invective, Diezel VH4, Line 6 Oblivion.

I cannot fathom anyone saying they sound "fake". I think the reverbs are underrated as well. If you like big spacious reverbs, dial up the Dynamic Plate or Hall and crank the "Decay". It's so luscious....

I can't have them sounding anywhere near what I like without a lot of tweaking. Not a fan of the amp modeling on Helix as a whole, but the Bogner Ecstasy specially - I think there's something wrong with it. It's a far cry compared to what a real Bogner Ecstasy sounds like. IMO

 

[Enchilada Jones]

Eventually, yes. As much as I loathe recommending B€#®!n&€®, the ADA8200 is a decent bit of kit, isn't a shameless ripoff of someone else's IP, and along with Expand D10 is the most affordable way to get 10 XLRs out of Helix Stadium.

How about using the Stadium as the USB interface and the ADA8200 as additional inputs to Stadium? Does that work? It looks like the D10 only has digital out.
Is there a manual for Stadium available?

 

[GTR37]

I can't have them sounding anywhere near what I like without a lot of tweaking. Not a fan of the amp modeling on Helix as a whole, but the Bogner Ecstasy specially - I think there's something wrong with it. It's a far cry compared to what a real Bogner Ecstasy sounds like. IMO

There was an error in that model about 5 or 6 other due to DC power modelling
It has been corrected in Agoura and will be in the Helix models , I can’t remember which models were affected it was XTC , JCM800 and a few others

 

[Tito83]

There was an error in that model about 5 or 6 other due to DC power modelling
It has been corrected in Agoura and will be in the Helix models , I can’t remember which models were affected it was XTC , JCM800 and a few others

Has this been confirmed by actual L6 personnel?

 

[mikah912]

Coming from the perspective of someone who has some of the high gain amps modeled in HX and regularly tracks them direct, I have to push back a bit here.

Yes, there are some great high gain tones that can approximate the sound of the amps they target with debatable levels of accuracy, but IMO the Hx models don’t FEEL like the real deal counterparts to me. The feel is better than prior generations, but a gap still exists.

What’s interesting to me is that many of these reviews of the stadium have the players reacting to something we can’t experience in the videos, often called out as “feel” or “dynamics” or whatever. Seemingly, this gen is more amp like. That’s what is being expressed universally by everyone I’ve seen play it.

Anyway, my point is that modeling can clearly still improve. The increments will get smaller, but it’s gonna keep happening. Hx sounds great. Stadium likely sounds (and feels) better.

Sure thing. Obviously Line 6 agrees there's significant feel progress to be made, hence Agoura.

I spoke very specifically about them "sounding fake". I am not going to front like I have personally owned and extensively played every amp in that list that I mentioned, but I have for a few. I think they nailed the 5153 and Rockerverb in particular.

The rest sound great, but beyond that I will leave it to the null tests and YouTube comparisons sure to come in the months ahead.

 

[[Nathan]]

"It sounds great, and i'm not just - and i'm not just saying that."

Yeah I can pick up on those small moments where someone goes off autopilot and is genuinely impressed.

To be fair Ola isn’t really on autopilot as much as other dudes, hell generally just say something sucks until he dials it in. But yeah what an endorsement

 

[EOengineer]

I think they nailed the 5153 and Rockerverb

Thanks for the reminder. I didn’t click with these when I last tried them but I’ve been meaning to circle back and tweak more. The Rockerverb in particular should be a home run for me.

 

[Orvillain]

Coming from the perspective of someone who has some of the high gain amps modeled in HX and regularly tracks them direct, I have to push back a bit here.

Yes, there are some great high gain tones that can approximate the sound of the amps they target with debatable levels of accuracy, but IMO the Hx models don’t FEEL like the real deal counterparts to me. The feel is better than prior generations, but a gap still exists.

What’s interesting to me is that many of these reviews of the stadium have the players reacting to something we can’t experience in the videos, often called out as “feel” or “dynamics” or whatever. Seemingly, this gen is more amp like. That’s what is being expressed universally by everyone I’ve seen play it.

Anyway, my point is that modeling can clearly still improve. The increments will get smaller, but it’s gonna keep happening. Hx sounds great. Stadium likely sounds (and feels) better.

I have to say I feel pretty strongly that the Axe FX 3 edged out the Helix models in most situations for me. You're totally right, there's a feel thing going on that is difficult to talk about, especially when people act like cunts about the word feel. But that's besides the point.

But I really don't think Stadium is going to be the same experience. I think Stadium is set to absolutely take the crown. I'm turning into a bit of a fanboy sure. But I really feel a lot of positivity and promise with this one.

 

[GTR37]

Has this been confirmed by actual L6 personnel?

Yes, its was