codamedia Posted January 10, 2021 Share Posted January 10, 2021 This post is intended to assist those that still require the aging Variax Workbench (original) on their Windows 10 machine in order to edit their first generation Variax guitars. Please note: You still need a variax interface or supporting device (XT Live, X3 Live, X3 Pro, HD500, HD Pro) in order to connect your Variax to the computer. The current installers on their own will throw errors or simply won't work... but it all has to do with the JAVA pointers in the installation. They simply don't "point" to the right locations anymore. Download an older 32 bit JAVA installation.... Visit this site... (note. This may change in time, don't count on it being here forever) https://www.oracle.com/ca-en/java/technologies/oracle-java-archive-downloads.html Click on the JAVA SE 6 link (you can try something higher if you want, but I know this one works which is why I mention it) Navigate to the "Windows x86" package and download it. Install this package Download 'Variax Workbench" from the Line 6 download area. Choose "Variax Workbench" from the SOFTWARE dropdown Choose "Windows 7" from the OS dropdown Click GO Now download version 1.75 for Windows Install the software, but uncheck the option to install JAVA Variax Workbench should now load.... and hopefully see your guitar if it is connected through a supporting device. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotterp Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 An excellent post and candidate to be pinned to the top of this forum! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardSMF Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 I am trying to update a Variax 700 Bass and a Bass Pod xt Live. I have tried both Line 6 Monkey and updater. It says that I need a new driver. I run Monkey as administrator and it installs it. When I connect the pod it does not detect it or connect and says that I need to install the latest driver, I am going in circles, help please :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codamedia Posted January 19, 2021 Author Share Posted January 19, 2021 8 hours ago, RichardSMF said: I am trying to update a Variax 700 Bass and a Bass Pod xt Live. I have tried both Line 6 Monkey and updater. It says that I need a new driver. I run Monkey as administrator and it installs it. When I connect the pod it does not detect it or connect and says that I need to install the latest driver, I am going in circles, help please :-) Try installing Line 6 Edit for the Bass POD XT Live. I believe the drivers will install with that.... I submitted a POST on how to install the XT Live (I'm sure it applies to the Bass POD XT Live as well) that might help you out... https://line6.com/support/topic/59140-how-to-install-line-6-edit-on-windows-10/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardSMF Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 installed it as per your links but although it says its updated the driver when I go back into Monkey it says not. I then gop around in circles. When I connect the pod to the laptop it does not bing as I would expect. Noit sure what to try next! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codamedia Posted January 19, 2021 Author Share Posted January 19, 2021 4 hours ago, RichardSMF said: installed it as per your links but although it says its updated the driver when I go back into Monkey it says not. I then gop around in circles. When I connect the pod to the laptop it does not bing as I would expect. Noit sure what to try next! What is Monkey saying has to be updated... the POD or the VARIAX? If this is a POD problem, we should move the conversation over the the POD thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardSMF Posted January 19, 2021 Share Posted January 19, 2021 pod at this point as that is what I want to use to update the variax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codamedia Posted January 20, 2021 Author Share Posted January 20, 2021 13 hours ago, RichardSMF said: pod at this point as that is what I want to use to update the variax Then we should discuss the problem at this thread instead.... since it's not a Variax problem at this time. https://line6.com/support/topic/59140-how-to-install-line-6-edit-on-windows-10/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhs0473 Posted July 17, 2021 Share Posted July 17, 2021 Mine kept doing the same thing until I rebooted everything worked then with a little tweaking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hytrez67 Posted September 29, 2022 Share Posted September 29, 2022 Thank's , But Workbench don't seem run with Mac OS 10.15??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psarkissian Posted September 29, 2022 Share Posted September 29, 2022 Original Workbench,... no, it only goes to 10.8 Mountain Lion. Workbench HD will. But original Variax won't connect to Workbench HD. There hasn't been a firmware update for original Variax in quite some time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundog Posted September 30, 2022 Share Posted September 30, 2022 FYI, I've tried various Windows emulations trying to use original Workbench on a newer Mac. I've had no reliable success. I ended up keeping an old retired Macbook, and I run Mountain Lion on it. I use it for Workbench, as well as other old software that won't on recent OSX. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tris55 Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 On 10/1/2021 at 23:45, codamedia said: Questo post ha lo scopo di aiutare coloro che richiedono ancora il vecchio Variax Workbench (originale) sulla loro macchina Windows 10 per modificare le loro chitarre Variax di prima generazione. Nota: hai ancora bisogno di un'interfaccia variax o di un dispositivo di supporto (XT Live, X3 Live, X3 Pro, HD500, HD Pro) per collegare la tua Variax al computer. Gli attuali programmi di installazione da soli genereranno errori o semplicemente non funzioneranno ... ma tutto ha a che fare con i puntatori JAVA nell'installazione. Semplicemente non "indicano" più le posizioni giuste. Scarica una vecchia installazione JAVA a 32 bit.... Visita questo sito... (nota. Questo potrebbe cambiare nel tempo, non contare sul fatto che sia qui per sempre) https://www.oracle.com/ca-en/java/technologies/oracle-java-archive-downloads .html Fai clic sul collegamento JAVA SE 6 (puoi provare qualcosa di più alto se vuoi, ma so che questo funziona ed è per questo che lo menziono) Passare al pacchetto "Windows x86" e scaricarlo. Installa questo pacchetto Scarica "Variax Workbench" dall'area download di Line 6. Scegli "Variax Workbench" dal menu a discesa SOFTWARE Scegli "Windows 7" dal menu a discesa del sistema operativo Fare clic su VAI Ora scarica la versione 1.75 per Windows Installa il software, ma deseleziona l'opzione per installare JAVA Ora Variax Workbench dovrebbe caricarsi.... e, si spera, vedere la tua chitarra se è collegata attraverso un dispositivo di supporto. I have a POD HD500 and recently bought a used Variax300. They are both dated but still great tools but are not fully compatible with the latest software. Following the proposed procedure I managed to have full control of the guitar through the POD HD connected via USB to my Win10 desktop. Thanks for your advice. Tris 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roedie Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 Followed codamedia's install procedure and workbech starts up but at a certain point, the user interface slides off the screen and isn't visible anymore. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guvnor513 Posted February 17, 2024 Share Posted February 17, 2024 Has anyone tried this on Windows 11? I need to make some final changes to my Variax. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torq2 Posted July 21, 2024 Share Posted July 21, 2024 Line 6 sucks, and always has. I was in dispute for a while because workbench wasn't supported on 64bit, but they never told you this when you bought it. They are always quick to disown a product once another comes along. I would never, never recommend Line 6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhead Posted July 21, 2024 Share Posted July 21, 2024 On 7/21/2024 at 3:36 PM, Torq2 said: Line 6 sucks, and always has. I was in dispute for a while because workbench wasn't supported on 64bit, but they never told you this when you bought it. They are always quick to disown a product once another comes along. I would never, never recommend Line 6. Nice drive-by shot. Why are you here now after a 9 year absence from posting? Slow day at the office? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psarkissian Posted July 22, 2024 Share Posted July 22, 2024 Sorry, but Microsoft and Apple had forsaken 32-bit apps and is doing only 64-bit. So you may want to take that up with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeezonMusic Posted July 4 Share Posted July 4 (edited) I am contemplating buying some used Variax units. One for Guitar and one for Bass. My bassist and I are looking for variation in tones as well as a convenient way to detune 1/2 step down when needed. I realize that we could accomplish some of this with pedals but, we prefer the convenience of having a control knob right on the guitars. I am worried that we cannot do any editing since the software seems to be obsolete. (as are the guitars) But, they are a good alternative in our