edstar1960

Thanks for all the extra info. I use 10's on my Variax 700. I have the trem model. It has the original piezo's and I have not customised the models - so I was using the factory supplied LP JUNIOR. When I get a chance I will try to record it with the patch I set up which used your settings and defaults for settings that you did not specify.

I tried with AUTO and 1M. I tested it with the patch I set up copying your example patch so the screamer was the first fx and it was on. I used your specified settings and default values for everything else.

The physical characteristics of the JTVs will have an effect on how they sound and how they play just like any other guitar. A hardtail guitar will feel and sound different to one with a trem. But these differences do not make a significant difference to the modelled sounds. The modelled LP played on a JTV59 will sound almost identical to the same model played on a 69 or an 89, same goes for the STRAT or TELE model or any of them. The subtle differences from the physical make up of each JTV really doesn't matter. The important thing is to pick the JTV style of guitar that will suit you best in terms of feel and playing style and whether you need a trem or not. For me the feel and playability of the neck is the main thing, and I happen to like the 59 as it is. But I also bought the 69 because it gives me the option of having a neck fitted that will be my ideal spec. Hope that helps.

The models should sound identical between the different JTVs - there may be slight variations but nothing obvious. Best neck depends on your personal preference - if you like LPs then go for the JTV59, if you like strats then go for the JTV69, if you like slim fast Ibanez style necks go for the JTV89. The one major plus of the JTV69 is that if you don't like the neck you can easily swap it out for one that you prefer as it is a standard strat replacement size - so you can alter things like radius, neck width and nut, thickness, frets. There have been an assortment of electronic problems reported over the years for all the models at one point or another as well as quality issues. The bottom line is that if you get a good one you should be fine - if you get a bad one then keep sending it back till you get a good one. I have both the JTV59 and JTV69 and I prefer the JTV59 but then again I do generally prefer LPs. In my opinion the JTV59 is a very well made quality guitar. Go for the style of guitar that you like best and the one that has the mag pickup style that you would prefer - or if you are very particular about the type and feel of the neck then go for the JTV69 with a view to getting a replacement neck that is perfect for your taste - or if you absolutely must have a trem then go for the JTV69. Hope that helps.

Hi Charlie. When I have the VDI and 1/4" connected at the same time the modelling is active because the VDI is providing power and sending the modelled signals out via the VDI link and via the 1/4" cable. I choose which one to monitor by updating the INPUT selection on the HD500 - I flip flop between GUITAR/SAME and VARIAX/SAME. There is a definite difference in signal strength as the volume drops when I select GUITAR/SAME. Which is the exact opposite of what agordon reported. Nico gets the same signal strength through both connections with his Variax 700. UPDATE 20 Jan 2015 - apologies but my test had GUITAR IN set to PAD which explains why my results were opposite - but they would be because I had inadvertently added a PAD to the signal and reduced the volume. Sorry that I missed the fact the switch was engaged. :wub:

All true. Remember that in this test I am not concluding which sounds best - I am simply listening out for difference in signal strength because I believe the VDI and the 1/4" should produce similar signal strengths when using a guitar model. They are using the same piezo's - just routing the signal differently into the HD500. We have each reported different results. Nico reports that they are the same which is what I would expect. agordon reports his VDI signal is weaker than the 1/4". And my tests today have shown that with my 3 different Variax's (v700, JTV59, JTV69) that the VDI is stronger than the 1/4". Even if we all have different tweaks to our guitar models via Workbench regarding string volume and piezo output - surely each of us should hear our own guitars produce very similar signal strengths through the VDI and 1/4" outs. The fact that we don't is odd. I know it's only 3 people out of many thousands so statistically counts for nada - but statistically we should all be much more likely to have the same experience given the number of Variax owners out there - shouldn't we - but we don't - so that is odd. UPDATE 20 Jan 2015 - apologies but my test had GUITAR IN set to PAD which explains why my results were opposite - but they would be because I had inadvertently added a PAD to the signal and reduced the volume. Sorry that I missed the fact the switch was engaged. :wub:

