What's preventing you from getting a Helix Stadium?

[Richard_G]

How do you like the AM4? Is it enough for you, signal chain wise? That's my only concern with it

I love it - both on its own and combined with other gear to expand the possibilities!

Just like I posted on its release:

I think the AM4 might be perfect for me. I like a modular approach where I can mix and match gear based on the occasion and switch things up every once in a while. I also put more emphasis on having high-quality amp sims and a few high-quality effects than on having a plethora of things happening at the same time in complicated presets. Honestly, I could probably get by with just an AM4 most of the time, and I love how compact and lightweight it is. And having the option to combine an AM4 with my VP4 and/or my various pedals and/or my amps? Nice!

But enough about me and my Fractal gear - let’s get back to the Stadium!

 

[MIJLOVER]

EXACTLY. It's going to be the same with every "successor" unit of the top brands. You will not hear a night/day difference anymore.

But there’s a noticeable difference when you’re sitting with the device in front of you. It feels different to play, for me much better, and it’s not exactly subtle imo.

 

[mikah912]

But there’s a noticeable difference when you’re sitting with the device in front of you. It feels different to play, for me much better, and it’s not exactly subtle imo.

I agree! That's why I specifcally referred to the "hear a difference" no longer being night and day. Stadium feels amazing to play.

 

[Sascha Franck]

For players who are just running one guitar path - with typical comp/od, amp/cab, delay/reverb - it's hard to imagine going with anything other than an AM4 right now. Corollary: it's hard for me to fathom why people buy these massively complex flagship mfx/modelers if they're not running parallel paths to process vocals, etc.

I have never been using parallel paths to process something else in my HX Floor days. But as I had to squeeze everything in one single patch (due to the lack of - well - global blocks), the thing was constantly maxed out, especially regarding the switches.
And as far as the AM4 goes: When it was released, I instantly thought I would get one, but it simply doesn't do the things I need for a regular show I thought I could be using it for. And my demands are pretty simple for that show, just clean/dirt, lead variations for each and an acoustic patch (I know, there's bank switching, but I don't want that for good reasons). I thought that'd be easy given the clever FAS switching - only to find out they dumbed that very switching down. Given sounds (and potential flexibility of them), it'd be more than enough for my needs. But they'd have to deliver the switching goodness.

 

[AlbertA]

Just watched a recent video by that Nathan guy (he's here but his name isn't showing up with @)

[Nathan]

 

[metropolis_4]

For me, the goalposts for amp modeling are no longer about “sound”, they’re now about feel and response.

And those two things can’t be heard in a YouTube video. You need to play it yourself to really know.

 

[RiffDuck]

For me, the goalposts for amp modeling are no longer about “sound”, they’re now about feel and response.

And those two things can’t be heard in a YouTube video. You need to play it yourself to really know.

Which is unfortunately very subjective and individual so WE SHALL WAGE AN ETERNAL WAR

 

[ispunk]

Proxy and the fact that the Stadium is not currently offered in a rack or Stomp enclosure

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

Fractal seems to be all about filling niche market spots right now. I don't and will never need AM4, VP4 or ICON. That's okay...apparently other people do.

I think the Axe Fx III and even FM9 are proooooobably more niche than any of those, actually.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

Which is unfortunately very subjective and individual so WE SHALL WAGE AN ETERNAL WAR

Is ETERNAL WAR codeword for costumed dance party?

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

the Stadium is not currently offered in a rack or Stomp enclosure

I want the biggest, or the smallest. Even the non-XL is way too in between size wise for my interests.

 

[Mongillo19]

Is ETERNAL WAR codeword for costumed dance party?

 

[PorcinePicker]

I think the Axe Fx III and even FM9 are proooooobably more niche than any of those, actually.

Eh? In the current gigging environment, my experience is that the all-in-one solution is king. ymmv

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

Eh? In the current gigging environment, my experience is that the all-in-one solution is king. ymmv

Why I caveats the FM9 with maybe. AxeFx is absolutely more niche though.

 

[dean701]

I was going to wait until Proxy arrives and decide on the purchase. I read this thread and it twists my arm to buy earlier.
Then I go over here and I'm waiting again. https://thegearforum.com/threads/line-6-helix-stadium-talk.10275/page-221

 

[dbfretz]

I was going to wait until Proxy arrives and decide on the purchase. I read this thread and it twists my arm to buy earlier.
Then I go over here and I'm waiting again. https://thegearforum.com/threads/line-6-helix-stadium-talk.10275/page-221

I really thought I was set on getting the non XL but I’m leaning Quad.

 

[AlbertA]

I was going to wait until Proxy arrives and decide on the purchase. I read this thread and it twists my arm to buy earlier.
Then I go over here and I'm waiting again. https://thegearforum.com/threads/line-6-helix-stadium-talk.10275/page-221

Waiting is probably prudent - Proxy + whatever bugs they fix.

 

[dean701]

I really thought I was set on getting the non XL but I’m leaning Quad.

Ya I have a qc mini on the way.
My usual strategy is to buy all of them and keep what works best for me. Unfortunately Proxy will be in its infancy for a while.

 

[[Nathan]]

FWIW digitally I’ve gigged with an axe2 for a couple years and pod hd floor for a bit (as well as 4cm with a 6505/orange 2x12)

Really only spent quality time with the fm3, tmp, helix (kemper and qc here and there but never owned).All of these units are overkill and get the job done , we just like newer and better.

I used to like adding pedals and using 4cm with digital units but I’m pretty square into one unit, one complete solution now. It’s just mentally way less complicated, less power, cables, cross device issues etc. It’s what keeps me interested in new digital units, how well is the end to end experience. Sound, usability, switching etc etc

I might grab a qc mini or qc at some point but little incentive do so (never say never). Either way I’m very keen for proxy to come and for the next gen axe4 to use NAM. Adding captures to helix was one of the drivers that tipped me over the line to being interested in it. Agoura is cool and I’m sure in years there’ll be a big lineup of amps, but in the meantime I can just do that myself with my own stuff.

Ironically if I was still in a band I probably would have just grabbed a QC a couple years ago to achieve this task, or just stuck with the fm3 cause the 5153 on it is great.

 

[dean701]

FWIW digitally I’ve gigged with an axe2 for a couple years and pod hd floor for a bit (as well as 4cm with a 6505/orange 2x12)

Really only spent quality time with the fm3, tmp, helix (kemper and qc here and there but never owned).All of these units are overkill and get the job done , we just like newer and better.

I used to like adding pedals and using 4cm with digital units but I’m pretty square into one unit, one complete solution now. It’s just mentally way less complicated, less power, cables, cross device issues etc. It’s what keeps me interested in new digital units, how well is the end to end experience. Sound, usability, switching etc etc

I might grab a qc mini or qc at some point but little incentive do so (never say never). Either way I’m very keen for proxy to come and for the next gen axe4 to use NAM. Adding captures to helix was one of the drivers that tipped me over the line to being interested in it. Agoura is cool and I’m sure in years there’ll be a big lineup of amps, but in the meantime I can just do that myself with my own stuff.

Ironically if I was still in a band I probably would have just grabbed a QC a couple years ago to achieve this task, or just stuck with the fm3 cause the 5153 on it is great.

Yep. I just have too much time on my hands to try things. Generous music store return policies are also a factor. In December I dumped an ax3, bought a qc, am4 vp4 and an fm9. The qc was pre CorOs 4 and it kept crashing so I dumped it. Then 3 weeks later they upgrade the OS. Ffs. the mini is a pretty much a retry.

The battle between the am4/vp4 and the fm9 is still ongoing.