silverhead

Some troubleshooting for USB connections: - try a different cable - try different USB connections on your computer. - avoid using a hub

Read and follow the installation instructions that are posted with the latest HX Edit software, v2.92. Note the introductory comment highlighted in red text at the beginning of these instructions. And note that I haven’t really done so (well, maybe a little bit by saying this)!

Variax motherboards have never been available as an individual component outside of authorized Line 6 service centres. They are not sold separately; they’re only available by buying the guitar itself. So I think what you’re really looking for is an old Variax 700 guitar on the used market. Then you can swap the motherboard, or just use the new-to-you old guitar. And you’ll have a set of spare parts.

The HX Edit file that you download is an installer package that installs several components, including both drivers you mention. You need both of them. As I understand it the WinUSB driver supports general PC audio and the Line 6 Driver 2 is the ASIO driver that supports connected Line 6 devices as an audio interface to a DAW.

I would ask my previous best buddy to confirm that, but he’s dead now......

I think you’re probably right that this is about the ‘amp in the room’ familiarity for guitarists and other band members. What situation exactly are you wanting to improve? If you want your band members to perceive and like your tone the same way that they perceive his then get a cabinet like the other guitarist has. No amount of explaining is going to change what they hear or their preference about it. But what about your audiences? Do they think the other guitar sounds better? If so you may have to work on your presets. If not then you have to decide who you want to please, yourself or your band members, because the audience doesn’t care. EDIT: It may help to improve your rehearsal room ‘PA’ (your quotes, not mine). If that’s not a quality system with good speakers your tone is at a distinct disadvantage. Also, have you tried using his cabinet as an experiment? What do you and the other band members think about that tone?

Well, yes. Key information - you no longer have a Helix device. No need for HX Edit.

Yes, as long as you don’t care about backing anything up on your Helix device, or transferring any Helix Native presets to your Helix device. You can just download and install the new version of HX Edit as necessary when there are updates, and hope that you don’t lose anything for lack of backups in the interim. What’s the upside of removing HX Edit?

Yes this will work. I agree with those who say Helix FX is best if you want to use your existing amp. Why pay for amp modeling (POD Go or HX Stomp) if you don’t plan to use it. The drawback with your amp and signal chain means that all your FX must come before the amp and you won’t get any stereo effect. Many players coming from a traditional analog pedalboard setup are used to this. Personally, I prefer placing many FX after the amp and sometimes using stereo.

Have you tried removing the Scarlett and using the Helix as your audio interface? You’ll need to connect your speakers to the Helix outputs or use headphones.

I suggest you start a new post asking this question. It will get more visibility.

I’ve never used the external footswitches 7 and 8 and don’t really know how they operate, nor how they can access additional stomps. I’m pretty sure they can’t be used for snapshot selection. I do know that all switchable blocks (EQ, FX Loop, up to 4 flex blocks) are by default automatically assigned to one of the 6 footswitches, but you can change that. Read the Bypass/Control section of the manual for more info about your FS assignment options.

No, you are not totally way off. But if having 6 FX of your choosing is what you wanted, you bought the wrong device. It’s not designed or advertised that way. It’s designed and marketed as a device with up to 4 ‘flex’ FX. You can’t replace a fixed FX block with a flex one. That likely won’t change in any future firmware update; it’s built into the dynamic DSP management.

Custom tunings with Helix devices requires a Variax guitar. You can’t do it with a normal guitar.

You need to SAVE an existing blank preset to the location where your TEST preset is currently held.

I assume you’re using a Helix device? Make sure you select Custom as the Variax tuning parameter, and that you assign all the alternate tuning parameters (strings) to the Snapshot controller.

I suggest you open a support ticket. There may be a lingering issue with the interaction between Workbench HD and Mac OS. EDIT: It would be helpful if other Mac OS and Workbench HD users could report their status here. Are others having the same problem?

If you haven't done so already, download HX Edit from this website. When installing make sure all components are selected for installation. If your Helix firmware is not v2.92 use HX Edit to update the firmware. 1) Don't worry about your guitar just yet. Connect your Helix via USB and run the HX Edit program. If it connects properly to your Helix you will see HX Edit uploading data from the Helix. If this does not happen you will see a 'No Device Connected' error message. Your problem is the USB connection to the computer, not Workbench HD or your JTV. Research threads that discuss fixing USB issues. 2) If HX Edit loads up successfully choose any preset. Make sure the Input block is set to Variax or Multi, and that your JTV is connected via VDI and that JTV modeling is turned on. With the Input block still selected and in Edit mode (not Bypass/Controller Assign), in the bottom right hand pane select Variax (not Input). The top parameter is named Model. Rotate the model knob on your Variax. You should see the parameter changing in HX Edit as you rotate the knob. There two possibilties here: 2a) If you do see the model changing in HX Edit that means that the USB and VDI connections are working properly. The fact that Workbench HD does not recognize the JTV while HX Edit does indicates a problem with the Workbench HD software. Reinstalll Workbench HD. 2b) If you do not see the model changing in HX Edit that indicates a problem with the USB or VDI connections from the computer through the Helix device to the JTV. It's a more general issue than just Workbench HD. Again, Research threads that discuss fixing USB and VDI issues. Let us know which of these three possibilities you observe (1, 2a, or 2b). If something else happens describe whatever is it that you observe.

Does HX Edit control the Variax properly with the VDI connection?

.... moved to proper forum.....

First off, you need to download and install the Line 6 driver. Check that your recording program is using the POD HD and it’s ASIO driver as the audio input and output device. Connect your speakers / headphones to the POD outputs. After arming a stereo track for recording in your recording program, select the POD HD USB channels 1/2 as the Record Input Source. Note: The Line 6 driver is required for Windows computers. If you are using a Mac you may or may not need a driver depending on the age/OS of the Mac.

What computer/OS are you using? What recording program (you only mention a mixer)?

I’m not familiar with the mixer app you are using. When using HX stomp as the audio interface is the app configured to use the Stomp and the Line 6 driver?

Make sure you are using the Line 6 ASIO driver when you use the HX Stomp as your audio interface. You will need to download and install it if you haven’t done so already. It is part of the HX Edit installer package.

Have you tried using the Global EQ to add a bit of a boost to the XLR output signal? I’m not at my Helix at the moment but I expect there’s a Level parameter in the Global EQ.