Line6 Helix Stadium

Status
Not open for further replies.
Alexis

Alexis

Inspired
Line6 just released their new Helix Lineup called Helix Stadium:

https://line6.com/helix-stadium/


Pricing
U.S. customers can expect to see advertised prices starting at $1799.99 USD for Helix Stadium Floor, $2199.99 USD for Helix Stadium XL Floor, $219.99 USD for Expand D10, $149.99 USD for EX2, and $249.99 USD for the Helix Stadium Backpack. For customers outside the U.S., please contact your local Line 6 retailer for pricing information.
Availability

Starting on June 25th, you can reserve your Helix Stadium online and in stores. Helix Stadium XL Floor will be available Fall 2025, and Helix Stadium Floor in Winter 2025.

What do you think about it?
And how will Fractal react?
 
Last edited:
Joshua_L said:
Don’t know about the tones but everything else is amazing and well thoughts.

It like science fiction
Click to expand...
I just sold my Helix after almost 10 years while I was also having a Axe III for a year. especially the feel and input stage of Helix always kept me on it, but now I needed the whole 80ies palette of sounds and Helix simply can have 4 parallel effects at max and was not enough. Defenitly getting the Stadium but I'm not selling my new Axe III Turbo with FC12.
 
TBD what their new modeling sounds like and feels like, but they've done a lot of other impressive stuff with it and I think it'll push the whole market forward in very positive ways. I don't know that Fractal will "react" in any meaningful way, I think the crew here march to their own drum and have a difference userbase with different priorities.
 
What caught my eye:
  • capture (proprietary, launch date tbd)
  • playback and trigger of audio/backing tracks

The beat goes on. I'm enjoying the latest surge of competition lately. IMHO, it's the other capture/profiler manufacturers who will be sweating more than FAS. Of the original "big 3", Fractal is in a better position now that the other 2 have already played their hands.
 
Did I misinterpret, or did they add capture technology for drives, amps, and cabs with this new hardware too?

It’s just the way of the future for a lot of folk. Don’t like it? Use the modeling instead. It isn’t either/or anymore.
 
Line 6 has always been about the "features" and eye candy that 90% will never really use. But the end of the day, they never have delivered on tone and feel.

The hype machine on the Gear Page is in overdrive. Rave reviews with zero units in players hands.

I am a hard-core anti-moddler tube snob. And Fractal is the only thing that sounds real. I have owned all the Line 6 products and they are average at best.
 
It looks fantastic - they took the best UI and didn't play it safe, looks like some really interesting improvements.

Of course, the stuff that really matters is the amp and effects modelling. If it's a big improvement, then this is a compelling device.

I've said it before, I have zero brand loyalty. If they've upped the game, I'll take a look at them. But honestly, I can't imagine anything sounding better than my FM9.
 
rog said:
It looks fantastic - they took the best UI and didn't play it safe, looks like some really interesting improvements.

Of course, the stuff that really matters is the amp and effects modelling. If it's a big improvement, then this is a compelling device.

I've said it before, I have zero brand loyalty. If they've upped the game, I'll take a look at them. But honestly, I can't imagine anything sounding better than my FM9.
Click to expand...
UI is beautiful but that screen just screams "breakable". I'm sure the rest of the device is well-built, but when you're a gigging or touring professional, you need every part of the unit to be reliable; it's why actual military tech (not that "military grade" bs) often looks like it's from the 50's.

I don't care how easy the UI is to navigate to build presets, I have a computer to do that, and that's part of my job I do before I show up to play. I hope AxeEdit gets better and more user friendly, and I know a lot of people like the Helix line, but there's a lot of aspects of these units that continue to scream "hobbyist". Nothing wrong with that, and I hope Fractal does feel a little pressure to up their game, that's fair and it's good for all of us if Fractal feels like they need to continue to excel to keep our business going forward, but this isn't making me consider moving away from AxeFX.

Also, I'm sick to death hearing about "capture" technology. I have some really nice tube amps. I'd still rather have an expert do an authentic amp model for me to use. I have yet to meet another working musician who gives a damn about amp capture tech being available to us at home.
 
That backpack seems to be very expensive ...
When I bought a Ciari guitar recently, they included a very high quality multi-purpose backpack, for free.

Anyway, kudos to Line 6. Being a convinced Fractal user doesn't mean I can't appreciate steps made by other brands. Even if nobody has hands on the product yet. Line 6 has always produced interesting stuff. Plus, Eric Klein is a nice guy.

Scherm­afbeelding 2025-06-11 om 17.57.13.png
 
brendanmakesmusic said:
Also, I'm sick to death hearing about "capture" technology. I have some really nice tube amps. I'd still rather have an expert do an authentic amp model for me to use. I have yet to meet another working musician who gives a damn about amp capture tech being available to us at home.
Click to expand...

There are plenty of pro acts using capture technology. From the biggest metal band in the world right now, Sleep Token, to John Mayer and everything in between.

Sure captures may not be the primary way to use digital tones, but it’s certainly a viable tone tool to have at your fingertips.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom