Community: Message List - MerlinFL's (aka Neal) Forum for all things JTV, POD HD500, & DT50

Re: MerlinFL's (aka Neal) Forum for all things JTV, POD HD500, & DT50

support@line6.com — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 02:10:46 GMT

Public posts are done. I hope this thread is useful for anyone looking for a one stop shop for most things related to the products listed that I've encountered.

Best of luck to all,

Neal

Re: MerlinFL's (aka Neal) Forum for all things JTV, POD HD500, & DT50

support@line6.com — Fri, 25 May 2012 19:10:09 GMT

I thought this question and answer was worth adding to my forum. This is regarding the use of a talkbox in the Dream Rig scenario...

MrBluesman wrote:

Hi,

Does anyone have any idea how to get a talkbox hooked up with this dream rig.
I don't have one (a talkbox)yet but am looking to get one

I have the DT-25, JTV 69, HD500 hooked up via VDI etc

Any pointers would be great

Cheers

Stu

You've gotten good information about the Banshee 1, but the Banshee 2 does much more as shown in this promo clip from Rocktron.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBWkCuTo0e0

You shouldn't have to lose your VDI connection in any way using the Banshee 2 as this does allow your guitar to go to the internal amp as well as continue into your amp - or Dream Rig in this case.

No offense Scotty, but this newer unit makes your statement about placement of your FX in the signal chain if using the FX loop no longer 100% accurate if you have the right unit to work with. I would go with the previous suggestion about using this in your FX loop since you wish to keep your VDI connection to your guitar and the unit only uses 1/4" ins/outs.

If you have two amps, you could even use two cables from your JTV guitar to give even more flexibility. VDI into your Dream Rig and simultaneously use the 1/4" output on the guitar to go into the Banshee 2 and have that go into another amp, the guitar input on your POD HD500 for dual input patches, or direct to the PA (via a DI box) if you don't have/don't want this unit to be in your Dream Rig signal chain for any reason.

Dual cables from your guitar is not as messy as it might seem. If you did choose to consider this method of signal routing, a few small strips of electric tape, or Velcro, or even shrink tubing if you are certain that you will not want to pull these two cables apart. I have this unit and have used a two cable method in the manner I described. Now I use GK-3 pick-ups on my older Variax guitar while still using the VDI output. Same dual cable use, same clean and simple cabling appearance.

I hope this helps and gives you the answer you were looking for.

Take care,

Neal

PS - just curious about a topic I'm involved with on another post...Do you care that this information is coming from someone without an expert tag from Line 6 under his name? Do you even look at the stars or points under anyone's name when reading posts? Would you think that posts by those with the Expert tag are giving better or more accurate information than anyone without that tag on this site? I've become very curious about what Line 6 forum readers perceive from this rating system of the non-employee rating system? Any thoughts on this matter would be appreciated - thanks.

Re: MerlinFL's (aka Neal) Forum for all things JTV, POD HD500, & DT50

support@line6.com — Fri, 18 May 2012 04:12:14 GMT

This was copied from a post I found discussing problems with Alternate tuning of a JTV-59. I thought it worthwhile to post here along with my other replies as a one stop source for many of the issues involving the Line 6 gear I own and have in-depth knowledge of...

bmcmanus wrote:

An ecstatic owner of a new JTV-59, I'm trying to figure out how to switch to a 12-string DADGAD with my PodXT Live (between other standard model/tunings).

I've tried creating the alternate tuning with Workbench, but only one of (each of) the strings changes - it appears that the alternate tuning screen affects only the sympathetic strings, and not the primary (or vice versa). Only one of the strings in each course is modified by the alternate tuning - the other remains in STANDARD tuning.

There is an old discussion on this forum from 2007 regarding Variax 700 that indicates that alternate tuning is not available for 12-string models. Is that still the case with the JTV?

Is there any way I can re-assign the standard DADGAD tuning to the "MODEL" setting for one of the 12-strings, so that when I select that model with the XT, I'm in DADGAD?

Best Regards,
Bud

What you've written originally should have been resolved for you before this post of mine, but in case you are still having trouble...

