SixtiesPopMan

Do you use a computer? Laptop? Then here's a whole new angle that will side-step the messiness of installing a MIDI pickup on your JTV-89. It's a software solution. All you need is an audio interface connected to your computer, and the jack cord connecting guitar to interface. The rest is handled via software. http://jamorigin.com/products/midi-guitar/

Here's a thread about installing a GK-3 on a JTV-89: http://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=8915.0 I don't have a JTV-89 so I can't offer any more input. The Fishman pick up is a bit wider than the GK-3. Looks like it's challenging enough to fit the narrower GK-3. Regarding controllers, it really depends on the hardware that you're using. The Fishman itself is not designed for direct connect to foot or expression pedals, rather the pedals would be connected to the hardware sound module.

If you're using, or planning to use the GR-55, then you absolutely need the GK-3 (some boxes come with the GK-3 included and are priced accordingly). The GR-55 is an amazing sound source: COSM (modeled) guitars, fx, amps, and PCM sounds. But if you plan to trigger other hardware sound modules or virtual synths, the GK-3/GR-55 combo is a bit of a mixed bag. Tracking is fast and accurate say above the fifth fret. But try playing a bass line or riff that includes the open E or A string. The latency is unbearable. In my case, I traded the GR-55 towards the JTV-59. I was briefly using a GK-3 on the JTV to record MIDI in Logic. It was put on the shelf when the Fishman Triple Play became available. The Fishman is the best hardware converter for playing virtual (software) instruments and what few hardware sound modules I still have. The Fishman plus Variax is simply an amazing combo for recording audio and MIDI, or playing live which I don't do.

Here's an image of my gorgeous Korean JTV-59 with a GK-3 pickup. It has since been replaced by the Fishman which is the best hardware solution for triggering external MIDI sources like sound modules or virtual instruments. There's no disputing that a guitar set up with GK-3 pickup will be able to have lightening fast triggering of the synth sounds in the GR-55 unit.

I added a Fishman Triple Play to my Korean JTV 59. It simply works great!!! A software alternative is the evolutionary MIDI Guitar app. You'll obviously need a computer/headphones or other means of monitoring, an audio interface and a jack cord. That's it. I use both the FTP and the MGA depending upon which guitar I have in hand. Me thinks that the FTP is the future. The alternative has served well over the years and will continue to do with with the VG/GR devices.

Here's an interesting video tutorial. The top right side of the video screen is labeled Variax Recordings. I'd click on that to jump to that point in the video, (which is about the middle of the tutorial). It's at this point that he addresses ways of processing the Variax sound beginning with a mixing desk console emulator plug-in. I don't have one and think this plug-in can be skipped. The essential sound shaping plug-ins are the eq and compression. It's difficult to actually see the settings used on the different plug-ins, but the main point is to digest his thinking as each plug-in is tweaked. He's using ProTool, but the content shown can be easily set up in any Mac or PC DAW.

The D12 without parallel pitch does sound really good. The G12 also sounds good but not much different than the J-200. I saved the parallel pitch settings for both instruments which gives me something to experiment with when using other models.

The D12 without parallel pitch does sound really good. The G12 also sounds good but not much different than the J-200. I saved the parallel pitch settings for both instruments which gives me something to experiment with when using other models.

I'm in the process of exploring ways to optimize the acoustic qualities the Variax JTV acoustic models. When you say recording, do you mean with software? If so what plug-ins do you have? It can be hit or miss, but some plug-in settings are good starting points and will at the very least, enhance the sound of the already very good acoustic models. At this point, I think the main ingredients are tape emulation, eq, compression, and reverb. The sound becomes more lively. What are you using to process your sounds?

Good information. Thanks.

My favorite models are the D-28 and the J-200. Using so called "acoustic guitar" presets as starting points in various software plug-ins does seem to warm up the sound to make it sound more authentic. (I do have a high quality acoustic guitar and condenser mics but prefer to use the JTV at this point.) Has anyone used the JTV acoustics with devices such as the Fishman Aura, the Zoom A3, or the Radial PZ? I'm looking for ways to enhanced the sound when recording. Input appreciated.

My point of reference is the Godin LGX-SA as it's the best and most expensive guitar I own. The price is for the guitar. At a similar price point, the cost of my Korean JTV-59 really represents the guitar and the specialized electronics. I rate the JTV-59 a 5/5 as it performs as advertised. - The build quality is very good. No complaints. - The neck is epiphone-like but still comfortable in my smaller hands. - The Mags, while not as robust as those on the Godin, produce a clear and clean sound and are very useable! - The variax models available in the JTV line are better than I expected, especially the acoustic models. Now that I've installed the Fishman Triple Play on the JTV-59, it's my main guitar for recording.

