Line 6 Helix Stadium

[EOengineer]

Hopefully the new platform means they won’t have to jettison certain features and channels from amps. Mark’s are an amp where it’s really about the whole experience, I pretty much use every push/pull and tinker with every control on my Mark III.

I’m in the minority but I don’t mind the Helix IV too much, at least for what it is. I can get tones I like from it, but it just doesn’t quite feel like a full IV experience (like *sigh* amplitube does).

I’m with you. Give me a simpler Mark (IIC+ or III) with all the options.

Also - I don’t mean to suggest that the Mark IV sounds bad. It doesn’t, it just doesn’t do the Mark lead tone I prefer, but I’m not alone.

 

[AZG]

It was a total misrepresentation of reality and truth simply to F.U.D the interest in the Stadium. Let's not try and pretend it was anything else. And all for something that is almost certainly X years away.

It was a classic passive/aggressive post that Cliff hasn't resorted to for a long time.

It was and is not a good look.

I disagree. It was posted on his own company forum and he was just letting his customers know Fractal is not dead yet and is actively working on new and better stuff. Customers should be happy for the competition.

Now, I’m not sure more DSP power is top of my wish list for next generation Axe-Fx devices, UI update gets my top slot, I also won’t say no to more DSP. Especially at the low end like FM3.

 

[TheTrueZoltan!]

Another feature I was pleased to hear about is the Wi-Fi connection to the editor software. With all the Helix/HX devices I've had so far, I've had pretty nasty USB ground loop problems that could only be solved with a third-party isolator (iFi iDefender) that I had to buy separately. Apart from that, all the USB ports on my iMac are already occupied, so I'm happy about any device that can be connected wirelessly.

Sounds kind of contradictory that I pointed out the importance of fast USB drivers a few posts ago, doesn't it? I am talking about different use cases, though.

 

[Mikael Dez]

Another feature I was pleased to hear about is the Wi-Fi connection to the editor software. With all the Helix/HX devices I've had so far, I've had pretty nasty USB ground loop problems that could only be solved with a third-party isolator (iFi iDefender) that I had to buy separately. Apart from that, all the USB ports on my iMac are already occupied, so I'm happy about any device that can be connected wirelessly.

I'm hoping it's available for macOS and mobile if it can connect with WiFi - but maybe it's because I work on a Mac - so an iPad is like a relief lol

 

[luckymethod]

Why would you need any new amps that run only on the new DSP? I’m guessing quality.

Reverb takes up 3/4’s of the ToneMaster Amps available processing. The 2% reference is just hyperbole based on your opinion.

Why would Line 6 devote all that extra DSP to new amps that only 2% that a lot of people only pretend to hear anyways? That’s using your logic, not mine.

Again, folks seem to be arguing against improved effects quality. It’s kinda funny seeing the contortions needed to maintain that stance.

I think everyone with ears can hear the limits of available processing power in the current line6 amp sims. I have both an hx stomp and an axe 3 and the models are night and day.

 

[luckymethod]

Another feature I was pleased to hear about is the Wi-Fi connection to the editor software. With all the Helix/HX devices I've had so far, I've had pretty nasty USB ground loop problems that could only be solved with a third-party isolator (iFi iDefender) that I had to buy separately. Apart from that, all the USB ports on my iMac are already occupied, so I'm happy about any device that can be connected wirelessly.

Sounds kind of contradictory that I pointed out the importance of fast USB drivers a few posts ago, doesn't it? I am talking about different use cases, though.

More careful electronic design would definitely help that too but I agree wireless in this case is a huge step forward.

 

[Karl Houseknecht]

Honestly, I don't think there will be a huge impact on FM9 sales in America, either. The two companies are primarily focused on different segments of the market.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. There's a market segment of people that are willing to buy $1800 - $2200 floor modelers. People looking for the latest tech with the longest future lifespan might just go with the Stadium instead.

 

[AZG]

I'm sure more than a few people swept up in the amazing keynote will drop off. Hype bombs inevitably fizzle in the face of a long period of quiet. Summer hasn't even started yet, and the earliest anyone will be able to try this is 90-150 days AFTER THAT.

And it's not lost on me that I too have an amazing FM9 that does almost everything I need it to do now. It has amps and types of amps that I HOPE Stadium will get at some point in the future. Same for reverb diversity.

The question for me is whether I think it's more likely that Agoura modeling selection and Proxy captures will get to where I want them to be OR is it more likely that FAS actually focuses on the usability/UI issues in this generation or has a next gen planned to kill that dead once and for all?

We'll see....

I’m thankful for the extra time to think about it. I preordered at SW just to see for myself. But know I’m thinking I’m going to pass. My FM3 already does more than I can often utilize at less than half the cost. I also doubt that the Stadium is going to sound notably better. Won’t be surprised if some slightly prefer one over the other, but find it hard believe the bar is going to get reset.

I will sit back and wait and see. QC, TMP, etc were released with lots of hoopla and high expectations only to see the excitement wane as the shiny newness wore off. Once users have 6+ months with it I will revisit the idea.

