Presets, Setlists, and Templates

About Presets

A preset is capable of storing all signal flow blocks on the Home > Edit screen and their settings/routings, all Snapshot assignments, all Bypass and Controller assignments, all Command Center assignments, any Preset Info notes, and which preset clip to play (if any). Essentially, a single preset can store a significant amount of data about how your tone sounds, feels, behaves, and is controlled.

Helix Stadium includes a number of presets in the FACTORY PRESETS folder to get you started.

Important! Presets in the FACTORY PRESETS folder cannot be overwritten or deleted by the user, and Line 6 reserves the right to expand, reorder, remove, and/or improve factory presets for future firmware updates. However, you can save any factory presets (heavily tweaked or otherwise) into the USER PRESETS folder. See Saving Presets.

Helix Stadium has 512 empty preset locations in the USER PRESETS folder. This should be plenty of space to store your sonic madness, but if 512 isn’t enough, note that you can save a virtually unlimited number of presets on your computer—or back them up to the included microSD card.

Several preset templates are provided as a starting point every time you create a new preset and primarily deal with different routing scenarios, like parallel paths, 4-Cable Method, Super Serial (one massive path with 46 processing blocks), and more. Other than the “Empty Preset” template, you can overwrite all of these. You can also create and save your own preset templates—with your most used models, preferred signal routing, custom Command Center mapping, etc.—which is much faster and easier than recreating everything from scratch.

A setlist is simply a collection of presets. (Well, actually preset aliases . Read the important note below.) Setlists let you easily curate lists of existing user presets and place them in any order. This can be helpful when you have different preset arrangements for your various live gigs, rehearsals, and/or studio sessions.

You can create up to 122 setlists, each accommodating 1 to 128 presets.

Important! Setlists only contain aliases of (or pointers to) presets within the USER PRESETS folder; they do not contain preset files themselves. Therefore:

If you rename or save changes to any preset, all presets with the same name—in every setlist plus the USER PRESETS folder—will also change.
If you delete a preset from the USER PRESETS folder, all setlist presets (aliases) that reference it are cleared. If you clear a preset (alias) from a setlist, however, it is not deleted from the USER PRESETS folder or any other setlists.
If you save a new preset directly to any setlist, it also automatically appears in the USER PRESETS folder.

If you think about it, this is a good thing, because if a preset exists across multiple setlists, you only have to tweak it once—all instances will be updated because they’re really the same preset, just appearing in multiple locations. Just remember that if you want to save changes to a preset without messing with the others, tap Save As from the Save screen and change the name, just like you would with files on your computer. See Saving Presets.

As a general guide, use the USER PRESETS folder to create your presets, and reserve setlists for placing those presets in a specific order for your performances, rehearsals, and recording sessions.

Tip: You can also use the Helix Stadium application to import, export, and manage presets (including preset templates, setlists, favorites, and Cab IRs), allowing you to create virtually unlimited libraries on your computer.

Importing Helix/HX Presets

Helix Stadium can import presets and favorites from Helix Floor, Helix Rack, Helix LT, Helix Native, HX Effects, HX Stomp, and HX Stomp XL, as long as the hardware is running 3.50 or newer firmware or software when exporting them. There are some caveats, however; see the important yellow box below for preparing your Helix/HX assets.

Important! Before transferring your presets, setlists, favorites, and/or IRs from Helix/HX to Helix Stadium, there are several things to be aware of:

