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Up to Discussions in Variax Guitars / Bass / Workbench
148 Views 9 Replies Latest reply: Feb 2, 2013 12:46 PM by amx05462 RSS
codamedia Just Startin'
codamedia
14 posts since
Nov 30, 2011
Currently Being Moderated

Feb 2, 2013 7:55 AM

Variax 300 VDI Port Died suddenly

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).

Tags: vdi, workbench, xps, 300, power, broken
  • amx05462 Power User
    amx05462
    3,495 posts since
    Sep 1, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 2, 2013 8:18 AM (in response to codamedia)
    Re: Variax 300 VDI Port Died suddenly

    you have eliminated the  guitar having a problem by  both cases  where it  does  work fine  by what you said.  id  say its  the power   connection from your pedal.  look in that connector  for  one of the  connector  wires  to be lower than the rest.   if so your not getting power  from your pedal. theres a couple of fixes  for that   on here.

    • codamedia Just Startin'
      codamedia
      14 posts since
      Nov 30, 2011
      Currently Being Moderated
      Feb 2, 2013 9:32 AM (in response to amx05462)
      Re: Variax 300 VDI Port Died suddenly

      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.

    • codamedia Just Startin'
      codamedia
      14 posts since
      Nov 30, 2011
      Currently Being Moderated
      Feb 2, 2013 9:36 AM (in response to amx05462)
      Re: Variax 300 VDI Port Died suddenly

      @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

      • amx05462 Power User
        amx05462
        3,495 posts since
        Sep 1, 2008
        Currently Being Moderated
        Feb 2, 2013 9:45 AM (in response to codamedia)
        Re: Variax 300 VDI Port Died suddenly

        when  you said  it  works fine  on batteries  and also with the  xps mini  and   its cables   i thought  you meant  you were  sending  sound  through  that to your computer  or amp  or pedal.   what im getting    now  is that   its  just powered  through  either  batteries   or the xps. power  supply. in which case   then it could be at the guitar .  if  your saying  you get sound from  the  1/4  output  but not the  xps   then it could be the  guitar connection.     but  i based   my conclusion  on whatyou originally said.  either  way  the compressed   connector   on either  the  guitar  or  on the  pedal  seems  to have been a common problem a few  years  back. so  id  look into all those connectors.  . all it  ever  was     was  one  wire  that was  stuck  low  and didnt  connect.  id  check every  one  that you  have   .. just to be   sure.

        • codamedia Just Startin'
          codamedia
          14 posts since
          Nov 30, 2011
          Currently Being Moderated
          Feb 2, 2013 10:59 AM (in response to amx05462)
          Re: Variax 300 VDI Port Died suddenly

          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

          • amx05462 Power User
            amx05462
            3,495 posts since
            Sep 1, 2008
            Currently Being Moderated
            Feb 2, 2013 11:11 AM (in response to codamedia)
            Re: Variax 300 VDI Port Died suddenly

            well if  you have verified  all connections  with a meter..   and  they all verify from the  main board  to the  other  end  of the plugged  in  vdi cable....  its not the vdi socket at all.  if you cant  go from the  socket to  the other  end  of the plugged  in cable  then its  the socket. if you can go from the main board connector  to  the outer  end  of the plugged  in  cable  its  not the  socket  so from that pount  you have to look at the  connections  on the main board   possibly a resistor.  i recall  someone  with a burnt  resistor  at one time..  i believe  that  had  to get sent  out  to the company..    but thats  what id do next . unplug  the vdi connection to the main board  and  check from that connector to the  other  end of the plugged  in vdi cable

            • codamedia Just Startin'
              codamedia
              14 posts since
              Nov 30, 2011
              Currently Being Moderated
              Feb 2, 2013 12:04 PM (in response to amx05462)
              Re: Variax 300 VDI Port Died suddenly

              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!

            • codamedia Just Startin'
              codamedia
              14 posts since
              Nov 30, 2011
              Currently Being Moderated
              Feb 2, 2013 12:27 PM (in response to amx05462)
              Re: Variax 300 VDI Port Died suddenly

              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.

              • amx05462 Power User
                amx05462
                3,495 posts since
                Sep 1, 2008
                Currently Being Moderated
                Feb 2, 2013 12:46 PM (in response to codamedia)
                Re: Variax 300 VDI Port Died suddenly

                well best of luck with it. btw  while your in there  you  might  want to  insulate that coffin case  from the main board   alot  of people  had problems  in that area  as well. you can  either  get some  of that liquid  electrical tape  and  paint the inside  with that or  just spray it with a couple of coats  of nonconductive paint.   i dont  think this is  part of your problem  but again while your in there  why not  kill two birds  with one stone.. theres a bunch of past posts  on that issue    on this  site..  you might find them under  the dreaded  coffin case  problem or something  like that as i recall.

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