Mturner

As a test, I created a new patch from scratch (cleverly named "Test") with almost nothing in it except Variax model changes on three snapshots (using the same models as the Come To Me patch).

This one works perfectly which makes me think it's not the Variax but something odd with the Come To Me patch in the Helix.

Test M.hlx

Wasn't sure whether to post in the Helix or the Variax forum but I think this is a Helix issue so here goes....

I posted about this a while back but switched to bass for a while and just didn't worry about it, figured 2.6 might fix it but it didn't.

Running Helix 2.6 firmware and HX Edit 2.6 with a JTV-69S Variax.

I have a patch (attached) that uses snapshots to recall three different Variax models during the course of a song.

It loads with "Semi-3" selected in the first snapshot ("Intro").

The second snapshot ("Chorus"), should recall "Lester-1".

The third snapshot ("LaLa") recalls "Acoustic-3".

When I use these snapshots, I can see the model selection changing in the Variax section of the Helix exactly as they should.

However, the second snapshot says it recalled "Lester-1" but the guitar (a JTV-69S)  is loading "Acoustic-1" instead. I knew the sound was different than the Lester-1 I wanted and I realized that if I moved the 5-way selector switch (regardless of where the bank selector knob was), the Helix started indicating Acoustic models. It's like the Helix selected the wrong bank on the Variax. Thru a little experimenting I realized the sound I was getting was Acoustic-1.

And...if I go back to Snapshot 1 ("Intro") after selecting either of the other snapshots, I get Acoustic-3 instead of Semi-3 even though the Helix says it selected Semi-3.

I can create other patches that recall "Lester-1" just fine but this one just doesn't want to do it.

Anybody out there have a Variax who would try this patch and see what it does for you? I'm trying to figure out if it's the Helix or the guitar.

Come To Me 2 M.hlx

FWIW, I am on 2.6 and I do still see Don't Force as the first position in the model selection on both the Heiix and in HX Edit.

It's the first item in the Preset Variax Model list.

Weird that you don't see it.

No, this happens every time on this preset.

If that case were true, then setting the guitar model back when I return to the Sanpshot would correct the issue. I tried that and nothing changes. WHen I switch away and come back, the model is wrong.

The other tidbit is that if I look at the Variax model setting on the Helix, it is correct. i.e. the Helix thiks it recalled the right model but the guitar is obviously pulling up the wrong model based on the tones I hear. These two acoustic models are easy to differentiate by sound.

I'm having issues too and opened up a ticket a few weeks ago. They told me I wasn't storing snapshots correctly but I was doing exactly what they instructed.

I have a preset that defaults to Snapshot 3 with a Variax model (Acoustic-1). I can switch snapshots to other models jsut fine but when I come back to snapshot-3 it recalls acoustic-5. Really weird.

Since things sound right through your headphones and at practice, is it possible that there is a gate on the FOH mixer at your gig?   I've had sound guys do that on guitars when they are used to hearing hum from a high gain tube amp. Unfortunately it will do exactly what you are describing and choke your sustain.

Edit: I re-read your post and saw there is a gate on FOH. If it's really set that low then you shouldn't need it anyway. Turn that off and check phantom power.

And if you are using your XLR outs, make sure the FOH is NOT sending you phantom power. That does weird things to the Helix.

I have a 69S and on that, the selector switch appears to have a second pole to signal the DSP. So, it could be that the second pole on your switch is damaged or it could be that a connector has come loose inside the guitar. Just a guess...

And on the trem taking you out of tune. Yep, that's common.    On a 69S, just like a Strat, that will be tough to cure completely.

Make sure the strings and nut slots match. You want the strings to move freely over the nut but not buzz.  The 69S has a Graphtec nut so it should not need lubrication (other nuts usually get a little graphite from a pencil lead to help lubricate).

Make sure you don't have a multiple wraps on your tuning pegs. The extra turns will keep the strings from returning to tension repeatably. That's where the locking tuners help.

And finally, go easy on the trem.  If you want to do full on dive bombs your going to need a Floyd Rose setup like the 89f to stay in tune. I have a 69S and 2 Strats. I blocked the trem on one Strat and on the other guitars I use it for subtle vibrato.

Easy mistake.

The locking knobs should always be tight unless you're changing strings.

"Locking" is a bit of a misnomer as the tuners don't lock in place, they just lock the string end into the tuning peg.

The advantage is that you don't have to have multiple turns of string around your tuning pegs and as a result you get better tuning stability.

That and you can change strings a lot faster!  :)

The pickups don't put a load on the Helix input.  The Helix puts a load on the guitar pickups, that's what the Helix input impedance parameter adjusts. It's not sensing the pickups.