As of this writing, Helix Marketplace premium presets and IRs are not supported. They will be, but unfortunately, we have no timeline to share.
Helix Stadium and the Helix Stadium application save and export all presets in a new (.hsp) preset file format, and model Favorites in a new (.hsf) file format. Therefore, any imported Helix/HX/Helix Native preset (.hlx) and Favorite (.fav) files are no longer “back-compatible” with the original device or software once exported from Helix Stadium. Please be sure to create and retain backups of your original presets to maintain compatibility with these earlier products, as covered in the Helix/HX and HX Edit Owner’s Manuals, available at https://line6.com/support/manuals/.
Your Helix/HX multieffect (or Helix Native plugin) must be updated to 3.50 or higher before exporting presets or setlists. There’s no guarantee that presets exported from earlier firmware will bring all the blocks forward. Note that some presets on CustomTone.com may have been exported from earlier firmware and may not appear as intended. But if you load them into Helix/HX (running 3.50 or newer firmware) and then export, they should work fine.
Helix Stadium can load individual presets, entire setlists, favorites, and IR (.wav) files from Helix/HX. It cannot load an entire Helix/HX backup file.
The older Hybrid cab engine from Helix/HX is not included in Helix Stadium. Any Helix/HX presets with Hybrid cabs will automatically load an equivalent new cab, which will sound different.
Helix/HX IR blocks are not fully restored upon import into Helix Stadium, due to its all-new, much more powerful file system. (The Cab block is set to the Cab IR subcategory, but no IR file is automatically loaded.) You will need to manually select an IR file from the Cab > Cab IR List in Helix Stadium.
1024-sample IRs from Helix/HX are converted to 2048-sample.
Helix Stadium does not include four EQ types from Helix/HX: Simple EQ, Low and High Cut, Low/High Shelf, and Parametric [5-band]. These have all been supplanted with a new, better-sounding 7-band Parametric EQ model, and this will be automatically added in their place with your settings intact. In some cases, you may notice that the filtering might sound slightly different. This is due to improved peak filter Qs and more precise low and high cut slopes.
Volume leveling of parallel paths in Helix Stadium is slightly different, meaning that presets with parallel paths may sound slightly louder or softer than presets with serial paths. This can be easily compensated for from the Merge > Mixer or Output blocks’ Level parameter.
The relationship between the two sides of a dual Cab/IR block is slightly different, meaning that presets with dual cabs may sound slightly louder or softer than presets with a single cab/IR. This can be easily compensated for from the Cab blocks’ Level parameters.

Connect your Helix/HX device to your computer via USB and launch HX Edit.
Export the desired file(s) from HX Edit:

If you only have a few presets, it may be easier to simply drag them from HX Edit’s preset list onto your desktop or any window.^*
To export an entire setlist, click Export at the top of the Librarian - Preset List, choose the destination folder, and click Save.
To export favorites, go to the Librarian - Favorites List, select the favorites you want, and drag them to your desktop or any window.
To export IRs, click the IR tab above the Preset List, select the IRs, and drag them to your desktop or any window.

^*Tip: Even easier, you can actually drag a preset from the HX Edit app’s preset library panel and drop it directly into the Helix Stadium app’s preset list to import it!

Connect Helix Stadium XL to your computer via Wi-Fi and launch the Helix Stadium app.
Click the Librarian button at the top of the window. Import the Helix/HX files from step 2 into Helix Stadium:

Presets: Click Presets in the left column and then USER PRESETS in the Preset List. Drag Helix/HX presets from your desktop into the list.
Setlists: Click Presets in the left column and then USER PRESETS in the Preset List. Click Import, browse to your Helix/HX setlist file, and click Open.
Favorites: Click Favorites in the left column. Drag Helix/HX favorites from your desktop into the librarian’s right pane.
IRs: Click Cab IRs in the left column. Drag individual IRs or folders of IRs into the list.

Selecting Presets

Several methods exist for selecting presets:

Selecting Presets with the Upper Knob

Turn the Upper Knob to cue the desired preset within the current folder or setlist.^*The cued preset name appears below the header (see below).
Press the Upper Knob to load it.
- To cancel a cued preset, tap Cancel .

^*Note: Turning the Upper Knob will skip over any “Empty” preset locations.

Selecting Presets from the Preset List

Tap the preset name in the header—or—press the Upper Knob . The Preset List appears. See The Preset List section below.
In the left column, tap FACTORY PRESETS, USER PRESETS, or a setlist (if any). Its presets appear in the list.
Swipe the list up and down (or turn the Upper Knob ) to find the preset you want and tap a preset to select it. Alternatively, double-tap a preset to select it and close the Preset List.