eyes. I am guessing that more updated products and low sales were the culprit in the decision to discontinue. (What a shame) Anyway, are there any suggestions? I use WIN 11 (64bit) desktop computer. Asking for help with assurance that I would be able to tune each as well as take advantage of the modeling. (fixes are welcome and will be considered) I'd like to have my ducks in a row before I make any purchases of any used units that I see on Reverb etc. Thoughts anyone? Edited July 4 by WeezonMusic Added a few other subjects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psarkissian Posted July 6 Share Posted July 6 There is no Workbench to edit with for bass guitars. For original Variax, the is Workbench, and for JTV, Standard and Shuriken there is Workbench HD. For updating original Variax with Monkey, download Monkey and the desired Firmware version to you computer's local drive and do the updates from there. You may need a computer with earlier pre 64 OS, that will run 32 bit processing. For PC's, it would be Window 10 or earlier, and for the Mac 10.6.8 OS or earlier. For current Variax, use Line 6 Central app to update with and Workbench HD for patch editing and custom patch creating. There are online manuals in the Line 6 Support page for the guitars and for Workbench and Workbench HD. And check the Downloads page for computer OS compatibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeezonMusic Posted July 7 Share Posted July 7 Question: When you say "current" Variax, are you referring to the JTV 59/69/89 guitars? (I'm leaning toward the JTV 59) OR are there other Variax guitars that are included in that category? (Sorry for my newb inquiries. I am rather late to this world.) ALSO, are there a buy/sell pages on this forum or maybe other websites or sources other than eBay or Reverb? If so, I haven't found them. I was wishing to located a Goldtop JTV but those sites don't have any for sale currently. I will most def check out the support and D/L pages for sure. As I said, I want to wise about what I'm getting into and what my limitations might be before I purchase. Thanks for any help you can offer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psarkissian Posted July 7 Share Posted July 7 "When you say "current" Variax, are you referring to the JTV 59/69/89 guitars? ",... Yes. Yes, Variax guitars can be found on Reverb, eBay, Variax guitar and bass Facebook group pages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseyboy Posted July 7 Share Posted July 7 On 7/4/2026 at 6:31 AM, WeezonMusic said: I am contemplating buying some used Variax units. One for Guitar and one for Bass. My bassist and I are looking for variation in tones as well as a convenient way to detune 1/2 step down when needed. I realize that we could accomplish some of this with pedals but, we prefer the convenience of having a control knob right on the guitars. I am worried that we cannot do any editing since the software seems to be obsolete. (as are the guitars) But, they are a good alternative in our eyes. I am guessing that more updated products and low sales were the culprit in the decision to discontinue. (What a shame) Anyway, are there any suggestions? I use WIN 11 (64bit) desktop computer. Asking for help with assurance that I would be able to tune each as well as take advantage of the modeling. (fixes are welcome and will be considered) I'd like to have my ducks in a row before I make any purchases of any used units that I see on Reverb etc. Thoughts anyone? I dunno the Variax Bass at all but it seems to not be editable which is a bummer. Also, no magnetic pickups for bass or 1st Gen Variax. Other than Acoustic 700 I would stay away from any Variax without Magnetic pickups and doesn’t use Workbench HD. If you must deal with original Variax guitars you will wanna keep an older computer OS available for Workbench software. As good as Variax modeling is (and it’s pretty good) I never seem to find a “better” tone than the magnetic pickups on my current and well used JTV69, 59 & 59P. Now if I need a specific tuning or acoustic, resonator, sitar, 12strings, etc., it’s “‘good enough” in most contexts but when I no longer need the modeling I find myself turning it off and running on good old magnetic pickups. Not wishing to upset the forum gods here - I will say I’ve also used better supported products from a company that starts with B and ends in SS - adding their pickup to guitars or basses I’ve enjoyed very good modeling and tuning freedom. It’s more foot control oriented than the Variax onboard controls but results are good if not great and palm muting actually seems to work… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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