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878 Views 26 Replies Latest reply: May 2, 2012 2:19 PM by MerlinFL RSS
sdunmire Just Startin' 38 posts since
Oct 4, 2008
Currently Being Moderated

Mar 25, 2012 8:10 PM

Two?

Let me start off by saying that I am a proud owner of a JTV-59 and absolutely love it.

 

I have set off on a quest to buy a strat and have had a hard time finding one I like.  While feeling frustrated over this, I picked up the JTV-69 at my local music store and was pleasantly surprised at the sound of the mags and the playability on the 69.  Would it be too weird to own TWO Variaxes?

  • silverhead Expert Line 6 User 9,592 posts since
    Apr 1, 2009
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 26, 2012 10:26 AM (in response to sdunmire)
    Re: Two?

    Not at all. Sounds to me like you're still one short. Have you tried the JTV-89?

  • rosser3 Just Startin' 12 posts since
    Jul 5, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 26, 2012 10:37 AM (in response to sdunmire)
    Re: Two?

    I have the JTV-69 and I love it. I continue to marvel at the terrific playability of this guitar. The mags are very fine to my ears and then there are the models. I actually would also like to have the JTV-59!!!!  I would not mind being called weird if I had two....or three as Silverhead suggests:)

     

    G.

  • Iknowathingortwo 1,667 posts since
    Jul 17, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 26, 2012 4:40 PM (in response to sdunmire)
    Re: Two?

    Not at all.  You have two physically different guitars with the same guts. So you have choices of copying patches from one guitar to another or creating entire bundles for each guitar independently. That's just the tip of this iceberg - you know what you need and want, with two you can certainly not go wrong especially if you like the guitar without any of the modeling circuitry.

     

    I've got two JTV guitars myself an 89KN and a 59US, plus two Variax Electric model 700s I still use that I've mounted Roland GK-3 Synth pick-ups to and connect the older Vax guitars to the Roland GR-55.  The combination of both the older Vax modeling and the GR-55 sounds is a terrific addition to my already extensive arsenal of sounds with just a few guitars instead of dozens.

     

    I think whatever makes the most sense to you is what you should do.  Nothing in the music world is "weird".  If this were true then we'd never have a Marilyn Manson or a Lady GaGa.  Those would be two things I'd count as weird, but I'm probably weird to others. 

     

    See - now this might be considered weird by some...

     

    Line 6 rig_2012.jpg

    DSC00411.jpg

      • silverhead Expert Line 6 User 9,592 posts since
        Apr 1, 2009
        Currently Being Moderated
        Mar 26, 2012 5:18 PM (in response to sdunmire)
        Re: Two?

        It would see them all as a JTV, and would not distinguish. From a software perspective they are all the same - they use identical firmware and the VDI interface communicates with all three models identically. The only differences among the instruments are physical - not electronic.

      • Iknowathingortwo 1,667 posts since
        Jul 17, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Mar 27, 2012 5:00 PM (in response to sdunmire)
        Re: Two?

        sdunmire wrote:

         

        Curious how the HD500 would see these two different instruments.  Would it look at them as one or would it distinguish between them?  I'm not sure that it matters so maybe it's a dumb question, but I'm wondering about that...

        Serious answer to this question.  I think you are getting confused in perhaps thinking that you can plug more than ONE Variax guitar into the VDI port at a time. 

         

        You can't, BUT you CAN plug one into the VDI port and another guitar of ANY kind into the 1/4" jack to have both connected at the same time.  They can BOTH work simultaneously if you can play both at the same time as I do with one on a walk-behind stand.

         

        I read your question and thought I'd at least give a serious answer in case you were asking for the reason I guessed.

    • emux2 Just Startin' 49 posts since
      Jan 25, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Apr 24, 2012 10:05 AM (in response to MerlinFL)
      Re: Two?

      Is the 89 an import and if so where did you get that blue?

  • toasterdude Just Startin' 745 posts since
    Oct 23, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 27, 2012 5:06 AM (in response to sdunmire)
    Re: Two?

    sdunmire wrote:

     

    Let me start off by saying that I am a proud owner of a JTV-59 and absolutely love it.

     

    I have set off on a quest to buy a strat and have had a hard time finding one I like.  While feeling frustrated over this, I picked up the JTV-69 at my local music store and was pleasantly surprised at the sound of the mags and the playability on the 69.  Would it be too weird to own TWO Variaxes?

    Yes, it would be extremely weird. People would look at you funny. Small children would point at you and laugh. . . . .. lol

    The only thing "weirder" would be having 3. I am even weirder that you hope to be as I currently have 3 JTV 59s. In your case at least you would have two different models!

     

    I am doing my best to be less weird. My first xplant is done and it is an explorer shape. I will be dropping off the ele and a black 59 for xplant 2 and am trying to decide on single cut or double cut les paul for xplant 3. I am actually thinking of getting a 69 at some point and already bought a flame maple strat neck with maple finger board. Warmoth compound radius, 25.5 1 11/16 etc same as the other 3.

     

    You would also be less weird as your 59 would be HH and the 69 HSS. All 3 of mine will have duncan prails so they get basically the same sounds. . .. lol. The 69 may get a bridge prail and either kinmans or lipsticks in middle and neck.

     

    Hooking to PPD should be zero problem as they are all JTV variax.

  • wolbai Just Startin' 177 posts since
    Mar 30, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 27, 2012 10:02 AM (in response to sdunmire)
    Re: Two?

    I have TWO: a JTV59 + JTV69 and not only, because I am in love with these guitars.

     

    Apart of the already said differences when playing both guitars with mags only, it depends on what you are doing. For Live gigging and with POD-integration where you store guitarmodels and tunings with presets by switching between those in song, the whole performance relies on that setup. So a Non-JTV as a backup guitar just won't do the job for me.

    • MarkCline Just Startin' 36 posts since
      Jan 26, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Mar 27, 2012 1:19 PM (in response to wolbai)
      Re: Two?

      I have a JTV69 that I love, and a Variax 700 with the GK3 mounted on it.  The Variax (s) are awesome, but with the HD 500 and the GR55, there's just about nothing you can imagine that you can't do. I've got a cable running from the Headphone Out of the GR55 to the CD/MP3 input of the HD500, and a short 1/4 inch standard guitar chord running between the guitar out of the GR55 and the guitar in of the HD500.  I recently bought a couple of Altec Lansing Stage Gig powered monitors, and at around $100 shipping included they are unbelievably accurate. Their packaging makes them look like a joke because they were marketed as an accessory for the Guitar Hero video games, but they are for real.  They don't get super loud but plenty too loud for my bonus room. Altec has stopped making them, but there are still plenty to be found.  Every patch that I have built using these speakers at home has translated very well to the real FOH system and monitors with little or no additional need for tweaks.

       

      I recently modified a Cort G250 by adding the GK3-Kit-GT3, and it went well enough that I think I'm going to order another kit and mount it in the battery compartment of my 700 so I can get the outboard model off the front of the guitar. I'll still need 2 chords but it would have to look better and less cluttered than the Standard GK3 pickup.

       

      I can't wait for my next vacation so I can lock myself in there, and build Frankenstein (not the song) patches for days!

      MUAHAHAHAHA!!

       

      I guess my answer to the original question would be yes I'd love to have another JTV, probably a 59, but if I didn't have the GR55, and already had the JTV and the HD500, I'd buy the GR55/GK3 next, and then another JTV.  But that's just me.

      • Iknowathingortwo 1,667 posts since
        Jul 17, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Mar 27, 2012 4:54 PM (in response to MarkCline)
        Re: Two?

        Mark - I presume you are referring to my post about what I did with my older Vax 700 guitars by adding the GK-3 pick-up to them with the Roland GR-55.  I also use that same unit with the bass pick-up for my 6-string bass.  people can't ever figure out where the horns or hHammond is coming from in my 3-pc band with me on bass playing all those synth sound, plus the added Vax 700 on a walk-behind stanbd for guitar parts, plus Taurus pedals...and so on.....

         

        Would ya like to see who can out "Frankenstein" the other??  All in good fun of course!! 

         

        Take care,

        Neal

        • MarkCline Just Startin' 36 posts since
          Jan 26, 2007
          Currently Being Moderated
          Mar 27, 2012 7:29 PM (in response to MerlinFL)
          Re: Two?

