Which Helix? Helix Stadium XL Floor, Helix Stadium Floor, Helix Floor, Helix Rack and Helix LT compared

The short answer

Helix Stadium XL Floor

The most complete Line 6 makes. Buy it if you want cloning and Showcase and you use an expression pedal, two instruments, or more than two loops.

open the Helix Stadium XL Floor guide Line 6

Helix Stadium Floor

The same brain and the same new features, without the built-in pedal, the second input or the extra loops. The cheaper way into the Stadium generation.

open the Helix Stadium Floor guide Line 6

Helix Floor

Still the reference original-generation Helix. Everything the LT has plus the mic input, four loops and a headphone knob of its own.

open the Helix Floor guide Line 6

Helix Rack

For studios and rack rigs. The only Helix with wordclock and digital input—and the only one where the footswitches are a separate purchase.

open the Helix Rack guide Line 6

Helix LT

The same sound as the Floor for less, if you can live without the mic input, two of the loops and the shared expression jack.

open the Helix LT guide

Where they differ

5 modelers

Only the lines that differ are here. The model library, the way presets are built and the cab block rule are the same on all of them, and each guide covers them.

Helix Stadium XL Floor

generation

engine generationThe biggest decision. The Stadium generation adds amp cloning and a backing-track engine the original Helix does not have and cannot gain.Helix Stadium Owner's Manual 1.3.2 · Helix 3.80 Owner's Manual

Stadium — touchscreen, Clones, Showcase

Original Helix

amp cloningHelix Stadium Owner's Manual 1.3.2

Yes, PROXY cloning from firmware 1.3

No

backing tracks and automationHelix Stadium Owner's Manual 1.3.2

Showcase — tracks, markers, flags

No

what you stand on

footswitchesThe Rack's footboard is a separate purchase and a significant extra cost. Budget for it. Without it, the Rack is a studio processor.Helix Rack and Control Cheat Sheet (Rev C)

12, on the modeler

12 — on Helix Control, sold separately

12, on the modeler

built-in expression pedalThe clearest split between the two Stadiums. If you use a wah or volume pedal, the XL is the one that has one.Helix Stadium XL Floor Cheat Sheet (Rev B) · Helix Cheat Sheet (Rev D)

Yes, with toe switch

No

Yes, with toe switch

No

Yes, with toe switch

what you plug in

instrument inputsHelix Stadium XL Floor Cheat Sheet (Rev B) · Helix Rack and Control Cheat Sheet (Rev C)

Two

One

One, plus aux

One, on the front panel

One

mic inputThe reason to pay the difference between an LT and a Floor if you sing.Helix Cheat Sheet (Rev D) · Helix LT Cheat Sheet (Rev B)

Yes, 48 V

No

effects loopsHelix Stadium XL Floor Cheat Sheet (Rev B) · Helix LT Cheat Sheet (Rev B)

Four

Two

Four

Two

digital I/OWordclock and AES/EBU input are Rack-only. If your studio runs a central clock, that settles it.Helix Rack and Control Cheat Sheet (Rev C) · Helix LT Cheat Sheet (Rev B)

S/PDIF in and out

S/PDIF in and out, AES/EBU out

S/PDIF in, AES/EBU in and out, wordclock

AES/EBU out only