Community: Message List

Re: Line 6 - Why aren't you listening?

support@line6.com — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 23:10:49 GMT

I tend to agree with clay-man on this. Treating the Variax like a computer and not a "guitar" would be a big mistake.

They created the Variax as a guitar for the future, yet 10 years down the road if they die, they die! I'm not sure I like the idea of "throw away" guitars.

Re: Variax 300 VDI Port Died suddenly

support@line6.com — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 20:27:39 GMT

Well - all is not lost!

Using the info on this post http://line6.com/support/thread/14238 I managed to piece up a RJ-45 > MIDI cable that allows me to connect to the guitar with Work Bench on the computer.

This would indicate to me that the audio portion of the VDI connection is not working properly.

I get power to the guitar, and I get MIDI IN/OUT. At least now I can still manage the guitar, and even re-flash if I ever need to.

Re: Variax 300 VDI Port Died suddenly

support@line6.com — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 20:04:37 GMT

Thanks for all your suggestions - I appreciate it.

When I get a chance I'll take the guitar apart again and pull out the coffin to test the internal connections, and see if there is anything obviously wrong (resistor, cap, etc...).

Once again - thanks for your help!

Re: Variax 300 VDI Port Died suddenly

support@line6.com — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 18:59:53 GMT

Thanks for clarifying and your suggestions. I think there was a little mis-understanding. I'll try to be a little clearer.

The guitar works when I use batteries and a 1/4" cable.
The guitar also works if I use the XPS-Mini with the TRS cable (Line 6 TRS)
The guitar does not work with the VDI through 2 different X3 live devices. (it has always worked in the past, so this is where it appears to be failing now)

I have checked the connections, and they are good. I verified each pinout using a multi-meter. The connection seems quite secure.

I am not sure where in the VDI it is failing. The Power, The Audio or the MIDI - or any combination of the those.

I would be happy if I could simply find an alternative way to connect to the computer so I can use Workbench and create various patches. Right now I'm just stuck with what I have loaded

Re: Variax 300 VDI Port Died suddenly

support@line6.com — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 17:36:40 GMT

@amx05462: I am curious as to why you believe the guitar is fine?

Would the VDI not go through it's own circuit - separately from the 1/4" TRS. Is it not possible that a componant has died in that section?

I hope that question doesn't come across wrong. I am not trying to argue with you, as you may know a lot more than me about the Variax. I'm just curious

Re: Variax 300 VDI Port Died suddenly

support@line6.com — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 17:32:11 GMT

Thanks for the quick response. I just want to make sure I understand what you are suggesting!

Are you saying to look at the Connection on the guitar for a fault in the connector? Such as damage or "lowering" of one of the pins? I doubt the problem lays with the X3 Live devices, as both are not likely to go down at the same time.

I did take the Variax apart and reset all the ribbons and connectors, but I am getting the same results. I'll take a closer look at the connector.

Variax 300 VDI Port Died suddenly

support@line6.com — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 15:49:14 GMT

The VDI port on my Variax 300 seems to have completely quit on me. I've been using it without issues up until last evening when I fired up my studio and the guitar was not connecting to my X3 Live.

I own two X3 Lives, one for live and one for studio. The VDI connection from the guitar is not working with either X3.
Monkey and Workbench cannot see the Variax through the X3 Live devices, although Monkey and Gearbox can see both X3 live devices.
I have tried a Line 6 VDI Cable, and 3 standard cat 5 ethernet cables (I usually use the VDI cable live, and the ethernet cables at home or in the studio). All cables I tried have worked in the past.

Based on the above attempts, I have ruled out a problem with cables and my X3 Live ports. Leading me back to the Variax.

Using AAA Batteries, the guitar works fine
Using the XPS-Mini and the Line 6 TRS Cable also works fine.

Based on that - I believe I have a problem with the VDI port on the guitar itself. Although the guitar works fine with batteries or the XPS-Mini, I really want the VDI to work.

I use VDI in live performances to change patches on the guitar automatically via the X3 but more than that - I am uncomfortable that I cannot backup/restore and/or edit any patches on the guitar.

If anyone has any suggestions for troubleshooting I have not tried yet - I am open to suggestions.

EDIT TO ADD: A while back I forgot the power supply for my X3 Live at a practice. I loaded the guitar with AAA batteries and went direct to an amp, but I never removed the battery pack when I went back to the VDI connection. I have read on these forums that you should not have batteries installed when using the VDI or XPS. Those batteries still work fine now, but could this be a source of my problem? For the record, I did remove the battery pack when doing all the tests listed above (except when I tested the battery pack of course).

Re: Sound quality when recording to pc

support@line6.com — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:13:48 GMT

1: What software are you using to record.

2: How are you monitoring back the sound from the computer.

The sound being recorded is likely very accurate, as long as you are recording at a good level. (ie: not too low, or so loud it is clipping).

Re: Any New Modulation Effects / Update ?

support@line6.com — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 13:05:16 GMT

I doubt we will see feature updates to the X3 since the HD series is in full swing.

Any updates we see are more than likely going to be system related (ie: maybe new drivers for a newer OS).

Re: X3 Live - Volume Pedal / Travel/Feel

support@line6.com — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 17:21:47 GMT

I believe I found my answer in this post!

http://line6.com/support/message/196689