          You bet, that sounds like fun.  Unfortunately, my work is keeping me so busy that I only get to peck at it a bit at a time, but I'll be glad to post patches as I go. I go for a more classic feel. Kinda Pat McLaughlin meets Delbert McClinton, with a dash of Ted Nugent for spice. That's kinda what I'm really digging about the HD500. It'll do the mosh pit, but it really seems to be sweet when it comes to the more classic tones. I mostley use the synth sounds from the GR55 to fill in the gaps with organs, pads, horn sections, and the occasional piano part when our keyboard player is out for whatever reason.

           

          I really like how the GR55 has incorporated guitar modeling as well. I used to have a GR1 back in the early 90s, but with the addition of guitar modeling and Cosm amps I've been able nearly duplicate patches to the point of having relative redundancy in both directions. My playing style relies a lot on a floating trem, so now I don't have to be worried about breaking a string because I've got a second plugged in and ready to go sitting on the stand.

           

          Hopefully I'll soon have time to really play with all these new toys! It's a brave new world.

           

          Mark

      • variaxlover Just Startin' 323 posts since
        May 19, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Apr 24, 2012 10:46 AM (in response to MarkCline)
        Re: Two?

        Hey Mark, I also have the GR55 and an HD500.  I haven't really used them together very effectively though, so I have a few questions for you.  I understand how you're using the 1/4" cable to send the GR55 output to the HD500, but what are you sending through the other cable (when you said "I've got a cable running from the Headphone Out of the GR55 to the CD/MP3 input of the HD500")?  This seems redundant but maybe I'm missing something.

         

        Also wondered if you (or Neal) have ever used the HD500 to control the GR55 through MIDI.  I've done before that but realized that the HD500 was an awfully expensive MIDI controller, so I sold that one and started using a Behringer FCB1010 for that purpose.  But to me, the ideal setup would be to control the GR55 with the HD500 while also using the HD500 for its great effects, so I just recently got another one.  To be clear, I'm very happy using the GR55 for all my guitar and amp sounds; I only want the HD500 to add effects and perhaps be a MIDI controller, IF I can do that at the same time.

         

        (For anyone wondering, IMO the GR55 has fantastic guitar and amp modeling.  I now have seven GK3 units, and one is internal.  I mounted the other 6 on the backs of my Gibsons with strong double sided tape, and turned off their controls so as not to accidentally change anything with my hip or leg.  Again IMO, the only limitations of the GR55 are that you only get 3 presets per bank, and that it's hard to program more than one switchable effect per preset).  Thus the need for more effects, which the HD500 has in spades.

         

        Perhaps you guys are doing this already.  Please comment.  Thanks in advance!

         

        Also, if anyone in the Denver area wants a cheap DT50, let me know.  It's the 1x12 combo.

        • MarkCline Just Startin' 36 posts since
          Jan 26, 2007
          Currently Being Moderated
          Apr 24, 2012 12:21 PM (in response to variaxlover)
          Re: Two?

          Hi Variaxlover,

           

          I have a 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch TRS cable connected between the headphone out of the GR55 and the CD/MP3 input of the HD500.  This feeds all the modeling and synth sounds of the GR55 through the HD500 unaltered and out through the HD500 XLR and 1/4 inch outs. The volume control on the GR55 allows me to control the mix. I then send the XLR left and right to the house in stereo, and use the 1/4 inch left or right (mono) to my full range keyboard amp kicked back at me for monitoring. Of course if I used 2 keyboard amps I could monitor in stereo as well, but that would be more stuff to carry.

           

          This works great. I was initially surprised that the headphone output to CD input idea didn't color or degrade the sound of the GR55, but it really doesn't.  I even use the onboard audio player of the GR55 to play wave file examples of songs that we're working on, and it sounds great. The main reason for doing it this way is so that I only take up 2 inputs to the house, instead of 3 or 4. I pretty much tell our sound man to get a level, eq it flat, and pan the two hard left and right, and I set my own mix(s).

