regalpierot Posted July 2, 2016 Share Posted July 2, 2016 Received shipment of my tobacco JTV59 yesterday. Its a beautiful guitar in the flesh. The one thing I am going to have to get used to is the thickness of the neck, its like a bisected baseball bat (at the hitting end). Even though I've owned a number of Les Pauls and 335s over the years and this is definitely more girth than those, or even most acoustics I have played. But I did want, and am amazed by, the modeling the Variax can do and the integration with the Helix and the 69 or 89 just weren't the body shapes for me. Just a bit of getting used to I'm sure. Question for some kind Variax\Helix owner. I haven't installed the workbench yet but I assume the VDI - USB cable is the means to connect up to the computer so you can build your custom models. One thing I really want to do is be able to try out different pickups and models in workbench and also be altering the parameters on Helix blocks at the same time so I can build a preset with the most options. Not sure how the routing works. I tried VDI from Variax to Helix, Helix USB to Computer and set up as audio interface, but workbench doesn't seem to allow the guitar connection to proxy through the helix as is says not connected. And obviously once I plug VDI\USB to computer workbench will work but Helix is out of the chain. Might not be possible, but worth asking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterHamm Posted July 2, 2016 Share Posted July 2, 2016 The ability to access workbench with Helix would be HUMONGOUS. Right now, the Variax integration is just not all there yet.Is that on Ideascale? I'd vote it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FullMotion Posted July 3, 2016 Share Posted July 3, 2016 The ability to access workbench with Helix would be HUMONGOUS. Right now, the Variax integration is just not all there yet. Is that on Ideascale? I'd vote it up. Yes it would, and yes it is! http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/JTV-Variax-Workbench-HD-using-Helix-VDI-as-interface/789597-23508 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HonestOpinion Posted July 3, 2016 Share Posted July 3, 2016 Received shipment of my tobacco JTV59 yesterday. Its a beautiful guitar in the flesh. The one thing I am going to have to get used to is the thickness of the neck, its like a bisected baseball bat (at the hitting end). Even though I've owned a number of Les Pauls and 335s over the years and this is definitely more girth than those, or even most acoustics I have played. But I did want, and am amazed by, the modeling the Variax can do and the integration with the Helix and the 69 or 89 just weren't the body shapes for me. Just a bit of getting used to I'm sure. Question for some kind Variax\Helix owner. I haven't installed the workbench yet but I assume the VDI - USB cable is the means to connect up to the computer so you can build your custom models. One thing I really want to do is be able to try out different pickups and models in workbench and also be altering the parameters on Helix blocks at the same time so I can build a preset with the most options. Not sure how the routing works. I tried VDI from Variax to Helix, Helix USB to Computer and set up as audio interface, but workbench doesn't seem to allow the guitar connection to proxy through the helix as is says not connected. And obviously once I plug VDI\USB to computer workbench will work but Helix is out of the chain. Might not be possible, but worth asking. Right now you need to connect the Variax to the provided USB adaptor and connect the adaptor to the computer to upgrade the Variax firmware and use Workbench. All of us Variax owners are definitely hoping that full Workbench integration is in the cards somewhere down the line but it is not available yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regalpierot Posted July 3, 2016 Author Share Posted July 3, 2016 Thanks all for the answer. Saved me trying a lot of experimenting. Tap on one q if you don't mind. Can't seem to find answer in manual. So for the VDI to work in helix it seems the I put has to be set to Variax. Is that a global setting? What I want to do Is be able to tie that that input to a preset, such that when I swap guitars playing live and go back to a regular guitar using 1\4 inch input I don't need to change any setting on the helix, just change a preset. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhead Posted July 3, 2016 Share Posted July 3, 2016 The Helix and Variax behaviour can be set to global or per preset. You do that on the Variax edit page, either on the device or with the Helix editor program. You can reset it in any preset but it applies globally until you change it again ain a preset. For your purposes, set it to Preset. In terms of physical connections you connect your Variax using VDI and connect your regular guitar to the Guitar input. On a preset basis you change your input from Variax, Variax Mags, or Guitar according to which instrument or pickups you want to use. Avoid using the default Multi input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasdadgad Posted July 3, 2016 Share Posted July 3, 2016 You must have something plugged into the 1/4" jack on your Variax - in addition to the VDI and USB adapter - or you will not be able to access Workbench. Why? Because. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasdadgad Posted July 3, 2016 Share Posted July 3, 2016 . Avoid using the default Multi input. Why, please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhead Posted July 3, 2016 Share Posted July 3, 2016 My understanding is that the OP wants to switch between his Variax and a regular guitar for different songs during the gig, without having to manage any physical connections at the same time. He can do that by connecting his Variax via VDI and his regular guitar via the Guitar input. The Multi input selection includes both the Variax and Guitar inputs. This could result in some hum and/or feedback from one guitar in the signal while using the other guitar. You eliminate that possibility by using the Variax or Guitar inputs individually per preset (hence muting the other inputs) rather than using the Multi input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasdadgad Posted July 4, 2016 Share Posted July 4, 2016 My understanding is that the OP wants to switch between his Variax and a regular guitar for different songs during the gig, without having to manage any physical connections at the same time. He can do that by connecting his Variax via VDI and his regular guitar via the Guitar input. The Multi input selection includes both the Variax and Guitar inputs. This could result in some hum and/or feedback from one guitar in the signal while using the other guitar. You eliminate that possibility by using the Variax or Guitar inputs individually per preset (hence muting the other inputs) rather than using the Multi input. Ok, thanks. I just got a JTV-69; I've had the Helix for 6 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regalpierot Posted July 4, 2016 Author Share Posted July 4, 2016 Thanks again all, such a great community Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsdenj Posted July 4, 2016 Share Posted July 4, 2016 I use the multi-input with my Strat, and the VDI input with my Variax Standard. I just turn the volume down on the guitar I'm not using. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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