Hi Nico. I want to congratulate you on the tone you got on your recording - sounds great. I tried to copy it with my V 700 and HD500 but mine didn't sound anywhere near as good as yours. I copied your settings above and played it through my L2M - using STUDIO/DIRECT out on HD500 and PA REF mode on L2M. I also tried using my JTV59 even though it does not have the LP Junior model so I used LP Special Bridge instead and it did not sound as good as the V 700. While I was experimenting I decided to reproduce agordon's tests and A/B the VDI and 1/4" outputs from both the V700 and JTV59 into the HD500. I had both VDI connected and 1/4" to guitar and flipped between input choices of VARIAX/SAME and GUITAR/SAME on HD500 using both guitars. I was just listening at rehearsal volume level and di not bother recording to see exact differences but I could easily hear that when I used he 1/4" output from both my V700 and JTV59 that it sounded quieter than the VDI output. It was obvious that the 1/4" signal was weaker and not driving the patch setting as much. This is completely the opposite of what agordon reported. I then tried the same test with my JTV69 and found once again that the VDI was the stronger signal but not by such a margin as the other two - the signals were closer but still the 1/4" was weaker. I was hoping that both connections would be very similar as in your experiment but unfortunately that is not the case. So we now have 3 defined and tested scenarios: agordon - VDI weaker than 1/4" with JTV69 hurghanico - VDI and 1/4" the same (or very very close) with Variax 700 edstar1960 - VDI stronger than 1/4" on Variax 700 and JTV59 and JTV69. <<< this was with GUITAR IN switch set to PAD !!!! So this is expected and working as designed! :rolleyes: What does this tell us? <<<< In my case I made an error by leaving GUITAR IN set to PAD !!! :wub: :rolleyes: I think this is a strong indication of variations in hardware. The fact that my JTV69 was slightly different to the JTV59 does seem to point at the variation being located in the Variax guitars rather than in the HD500 - although all 3 guitars did exhibit VDI stronger than 1/4" - so maybe it's a combination of Variax/HD500 ... who knows? All I can say is that there is a definite signal strength difference - and in my case the VDI is stronger in 3 Variax guitars. <<<< Conclusion incorrect because my test was wrong - however agordon has still reported a weaker VDI signal so that remains to be explained. :mellow: UPDATE 20 Jan 2015 - I have just realised that the above tests were performed with GUITAR IN switch on the top of my HD500 set to PAD. When I repeated the tests with it set to NORMAL the signal strength was at a very similar level from both VDI and 1/4" as I would expect - just very subtle tonal variation as expected due to differences in analog/digital and use of a 1/4" cable. The V700 seemed louder than the JTVs but it wasn't a scientific test - just a quick listen with each guitar so I may be wrong. So in my case it was USER ERROR. :wub: In my defence those switches by the expression pedal are hard to see against the body of the unit and the writing in that very light gold is almost impossible to see even with a flashlight or in normal daylight. Still - my tests now match Nicos' results. :) :rolleyes:

I agree with you Nico. I am just theorising what may be the issue based on the facts that agordon has provided. He stated that he managed to get his JTV69/HD500 VDI connection to sound the same as his 1/4" connection when he specified VARIAX/SAME as his input options. He said that his produced the same sound as GUITAR/OTHER (well he said BLANK but he must mean one of the other settings as BLANK is not a valid option). If this is the case then that implies that his VDI is producing a signal strength approx. 6db less than his 1/4". He can double check this by comparing VARIAX/SAME with GUITAR/SAME and see if the latter is louder, which logically it should be if the first scenario is true where VARIAX/SAME = GUITAR/OTHER. This is assuming his other patch settings remain the same. I have just been trying to work out logically what could account for the difference he has observed and I have listed what I think are all the possible options - however unlikely they may be. The most likely cause, as with most things, is user error BUT if that is ruled out then it has to be one of the other options. I am just curious to know what the answer is, so I hope agordon comes back with the results of his testing and provides a demo recording to show the problem he encountered. User error or hardware issue? We will wait and see.... :)

Thanks Nico! From listening to your clip I agree that with your Variax 700 into the HD500 that there is very little difference between the VDI and 1/4", which is how I would expect things to be. agordon has reported his experience is very different with his JTV69 into HD500 - so it will be interesting to find out if it is something to do with how he has programmed his patch, or if his VDI cable or connections are faulty, or if his JTV69 or his HD500 have some fault. Perhaps he will do a demo recording to demonstrate for us.