           

          The great thing about keeping things stereo with the JTV and the HD500, is the separation when I'm using dual tones and mixing the magnetics and the models. For instance, a strat through a twin reverb with the bridge mag routed through a Vox or Marshall sounds pretty cool in mono, but when you pan each hard left and right it really gets cool.  Or, if I'm playing an acoustic model and want to mix it with a crunch rythm keeping them separate in the mix really works best.

           

          If there was one thing I could wish for, and to be honest I just may not have discovered how to do it yet but, it would be the ability to selectively pan sounds on the GR55.  Maybe I'm just greedy, but wouldn't it be cool to have variax acoustic left, GR55 12 string right, Variax Mags left of center, and GR55 synth or PCM right of center, just as an example. I just don't see anywhere in the GR55 to set the pan of the different sounds.  Maybe Neal has figured this out?

           

          I know that it is too much fun!! I'm hoping for some time off next week to do some programming. I'll connect my HD to my desktop with the editor, and the GR55 to my laptop with it's editor and tweak away.

           

          Oh, I almost fogot, to answer your other question, no I haven't done any midi control of the GR55 with the HD500 or vice versa. I know it is there, and I probably could think of some cool applications, but I just haven't had the time to get that deep yet.

           

          It's a brave new world!

           

          Mark

          • variaxlover Just Startin' 323 posts since
            May 19, 2007
            Currently Being Moderated
            Apr 24, 2012 1:11 PM (in response to MarkCline)
            Re: Two?

            Great!  Thanks for the explanation(s).  I'll try your GR55 headphone out-to-HD500 CD/mp3 input method tonight.  If nothing else it might provide a cleaner signal than the 1/4" jacks.  I'm not running stereo and not using a JTV at all anymore.

             

            My bands tend to play clubs that have their own soundmen, so I'm not sure I could run stereo even if I wanted to.  Doing more classic rock, it has never been an issue, though I've absolutely loved the expansion of my sound every time I've tried it anywhere else, even just with the old Vetta and a 2nd cabinet.  The Vetta's double-tracking feature really stood out doing it that way.  Why did Line 6 abandon that feature?

             

            I do have plenty of amps so I could run stereo on stage but the other guys would probably hate me for it.  ;^)  Might give it a try anyway -- the rhythm guitarist and keyboardist say they can't hear me over there, and running stereo would certainly solve THAT problem.  They could even control the volume themselves.  More heavy stuff to haul though, and I'm no spring chicken -- I'll be 58 in a week.

             

            Well, there's at least one person on the forums using the HD500 as a MIDI controller; that's where I got the idea in the first place (over a year ago).  I'll have to look for his posts again and see if he's also using the HD500's effects, as I want to do.  That would eliminate several pedals and give me more room to dance.  ;^)

             

            Thanks again Mark!

            • variaxlover Just Startin' 323 posts since
              May 19, 2007
              Currently Being Moderated
              Apr 25, 2012 12:16 AM (in response to variaxlover)
              Re: Two?

              Replying to my own post? Lame . . .

               

              But I wanted to say that you guys piqued my interest in JTVs again and I just ordered another one, a CSB 59 (like the one in my pic over there <-- ).  Got it brand new for $1268 from American Musical thanks to them price-matching Hello Music's price from last week ($1259 + $9 shipping).  Hello Music actually had a $100 off coupon too, but I didn't wanna press my luck since AM offers 8 payments.  BTW I posted that great deal on several forums here; hopefully someone took advantage of it.

               

              Along with the HD500 and DT50 I already have, this gives me another path to some incredible sounds.  Have one band playing out now and a couple more in the works so this setup should serve me well in at least one of them.

               

              BTW I used to buy and sell a lot of guitars on eBay; this is JTV number 5 for me and Variax number 296.

              • Iknowathingortwo 1,667 posts since
                Jul 17, 2007
                Currently Being Moderated
                May 1, 2012 10:40 AM (in response to variaxlover)
                Re: Two?

                Speaking of replying to your own post...LOL

                 

                If you need someone who plays guitar, bass, drums, and all the other gear you know I have plus can run PA.  And if you have solid full-time work, I might even consider dealing with snow again and having a hard time breathing in the Mile High City if you need my skills up there.  I'm trying to stay warm, but I've got to go where there is a vibrant music scene filled with skilled players.  There are only so many times I can play Mustang Sally, Turn The Page, and The Breeze!!

