Line 6 Helix Stadium Native review

Having owned an HX Stomp for many years now and been a big user of Helix Native, I jumped at the opportunity to review the latest iteration of Line 6’s software offering in Helix Stadium Native. Arriving not too long after the hardware units, it promises some serious upgrades over the old one and, somewhat unusually for the world we live in, stays at the same price.

However, $/£399.99 is a lot to pay for software. Admittedly, I got the original for £99 as a Helix hardware user, and to be totally honest, I don’t think I’d have paid full price. It is often available at a discount, however, so if you’re willing to wait for a sale, then you can sometimes get it for half price. It’s definitely a steep entry point, although for some it will be worth it thanks to the huge number of amp and effects models included, and the regular updates the original received.

New to Helix Stadium Native is the ability to load Proxy Clones, Line 6’s version of amp and effects capture. It supports up to 48 clones per preset. Cab IRs now run at 32-bit float, and every cab block now has the option for dual sounds. You can place effects between linked amps and cabs, and sidechain dynamics and certain filter blocks.

The UI has had an upgrade with higher-resolution graphics, with a graphic control of mic placement and EQ, plus a graphic view of impulse response curves. You can now search the plugin for presets or blocks, DAW integration is improved with clear names in the automation lanes, and the tuner has been improved upon.