Thank you for the input and clarification Nico. I am just surprised that the VDI and 1/4" signal strength can vary by +6db according to the tests performed by agordon. I might expect a slight difference but not that much. However, I understand what you are saying that it is not worth worrying about because the difference can be compensated for with other controls and parameters. Thanks also for clarifying the situation when using SAME as INPUT 2 and the fact that it does double the signal strength. User agordon has indicated that he gets the same signal strength when using VARIAX/SAME and GUITAR/OTHER. He will test whether GUITAR/SAME increases the volume level above what he gets with VARIAX/SAME, and from what he has already said, I believe he will find an increase in volume, so that in his particular case VARIAX/SAME will not equal signal strength of GUITAR/SAME. I have yet to test it with my JTV/HD500 combination as I always use VDI.

The Parametric EQ fx in the HD will only allow boosting or lowering one frequency range. You can specify the frequency target and then the Q range which allows you to choose a narrow queue to focus in tightly on a specific frequency or choose a wider Q to affect a wider frequency range. So you would need 3 parameteric EQ fx blocks to boost 3 specific ranges.

How are you setting INPUT2 to BLANK? I have never seen this option on the HD500. My HD500 gives me SAME or each one of the physical inputs and Variax options or combination of GUITAR+AUX+MIC. It never presents BLANK or a blank option. From what you have said about situations you have tested, I think you will find that the 1/4" is louder if you try it with INPUT2 set to SAME. I would have thought that the VDI connection and choosing VARIAX would provide a signal level similar to a connection coming in via 1/4" and choosing GUITAR (assuming that INPUT2 is set to an identical value in each case, whether that is SAME or another input). Especially if you are using the same JTV69 in both examples - and assuming that it is battery powered for the 1/4" connection method. If anything, I would expect the 1/4" connection to be quieter because the physical impedance of the connecting cable would come into play - although that is usually a subtle difference and usually mainly affects tone by removing high end to different degrees depending on length of cable. The only other thing that can affect the 1/4" tone into the HD500 is the "Guitar In-Z" setting. I believe this defaults to AUTO so it will set itself to match whichever fx or amp is first in the chain in the patch path. If you have set this to another value then you could be forcing the 1/4" tone to be darker than it would be if left on AUTO which may make it sound more different to the VDI tone BUT it should not affect the signal volume to the degree that you are noticing. Another thing that could be happening is that you have a faulty VDI cable or connection that is causing the VDI signal to be quieter and therefore thinner. Have you tried a different VDI cable? Another thing could be that your HD500 is faulty and the component taking the signal from the VDI to the processor isn't working properly. Or the JTV is faulty and the component sending the digital signal via VDI is not working correctly. And finally it could be that all HD500's work like this and that most of us haven't noticed because we either always stick with VDI or we always use 1/4" and we don't bother doing a comparison. If I get the chance, I will charge up my JTV battery and try a direct comparison using VDI and then using 1/4" for the same patch. At least you know that if you use INPUT1 VARIAX and INPUT2 SAME that you are getting the results you want with VDI which does mean the problem is signal strength (volume/gain). As I said earlier that is effectively doubling the input signal hitting the first fx or amp which equates to a +6db boost - so it would be interesting for you to try using INPUT1 VARIAX and INPUT2 GUITAR but then place an EQ fx first which gives an output boost of +6db. Also if you are using just one path with everything pre split - then try moving everything into PATH A and mute PATH B at the mixer block. If I remember correctly from the routing and single input discussion threads, that using just INPUT1 and then only PATH A results in a similar volume boost to INPUT2 SAME - but I might be wrong - it's another thing worth trying. The question does remain though - why such a big signal strength difference between VDI and 1/4" with your JTV69 and HD500 combination? And is it a common issue and therefore is it working as designed or is it a common problem that most people have just not noticed or is it a rare problem that only affects a subset of users possibly because of a bad component from a particular production run?

