soundog

menuBUS Pro will host plug-ins on the Mac.

I know what you mean. Its almost impossible to soundproof for noises .... you almost have to plan for quiet times to do acoustic tracks.

I thought the iRig Acoustic Stage sounded awful so sent it back. Thin and trebly is a good description. If you're recording classical guitar, use a good studio mic and preamp with your DAW and forget the other stuff. For live, I think using a quality pickup and the 3SA IRs is your best bet.

Drag a block from first line down. A second line should appear to accept the block.

Normally would suspect a bad switch, but if it clears up with a reboot that pretty much rules that out. If it clears up with a reboot and then reappears with only a specific preset, possibly a corrupt preset? Clear it and recreate. If it clears up with a reboot and reappears after a repeatable specific button sequence, let us know what the sequence is so others can try to replicate it. Another option is to reload the firmware (after backing up your stuff). I had some odd glitchy problems with my HXFX shortly after getting it and pushing it to its limits (sends/returns, USB and MIDI connected, etc). A firmware reload seems to have fixed everything. The HXFX is still fairly early in the firmware revs.

The Star Spangled Banner and James Taylor were not a good mashup. Jimi got it right.

Read page 29 and 33 in the manual. Switches are automatically added as you add blocks, but you can manually turn off any of the switch assignments so it doesn't show up on your pedal. Then just make sure the Send/Return is turned on, then it will stay on. By the way, editing the HXFX is way way way easier and more intuitive using the Mac or PC editor via USB .... turning those footswitches on or off, renaming them, changing their color, etc is a lot quicker. In that case, 1) select the FX Loop 1 block, 2) select the bypass tab, and 3) change the bypass pulldown menu from Footswitch # to None.

I think I read about this in Stephen King novel...you might contact him.

... if I had to wager a guess, I'd say the market saturated. Electric players that needed an occasional acoustic guitar sound gravitated toward the electric guitar Variax models. Acoustic players (who are really critical about achieving authentic tone) mentioned in forums that the 700 fell short on achieving tone that was convincing live and especially in the studio. You ended up with a limited market size of acoustic players needing additional tones or alternate tunings and who didn't want to haul around a lot of nice/fragile acoustic guitars. Line 6 tried to carve out some more market on the low end a couple of years later with the 300 model a couple of years after the 700, but that only lasted so long. Those that still play and own them love because the strengths outweigh any shortcomings. And, they are getting harder to find. @bob2.0 — If you poke around you can find basic instruction on using Workbench; I think there are probably even some youtube videos. When you use the interface via the RJ45/Ethernet-like cabl and USB, also have your guitar powered and plugged into an amp or PA so you can hear what you're doing. For my use, I settled on the Dread model as my favorite acoustic sound (others prefer the Jumbo or Parlor). Then with Workbench, I set up the Dread with alternate tuning for specific songs, and stored those in some of the slots I never use (banjo or shamisen, for example) with alternate Dread tunings. You can also use the alternate model settings (red LED on) effectively. I also have a couple of settings I like that sound like a bass doubling the guitar, which I get using a 12 string setting and a double pitched down -12 (just on the lower 2 strings), also using the Dread model.

Both excellent points. I forgot I loaded the Allure Pack on right after I got it; its a decent free starter set and certainly worth the price! Also worth noted that playing around with the gain and levels on both the distortion blocks will effect your tone dramatically. And you could add a simple EQ at the end of the path if you need to roll off your lows and especially highs. If you decide to shop for an IR beyond the Allure stuff, an easy place to start for Allman brother type stuff would be a basic Marshall 4x12 cab. Everyone has their own opinion on and favorite IRs, so that's a whole 'nutha level. You may like your tone better without. Experiment.

Since you got no amps in the HXFX, I'd run some light Timmy distortion block (gain around 2, bass and treble cut 5, level 7) ---> some light Klon distortion block (gain 3, tone 5, level 6) --> a decent IR (try all of the stock ones) ---> a little room reverb. Start there, then mess around with it awhile and see what happens.

Controller is sending on same channel HXFX is receiving? And are you sending CC #69 (Snapshot command), with a value of 0, 1, 2, or 3 (for Snapshot 1, 2, 3, or 4)?

Good idea. Unless, of course, you need to start your recorded and stored loop from the beginning later in the song. But if the loop is just used once during a tune, a mute would work just fine.

bob2.0 ---- it's tricky to get Workbench (non HD) working on Mac, but it can and will work. Read the two threads below (especially towards the end where solutions were found) ....should get you going. Let us know if not. In my opinion, Workbench is essential to wring all of the best out of the VaxAc700. https://line6.com/support/topic/16332-workbench-175-will-not-istall-on-my-imac-running-os-x-1011-el-capitan/ https://line6.com/support/topic/26686-unable-to-install-workbench-on-mac/

Let's try again. After you insert an IR block into a preset effects chain, select the number of the IR slot you want the preset to use (it will also list the name of the IR). Then save the preset. The preset will then always reference the same IR slot number when you load the preset. If you change the IR in that numbered slot, the preset will use the new IR. So keep them organized.

