silverhead

The new models should work with any device that has the VDI interface. The Variax is powered by the VDI connection and produces the guitar model sounds that it sends to the device via VDI. From there, the device (XT Live, X3 Live, Pod HDxxx) processes the incoming guitar signal as usual.

The judgements of 'better' or 'worse' are very personal opinions, and everyone will have their own. Personally, I think all models are much improved and more realistic. Let's remember to qualify our statements when we say 'this is better' or 'that is worse'.

Are you using the Download tab at the top of this page? That should work, and lead you to the correct url/page. If not, try clearing your cache, deleting your history, .....

I am not sitting at my M20d right now to verify, and the documentation seems to be silent on this, but it may be possible. You would use the Unlinked mode to activate this if it's available. If you have defined your monitors as a stereo pair the panning feature may be available separately from the main mix, along with the monitor level, in Monitor Tweak mode.

I find it more reliable to use the JTV USB interface (rather than the Pod VDI connection) when using Workbench.

You need to play surprisingly loud. How loud? Until you can't hear it any longer. .... or, use headphones.

Yes - HD500 Output should be Studio/Direct. This is appropriate for the Full amp models, including mic and cab selections. This is best for your FOH feeds as well as your L2m. I know the default behaviour when connecting HD500 and L2m via L6 Link is as you describe: HD500 to Combo and L2m to Electric Guitar. However, I feel there must be some way to override these defaults - but I don't know what it is. Perhaps you simply have to change them manually after connecting. It's a global setting on each device, meaning you only have to do it once (not per preset) per session after connecting. I will consult the manuals when I have some time. Meanwhile, I suggest you look into it too.

I think the L2m would be a great choice. Have you considered the following setup: - HD500 L and R XLR outputs go straight to FOH - HD500 L6 Link to L2m. Set L2m to PA/Reference mode (you're right - you don't want Eectric Guitar mode for exactly the reason you mention). The L6 Link connection can be louder than the analog outputs from the HD500; you will likely need to keep the L2m volume at a relatively low setting. That would allow you full stereo signal to FOH that can be controlled independently by the FOH sound guy, and the option to add a 2nd L2m in future if you want an additional, or stereo, stage monitor. The L6 Link connections will handle the L/R monitor assignment(s) automatically.

I'm not sure if this is what you are asking, but the procedure for storing models in the Custom banks is provided on page 13 of the JTV Pilot's Guide, as follows: Let’s say you found a sound that you know you’ll be coming back to again and again. Here’s what you do: 1. Be sure your sound is exactly as you want it. This is going to store the guitar model and tone knob settings. 2. Press and hold the Guitar Model Selector knob for 2.5 seconds or until the LEDs begins to blink to enter customization mode. 3. Now turn the Guitar Model Selector to CUSTOM 1 or CUSTOM 2. It’s your choice. The Alternate Tuning LED is no longer lit. 4. Move the Pickup Selector Switch to the desired position you want to store it. JTV-59 Users: Push Alternate Tuning Knob then move Pickup Selector Switch to access positions 2 or 4. 5. To save an alternate tuning to this position, select the desired tuning on your Alternate Tuning knob. Skip this step if you do not want an alternate tuning. 6. Press and hold the Guitar Model Selector knob for 2.5 seconds. Presto!, you just saved your first guitar model to a custom bank! Don’t forget to set your Alternate Tuning knob to MODEL if you want to recall the tunings exactly the way you’ve saved them.

Please realize that we know nothing about you - you'd be surprised at how many times the 'so-obvious-it's-insulting' suggestions are actually helpful to true novices. I'm sure brue58ski is only trying to help. Here's another obvious suggestion (good troubleshooting always eliminates the obvious first): it could be a faulty VDI cable. To test, try a standard RJ45/Ethernet cable. Be very careful connecting it - since its ends are unshielded a careless connection could damage the jack on the XT Live or the JTV. If that, too, is too obvious then please tell us exactly what you have done so far to troubleshoot the problem. For instance - why do you believe matching resistance is a solution?

In the Controllers section of HD400 Edit you will be able to define the Min/Max controller (e.g. EXP2) for the Wah FX. Also set the Toe Switch as the Wah On/Off controller and SAVE the preset with the Wah FX status and the pedal selector set to either Wah Off and EXP1 (if you want the Wah FX OFF when you recall the preset) or to Wah On and EXP2 (if you want the Wah FX ON when you recall the preset). In either case, when the preset is active you will toggle the Wah FX On/Off by depressing the pedal Toe Switch.

