Thanks Chad! I'm a Variax owner since 2012 but didn't knew until today that you actually can store different tunings in each model position (even the factory ones) and have them to be kinda "invisible", accessible only thru Model (Tuning Wheel). I always thought that I could store one Custom tuning to the Model position on the Tuning Wheel and that was it. I used to thought that if you saved a model with a different tuning on top, it would be always on. That's actually brilliant, because you don't stay locked to playing the respective instrument in one single custom tuning. Great stuff! Line 6 is the future, definitely. I'm a fan of their way of doing things. Great tutorial btw. Cheers from Brazil o/
You're very welcome!! The Variax really does round out the whole package. I almost never play my "real" guitars :) I have another video on my channel where I use the new snapshot feature on the Helix to control the variax settings and it's super versatile since they've added that. If this tech was out 15 years ago when I was gigging full time I would have been in heaven :D
Thanks for the walk through and taking the time Chad. I have done a bit in work bench over the years, but never really messed with the custom modes for whatever reason until recently. I typically update the models in the current positions, if even that. Find the built-in models pretty good anyway. Need to mess with the pickup locations. Never thought of stacking them. Just started messing with the two Custom presets. Have Custom1 as my electric and custom 2 as my acoustics. I need to mess with the things a bit, I wish they had the guitars more volume leveled. The Les Pauls are so much louder than the strat and tele. Granted that is the case in real life generally, but for the sound guy it would be good to normalize them. Going to do that next. Find it odd with everything in there, they don't have an SG. I did notice recently they fixed something in the guitar or perhaps it was the HD500 and not Helix. When setting the model in the modeler's preset to say acoustic, and if the guitar was set on Les Paul. It used to switch to the les paul models if you changed the 3 way switch. Now it stays in the acoustic preset on the JTV, which is nice. Not sure how long that was an issue, but I remember it jacking things up in the past and recently I noticed it didn't do that.
Here's a more recent video I did focusing on the strat sounds. There are links in the video description to download my strat and custom bank. th-cam.com/video/SvvMwvPo1Dw/w-d-xo.html
Ooo I never thought of using two separate tunings. Use the Variax as 3 tones up and the regular strings coming through for Harmonies. That may track better than using a 12 string type of setup. Man, you got me thinking.
Hi mate i just bought a shuriken and run it through mesa duel rectifier but the distortion sounds a bit muddy its got me stuffed..you got any ideas what i can do?. Your tutorial helped a bit to some stuff i didnt know. Thanks.
What guitar model(s) on the Shuriken are you using? I'm assuming that your other guitars aren't having this issue with the Dual Rec? Not sure I can do much to diagnose without being in the same room with your amp and guitar, but as an overall suggestion if you haven't maybe try some different guitar body and pickup configurations in workbench. Try out some of the guitar bodies that are a little brighter and have less midrange, even though they may not be traditionally considered high gain guitars. I don't really play a lot of high gain stuff, but I find as an example the Strat body with a P90 bridge to have a lot of the drive of the Les Paul with humbucker, but with much more bite and note as thick (and possibly muddy).
Hi Chad. Great video! Thanks! I'me thinking about getting a variax, but with it being 11 years since the JTV models were released, I'm wondering if I might be better to wait for Line 6 to release an updated variax. Do you think new models might be coming out soon?
I don't have inside information of any specifics, but I'll say this: if you want a variax now buy one 👍 I have no idea that we'll see anything new soon.
On some level, using this software is almost good for educating the player on how the electric guitar works to begin with. That’s almost like an unexpected bonus of programming a Line 6 Variax. When you explore the polarity control functionality, you almost bring the listener into the realm of the Brian May Red Special, which has those incredible phase cancellation switches below the pickup selector switches. If I did get my hands on a model from this series, that’s one of the guitars I would definitely try emulating. It dices. It slices. It gives you every standard(ized) electric and acoustic guitar, limitless variations and exotic models like dobro, banjo and sitar. What about a Nylon-string guitar?
