barkerm

Agreed nbaird. The variax TRS prevents inadvertent insertion into non-compatible jacks much the same way a 120V outlet and a fork don't.

It will take some thought to unwind that Adamsian twisted logic. 

If that was too obscure (I'm known for that) Google "much the way bricks don't"

TOUGH QUESTION (like almost every other one asking for an opinion!!!!!)! I have had limited success with my JTV 89F (Blood Red, NOT "US," but very kewl!). The Guitar itself is quite nice, but for the money, you can get a non-USA built, non-Variax guitar that is much better . . . OR a less expensive equivalent. It really depends on what you want to do with it. Fiddlin' around in the studio with the associated Line 6 Multi-effects unit is a lot of fun, if it's YOUR studio and doesn't cost $200/hr. Performing Live? Have a backup guitar, or have a setup for the mags, just in case. Just my recommend. Get your alternate HELIX settings set up for the JTV mags, or be prep'd to plug a different guitar into your Helix. See, just be prepared. Helix can store LOTS of stuff, so, just do the work and be prepared.

Ok, I'm going to chalk this one up to  . . . well . . . DONE! Again, thanks All! In fact, the Variax tone actually sounds great (I think I've noticed this only ONCE before!). but, I'm using a tone that hasn't worked before (Boston Pizza). Honestly, I clicked through as many of the menu options as I could think of before noticing the 0.1 Volume setting. I am truly beginning to believe it was actually something besides that, but, I mean, REALLY, who cares!? I'm calling it "FIXED!" It hasn't worked for so long, I just figured, maybe rightly so, it was the mouse wheel's fault! THAT'S MY STORY AND I'M STICKING WITH IT!!!   :D

So, fresh start today. And, sure enough, volume was on 0.1. Although, once I fixed that, it started working well (except, only one of the powercabs seem to be working today, but that is a whole different topic/investigation), I am certain I checked that a dozen times if not more, and all of them were "Don't Force," except Lock Control was "Unlocked" (whatever that means). While messing with this "Problem" over the past week or so, I even created a simple input -> output preset with nothing else in it and two inputs, both on Variax, and nothing (both volume knobs on 0.0, or something very low??). I don't know, I probably just need a couple more years to come up on the learning curve.

Anyway, thanks to all for the help, and coda for possibly making my eyes more aware of the don't force thing. On to the next challenge!   :D

Yeah. Learned that lesson last time I had to Variax into service.

1/4" TS and battery (VDI not connected) works ok. Models and tuning options knobs work as expected. Not exactly sure how to tell if the mags are working - take the battery out?

Ok, I misled (I think). "NOTHING" doesn't really mean "NOTHING." The Variax powers on when plugged into the HELIX. But no audio seems to be transmitted. The tuner doesn't "Hear" the Variax. And, of course, I get no audio input through the VDI connection. WAKE UP HELIX! PLEASE!

I'm CERTAIN (Trying to convince myself) that I'm screwing something up! Variax input, volume up, straight through to output. I have been using digital out to the power cabs. going to try something else. BTW -  I LOVE the HELIX pitch shift! Pink Floyd Marooned! Even Billy Strings is doing the wild pitch shift now! So don't get me wrong, even if Variax is dead, I'll survive. However . . . GOTTA FIGURE THIS OUT!

If it means anything, the last time I got the Variax working with the Helix, it sounded REALLY BAD! Couldn't seem to adjust the BAD out. Had a little time now, so thought I would try again, now, well, still workin' it!

I think it is a good cable. I've tried several, good and cheap. No Joy! The first cable plugged into the HD Pro worked - it is a "PRO CAT5E" cable with the shroud. I'm trying NOT to start asking myself "how did I blow up the variax input to my HELIX????!!!!" Trying REAL hard! :D   Still workin' it!

Ok, here's the scary part . . . . I dug the old POD HD Pro out, dusted it off, hooked it up via the "Variax" (ethernet looking) port. Works! This is giving me goosebumps now! This isn't the kind of scare I was hoping for, for Halloween! HELIX, NOT WORKZ, POD HD PRO, WORKZ! Ouch! I'm sure it's just a setting I'm missing. The HELIX learning curve is quite high (POD HD PRO not?!?!)! <fingers crossed!>

I don't know. My JTV89F  just isn't working with the HELIX. Same cables work with the VDI and connect with Monkey. Everything seems fine. Just REFUSES to bond with the HELIX. ALL LATEST FW. Did EVERYTHING I know how to make volume happen . . . NOTHING! 1/4" works fine between Helix and JTV. VDI - NOTHING. Not to be crude, but . . . WTF???

AH! There we go - I think I'm starting to get why this is a "touchy" issue! It's the digital vs analog thing! I get that. But if plugging into the Helix, with either connection, is where you are going, guess the signal is going digital one way or the other. So, plug the 1/4" into your Marshall stack for the mags only, OR plug the ethernet looking thing into your Helix. I'm a little on the analog side of that argument. Well, at least for live stuff. Recording . . . that VDI thing ROCKS with the Helix! Haven't quite gotten into the groove with the JTV89F VDI in live situations. Makes the whole guitar feel, not sure how to explain it, I guess "Mushy" might be the best description. Signal just oozes through the (ethernet looking thing) cable like molasses. Not sure I'll ever get used to that. Maybe someday I'll figure out I was doing something wrong, and find out how to make the digital side sound (and FEEL) amazing live! But, that is a topic for a different thread.

Great. Got it (I hope).  :D

Thanks again all!