You want a DADGAD tuning for a 12-string (acoustic, not electric - yes?) guitar and had I seen your post much sooner, I would have suggested the following very simple way to accomplish your requirements...

First thing to know is that any older Line 6 VDI equipped gear will not save or recall any JTV patches. I believe this was originally intended to be backwards compatible, but it turned out not to be for reasons only Line 6 would know the answer to.

I'm sorry if you were not aware of this when you chose to buy your JTV-59. I doubt you were thinking you should have asked, but if you had asked...99.9% of all retailers do not know anything significant about the more sophisticated Line 6 gear they are selling. I do not know if Line 6 gives seminars or anything like that to instruct all the big time retailer store chains and most certainly not the smaller non-chain stores that are authorized Line 6 dealers. I do not know if Line 6 issues any notices of bugs as well as when those bugs are resolved to any retail store personnel. Personally, I think it would be the best thing that Line 6 could do to make certain their products are properly understood by those selling them as well as these updates, bugs and fixes. This (in my opinion) would certainly keep Line 6 one step ahead of it's competition who choose to do nothing beyond bulk sales to retailers and distributors.

Now onto the creation of the patch you want...

First - are you using JTV build 1.81? If yes, then this simply will not work on any of the five acoustic models. However, as of this post...Line 6 has released a JTV build 1.82 revision that does allow Workbench created Alt tuned patches to work properly. I mention it here and every other JTV forum I've been on so the word gets out about this problem being resolved in case you or any reading here might not yet be aware.
If using JTV 1.71, or the latest JTV 1.82 software - Launch Workbench to read your guitar patches and banks.
Choose where you want this DADGAD 12-string patch to be located on your guitar. It can literally be anywhere, not just in the banks labeled Custom. For example, I ever have need for the Jazz guitars, so I use that bank as five slots for alt tuned acoustic guitars I've created in Workbench.
Since you will never be able to reply on your POD XT Live to handle the patches on your JTV, you can use the older 1.71 if you prefer the tone of those acoustic guitars or now use the latest 1.82 update if you want the newer "HD" (term used by Line 6 in their promotional material regarding this bank of acoustic guitars) models.
Within Workbench with your JTV-59 connected by either USB to Variax connection or through VDI on your POD XT Live USB connection with your pedalboard connected to your computer. Choose the body of one of the two 12-string acoustic models offered. Personal suggestion - if using it with a band, choose Acoustic model bank slot # 2, if a solo, perhaps you might prefer the richer & fuller tone of the Jumbo at slot # 4.
Use the tuning dots or open the tuning preset dialog box and simply move those dots to (low to high) D-A-D-G-A-D or choose DADGAD from the dialog box. If you have the "Enable" button selected, you should immediately hear the tuning change you've just performed.
Once pleased with the tone of the body, the tuning of DADGAD, then fine tune your tone by adjusting the tone knob on the guitar directly on using the Workbench controls from that tab for volume and tone controls. These changes should also be heard immediately with ENABLE set to the on position.
Save the guitar patch from Workbench to the slot you've chosen, then as a back-up, be certain to either save the patch by itself or the entire guitar set of banks before exiting.

That's the long way but it is the only way to save that tuning on your guitar.

A simpler way, but not be able to save it would be to turn the MODEL knob to Acoustic, then pick slot 2 or 4, then use the Alt tuning knob on the guitar to choose DADGAD. The JTV-59 & 69 have this as an option on the tuning knob that is not available on the model 89.

This should work, but if for any reason you do not get the results I've described in either way I've discussed, please PM me and I'll send you my patch created in Workbench for DADGAD using a 12-string acoustic guitar model.

Best of luck and take care,

Neal

Re: MerlinFL's (aka Neal) Forum for all things JTV, POD HD500, & DT50

support@line6.com — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:37:47 GMT

This will reside on my Forum as a marker to which I can always return to remember. I am posting it in the Line 6 lounge where I forst read of his passing and hope that portions of this will be copied and posted elsewhere in honor of nick Mattocks.