The procedure as written didn't seem to work here with my Korean JTV-59. Only the Guitar Model Selector LED flashed red when inserting a 1/4 cable (TRS connected to the power supply). The flashing red was barely perceptible when looking down at the small exposed area of the knob post. After rotating the Alt Tuning knob to another position, then to MODEL, and finally holding down the Guitar Model Selector knob again, both knobs alternated flashing…endlessly (and not 3 times). Default tunings were not restored. Strange. At this point, the Workbench approach works good enough.

The procedure as written didn't seem to work here with my Korean JTV-59. Only the Guitar Model Selector LED flashed red when inserting a 1/4 cable (the TRS connected to the power supply). After rotating the Alt Tuning knob to another position, then to MODEL, and finally holding down the Guitar Model Selector knob again, both knobs alternated flashing…endlessly (and not 3 times). Default tunings were not restored. Strange. At this point, the Workbench approach works good enough.

Yes, I was. I'm just getting around to revisiting the details partially sparked by the v2 firmware upgrade and the new Workbench HD. If for some reason the manual reset on the guitar itself doesn't work, it's actually pretty easy to accomplish with a few mouse clicks in Workbench. I'll check out the manual procedure and post my results tomorrow. Hope you get this figured out.

I manually saved all of the default settings by selecting them, then using the right arrow to copy them to the User Alt Tuning Presets column. Any custom made tunings show up at the bottom of the list which makes it easier to identify the defaults. It's a matter of click/shift click all of the default presets, then hit the left arrow to restore them to the JTV Alt Tuning Presets column. Is this what you're referring to? It should work the same for your JTV-89.

All set. Saved the tuning to a new model, then set the alt tuning knob to Model. It sounds as expected. Another option was to save the tuning, then swap it for something like Drop Db in the tuning knob which I'll never use. This offers more flexibility when testing out bass sounds in various models. However, coaxing bass out of the existing models really isn't a substitute for an authentic bass guitar model. Better yet, a bank of models!

Hey thanks for pointing that out. Just finished reviewing the Pilot handbook only to realize that I'll need to use the Alternate Tuning knob set to Model as you mentioned. (It's been set to Standard since I starting using the JTV-59 last year). I changed the thread title since this is now officially a case of user error. :D

For whatever reason, (and I'll toss in the possibility of user error...) altering the tuning does not change the sound. I noticed this while tuning all strings down by -12 to explore bass sounds. Even loading alternative tuning presets doesn't change the sound. I upload the preset, save it, open it, etc. No change to the sound. Am I missing a step? Or is something else not working? Making other on-screen parameters such as choosing a body model, pick up configuration, etc updates the sound. Firmware v2, installed twice as suggested.

A big vote for the "Model Packs" option. This would allow the individual to load what they actually need for a given project or gig. I would pay for more acoustic guitars including nylon string models, and basses. Others will want more bodies, pickups etc. Then again, I'd want it all. :D

The Fishman Triple Play is the best MIDI converter that I've used in terms of tracking speed and accuracy when playing external sound sources like software instruments or hardware modules. It works great on my JTV-59 which is now my dream set up for recording MIDI. My previous favorite rig remains the Godin LGX-SA and the Roland GI-20. Another current option is the MIDI Guitar app which is a software solution. I wrote a comparison of the FTP and MIDI Guitar app here: http://www.logic-users-group.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7531 Regarding the GR-55, here's an interesting read, especially if you play external sound sources like virtual instruments or hardware modules: http://www.joness.com/gr300/MIDI_SPEED.htm

Thanks! I'll explore that.

Here's another request for the nylon string model. I'd also like to have option to set up bass guitars in the custom banks: A Jazz bass, P-bass, 5 string, even an acoustic. Bass guitars are an option in the GR-55 even when in guitar mode.

In case this didn't get resolved yet... Does the Line 6 Monkey confirm the new firmware update when Tyler Variax is the selected device? Also as mentioned by others, battery installed, or hooked up to VDI Digital Input equipped hardware ? 1/4 plug inserted? i5 MBP, OSX ML 10.8.4, Logic X (The new library presets for acoustic guitar really work well with the JTV acoustic models. Same for electric guitar.)

Works ok here with i5 MBP, latest version of ML. Open Preset Folder opens the Workbench HD folder located at User>Documents>LIne 6>Tones>Workbench HD.