Very cool and informative. I think a JTV 69 is in my future. Just got an LT, would be nice to take 1 ax to a gig, even though I like my dual mono bag, it gets heavy lugging acoustic and tele.
I have a preset with a J-200 and a magnetic blend 50/50 on my JTV 69, it gives some awseome clean tones, try it ;-) No alternate tunings though ;-) I made a Cabronita Telecaster for Worship settings, it just soo cool. Especially the ability to match pickup volumes.
Excellent and concise video, thanks so much for the time and effort! (And also, thanks for sticking to the material and not being a show off!) So many of the demos I've listened to make the Helix sound very digital, yet your video sounded very good without the harshness and unnatural high tinniness. To what do you attribute that, if anything? I'm thinking it's mainly the fact you didn't use heavy distortion - which is where i usually hear the most unnaturalness. Any comments?
Thanks! I appreciate you enjoying the discussion about workbench. I occasionally get the "shut up and play more" comments, but the whole point many of my videos is to convey concepts that may help people with the software. If I want to just play I'll make a seperate video for that :) As for the tone I think part of it could be that I'm playing with lower gain. I'm not a huge fan of high gain tones, even when it's real amps. To me lower gain crunch tones have more body to them. With too much gain I think the tone starts to lose something. My personal preference is like a cranked Plexi with an OD pedal in front of it. I never really got into the whole Dual Rectifier thing. Also I've been using digital gear since the late 90's, so in those years I've learned a couple of tricks for making them sound good ;) Some of it has to do with using high and low cuts to keep things in the natural frequency range for electric guitars. I usually low cut 80hz and high cut anywhere from 7-11k depending on what I'm going for. The high cut helps to keep things from being too piercing.
Ah, that explains a lot between the high cut and the lower gain. You're actually making me think Helix is good after all. I've heard too many really bad sounding patches/mixes, even on clean sounds. Richie Castellano has many vids up playing through a Helix and it always sounds high end scratchy and fizzy. Do you have a vid explaining the high and low cut? Are they just rolled back a bit, or fully cut off? And does Helix have good multi-band EQ? I'm really in need of learning this since I use a Digitech modeler and have similar issues. It only has 3 band EQ, but is adjustable for high cut. My unit (iPB-10) has a speaker emulation button supposed to do cuts for direct to PA, but I never really notice a difference. When I run out to a real tube power amp and cab, it sounds much better. Not sure why the models don't handle this themselves though... Yeah, I've been using digital since the 90's also, starting with a GSP-2101. That was an amazing unit for many years, but well before modeling came into play. The effects were awesome, and the tubes were cool, but both of my units eventually burned out... Also, have you checked out Peavey Vypyr Pro?
There are a few ways to accomplish this in Helix. On the cab block (as well as IR if you choose to use impulse responses instead) there are high and low cut settings. I haven't verified the eq curve myself, but based on what others have said it's not an extremely steep cutoff. It's somewhat of a gentle curve, relatively speaking. There are also several different EQ options in Helix. One of them is a high and low cut EQ block. It has a steeper EQ curve and gives you more drastic high and low cuts. The other EQ's available are a parametric EQ (low, mid, and hi with adjustable frequency and Q), a 10 band EQ, a simple EQ, and an EQ based on the EQ from the Mesa Mark IV model. So there are lots of great EQ options with Helix!
Oh yeah, the Vypyr Pro. I haven't tried one of these myself. It may be a good amp, but honestly with companies like Line 6 and Fractal doing such high level modeling the Vypyr just didn't get my attention. Also I run direct to the PA when I play live, so I don't generally look too hard at all in one amp combos. So I'm probably not the best authority on this subject. Having said that, I did buy a Boss Katana 100 1x12 last year just to have a guitar amp for occasions when I needed one. It's a great amp for the money. Very simple to use, sounds great, and if I want to run the Helix through it, it works great for that as well.