So, the Helix won't care if your input is coming from a wireless system as long as the signal levels are in the right range (guitar or aux).

What you will lose with a wireless system is the ability to control the load on the guitar pickups (with the Helix) which affects their tone. 

I just put in a set of DiMarzio Area pickups. A 58 in the neck and middle and a 61 in the bridge on my 69s.

I needed noiseless pickups.  I'm still playing with the pickups and the Helix but I think they'll work out.

If you do this yourself, the pickguard comes off pretty easily but there is a ground wire that runs from the 5-way switch to a screw in the body cavity. You need to be very careful not to break that wire so it may be easiest to remove the ground screw so you can move the pickguard more easily.

The pickups connect to a printed circuit board on the 5-way switch. I ended up cutting the existing wires on the bridge pickup and splicing them to the new one becasue they were a little hard to get to on the circuit board.  The neck and middle pickup connection points were easier to get to. You'll need some solder wick and/or a solder sucker pump to clean out the circuit board holes if you want to go direct to the board.

Everything in the cavity was neat and tidy. They used nylon cable ties in key locations so you'll have to carefully cut those away to change out the pickup.

One thing I saw on the forums was that the circuitry in the JTVs is expecting pickups with a DC resistance of 6K-8Kohms. I found that many bridge pickups have a hgher DC resistance than this but without a schematic, I'm not sure what issues that might cause. Just something to keep in mind when you choose a pickup.

Mark

Thanks.  The alt-left-click was in HX Edit.   I had been assigning a variax model and found I could use the guitar toggle switch ( and rear knob ) to change models, but what I wanted was for the guitar model to change to something specific when I activated the snapshot switch on the Helix.

I may be stating the obvious but this does work if you are connected with a VDI cable. You also need to make sure your Variax settings are "Per Preset" instead of "Global".

Awesome!  Glad you got it working!

Mark

Right, my hope though is to have the capo'd tuning "ONLY" for the acoustic. When I leave that snapshot I want to be in regular tuning. How can I get it to release that tuning when I leave that snapshot? I tinkered putting a tuning in a different snapshot but that took over the tuning in the acoustic snap shot. Needing these to be independent/per snapshot

 

Dave

Do you see white brackets around the string tuning parameters?  You have to assign them to snapshots (that's what will make the brackets appear). What you are describing sounds like the strings are not assigned to snapshots and so they are changing for the whole preset instead of for a specific snapshot.

One you go to custom tuning you are "all in".

Goto the string parameters and assign them to snapshots as the controller (just like you did on the model).

Do that for all six strings.

Then set the tuning values to 0 for standard tuning in the appropriate snapshots.

You need to watch out going to other presets too. The default value for Preset Variax Tuning is "Don't Force". So, if you are on your drop-D acoustic and then switch presets, you'll still be in Drop D unless you set the new preset to Custom tuning and set standard tuning values.

And... your Variax must be connected with a VDI cable in order for this to work.

Do the parameters show brackets around them now? That's the key to snapshots.

If so, then set the parameters how you want them for snapshot 1(Acoustic-5 for the model). Save the preset.

Next, select Snapshot 2.  Set the parameters the way you want them for snapshot 2, Lester-1 for example. Save the preset.

Now, if you alternately select snapshot 1 and 2 you should get two different guitar  models.

Using the same approach, you can turn blocks on and off separately in each snapshot. That's one way to make your signal chain match the model you are using.

You are almost there.

Use the 4-way knob to go down to Preset Variax Model. Press down the model select knob and turn it (don't hold it down too long before turning). White square brackets will appear around the model name. Once the brackets are there, the parameter value is saved with each snapshot.

Do the same thing with each of the 6 string tunings and those will be saved too.

Just realized you are in HX Edit, right click each parameter (model, string, etc) for a list of controllers. You should see "snapshots" as an option. Select that. You should then see the square brackets around the parameter.

Thx, but I keep getting this error in the file. Tried it on this one as well as the other time you attached it. :-(

 

Well I can't figure out how to attach a pic, but it says failed to import preset, a model used in the preset is not recognized code -8312

 

Dave

Hmm, well that's no fun :) Are you running 2.50 firmware on your Helix?

Or,  I think I used a "/" in a scribble strip name ("Dot 1/8 Dly") maybe Helix doesn't like that...

Dave,

I posted this preset on the Helix Worship group on FB. (remove the .txt extension)

One small change would let you add the capo tunings to that.

I found that using snapshots was the easiest way to accomplish this.

I ran my chain on the same path so I could use the same volume pedal, delays, reverbs, etc.

The snapshots select the Variax model and also turn respective blocks on and off.

On the Helix or in HEX Edit you can assign the tuning offsets to snapshots as well for the virtual capo.

Mark

Come To Me M.hlx.txt