Selecting Presets from the Switches

Press FS6 (MODE) to enter Preset footswitch mode (see below).
Press a preset switch to load it.
In Preset mode, two banks of presets are visible at a time. To access more banks, press FS1 (Bank Up) or FS7 (Bank Down) one or more times to find the preset you want, then press the preset switch to load it. See Footswitches for details.

Preset footswitch mode - Helix Stadium XL — Helix Stadium XL’s Preset footswitch mode

Stadium Preset FS Mode.png — Helix Stadium Preset footswitch mode (Home > Play view)

Creating a New Preset

Tap Menu in the upper left corner of the touchscreen and then tap New Preset . The Select Template window appears (below left).
Tap the desired template from which you want to start your new preset. If you’re not sure, tap “Empty Preset.”
Tap New Preset . A new preset is created based on the template you chose (below right).

Tip: Alternatively, from the Preset List, double-tap on an “Empty” preset location to load an empty new preset.

The Preset List

Tap the preset name in the header—or—press the Upper Knob . The Preset List appears:

Preset Number and Name: The current preset’s index number and name are displayed at the top of the screen. Tap the name to open and close the Preset List.

Search Presets: Tap The Preset Search Field to type in the field and filter the list of presets. Type in a preset name, amp use, effect type used, or info text to filter the search results. See the following Searching Presets section.

FACTORY PRESETS: Tap to show factory presets in the list.

USER PRESETS: Tap The User Presets Folder to show the 512 user preset locations in the list. Empty locations appear as “Empty.”

Setlists: Tap a setlist to display its presets in the list. Setlist presets are indicated with an “alias” preset icon , as they are not preset files themselves, but aliases of presets in the USER PRESETS folder.

Preset List: Tap once on a preset to select it. Double-tap a preset to select it and close the Preset List.
Sidebar: Sidebar items are used to manage your setlists and presets. Note that different commands are available depending on the type of folder, setlist, or preset(s) selected.

Manage Setlists: Once you’ve created one or more setlists, tap to copy, move, reorder, and clear them. See Setlists for details.
New Setlist: Tap to create and name a new empty setlist.
Duplicate Setlist: Tap to create and name a copy of the current setlist, including all its presets.
Rename Setlist: Tap to rename the current setlist.
Manage Presets: Tap to copy, move, reorder, or clear your presets. See Managing Presets below.
Rename Preset: Tap to rename and color the current preset.
MIDI Recall: This read-only text displays the MIDI messages required to recall the current Setlist, Preset, and Snapshot.^*

^*Note: Reordering setlists and presets will change the MIDI Recall CC and PC messages to which they respond. See MIDI.

Searching Presets

Instead of manually hunting through your preset lists, you can quickly perform a search to find what you’re looking for. See the following video for an overview, and the steps below.

Tap the Search Presets field and type in your search criteria. Enter a preset name, amp or effect name (either what Line 6 calls them or the real product it’s based on), or Preset Info text that was added to the preset. For example, if you have three guitars—Yamaha, Guild, and Dunable—and you use Preset Info to type in which guitar was used, entering “Guild” into the Search Presets field will display all presets made for your Guild.
Tap the green Search button to dismiss the keyboard.

To cancel the search, tap the small X to the right of your search criteria.

