Now Available: Variax Hd Upgrade And Workbench Hd Software

[TheRealZap]

same model = same tone

 

Sorry, i mean the tone not the model

[floyd25]

Honestly, everybody is starting to guess what line6 changed with this HD update. They give us this marketing message but what they should do is: just list what they did change. Somebody said the 12 string sounds better, another one said they didn't update them. So?

[anthonylee]

if you mean workbench... its not reinstalling them, it resyncs them.

but now i have nothing working

[TheRealZap]

You're assuming he meant the 12 string acoustics....  he was probably saying the 12 string ricks... since they had been discussed recently.

Honestly, everybody is starting to guess what line6 changed with this HD update. They give us this marketing message but what they should do is: just list what they did change. Somebody said the 12 string sounds better, another one said they didn't update them. So?

[anthonylee]

but now i have nothing working

updated flash memory no sound

[TheRealZap]

maybe try flashing down first to 1.8?

only a guess... never seen this one.

 

 

updated flash memory no sound

[guilhordas]

same model = same tone

all models except the acoustic had some change in tone? is it?

[TheRealZap]

not a change in tone... a change in model... which yes results in a change of tone... (but the tone wasn't altered from the previous model... those models were removed)

 

 

 

all models except the acoustic had some change in tone? is it?

[TheRealZap]

you also HAVE to make sure that you overwrite the old models when it warns you...

if you try to keep your models, that could cause issues...

(not sure if this is a factor in your issue... but worth mentioning)

 

maybe try flashing down first to 1.8?

only a guess... never seen this one.

[guilhordas]

not a change in tone... a change in model... which yes results in a change of tone... (but the tone wasn't altered from the previous model... those models were removed)

thankls ,last question why the website only mentions the JTV 59? just something special with it?

[TheRealZap]

I didn't see any specific reference to the 59:

http://line6.com/news/general/1433

 

it applies to all James Tyler Variaxes.

 

thankls ,last question why the website only mentions the JTV 59? just something special with it?

[anthonylee]

maybe try flashing down first to 1.8?

only a guess... never seen this one.

flashed down to 1.82 works /try again

[guilhordas]

I didn't see any specific reference to the 59:

http://line6.com/news/general/1433

 

it applies to all James Tyler Variaxe

 

I know that ,im talking about that http://line6.com/jtv-59/features  , in the ultimate guitar recording- with variax HD, it speaks only of 59, but I think it is only an example right?

in features

[TheRealZap]

I see what you're saying now... I'm confident it's just a typo/error.

[anthonylee]

flashed down to 1.82 works /try again

flashed to 2.0 now works. ThanX :-)

[guilhordas]

I see what you're saying now... I'm confident it's just a typo/error.

I wondered that too

[andiw]

Just flashed to V2. The models feel better. Seems there's less latency ... I like it so far!  :)

[karmicfreak]

Updated... with some trouble.  Tried to do the Vax 2.0, and it failed, crashed my mac 1/2 thru.  It showed 2.0 was loaded, but it only had the teles and strats.  I was able to re-do the update after a couple more tries.  My HD500 needed updating, as well as Monkey.  I had several kernel-panic type crashes on my 2011 iMac i5 with 8GB memory... shouldn't have happened.  I couldn't update the variax or the HD the first time... I'm going to recommend this order for HD500/JTV users like me for those who haven't updated yet (please chime in if you disagree!)

 

Log onto HD500 Edit, save all your presets.  Do this before you update HD500 edit!

Update L6 Monkey

Update HD500 driver

Update HD500 firmware

 

Connect the Variax via the USB interface and plug a 1/4" cable in to turn it on. 

Open Workbench and save any custom models

Run L6 Monkey, update Workbench

Update Variax to 2.0

 

Hope you can avoid my troubles.  The models seem a little more... present?  Especially the Teles, to my ears.  The Gretsches seem different also, but those are my most-used models.   Was this worth 8 months?  Maybe.  Workbench is pretty cool, but only so usable until it can work thru the HD500. 

[guilhordas]

aaaah THX that solved my problem!! I think that Information should be found in Workbench HD

the Jtv should have the battery or not? , My interface is still flashing red side of the cable vdi. Thanks

[johnnyayyy]

First impressions... hmmmmm... the guitar seems more sensitive to finger noise, especially right hand fingestyle/travis picking - it is like the pickups are suddenly more microphonic (I realize this is impossible but that is the best way to describe what I am hearing). This is on patches created specifically for Variax so some adjustment in HD500 and in playing technique will probably be needed.

 

Same on patches made for a real Strat when using the Spank models - Travis picking sounds like a box of spoons dropping every time my picking fingers touch and release the strings.

 

I am also noticing more warbling on the Rick 12 strings than before, like I have to be super careful to avoid the open G string going haywire and sounding what sounds like a half step off. Also some slight fret buzz on the low E that was not an issue before (I never noticed it at all until today) sounds horrid now - need to tweak my truss rod I think.

