Waiting For Helix Stadium?

[Fireproof]

To think that there are features they haven’t even mentioned yet because it won’t make the initial release is crazy. Everything they have announced is awesome. And we know some biggies will be coming later like Proxy and more Agoura amps.

1.0 is gonna be awesome. What else could be coming? @Digital Igloo - any hints.

 

[Orvillain]

I know it is stupid, but my GAS for this thing is genuinely off the charts.

If I'm honest with myself, my Fractal Axe3 and VP4 sound better for a wide variety of things than Helix. But the Helix absolutely trounces them for inspiration and workflow. Working with the Axe3 and VP4 - within a window anyway - are like working with a spreadsheet. Kill me. Twice.

Helix is genuinely fun to use, as is the QC tbh. I'm definitely more pro-touchscreen than I used to be.

But Stadium looks like it will absolutely kill QC in that department.

 

[Digital Igloo]

To think that there are features they haven’t even mentioned yet because it won’t make the initial release is crazy. Everything they have announced is awesome. And we know some biggies will be coming later like Proxy and more Agoura amps.
1.0 is gonna be awesome. What else could be coming? @Digital Igloo - any hints?

I'm more worried about what we did announce that might not make launch firmware; we still have a lot of stuff to get through. Everyone knows Proxy won't drop until next year, but we should've been more clear about how other features might take a few extra months to finish. We're hoping to have everything tightened up by the time non-XL Stadium ships (still slated for this winter), along with new unannounced Agoura amps and a few surprises.

Given that regression testing (where all new development stops and the team does nothing but fix bugs for a production build) is over a month long and it's many more weeks between burning the firmware into production units and when they show up in stores, there will have to be a 1.1 firmware update available on the day of launch that adds a lot of stuff and fixes a lot of bugs. Thankfully, turning on a brand new Helix Stadium XL will walk you through getting onto Wi-Fi and updating the firmware.

Stupid June 11th target. At least it sounds great and is easy and fun to use!

 

[Frodebro]

I'm more worried about what we did announce that might not make launch firmware; we still have a lot of stuff to get through. Everyone knows Proxy won't drop until next year, but we should've been more clear about how other features might take a few extra months to finish. We're hoping to have everything tightened up by the time non-XL Stadium ships (still slated for this winter), along with new unannounced Agoura amps and a few surprises.

Given that regression testing (where all new development stops and the team does nothing but fix bugs for a production build) is over a month long and it's many more weeks between burning the firmware into production units and when they show up in stores, there will have to be a 1.1 firmware update available on the day of launch that adds a lot of stuff and fixes a lot of bugs. Thankfully, turning on a brand new Helix Stadium XL will walk you through getting onto Wi-Fi and updating the firmware.

Stupid June 11th target. At least it sounds great and is easy and fun to use!

Look at it this way:

Your average Guitar Center shopper likely has no idea that Stadium is even a thing yet, they’ll only know once units are in the stores and they walk past them. Those of us involved in these online train wrecks tend to be more hardcore about this stuff, so we know all the players in the game and which ones are legit and which ones are full of shit.

 

[Jarick]

I think Line 6 has enough customer goodwill to survive a couple of the bumps of launch. It's hard to walk the tight rope between generating excitement vs setting false expectations, especially when word of mouth may get carried away with announcements.

 

[Mooselake]

My enthusiasm is waning a little. Line 6 keeps injecting reality into things, lol. Plenty of life to go out and live between now and whenever the xl preorders start getting filled.

 

[Frodebro]

My enthusiasm is waning a little. Line 6 keeps injecting reality into things, lol. Plenty of life to go out and live between now and whenever the xl preorders start getting filled.

I’m definitely getting one once they’re released, but I’m not preordering nor am I working myself into a frenzy seeking out every thread and video there is. I suppose the best way to describe it is that I have stoically accepted my fate.

 

[bucephalus]

I'm going to buy Tim's for 299 when he decides he doesn't like the fact it has legacy amps but he's missed the return window.

 

[Digital Igloo]

My enthusiasm is waning a little. Line 6 keeps injecting reality into things, lol. Plenty of life to go out and live between now and whenever the xl preorders start getting filled.

I suppose reality and a bit of curbing enthusiasm is far better than blatantly lying to one's customers.

 

[Fireproof]

I'm more worried about what we did announce that might not make launch firmware; we still have a lot of stuff to get through. Everyone knows Proxy won't drop until next year, but we should've been more clear about how other features might take a few extra months to finish. We're hoping to have everything tightened up by the time non-XL Stadium ships (still slated for this winter), along with new unannounced Agoura amps and a few surprises.

Given that regression testing (where all new development stops and the team does nothing but fix bugs for a production build) is over a month long and it's many more weeks between burning the firmware into production units and when they show up in stores, there will have to be a 1.1 firmware update available on the day of launch that adds a lot of stuff and fixes a lot of bugs. Thankfully, turning on a brand new Helix Stadium XL will walk you through getting onto Wi-Fi and updating the firmware.

Stupid June 11th target. At least it sounds great and is easy and fun to use!

Thanks for sharing. All understood and makes sense.

Fortunately, I think most of the early adopters understand that not everything will be available on day 1, but fortunately Line6 has earned a great reputation for living up to promises, and also delivering updates and meeting those promises in a timely manner (unlike some others, lol).

I’m just glad you’ve put a stake in the sand and now have to get something into our hands, LOL, because I’m READY and for me, I know it will be launched with all I need. Everything after will just be icing on the cake.

 

[Mooselake]

I suppose reality and a bit of curbing enthusiasm is far better than blatantly lying to one's customers.

Reality is certainly preferable to dishonesty, and is appreciated, at least by me.

 

[mikah912]

I suppose reality and a bit of curbing enthusiasm is far better than blatantly lying to one's customers.

I definitely appreciate you out in these streets managing expectations rather than trying to hype us up even further. We all know which recent launch this is the polar opposite of, and I'm glad you're steering clear of that iceberg.

The ample time between announcement and launch isn't an issue to me. I'm sure some preorders will drop off, but you built this to have a long runway. As you've already said, what Stadium looks now will be completely different than what Stadium will look like around this time in '26. I'm sure it'll look even more different in '27. I plan to keep on keeping on with my current gear as it's just as ideal as it was on June 10th, when we knew nothing. I'm sure pre-order dropoffs will give y'all another look as you hit the major milestones (e.g. Proxy launches, Proxy doing time-based effects, etc.)

Stadium XL 1.0 will be shipping with the usability and efficiency that's drawing me in more than any sound samples or 3D graphic reviews (Not complaining about the morsels, BTW! Just saying y'all had me already).

 

[AlbertA]

Stupid June 11th target. At least it sounds great and is easy and fun to use!

AND more importantly - it is my birth day.