roscoe5

Ah, so Glenn did use an IR approach to simulate different pickups. Cool.

Maybe someone here with a Variax JTV59 (closest to a PRS C24), Helix, and some IR creation chops could try capturing both the mag signal of the Variax and the Variax ES 335 model simultaneously and deconvolve them into an IR. I have a JTV69, so I don't think the resulting IR would work quite as well. Not sure how the IR would turn out since the mag signal isnt used to create the Variax modeled sound, the piezo bridge is. But it could be fun to try.

The Accugroove FRFR line seem to be the best solution for guitar and bass that I have found, in research anyway. Pretty pricy though, especially for the active models. An Espresso or two are definitely on my wishlist. http://www.accugroovellc.com/frfr

Maybe you've already researched, but there is some good info out there on the MB VLE filter. https://www.talkbass.com/threads/markbass-minimark-150-what-are-the-vle-and-vpf-filters.484022/ You might just try the parametric EQ block and adjust the high cut to taste. From the article above, it seems the VLE filter may have worked like a high cut ranging from 20kHz to 200Hz between it's min and Max settings. Maybe you could get your soft clip from the Obsidian 7000. Being a former Markbass user, I'm finding some familiar territory with it. I don't use Helix bass amps and cabs live direct to PA, just that Obsidian 7000 and some effects. Similar to the way I used to use my MB pedal chain.

I don't know about emulating the MB Super Booster. I used a MB Super Booster, Compressore, Mini Distortion, and Super Synth direct to PA for years. The Helix Obsidian 7000 (Dark Glass) preamp, LA Comp compressor, and various synths, filters, and distortions have replaced them. Have you tried the Obsidian 7000 as a bass preamp yet?

Man, if I bought one to have a backup, I think I might gig the LT and leave the OG Helix hooked up at home.

Man what a blast last night. So many sounds at the fingertips. No blisters on the fingers either thanks to the compressors and Obsidian pedal/preamp. We were definitely in experimental mode too. Got to use all the effects.

I'm taking Helix out for an acoustic duo (pop-alt-jam stuff) with my upright bass tonight. Updated Helix to 2.20 and built up a new patch. '56 Kay upright with Schaller magnetic + K&K piezo>stereo cable to Helix>y-spliter>Helix Guitar+Aux>Gain and LA Comp on each path tuned and leveled>Obsidian 7000 (distortion off) All I can say is wow! The Obsidian 7000 kills the Studio Pre for my URB and the mix of pickups. There is such an evenness, smoothness and punch. I can plan with a lot lighter touch. I totally ditched the K&K blending preamp and took it off my bass bridge. I've got some wah, distortion, delay, reverb, pitch shifter, and filter loaded up too in case we get wacky tonight. Awesome update Line 6! Edit: Totally forgot about the 3 Sigma German Upright IR's. They sound great with the K&K piezo and just a touch of mag. Will be good for the jazz gigs and mellow stuffs. 2nd Edit: Bless you Line 6 for putting the mix in the IR block! I kicked on the IR and mixed it 50%. Now have piezo, IR (mic'd sound), and mag all mixed in. Best URB sound I have ever had!

I like it too, and it gives me some hope for a bit more longevity of Variax HD tech and my JTV-69. I'm betting $1200 like the JTV-89. Although it doesn't have a Floyd Rose, so maybe $999? Wonder if there will be any processor improvements in this model. I like the sound of the Variax HD models, but the latency of alternate and detunings is annoying. Maybe that's why they made a baritone for the tech metal guys. Precision is key for that stuff.

Yeah, I was wondering if they announced any Variax HD updates with the Stevic model coming out.

Was there anything announced Variax HD firmware updates with the release of the Stevic Variax?

Just tried the the Allure pack and they sound great as well. It is great to see Line 6 provide some free IR's themselves of some great sample cabs. This could really help a new Helix user struggling with the HX cabs that is not familiar with IR's...i.e. me this time last year. I personally do like the Celestion V30 412 pack better than the Allure V30, but quality is equal. It's just personal taste. The a dual 412 Cali V30 HX Cab with dual mics and the right parametric eq settings is on par with both. It ALL good :)

Well this pretty much puts everything I loved about the old Eleven Rack system into Helix now and more. Thanks again Line 6! P.S. My JTV Variax says hello and thank you too :)

Thank you Line 6!!! Bass players unite!!!

Shuriken!!! (my 5yo son loves to shout this in Nerf battles as he nails me with one) http://www.guitarworld.com/gear-news-electrics/namm-2017-line-6-unveils-limited-edition-variax-shuriken-guitar/30540

Fender Showman amps in the video? I think the (Mosrite?) guitar types are contributing a lot to the tone too. http://www.wilsonguitarventures.com

Wow. No mics in the drums either. Why are we killing ourselves with all these channels and effects! Let's put one stereo condenser or ribbon mic in the middle of the stage and be done with it!

These Celestion IRs just came out this week. I have a JBL Eon and it is very difficult to get anything to sound good through it, including Helix cabs, Ownhamer, 3Sigma, Redwirez, etc. I popped these in today and they worked great with that JBL Eon speaker right off the bat. I don't feel compelled to go drop $1000+ in a specialized FRFR guitar cab now. Haven't gigged with them yet though, but I think they will be great. You can get single cab packs for 50% off...$6 each. They have a free demo V30 1x12 cab too. https://www.celestionplus.com/ It's funny that I can get a patch sounding great with Ownhammer IRs through headphones and studio monitors, but then sounds weird through the JBLs, which is what we use for live mains and monitors. I actually thought the Celestion IRs sounded thinner than the Ownhammer IRs through headphones, but they work better with my JBLs...go figure.

I'm sure all our wallets will be hurting after NAMM. I really do like celestions approach. Even with Helix cabs, I find myself picking cabs based on speaker type rather than cab manufacturer.

Oh, now these IR's may make a piezo acoustic bass guitar sound more like a URB. I don't have one anymore to test. Even if it didnt take an ABG all the way to URB territory, I bet it would make the piezo signal sound much better. Dang I'm missing my old Tacoma now! I just went to playing URB for acoustic gigs and never took it out.

Okay thanks. I see you can import wav to sysex, but not export sysex to wav. Makes sense. http://www.fractalaudio.com/downloads/cab-lab/Cab-Lab-3-Manual.pdf I've heard some good things about the ML Audio IR's, but cannot find them in wav format, just Fractal cab packs. Oh well, I'm about IR'd out for now anyway.

Hey Spikey, can you export WAV files from Cab Lab 3?

http://guitarsformusicians.com/shuriken-guitars-boutique-guitars-with-variax-technology/ http://ultimateguitars.net/?p=428 http://line6.com/support/topic/11587-yamaha-variax-left-handed/ Looks like Line 6 and Shuriken Guitars may have been collaborating for a while. Check out the Variax tech on this Shuriken guitar from a year ago. https://www.facebook.com/shurikenguitars

That is a sexy rig sir!

I cant seem to use the coupon again. I get this message... "Coupon usage limit has been reached." However, I went to the site in IE logged out and I am able to apply the coupon to multiple cabs. I logged in to check out and the coupon was removed with this message... "Sorry, it seems the coupon "namm17" is invalid - it has now been removed from your order". So I guess if you want multiple different single cab packs, get them in a batch the first time.