Good to hear, but unfortunately I don't own a Helix. I was wondering in general terms how the cut should be done; i.e. Gradual vs extreme taper. I've been playing with it on my iPB-10 and it does seem to help, but it's more of a band-aid than a fix. There's just something about modeling which is inherently artificial. You are frankly the only one I've seen who seems to substantially avoid the "skeletone" syndrome on the Helix. Every other demo to me sounds harsh and brash. I think it's the factor of granularity. It's kind of like typefonts which are unkerned. They end up with jaggy edges around the curves. I believe that happens with modeling also. There just isn't enough information to round out the edges and fill in the gaps sufficiently - hence my term "skeletones". I hear less granularity on AxeFX and the best seems currently to be Kemper. Presumably due to higher resolution on the patches OR more complex algorithms requiring more processing power. I suspect in another 10 years modeling will be perfected by super high speed processors and high resolution data structures.
Not a dumb question at all. The Variax is connected to the computer via the USB interface, then I connect it to my Helix (or any other guitar processing you care to use) via the 1/4" cable. You have to have the 1/4" cable connected to the Variax to power up the guitar in order to connect it to the computer via USB. If you don't then the USB interface won't recognize it (you probably already know that part, but thought I'd mention it). I connect the Helix to my computer via USB for audio, but if you have a different audio interface you can use that as well. Hope that helps.
HI , I don't own a Helix but have a HD500x and I connect my computer/laptop to the HD500x via USB and my Variax to the HD500X. This way I can access both workbench and HD GUI. It seems to work. Have you tried it this way. I find you don't need a power source for the Variax then.
The HD500 X. I have had so many problems setting the thing up. Finally got everything installed on my Mac. But, the Workbench software, will not detect my guitar.
Chad, just received a JTV-59. I am feeling the same way I did when I first purchased my Helix LT. For me, a deep dive into a new world. Thanks for helping me navigate this "Tiger by Tail" feeling I'm having with what could be a great instrument. It's just the learning curve that's got me going "Yikes". Can custom settings be purchased or sampled?
Congrats on the JTV-59! It's an amazing tool no doubt, especially when paired with the Helix. I do have some presets available on the Line 6 Market place. One of the most popular is this one that is all of the stock models, but tweaked: shop.line6.com/marketplace/varaix-tweaked-complete-bundle.html
Chad Huskey many thanks. I appreciate your musical playing skills plus your ability to transfer knowledge to others in such an effective manner. Once again, thank you.
Chad Huskey I still want to purchase your package deals, but I'm still having issues with my JTV-59. All the banks download properly into workbench from variax, but when I change the bank selector on guitar it points to a bank different than what's on the knob label. For ex., custom 1 on guitar points to Lester bank. Spank points R-Billy. Some labeled banks point to the proper internal banks. Ex., Lester points to Lester. T- Model points to T-Model. I've tried, but I opened a case/ticket open with Line 6. Unless I can resolve the basic issue I'm stuck. When I become unstuck I'm planning on purchasing you variax custom banks/bundles. Thanks for your videos and guidance.
@@YatJac That is very strange! In workbench do all of the presets appear to be in the right place? The T Models are under that bank, the Lester models are under the Lester bank? I know they probably are, but that's one of those questions I have to ask first as a former IT support person. "Have you tried rebooting the computer?" :) One other thing I'd try doing is using Line 6 Monkey to reload the firmware. It sounds like something has gotten really weird with the software. The only other possible issue I can think of is if the actual hardware has messed up. That of course would be something that Line 6 would have to address. Has it done this since you bought it?