Of course there is GAS to fight

 

[molul]

I’m thankful for the extra time to think about it. I preordered at SW just to see for myself. But know I’m thinking I’m going to pass. My FM3 already does more than I can often utilize at less than half the cost. I also doubt that the Stadium is going to sound notably better. Won’t be surprised if some slightly prefer one over the other, but find it hard believe the bar is going to get reset.

I will sit back and wait and see. QC, TMP, etc were released with lots of hoopla and high expectations only to see the excitement wane as the shiny newness wore off. Once users have 6+ months with it I will revisit the idea.

Of course there is GAS to fight

Us who will wait for the regular Stadium in winter will have around 3 months to check the XL users first impressions

 

[Mikael Dez]

Us who will wait for the regular Stadium in winter will have around 3 months to check the XL users first impressions

Vehemently lol

 

[molul]

...And will also be jealous AF.

 

[Elf]

There's a lot of truth to this. Can't remember how many times I've said "Seriously, please, BE BRUTAL with us. Don't spare our feelings. We want this as good as it can be" since beta started. We need an army of @James Freeman s.

Send me a Stadium to beta test, I'll make you guys cry! JK :) Unless....

 

[mikah912]

I’m thankful for the extra time to think about it. I preordered at SW just to see for myself. But know I’m thinking I’m going to pass. My FM3 already does more than I can often utilize at less than half the cost. I also doubt that the Stadium is going to sound notably better. Won’t be surprised if some slightly prefer one over the other, but find it hard believe the bar is going to get reset.

I will sit back and wait and see. QC, TMP, etc were released with lots of hoopla and high expectations only to see the excitement wane as the shiny newness wore off. Once users have 6+ months with it I will revisit the idea.

Of course there is GAS to fight

I'm not concerned with the sound quality. I use my Helix and FM9 interchangeably now, but the FM9 - before Stadium - was by far the best combo of size (smaller than Helix Floor), versatility (Fractal's amp lineup is unstoppable in breadth and depth) utility (scribble strips and versatile foot switching options) and power (double that of Helix + channels in each block) in a floorboard for my purposes, so it's been my main for some time.

Looks like Stadium addresses much of that with the added bonus of some amazing usability/efficiency tweaks and profiling/cloning to help paper gaps in amp offerings. I find that to be pretty compelling.

 

[quadgear]

Another feature I was pleased to hear about is the Wi-Fi connection to the editor software. With all the Helix/HX devices I've had so far, I've had pretty nasty USB ground loop problems that could only be solved with a third-party isolator (iFi iDefender) that I had to buy separately. Apart from that, all the USB ports on my iMac are already occupied, so I'm happy about any device that can be connected wirelessly.

Sounds kind of contradictory that I pointed out the importance of fast USB drivers a few posts ago, doesn't it? I am talking about different use cases, though.

WiFi has a lot of downsides. Bluetooth isn't perfect, but it addresses a lot of the issues with WiFi.

 

[GTR37]

Us who will wait for the regular Stadium in winter will have around 3 months to check the XL users first impressions

I also think that if HX gets 3.9 before Winter stadium might benefit from that release and might have an update near that time

 

[Sascha Franck]

That was said years ago. It was wrong then, and it’s wrong now.

It's neither. No idea what your definition of "diminishing returns" is, but from a user POV the point of diminishing returns is reached when what you have at your disposal will be capable of doing everything you may ever need to do while you have sufficient fun doing so.

And when it comes to amp modeling, this seems to be the case for plenty of people already (myself included). And obviously, for some it isn't. So, diminishing returns aren't any absolute numbers but highly personal. Yet, for some folks, the tipping point is reached already.

Doesn't mean one wouldn't welcome amp modeling improvements. Personally, out of the HX family amps, my most used ones are some from the latest batch. But if they weren't there, I'd not be any less happy (of course by now I'd be pretty unhappy if they were taken away).
So, when some "better" amp models are available, pretty much everyone likes that. But it's not as if everybody would really ask for that (even if nerdy forums such as this one might make one think so).
And as a result, the focus is now shifting. Plenty of people seem to rather want better usability, better FX, better all around functionality and what not.

And that's all there is about it.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Seriously, please, BE BRUTAL with us

I kinda feel acknowledged...

 

[the swede]

as i really really do not have anything to say to contribute to these fine and interesting discussions, i will try to only post one unnecessary post on each page. Hope that’s contribution enough.

 

[DanRad]

Another feature I was pleased to hear about is the Wi-Fi connection to the editor software. With all the Helix/HX devices I've had so far, I've had pretty nasty USB ground loop problems that could only be solved with a third-party isolator (iFi iDefender) that I had to buy separately. Apart from that, all the USB ports on my iMac are already occupied, so I'm happy about any device that can be connected wirelessly.

Sounds kind of contradictory that I pointed out the importance of fast USB drivers a few posts ago, doesn't it? I am talking about different use cases, though.

I definitely hope this means there will be a mobile editor. Being able to edit from my iPad during a gig and use some of the touch screen features without bending over would be fantastic!

 

[GTR37]

I kinda feel acknowledged...

F*** if you Laxu, James Freeman and Mirror are on the beta team it won’t ship until June 2026