Nick_Mattocks wrote:

Just saying that spaceatl posted a solution quite a while ago on controlling 2 Line 6 amps (Spider Valve and Flextone III specifically) by making use of a modified RJ-45 in-line splitter plug and taking power only from one of the amps FBV output but leaving the control pin(s) connected. It will work with any pair of amps that are compatible with the FBV standard.

The link is here: and it's been posted as a document in Line 6 Lounge http://line6.com/community/thread/1093

regards

Nick

This is a man who will be very much missed by myself and the Line 6 community as a whole. He was also such a wonderful source of information, help, and just a great man who tried to put everything into perspective for anyone willing to read his words.

I found this reply at the early position of my forum and wished to place this here as a remembrance of the passing of Nick_Mattocks from England. I can never vist his resting place, but I can at least show my respects in the only way I have available. I do not know the religion to which Nick subscribed, but I hope neither he nor his family would mind if these words I was able to copy and post here give some sort of comfort knowing that his life touched so many in ways -most outside of this Line 6 community- may not have ever been aware of. he will be missed and never forgotten by those of us he touched with his words.

I did only two things to the prayers I've found...

Entered the name of Nick Mattocks where required
Left the headings to show what these prayers are meant for and that I did not create them, but can only appreciate them at a time like this.

Prayers for the Deceased

to On Eagle's Wings

Prayer for the Deceased Person

Almighty Father, eternal God, hear our prayers for Your son Nick Mattocks whom You have called from this life to Yourself. Grant him/her light, happiness, and peace. Let him/her pass in safety through the gates of death, and live forever with all Your saints in the light You promised to Abraham and to all his descendants in faith. Guard him/her from all harm and on that great day of resurrection and reward raise him/her up with all Your saints. Pardon his/her sins and give him/her eternal life in Your kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the Deceased Person and for Mourners

Lord Jesus, our Redeemer, You willingly gave Yourself up to death so that all people might be saved and pass from death into a new life. Listen to our prayers; look with love on Your people who mourn and pray for their dead brother/sister. Lord Jesus, You alone are holy and compassionate; forgive our brother his sins.

By dying You opened the gates of life for those who believe in You; do not let Your brother/sister be parted from You, but by Your glorious power give him/her light, joy, and peace in heaven where You live for ever and ever. Amen.

For One Who Died After a Long Illness

Most faithful God, lively is the courage of those who hope in You. Your servant Nick Mattocks suffered greatly, but placed his trust in Your mercy. Confident that the petition of those who mourn pierces the clouds and finds an answer, we beg You, give rest to Nick Mattocks. Do not remember his/her sins, but look upon his/her sufferings and grant him refreshment, light, and peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Re: MerlinFL's (aka Neal) Forum for all things JTV, POD HD500, & DT50

support@line6.com — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 18:43:39 GMT

Thi is copied from a forum I've not posted anything in, but I felt was related to other posting and situations that I've had going from JTV 1.71 to JTV 1.81. Here's a copy of the most recent post as of this time & date to the forum listed in this copied post...

Re: Updating JTV-69 to 1.81 fails
created by stephencaldow in James Tyler Variax Guitars - View the full discussion

Hi there,

I'd like to join the club of being extremely frustrated at this new 1.81 update. Using the latest Line 6 Monkey software I proceeded to update from 1.71 to the new 1.81 patch, I recieved the same Error message. It wiped the whole guitar and only left me with just one acoustic model regardless of which model I select on the guitar. I went back to Line 6 monkey and rolled back to 1.71, which again didn't work (guitar still wiped of all models) repeated the process again and have finally managed to get the guitar back to version 1.71. I am using Windows XP and the USB interface and cables that came with my JTV 59.

Real pain.

There it is. If anyone wants to read how this started and what others wrote on this forum, just click the link to the full discussion.

Re: MerlinFL's (aka Neal) Forum for all things JTV, POD HD500, & DT50

support@line6.com — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:51:57 GMT

Copied from two different forums discussing the same topic of Trouble Tickets submitted for the JTV 1.81 problems.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Hugo - can you confirm my support ticket has been received?

