Modern guitar modelers have come a long way—but Line 6’s brand-new Helix Stadium XL takes things to an entirely new level. To put it to the test, Matt from the Chuck Levin’s marketing team sat down with the unit and spent the day chasing iconic hard-rock and metal tones.

From vintage Marshall crunch to early-2000s scooped stacks to ultra-modern djent tightness, the Helix Stadium XL delivered—and then some. Here’s a behind-the-scenes walkthrough of the tones, techniques, and routing tricks Matt used to recreate some of rock and metal’s most recognizable sounds.

Why the Helix Stadium XL?

The Stadium XL marks Line 6’s next step forward for the Helix platform, powered by new Agoura amp models—Line 6’s latest modeling architecture designed to sound and feel nearly indistinguishable from the real amps they emulate. Add a responsive touchscreen, advanced routing, deep control options, and features like the “sag” dial for tube-like feel, and you get a powerhouse that aims to rival high-end plugins and professional studio rigs.

Our team wanted to see how well it holds up in the real world, especially when pushed into heavier territory.

Tone 1: Classic JCM800 With a Telecaster Twist

To kick things off, Matt dialed in a Marshall JCM800 2204 paired with a Fender American Professional Classic Telecaster—neck pickup, medium-low drive, and bumped mids/treble for presence.

The Setup

• Amp Model: JCM800 2204
• Cab: Marshall 4x12 with Greenbacks
• Mic: 160 ribbon, 45° at the cap edge
• Guitar: Fender American Professional Classic Telecaster
• Extras: Gentle compression + subtle dynamic room reverb

Noise Gate Trick (Helix Sidechain Magic)

Single coils can get noisy—so Matt used Helix’s sidechain noise gate, triggered directly by the guitar input. It behaves similarly to a physical noise gate with an effects loop (ISP Decimator, Boss NS-2), but without the complexity of a 4-cable setup.

This keeps the Tele’s spank intact while maintaining a tight, controlled high-gain patch.

Tone 2: Early 2000s Dual Rectifier + Marshall Blend

One of the most influential high-gain sounds of the early Y2K era came from blending two amps: a Mesa Dual Rectifier and a Marshall Super Lead. Using Helix Stadium’s touchscreen, Matt created a custom split-tone path to capture that vibe with modern precision.

The Setup

• Amp A: Mesa Dual Rectifier (scooped EQ, classic early-2000s setup)
• Amp B: Marshall “Brit Plexi” Super Lead (everything cranked)
• Cab: Mesa 4x12
• Mics:
  • Recto → SM57
  • Plexi → 421
  • Both at cap edge, 45°
• Guitar: PRS Custom 24 (10th Anniversary S2, Eriza Verde) tuned to Drop C♯
• Extras: Sidechain noise gate + pitch block (disabled since the guitar was physically tuned down)

The Recto brings the low-end girth and aggression, while the Plexi restores vital midrange and harmonic complexity. Blended together, they recreate that unmistakable early-2000s studio sound.

Tone 3: Modern Djent with Precision Drive + Invective

To explore ultra-tight modern metal, Matt set up a patch inspired by Misha Mansoor’s signature gear: the Horizon Devices Precision Drive and Peavey Invective amp.

The Setup

• Pedal: Horizon Devices Precision Drive (Drive 0, bright tone, fast attack)
• Amp: PV Invective
• Cab: Orange 2x12 with Celestion V30s
• Mic: SM57 at cap edge, 45°
• Guitar: Drop-tuned (modern metal setup)
• Noise Gates:
  • Precision Drive’s built-in gate
  • Second sidechained gate for maximum tightness

By pushing the Invective with the Precision Drive—and controlling low end through careful EQ—Matt dialed in that hyper-percussive, palm-muted “chug-with-no-air-between-notes” tone modern players expect.

Final Thoughts on the Helix Stadium XL

After spending time with the unit, Matt came away genuinely impressed:

• Sound Quality: The Agoura engine puts the Stadium XL neck-and-neck with top-tier plugins.
• Touchscreen Workflow: Editing mic placement, routing paths, and gain staging feels intuitive and fast.
• “Sag” Control: Lets players dial in the response and feel of a real, pushed tube amp.
• Noise Gate Sidechain: A game-changer for high-gain clarity and tightness.

Whether you're building a lightweight gig rig, a studio-ready tone workstation, or an all-in-one solution for rehearsals, the Helix Stadium XL brings a surprising level of realism, depth, and flexibility—especially for heavy styles.

Want to try the Helix Stadium XL yourself?

Our Pedals & Accessories Department is trained directly by Line 6 on this product and ready to help you:

📞 Call or text us anytime at (301) 946-8808
📍 Visit us at Chuck Levin’s in Wheaton, MD

If you’re chasing heavy tones—and want a modern rig that keeps up—the Helix Stadium XL is absolutely worth your time.