Managing Presets

Tap in the sidebar. Checkboxes appear to the left, and drag icons appear to the right.
To reorder an item in the list, tap its drag icon and move it up or down. To reorder multiple items, tap their checkboxes to select them, then move them up and down as a group. A blue line appears where the item(s) will be placed.
- Reordering presets renumbers them accordingly and updates the MIDI PC values to which they respond.
To copy and paste one or more items to a different setlist, tap their checkboxes and drag them to the left and hover over the target setlist; it automatically opens. Continue dragging the preset(s) to the desired location in the target setlist.
Sidebar items are replaced with the following items (see screenshot below):
- Select All : Selects (checks) all items in the Preset List.
- Deselect All : Deselects (unchecks) all checked items in the Preset List.
- Delete Presets (USER PRESETS folder only): Permanently deletes all checked items from the USER PRESETS folder. Note that this also deletes any aliases of these presets from any setlists.
- Clear Presets (setlists only): Clears all checked presets from the selected setlist. Does not affect the original preset(s) in the USER PRESETS folder or any other setlist in which they may exist.
- Batch Color: When multiple presets are checked, lets you change all presets' colors simultaneously.
- Create Setlist: When one or more presets are checked, creates a new setlist with those presets.

When finished, tap Done .
Once the desired presets are checked, use the following steps to perform the preset management tasks.

Setlists

A setlist is simply a collection of presets. (Well, actually preset aliases . Read the important note at the top of this page.) Setlists let you easily curate lists of existing user presets and place them in any order. This can be helpful when you have different preset arrangements for your various live gigs, rehearsals, and/or studio sessions.

You can create up to 122 setlists, and each setlist can accommodate anywhere from 1 to 128 presets.

Creating a Setlist

From the Preset List, tap New Setlist in the sidebar. The keyboard appears. Enter the name and tap Done . The new setlist appears beneath the USER PRESETS folder.
Add presets to your new setlist by copying them from the USER PRESETS folder or any other setlist. See Managing Presets above above.

Duplicating a Setlist

From the Preset List, tap an existing setlist, then tap Duplicate Setlist in the sidebar. The keyboard appears. Enter the name and tap Done . The duplicated setlist appears in the left column.

Renaming a Setlist

From the Preset List, tap an existing setlist, then tap Rename Setlist in the sidebar. The keyboard appears. Enter the new setlist’s name and tap Done .

Managing Setlists

Tap in the sidebar. Checkboxes appear to the left, and drag icons appear to the right.
To reorder a setlist, tap its drag icon and move it up or down. To reorder multiple setlists, tap their checkboxes to select them, then move them up and down as a group. A blue line appears where the setlist(s) will be placed.
Sidebar items are replaced with the following items (see screenshot below):
- Select All : Selects (checks) all items in the Preset List.
- Deselect All : Deselects (unchecks) all checked items in the Preset List.
- Clear Presets: Clears all checked setlists. Does not affect the original preset(s) in the USER PRESETS folder or any other setlist in which they may exist.

The Manage Setlists screen — Preset List > Manage Setlists

When finished, tap .

Note: The FACTORY PRESETS and USER PRESETS folders cannot be duplicated, renamed, or cleared.

Templates

Several preset templates are provided as a starting point every time you create a new preset, and primarily deal with different routing scenarios, like parallel paths, 4-Cable Method, Super Serial (one massive path with 46 processing blocks), and more. Other than the “Empty Preset” template, you can overwrite all of these. You can also create and save your own templates—with your most-used models, preferred signal routing, custom Command Center mapping, etc.—which is much faster and easier than recreating everything from scratch.

Tap the Main Menu icon and then tap New Preset . The Template List appears (see below).

Optional: To rename a template, select the template and tap Rename Template in the sidebar. The keyboard appears. Enter the name and tap Done . Note that “Empty Preset” cannot be renamed.
Optional: To add a new template folder, tap in the sidebar. The keyboard appears. Enter the name and tap Done .
Tap in the sidebar. Checkboxes appear to the left, and drag icons appear to the right.
To reorder a template in the list, tap its drag icon and move it up or down. To reorder multiple templates, tap their checkboxes on to select them, then move them up and down as a group. A blue line appears where the item(s) will be placed.
Sidebar items are replaced with the following items (see screenshot below):
- Select All : Selects (checks) all items in the Templates List.
- Deselect All : Deselects (unchecks) all checked items in the Templates List.
- Move to Folder : Lets you move all selected items into a different folder (or out of a folder into the Templates root directory)
- Delete : Permanently deletes the selected templates and/or folders of templates.
When finished, tap Done .