Preset Compatibility

Note: Presets created in Helix Stadium Native can not be used on original Helix/HX family devices or with the original Helix Native plugin.

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

• Helix Stadium Native, Helix Stadium devices, 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 Helix/HX/Helix Native preset (.hlx) and Favorite (.fav) files are no longer “back-compatible” with the original device or software once saved or exported from Helix Stadium products. 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 Line 6 Manuals.

• Your original Helix Native plugin or Helix/HX device must be updated to v3.50 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 Line 6 CustomTone may have been exported from earlier firmware and may not appear as intended. But if you load them into the original Helix Native/Helix/HX (v3.50 or later) and then export, they should work fine.

• Original Helix presets purchased from the Line 6 Marketplace are not supported in Helix Stadium Native at this time.

• The original Helix Native plugin can be set to several “Hardware Compatibility Modes” (HC Modes) or with the Compatibility mode “Off.” Presets saved or exported while in these modes can all be used in the Helix Stadium Native plugin.^* Helix Stadium Native also offers an HC “Off” option. You’ll be prompted to automatically change the HC Mode if needed when opening presets that require it. Also, see the Plugin Settings - Hardware Compatibility options.

• Helix Stadium Native can open individual presets, import setlists, favorites, and IR (.wav) files from the original Helix Native/Helix/HX products. It cannot load an entire Helix/HX backup file.

• For Setlist files from either Helix Stadium or original Helix/HX devices, you can use Helix Stadium Native’s Preset Browser > Import Setlist option. This will copy all the setlist’s individual preset files into the plugin’s designated User Presets folder, making them available in the Preset Browser. See Importing Setlists.

• The older Hybrid cab engine from Helix/HX is not included in Helix Stadium Native. Any Helix/HX presets with Hybrid cabs will automatically load an equivalent new cab, which will sound different.

• Helix/HX presets' IR blocks are not fully restored upon import into Helix Stadium Native, 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 add your IR .wav files to the plugin’s IR directory, then select an IR file from the Cab > Cab IR List in Helix Stadium Native.

• 1024-sample IRs from Helix/HX are converted to 2048-sample.

• Helix Stadium Native does not include the four EQ types from Helix/HX: Simple EQ, Low and High Cut, Low/High Shelf, and Parametric [5-band]. These have all been replaced with a new, better-sounding 7-band Parametric EQ model, and it 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 Native is slightly different, meaning that presets with parallel paths may sound slightly louder or softer than those with serial paths. This can be easily compensated for using the Level parameter in the Merge > Mixer or Output blocks.

• 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.

• In original Helix/HX, Snapshot Control is automatically enabled for any block parameter that includes a switch, pedal, or MIDI CC Controller Assignment. In Stadium Native, Snapshot Control is an independent, switchable option (with a “Snapshot Control” switch available for each parameter). Also, see Working with Snapshots.

• The Helix Stadium Native plugin does not include the Helix Stadium hardware’s Command Center feature. When a Stadium hardware preset that includes Command Center assignments is loaded in the plugin, the assignments are not functional but are retained in the preset by default.

• When importing a Helix Stadium Native-saved preset into a Helix Stadium device (via the Helix Stadium app), any Automation Assignments are removed from the preset, since they are not valid on the hardware. Snapshot and MIDI CC assignments are retained.

^*Note: The Hardware Compatibility “Off” option is not available in the Helix Stadium Native Intro version. The Intro version will attempt to translate and open presets that were saved with the Helix Stadium Native Full version (or the original Helix Native) with Hardware Compatibility set to “Off.” See Plugin Settings - Hardware Compatibility and the Loading Presets section for additional details.

Note: By default, the asset folders designated in Helix Stadium Native are set to the corresponding folders within the Documents > Line 6 > Helix Stadium Native directory path on your computer. Exporting your assets from other products (or copying the asset files) directly into these respective folders will allow Helix Stadium Native to display them in its file browsers. See the Plugin Settings section.