Line 6 Helix Stadium Guide: Agoura Amps, Proxy Captures and How to Get Great Tone
Helix Stadium is the biggest step forward for the Helix platform since the original Helix launched. It brings a new generation of amp modeling, a large touchscreen, and Proxy, Line 6's own capture technology. This guide explains what Stadium is, how it differs from the original Helix, how Proxy captures work, and how to get a great tone out of your unit.
What is Helix Stadium?
Helix Stadium is Line 6's new flagship amp and effects processor. Like the original Helix, it recreates real amps, cabs, microphones and pedals, so you can build a complete rig inside one unit and plug it straight into headphones, studio monitors, an FRFR speaker or a PA system.
What makes Stadium different:
Agoura amp modeling: a new generation of amp models that respond more like real tube amps, with new parameters such as Hype, Sag and Ripple for shaping feel and dynamics.
Proxy captures: capture your own amps and pedals, or load captures made by others, and use them in your presets.
Large touchscreen: an 8 inch touchscreen makes building and editing presets much faster than on the original Helix.
More room for your rig: more blocks per preset and flexible routing across two paths.
Showcase: play along with backing tracks and audio files directly from the unit.
Snapshots: up to 8 snapshots per preset for gapless sound changes, just like the original Helix.
Helix Stadium vs Stadium XL
Both models share the same sound engine, touchscreen, amp models and Proxy technology, so a preset or capture sounds the same on either unit. The differences are in hardware and connectivity.
Helix Stadium: the core unit with one instrument input and two effects loops. Ideal for most players who want the Stadium sound and features in a slightly simpler package.
Helix Stadium XL: adds a built in expression pedal, scribble strip displays above the footswitches, a second instrument input and up to four effects loops. Built for players with complex rigs, amps to switch, or external pedals to integrate.
Helix Stadium vs the original Helix
Can I use my old Helix presets on Stadium?
Yes. Stadium can import presets from the original Helix and HX devices, and the original HX amp and effect models are still included. But imported presets keep using the older models. To get the full benefit of Agoura amps and Proxy, you need presets built for Stadium.
Can I use Stadium presets on my original Helix or HX Stomp?
No. Stadium presets use Agoura models and Proxy captures that the original Helix and HX Stomp do not have. If you use a Helix Floor, LT, Rack or HX Stomp, you need presets built for those units. Browse our original Helix presets here.
Is Stadium worth the upgrade?
If you want the most realistic amp feel Line 6 has made, the ability to capture your own gear, and a much faster editing experience, Stadium is a big step up. If you are happy with your current Helix sound, the original units are still excellent and fully supported.
What are Proxy captures?
Proxy is the capture technology built into Helix Stadium. It records how a real amp or pedal behaves and turns it into a clone you can load into your presets. Proxy captures come in four clone types:
Amp + Cab: a full amp setup including the speaker cabinet and microphone.
Amp: the amp head only, captured through a load box. You add a cab or IR yourself.
Preamp: a standalone preamp or the preamp section of an amp.
Pedal: overdrive, distortion and boost pedals.
How to install and use Proxy captures
Open the Librarian menu and import each capture into the matching clone type: Amp, Amp + Cab, Pedal or Preamp. Then add a Proxy block to your preset and select the capture from the list. From there you can combine it with any Stadium effects, cabs or other captures.
Presets or Proxy captures: which do you need?
Choose presets if you want to plug in and play. A preset is a complete rig with amp, cab and effects already dialed in, balanced and ready for live or studio use.
Choose Proxy captures if you want the sound of specific real amps and pedals and like building your own presets around them. A capture gives you the core tone, and you decide what goes around it.
Many players use both: presets to get playing straight away, and captures to build their own rig over time.
The biggest challenges of building Stadium tones
1. Learning a new platform
Agoura amps introduce new parameters and respond differently from the original Helix models. Even experienced Helix users need time to learn how settings like Hype, Sag and Ripple shape the sound and feel.
2. Making your own captures
Creating good Proxy captures takes the real gear, a load box for amp captures, careful gain staging and time. The quality of a capture depends heavily on how well the original rig was set up and recorded.
3. Sounding good on every system
A tone that sounds huge on headphones can sound harsh through a PA, and a tone that works on studio monitors can disappear on stage. Building tones that translate across systems means testing on several setups.
4. Making tones work in a band
Tones that sound great alone can get lost in a band mix. Live tones usually need tighter low end, a focused midrange and balanced volume between rhythm and lead sounds.
The fastest way to a great Stadium tone
This is exactly what our Stadium presets and Proxy captures are built for. Every product is dialed in by working musicians, tested on headphones, studio monitors, FRFR speakers and live PA, and made for both guitar and bass.
Our presets give you complete, mix ready rigs, many with snapshots for clean, rhythm, lead and ambient sounds. Our Proxy captures give you real amps and pedals to build your own rig around.
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Browse our Helix Stadium presets and Proxy captures
Using an original Helix or HX Stomp? Find your presets here.