Chad Huskey thanks for corresponding. I purchased the guitar off of eBay last week from a fellow that, claims to have, purchased a Scratch and Dent from Sweetwater, in February. I installed Line 6 monkey and workbench last week. So yes, I believe it's always had this issue, I just wasn't aware until I studied more closely and I received my VDI cable for Helix lt. I reloaded/flashed the firmware, again. All presets are located under the proper bank, within workbench. I've tried uploading to variax, no avail. Downloading from variax looks perfect in workbench. However, when using the guitar bank selector, there is a pattern: 1st bank points to 4th bank. 2nd points to 2nd bank. 3rd bank points to 5th. 4th bank points to 4th. Etc.. Every 2nd, or other, bank is spot on. I documented this for Line 6. I also have pictures to show this. I sent the help desk request Sunday with additional info this a.m. So,I'm hoping maybe by end of week to hear from them. Chad, once again thank you so much for your help. I won't forget it. Jim. PS: I'm retired 25yrs of software implementations.
thanks very much Chad that makes my mind up I Intend to buy one now this will sound stupid but is it possible to tune down to e flat literally 'physically' so the strings are easier to bend and do all the stuff like changing models like that ?
Yes that's entirely possible. You just have to keep mind that workbench will always label the pitches relative to standard tuning. But it's just what displays on the screen, it still works just fine. If you're programming Alt tunings in workbench you just have to keep that in mind.
Thanks, for the Great vid! I have most of the "Real Guitars" just bought a Helix recently and just got a JTV 89-F last night. Is there a way to use work bench while the vdi cable is connected to the Helix? Or do I need to use the USB connector thing? I'm all thumbs with this modeling stuff at the mo and I find the Line 6 site a little difficult to navigate. ;-)
+Tony Hao you're welcome! Right now you have to use the USB interface that came with the guitar. I hope line 6 adds the functionality of using helix as a USB interface for Variax in the future. They eventually added this to the HD500. One other note, be sure to have a standard guitar cable plugged in while connecting to your computer to edit. The USB interface doesn't power the guitar like it does when plugged into the helix.
Thanks Chad, appreciate your advice mate! In the video it looked as though you had the Helix in the background and workbench talking to it, so thought you had figured out a way around it. :) I am in New Zealand, it took around 6 months to get the JTV-89F in my local store to try out, and no one really knows any advanced answers to my questions around here. I tried three other models didn't like the way they felt, but the 89-F is pretty good. I am trying to figure out how to get a good acoustic sound too, and some alternate tunings like Hawaiian slack key open G, I don't think that is standard on this model? With workbench I should be able to setup a preset with that Thanks again for your tutorial and advice you Rock!
+Tony Hao I actually have a friend here in North Carolina with a helix and variax who is from New Zealand. I'd love to get the chance to visit NZ at some point. Here's a link to a video I did on building an acoustic patch. The link to the patch is in the description. th-cam.com/video/NjiPjWgV7YI/w-d-xo.html You can easily use workbench to create custom tunings and assign them to the tuning knob if you want to.
+Chad Huskey Cheers for the link Chad! The acoustic sounds really are the reason I wanted to get a variax. I was wondering about the amp models with acoustic sounds I have made a few and found that using very little effects and a reverb no amp sounds best to my ears. Thanks for the tips on pre amp and chain! Great that you have a Kiwi friend up there, Kiwis are good salt of the earth people, hope you get a chance to visit NZ. Take Care
I replied to your FB post, but I think you're correct on that. Maybe you could post on Line 6 IdeaScale requesting they change that and see if it gets voted up. I'll vote for it :)
I think you can get pretty close. I'd take the Strat body and put either the Les Paul or the High gain pickup in the bridge. If you really want to crank it boost the pickup level and also you can try stacking 2 pickups on top of each other and running them in series. This will get you the maximum amount of output. You'll just need to experiment with that to see, but that's basically what the original Frankenstrat was, just a Strat body with a humbucker in it.
Great video and info I bought a variax 500 mint condition ,1 month ago and love it .. also bought a pod xt live in order to add some patches. well first thing was to upgrade firmware according to line 6 Monkey. I had the original version firmware in both . got it to flash memory in both and all went well , i got the operation flash memory successful ok .. Now i lost all my factory presets in both the pod xt live and variax 500 , the guitar sounds the same in all the selections . re flashed several time and same thing .. called Line 6 and tech guy says he never heard of that problem. Maybe this is the wrong platform to ask for help but i'm desperate,, any body know where i can go for help? Help .
