Helix Stadium XL: Meet the Amp and Effect Modeler of the Future
Representing the next generation of Line 6's Helix processing, the Helix Stadium XL marks a bold step forward in the art of amp and effect emulation, complete with the company's groundbreaking Agoura modeling methodology, enhanced DSP, and streamlined touchscreen navigation. This boundary-pushing processor raises the bar on modeling accuracy with 18 Agoura-powered guitar amps and six Agoura bass amps. Meanwhile, Line 6's innovative "Hype" knob takes your model's tone from lifelike precision to a perfectly polished and produced sound. Next, the addition of a high-resolution 8-inch touchscreen, 12 footswitches with OLED scribble strips, an onboard expression pedal with toe switch, and a robust collection of physical controls ensures intuitive navigation of the Helix Stadium XL's myriad functions. You can even completely automate entire tracks with Helix Stadium XL's Showcase engine, while Focus View supplies an in-depth, context-based editing for your selected model. You also get access to Line 6's powerful cloud-based Proxy cloning engine, enabling you to capture the sound of your favorite amps and distortion pedals. It's all finished off with a comprehensive array of stage- and studio-ready features, including increased headroom, improved sound, reduced weight, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Preset Audition, and more. Whether you're eyeing a portable rig replacement, a stage-ready workhorse, or a limitless sonic canvas to realize the tone of your dreams, the Helix Stadium XL delivers grand-slam performance, pushing the boundaries of floor-based processing to the stratosphere.
Related Videos: Helix Stadium XL Amp Modeler and FX Processor
Stadium 1.3 firmware update: Proxy cloning, new Agoura amps, and more
With the free Helix Stadium 1.3 firmware update, you’ll gain access to exciting new features, starting with Line 6’s powerful Proxy cloning engine. With Proxy, you’ll be able to capture the sound of your favorite amplifiers, cabinets, preamps, and dirt boxes. You can then transmit the training data to Line 6’s cloud-based servers — the Proxy — which deliver accurate, detailed results well beyond the realm of onboard processing. Moreover, cloud-based processing enables continuous improvements to the underlying technology without the updates being tied to your hardware. In addition, the Stadium 1.3 update includes five Agoura amplifier channels from two amplifiers — Matchstick 30 and Mandarin Rock 30 — along with new Showcase functionality, additional Global settings, and a slew of under-the-hood additions and improvements.
Agoura modeling: breaking new ground on emulation accuracy
The Helix Stadium series ushers in a new era of Line 6 modeling, complete with a ground-up redesign of the modeling process in the series’ revolutionary Agoura technology. While Line 6 has long utilized component-level modeling in its emulations, this innovative methodology replicates how individual components interact with the rest of the circuitry. Dubbed “Sub-component Behavioral Modeling,” Agoura re-creates ultra-minute nuances of real-world tube amp design — from the complex way that an amp’s power supply interacts with the signal to the capacitance between wire runs within the chassis.
Naturally, this technology leads to a stunning increase in emulation accuracy across the board. Moreover, while the Line 6 Helix Stadium’s amp models sport superior sound quality, Agoura modeling’s comprehensive component-level architecture also ensures that every model feels like its real-world equivalent — a far more challenging quality to capture. From the dynamic touch-sensitivity of a tube amp pushed to the brink to a quick clean-up of a dirty signal with a volume roll-off, Line 6’s Agoura modeling provides you with the precise sound and response of the most legendary gear in music history.
Capture idealized amplifier tones with Hype
While those fortunate enough to have played through a vintage Fullerton combo or a dimed British amp head may know these tones firsthand, the reality is that most musicians have only experienced these fabled sounds from their favorite recordings, after they’ve been treated and produced to mix-ready perfection. Thus, the most true-to-life model of your dream modern or vintage amplifier may not quite capture the sound of your favorite riff or solo on record. That’s where the Line 6 Helix Stadium XL’s Hype feature comes in. A twist of this dial transforms your tone from a component-level re-creation of the original model into the sweetened, idealized sound of a fully produced track.
Automate your sets with Showcase
The Helix Stadium XL’s Showcase automation and playback engine lets you do everything from jamming along with your favorite tracks to running fully automated preset and parameter changes throughout your entire performance. Need help nailing down the perfect tone for your cover band? By loading a track into your Helix Stadium XL, Showcase can split and mix the song’s individual instrument stems. Turn down the guitar track, and you’ll be able to play with the track itself, not on top of it. Sweetwater’s tone-sculpting enthusiasts are also quick to point out that this function is perfect for crafting stage- and studio-ready presets — the saturation-drenched lead sound you’ve so lovingly crafted might sound incredible solo, yet what sounds perfect in isolation often needs tweaking to excel in a full-band context!
Furthermore, Showcase’s power extends far beyond the boundaries of jamming and preset shaping. By placing flags at key moments within a track, Showcase can automatically trigger amp swaps, external pedal switching, MIDI to DMX lighting, drum machine and keyboard patches, and even send a message to your laptop to activate a video onstage. And for those playing in a more fluid musical setting, Showcase flags can also be activated via a footswitch stomp, giving you the power to activate your setting shifts after an unscheduled extended solo or an improvisational detour.
Streamlined touchscreen workflow
Navigating your presets and parameters is easier than ever before, courtesy of the Helix Stadium XL’s high-resolution 8-inch touchscreen. This screen’s highly graphic-based interface seriously simplifies the process of swapping around effects blocks and modifying parameters, especially when you’re harnessing the power of the Helix Stadium XL’s context-based focus view. Need to quickly pull up an amp, effect, or function? Simply type in the name using the Helix Stadium XL’s search function for instant access. Lastly, the Helix Stadium XL’s grand total of 11 knobs, 13 buttons, and 12 footswitches melds this processor’s forward-thinking touchscreen controls with the instant accessibility of physical functionality.
