A quick hands-on look at Line 6’s latest release, new Agoura amp models, stem separation, and new effects.
What’s New in 1.4?
Line 6 just dropped the 1.4 update for Helix Stadium, dubbed "The Eras Update". It's packed with 14 new Agoura amp channels (condensed into 3 amp models), 6 new effects, sonic tweaks to existing Agoura models, direct USB editing support, and cloud-powered stem separation.
Instead of cluttering your device with a dozen separate models, Line 6 is blurring the line between virtual and hardware gear by bundling deep channel variations inside unified Agoura models.
The New Amps: From Vintage Plexis to Heavy Gain
Here is a breakdown of the three key amp models introduced in this update:
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Brit SL100: Based on various eras of the classic Marshall® Plexi Superlead. It spans 12 distinct channels ('67, '68, '70, and '71 across Normal, Bright, and Jumped configurations), giving you everything from glassy cleans to full cranked vintage roar.
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Omega: Designed for high-gain chug and modern metal. Based on the Omega Ampworks 6L6, this model brings tight low-end, punchy attack, and heavy distortion presets.
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Prosecutor: An evolved Line 6 original based on the crowd-favorite Litigator. Built with refined tube simulation code, it delivers smooth mid-gain, light crunch, and dynamic touch sensitivity.
Fresh FX & Utility Updates
On top of the amps, 1.4 introduces a solid selection of drive and modulation effects, along with workflow enhancements:
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Rock Box & Boost: Inspired by the Z.Vex Box of Rock, offering warm drive textures and a punchy front-end gain boost.
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Pora 424: A preamp stage based on the JHS 424 / Tascam Portastudio gain circuit for saturated, lo-fi drive tones.
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Mercator: Distortion effect based on Ben Adrian’s Cartographer preamp circuit
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SX Vibe & Dimension W: Smooth modulation modeled after classic AC30 vibrato and the iconic Boss DC-2W chorus.
- USB Editing: You can now hook up the Helix Stadium editor app directly over USB cable—no more relying strictly on Wi-Fi.
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Showcase Stem Separation: Powered by Yamaha’s Music Connect, you can drop a full stereo track into Showcase and split it into up to 5 individual stems (Drums, Bass, Guitar, Vocals, Other) directly via cloud processing. While there are occasional digital artifacts as with any automated separation, it's a super handy tool for building quick practice backing tracks.
Resources & Further Reading
- Helix Stadium 1.4 Official Release Notes – Read the full technical release notes, deep-dive parameter guides (Z PrePost, Hype), and full bug fix lists.
- Helix Stadium 1.4 Firmware Walkthrough & Audio Demo – Watch the complete video walkthrough testing out the new amps, modulation pedals, and Showcase stem separation in real-time.