Community: Message List - Newbie

Re: Newbie

support@line6.com — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 22:46:21 GMT

Ok... so I lied...

I had a chance tonight to look into the Variax VDI connector with a good light. Looking in there with the pins all on the bottom, it appears they are all lined up. Further investigation shows that they all are slightly elevated, as I would expect, except the 2nd one from the right. It is pushed down slightly. Also, the plastic "wall" at the very inner part of the connector (has slits where I guess the pins fit in) appears to be slightly damaged. I am assuming this is my problem. So, my question is, can I gently bend the odd ball pin up to the others' level, and ensure everything is in its slot, or should I bite the bullet and take it back to the shop? I have a gig tomorrow night where I need it. Plugging the power supply, or using batteries isn't a problem, just a pain. I am assuming that the WorkBench interface doesn't use all these pins? It works flawlessly. I just wondered if any one had corrected this problem with success or is it super fragile?

Thanx

Re: Newbie

support@line6.com — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 21:30:28 GMT

Went to another Guitar Center closer to my house yesterday. They had the same Spiider collection... one used DT50 head.... and one JTV-69... the JTV looked a lot nicer up close than in pictures. Didn't take the time to try it out. Still nothing on site to try the VDI connection in my Variax 600. Sad.

Re: Newbie

support@line6.com — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 03:53:10 GMT

Everything looks pristine. I went to 3 different Line 6 "dealers" today... no one had any Variax stuff, or anything I could connect my 600 to with the VDI. Both Guitar Centers had nothing but Spiders and Spider Valve models. Sad. Guess I have to break down and go to Chuck Levin's...

Is there a way for me to use a meter and check to see I'm getting power from the VDI? As I said above, everything is pristine. The plug on the X3 Live was never used by the previous owner; never removed the rubber cover. The VDI cable is brand new. My 600 has had some issues, but nothing, I believe, that would cause it not to work. When I connect it to my PC, Workbench still works.

Any other ideas, besides selling everything and buying something else?

Thanx.

Re: Newbie

support@line6.com — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 18:38:11 GMT

Haven't done the detailed inspection. At first glance, they all look fine. I strongly believe it's my Variax and not the X3. The kid that owned the X3 never had a Variax and never took off the rubber cap. My Variax has died a few times... bad piezos... battery leakage killed a connection... just have to find someone or someplace with something I can test this thing on. I've never used that connection except for the WorkBench cable and then a guitar cable has to be in the 1/4" to make it work. Still trying everything, so I'll get to the detailed inspection.

Re: Newbie

support@line6.com — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 22:15:17 GMT

Just wondering - have you ever used the VDI connection on your Vax600 with some other piece of equipment? In other words, do you have any reason to believe the problem lies within the X3 rather than the Vax? I know the Vax works with Workbench and the cable supplied with it - but like you say in that case the Vax is powered by batteries. Unless you have used the Vax's VDI connection before there may be an issue with the connector or internal circuitry that handles the power.

I think we haven't ruled out Zap's suggestion yet - take a magnifying glass under good lighting and carefully inspect the wires inside the VDI connection of both the Variax and the X3. If any one of them is bent/depressed or otherwise out of position (not making solid contact) that could be the problem. This can easily happen if, for instance, you (or the previous owner) ever mistakenly attempted to insert a 1/4" plug into the VDI jack.

Re: Newbie

support@line6.com — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 20:28:38 GMT

Just curious... I haven't found it in the manual, but was is Vx Ch 1 and Vx Ch 2 in the input section? Variax L & R? Still not working, BTW

Re: Newbie

support@line6.com — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 02:13:59 GMT

Well... it still doesn't work. Brand new VDI cable... all the pins in all connectors (X3 Live, Variax, the cable) look pristine. I go into Gearbox and set the input for whatever patch to Variax; nothing. The Variax comes up in WorkBench with the cable that came with it, but only when the batteries are in and there is a guitar cable in the 1/4" input. I love Line 6 gear, but damn if the new stuff isn't a PITA every time I get something! The Variax has been to the shop 3 times. My first M9 failed and was replaced. Now this.... I really don't want to have to include fees from an authorized service center.... I could have bought a new HD or somthing. Severely frustrating... the normal input works fine... I had just hoped to be able to run the Variax input along with the normal and aux... sad.

Re: Newbie

support@line6.com — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:21:46 GMT

the default input on some tones is set to guitar+aux+variax but yes, check the input settings... pretty sure it's per tone.

it shouldn't be hard....

BUT... check the sockets on your variax and X3 for bent pins... it does happen and that would monkey up the whole works.

Re: Newbie

support@line6.com — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:16:52 GMT

You should take the battery pack out when using the VDI. The X3L should recognize the Variax immediately, and provide its power.

Yes, you need to set the Input to Variax in each preset; I can't recall if there is a global input setting - if so you should see it easily in Gearbox.

Re: Newbie

support@line6.com — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:04:22 GMT

I have a Vax 600, a VDI (or DVI as I've seen it) cable with the two metal end CAT 5 type cables. I connect it to my new X3 Live. Shouldn't the X3 recognize it immediately? Do I have to have the battery pack in? I just thought of something, do I have to set up each patch to recognize the Vax via GearBox, or is it a global thing? I don't remember any other Line 6 gear being this difficult to start out... except maybe my 1st M9 that had a bad circuit board; expression pedal wouldn't work.