GeeBorg Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 Hello Folks, I am considering the purchase of a Helix or a Helix LT and would be grateful if someone could advise whether this would be compatible with a Variax 700 using the VDI cable? MVH GeeBorg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhead Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 Yes and no. Officially Helix does not support any Variax products earlier than the JTV. But in practice it seems that earlier products such as the 700 work in a limited fashion over VDI. As far as audio goes, of course, there is no problem at all. But the VDI control features typically work in a 1-way fashion. You can use the Helix device to send Variax model and pickup selector switch changes to the Variax, and you can store/recall these settings successfully in a Helix preset. However, any changes you make manually on the Variax are not received properly by Helix. Of course, you can't control alternate tunings because they are not available as a separate feature in the Variax 700 - they are baked into the Variax model. But again, officially there is no support. If your specific Variax 700 does not behave as I've described there is no help to be had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeeBorg Posted January 28, 2019 Author Share Posted January 28, 2019 Siverhead, Many Thanks for your prompt reply and the information. The main thing is that I can use the Helix as the interface between my Variax 700 and my DT50 amp which unfortunately lacks the VDI interface of the Vetta II. Appreciate your taking the time to respond. MVH, GeeBorg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhead Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 Note that the pending Helix firmware v2.8 release adds L6 Link compatibility with your DT50 amp. So when that is released (promised sometime this spring - which means by June 21, not March 21) your Helix presets should be able to store and recall settings for both the Variax 700 and the DT50. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeeBorg Posted January 28, 2019 Author Share Posted January 28, 2019 Siverhead, Many Thanks for your prompt reply and the information. The main thing is that I can use the Helix as the interface between my Variax 700 and my DT50 amp which unfortunately lacks the VDI interface of the Vetta II. Appreciate your taking the time to respond. MVH, GeeBorg Silverhead, Thanks for update. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeeBorg Posted January 28, 2019 Author Share Posted January 28, 2019 Silverhead, Thanks for your updated info. I'm certainly glad that there are enthusiasts / experts out there willing to share their knowledge. Tak så mycket igen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhead Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 You're welcome. Happy to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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