Variax And Workbenchhd Won't Connect

[MWolfkiel]

Trying to learn workbench hd, followed all available instructions but guitar will not connect, tried rescanning still nothing. Any help out there, thanks...oh on a Mac all updates installed

[phil_m]

Do you have a 1/4" cable plugged into the guitar and the volume knob turned up? Is your battery charged?

[MWolfkiel]

Yes to all 3....it worked once before, but now it will not recognize the guitar ?

[roryac30]

I had this problem from time to time. I just unplugged and plugged the USB cable a few times (or more) until it recognized the guitar. It's very finicky!  Sometimes it works first time, other times it's a PITA. Good Luck!

[gcraenen]

I'm having this problem all the time. I'm connecting form a mac (OS X 9.0) and through a PODHD500. POD is connected with USB cable to the Mac. Variax and DT50 are connected to Pod with L6 links.

[silverhead]

Workbench HD does not work through a POD device. It works only with the Variax/Workbench hardware interface. Make sure you have a 1/4" cable connected to the Variax output jack, and make sure your battery is charged.

[offashead]

Workbench HD does not work through a POD device. It works only with the Variax/Workbench hardware interface. Make sure you have a 1/4" cable connected to the Variax output jack, and make sure your battery is charged.

 

 

 And, make sure the VDI cable is connected properly to the guitar. I have had a few experiences where the connection ( guitar end ) can be a little problematic, mainly due to the cover and slight angle of the connection in the guitar. It should click in but sometimes needs a little bit more force, but not to much which could cause damage.

[brianreidguitar]

Why are we having to wait so long for the JTV's AND Workbench HD to work through the POD (HD500) variax connection?  This really needs to be working.  Having to connect the junk (IMO) box just to access this touted "High Definition" software simply doesn't make sense and is a big step backward…again, in my opinion.

If this software is to be truly useful, I want (need) to hear the changes through the POD HD500 as I make them.  I can't overstate how ridiculous the concept is to me that this would be made non-functioning within a purported software upgrade.

[TheRealZap]

you can also hook up a 1/4" straight into the pod to hear changes realtime...

no idea when it will be updated to use the pod though... which is clearly the more desired solution.

 

Why are we having to wait so long for the JTV's AND Workbench HD to work through the POD (HD500) variax connection?  This really needs to be working.  Having to connect the junk (IMO) box just to access this touted "High Definition" software simply doesn't make sense and is a big step backward…again, in my opinion.

If this software is to be truly useful, I want (need) to hear the changes through the POD HD500 as I make them.  I can't overstate how ridiculous the concept is to me that this would be made non-functioning within a purported software upgrade.

[brianreidguitar]

you can also hook up a 1/4" straight into the pod to hear changes realtime...

 

Then I'd need to charge the battery, which I almost never do 'cause I purchased the toutedly innovative Line 6 VDI cable and the "cool" one being solicited within the forum, which is - in fact - "cool" and much preferred over the stiff L6 cable.

 

I know it's an unfortunate unknown and I do appreciate your continued support within the forum and response, Zap, just blowin' off steam.

[silverhead]

Never hurts to carry a charged battery as backup for emergencies (failed VDI cable - whether the 'cool' one or the stiff L6 one, or VDI jack failure in either JTV or HD500). Just sayin'.... until the firmware update arrives you're not exactly dead in the water re: using Workbench HD.

[superstring]

I just got my JTV69 and can't get it connected to WorkBenchHD either.

 

Here's my set-up:  

JTV69 connected via the VDI cable to the supplied Variax USB interface which is connected via USB cable directly to my MacMini (Running Mavericks).  Additionally, I have a 1/4" cable plugged into the JTV69. The battery is charged. 

 

Status:

The JTV69 is powered on (model selector know lit up)

The USB interface shows two green lights

The MacMini system information shows that the "Variax USB Interface" is connected

Line6 Monkey shows the "Variax USB Interface"

 

However, Monkey shows only shows the latest version of Variax Workbench at 1.54 so I did not install from within Monkey, I downloaded WorkBenchHD directly.  It is unable to connect to the JTV69.  I've unplugged/replugged/restarted/rescanned all to no avail.  Kind of frustrating.  

 

Should the JTV69 show up in Monkey separately or just the USB interface?  I am trying to see what firmware version is installed on the guitar, but since it doesn't show up anywhere, I'm not sure how to do that.  For what its worth, License Manager doesn't connect to or find the JTV69 or the USB interface.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

[phil_m]

However, Monkey shows only shows the latest version of Variax Workbench at 1.54 so I did not install from within Monkey, I downloaded WorkBenchHD directly.  It is unable to connect to the JTV69.  I've unplugged/replugged/restarted/rescanned all to no avail.  Kind of frustrating.

 

 

If Monkey isn't showing the latest version of things, it probably means you need to update Monkey. But you usually get a warning when you start Monkey. Also, Workbench and Workbench HD are completely different programs, so Workbench HD doesn't show up as an update for Workbench.

[TheRealZap]

perhaps it showed version 1.54 because your JTV is at an earlier than 2.0 firmware?

you have to update the JTV to 2.0 before workbench HD will work.

[superstring]

Thanks for the replies.  I finally got the Variax to show up in Monkey as a separate device (Didn't make any changes, just waited an hour or so - perhaps it only works after 8p PST? :). But the WorkBenchHD still won't connect.

