The Helix Stadium isn’t just a new amp modeller – it’s the future of gig rigs

Beyond upgraded modelling tech and improved tones, its Showcase feature is a trump card no one was expecting, but everybody needed

Typically, anniversaries are a time for reflection—for looking back and appreciating how far you’ve come. For Line 6, while there was no doubt some back-patting behind the scenes when its Helix amp modeller turned 10 years old last month, such celebrations were likely muted because, with the Line 6 Stadium, it is looking resolutely forward. It’s a piece of gear that could revolutionize not just the digital amp modelling market, but redefine what band live rigs look like indefinitely. They've no time for nostalgia.

For the first time, a company is looking beyond great-sounding and feeling tones in an easily transportable package, which is the mantra for Line 6 and its vast sea of competitors. It’s created something that can be at the heart of performing bands for years to come by integrating the core elements of live shows, from backing tracks to lights and MIDI changes, right into the Stadium’s heart. In the ever-fierce modeller market, it's one hell of a shake-up.

What is it?

There are two products here: the Helix Stadium XL Floor and the Helix Stadium Floor, both packing the same headline-grabbing features. Beyond the addition of a touchscreen, there’s a brand-new modeling system called Agoura—named after the street where the first Line 6 HQ was located—which it touts as “a new benchmark for authentic sound when modeling physical amplifiers.” There’s also a new ‘Hype’ feature that blends the best of both worlds—tube amp break-up and pristine digital tones—into one neat package.

But with 'Showcase', things get really interesting. Its new automation engine is designed specifically for the stage, with the Stadium standing as a central hub for triggering MIDI changes, engaging presets, playing up to eight audio backing tracks, and automating lighting to flash and beam in time with even the silliest of polyrhythms.

Taking things one step further, there's also built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, meaning bands can chuck their old Wi-Fi routers in the bin, because this thing doesn't need one. Bluetooth also means players can control certain parameters from a phone or tablet, which is handy, as is its internal power supply.

And with 10 years in the tank, Line 6 looks to be ensuring another 10. It says: “The Line 6 Stadium has been specifically architected from the very beginning to be extensible and updated for a very long time - it doesn't get older, it matures.”

So, expect plenty more updates and added features to aid in live performances, such as in-ear monitoring (at a guess). It isn't done shaking things up yet.

Why is that so great?

Half the reason amp modellers have proven so successful – 21 of the best-selling amps on Reverb in 2024 were modellers of some kind – is their compactness. Gone are the days of hurling tube amps and bulky cabinets up and down stairs; the modern musician wants to pack lightly, and modellers deliver that.

The stadium adds to that – it can slim down your live rig even more by replacing your laptop. Its price ($2,199 / $1,799, UK prices TBC) is similar to that of a MacBook Pro, too, and it does much more.  It’s gunning to be a fully integrated live rig in itself.

That means having everything from backing tracks to DMX lighting and video cues all in one place. That integration syncs time-based effects, from delays to tremolos and beyond, can effortlessly to your songs, but it can also do the heavy lifting so players can focus on playing, not tap dancing.

Preset changes, engaging or disengaging effects, and so on can all be done in-house, meaning no external MIDI box and the head-spinning complications that come with getting that set up.

“Now your song can recall presets or snapshots, control all of your looper functions, switch your real amp's channels, and remote control all of your MIDI-equipped pedals, synths, lighting, software, video, and much more without a single footswitch press,” Line 6 says. “Showcase allows the technology to just sort of melt away.”

It can also connect to a drum pad for triggering things within Showcase, so drummers can kick start backing tracks, samples, and so on, which looks way better than pressing the space bar on a laptop.

Now, the one downside is that light shows cannot currently be imported into the unit via DMX, so work will have to be done to get light shows singing and dancing. If that gets added in at a later date, it’ll be a serious game-changer.

Into the ecosystem

What’s genius about this, from a marketing point of view, is that all these features amount to a unit that can appeal to users of other modellers. It’s very feasible that many Quad Cortex players, for instance, will look to bring the Stadium into their rig alongside their QCs, which will remain in place for tones, with the stadium handling everything else.

There’s a chance, Line 6 will hope, that players will later ditch their modellers to streamline their rig once again. But even if they don’t, the Stadium doesn’t have to be in direct competition with its many, many rivals. And that’s a genius move.  

Either way, in the big money digital amp arms race, Line 6 is pulling out the big guns by catering to the wider needs of the modern, gigging musician beyond great tones alone.

Head to Line 6 for more.

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