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2587 Views 9 Replies Latest reply: Aug 15, 2010 12:53 AM by MerlinFL RSS
spkrpro Just Startin'
spkrpro
10 posts since
Jan 11, 2008
Currently Being Moderated

Mar 8, 2010 10:49 PM

Variax 700 Best Sound

I have a Variax 700 and am constantly searching for the best sound.  Being able to change from Acoustic to les paul, strat, etc... without changing amps.  What does everybody suggest?  Would the Vetta II take care of everything?  I currently have a Pod X3 Live and love it, but am always going from headphones to different amps.  Monitors are the best so far, but just don't have the big sound I'm looking for.  Currently plugging into an old Line 6 AX2 and sounds pretty damn good, but again still lacking something.  I guess when you have this much versitility in a guitar/setup your just hard to satisfy.  I was over my friends house earlier and playing through a mesa boogie full stack, absolutely amazing...but again would be nice to do everything with one setup.  Suggestions?  I've heard keyboard amps and small PA's.  What sounds the best?

  • Gareth1 Just Startin'
    Gareth1
    12 posts since
    Mar 5, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 9, 2010 9:21 AM (in response to spkrpro)
    Re: Variax 700 Best Sound

    i've started using ba pair of mackie thumps & have found time spent shaping sounds thru those is paying off!

    i use a 700tr with my x3 live & as many different sounds as possible! Ok, maybe i'm not getting a sound i could calll my own, as i'm starting to sound like so many of my fave guitarists now, but i am so happy with how things sound now, & if i use my strat or jackson as a second guitar i know i've got great sounds thru any PA. anywhere, at anytime!

    sweet!

    • Data Just Startin'
      Data
      59 posts since
      Feb 6, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Mar 9, 2010 11:22 AM (in response to Gareth1)
      Re: Variax 700 Best Sound

      I use a JBL EON10 powered monitor with my Variax and Pod XTL.  It sounds really good when you get the volume up around 90 dBA or more.  Of course it doesn't have the looks of a full stack but it sure is a lot more portable and what you hear in the monitor is the same as what's heard in the house when you're playing live.

       

      Data

  • spkrpro Just Startin'
    spkrpro
    10 posts since
    Jan 11, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    Apr 12, 2010 9:54 PM (in response to spkrpro)
    Re: Variax 700 Best Sound

    I finally broke down and bought a small PA System.  I purchased the Fender Passport 150.  My rig finally sounds great like it does with headphones.  The Passport goes louder than I will need and I am now able to get true amp models the the Pod X3 was made to produce as well as the Variax acoustic models sounding great.  Actually all of the models sound good on the Variax now and the distortion you can get now sounds so good.  No one would believe you're not using an amp.  Also the portablity of the unit is fantastic, looks like a small suitcase.  Highly recommended to anyone else having the same problem.

    • edstar1960 Iknowathingortwo
      edstar1960
      712 posts since
      May 25, 2010
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jun 3, 2010 9:20 AM (in response to spkrpro)
      Re: Variax 700 Best Sound

      What output settings do you use for your X3 live into your PA?  Do you just leave it on the DIRECT/STUDIO and LINE OUT settings? Or do you select something else?

       

      I have tried the X3 live with my Variax 700 through headphones and it sounds great, however, have tried it into a PA in our rehearsal room and discovered all the sounds had way too much treble and high freq. Also tried at home direct into my Marshall 8080  stereo power amp into Marshall 1922 speaker cab - if I chose the AMP out and the STACK PWR AMP setting it sounded way too much treble and lots of fizz -had to drastically cut the high end via the EQ. Same for all the other "amp" settings.  I also tried it into my Sessionette 75 combo - same thing - the amp settings way too trebly and fizzy. However, if I just use the DIRECT/STUDIO and LINE OUT settings, it does start to sound much warmer without the harsh treble and no fizz - although still not as good as through headphones.

       

      So - if a small portable PA setup is the best way to go - then what settings should be used in the X3?  And do you need to cut the high end EQ for each patch to make everything sound more like the headphone sound?

       

      Thanks!

       

      Eddie

      • es336td Just Startin'
        es336td
        182 posts since
        Jan 29, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Jun 3, 2010 9:27 AM (in response to edstar1960)
        Re: Variax 700 Best Sound

        I would start with whatever amp you use... set all the tone controls to 12 o'clock (straight up and down... midway)  Then instead of adding bass, dial back the treble...  yes, I know on the direct to power amp option, you can't do this.  Sounds like you're overdriving with that one setting (fizzy)... as for the treble... digital is usually brighter.  Either way, I would settle on an amp, do what you can to get the sound you can stand, then mess with the tones on the X3 models to get what you want.   Does the X3 have a cabinet simulator?   I know on my old AX2, I had to take that out of the mix when doing direct out recording, because it would muddy things up.  Good luck.