 

:(

 

Hopefully everyone else will have a better first go at it than I am. From what I can tell (aside from the buzzing and heavy warbling on the Rick 12) the modeling sounds good, I am noticing a big improvement in the R-Billy bank especially. I am going to do some A/B recording tests next week with my Variax Transplant and see just how different the tones are - until the update my JTV sounded pretty much exactly like the Tele.

 

Hmmm, also when switching models on the guitar it seems to switch slowly with a silence in between models, but if I switch models using the controls on the HD500 switching seems quicker with no dropout in sound. I only use my JTV for recording so it is not a problem but this might be a pain for anyone playing live.

 

I think tonight I will  try reflashing and see if that clears up any of these issues.

[jefflynyrd]

I noticed same things as johnnyayyy...I think I need to raise my bridge a touch as my action is set very low... I did notice it (b and e strings not ringing out as they should) before update but it wasn't as noticeable... Still very happy n smiling!

[toasterdude]

There only appears to be one tele body now and not 3? Wide range buckers and dog ear p90s are a welcome addition. Never had a guitar with wide range buckers. The variax will let me try it out.

 

 

To clarify... the tele was just modeled from a different model than the old models...

but yes... all of the new models sound way more dynamic... and the difference between the models is now alot more noticeable IMO

[just-joshin-ya]

I can't get the workbench to download? It says page is unavailable for it and the new version of monkey any ideas?

[clay-man]

Hey buds, once you guys have some fun, can you guys share some demos?

[BigChas52]

Yes, it should have the battery installed.  You should also plug a cable into the 1/4" jack, since the Variax USB interface will not power the guitar.

the Jtv should have the battery or not? , My interface is still flashing red side of the cable vdi. Thanks

[lindsayward]

I have updated and like it overall - especially the telecaster, and I think I'll be using the Les Paul (neck) a lot more than before :)

HOWEVER, one of my favourite and most-used models is the Jazzbox-4 (neck + middle position), and it sounds vastly different to me! I don't like it as much as the first one. This one has kind of a duller main tone with a beady, narrow kind of string tone - not as even and sweet as the last one. Not "bad", but not what I want - not compared to the previous model.

 

Anyone got any thoughts on this model?

[KennyMac]

I've created a chart of the different guitars. You can download it here: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/27557/Variaxes.pdf

[TheRealZap]

it doesn't reflect the tele changes...

but i've always been partial to this visual version:

[guilhordas]

I have updated and like it overall - especially the telecaster, and I think I'll be using the Les Paul (neck) a lot more than before :)

 

HOWEVER, one of my favourite and most-used models is the Jazzbox-4 (nexk + middle position), and it sounds vastly different to me! I don't like it as much as the first one. This one has kind of a duller main tone with a beady, narrow kind of string tone - not as even and sweet as the last one. Not "bad", but not what I want - not compared to the previous model.

 

Anyone got any thoughts on this model?

yes i think the same way, it seems that before had more bass, more depth

[fr0sty]

Thanks for the new jtv update.

[LarryLion]

I'm using a Mac and immediately noticed that if I click on "Open Preset Folder" in WB-HD, I get an error.  Anyone get the same message? I searched thru the helpfile PDF, no clues there.

[guilhordas]

when I click on the workbench  in parallel pitch and in preset nothing appears, someone already knows how it works?

[jeffgtr60]

I updated to the jvt59 firmware, updated the audio/midi driver, updated monkey, installed hd workbench.

 

Everything went swimmingly EXCEPT the HD Workbench cannot find the Variax. I've tried connecting using the HD500 and the interface that came with the Variax. Still didn't work. I've rebooted, reinstalled HD Workbench..nothing.

 

The Old Workbench connects just fine and recognizes the guitar.

 

I know the firmware installed because the difference in the models is noticable.

 

I'm running a Macbook Pro 2.2GHZ I7 16GB Ram, Mountain Lion, I do have Logic X installed and use a Focusrite interface, however that shouldn't have anything to do with it.

 

Any ideas? I'm out of them.

[spikey]

you can use the 500, 500x, or pro (or pretty much any variax enabled pod) to update... only workbench has the issue.

 

Not that I dont appreciate the new software but...., I "want" to use my $700 HD Pro and workbench HD together in realtime to hear the changes made thru the patches in the HD Pro. Not thru a cheap plastic interface. I hope they fix this sooner than later...

[spikey]

I've created a chart of the different guitars. You can download it here: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/27557/Variaxes.pdf

 

 

Very nice and THANKS!!!!!

[guilhordas]

Yes, it should have the battery installed.  You should also plug a cable into the 1/4" jack, since the Variax USB interface will not power the guitar.

Thanks

[McLenison]

Not sure if I uploaded it properly.  Here's what happened:

 

 

I click OK and it starts loading

 

 

Then this next screen occurs.  Was it successful?

 

[spikey]

Well thats the old workbench, and it shows that your Variax is not at 2.0... The new workbench HD looks much different. 

[jeffgtr60]

I posted earlier I couldn't get hd workbench to recognize my guitar. Not sure what I did differently but it finally connected. I was using the usb interface instead of the hd500

[Jasonbrianmerrill]

for some ridiculous reason, they made it so you can no longer connect through the pod. hope no one sold their workbench interface (like I almost did!!)