Good to hear that you have found a solution that works for you. Have you read the threads by perapera on "HD500 Routing" http://line6.com/support/topic/2033-pod-hd-500-500x-new-routing-schematics/?hl=routing and hurghanico on "Single versus Same Input" ? Bottom line is that when you use SAME for INPUT2 that you effectively double your input into the HD500 which equates to about a +6db volume increase in the signal hitting the first FX block or the AMP if no FX before it and if it's the first thing before the path split. This implies that the tonal difference you have experienced is because the 1/4" output is +6db hotter than the VDI output. Have you tried using INPUT1 with GUITAR and INPUT2 SAME and then running the 1/4" out from the JTV into GUITAR in of the HD500, and compared that to INPUT1 VARIAX and INPUT2 SAME and just using the VDI ? The reason I ask, is that if the 1/4"out is +6db louder then it will sound louder and provide a much hotter signal in comparison. However, if they are the same, then both scenarios should provide the same end result. What HD500 input settings were you using when you had the difference between the VDI and 1/4" connections? Thanks.

:D :D :D

Yes it is odd that Line 6 provide the wireless RELAY units with cable emulation but they don't provide a guitar cable emulation parameter in the global settings for the PODs that have VDI interfaces. It's not a deal breaker for me and I guess for many others, however, it does make a difference to some users and as they already have it in the RELAY series, why not pop it into the POD as a nice little extra for those who want it? Perhaps if enough people make a case for it on Ideascale then they may be able to get a business justification for including it.

+1 to cruisinon2. There is no shortcut and there is no right or wrong way - just whatever way you sort out to get the tone you want. Like cruisinon2 I also used the VDI pretty much exclusively for the JTV/HD500 functionality - so I just worked with that rather than try to get it to sound identical to the 1/4" cable sound, which I agree does sound different and warmer to my ears, but I don't think it is so different that I need to match it with the VDI. I just use VDI and tweak my tones accordingly. If you want to match the VDI to the 1/4" inch tone, then I would suggest you try with the EQ fx block as first in the chain as you are trying to emulate the 1/4" cable resistance in the signal path - so it makes sense to me to tweak the guitar signal before it hits any other fx or amp - and you should be able to A/B the results between VDI and 1/4" and quickly identify the settings needed. There are a whole bunch of EQ fx to choose from but it may be best to start with the simpler ones to understand and tweak first - such as the studio EQ to just remove a bit of top end. Work your way through them and see if you can tweak the VDI signal to be more in line with your 1/4" signal tone. Good luck - and let us know if you crack it! :)

Have you tried using an EQ fx block in your patch when using VDI to adjust brightness and volume to match the 1/4" sound? I would think that is the only way to do it.

I checked the manual again and to select a preset you have to use the BANK up/down button to navigate to the required BANK and then press either A/B/C/D once in that bank to select the specific patch within that bank. Then once in the chosen patch, if you have selected pedalboard mode in your SYSTEM OPTIONS screen (eg: FS5-8) then each of the 8 FS can be used to individually switch on/off fx. If you are in default ABCD mode then pressing FS5-8 will instantly swap you to the relevant AB/C/D patch within that bank. Sorry about my earlier reply - I tried pedalboard mode some time ago and thought I only needed to press the bank up/down button to step through individual patches but I must have had to press the A/B/C/D button as well to pick a patch within the bank. Try it when you next get a chance.

If you have got a fully charged battery and the modelling knob illuminates when you press it down and you have a 1/4" cable connecting you to an amp then you should be haring the modelling and if you switch banks and pickup selector you should hear different models. If you move the alt tune knob you should hear the models in alternate tunings. Raising a support ticket is a good idea if things aren't working as Line6 can help you trouble shoot it or recommend you send it back but if you just bought it yesterday then I would take it back to the store if it's local and swap it for another- don't waste time trouble shooting it if it's broken straight out of the box. Hope you get it resolved.