        • edstar1960 Iknowathingortwo
          edstar1960
          712 posts since
          May 25, 2010
          Currently Being Moderated
          Jun 3, 2010 9:41 AM (in response to es336td)
          Re: Variax 700 Best Sound

          Thanks for the advice.

           

          The X3 Live allows you to choose a variety of OUTPUT settings. including AMP/LINE level output. Along with DIRECT/STUDIO, guitar amp (combo or stack), power amp (combo or stack). When using with headphones the LINE level out with DIRECT/STUDIO is the setting to use - sounds great. And by default it has amp/cab simulation which really warms the sound and shows just how great the models are on the X3.

          However - all the other options - the "live" use options - out of the box straight into an amp set on a flat or middle setting sound way too harsh and trebly. And you do hear some high end fizz in the model sounds. A quick fix is to dial in the EQ, and simply cut all the HIGH END Frequency above 9K - but should I have to do that for all their pre-canned settings that come with the box? Surely they should sound good on headphones, via combo amps, or power amps - especially if you set your amp EQ to a flat response. But they don't.  So, I would like advice on what are the best settings to use when using the X3 LIVE for a live performance setting?  Advice on best settings to use when going into a PA , along with best settings for combo amp, and for power amp  would be great.

          At the moment I am thinking its best to always have the X3 set to LINE and DIRECT/STUDIO regardless of what you are amplifying it with because that seems to produce the best results - but then why have the other OUTPUT options? Surely they were intended to produce better output sounds for those amps but they don't appear to work that way - maybe I am wrong and a little tweaking is all that is needed - or maybe I am right and to get the best out of the X3 its always best to use it in the DIRECT/STUDIO mode.

           

          All advice welcome!

          Thanks

          Eddie

          • es336td Just Startin'
            es336td
            182 posts since
            Jan 29, 2007
            Currently Being Moderated
            Jun 3, 2010 9:59 AM (in response to edstar1960)
            Re: Variax 700 Best Sound

            From the QuickStart guide


            23. Live Out – the unbalanced 1/4-inch connectors here get your POD X3 Live’s sound to a guitar
            amplifier, recorder, mixer or PA system.
            The Output display pages configure these outputs for Studio or Live use. In Studio Mode, they’re ready to
            plug into a recorder with unbalanced –10 dBV inputs. In Live Mode, they don’t have speaker simulation,
            and are ready for connection to an on-stage power amp. Whichever you choose, the front panel Master
            Volume knob determines how much signal you’ll get at these jacks. You can use either jack as a mono
            output, by the way.


            24. Direct Out – these balanced XLR connectors always provide studio-quality sound with speaker/
            microphone/room simulation ideal for direct recording and as a direct send to the house mixer or PA
            when playing live.
            The System page lets you disable Master Volume control for these outputs, so you can make on-stage
            adjustments to the 1/4-inch outputs feeding an amp without affecting the levels sent to the house sound
            Controls & Connections mixer or PA.

             

            I still think that what you feed it to is where to make your adjustments.   Otherwise, the headphone feed won't sound as good.  If you are running to a guitar or keyboard amp, then do your compensation there.  If direct to a power amp, you will probably want an EQ of some sort.

             

            Good luck

  • Iknowathingortwo
    MerlinFL
    1,667 posts since
    Jul 17, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Aug 15, 2010 12:53 AM (in response to spkrpro)
    Re: Variax 700 Best Sound

    spkrpro wrote:

     

    I have a Variax 700 and am constantly searching for the best sound.  Being able to change from Acoustic to les paul, strat, etc... without changing amps.  What does everybody suggest?  Would the Vetta II take care of everything?  I currently have a Pod X3 Live and love it, but am always going from headphones to different amps.  Monitors are the best so far, but just don't have the big sound I'm looking for.  Currently plugging into an old Line 6 AX2 and sounds pretty damn good, but again still lacking something.  I guess when you have this much versitility in a guitar/setup your just hard to satisfy.  I was over my friends house earlier and playing through a mesa boogie full stack, absolutely amazing...but again would be nice to do everything with one setup.  Suggestions?  I've heard keyboard amps and small PA's.  What sounds the best?

    I would definitely recommend the Vetta amp.  If you get the combo like I have - you have the option of adding any additonal cabinet or even two cabs if they are within the ohm load of the head since it puts everything out in stereo.  Line 6 has made many great products and the new POD pedalboards come close, but no other product produced by Line 6 at this point in time can do everything the Vetta does and sound as good doing it.  Also - you really will need the FBV longboard to access all of the amps functions in a live performance setting.

     

    I have tons of live band performance videos where I'm using my Vetta 1 combo (upgraded to V2 status) with the Line 6 Variax electric model 700 guitars.  I also have a few demo vids for some various bits of discussion that have come up in the past year.  All of these are on YouTube and can be found under my YT name of OcalaMusician if you or any wishes to check out what I get my Vetta to sound like in a live performance situation playing all types of cover songs.

     

    I hope this helps - Take care,

     

    Neal

    aka OcalaMusician on YouTube

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