I'm planning to do some videos on Variax setup A-Z, but it will probably be a couple weeks out at least. But to answer your question the guitar should have come with a USB interface and an Ethernet chord. Plug the Ethernet chord into the Variax and the other end into the USB interface. Then connect a USB cable from the interface to your computer. Also very important plug a 1/4" guitar cable into the Variax. This is required to power on the Variax. On the computer side of things you'll need to download from Line 6's website a program called Line 6 Monkey. You'll find this on the support>downloads page. This will allow you to install the latest firmware to the guitar as well as drivers and the Workbench HD software. At that point you should be connected and this tutorial video should help you to get acclimated to Workbench HD.
+Jeremy Vetter are you saying that every preset on the Variax sounds the same, or the helix presets sound the same? I would recommend starting with a clean preset on the helix and turn the model knob on the Variax to see if you can hear the differences. When you plug in the Variax make sure the modeling is turned on by pressing down the model select knob.
Nice Video....lots of good info... To your point about fooling with it.when bought my Original 1.0 Pod, I thought I'd wasted money, but ou gotta get your hands dirty....it makes all the difference when it's up on the screen. Sooner or later you find your way. BTW...have you posted any Helix patches on Custom tone or elsewhere? that acoustic patch sounds great. Thanks
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video. I agree, you really have to get in there and find your own sound. I have posted several patches over on custom tone. My user name is chuskey if you search the site. Here's a link to the acoustic patch: line6.com/customtone/tone/1967148/
Hi Chad. Thanks this very helpful. I really mostly play the electric and acoustic mandolin family of instruments tuned in 5 th's instead of 4 th's. I don't play lead guitar. In this 5th tuning I could play all instruments on my JTV 69 in 5 th's as well as 4 th's.I would like to have a preset in the tuning knob section which I think is with 6 string guitar would be low e string to high e,a,d,g,b,e. string to c2,g2,d3,a3,e4, (g ?) or leave as an e4. I could use the virtual capo and play higher up the neck for shorter fret spacing and maybe deaden the top and bottom strings with the (ap) to have mandolin gdae. With 12 string body it might sound like a mandolin. Other wise electric mandolin would be fine I tried to do this and gave up. Kinda old and challenged. Is this a pipe dream ? I bet there would be some other folks that would fine this tuning fun too. Thank You ….Hollis
Workbench hd runs great on windows 10 an 11. I haven't owned a Mac is several years, so I don't want to say one way or the other on that. I know there's a version for the Mac, but I've seen comments about it sometimes not working (right away) with new OS X updates. When you go to the downloads page on the line 6 website it should say which version it runs on.
great job as always - I'm inundated with strat sound now for 1st 3 or 4 models on wheel lol :) - I really must look @ what to do w/the eq...I have a whack of Glenn Delaunnes' patches & models, 1 mostly that's way to dark -
If memory serves, In workbench turn on the tuning and set it up to what you want (cap1, cap2, or cap 3). Hit the save button and you can name it. Then hit the manage button. This will bring up the manage tunings screen. Here's where you can move custom tunings to the positions on the tuning knob. Hope this helps!
You'll need to use the USB interface that comes with the guitar. It's usb to your computer and the cat5 cable goes to the vdi port on your variax. Just make sure you also have the 1/4" cable plugged in as well to power on the guitar.
Chad Huskey what !!!!! Help I have no idea what that looks like ?? I didn’t get a lead with my guitar Can you send me a link or email me a picture of what I’m supposed to do - Ian paramedic@hotmail.co.uk
The higher the capacitence the more the highs are knocked off. 0,047mf. is the typical Strat capacitor, Les paul typical is 0,022mf. (rolling of highs but letting midrange through). FWIW
The basic answer is yes. You can tune every sting down an octave and it does a pretty good job of mimicking a bass. Especially if you're looking to use it to loop bass parts for live looping. Works great for that.
Bless you, sir. The only video online that explains the really deep-dive stuff in Workbench.
