codamedia

Thanks to both of you for confirming... it's not a big deal, I was just checking to see if there was a trick I wasn't aware of. I can certainly find something I can use with the pedal steel for one block... surely I can make do with 8 effects in path A - LOL!

Judging by the embedded thread below, as of Rev 2.5 the HX will not recognize a toe switch. There is an "auto engage" option for the wah that you may be able to incorporate... but I'm not sure how you would go from VOL to WAH with that without dedicating another switch.

I just see it as another option... especially since they have given it the "taper option". You only need to utilize a Volume Pedal block if it is important to you. I believe you alluded to this already, but I'll expand. If you don't have a spare block, you can always assign an expression pedal to the output of any given effect which will pretty much accomplish the same thing... but that will always be linear! If that works for a particular user... great, but if a user needs a LOG taper, the volume pedal block is a great option.

Good suggestions to try... thank you. To be honest, I don't know if the latency is introduced by the HX or the HD. I won't have access to either for a few days but I will do some troubleshooting as soon as I get a chance.

OK, I see the "why" now :) There is no way the trem can "feel" your playing and pick a start time from that... it is locked to a clock that either begins when you engage the trem, or it begins when you change your patch. I don't have the unit with me to test this right now, but you need to figure out which one triggers the timing clock. 1: If the clock is locked to turning on the trem, you need to practice turning it on in time with the drums. It should begin when pressed, not released. 2: If you are really struggling with it when you turn on the trem... then the clock could be tied to the patch change. While the drummer is counting in the tune, change the patch on time with the drummers count. If you need to be in at the very beginning, you may need to double the length of the count so you are all coordinated. 3: Ditch the preset tempo and try setting the trem to TAP TEMPO and tap in the time when needed. A tap will reset the start time so it is easier to lock in with an existing speed.

Turn off "Bank Changes" and "Program Changes". I see it in the manual, but don't have the device in front of me to tell you exactly where it is. I believe this will eliminate any automatic program changes while you change patches, but will still give you the ability to set it up for each switch while in "stomp mode".

Pretty sure there is, but I don't have my HX or manual in front of me at this time. Check the manual, or the HX FAQ on this forum. It's there somewhere!

IMO, Tremolo is not an effect that sounds best "in time"... a little loose isn't a bad thing. My tremolo is set to a fixed tempo (no idea what is is off the top of my head) and I use that for everything. In the studio I may be a little more picky :) Have you tried "tap tempo"? In my experience.... there are very few drummers in the world that will nail a tempo to a fixed preset! Get the song started and tap in the tempo... I think you will find it much more reliable. (FWIW: I don't do that with tremolo, but I do it with syncopated delays all the time)

Is it possible to create Path B without dedicating an effect block to the path? I'd like to have have two separate paths for the L/R inputs, then combine them at the output so I can use one cable to head back to my amp. I have no problem doing this by moving any effect block down to Path B and adjusting the "Y Input" accordingly... but I don't need any effects in that path. My pedal steel (Path B) already has the effects it needs so I would prefer to keep all 9 blocks available to my electric in Path A.

You really did manage to answer your own question :) That is how you would do it. As much as I prefer my HD500 it's output options are completely neutered compared to the X3 Live before it. I really miss the ability to set the XLR to one output mode and the 1/4" to another.... not to mention the option of only applying the master volume to the 1/4" outputs when needed.

LOL - I made that same error on my desktop... and like you I ended up chalking it up to "user error". My laptop has always connected (I guess I made the right choice years ago) but when setting it up on my desktop it was a little frustrating. It's not the most intuitive interface... but it does actually work.

I put my HX Effects in the loop of my HD500 and use the HD as an I/O, Midi Controller and a few extra effects. Overall it works great, but I want to use the volume pedal block in the HX Effects (it has the taper option)... that is where the problem comes in. I have no problem assigning the EXP1 from my HD to the volume pedal block on the HX... but there is too much latency to make it usable, somewhere around 250ms or so which is not very responsive. Patch changes are instant, as are snapshot changes. I use a short midi cable (3') and have tried two different cables with the same results. In the meantime I just setup a volume pedal block in the HD but I've never liked it because it's linear... I prefer the option of using the Audio (LOG) taper. I could also use an external expression pedal - that seems to work fine, but I'm trying to avoid extra pieces. So - this isn't a big deal as I can work around it... but if anyone has any suggestions about the latency I'd be willing to give it a shot.