And also if this is within your scope of things...could you let me know if my JTV bank suggestion of using Custom Bank 1 for the 1.71 Acoustic Models and the typical Acoustic bank still for the 1.81 models has been received by the people who get those submissions? I submitted it at the link you posted above this post.

Not much allowed room to explain a thought in any detail. It would be an excellent feature if the page had a character counter like YouTube and other sites have when typing comments, replies, etc. so you don't find out it's too long after you've finished writing and it deletes everything while stating the message exceed the maximum character limit. Very frustrating to type something only to have it erased if it's too long by even one character.

I submitted this suggestion over two weeks ago after reading all the posts stating they prefer the older acoustic patch sound, but yet still want the 1.81 functionality. I thought having one of the Custom Banks used for this purpose would be an excellent option for all the JTV users who like either version of acoustic guitar models. Plus if able to be done quickly, it would be a resolve to the alt tuning problem with the 1.81 acoustic patches until that issue is resolved.

It seems to me like a "win-win" scenario as the Custom banks really don't have any unique guitar models or tones in either of them. And based on the stock models in both Custom Banks all the way back to the first Variax guitar model banks, Custom Bank 1 doesn't even have any alternate tuned patches like Custom Bank 2 does.

Of course I'm not a tech writer and think it would be fairly easy to change one bank for another? I might be presuming incorrectly, but its not like anything new would have to be written since that bank of patches already exists.

Any answer to my questions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Neal

Re: MerlinFL's (aka Neal) Forum for all things JTV, POD HD500, & DT50

support@line6.com — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:13:33 GMT

I thought I would post a copy of my reply from the "Why did Line 6 Stop Making Vettas Forum" here since this is a forum entitled "What Every HD500 Owner Needs To Know". I thought this reply would qualify based on many questions and discussions in other Dream Rig, POD HD, and DT50/25 forums...

If this is repiticious, I apologize, but I just copy my posts in their entirety on this site which is my "home base" for all my posts. Just in case anyone asks what I've done or been doing on these boards, I can easily answer any question by using just this one place.

Here's a photo of my rig with my 2003 Vetta sitting on top. When in 2006 I got my first Variax guitar, I was able to easily purchase the VDI interface for my Vetta. It's a very easy install as well since Line 6 planned for it in advance and there is a blank panel with just one ribbon cable that needs to be rerouted into the VDI panel, then plugged back in.

Since 2007 when Line 6 "officially" stopped producing Vetta II amps and spent nearly all their amplifier development time with Bogner upgrading the Spider amp line, while also developing the POD HD/DT line of products were designed. While a completely different team took over the design of the JTV guitar line from the original Variax designers a Line 6.

This last sentence is just a guess...but considering nothing new was done from 2005 when the first Variax guitars were introduced until the latest 1.81 upgrade which included (3) 6-string & (2) 12-string modified acoustic guitar models from just that one bank. Oh, I should mention (all of which are just my opinion) that the modeling of all guitars ranges from greatly improved to slightly improved with the original 1.70 software that came with the first batch of JTV line of guitars.

I felt the most improved were the acoustic models in 1.71, and least improved were the Rickenbacker electric 12-string guitar models from the original Variax guitar models. I'm sure that this will be addressed in some future JTV update. Right now, resolving the alternate tuning problems with the new acoustic guitar models is most likely the top priority for the techs working on this aspect of the JTV guitar modeling.

If what you've heard is true about newer version of the Vetta amps being produced in the future...I'll look forward to that day with great anticipation. However, if you have the time, the desire, and the finances (or payment plans in my case) - I suggest combining the two as I've done with the older Vax guitars and the new JTV guitars.

I've also added a pair of Roland GR-55 units since they are truly excellent units, relatively small price tag for their capabilities, and the GK-3 pick-ups for both my older Variax guitars connect to one GR-55 in Guitar Mode and one GR-55 in Bass Mode for my 6-string Tobias bass.

I honestly can't think of anything more I could use beyond this collection of gear. I know there are other modeling units available, but I've not had any opportunity to do more than watch demo videos and read what others think. I started my exclusive Line 6 guitar use such a long time ago, and after all this time and financial investment - I can't see any reason to switch to a completely new guitar system. Most importantly, I'm very pleased with all I was able to compile over the years allowing me to play nearly any sound I wish as well as any style of music I'm capable of.

