Control Varian from computer

[Snowskull]

Hi, what is the cheapest and easiest way to control a JTVariax from sound booth? (i.e. to switch between acoustic and Spank - as an example). Need to help guitarist with timing and patch changes. We have none of the effect pedals. Just the cord to update the JTV. Would appreciate some great advices on the matter.  Holiday Greetings from Lapland. /Snowskull

[silverhead]

The easiest way I can think of is to have a computer in the sound booth connected to the JTV using the interface cord/device that came with the JTV. You may need a usb extension cable if the distance from guitar to computer is longer than the provided interface cable. You can then run Workbench HD on the computer and use it to control the Variax.

 

Note that patch changing won't be instantaneous as it is if you just do it on the JTV. It will take some milliseconds - maybe approaching a full second - for the remote control via Workbench to take effect. Whether and how much this may hinder what you want to do, I can't say.

[shawnmx]

It's been stated elsewhere on this forum that running cables into a Variax's digital input and its 1/4" input simultaneously will eventually fry the guitar's electronics. This has been brought up in cases where someone wants to connect both types of cables to a device like POD or Helix. Maybe it'd behave differently with the digital input connected to a computer instead but beware of the risk.

[silverhead]

I don't think there's any risk in using the 1/4" Variax output when running Workbench using its hardware interface device to a computer. The risk is when using the JTV 1/4" output when its VDI is connected to a compatible Line 6 pedal (of which the OP says he has none).

[Charlie_Watt]

My experience is that you get some noise when running the Variax connected through USB so I would not recommend doing that.  Teach the guy to switch patches himself while playing.

[brue58ski]

Or get an HD500 or 500X. Even a POD X3 or XT will work with the JTV although it doesn't work completely with those two. You have to jump through a hoop or two to save the guitar's model to a patch but it can be done.  By switching patches you can switch between guitars. As has been stated above, you can't use both the USB connection and the 1/4" at the same time. Noise and the possibility of frying the guitar's circuits.

[Snowskull]

All right, thanks so far! Just to be sure: I can use the Helix to (with footswitch ease...) change to any instrument on the Variax without delay - even tweaked presets with preset volume - when mid-song changing from rhytm acoustic to howling solo within a beat...?

[Rewolf48]

Yes you can use the Helix (with the latest firmware) to do this, but you can also do this with an HD500X or HD500.

 

If you are looking for cheap then a used HD500 + VDI cable is the best way to go, if you are looking for a warranty then it depends on budget as Helix is about 2.5x the price of an HD500X.

 

With the HD boxes if you use magnetics for the electric sounds and models for the acoustics then you can have both in a single patch and just use a switch to go between them or you can cross-fade with an expression pedal.  Using a single patch means that you can have trails on any effects you are using - using electric and acoustic models means changing patches so delay trails will be cut short (imagine end of solo and last note fades out after acoustic guitar is playing).

 

Helix at this point in time is the same functionality as HD, but there is a possibility that Helix will be enhanced so that you can press a switch to change models (as well as switch the active path).  What you get with Helix is more processing power so it runs more detailed models and you can have a lot more in a single patch.