Was The Helix Stadium XL Worth The 10 Year Wait?
???? Get the Ultimate Tone Bundle for 50% off with code TONE50 at checkout
https://rhettshullguitarcourses.com/p/the-ultimate-tone-bundle
Get The Helix Stadium XL Here (affiliate link)
https://sweetwater.sjv.io/gOjo0A
Check out the Meris Enzo X Synth Pedal (affiliate link)
https://sweetwater.sjv.io/zxEjMr
its been over 10 years since Line6 released the original Helix amp modeler, since then the world of modelers and profilers have grown, so how does the latest version of the Helix Stadium XL stack up?
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:59 Let’s hear Helix Stadium XL
4:28 a few disclaimers
6:25 Let’s hear some classic Marshall tones
9:08 Let’s talk about the good stuff (form factor and UI)
12:37 Focus Mode is really great
14:50 How does it sound? (compared to OG Helix?)
16:30 Let’s hear the stock presets
20:17 My one big issue (gain structure)
22:21 The Hype Control
24:43 The Future of Guitar Amp Modeling
28:17 My plan for Helix Stadium XL (building a fly rig)
29:22 Who is this for? Should you upgrade?
#Helix #Stadium #Worth #Year #Wait
Originally posted by UCCJ56k8nBeqWLoxNa6DToAQ at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxpdvbaDM3o
It sounds like a GT1000 !
this guy is the guitarist for the midnight?
I’ll wait for the stadium stomp xl.
That gain staging issue would be an automatic deal breaker if I was considering buying this… ridiculous after spending that kind of cash. Every amp modelling rig has weird issues and quirks… can't see myself ever buying one.
Worth it. Before I look it up I'm guessing no less than 2k and this will be another pipe dream I can't afford
Is there a vocal harmonizer or effects? How do they sound?
Hey Rhett, with the CorOs update that seems to clone fuzzes really well, I'm curious to know if you'll keep gigging the helix stadium or give the neural a second chance since you're such a big fuzz tones fan. Love your content!
Lol. Rofl even.
2 years ago there was a 0% chance we'd see Rhett sitting in his room full of boutique tube amps and boutique pedals playing a STRAT through a MODELER playing a scooped-mid tone over a synth patch with another Strat and a SILVER SKY behind him.
Which I'm happy for. The visceral hate towards Strats and modelers (and PRS) he portrayed back then was frankly over the top.
More of the same.
And the “scribble strips” are also a welcome addition.
nothing beats a real amp in the room tho.
This is my personal opinion, but it still has a plastic sound. I've tried all of Line 6's previous products, and it doesn't seem to have improved.
Great rundown Rhett. I have two questions though. One do you think they’ll do a HX effect version? I’ve gone back to amps live as I just could not get the volunteer sound guys at church to ever get amp modellers sound good. I like the idea of not having to use the editor and my current hx effects has had two usb port and now it’s broken the port again so I’m stuck not being able to move my patches around for each weeks setlist. And two could you do a video on how to get the sound guy to make your modeler / helix sound great. I’ve bought patches, made patches that all sound awesome at home but whatever the church sound guy is doing makes it sound terrible. What do your sound guys do when you’re using helix. Eq on the desk , no Eq and just rely on the units dialled in tones? Any help would be greatly appreciated on this subject.
Sounds exactly like the original helix. At least for me.
I’m waiting for the showcase feature.
Can you use the Hype control, Focus Mode etc on the FX loop? Putting a Tonex in the loop might be pretty cool.
its just so amazing that it can be minimize the volume on the spot just like on keyboards and synths. just wow!
It has a neat UI. I think tonex is probably better for amps and AXEFX is probably better for FX. Im sure I will get a stadium because it looks like a lot of fun to mess with.
I hope to be wrong on both counts but the AXE's FX just lay on the guitar sound so well and Tonex's V2 captures are just awesome.
Focus mode looks really neat. I will enjoy messing with it I am sure.
nothing sound like tubes is a fact, we are living a new 80s, these toys will soon be forgotten!