 

I now I have Variax USB Device & Tyler Variax listed as separate devices in Monkey.  If I click on the Tyler Variax, it says Device Firmware Flash Memory 2.0, but under applications, it has the newest Variax Workbench listed as v. 1.54.  So do I need to install v1.54 first before Variax HD works?  I generally don't like to install old software if I don't have to, but maybe that is what is required?  I guess I'll try that and see if that does anything.  

[superstring]

O.k. reporting back.  After installing WorkBench 1.54 and restarting, it looks like WorkBenchHD is now connecting.  Though oddly, in Monkey, the JTV is no longer showing up.  I guess I'll pick my battles as long as I can get HD working.  Perhaps Line6 should clarify for anyone purchasing new JTVs (Rather than upgrading to HD) that they can't just install WorkBenchHD and have to install the older version first.  Would have saved me some frustration...  Hopefully this will help others.

[phil_m]

Perhaps Line6 should clarify for anyone purchasing new JTVs (Rather than upgrading to HD) that they can't just install WorkBenchHD and have to install the older version first.  Would have saved me some frustration...  Hopefully this will help others.

 

 

Well, I don't think you do have to do this... I don't know why that seemed to be the thing that was the trick for you, but I'm glad you got it to work.

[TheRealZap]

I'm glad you got it sorted, and thanks for sharing because it may help others...

I was able to install on mine without the old version, so it's not always needed, perhaps just something particular about your case?

[kakkoee]

Workbench not working on Mavericks for me either.  Just posting this in hopes that it gets someone's attention at Line 6 and they fix this.

[TheRealZap]

if you mean workbench HD, it works on mavericks and i use it...

if you mean variax workbench... the issue is a java update done by apple...

you need to figure out how to restore the old version of java to your mavericks install...

(which apple being a closed system, makes very hard to do)

the old workbench software is unlikely to get updated.

 

Workbench not working on Mavericks for me either.  Just posting this in hopes that it gets someone's attention at Line 6 and they fix this.

[kakkoee]

Oh!  Thanks!  I can go back to loving everything about Line 6!

[deke64]

2022 and having the same problem... seems nothing's changed

[es345tds]

Is anybody else getting the "not connected" issue with the JTV/Workbench HD ? The Variax will play through the Helix floor unit but it will not connect to the WB HD app thru the Helix floor unit any more. This happened after the HX 3.50 and HX EDIT 3.51 .        WB is at 2.15       I have reinstalled firmware, changed connections, looked at settings......yes I have put in a trouble ticket- just checking to see if this is just me.

I know it is always possible that anything can go wrong but everything was great until the last update. I need my Variax to communicate with the Workbench HD app. I am a little anxious about this at this point.

[silverhead]

I just tested my setup and it works fine. I note, however, that I am running WB v3.14; I haven't update to 3.15. Perhaps you could roll back and try it? If 3.14 works for you please let Line 6 know there's potentially a bug in 3.15 when they respond to your support ticket.

[magnusf27]

What's the status on this, can you use the Helix with the workbench HD or not? And if not, why? 

[silverhead]

As long as your Helix device has a VDI connection (Floor, LT, and Rack models) and you are using a VDI cable then yes, it should work fine on computers (Win/Mac) that have not outpaced Line 6 support. The last post in this thread was more than 3.5 years ago. No product is supported forever. The Variax product line reached EOL years ago and is no longer being manufactured. I don’t know if Workbench HD has remained compatible with new OSs. If it’s not working for you open a support ticket to find out why.

[magnusf27]

Thanks for the reply. Yes I have the Helix rack with the last update and a Std Variax connected with a VDI cable, and I'm quite sure it worked some months ago. But yesterday it was not possible to connect regardless of what I did. The std works with Helix and Helix edit, so connection should be okay.

[silverhead]

 Make sure the connection is OK. Visually inspect the VDI connector jacks on both Helix and the Variax. Look for bent pins. If you see any fashion a J-hook out of a thin twist wire and try to gently realign the pins.
 

If all looks OK, open a support ticket.

[magnusf27]

Hi, Just wanted to confirm that the issue is now resolved! The registry workaround didn't work, but I downloaded Microsoft's Windows MIDI Troubleshooting and Repair tool: https://github.com/microsoft/MIDI/releases Interestingly, the tool showed that Windows was still running Mode 0 (Windows MIDI Services) despite the registry changes. I switched to Mode 1 (Legacy MIDI) using the tool, restarted Windows, and Workbench HD immediately connected to my Variax through the Helix Rack! The nice thing is that I can simply switch back to Mode 0 when I'm finished using Workbench HD, so there's no need to permanently disable the newer MIDI functionality, allthough it would be nice if you can point me to a more permanent solution so I don't have to restart my pc. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction! Hopefully this will help others experiencing the same issue with Windows 11.
cdegardin	Oct 12, 01:16 AM	Hi, there was a Windows 11 update for MIDI2.0, which led to some applications and MIDI ports not working anymore (like Workbench HD) But HX Edit was not affected by this. If you do this workaround Workbench HD should connect again : 1. Open Registry Editor (regedit.exe) 2. Go to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Drivers32 1. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named: UseLegacyMidi 1. Set its value to: 1 1. Restart Windows. It should now connect https://microsoft.github.io/MIDI/kb/how-to-change-api-mode/ In Helix Rack, make sure to enable MIDI over USB in the Global Settings/MIDI&Tempo WOrkbench HD can connect via Helix Rack, but not Line6 Central (even if you see the Variax, updates are not possible that way, this is normal) Best regards Line 6 /Ampeg Support Europe