Ok, now I'm a bit confused (AGAIN)! I don't use the cabled power kit (EVER - cuz I don't have one). I either plug in 1/4" (TS, NO "R", and NOW fearing to do that AND VDI simultaneously could blow up my JTV-89F . . . do I just not get it?) OR VDI. Sometimes 1/4" (TS) AND VDI. Is it the dueling power sources that are the problem????!!!! (drama emphasis added . . . just for fun!)

Thanks all for the great info (and grandma stories!!). I see that the pickups can route through the VDI as mentioned above, so no need to connect both. Pretty much takes care of it. I don't think there is any mention of the problem in the manual though . . . maybe I just missed it.

I’m sure this has already been covered, so apologies in advance. But there is SOOOOO much info in the support section, who can find anything specific? I already searched ad nauseum!

Anyway, I’ve seen stuff that says “Don’t Do THAT!” regarding plugging a Variax (mine is a JTV89F from a few years ago) into your Helix with BOTH the 1/4” AND the VDI thing. Does that still apply? And what if I want to use “Boston’sPizza” . . . Both cables? Will that blow up my guitar (I've already done that once!)? If this is part of the “nauseum?” I’m so sorry, just a bit timid about frying a $1.4k guitar AGAIN! Anyone?

BTW - I've got the 89F! it is not devoid of maintenance, but update often, repair as needed. IT IS GREAT!

They all do the same thing. Update if you haven't.

On 8/3/2018 at 10:56 PM, kenmac1 said:

I also have an 89F in blood red and a 69, (Helix, DT50, an old XT Live Bass Pod and other Line 6 toys) and I have songs where i go into Sitar mode, as well as six and 12 string acoustic sounds, then crossover back and forth to harder driven electric sounds, or split guitar sounds (Harmony mags on one side, and a different guitar on the other with different amp settings inside of the Helix).  The possibilities are almost endless, but the distinct lack of a decent nylon sound is in my view an oversight of mammoth proportions, because that sound as an added texture on recordings is invaluable.  It is like adding a layer of acoustic under a hard rock recording, most people never do it, and just layer in the high gain, but a nice lunch acoustic in the mix adds so much harmonic richness to the tapestry..  Mind you, the fact that Line 6 dropped the integrating abilities previously afforded to the Dream Rig HD series with the JTV and DT amps, when they brought in the Helix is also a poorly conceived move, because for old schoolers like myself, regardless of how convincing a digital sound into an FRFR rig might be, I still like having a valve rig behind me pushing out air.  
We might be somewhat placated by the fact that we have a million sounds at our disposal, and some of them are impressive as hell, but even a true convert still relishes plugging into our valve rigs with old school stomp boxes because as close as the sounds may be, I guess there is something primal about valves creating "that sound" the way we have always used them.

As for how Fender got ahead of Line 6, I think it was possibly more the work of Roland in this case.  Fender as far as their digital amps go are terrible at best, but the Roland models seem very convincing.  If Fender / Roland had made it so you could integrate their rigs with a good floor pod type idea and amp, I may have gone down that path, purely for the convenience of a nylon string sound, but sadly they did not take their designs in that direction, so Line 6 still have the edge.

Yeah. So, let's talk Dream Rig - who would really do that . . . Since we are dreaming (and this could go on FOREVER!) how about a Fender/Yamaha/Line6/Roland Collab! Ok. I'm going back to sleep now, and working on my next dream!  :D

You Da Man! :D

I'm thinking they just need to see a lot of interest in exactly that! So, ME TOO! Here's the fun part - wouldn't it be great (I have a JTV89F . . . BLOOD RED!)) Line 6 advertisement for a guy with a shredder guitar to sound like he's playing a nylon, kinda classical-like?! I like doing things like that to see who in the audience is paying attention! Well, that, and, I don't have to change guitars every two or three songs. Great comment - not sure how Fender gets out in front of Line 6 in that arena. 

HA! Thanks to all - both to those that offered the slap and those that offered advice and options. First, I should have expressed appreciation for EVERYTHING the Helix does have. I find with minimal hardware and headache (well, a little headache in using it sometimes, but overall the good WAY outweighs the need for Advil) my jamming needs are mostly covered. Just trying to not add additional pedals. The rack and floor controller are incredible combo with a couple of Mission pedals. I just often wonder - with so much Helix processing prowess, why can't one of those pedals control a built in "talkbox?" Thanks for the info on the legacy section voicebox - but I find that it is not quite cutting it. Might be me. I'll dig in further (though I think I've done that already) to see if there is any way to make that useable. Sounds like others have already done that also with less than stellar results.

Certainly I haven't searched well. No formant filters for Helix. . .  yet???!!!. Ok, I can't believe that. it's a DSP based unit. There MUST be a way. Have we all just gotten a talkbox from somewhere and no one sent me the memo (I'll bet my spam filter deleted it!)? I don't see any new topics on this. I'm teetering on just dropping a "C" note (PLUS!) on an EH CockFight Plus. But I just CAN'T believe my Helix won't do that . . . even better than! I don't even see recent topics or posts on this. Nobody wants/needs a talkbox "tone" today? Someone please slap me and wake me out of this. We just giving up on L6? Or did I miss the post where L6 said "look elsewhere for this . . . we're NOT doing it?!?!" Edit: I missed one - someone created a GREAT Formant filter (that I haven't found) . . . now everyone is happy!?

I thought I was having the same problem. So I just did the long wait and finally it connected and opened. Just taking a LOT longer than usual.