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1760 Views 7 Replies Latest reply: Feb 17, 2011 2:45 AM by JellyWheat RSS
edmaestro Just Startin'
edmaestro
4 posts since
Feb 13, 2011
Currently Being Moderated

Feb 16, 2011 8:25 AM

Problem using Variax 600 with other effects

I'm plugging my Variax 600 into the XPS A/B, then out the 1/4" jack into my amp via an effects box, namely a Boss GT-10. Using this setup, many of the GT-10's effect don't work properly, or at all. Would this problem disappear if I used battery power instead of the XPS A/B? Is there some other way I should set this system up?


Thanks!

Tags: variax, trouble, power, problems, 600
  • JellyWheat Gear Head
    JellyWheat
    1,220 posts since
    Aug 18, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 16, 2011 8:39 AM (in response to edmaestro)
    Re: Problem using Variax 600 with other effects

    It is very possible that the 9vAC @ 2000mA being supplied by the TRS output of the XPS is interfering with the operation of your pedal. You should be routing this effect through the effects loop on your amp, and not trying to insert it between the XPS and your Variax. If your amp doesn't have an effects loop, you may be stuck having to use battery power. [Line 6 amps are fully compatible with Variax, and model every desirable guitar effect known to man, BTW.]

     

    Remember that if you are using the XPS to power your guitar, the battery pack should be removed from the guitar.

     

    Regards,

    JellyWheat

     

     

    [PS: Check over your GT-10 carefully when you try it on batteries, and hope that you haven't fried anything by having applied a power source to your input!]

    • edmaestro Just Startin'
      edmaestro
      4 posts since
      Feb 13, 2011
      Currently Being Moderated
      Feb 16, 2011 9:59 AM (in response to JellyWheat)
      Re: Problem using Variax 600 with other effects

      Thanks, JellyWheat, for a helpful and informative answer.

       

      It does take me by surprise, though, that the power boost should be coming out of the XPS output, since it's supposed to be going back to power the guitar.  Also, I've taken a look at the Variax 600 manual, and it clearly suggests going from the XPS 1/4" output and into effects boxes and then to the amp. That wouldn't lead me to anticipate getting my device fried.

       

      But I will check out my GT-10 to make sure nothing bad happened to it!


      Thanks again!

       

      edmaestro

    • JellyWheat Gear Head
      JellyWheat
      1,220 posts since
      Aug 18, 2008
      Currently Being Moderated
      Feb 16, 2011 10:10 AM (in response to JellyWheat)
      Re: (8>*}... I don't know where my head is at today!

      If you are plugging the OUTPUT from the XPS into the GT-10 using a standard 1/4" cable, and then running the effect pedal into the amp, you shouldn't have a problem. Somehow, I envisioned in my addled brain today that you were trying to insert the GT-10 into the signal chain between the Variax and the XPS, in which case my prior observations would be valid.

       

      If, on the other hand, the chain is:

       

      Variax-->XPS-->GT-10-->amp

       

       

      ... then I have no explanation to offer about why some of the GT-10 effects might not be working. The only thing I can hypothesize is that the power supply is not producing exactly the voltage needed by the Variax board to operate optimally. I have had to replace a couple of brand-new XPS Minis because they were not putting out enough juice. Usually, the symptom of this is dropouts and wierd noises from the Variax, but - who knows - ... Perhaps the output signal from the XPS is not at a high enough voltage to conform to the GT-10's input stage tolerances for some effects, and hence the sporadic operation.

       

      I'll let others with more knowledge and more active brain cells than I seem to have today take up this torch...

       

       

      Sorry for any confusion I may have caused.

      JellyWheat

      • edmaestro Just Startin'
        edmaestro
        4 posts since
        Feb 13, 2011
        Currently Being Moderated
        Feb 16, 2011 10:38 AM (in response to JellyWheat)
        Re: (8>*}... I don't know where my head is at today!

        Yes, my chain is indeed:    Variax-->XPS-->GT-10-->amp

        All the modeled sounds from the Variax are coming through perfectly.  It' just the GT-10 that's acting funny.  When I get home later (I hate having to work for a living!), I will fool around with different settings, such as using batteries instead of the XPS, using a different (boring) guitar, etc. and will repost with results.

        Much obliged for your attention to this.

        edmaestro

        • JellyWheat Gear Head
          JellyWheat
          1,220 posts since
          Aug 18, 2008
          Currently Being Moderated
          Feb 16, 2011 10:43 AM (in response to edmaestro)
          Re: (8>*}... I don't know where my head is at today!

          OK... amx05462 will be around this evening, and so will I for at least a little while. He will have some good ideas, and perhaps you will have been able to "zero in" on some detailed descriptions of symptoms that will take us all to the next level.

           

          TTYL

          JellyWheat

          • edmaestro Just Startin'
            edmaestro
            4 posts since
            Feb 13, 2011
            Currently Being Moderated
            Feb 16, 2011 7:36 PM (in response to JellyWheat)
            Problem solved: Bad cable!!

            OK, I had a bad patch cord going from the GT-10 to my amp, and when I replaced it, the effects sounded just as they should. I was able to get so many variations with the Variax models, my head is still spinning!

             

            Jellywheat, thanks so much for your time and help.  Line 6, thanks so much for providing this forum!

             

            Edmaestro

            • JellyWheat Gear Head
              JellyWheat
              1,220 posts since
              Aug 18, 2008
              Currently Being Moderated
              Feb 17, 2011 2:45 AM (in response to edmaestro)
              Re: Problem solved: Bad cable!!

              Glad to help, Edmeastro, and gladder still that your problems are solved. It just goes to show that good cables do make a big difference in sound quality. I have learned not to scrimp on them in the studio, even though good cables cost a fair bit more.

               

              Congratulations.

              JellyWheat

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