Thanks. New to Variax and starting to figure out Workbench but this just doubled my knowledge!
Thanks Chad! I'm a Variax owner since 2012 but didn't knew until today that you actually can store different tunings in each model position (even the factory ones) and have them to be kinda "invisible", accessible only thru Model (Tuning Wheel). I always thought that I could store one Custom tuning to the Model position on the Tuning Wheel and that was it. I used to thought that if you saved a model with a different tuning on top, it would be always on. That's actually brilliant, because you don't stay locked to playing the respective instrument in one single custom tuning. Great stuff! Line 6 is the future, definitely. I'm a fan of their way of doing things. Great tutorial btw. Cheers from Brazil o/
I appreciate the time you took to make this process easier for me.JTV 89F with POD HD 500
+wayne miller you're welcome!
Thanks for the Tutorial. As a fellow Helix user my next endeavor is a Variax. This really helped out! Thanks again!
You're very welcome!! The Variax really does round out the whole package. I almost never play my "real" guitars :)
I have another video on my channel where I use the new snapshot feature on the Helix to control the variax settings and it's super versatile since they've added that. If this tech was out 15 years ago when I was gigging full time I would have been in heaven :D
I just picked up a JTV89F and this video is VERY helpful!
That's awesome! Congrats on the new Variax 👍
Is it possible to combine acoustic modeling with electric guitar modeling And blend them together?
Thanks for the walk through and taking the time Chad. I have done a bit in work bench over the years, but never really messed with the custom modes for whatever reason until recently. I typically update the models in the current positions, if even that. Find the built-in models pretty good anyway. Need to mess with the pickup locations. Never thought of stacking them.
Just started messing with the two Custom presets. Have Custom1 as my electric and custom 2 as my acoustics. I need to mess with the things a bit, I wish they had the guitars more volume leveled. The Les Pauls are so much louder than the strat and tele. Granted that is the case in real life generally, but for the sound guy it would be good to normalize them. Going to do that next. Find it odd with everything in there, they don't have an SG.
I did notice recently they fixed something in the guitar or perhaps it was the HD500 and not Helix. When setting the model in the modeler's preset to say acoustic, and if the guitar was set on Les Paul. It used to switch to the les paul models if you changed the 3 way switch. Now it stays in the acoustic preset on the JTV, which is nice. Not sure how long that was an issue, but I remember it jacking things up in the past and recently I noticed it didn't do that.
Here's a more recent video I did focusing on the strat sounds. There are links in the video description to download my strat and custom bank.
th-cam.com/video/SvvMwvPo1Dw/w-d-xo.html
Nice job Ill keep watching your videos...joe from Staten Island
Thanks!
I should have mine in a few days!! EXCITED!!
+Sheldon Fisher awesome!
Ooo I never thought of using two separate tunings. Use the Variax as 3 tones up and the regular strings coming through for Harmonies. That may track better than using a 12 string type of setup. Man, you got me thinking.
Hi mate i just bought a shuriken and run it through mesa duel rectifier but the distortion sounds a bit muddy its got me stuffed..you got any ideas what i can do?. Your tutorial helped a bit to some stuff i didnt know. Thanks.
What guitar model(s) on the Shuriken are you using? I'm assuming that your other guitars aren't having this issue with the Dual Rec?
Not sure I can do much to diagnose without being in the same room with your amp and guitar, but as an overall suggestion if you haven't maybe try some different guitar body and pickup configurations in workbench. Try out some of the guitar bodies that are a little brighter and have less midrange, even though they may not be traditionally considered high gain guitars.
I don't really play a lot of high gain stuff, but I find as an example the Strat body with a P90 bridge to have a lot of the drive of the Les Paul with humbucker, but with much more bite and note as thick (and possibly muddy).
Hello!
Do you have any idea how to do stratocaster sounds more realistic.
@@AndriyGal look through my Variax videos, I have a playlist on my channel, and I have a video dedicated to getting strat tones.
