cags12

I will just respond that the Wireless solution is a reality and a number of people "30+" are already using it. It is not a grandiose claim or anything but you are free to believe whatever you want. This is not a bussiness for me and for that same reason I am not pushing it or making huge promotion, I just wanted to help the community to get something that has been asked for long time and make it easily available through the support of folks like CME. Anyone can make their own adapter by following the links shared in the original post though. But for those that just want to get it, I am available to build one manually myself for them. This sub-forum is practically dead and I do not come often her. All meaningful discussions about Variax are happening in the Facebook groups. Some enthusiastic people (not me) have even created a dedicated group for the Wireless solution search Facebook for: Variax Wireless VDI Working Group and you will see people with their stories of wireless control. Here is a video from someone using it and explaining how he uses it. I am sorry, as said above, I do not come often to this forum and I assumed it had a PM feature. Feel free to email me to christian.a.graffe@gmail.com for more details. To answer your question, the WIDI MAster is powered directly by the Variax via the VDI port and you will need to operate the guitar off batteries. Thanks for the support. Come find this FB gorup Variax Wireless VDI Working Group for discussion of this and the possibility to get one yourself.

Hello folks, in the matter of Wireless VDI, For those who do not know, I came up with a solution to provide wireless function to control the Variax over VDI using CME WIDI and MIDI. This are available on demand by PM'ing me. Now, CME and I are looking to understand the level of interest of the community for this as a product and mass produce the solution at lower cost and make it easily available. Please read and register in the link below to show your interest. Help spread the word!! https://www.cme-pro.com/crowd-creation-2-0-line6-variax-wireless-vdi-by-christian-graffe/

Look at this blog post The Variax Hexstainocaster Project https://lazlotronic.com/blog/studio-upgrade-2021 RMC pickups sell a part VAR001 which is a buffer to split the signal to the Variax and a GK type pre-amp. This is what Adrian Belew's guitar had fitted. I believe the main use case for this is for pitch to MIDI applications

Old topic but still very relevant. See this Video for a wireless VDI solution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s89gJ0aHNPo Please support this idea in ideascale so the Helix received an update that allows full native control of the Variax wirelessly, otherwise only using standard MIDI messages. https://line6.ideascale.com/c/idea/72350/comments/72392

You can use the standard CEM WIDI Master or WIDI Jack connected to standard MIDI ports.

I have an small update on the Wireless VDI solution for you all. First. I have managed to accomplish full bidirectional communication using WIDI. I managed to do it after carefully analysing the Variax schematics and understanding how Variax transmit messages. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s89gJ0aHNPo Second. I am collaborating with CME and we are coming up with a solution as per suggested some time ago by Alec Bourne. This could take a while though as it would need to be productise. Exact details will follow eventually. Third. I am happy to make custom adapters for anyone interested in having this today and to serve as early adopters. I have built some already for .... and they can give you some feedback on how they work. I am able to create two variants. A dongle style adapter or a wireless pack style adapter (see images). If interested send me a PM. Fourth. Current state of works consist of using the Wireless adapter with any 3rd party MIDI controller or with your own Helix using Command Center and the standard MIDI ports (not VDI). This works great and is the solution we are prioritizing. On the other hand I have done some testing to use the HELIX VDI port to control the Variax using the proprietary L6 communication and settings. Unfortunately, the Helix performs a "sensing" of the guitar over the AES lines and only then it starts sending MIDI messages. If you would like to be able to use this more native method to control your Variax, I would need your help in giving a vote to the IdeaScale request I have posted to add a "Enable wireless Variax" toggle setting to the Helix firmware so the Helix can skip the sensing and simple talk to the Variax when the Wireless adapter is connected. They have actually done this in teh past with the Vetta amp. https://line6.ideascale.com/c/idea/72350

Something I actually had a chance to briefly chat with Partev on Facebook. This is actually slightly different, this solution is not using the AES lines nor PWR supply, only the MIDI signals. Which is actually no different whatsoever than using Workbench edit with the VDI USB adapter.

Totally agree about the limitations. The only reason why I still do not own a Variax. Funny I keep coming to these forums when I feel I do want one but then in remember about all these limitations. Let me tell you a hopefully quick story: 6 years ago I decided I wanted a guitar that could do everything and naturally thought about the Variax. My biggest gripe was the aesthetics of the guitars, I simply disliked them completely (maybe except the shuriken). So I decided going the transplant route. However during my research I discovered the now discontinued Antares ATG system which is basically the same as the Variax in terms of overall functionalities (some pros and cons on both systems). There were more Pros in the end. The biggest one was they offered a luthier kit so I could install in my guitar of choice at a fraction of the price it would const a Variax transplant or full guitar. Long story short I bought 4 of their systems and have installed in multiple guitars specially in my PRS with zero permanent modification (yes, zero routing). Some of the Pros (hardware-wise): - Can install in any guitar of choice - Low footprint PCB (credit card size) - Can use any type of pickups and even a sustaniac. (Adrian Belew actually moved to the ATG platform from the Variax) - Can be controlled with MIDI (wired or wireless) - Not a closed ecosystem product - Piezo or Magnetic Hex options Of course the Con is that it has been discontinued and suffered from bad marketing and inexperienced company in the guitar industry. If only Line6 expanded the vision of the Variax to be more like an open platform, it would sell more for sure. It would quickly get me at least. Like the OP I have also embraced Roland/Boss GK products over Line6 because of the same.

