Line 6 revolutionizes its 30-year-old amp modeling empire with the launch of its cutting-edge AI technology, embodied in the Helix Stadium series.
Wrecking the Digital Amplifier Game:
Line 6's Helix Stadium series just dropped a bomb on the amp modeler market with the launch of its acclaimed Helix Stadium series. These bad boys, the Stadium XL Floor and the slightly lighter Stadium Floor, are equipped with features that'll make your jaw drop!
Celebrating a decade since the debut of the Helix Floor unit, Line 6 has completely transformed the platform. They've upgraded the hardware, increased connections, and amped up the dynamic range on all analog inputs. Even the headphones output got a makeover!
The Stadium series, available in the mammoth Stadium XL Floor complete with a mind-blowing 12 footswitches, OLED scribble strips, and an integrated expression pedal, or the slightly more compact Stadium Floor, both equipped with 8-inch touchscreens, is a game-changer for Line 6's amp and effects modeling. It's like a revolution for electric guitar tones themselves. And it's all thanks to Line 6's groundbreaking new AI modeling technology.
"Our powerful new platform isn't about packing in more junk; it was crucial to help us deliver the single biggest leap Line 6 has ever made in its nearly 30-year history of amp modeling," boasts Eric Klein, Line 6's chief product design architect. He calls it Augora, but Augora isn't HX on steroids, it's an entirely new subcomponent behavioral modeling methodology.
"We've invented a new way of modeling power stages, both push-pull and single-ended, in conjunction with the power supply, so we can accurately capture the interaction between the signal and power supply," explains Klein. Augora also models circuit feedback more accurately than ever, even simulating the capacitance between wires within the chassis.
"There's detailed plate and grid voltage data, all-new sag, bias, and ripple behavior simulation, double-precision tone stacks, inter-block communications so cab blocks can communicate back to the amp block for dynamic speaker impedance curves, and a plethora more."
Augora promises unparalleled authenticity in tube amp emulation, and we've heard this before. But with each new flagship release from the leading amp modeling companies, be it from Line 6, Fractal, HeadRush, Neural DSP, or Kemper, they usually deliver.
Digital technology is capturing more nuances of classic analog gear. We'll let Klein explain what sets the Helix Stadium apart.
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"We've introduced a Hype control that morphs between ultrauthentic and idealized amp sounds," he continues. Both units will come laden with a proxy guitar amp, speaker cabinet, and effects cloning engine based in the cloud (yes, it has wifi and Bluetooth, and an automation/playback engine called Showcase).
Although mammoth, the Stadium series isn't leaving its legacy Helix platform behind. All your old Helix and HX presets are compatible with the Helix Stadium units.
The Stadium XL is described as the "most comprehensive and integrated guitar processor" Line 6 has ever made, and it boasts impressive stats to back it up. It offers a pair of variable impedance instrument inputs, with over 126dB of dynamic range. There's an XLR mic preamp with a jaw-dropping 128dB of dynamic range.
The Studio offers a similarly eye-popping array of inputs/outputs, with support for four effects loops (again, with 120dB of dynamic range), four external expression pedals (remember, it already has an integrated expression pedal), four external amp control outputs, and up to four drum trigger inputs.
The most groundbreaking connection is the Nexus port. Both Helix Stadium units offer one, and this connects to the Expand D10 (sold separately for $219) digital input/output expansion unit via a Cat6 cable, allowing for expanded connectivity with peripheral devices, guitar audio interfaces, mixers, Powercab active FRFR speakers, and more.
The Helix Stadium range also includes a padded and water-repellant gig bag backpack ($249) and the EX2 expression pedal ($149).
The Stadium XL retails for $2,199, while the Stadium will set you back $1,799. UK and European pricing is yet to be announced, with the Stadium XL expected to ship in autumn 2025, and the Stadium in winter. Pre-orders for the Stadium XL open on 25 June. For more details, visit Line 6.
The Helix Stadium series' latest drop, the Stadium XL Floor and Stadium Floor, showcase groundbreaking technology that transcends beyond traditional amp modeling, bringing innovation to the field of entertainment. With Augora, Line 6's new AI modeling methodology, these gadgets merge music and technology, offering an authentic and immersive listening experience, ideal for any music enthusiast.