I also just posted a 2-part demo of the Line 6 Dream Rig in various acoustic modes to respond to a request asked of me in the Dream Rig forum. Here's a photo of my rig, plus a link to my demo/instructional videos if any here would wish to check out just one aspect of the new Line 6 gear in action without any additional gear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gpJHrGdkEU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLc1FToEkwk

And the photo....

I hope this gives food for thought.

Take care,

Neal

Re: MerlinFL's (aka Neal) Forum for all things JTV, POD HD500, & DT50

support@line6.com — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 03:18:18 GMT

Copied from a post discussing alternate tunings.

litesnsirens wrote:

I can assure you that you aren't the only one who has done that with alternate tunings. LOL (I'm talking about the live mental glitch)

Neal, I'm assuming when you say you use workbench to create and store alternate tunings that you mean into the custom banks on the JTV.

-- Nope - I have altered almost every single guitar slot in every bank including thre two Custom banks. When the original Variax guitars came out, I thought that i'd be stuck with only 10 slots for anything I created. this is not the case. Every slot in any bank can be anything you wish to store in that spot. When the VDI cable is used and a stored patch is recalled in older or new gear - it stores the bank/slot position. It shows whatever name you've given and in the older Variax, you would see an "F" or a "U" so you would know which banks of guitars you were choosing or recalling from the Vetta or any other pre-POD HD piece of VDI equipped gear.

Unless I'm missing some cool trick it would be nice if we could create custom tunings in workbench and then store them on the alt tune knob some how as if we were doing a virtual capo function on the guitar itself.

-- You can't store anything from Workbench onto the Alt tuning knob as it stands right now. However, you can create alternate tunings on the guitar itself and stoe those alternate tunings in any alternate tubning slot except "MODEL" or "STANDARD". You follow the procedures for creating alternate tunings on-the-fly as demonstrated on the Line 6 Tutorial videos, or in the Advanced JTV Users Guide posted online in the manual section.

I can't believe they haven't got an alt tune page in workbench yet. Not only would that be easier than going through what you and edstar have gone through (and myself on occasion) but it would be really handy when there is a major JTV update like this last one. Instead of having to manually put all my custom tunings back on the guitar I could load in the save alt tune bank that I created in workbench with this cool feature that doesn't exist yet.

I'm not sure why you would want to save and recall tunings beyond those on the alternate tuning knob? Doing that removes temporarily all the alternate tunings available, and it would not give you any guitar models to choose from - just tuning options which you have many on the knob as default, plus with 1.81 functionality - you can create any alternate tuning specifically for any guitar available on the guitar and tune it using the POD HD500 or POD HD PRO Edit software functions to alternately tune every single patch on every single bank of those POD HD units if you wanted or needed to.

I'd prefer two things to have happen - one of which is being worked on already.

Get the new Acoustic models to read, and recall any alternate tunings without the use of "Custom (Force) Tuning" from the POD HD units. This prevents me from playing my guitar in acoustic mode through any other amp or direct through PA with my alternate tuned patches as I used to be able to do with the JTV 1.71 version.
How about this for a suggestion I've already posted in the product feedback section and on my most recent Acoustic model demonstration of the Dream Rig. Someone in the Dream Rig Group was not able to get his acoustic models to sound clean and undistorted.

I gave instructions, those didn't work and he asked me if I had or could create a video to demonstrate how the Dream Rig sounds for me. This gave me the thought that since so very many have complained about the "airiness" of the the new JTV 1.81 Dreadnought, Parlor, and Jumbo guitars in just that one bank.

Many prefer the drier, more in-your-face, sound of the JTV 1.71 acoustic models in that one Acoustic bank. but it's now either keep the acoustic guitar sounds many prefer and lose out on the 1.81 other functionality, or deal with the acoustic models just to have the new 1.81 functionality. I suggested using one of the Custom banks for the older 1.71 acoustic guitar models while keeping the 1.81 acoustic guitar models in the standard acoustic bank as they are now.