                • variaxlover Just Startin' 323 posts since
                  May 19, 2007
                  Currently Being Moderated
                  May 2, 2012 10:03 AM (in response to MerlinFL)
                  Re: Two?

                  Hey Neal,

                   

                  I don't have solid full-time guitar work at all.  My only working band consists of old geezers, even older than me, who only want to play once a month or less (and BTW, they do Mustang Sally -- ugh). Trying to get a couple of other bands out there but so far we're just basement dwellers.  I've been contacted lately by 5 or 6 different combinations of musicians who TALK about getting a band going, but never seem to follow up for very long.  Denver does have a ton of clubs to play in lately . . .  it's just nigh impossible to get and keep a band together.

                  • leyfr01 Just Startin' 74 posts since
                    Jan 26, 2007
                    Currently Being Moderated
                    May 2, 2012 10:36 AM (in response to variaxlover)
                    Re: Two?

                    Neal,


                    I feel for you. The two hardest things to do accomplish in keeping a band together are:


                    • Finding people that don’t have egos and just love playing music for the sake of playing music
                    • Finding a group a people that gel together.  There has to be that certain ‘gel factor’ that holds it together and makes people want to come see you perform

                     

                    You get these two things accomplished and you could be well on your way to really enjoying playing music, not to mention getting to use all your really cool guitars and equipment!

        • Iknowathingortwo 1,667 posts since
          Jul 17, 2007
          Currently Being Moderated
          May 1, 2012 10:36 AM (in response to variaxlover)
          Re: Two?

          variaxlover wrote:

           

          Also wondered if you (or Neal) have ever used the HD500 to control the GR55 through MIDI.  I've done before that but realized that the HD500 was an awfully expensive MIDI controller, so I sold that one and started using a Behringer FCB1010 for that purpose.  But to me, the ideal setup would be to control the GR55 with the HD500 while also using the HD500 for its great effects, so I just recently got another one.  To be clear, I'm very happy using the GR55 for all my guitar and amp sounds; I only want the HD500 to add effects and perhaps be a MIDI controller, IF I can do that at the same time.

           

          (For anyone wondering, IMO the GR55 has fantastic guitar and amp modeling.  I now have seven GK3 units, and one is internal.  I mounted the other 6 on the backs of my Gibsons with strong double sided tape, and turned off their controls so as not to accidentally change anything with my hip or leg.  Again IMO, the only limitations of the GR55 are that you only get 3 presets per bank, and that it's hard to program more than one switchable effect per preset).  Thus the need for more effects, which the HD500 has in spades.

           

          Perhaps you guys are doing this already.  Please comment.  Thanks in advance!

           

          Also, if anyone in the Denver area wants a cheap DT50, let me know.  It's the 1x12 combo.

          Hi VL - I'm sorry I did not see your question to me sooner.

           

          I only use the MIDI for sending patch change information.  I tried using the controls from the GR-55 to the HD500 and the other way around, but they seem to be "too different" to easily set up MIDI TX messages from one to the other for additional controls.  I guess I'm just too old-fashioned and when MIDI was invented, I never truly got that into it's uses beyond changing patches on all units connected and mapped correctly.

           

          Although with the GR-55 "swap" patch ability, I've not even had to map anything.  I find a patch on the GR I like to go with the HD500, then what ever number pops up on the GR, that is the patch number I swap the real sound I want in that slot.  Makes things really easy for me.

           

          It's interesting to read how and why you use the GR unit.  I use it in a completely different way as I like the sounds from the HD500 as well as the GR-55.  I just combine the sounds I like from both and just use the volume pedal to fade in or out the GR sounds.  I even have a second GR unit for my 6-string bass where I play horn parts, keys, strings, etc. while playing my bass line.  I've finally gotten the hang of how to use the one control switch to my benefit as well as the toe switch of the volume pedal.  Those are the only controls i can actually work while playing, and it's doing well enough to keep me, the band, and most importantly...the audience happy.  It does take a toll on my right leg and foot from standing like a Flamingo most of the night!!  LOL

           

          Good to see you on here VL - it's nice to have a pleasant conversation without the drama of others here.

