fremen

Thanks ! I did that for the Axe-Fx II before but had to convert the IRs in suitable format for the Helix, and tweak the EQ in each preset etc... Now I'm working on finalizing my big pack of presets...

yes, each presets has its own IR. The IR is the key for each preset, although I also tweaked the EQs to fine tune each of those presets. Other settings like compression or reverb is the same

Hi guys, I hope I'm not breaking any rule if I'm posting about my commercial presets here… I just released this pack : http://axefremen.blogspot.com/2016/07/line6-helix-acoustic-simulation-presets.html Some videos : The idea was to use as many different electric guitars/pickups as possible and make tonematch presets for each of them. So if you have an Ibanez with Bare Knuckle or EMG or DiMarzio pickups, or a Fender Stratocaster, or a Gibson Les Paul, the corresponding presets should work to give it a convincing acoustic simulation sound. Each preset works with a specific IR. There's 42 presets + 2 bonus. Made with Helix 2.01 firmware, for FRFR systems of course ! I posted a few other videos as well, as I will release a big pack of presets covering many genres : https://www.facebook.com/fremen.mu/videos/10153556282482245/ https://www.facebook.com/fremen.mu/videos/10153556282482245/ https://www.facebook.com/fremen.mu/videos/10153540721382245/

I really expect the Helix to sound much better than a POD HD. Btw here's a demo I recorded with one 4 years ago ; I also have another one with a Variax 600

absolutely, I tested the alternate tunings with the Variax E, E drop, D, in Eb and Eb drop C#... Not difference, it works the same. However, it is easier to program a custom tuning, specially a complex one, when the guitar is in E

Live with my cover band : Unfortunately my tone suck on the first song, I didn't notice my wha pedal was on (noob, lol) ! Playing as a guest guitarist (as from the 2:00 mark) with a band from Reunion island : This one is "live at home" : Another song for which I use the JTV 89, this one is a demo of an Axe-Fx II preset :

Looks like I'm the only one here to have both and Axe II and a Variax, and thus able to give an answer to your exact concern ;) I have compared tracking on both, as I wanted to know that too. At first, I was using a detuned model of the Variax to play Breaking Benjamin's "Diary of Jane". Then, I tried to play the same with the magnetic pickups, dropping the lowest string two half steps, and detuning with the Axe (-2). Verdict, the Axe wins, and by far, with a slightly better latency, better sensations, and way better tone, as the palm muting is better with magnetic pickups. Less garble/artifacts in the sound too. I still love the Variax for what it brings to the table, custom tunings and different guitar models (even if I'm one of those who don't like firmware 2.1 Strats but that's another subject) ; I use it for DADGAD tuning (Kashmir) or some Alter Bridge/Creed songs. But for just detuning the six strings equally, the Axe pitch shift sounds and respond better. I can record samples of JTV detune vs Axe detune if you want

Yes here's some screen caps from the Tonematch, Multiband Compressor, Parametric EQ and Graphic EQ blocks : But as I said the complex EQ of the tonematch block brings the final touch, and for that you'll need something like Ozone on your computer

that's what I did too and yes, more volume

Axe is packed up for a rehearsal, but I will. Except that for the tonematch block, it won't be possible ;) maybe a screenshot ?

I play through an Axe Fx II, with a preset for all acoustic tones, and another one for all the others

Yes, right click, save as : http://pages.intnet.mu/fremen/Patches/TDR_24.08.13.bun

Many thanks ! The workaround works but I'm glad this will be fixed soon

As I have a JTV89, I can't even rely on the magnetic pickups for that sound :( (if only Line 6 chose to wire them like on a Strat instead of just splitting one pickup... and rewiring the mag pickups look like a delicate task)

+ 1, that works, thanks ReverendLove ! Wolbai, I also decreased the EADG individual levels, but more than you, to around 60%, and raised the bridge pickup level by the maximum I still like 1.9 quack more, but I can live with the mansonite guitar body + ReverendLove workaround, so I'm good to go

Thanks stevekc, I was able to open a ticket. Let's hope this will be solved quickly ! In the meanwhile, I'll live with the workaround (which I has yet to try) ; I have a gig in 9 days but I won't be using the quack on this one

I have reinstalled the firmware 4 or 5 times already, not sure I want to do this again as programming my custom tunings on the dedicated pot is a hassle... Later i'll try the workaround found by others but anyway this need a firmware update ;)

Thanks. I made that video but don't know where to find the support ticket, lol

Should have said that I have a 89. Excuse my noobiness, but how do I open a ticket ? :)

The issue some people, including me, are having, may in fact be a bug. Here's what I'm experiencing : http://line6.com/support/topic/2121-variax-20-spank-bug/

I think I found a bug when using the Spank pickups : each time I store a model using two of those pickups in the "quack" position, one of them is shut down - it appears "on" in workbench, but is actually off. See for yourself : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUEQ6gZsLwo Maybe it's the source of the issue some users, including me, have with 2.0 "quack" sound ?

Yes, in fact I tweaked the Strat a lot since that Saturday video. Still not a big fan but I'll live with that. Here's my bundle for those who want to try it : http://pages.intnet.mu/fremen/Patches/Fremen_19.08.2013.bun (right click, save as) First bank is the JTV89 with some tweaks, second another superstrat like bank, third is the tweaked Strat... I moved the Tele towards the end. feedback is welcome :) Someone know how to save the custom tunings on a computer ?

Hey, I admit it, no problem :) But I was really wondering if there was some sort of bug, because version 2.0 is really far from the Strats I tried. We're probably liking different versions of the Strats. I'll keep 2.0 anyway, I'm using the Variax mainly for open tunings (Alter Bridge covers etc)

It may depends on the Strat model then... Each Strat I tried (three American Standard, two Mexico, one from Indonesia) sounded much more like the first one. But I'm after the specific Knopfler sound, maybe some Strats (SRV ?) are not made for those. I prefer the first one by far ; but it doesn't mean that the second is not usable (for something else that the vintage knopfler sound)

Well, judge for yourself, I edited that video in two minutes (I had recorded samples of both firmwares last Saturday) : Forget the single pickup positions as on 1.90 I stack two pickups, listen to the differences in the "quack" positions (2 and 4)... I recorded the two videos under the exact same conditions (same preset on the Axe Fx, same volume as it was an USB recording = no record level). I put the two clips one after the other, absolutely no sound editing. 1.90 is the perfect Knopfler sound I associate with a Strat 2.0 is not - but I like how the other guitar sounds.