That's because the 1/4" jack is also the power switch for the JTV electronics. The USB/Workbench interface does not power the JTV.

You cannot direct one signal to the 1/4" outputs and a different signal to the VDI connection. I believe the 1/4" output will always carry the signal defined by the status and position of the JTV Model Selector knob (either its physical setting or its VDI-defined setting from an external processor like the X3). If the modeling is turned off the 1/4" output carries the mag pickups. If modeling is on, it carries the signal of the selected guitar model. However, you can select both mag pickups and modeled signal simultaneously by using the VDI connection with one of the compatible Pod HD processors (HD500/500x/Pro). You do this by selecting both associated Inputs for the preset (Variax gives the modeled signal, Variax Mags gives the mag pickups). Both signals are carried over the VDI connection, not the 1/4" output, but you can process them separately by assigning them to different Inputs and constructing your preset accordingly. I'm not 100% certain but I don't think the Pod X3 series processors can handle both modeled and mag pickup signal simultaneously; I believe it's only possible with the Pod HD series. Perhaps someone else can clarify that point.

Yes it is possible. The easiest way is to drag/drop an HD500 preset file (*.h5e) into any preset slot in the HD500x Edit program. Then SEND SELECTED preset(s) into the HD500x device.

I think you may be talking about the USB Workbench interface. It's a plastic box-like thingy with two cables. It's used to connect your Variax to your PC to use the Workbench software (and to update your JTV firmware).

Then why didn't you just begin with your little rant in the first place instead of asking a rhetorical question? I wouldn't have responded - and I won't any further.

Oh - forgive me. I assumed you were serious when you asked the question.

Download the manual and read it. In the beginning, pay close attention to how the Inputs are assigned and processed within presets and also to Output Modes. Begin with just one amp - no FX - and experiment with all available parameters, including cab/mic selections and the so-called Deep Edit Parameters, especially for the cabs. Get familiar with how the amp's Drive, channel Volume and Master Volume settings interact. Once you are familiar with tweaking amps, start adding FX.

Tone locking can only be done on JTV guitars - not the earlier Variax models like the 600.

As far as I know the X3 does not have the pre-programmed artist presets like the Spider series.

Yes you can do this. Connect the HD500 outputs (XLR or 1/4") to the theatre amp's aux inputs as you say. Be aware that you will only get a simple stereo signal - the HD500 doesn't know anything about 7.1 audio. Also, for best results try to keep your theatre amp's signal processing as flat/neutral as possible. In other words, turn off any of your amp's onboard DSP FX (e.g. reverb), and set the EQ controls at neutral. Let the HD500 DSP do the processing - keep your amp's processing out of the way as much as possible.

Yes it can be done - it should work with no amp assigned in the chain. Check your Inputs assignment - make sure that you select the physical input into which your guitar is plugged.

I'm not wanting to speak for TheRealZap, but I am in a similar situation. I'm sometimes invited to beta-test products as is he. But not all beta-testers are invited to participate in each and every beta test. There's no expectation on my part (nor, I presume, on his) that I would be invited to beta test any model-pack offerings if they are even being planned - which I have no inside information about. So, like The RealZap, I would expect to pay for any model packs if I wanted them. If I did happen to participate in a software beta test then no, I wouldn't be charged for the software.

You don't mention your recording environment/setup. If it's PC based, make sure you configure your DAW (recording program) to use the Pod HD device and its ASIO driver as the audio device. On a Mac you would do the same thing but I believe the terminology is different (no ASIO).

The two approaches to alternate tunings are different and separate. Workbench tunings apply to the specific model stored/saved in a given Model Selection knob position. On the JTV, the Alt Tuning knob applies to all models. There is no way to 'send' a Workbench-created alternate tuning to one of the JTV Alt Tuning knob positions. You adjust/replace the Alt Tuning knob positions using the method that you are already aware of. Notice that one of the Alternate Tuning knob positions on the JTV is 'Model'. That's the position you must place this knob in when you want the Workbench-created alternate tuning to apply to the selected guitar model. So there are two distinct ways to use alternate tunings: model specific using Workbench, or global using the JTV Alt Tuning knob. They don't mix.