Disappointed with Helix Stadium XL – Preset Gaps, Missing Features, and Unfulfilled Promises

[tufanderince]

I’m honestly not satisfied with the Line 6 Helix Stadium XL.

 

The biggest issue for me is the 1–2 second audio drop when switching between presets. On the Helix Floor, there was a preset spillover solution where you could achieve seamless transitions by using a single signal path. That worked well.

On the Stadium XL, this is completely missing, which is very disappointing—especially for live performance.

 

This unit costs €2350, yet it feels like it’s missing several essential features that already existed on older Helix models. For a flagship product at this price point, this is hard to justify.

 

Additionally, Proxy / Capture features were mentioned or expected, but they are still not available. There has been no clear roadmap or communication, which raises concerns. It honestly feels like development and feature delivery are not being handled very well.

 

I also expected much more innovation, especially considering AI integration. With today’s technology and with Line 6 being under Yamaha, I expected new intelligent features, smarter sound design tools, or at least some forward-thinking additions. So far, none of that has materialized.

 

Another major downside is the very limited modulation effects. The modulation section feels weak and shallow. Being under Yamaha, I expected a much wider sound palette, something closer to Kronos-style depth and versatility, especially in synth-like textures and complex modulations.

 

Overall, for the price, the Helix Stadium XL feels unfinished and underwhelming. I expected evolution—what I got feels more like restriction.

[silverhead]

I can understand your disappointment. Of course, disappointment is a corollary of expectations. Recall that, late in development, Line 6  publicly polled users with the question “Would you prefer a more complete and finished product that will be released later, or a less complete product available sooner?”  The clear user preference was sooner, with additional features coming later. Accordingly one should not expect a complete product at this point. You’re absolutely right that promised features like proxy capture remain unfulfilled, as expected. Will other features like preset spillover be added in a future firmware release? I certainly expect so, but I’m not putting any timing on that.

 

Helix Stadium is still very much in its early development. It will, and already has, been much improved. For instance the Showcase feature was not released in v1.1; it arrived in v1.2. Also, v1.2.1 was released very recently, fixing some 50-odd bugs. 
 

I think anyone who owns a Stadium device now should consider themselves to be early adopters, complete with the associated bugs and glitches. You don’t have to use it yet. You can wait for several more months until it is more complete and less buggy. Most users responding to the Line 6 outreach wanted it sooner rather than later, and that’s what Line 6 did. 

 

Who knows what Stadium will become? Recall that the original Helix product has evolved significantly since its release. It is hardly recognizable now compared to that time. The same will happen with Stadium. As you point out it is currently unfinished.
 

Of course, your feelings are your own and they are legitimate based on a certain set of (reasonable?) expectations.

[PaulTBaker]

I can also see why you would be disappointed.  My expectations for the current product were not as high.  The main reason I wanted it was because I always needed "just one more stomp" on the Helix Floor!  This has given me that.  Of course I may be wrong (I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken:)) however, I believe this model has the potential to open up so many more capabilities, I'm sure some we didn't know we needed!  Your AI integration is an example of that.  This platform seems to be able to handle things like that.

 

So like Silver said, it comes down to expectations.  

[Semetery]

The poll was 'with Showcase or before', not unfinished or stable, wasn't it? We paid full price, I don't think expecting it to work properly and be gig-ready at $2200 is crazy. People who weren't aware of the poll at all certainly wouldn't be okay buying the Stadium and not knowing they were buying an early-dev form of it.

 

WITH THAT, I believe it's going to be completely awesome. I just think it's frustrating right now. I'm trying really hard to be positive because the company history says a lot of good.

[silverhead]

You’re right - the poll was ‘later with Showcase or earlier without’, but still clearly unfinished with other promised features yet to come.
 

btw…. my earlier comments are my own. I don’t represent Line 6 in any way. They might not want to characterize current owners as early adopters, nor would they say that it was released in early-dev form. Both the initial version and the subsequent Showcase version were released when the features they offer were considered sufficiently robust and stable while at the same time meeting marketplace commitments (release in the fall of 2025).

 

I look forward to many more years of Stadium development and ongoing feature additions and enhancements.

 

 

[jpdennis]

I understand the OP's disappointment if a finished product was expected by the OP.  However, Line 6 is deploying more as they can via current and soon to come updates.  They are addressing the bugs slightly faster, which I can say due to the expeditious way I have been contacted by Line 6 support during the recent four tickets I created.  I know that they are being careful to not address too many bugs without testing what is broken in the process of final release of updates.  And I have read that Proxy is being demonstrated at NAMM, though I am not physically at NAMM. 

 

The Stadium XL is usable for what I need right now and has made headway with the updates.  My memory may be bad, however, I believe they are committed to delivering updates in a tighter timeline than when the Helix Floor and Rack was first released.  I may search when I have some time.

 

jpd

[narichey81]

with the latest update i no longer hear any delay when switching snapshots.  

