d1stewart

My wondering is this: Would it be possible to make a module for the Nexus that does only the one thing we need: Connect Variax to Helix Stadium. The Expand D10 does several things, only one of which I need. It should be possible to make a smaller unit that is just a Variax connection. Maybe a third party or maybe Line 6 can do it (I seriously don't know why Line 6 doesn't, didn't, just do it). Or maybe it can be DIYed (definitely not my favorite option). But I think that 3rd party add-ons were implied, so it must be possible.

Is there any controller or effect (or way to effect) on the Helix that will actuate with a foot switch (not the expression pedal) a gradual rise (or fall) in an effect or effect parameter? What I have in mind is this: In one song my band does, I use a flanger in the bridge. I’d like that flanger to come in and go out gradually, over, say, 1 second, rather than a sharp start and stop. Yes, I can do that with the volume pedal, but that’s rough and imprecise. I’d like to press a footswitch and have it automated. I haven’t found anything yet. Anyone know of a control/effect/trick on the Helix to get this function?

Tried that, couldn't make that work.

The new BOSS GX-10 has an interesting feature: When you put the expression pedal heel-down all the way, the tuner switches on. I like that. I've been trying to figure a way to do that on Helix floor, but haven't figured it out. Does anyone know if it's possible and if so how? Thanks!

Changing to and from alternate tuning on the Variax Acoustic 700: I have my VA7 on my Helix floor through the Variax jack. I’ve learned that I can change the guitar to and from the alternate tuning by sending a sysex command to the Helix. This sequence: F0 00 01 0C 07 01 5E 01 F7 changes from normal tuning (green LED) to alternate tuning (whatever is saved to the instrument) (red LED). This sequence: F0 00 01 0C 07 01 5E 00 F7 changes from alternate tuning (red LED) to normal tuning (green LED). The change is irrespective of model selected. This can be used to switch to altered tuning (or whatever alteration you have saved in the red position for the given model) from apps like Song One, OnSong, and various DAWs and others that can send sysex to MIDI. Thus it can be used programmatically if needed. Channel is not used for sysex, so you don’t need to specify that.

Apple has moved on from OS X and now calls the operating system, generally, macOS. The version is now Ventura, which is macOS 13. Line 6 still uses "Mac OS X" to identify Mac's UNIX-y operating systems past OS 9 in the Downloads drop-down menu. But all the versions are correctly identified by name (not number) in the individual download listings.

Here's how my Variax Acoustic 700 shows up on Helix (3.5 firmware) when connected with the Variax ethernet cable. The Variax models can be changed on Helix by using MIDI. Variax is on Helix's MIDI channel 16. Name on Helix Name on HX Edit Name on "Preset Variax Variax - Model MIDI PC on VA700 Knob Model" Setting (Preset) Helix Channel 16 ============================================================================ parlor_1.0 Don't Force PARLOR parlor_1.0 Custom 1-5 0 TRIPLE O tripleO_1.0 Custom 1-4 1 DREAD dread_1.0 Custom 1-3 2 JUMBO jumbo_1.0 Custom 1-2 3 C & W c&w_1.0 Custom 1-1 4 GYPSY gypsy_1.0 T-Model-5 5 JAZZ jazz_1.0 T-Model-4 6 NYLON nylon_1.0 T-Model-3 7 FOLK 12 folk12_1.0 T-Model-2 8 BLUES 12 blues12_1.0 T-Model-1 9 RND NECK rndneck_1.0 Spank-5 10 SQR NECK sqrneck_1.0 Spank-4 11 BANJO banjo_1.0 Spank-3 12 MANDOLA mando_1.0 Spank-2 13 SHAMISEN shamisen_1.0 Spank-1 14 SITAR sitar_1.0 Lester-5 15 PARLOR parlor_1.0 Lester-4 16 TRIPLE O tripleO_1.0 Lester-3 17 DREAD dread_1.0 Lester-2 18 JUMBO jumbo_1.0 Lester-1 19 C & W c&w_1.0 Special-5 20 GYPSY gypsy_1.0 Special-4 21 JAZZ jazz_1.0 Special-3 22 NYLON nylon_1.0 Special-2 23 FOLK 12 folk12_1.0 Special-1 24 BLUES 12 blues12_1.0 R-Billy-5 25 RND NECK rndneck_1.0 R-Billy-4 26 SQR NECK sqrneck_1.0 R-Billy-3 27 BANJO banjo_1.0 R-Billy-2 28 MANDOLA mando_1.0 R-Billy-1 29 SHAMISEN shamisen_1.0 Chime-5 30 SITAR sitar_1.0 Chime-4 31 Send MIDI Program Change message with number above to the Helix over channel 16, and it will load the Variax corresponding model. This means you can control the Variax models from apps such as OnSong, Song One, and BandHelper, and MIDI equipment.

The nut is 1-11/16". The string spacing at the nut is 1-3/8" (1.375").

I just tried out my new (to me) Variax 700 Acoustic on my Helix floor. Somehow in the updates in the last few years, the Helix has started reading the model names from the V7A, because they show up. In lower case and with extra characters, but they show up. The model names roll through twice and then repeat Sitar. I hoped the first set would be the green LED model settings, and the second set would be the red LED model settings, but no. Either one selects the green; however, regardless where the knob is, pressing the knob does change to the red setting of the model the Variax has loaded. (So that if, say, the knob is set to Sitar, and the Helix preset is set to choose the Jumbo, then pressing the knob on the V7A will, even though it's showing the Sitar, choose the Jumbo's red setting.) I also found that the Helix's Tone setting is controlled by microphone slider, but altering the tone on the Helix alters both the microphone setting and the compression setting. Which is weird.

Thanks, soundog. I just happen to have the old Workbench around on an old MacBook, which I keep just for using Workbench with my first-release Variax 500. This is good news.

Does anyone have the nut width spec for the Variax 700 electric? I can't find it anywhere on Line 6 site or the web. Thanks.

I'm looking at a Variax 700 Acoustic. (Used, of course.) I'm wondering if it will save multiple copies of the same model in different slots. For example, say, saving a Gibson J-45 with an alternate tuning into the slot for the Shamisen (really, I will never ever need to use a shamisen). Can the VA700 do that?

You are saying that a STRAT neck fit in the pocket just fine? Or do you mean a TELE neck? Because the Strat neck is radiused all along the heel, and will not sit square in the pocket. A Tele neck, however, is flat at the end (with radiused corners) and would (I'm speculating here, but the dimensions are the same) fit square in. So do you mean you tried a Tele neck, or did you try a Strat neck?

Or you could get a used Amplifi 75---they're going for a not bad price, often under $300. Create an Amplifi preset with "No Amp," "No Cab," and no effects, and save it as a FRFR. The Amplifi behaves nicely as a FRFR amp, though it may not be a true FRFR---it's pretty close, with no amp or cab. And you can run the Helix into the amp input. I use this FRFR setup with Bias Amp, Pod HD500, and Helix. It's nice.