I also notice you said you used Monkey to re-install Workbench.... which version of Monkey? I have found the latest version wants to install Workbench HD which doesn't work with the 300/600. I needed to manually download/install Workbench (not the HD version) and Java separately... then it all worked.

Are you getting any "JAVA" errors? The Workbench installer tries to install an old version of JAVA that doesn't connect anymore... you need to install JAVA separately. http://javadl.oracle.com/webapps/download/AutoDL?BundleId=230540_2f38c3b165be4555a1fa6e98c45e0808

Well, I don't think my "user error" is hardly the fault of Line 6.... but I get what you are saying. I'm sure they could update the "workbench installer" to link to a working version of a Java Runtime so people don't have to try and figure this all out on their own. Not to mention... since Workbench does work with Windows 10 they should include it in the Windows 10 search on their own site, not just the Windows 7/8 searches. Those are two very small things that wouldn't take long for them to update.

Quick update on my end. On my Desktop Workbench no longer connects to the Variax (through my HD500). My laptop, which has the same install versions of Line 6 software does connect. Both computer are running JAVA 6.0.10 although on the desktop I also tried version 8 as recommended by MartinHines above... to no avail. EDIT TO ADD - The problem was USER ERROR, My Desktop is Connecting Once Again When opening it was telling me I was almost done and showed my HD500 and my Variax 300. I was trying to connect via the Variax but it was showing offline. When I connected through the HD500 (which is how I connect my Variax to the computer) it worked exactly as it should.

I don't know if I understand your question.... can you elaborate on what you want to accomplish.

I just checked and both my Desktop and Laptop have an old Sun Java installed - 6.0.200... I used to use the JAVA libraries for development, but haven't touched them in years. I don't know if those are what are making my Workbench/Variax run fine or not, but I'm not removing them just in case they are - LOL!

I'm baffled.... I use an older Variax 300, an HD500, and both my computers (a desktop and a laptop) are Windows 10. I have no problems with Monkey, Workbench, and HD Edit. Everything does what it is suppose to, with the lowest level of Variax ever created.

If you bought it new, send it back for warranty or return it. If you bought it used, you now know why... I would be going back to the seller if I were you! If the product is used.... Make sure you are running the right power supply, and make sure the power supply is good. It could be the supply that is failing, not the HD500.

Easy, set the wah to activate using the TOE switch... then make sure the WAH is adjusted using EXP 1 I set my volume pedal up for EXP 2, active the WAH with the TOE switch and control the wah with EXP 1. Works like a charm!

Why limit yourself.... the Helix has a number of loops. Just supplement the Helix that your already own with some of your favorite pedals.

Even with 15 pedals, how often do you use "one of those at each time"... SNAPSHOTS is your answer. Setup your 15 pedals, then use snapshots to setup the configurations you will use. Whenever I feel like I am out of foot-switches I re-think the solution using snapshots. Oddly enough, I never need all the foot-switches anymore :)

Guitar > HX Effects Input > Setup blocks of effects that normally go in front of an amp such as comps, overdrives, etc.... Insert an LOOP Block in the HX Effects > Send that loop out to the input of your amp Effects Send from your amp to the RETURN of the loop in on the HX Effects > Setup blocks of effects that normally go in the loop of an amp such as delays, reverbs, etc... Output of the HX Effects into the effects loop RETURN on your amp. Doing that will limit your HX Effects to 8 effects, and 1 Loop Block... (9 blocks total) Hope that is what you are after.

It's a great feature with many uses - even without any pre-amp models included. If you run the HX Effects in the loop of your amp, you can setup an IR and go direct to the FOH/Monitors while returning a non IR signal to the amp so it's poweramp/cabinet has full effect. You can run any pre-amp / amp sim in the loop of the HX Effects and use an IR for cabinet simulation Load Acoustic IR's and use it to supplement acoustic instruments.... similar to a Fishman Aura for example. Surprisingly.... if you think outside the box... you don't need an amp preamp for good electric tones. An EQ, optional compressor and/or dirt pedal, and an IR cabinet can get the job done very nicely. In my case.... I run my HX Effects with my HD500... the IR's are a welcome addition and a big reason I decided to buy the unit. I call the combination my "poor man's helix". I'm sure there are many other practical reasons for IR's on this device... that's just a few that come to mind.