mmjjww Posted July 23, 2023 Share Posted July 23, 2023 OK, I have a nice little desktop recording rig consisting of a Variaxe plugged in to a POD X3 PRO ( the 2-rack-space unit that has a couple of mic preamps). I know its "legacy" and I am sure its days are numbered. So far it runs OK on Win10 (occasional audio driver lockup, but otherwise working fine). It gives me everything I need for tracking guitars (via the Variax mostly, sometimes an analogue input too) and bass, and vocals. And its digital audio output drives my favorite studio monitors. All in all I am very happy with it, (FX and amp sims, etc!) but another year down the road I'll be running win11 (possibly on new hardware as this i7 laptop is more than ten years old...) So, what is there in the new (or upcoming) Line6 product lineup that would be a good replacement for my POD X3 PRO?? I have heard a lot of good things about PodGO and HXstomp, but they don't have a Variaxe input ( let alone a mic preamp). I can live without the built-in mic preamps but it's nice to have less boxes cluttering the desk. But I really like having the Variaxe input... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_edbowen Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 WARNING FOR 2024 - Mac updates appear to brick JTV workbench and possibly affect the JTV itself. Last night upgraded security patch to my Mac - (Monterey 12.7.2) and Workbench no longer recognises my JTV basically it appears bricked! Was fine before. Managed to get workbench going on Big Sur 11.7.10 But this looks like a really big problem down the line - Be careful when upgrading and if you have any old Macs don't throw them away just use for the JTV - Can't be sure but until last night everything was fine . We need security patches & updates so don't compromise that but be aware this could be a huge issue if L6 don't support the software. Also Helix update may be implicated in this but can't tell yet as I tried connecting directly to Mac and it still thought I had an old JTV which is not the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AParedes Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 Helix Rack would likely be the best replacement for your X3 Pro and has a Variax input - learn more here: https://line6.com/helix/helix-rack.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundog Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 On 1/16/2024 at 4:27 AM, chris_edbowen said: WARNING FOR 2024 - Mac updates appear to brick JTV workbench and possibly affect the JTV itself. Last night upgraded security patch to my Mac - (Monterey 12.7.2) and Workbench no longer recognises my JTV basically it appears bricked! Was fine before. Managed to get workbench going on Big Sur 11.7.10 But this looks like a really big problem down the line - Be careful when upgrading and if you have any old Macs don't throw them away just use for the JTV - Can't be sure but until last night everything was fine . We need security patches & updates so don't compromise that but be aware this could be a huge issue if L6 don't support the software. Also Helix update may be implicated in this but can't tell yet as I tried connecting directly to Mac and it still thought I had an old JTV which is not the case. That really sucks, I use Workbench HD on Mac. Line 6 dropped support for Workbench legacy that I needed for my Variax acoustic. The only way to use it now is via an ancient MacBook. I wish Line 6 would do some minimal maintenence to Workbench HD to keep it running -- otherwise there are going to be a lot of p*ssed off customers (or former customers) out there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snackbar Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 I'm not buying anything Line6 in future, which is a shame because it's good gear, well built and performs efficiently. It begs the question, "Why make such well crafted long lasting equipment if your not going to support it in the future?" Especially when all it takes is a few hours of software engineers time to update or port the software to a new OS, wether it be Mac or Windows. I have a old Variax 700 and as Soundog stated, the Workbench went south for that many years ago, such a shame because it realy is a fine guitar to play. I keep it for Sitar and Acoustic solos plus whatever sounds good from the factory presets. I'm considering keeping the L6 electronics in it and having a couple of humbuckers fitted on it, just so I play it more often, which is nuts really. I also have a PODxt and the Line6 Edit software for that has fallen foul of the Line6 desease, and I'm only running Mac Mojave 10.14.6! Not only have I bought all the model packs, which I believe are still on sale(!), there is all the time I've invested creating the hundreds of tones I use for my guitars. I was so gutted that I couldn't face losing all that work, I tried a few things and now it works as long you DON"T touch the computer keyboard! And I'm so attached to the PODxt, I'm using it under those conditions, thanks Line6, for nothing!! I remember having a conversation on this platform on this very topic about four or five years ago with someone I imagine was somewhat younger than I, who put forward the preposition that it was understandable that after five or six years equipment/software became 'legacy'. I put forward the preposition that I had 1979 Fender Strat that I could stilll replace any parts for, and in this supposed age of recycling and repurposing, why he thought a modern company such as Line6 was prepared to consign equipment to the bin so easily just to make a quick buck on the next wave of products was OK. Strangely, that was the end of that conversation. :0) OK, whinge over, for the next five years anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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