I hear you. I did have my JTV69 set up professionally which included having the nut slots slightly lowered but it seems to be very stable, but like I said, I am not using the trem for anything other than a little bit of Hank Marvin tremolo effect - maybe if I was using it to dive down a few steps I would find it doesn't return exactly. I have a few trem guitars and I have had them all set up which usually includes lowering nut slots and so far all except my Fender USA strat play fine and don't stick. The Fender USA strat seems to be catching on the string tree since I swapped strings on it recently - so I have now swapped to using a string tree with a grooved wheel and that seems to have fixed it for me.

I assume your JTV69 trem does not keep in tune when you use the whammy - hence the maglok. I am not a heavy trem user but my JTV69 seems to stay perfectly in tune with light use. Does the maglok improve or completely fix tuning stability when using it for dives?

Hi digger - sorry to hear that you are having problems with the maglok. I haven't got one so I can't help with advice - but are they designed to be used for both dives and pull ups? Also sorry to hear that you have not got a whammy bar for your JTV69 - and interested to hear that yours is internally threaded. I have a JTV69 and mine is definitely a push in with a small grub screw on the side to tighten. Does that mean I have a 1st gen 69? I only got it within last year and it was one of the special offers at a reduced price and did have an old serial number plus the early firmware - so maybe I do have an early one. Hope I don't hit any of the issues that plagued the 1st gen - so far so good and I hope it stays that way. Anyway - I would have thought the salesman should be aware there are different types of trem on the 69 depending on when it was made. Good luck with solving the maglok issue and getting your trem arm from the dealer! BTW - have you tried contacting Line6 support directly for the trem arm replacement? They may be able to help speed things up for you.

Your preference is already available. You can already assign all 8 FS to individual fx and use the bank up/down buttons to step rthough one preset at a time - it's called pedalboard mode and is selectable via the VIEW button in the system setup menu, on page one as FS MODE - choose option FS5-8 instead of ABCD. The default option of ABCD - allows you to use the lower 4 FS (FS5-9) to select presets within a bank BUT also gives the versatility of allowing you to dynamically switch on and off individual fx (or several fx at once) with each of the FS 1-4, as well as using the expression pedal toe switch and the expression pedal itself to switch fx and alter fx parameters. In my opinion this is a very flexible option giving the best of both worlds - allowing quick preset change and flexibility of switching fx within the preset as and when needed. It allows you to punch in overdrive, or have a clean boost or switch in a chorus or flanger or a delay as and when needed. Or it allows one FS to punch in several fx - or to punch in one and switch off another with a single press. (what more flexibility could anyone want when within a preset?). Instant access to 4 presets is probably enough for anyone within one song, so I can't see the benefit would be of having instant access to 8 presets via the footswitches - unless someone really need to swap through 8 totally different sound setups within one song but even then it would not be too tricky to use 2 banks of 4 - just one extra fs press needed. Personally I prefer the way they have designed it as it gives me all the options I want and the default mode gives so many options and I can always use pedalboard mode if I need to have individual control of each of the 8 assignable fx blocks. :)

I am in the UK too. I have an HD500 and a JTV59, and I have to say the ability to step on a footswitch to change a patch which changes the amp and fx settings and at the same time changes the guitar model and tuning on my JTV is amazing! I play in a function covers band and it is so incredibly useful to cover so many songs and genres with just one pedal board and one guitar. The firmware on the HD500 allows you to select the Variax model tuning within the patch - so you don't need to use WB HD - just set the HD500 patch up to choose the guitar model and tuning. So if your band plays lots of songs in alternate tunings and you don't want to have to keep remembering to pick the correct tuning on the JTV59 tuning dial - then the HD500X will be ideal for you! That is - once you have worked out how to program it and get the sounds you want. :)

I believe the functionality to store the alternate tuning info with the variax model info within the Pod patch was only added for the HD500 version in combination with the correct firmware on the JTV. If my memory serves me correctly, I believe the X3 Live had been discontinued by the time they introduced this functionality. If you are in the USA you may be able to get your hands on an HD500X for a great price at the moment if you wish to upgrade. If you want to stay with the X3 Live then as you correctly stated you will have to create custom tunings within Workbench HD and store them in banks on your JTV and then store that bank/model selection info within the X3 Live patch to achieve single button recall of correct tuning from the Pod.