           

          Take care,

          Neal

          • variaxlover Just Startin' 323 posts since
            May 19, 2007
            Currently Being Moderated
            May 2, 2012 9:55 AM (in response to MerlinFL)
            Re: Two?

            Hey Neal, thanks for the messages . . .  but I'm still confused about how you use the GR-55 with the HD500.  You said "I find a patch on the GR I like to go with the HD500, then what ever number pops up on the GR, that is the patch number I swap the real sound I want in that slot."   This sounds like you are controlling the GR sound by choosing an HD500 patch, correct?  I've never tried that and would like more detail if possible.  I know I can use the HD500 to control the GR through MIDI, but then I'm no longer changing the HD500's patches.  How can you do both?

            • Iknowathingortwo 1,667 posts since
              Jul 17, 2007
              Currently Being Moderated
              May 2, 2012 1:26 PM (in response to variaxlover)
              Re: Two?

              variaxlover wrote:

               

              Hey Neal, thanks for the messages . . .  but I'm still confused about how you use the GR-55 with the HD500.  You said "I find a patch on the GR I like to go with the HD500, then what ever number pops up on the GR, that is the patch number I swap the real sound I want in that slot."   This sounds like you are controlling the GR sound by choosing an HD500 patch, correct?  I've never tried that and would like more detail if possible.  I know I can use the HD500 to control the GR through MIDI, but then I'm no longer changing the HD500's patches.  How can you do both?

              Yes - I have the MIDI out from the HD500 to the MIDI of the GR.  I've worked for years (since 2003) writing, tweaking, etc. patches that started on my Vetta and are still on my Vetta in the slots and banks I've always used.

               

              When the HD500 and PRO came along, I went with the HD500 first simply as an interface between my new JTV guitar and my Vetta.  Since the Vetta can't save or recall JTV guitar patches, I needed something that would and still be able to use my Vetta.  That was how this whole Dream rig thing started for me long before it was labeled the Dream Rig by Line 6.

               

              Using the HD500 as the controller to change my guitars to match my Vetta patches, I used both the VDI for my guitar and MIDI to the Vetta from my HD500 to accomplish this.  Then when I began to learn how the HD500 worked, I started creating patches around the patches I already had on my Vetta.  Some patches are newer sounding version of identical patches on the Vetta, others are complimentary sounds, FX, and other HD500 features the Vetta didn't have and I still had all 80 amps/cabs plus all the FX inside my Vetta combo working together.  Added the pair of DT50 1x12, and that is where my Pyramid of Line 6 amps came together.

               

              I wrote all this to give you the best info possible why I've chosen to do what i have with the gear from L6, plus now with the GR added in.

               

              Using the same thinking and "formula", I spent hours going through all the patches, learning how to manipulate them in the slots they arrived out of the box.  Once I was happy with enough GR patches (about a dozen or so), I then started connecting the HD500 out to the GR MIDI in between the HD500 & my Vetta.  The GR MIDI out isn't a "true" thru, but if you choose to "ignore" all but the program cange info out, then it works perfectly.

               

              Now onto why I am using the HD500 to control GR patch changes is because the GR has that wonderful saving feature called "SWAP".  This way I never destroy or erase any patch on the GR unit, but I just move them around to match up with the patch/bank places on the HD500 which does not have a swap feature.  Also since 2003, I've been using the same patches in the same locations, it's very easy for me to know exactly where any patch I need is on any of the Line 6 gear because of what I started out with so long ago and kept with all newer gear after that.

               

              Example:

              • HD500 Bank 10-slot C has always been one of my main Marshall amp sounds.
              • Attach MIDI cable from HD500 OUT to GR IN.
              • Go into GR EDIT and select MIDI
              • Disable all TX IN & OUT controls and only allow RX Patch Change IN & OUT controls on default MIDI channel 1
              • Patch on GR-55 that works well with my Marshall 10C patch is currently at GR-55 location 7A
              • Look at the patch number that comes up when HD500 10C is selected
              • Hit WRITE on GR, then using the arrow buttons, select SWAP instead of SAVE
              • Remembering that GR slot number from selecting 10C on HD500, SWAP whatever is there for the patch you want to line up with 10C
              • Now push WRITE or ENTER, and you've swapped GR patches and now you have the correct GR-55 patch matching up with the HD500 patch.