Fine-tune your settings with Focus View
Boasting an intuitive graphic-based UI, Helix Stadium XL’s Focus View offers contextual parameter control that allows you to effortlessly shape your tones on the fly. This mode re-creates the streamlined feel of tweaking a physical amp or effect’s knobs, with straightforward explanations of what each parameter does to aid you in your tone-shaping endeavors.
Moreover, Helix Stadium XL’s amp and effect models also feature five customizable touch zones that can be mixed and morphed with a quick swipe. To top it all off, Preset Audition both displays information on the preset and gives you the power to play an audio clip through the preset to “audition” whether it might be the perfect pick for your track — you can even record your own clips to audition!
Expressive XL upgrades
When it comes to processing power, the Helix Stadium XL and the Helix Stadium are essentially identical. Both models boast enhanced DSP power, a dedicated GPU, a machine-learning accelerator, and FPGAs, all topped off with fresh 64-bit floating-point architecture. Even their I/O sections are essentially the same, with both models boasting internal power supplies, S/PDIF digital I/O, USB-C, and a microSD port with an included 32GB card. That said, the Helix Stadium XL slightly edges out the Helix Stadium with a second instrument input and four total FX loops.
So, what makes the Helix Stadium XL the “XL” version? Two upgrades: a built-in expression pedal with a toe footswitch and high-visibility scribble strips. These light-up strips can be fully adjusted (or even turned off) for brightness, providing you with an instant visual confirmation of what each switch is currently set to accomplish. And while both models boast plenty of jacks to connect an external footswitch, the Helix Stadium XL’s assignable expression treadle and toe switch grant you superior expressive capabilities right out of the box.
Pared-down, pedalboard-ready form factor
Despite its significant increase in power, the Line 6 Helix Stadium XL’s optimized form factor saves considerable space on your pedalboard. At 25% smaller and 21% lighter than the Helix Floor, this unit makes taking your Helix rig on the road easier than ever!
Backward preset compatibility
Fear not, longtime Helix aficionados: the tried-and-true presets you’ve been rocking for 10 years of Helix history are fully compatible with the Helix Stadium XL. Combined with the Helix Stadium XL’s suite of Agoura amplifier models, you’ll be able to directly compare and audition your favorite models to find the sound that perfectly re-creates the sound in your head.
Complete cab customization
Finding the sweet spot of your amp’s cabinet emulation is a breeze thanks to Focus View's 3D graphic interface. This tool allows you to drag and drop a microphone model around your cabinet within a virtual 3D representation — it’s just like repositioning the mic around a cab in the studio, only it’s accomplished with the swipe of a finger. What’s more, the Helix Stadium XL’s streamlined file system can save thousands of your favorite presets and arrange them within easy-to-navigate nested folders.
Meet your new studio centerpiece
Looking to lay down a few tracks in your home studio? The Line 6 Helix Stadium XL doubles as a fully functional audio interface. Plug it into your DAW of choice via USB, and this stage-ready powerhouse becomes the centerpiece of your guitar or bass recording rig.
Upgraded sound all around
Every element of the Helix Stadium XL is optimized to deliver superior sound. Line 6 outfitted this processor with high-dynamic-range circuits on every analog input, coupled with both variable-impedance instrument inputs with greater than 126dB of dynamic range and upgraded mic preamps with 128dB of dynamic range. Even the headphone output has been redesigned for superior sound! To seal the deal, the Helix Stadium XL boasts a higher headroom than any of its predecessors, ensuring that even your imported Helix/HX presets will benefit from the Helix Stadium XL’s world-class sound.
Line 6 Helix Stadium XL Features:
- The next generation of Line 6's Helix processors with state-of-the-art amp and FX emulations
- Cutting-edge Agoura modeling re-creates every component within a circuit and how it interacts with other components, resulting in superior sonic accuracy
- Cloud-based Proxy cloning engine captures the sound of your favorite amps and distortion pedals
- 18 Agoura amplifier models and 6 Agoura bass amps right out of the box, with plans for many more!
- Complete preset compatibility with Helix/HX products
- Hype control allows you to capture both ultra-accurate amplifier emulations and slightly sweetened versions to better match the sounds you hear on your favorite records
- High-resolution 8-in. touchscreen ensures intuitive navigation and parameter editing
- 12 footswitches with high-contrast OLED scribble strips make it a breeze to swap between presets, effects, and more
- Assignable expression pedal with toe switch supplies expressive in-the-moment control of your sounds and parameters
- Showcase live automaton allows you to split, mix, and jam-along with tracks; fully automate track transitions with flags; and even automate lights, video, keyboard/drum patches, and much more
- Matrix Cue Mixer gives you the power to create independent mixes for different outputs
- Focus View supplies in-depth, context-based control of your current model
- Optimized form factor clocks in 25% smaller and 21% lighter than the Helix floorboard
- Enhanced sound all around, including high-dynamic-range circuits on every analog input, superior mic preamps with 128dB dynamic range, bolstered headroom, and variable-impedance instrument inputs with >126dB of dynamic range
- Includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth control
- Fine-tune every parameter with Line 6's free Helix Stadium editing software
- File system allows you to load up thousands of IRs and organize them within convenient nested folders
- Audio interface capabilities allow you to record your favorite presets directly to your DAW via USB
