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Helix Stadium Announced: Line 6 Redefines the Flagship Modeler
🚀 What Is Helix Stadium?
Line 6 just announced two flagship models—the Helix Stadium Floor and Helix Stadium XL Floor—ushering in “Helix 2.0” with a complete redesign focused on sound, usability, and live performance workflow.
Key highlights:
- A new Agoura™ modeling engine, replacing HX with improved dynamic response and realism
- The Hype control, a morph knob to shift between ultra-authentic and idealized sonic character
- A high-res 8″ touch screen with five navigation keys for fast tone tweaking
- Proxy cloning, a cloud-based amp/cab/effect capture and import feature
- Showcase: a performance engine capable of launching backing tracks, recalling snapshots, firing MIDI, and lighting cues
- Connectivity perks: Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, USB‑C/A, 32 GB microSD, and dual analog + digital I/O paths
- Presets are backward-compatible with Helix/HX formats
🧩 Stadium vs. Stadium XL
Helix Stadium Floor
- High-res touchscreen interface
- 1 instrument input + XLR mic preamp
- 2 FX loops, 2 external pedal/amp/trigger outs
- USB-C/A, microSD, internal PSU
- MSRP: $1,799.99 USD
Helix Stadium XL Floor
All of the above plus:
- 12 OLED scribble strips
- Built-in expression pedal with toe-switch
- 2 variable-impedance inputs
- 4 FX loops, 4 external pedal/amp/trigger outs
- Expanded S/PDIF analog/digital I/O
- MSRP: $2,199.99 USD
🔍 How It Compares to Helix Floor & LT
| Feature | Helix LT | Helix Floor | Helix Stadium Floor | Helix Stadium XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | 2018 | 2015 | Winter 2025 | Fall 2025 |
| MSRP | ~$899 USD | ~$1,299 USD | $1,799.99 USD | $2,199.99 USD |
| Modeling Engine | HX | HX | Agoura™ | Agoura™ |
| Touchscreen | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cloning (Proxy) | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Showcase playback | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Expression Pedal | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| OLED Scribble Strips | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| FX Loops / I/O | Basic | Robust | Flexible (2 loops) | Expanded (4 loops) |
📝 First Impressions & Context
- The touchscreen, new modeling, and Proxy Cloning are the biggest changes since Helix launched in 2015.
- Showcase automation means you can now control your set, your lights, and your DAW from the same pedalboard.
- Line 6 promises full backward compatibility with all current Helix and HX presets.
This isn’t just a new version—it’s a rethink of what a floorboard rig can do.
🔧 What We Still Need to Learn
Line 6 notes that these units are still under active development, so details may change before the final release.
We’re waiting on:
- Detailed tone demos comparing Agoura™ to HX and analog rigs
- Proxy Cloning latency and quality in real-world use
- DSP headroom, load time, and UI responsiveness
- Sample rate and I/O configuration details
- Whether any plugin support or app-based remote editing is coming
🎯 Who Is It For?
- Touring musicians who need MIDI, tracks, and lighting in one rig
- Existing Helix users looking for a true upgrade path
- New buyers comparing to Quad Cortex, Kemper, and Tone Master Pro
This is clearly positioned as a premium option for serious players.
🧾 MSRP Recap
- Helix LT: ~$899 USD (MAP)
- Helix Floor: ~$1,299 USD (MAP)
- Helix Stadium Floor: $1,799.99 USD
- Helix Stadium XL Floor: $2,199.99 USD
⚠️ More to come. These units begin shipping Winter 2025 (Floor) and Fall 2025 (XL), and we’ll be updating this post with demos, tone tests, and workflow breakdowns as soon as review units hit.
Stay tuned to Tone Circuit as we dig deeper into Line 6’s bold new chapter.