               

              If you wish to take this one step further - you can use a second MIDI cable to come back to the GR unit and then you can have the exact same patch changing control from the GR as you do with the HD500.  If you have the typical GK-3 mounted, you can even change HD500 patches from there if you want to.  This is just a simple MIDI loop that allows the patch change communication to work in both directions if you need such flexibility.

               

              In my Pyramid, I can change all my patches from any of the three units I have tied MIDI together.  So whatever pedalboard is closest or even with the GK-3 pick-up I can change all three units at the same time, while keeping all pedalboard functions independent for my purposes.  It looks very crazy and confusing to anyone else, but it work well for me in my various performance situations.

               

              I hope this was helpful and clear enough to be followed with causing confusion.  My methodology is certainly not for everyone, but I have always tried to be consistent with all things that have proven to work.  Like running PA, I always use the same channels on any board I'm working with for the same instruments.  This way I don't have to search for anything because I will always put the kick drum in the same place as is the bass, or lead vox, etc.

               

              Best of luck and please write back and let me know how it worked out for you.

               

              If it's still not clear, perhaps we could call each other and maybe talking through it would get it done if this doesn't work for you.

               

              Take care,

              Neal

              • variaxlover Just Startin' 323 posts since
                May 19, 2007
                Currently Being Moderated
                May 2, 2012 1:48 PM (in response to MerlinFL)
                Re: Two?

                Now we're talkin'! Thanks so much Neal for sharing this information!  I had never used MIDI until I tried using a previous HD500 to changes patches on the GR-55 last year, so it is a confusing new world to me.  Recently I've used a couple of different MIDI controllers with the GR-55 but thought it would be great to combine the effects and other features of an HD500 with the great sounds I'm getting from the GR-55.  Your detailed instructions are EXACTLY what I've been looking for.  (One minor detail -- I think it's called "exchange" rather than "swap".  I've used that a lot already.)

                 

                Have rehearsal tonight, a birthday party tomorrow and another rehearsal Saturday, so I won't be able to try this until Sunday, but I will report back on my success.  Forming a brand new band on Monday night and just might be debuting this technology with them.

                 

                Thanks again Neal!!!

                • Iknowathingortwo 1,667 posts since
                  Jul 17, 2007
                  Currently Being Moderated
                  May 2, 2012 2:19 PM (in response to variaxlover)
                  Re: Two?

                  variaxlover wrote:

                   

                  Now we're talkin'! Thanks so much Neal for sharing this information!  (One minor detail -- I think it's called "exchange" rather than "swap".  I've used that a lot already.)


                  Have rehearsal tonight, a birthday party tomorrow and another rehearsal Saturday, so I won't be able to try this until Sunday, but I will report back on my success.  Forming a brand new band on Monday night and just might be debuting this technology with them.

                   

                  Thanks again Neal!!!

                   

                  You're very welcome!!  Just glad I could help.

                   

                  Sorry I used the ZOOM brand word for this feature (SWAP) instead of the Roland word (EXCHANGE) for the same feature.  Too bad Line 6 and other music companies don't offer ths very handy feature.  My bad for using the wrong terminology, but I'm glad you understood my meaning.

                   

                  Good luck with all your gigs and your brand new band.  I wish I was playing in it unless you're doing Thrash Metal Polkas?

                   

                  Take care,

                  Neal

  • Iknowathingortwo 1,667 posts since
    Jul 17, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 27, 2012 4:57 PM (in response to sdunmire)
    Re: Two?

    sdunmire wrote:

     

    Let me start off by saying that I am a proud owner of a JTV-59 and absolutely love it.

     

    I have set off on a quest to buy a strat and have had a hard time finding one I like.  While feeling frustrated over this, I picked up the JTV-69 at my local music store and was pleasantly surprised at the sound of the mags and the playability on the 69.  Would it be too weird to own TWO Variaxes?

    Okay - so WHO gets the "correct answer"???  LOL  I'm really just kidding. 

     

    This has been fun reading other "strange" players other than myself doing tons of "out-of-the-box" thinking and creative uses for new

    and older Line 6 gear.

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