Snapshots switching between Variax mags and models

[baggas]

What I want to do is to create a patch where I can use my Variax magnetic pickups for some snapshots, and then switch to other models (eg acoustic, banjo) for other snapshots, without having to touch my model selector on the Variax. I've worked out how to switch between variax models, but not how to use the mags for other snaphots. Is this possible?

[davidb7170]

I do this with the 2 paths. One is set with the DVI set to Variax model, the other is set to Variax mags. I set the model to the acoustic with my favorite acoustic lineup of eq, compression, reverb, etc for the model (no amp model), the other for the electric. I set a gain block at the beginning of both paths that toggle the volumes on and off for the paths depending on the snapshots. I've set them for electric- acoustic, electric- banjo, etc. Works great.

[baggas]

I do this with the 2 paths. One is set with the DVI set to Variax model, the other is set to Variax mags. I set the model to the acoustic with my favorite acoustic lineup of eq, compression, reverb, etc for the model (no amp model), the other for the electric. I set a gain block at the beginning of both paths that toggle the volumes on and off for the paths depending on the snapshots. I've set them for electric- acoustic, electric- banjo, etc. Works great.

 

Thankyou David I followed this advice. Using the gain blocks as you suggested to adjust the path volumes. Works well when I'm using electric guitar (mags) for the top path and Variax acoustic sounds for the bottom path. This is all I need for now.

 

 

 

Next challenge will be to somehow be able to switch between the magnetics and other variax modelled electric guitars within the same path so as to be able to use the same amp, cab, effects etc. I've only just started playing around with it, but my idea is to create custom models within Workbench that essentially just use the magnetic pickups (ie - Magnetic blend at full), and then select these in the Variax input block in Helix.

[davidb7170]

Interesting idea! It should work if you set the model pickups to the lowest possible, and reduce the string levels to the lowest as well if only the pickup level doesn't do it alone. The only hitch would be the pickup switch changes the model selection, so you can defeat that with the helix Variax control parameter. I do that with my acoustic electric preset so when I change my electric pickups with the selector it doesn't mess with the model selection....

[baggas]

Interesting idea! It should work if you set the model pickups to the lowest possible, and reduce the string levels to the lowest as well if only the pickup level doesn't do it alone. The only hitch would be the pickup switch changes the model selection, so you can defeat that with the helix Variax control parameter. I do that with my acoustic electric preset so when I change my electric pickups with the selector it doesn't mess with the model selection....

That's a great idea. I was thinking I would have to devote a whole custom bank on my JTV-69 to allow the pickup switch to work in the normal fashion - one slot for each pickup combination. Defeating it in Variax control like that should allow me to only use one slot.

 

Next I need to decide if I use a "neutral body" in workbench - will that most transparently allow the tone of my guitar to come through? Or should I use the Strat body? Hopefully I'll get time to play around with all these things tonight.

[davidb7170]

Did a little test with the Helix snapshot Variax settings - the parameters are selectable per snapshot. I selected the "Preset Variax Lock Control", pushed and turned so the brackets show up indicating Snapshot control of the parameter, then on one snapshot set it to "Pickup Select", and "Unlocked" on all other snapshots.

 

With that and your special custom Variax model chosen on the "Preset Variax Model" parameter also under snapshot control, choose your custom model for that snapshot - changing the pickup selector won't force a model change for that snapshot, but you will be changing the mag pickup positions. When you change to another snapshot, change the model selection on that parameter. If you have it set to "Don't Force", it'll stay on the last chosen model which would be your custom model, and you don't want that. Also make sure the "Preset Variax Lock Control" is set to "Unlocked" for the other snapshots.  

 

With another regular model chosen on the other snapshots, when you use the pickup selector, it will choose other models in that group, like the T-Model Group, Spank Group, Lester Group, no matter what you Model Knob is physically set to....

 

On your custom Variax model, the body type and pickup type shouldn't matter if you pull all the preset's string volumes down all the way, and maybe the pickup volumes as well, and have your Mag mix all the way up.

 

This is a very interesting possibility to me, as I have both the JTV 59 & 69, and they have very different overall volume differences. The 59's Humbuckers are quite a bit louder than my 69's Single Coils, to the point of I have 2 sets of the same presets, one for the 59 and one for the 69. If I could do what you're looking to do with a custom "Mags Only Model", you can also adjust the preset master volume, I might be able to even out the volume differences for both guitars' mags, and have just one set of Helix presets for both the 59 & 69....

 

I don't like using the USB interface for Workbench, as you only can monitor the guitar through the 1/4" JTV jack. I could fire up my HD500 or 500X and do it via the VDI, but will wait until the pending Helix 2.20 firmware update that will FINALLY make HD Workbench function via the Helix VDI. I have found that volume and tonality difference exist between the JTV VDI and regular 1/4" outputs. Many have said it doesn't, but I've experienced it on both of my JTV's.

 

Dave