I use my modeler for recording, ideas, and versatility, but I keep one foot in the real world and play my tube analog rig every day. The modeler is adding layers and pads to your music. Be the one who can still pick up an acoustic, when the power goes out. I have one general sound with my tube amp. I set up my amp and peddles to be used with the volume and tone knobs, and pickup switches on my guitar, so I can go from clean Jazz to heavy rock, or country by only controlling the guitar, and sometimes stomp a peddle. I'm only running three peddles on my board. A tuner, overdrive, and delay. It sounds more real. That amps tone, the sound of the cabinet, and using knobs and guitar switches are part of playing the instrument. It moves more air. It's a great device, but I don't want to sound like Ai created my tunes either. When everything is too perfect and ideal, it starts sounding fake.
Nice sweater. That's some Pink Floyd jams with those effects.
Since when was this a 10 year wait? ????
Mh….. to be honest i still feel an fm9 the way better choce
27:23
The hype function sounds like a multiband compressor
The hype has to be set to 6.7
I kinda feel most digital modules are getting to a point where it won’t matter what you are using they are all going to do a great job . It’s great that Line6 has now updated the Helix and is moving forward to improve their product . I had a Helix when I started out with whole digital Modules vibe and hated it as it was not in my opinion something that was a plug and play .
After going through Kemper and Helix and ended up and a Quad Cortex and it’s been a piece of cake to operate and to quickly dial in on the touch screen if any changes are needed.
I bought my Quad Cortex after watching Rhett’s video on it and seeing him use it as his fly rig well back then but non the less thanks for a awesome video Rhett as always it was very interesting and full of information
Helix is my main rig. I want the XL but I don't know yet.
Get an FRFR maybe LFR 2×12
Those plexi presets sound great very power amp overdrive and clean chord clarity
Love seeing you use the strat with EMG pickups and nailing some incredible gilmour-esque tones. Can tell how much you love it, and we do too.
that synch pedal is out of this world…
Hey, Rhett, what's your thoughts on the Boss GT-1000?
I picked up a used Hotone Ampero II Stomp for 250 dollars. I only use it for headphone practice, but it's amazing. For the first time I enjoy headphone practice as much as with an amp.
I waited for it even knowing I wouldn't afford, but from the time of my greatly missed line 6 tonex 8 audio interface i aways loved line6 gear. I still use my l6 pod hd 500x it stays strong. I use it standalone or in pair with toxex pedal as an amp. line6 is an input output hub with all distortions, fuzzes, and modulation effects it' really great. strymon big sky at the end. I love this combo. Stadium looks and sounds great. The great thing about is time+midi arranging options. I would program a solo show with lights after conversion to dmx. for small clubs if You have couple of lights it would make a whole show better. This tone You demoed at the start… just wow!! I've heard a lot of fx experiments, but making a good synth from guitar was't represented good up to this time. Great, even sound, You can't hear pitching artifacts. Awesome.
Thanks for the video, great detail and info as always. Thinking of going to this from helix so appreciate you doing this. PRS silver sky? Was my understanding you don’t typically jive with PRS, has something about the silver sky grabbed you?
Rhett I have to tell you that is the best I’ve heard you ever sound thru the Stadium. Excellent!
The sweater is why I tuned in
Nice gear but I'll never use 90% of the features. For now, I'll stick with my Kemper.
Not a fan of those tones. I can still see how it would work fine for a flyrig though. I havent heard anything better than AXeFX amp models. I can't see moving away from my FM3 for quite some time.
I still love my amps. How does this thing sound plugged straight into them stereo?
25:00 idk I’m poor as fuck compared to this higher end modelers
I have a valeton gp200 which costs like 300-400 bucks
But still is great to watch videos of this more expensive and boutique modelers
I'm so stoked to see you with The Midnight in Brooklyn
Awesome unit, but the $5K price tag here in Australia is a huge turn off!!!!
Confidence in Line6 offering ongoing support? In your dreams. I recently tried to bring back my Pod HD Pro X to pass on to a friend. But I can't use the edit software because although L6 has written the driver to get the unit and the computer to talk they don't have Apple approval so my iMac quarantines it. When I approached L6 customer support they basically suggested I try to hack my iMac. And that was Line6's response. The official reply to my question. Now they are ghosting me. Well FU Line6. And anyone thinking that anything they buy will have longevity? You are a fool.
Hey man great video! Any info regarding the DAW version of the Stadium (like Helix Native) ?
i rather buy me an Tube amps
Can’t you just turn the level up on the amp block to help the gain staging?
I'll pass on the stadium and the upcoming arena, I'm holding out for the dive bar!
what kind of Headphones are you using ?