Palico

I have firmware 2.1.. Throught the POD HD I can use workbench fine. The USB that came with it didn't seem to work, the light on the Variax plug in side never turned green. I thought the USB interface device itself was broken but I didn't know to plug in a 1/4" with it.

That's why I read forums! I thought my USB interface was broken, but I have a HD500x so didn't need it. Didn't know you had to plug in a 1/4" to force the battery on when using USB.

I too have the extension for very similar reasons as you. I got the Line6 Ex1 because it was inexpensive and figured it will last well enough. Can't comment on the others. The good: It's cheap and it works. No problems whatsoever in the sweep. It covers the entire range well. The bad: It's really really cheaply put together. It's plastic and not very strudy. The design is not even that good as I've had to fix before because some of the moving compoents can slip off if you jam it hard. Overal, I would not buy it again if I had the chance to get something better. It works well enough for volume but it just too flemsy. I really like the look of the ME pedal but I read the same thing you have about the sweep not being right because of the pot value. Wonder if that ever got fixed? I know there was way you could add a capactior to it fo fix it. But I don't wanna buy anything I gotta modify to make it work the way it's advertised to work.

:) Good read and too True. hmmm. Maybe after my warranty runs out (like 3 more months) I take the Line6 logo off my DT, just to see the response, thought about putting a custom grill with my band logo on it anway.

No tube preamps in the DT series. The preamp section is digital, so the paired with a HD500(x) over L6 link the preamp is provided by the POD. The DT itself has 4 different digitial preamps in it, that match a couple of the preamps in the HD500.

Maybe try blowing it out with air? Or just take it and move it back and forth at lot. Might be stuck.

With the VDI it's not using the battery at all. It advertises as lasting 12 hours running all on it's own. Yea I could see that though. I kind of assume the transmitter box hook into the VDI port. But then the JTV would expect battery power and that could kill the battery on the communicator device quickly. I supposed it could be reprogrammed to use both battery's together but yea I suppose that could be an obstacle to making some thing like that work. Although not currenlty part of the JTV platform wonder if an future Variax could ultilize a bluetooth type of wireless to accomplish a similar thing as we do with phones and computers everyday.

The JTV actually has a good battery that will last quite a long time. So I don't see the battery being the problem. The two-way communication would make a lot of sense though.

For extra Gain just plug it in front of the input. You also have a effects loop you can use and place the effects loop post/pre position, you will need to adjust a bit if you using 4 cable method but it should still work.

I might have figured out what I heard this morning on mine. After rehersing with the guitar, I noted it the G string was a bit loud on the LP patch. Then I also noted key positions on the E string, didn't sound good. Those position I was getting a bit of fret rattle. Not enough to hear via the mags, but I think that is what is coming over the other strings, espcially since I was sure it didn't have it when I first got the guitar. But I changed the string and tuning, the setup is quite different now. I'll have to get out to my luither to reset the neck, etc.. for the 1/2 flat tuning.

Okay finally got around to this. According to what I could find I could not find any high gain models other than the mags, althought I could very well be wrong on that I will try again soon. However; I did a comparison as best I could. The model sounds thinner than the mags and less output. Now I haven't played with work bench much to attempt adjust for that. But I installed new strings this morning and installed a Backbox after testing Friday and setup the tuning for Eb (what my band always plays in). I was just playing around this afternoon when I noticed the "D" string is a bit plinky, but only in on the Semi and only when paired with certian amps. For me that isn't a big deal, I will avoid those. Maybe it's the string of the setup since tuning half flat on Floyd changes quite a lot of stuff. I got the bridge right and I plan on taking to my luither friend for setup after next weekend (I have show I would like to use this guitar on). Maybe the Variax side is sensitive to some strings? Also I know the Variax don't like to be out of standard tuning, my old 500 would bark at that sometimes too.

So this post by Smybacki had a great idea of creating some template for some of the basic style rigs as a start point for creating new tones. http://line6.com/support/topic/12637-i-took-a-deep-breath-and-heeded-the-advice-i-recieved-here/ So sitting here thinking about what are some templates for your average to create. Sytles (I could think of that might be useful): Classic 60's Rock Classic 70's Rock 80's Hair Band DJent Tone Shred Acousitc Delta Blues Chicago Blues Modern Rock Rockabilly Old School Country Modern Clean Country Modern Dirt Country Jazz R&B Pop What am I missing? What would your setup basic on any of these you are knowable in be?

The manual is available in the support section. It would appear that is just a scene name as the unit support multiple insturments via the same receiver. No meantion in the manual of any "Variax" specific funitonality.

Sweetwater's concept of scratch and Dent is very minor. My 89f was listed as a scratch and dent, figured I'm a gigging musician it's gonna get those anyway. I can't find a scratch on the thing.

hmmm. I like your concepts created a "Basics". Sort of like when recording I have a template that has all the basic plugin inline and ready to go but largely turned off or to very basic settings. I never thought of apporaching the endless array of options the POD gives us that way. Thank you for giving me something to think about!