Nothing in the either Custom bank are unique models and I doubt highly anyone would be upset if Line 6 chose to accommodate both groups of acoustic preferences by switching Custom Bank 1 to the older JTV 1.71 Acoustic guitar models that Line 6 already has. The tech team would only need to change out Custom Bank 1 with the older acoustic guitar models with those currently in Custom Bank 1. I'm not a tech writer, but I would think that this would be fairly easy to accomplish with a minimum of tech time doing it. Plus it would also give us acoustic guitar models we already know work with alternate tunings created in Workbench until the JTV 1.81 acoustic tuning problems is resolved.

If anyone is interested in my video demo in two parts - it can be found in the Dream Rig User's group as well as on YouTube at least links. If you do choose to watch them both together take about 20 mins. They are very rough and done in one take. All my performance mistakes are left, because it was just for the purpose of demonstrating the sound I get from my Dream Rig by itself without any other speakers, or amplifiers. Please do watch both in order to understand my demonstration correctly - thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gpJHrGdkEU&list=UUPyEGIOoZ1_Y2sg_OLJ-HJw&index=1&feature=plcp Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfytZ-2vL9Q&list=UUPyEGIOoZ1_Y2sg_OLJ-HJw&index=2&feature=plcp Part 2

Take care,

Neal

Re: MerlinFL's (aka Neal) Forum for all things JTV, POD HD500, & DT50

support@line6.com — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:53:47 GMT

Got it all covered...guitars of any kind, bass, synthesizer, and even vocals. Yes, it IS all connected together by MIDI, S/PDIF, L6 Link, and simple 1/4" connections. Obviously dominated by the presence of several line of Line 6 gear from 2003 thru 2011. Now if I can just afford a roadie...my back is killing me!! LOL

Re: MerlinFL's (aka Neal) Forum for all things JTV, POD HD500, & DT50

support@line6.com — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:07:41 GMT

Copied from a post asking preferences of WHERE the Volume pedal should go...

Since you are asking for users preferences, I'd be happy to share mine.

I almost always put the Vol/Pan control at the end of the signal chain. Not just after the amp, but at the very end of everything.

I do this as I just wish to control my overall output volume with my foot instead of any other way. This applies whether I'm running my POD HD direct to PA, or into an standard amp's FX return, or in my "Dream Rig" combination.

It's just for literal volume control of my patch. I'll usually have other items in the blacks to do more gain, or any other FX I need or want to turn on or off. I also nearly always put the Wah when I want one in my patch at the front of very close to the front and ALWAYS Pre amp. Pos amp is an interesting effect, but I'm just giving my typical choices as you asked.

I CHOOSE to use the guitars volume control (which using a Variax guitar especially since I can customize HOW that volume knob works with the choice of resistance in the Workbench software) which gives me cleaner response from any of my higher gain amp patches. It certainly personal preference, but you asked for other players ideas and uses. This is my typical use.

If I was doing a song that required me to do Volume SWELLS, I probably would use TWO Volume pedals putting one Vol/Pan pedal pre amp, or pre whatever I wanted to by effected by the increase of volume. This is something Strat players can do much easier with their pinky wrapped around the volume knob instead of the Les Paul control design.

However, using the guitar volume knob will be by definition swelling gain into EVERYTHING from the first point in your signal chain. Using a selected volume pedal, you can place it in a specific point of that chain to swell where you want.

For example, if you are using a noise gate, it's tough to swell smoothly in FRONT of a noise gate, but easy after that same unit with the volume pedal placed after it in th signal chain. Another example would be using a SIMPLE delay after a noise gate, BUT in FRONT of the Volume pedal. You can have you delay not affected by your swell in volume and creates some interesting sonic landscapes depending on the delay's settings.

I could write a ton of examples of things I've done over the many years which started with my first Vetta purchased back in 2003. I've had all these years to experiment with signal chains and customizing nearly every bit of every patch I've created in all this time. But I think these few examples should give you plenty of ideas what YOU can do for YOUR personal performance needs.

Take care,

Neal