Come on Line6. You were the leader in convenient Wireless technology and Boss is now coming up with more interesting products. The Waza air is a bit more than what I was waiting from Line6. A Wireless headphones purpose built for guitar applications. Soo cool!! Apart from being an all in one device, I am looking forward to use it as straight wireless headphones for Helix/Kemper/etc processing. That plus relay in the guitar is the dream. Next step would be a digital stereo in-ear system. Come on bring this to us. https://blog.andertons.co.uk/learn/boss-waza-air-headphones

@Digital_Igloo I do not get it. Why not simply use the G10 or any other relay system for audio separately and just develop a separate wireless solution ONLY for the control communications of the VDI? even better, move to standard MIDI an use one of the existing solutions around (Yamaha, Quiccosound)? No need to make a do it all device that would not be price appealing. Granted, the VDI interface can do a lot, but I bet that most of the players that demand a wireless solution for VDI and are forced to be tethered, they only look for a way to control the Variax remotely and take benefit of the wonders of added control. I myself are a user too of a now discontinued Antares Auto-tune for guitar (similar to Variax) whereas I run full Wireless. I use my trusty G10 for audio (models and passive) and use Wireless BTLE MIDI (bidirectional) for the control, changing presets, models, turnings, even firmware upgrades and programing. it works simply flawlessly in conjunction to a MIDI foot controller and the cost was: $50 for the BTLE MIDI on the guitar (Quiccosound mi.1) $50 for BTLE MIDI for the foot controller (CME Widi-Bud) $100 for a USB host to MIDI adaptor (Primova MIDX20) $150 for the L6 G10 Total: $350 And even better, Quiccosound is about to release the mi.1 pro version that can connect directly to another unit allowing to spare the USB host and Widi-Bud. So potentially less that $300 and you know what, it can also connect to Android, iOS, MAC, Windows. Imagine Workbench in your phone? Reach out to me if you want further details and pictures of how I am doing this.

@Digital_Igloo I do not get it. Why not simply use the G10 or any other relay system for audio separately and just develop a separate wireless solution ONLY for the control communications of the VDI? even better, move to standard MIDI an use one of the existing solutions around (Yamaha, Quiccosound)? No need to make a do it all device that would not be price appealing. Granted, the VDI interface can do a lot, but I bet that most of the players that demand a wireless solution for VDI and are forced to be tethered, they only look for a way to control the Variax remotely and take benefit of the wonders of added control. I myself are a user too of a now discontinued Antares Auto-tune for guitar (similar to Variax) whereas I run full Wireless. I use my trusty G10 for audio (models and passive) and use Wireless BTLE MIDI (bidirectional) for the control, changing presets, models, turnings, even firmware upgrades and programing. it works simply flawlessly in conjunction to a MIDI foot controller and the cost was: $50 for the BTLE MIDI on the guitar (Quiccosound mi.1) $50 for BTLE MIDI for the foot controller (CME Widi-Bud) $100 for a USB host to MIDI adaptor (Primova MIDX20) $150 for the L6 G10 Total: $350 And even better, Quiccosound is about to release the mi.1 pro version that can connect directly to another unit allowing to spare the USB host and Widi-Bud. So potentially less that $300 and you know what, it can also connect to Android, iOS, MAC, Windows. Imagine Workbench in your phone? All thankfully accomplished by myself due using standard protocols and interfaces. Reach out to me if you want further details and pictures of how I am doing this.

I would also like to hear as of today Nov 2018, there is a solution to using all the speakers in a NOT Wet/Dry/wet fashion? I am considering buying the FH1500 as opposed of the Power Cab (I like the added features). But I really need to be able to use all speakers, specially since I will be pairing it up with a Kemper.

What they need to do with the Variax is to open the protocol and use standard MIDI. Then you can use whatever Wireless BTLE MIDI Adapter you want or any other device with your Variax. The main reason I do not buy a Variax is because I am forced to use a L6 processor. Although I do like their processors and have had several of them, I am currently experimenting with other ones and hate when a brand tries to keep you in their ecosystem like Apple. The best thing to do is to interoperate. Currently running a GK guitar until I see a more appealing Variax instrument which btw, I would love it would be available as a kit.

USB connectivity for the sake of playing tracks although possible, is not very flexible in many situations but yeah, definitely an option. Now my next question. Would anyone consider the Firehawk over the Power Cab and why? FRFR strictly speaking and not the different specific features.

Well they do have Bluetooth in the Firehawk 1500 which is also intended to pro professional an live use. The ME Gemini also has an option and at that price point it is definitely professional and live use. I know I would not get an official response. Sometimes we do things with false hopes and implicitly venting a disappointment.