[bverdon]

On 1/23/2026 at 10:03 AM, silverhead said:

I can understand your disappointment. Of course, disappointment is a corollary of expectations. Recall that, late in development, Line 6  publicly polled users with the question “Would you prefer a more complete and finished product that will be released later, or a less complete product available sooner?”  The clear user preference was sooner, with additional features coming later. Accordingly one should not expect a complete product at this point. You’re absolutely right that promised features like proxy capture remain unfulfilled, as expected. Will other features like preset spillover be added in a future firmware release? I certainly expect so, but I’m not putting any timing on that.

 

Helix Stadium is still very much in its early development. It will, and already has, been much improved. For instance the Showcase feature was not released in v1.1; it arrived in v1.2. Also, v1.2.1 was released very recently, fixing some 50-odd bugs. 
 

I think anyone who owns a Stadium device now should consider themselves to be early adopters, complete with the associated bugs and glitches. You don’t have to use it yet. You can wait for several more months until it is more complete and less buggy. Most users responding to the Line 6 outreach wanted it sooner rather than later, and that’s what Line 6 did. 

 

Who knows what Stadium will become? Recall that the original Helix product has evolved significantly since its release. It is hardly recognizable now compared to that time. The same will happen with Stadium. As you point out it is currently unfinished.
 

Of course, your feelings are your own and they are legitimate based on a certain set of (reasonable?) expectations.

 

Completely nailed it! If you didn't research your Stadium purchase prior to the purchase, it's all on you for sure! I knew what I was getting when I purchased. Anyone interested in a fully featured Stadium should not buy unless they are ok with the early development lifecycle.  

[tufanderince]

Do you really think we don’t know what we bought? I’m talking about expectations. And right now, I’m pointing out a missing feature that existed in older versions and in many other pedals: when switching between presets, there is a one- to two-second audio drop. That’s the issue I’m addressing.

 

They also mentioned that a proxy/capture-like feature was planned. It’s been almost two months, and there’s still no sign of it. That’s exactly what I’m criticizing. At the moment, the device is struggling to meet expectations, and I believe an update is urgently needed.

 

Constructive feedback from users is essential for technology to improve. If expectations and missing features aren’t discussed, how can these devices evolve? I’m a user, and I believe my demands are reasonable, achievable, and completely valid to express.

[tufanderince]

✋

For example, in addition to the features I mentioned, here are my suggestions and wishes:

 

For instance, there could be an option to choose a screen protector, just like on a smartphone.

 

It could even support installing apps — for example, YouTube.

Imagine this: while playing live at a concert, you’re switching between presets that you already know by heart, and a YouTube video is playing on the screen at the same time.

 

When you press the volume or signal input on the pedal, the device could treat the audio as a signal, allowing you to play along with a sound coming from a YouTube video directly with your instrument.

 

Through apps, a DAW could also be installed on the screen. Think of it like a studio PC: you could record, connect a MIDI keyboard, plug in a microphone — basically use it with the logic of an audio interface and a computer.

 

An internal active speaker could be integrated into the pedal. A foldable mini MIDI keyboard could be offered as an optional accessory.

 

Apps like Gemini or ChatGPT could also be added and run on the device.

 

In short, this would be a pedal + an iPhone combined. And we can already do all of these things even on an iPhone 14

 

If such integration were possible, it would be a real revolution. And in terms of hardware cost, adding this kind of capability would probably mean no more than an extra $200–300 — roughly the cost of an iPhone 14-level device.

 

And with that, hundreds of additional features — even ones I haven’t listed here — would become possible.

 

Integrating something this straightforward shouldn’t be that difficult. What I’m trying to say is: dreaming and wanting more is not a bad thing. Wanting better is already half the journey toward achieving it.

 

And honestly, compared to what I imagined, the features I initially asked for were actually very small

Greetings to everyone —

stay with the music.

[jpdennis]

On 1/27/2026 at 9:50 AM, tufanderince said:

✋

For example, in addition to the features I mentioned, here are my suggestions and wishes:

 

 

tufanderince,

 

As I stated earlier, I do understand your frustration.  I know that Line 6 is preparing to have PROXY in the coming update which I am hoping is released by mid March at the latest.  Your other ideas are great.  If you haven't already sent these ideas as feature request to line 6 support, I'd say please do.  I have to say the idea of an onboard DAW seems interesting.  Not sure how the multiple channels would work but the Matrix feature and Showcase may have some interaction.  Only Line 6 can say what the current hardware is capable with respect to future firmware upgrades, as it was suggested during the prelaunch they are working on many things with the Stadium family, of which some have not been revealed yet.

 

On a side note. and knowing this isn't what your vision is for a hardware upgrade with respect to the iPhone hardware use case idea you are speaking of, I have yet to connect via Bluetooth using my iPhone for any interactive capability for the Stadium.  Having said that, the concept of the current iPhone connectivity opens up my thoughts to investigate at a later date what the Stadium can or cannot do at this time.

 

In closing, I use this forum for conversation as well as sometimes reading with no feedback to open my mind to the possibilities of what others are doing, dreaming of, and issues solving with old fashion know-how & creative thought.  90% of my use for this Stadium is playing.  The device just allows me to channel my Hendrix side. <AWAAN>

 

Play & Party On!

 

jpd