See this thread for more info on using the HX Effects for acoustic guitar, singer/songwriter: https://line6.com/support/topic/35233-hx-effects-for-solo-singersongwriter-sure/

So, what happens when you run other audio (e.g. iTunes) from your computer into your Powercab via USB?

That's pretty darned good for a 1-switch looper, and useful for a doing a lot of simple live performance looping. I'm impressed. Still, it would be nice to have an optional two-button looper (or even three). Then the user could do most anything available in fancy dedicated loopers (other than, say, dual loop stuff). For example, a double tap to stop the loop is a bit awkward in the 1-switch looper; a second switch would enable immediate stopping with one tap.

Not really its intended use, but for simple acoustic guitar + vocal gigs, you can pretty much use an HX Effects unit for your entire front-end (mixer and effects). It works just dandy, and the effects are wow. If you've been thinking about whether or not an HXFX would work for such a gig, here are a few things you should know: The 1/4" inputs are for instrument or line level. So for a microphone, an external mic preamp would be best - and a must if you need XLR and phantom power. There is a "Split A/B" function you can use the front of your HXFX processing chain, and a "Mixer" function at the end. With those, you end up with two separate mono paths (A and B). The paths can contain independent switchable effects (up to 9 total, so plenty for acoustic guitar and vocals) You can mix your vocal and guitar volumes on the fly with a tiny, cheap MIDI controller or iPhone with MIDI app wired to the HXFX, which accepts either 5-pin DIN MIDI or USB MIDI. Be your own sound dude. Of course, you could mix the volumes on the HXFX unit itself, but you'd have to bend over and people might laugh at you. You can MIDI-control all of the effects parameters, so you can tweak your effects on the fly as needed. Very flexible and very powerful The HXFX outputs can go straight into a powered PA or speaker(s). You can set up the routing to go out one mono output if you want, and mix the vocal and guitar into the mono out. The looper is pretty basic, so if you do a lot of looping, you'll want to patch in an external looper (easy to do, or you can patch in any of your other favorite stuff). [Update: after playing around with the new 1-Switch Looper block in HXFX, its likely to be good enough for some folks for simple looping.) You can get really good acoustic guitar tones. For example, you can use an IR block to make your piezo pickups sound more "woody" and natural. I like 3Sigma's acoustic guitar IRs. Yeah, there is a three-part harmonizer in HXFX, but don't expect it to do Crosby Stills and Nash. Its not intended for (or good for) vocals unless you want to freak people out. The selection of effects for guitar and vocals are awesome. The reverbs and delays (the most often used effects for singer/songwriter schlock) are superior. If you've used a TC Helicon pedal, you'll be blown away by how much better these effects are (other than the lack of a vocal harmonizer). If you gotta have vocal harmonies, patch in one of these (or similar TC Helicon box; if you can find an older used unit with MIDI and use MIDI control, get one of those). You can use separate presets and snapshots for different songs to get a good variety of sounds and tones. The presets are easy to create and edit, especially if you use the Mac or PC editing software. Line 6 does a great job of updating and bug-fixing compared to most manufacturers, so you'll be supported. And since the pedal is part of the Helix line-up, effects get updated and added over time. Good warranty. Good resale value. Etc. If you are considering the HXFX only for your acoustic guitar (rather than guitar + vocal), go for it. UPDATED 2020: I sold my HXFX and got an HX Stomp for acoustic guitar. Why? Line 6 added Command Center support (which was a requirement for me), its lighter and smaller, I can play around with electric guitars with it, and it will have better resale value. Its perfect for my needs

If that's a worthy test, then my HXFX is OK; I hear no difference between analog and DSP bypass. But I'm running the unit into a PA, not an amp.

Support said my best bet was to request an RMA to send the guitar to Line 6 to be serviced. Couldn't afford the time from gigs, so finally had some time last week to open 'er up. The problem turned out to be a dirty switch within the encoder. Its odd to me that the encoder is enclosed but the switch is not, so it's open to dirt and debris. A good cleaning did the trick. For a preventative, I made an enclosure for the switch, and a thin gasket for the plastic controls plate. Now....does anyone know where to find a replacement felt washer? You know ... the thick black one that sits between the encoder locking nut and the selector knob? Mine is pretty squished and sad. I could hack one together, but would prefer the real deal.

I've been gigging with one for ten years now, and would have to drastically alter my setlist without it. I use it for slide work or special tunings, along with my "normal" acoustic. I replaced a piezo once (they are still available from Full Compass online), and had to clean the rotary model selector switch this past year because it was switching in and out of alternate mode. Otherwise, no problems. If you look around you can articles on minor repairs and setup.

I use both a Variax Standard (studio) and Variax Acoustic 700 (live) for slide. No modifications to bridge or nut, just some heavier strings. Live is quick and easy for tuning changes. Studio work can sound convincing enough with typical levels of amp (real or modeled) and effects to cover up any modeling anomalies.

FukinA!

Seems that I read the answer to this before on the forums, and it is "yes." Was wondering the same for an HX Effects, and assuming the answer is also yes? Confirm?