Okay, I just got my 89f, like 2 days ago, so my opinon might change over time as I get out and gig with it. But right now, yea I would use it without the modelling, if I had to. I can't say I would have bought it without the modelling but I"m glad I did. The neck on this one feels like it was just made for me. It has a wider string spacing than my other guitars (Strat, Epi LP, Variax 500), but I have big hands and long fingers and that extra space suites me very well. The mag pickup, balance, fit and finish on the gutiar feel in line with a instrument at this price point as well. I will have to see when I get out on gig with it, but right now I can see myself actually using the Mags more often live and pulling in the modelling for certian songs and/or tunings. And then the opposite next time I need to do some recording.

Yep it was all up to date. And I'm falling in love with this thing more everyday. The string spacing (quite wide compared to my 500 and other guitars) and neck were just made for my hands. Oddly enough I find I'm favoring the Mag way more than I thought I would.

+1 would love a Nylon string, even if it wasn't perfect. The 89 doesn't model anything the others don't I just has high output passive mags. They do sound good though. On my 89f I wouldn't really care to have the EMG because the sound would not be that different (a bit I'm sure) than the mags but on the other models, I could for sure see it be useful.

It arrived just a couple hours ago. What a beast these things are. Love the neck profile. Everything checked out and except for the fact the box was resealed you would have never knew this was a demo. No plink to speak of. I know why people compalin about the tunings thought. With Distortion it's fine but some of those setting where it a more than a tone to semi-tone of the real tuning without distortion the ghost notes are real obvious. Nothing really differnet than old variaxs in that aspect. The Mags are really nice though, and some of the models seems better too. Haven't had the time to check the flash level and download update/workbench for it yet. That will be later tonight. And dang yea Sweetwater, I took the guitar outta the box and played it and it was actually very close to in tune. I'm gonna get it my guy to do a setup when my Backstop for it comes later this week. But the setup Sweetwater had on it isn't bad a all. No buzz but I think the neck might need a small adjustment to better string height.

No way I'm aware of. Maybe someone else knows. I would try working with the channel volume first! I don't think I would try the Bridged mono seems too high to be safe.

To an extent that is true. If your power amp is 120w and your speaker cab is 120w (talking RMS or program wattage), then you can't overload the cab and smoke the speakers, that much is very true. But it fails to take into account the distortion factor of the amp. Differnt amps will distort at different points. So I I run the 120w amp to full output it's gonna distrort. So if i want to be able to get the most of the speaker I gotta have a power amp that can provide the 120w of clean power, that will mean it will be over 120w total. Anywhere from 3/4 to double is what I see most people use sucessfully. Now that does mean if you get above actually 120w heading to the cab (and you certinally can do that) then your going to destory the speaker(s), mostly likely be melting the voice coil.

The channel volume might add some distortion but not a lot, certinally less than distorting the power amp. You will likely just have balance the two out to find what sweet spot works best for you. At 150w heading to the cab you should have enough. But having the wattage and clean wattage can be two different things. You could go about as high as 240w or so on the power amp and just be careful not to over push it heading to the cab.

First CONGRATS on winning the audition! 1) Yes. 2) I agree with above. the mixer and channel volume. I would start with Channel Volume. Balance it to taste. On the POD I found the channel volume doesn't tend to add distortion, the "Master" on the DEP seems to more control that. Of course along with drive. Last option, you might need something with more wattage than the iNuke. If you pushing the iNuke to 75% to get the volume you want and can't make up enough input to it from the POD then you need more headroom = more wattage or maybe better power amp that can produce cleaner power. Another long shot, if you just really don't like the changes on the POD, insert another gain stage between the POD and Poweramp. Like a small physical line mixer with a pre-amp on it to bring the input to the power amp close to 0db. If got a 0db (real reading not POD mixer setting) going to the power amp there is nothing to do but replace the power amp with something bigger and/or cleaner. I seriously doubt you have 0db hitting that power amp, you likely way way below it. A bit below (-6) woudl be fine, maybe ever preferable, but too little and your having to push the crap out amp, which leads to distortion. Which is precely why I like low wattage amps but your case you want to get it cleaner.

Okay I the first vid was intresting and I liked the sound of the classical playing that partiuclar type of music. Althought I would hate to try to remember what the heck notes to play on that beast! The second link sounded like a completely out of tune guitar. Kind where you get the point you have completed overthough the whole thing to the point it's noise again. Kind of like some paintings, some may claim it's abstract but looks like something a 3 year old would do to me. You enjoy it more power to ya.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Workbench Kind of high price to get an old interface. The other options are to find a used POD x3 Live (maybe POD xt live some can pipe in if that works are not) or POD HD500 Live (NOT HD500x live they don't work with the old Variax for workbench).