Hi Chad. Great video! Thanks! I'me thinking about getting a variax, but with it being 11 years since the JTV models were released, I'm wondering if I might be better to wait for Line 6 to release an updated variax. Do you think new models might be coming out soon?
I don't have inside information of any specifics, but I'll say this: if you want a variax now buy one 👍
I have no idea that we'll see anything new soon.
On some level, using this software is almost good for educating the player on how the electric guitar works to begin with. That’s almost like an unexpected bonus of programming a Line 6 Variax.
When you explore the polarity control functionality, you almost bring the listener into the realm of the Brian May Red Special, which has those incredible phase cancellation switches below the pickup selector switches. If I did get my hands on a model from this series, that’s one of the guitars I would definitely try emulating.
It dices. It slices. It gives you every standard(ized) electric and acoustic guitar, limitless variations and exotic models like dobro, banjo and sitar. What about a Nylon-string guitar?
awesome tutorial
Thank you!
Very cool and informative. I think a JTV 69 is in my future. Just got an LT, would be nice to take 1 ax to a gig, even though I like my dual mono bag, it gets heavy lugging acoustic and tele.
Having one guitar that can do it all, and helix to control it...it's pretty awesome 👍
I love this version better. I think I downloaded the lite version first. Great video!
+Matthew Short thanks!
I have a preset with a J-200 and a magnetic blend 50/50 on my JTV 69, it gives some awseome clean tones, try it ;-) No alternate tunings though ;-) I made a Cabronita Telecaster for Worship settings, it just soo cool. Especially the ability to match pickup volumes.
Thank you for making this video, it was a great help...
+zordakAU you're very welcome!
Excellent and concise video, thanks so much for the time and effort! (And also, thanks for sticking to the material and not being a show off!) So many of the demos I've listened to make the Helix sound very digital, yet your video sounded very good without the harshness and unnatural high tinniness. To what do you attribute that, if anything? I'm thinking it's mainly the fact you didn't use heavy distortion - which is where i usually hear the most unnaturalness. Any comments?
Thanks!
I appreciate you enjoying the discussion about workbench. I occasionally get the "shut up and play more" comments, but the whole point many of my videos is to convey concepts that may help people with the software. If I want to just play I'll make a seperate video for that :)
As for the tone I think part of it could be that I'm playing with lower gain. I'm not a huge fan of high gain tones, even when it's real amps. To me lower gain crunch tones have more body to them. With too much gain I think the tone starts to lose something. My personal preference is like a cranked Plexi with an OD pedal in front of it. I never really got into the whole Dual Rectifier thing.
Also I've been using digital gear since the late 90's, so in those years I've learned a couple of tricks for making them sound good ;) Some of it has to do with using high and low cuts to keep things in the natural frequency range for electric guitars. I usually low cut 80hz and high cut anywhere from 7-11k depending on what I'm going for. The high cut helps to keep things from being too piercing.
Ah, that explains a lot between the high cut and the lower gain. You're actually making me think Helix is good after all. I've heard too many really bad sounding patches/mixes, even on clean sounds. Richie Castellano has many vids up playing through a Helix and it always sounds high end scratchy and fizzy. Do you have a vid explaining the high and low cut? Are they just rolled back a bit, or fully cut off? And does Helix have good multi-band EQ? I'm really in need of learning this since I use a Digitech modeler and have similar issues. It only has 3 band EQ, but is adjustable for high cut. My unit (iPB-10) has a speaker emulation button supposed to do cuts for direct to PA, but I never really notice a difference. When I run out to a real tube power amp and cab, it sounds much better. Not sure why the models don't handle this themselves though...
Yeah, I've been using digital since the 90's also, starting with a GSP-2101. That was an amazing unit for many years, but well before modeling came into play. The effects were awesome, and the tubes were cool, but both of my units eventually burned out...
Also, have you checked out Peavey Vypyr Pro?
There are a few ways to accomplish this in Helix. On the cab block (as well as IR if you choose to use impulse responses instead) there are high and low cut settings. I haven't verified the eq curve myself, but based on what others have said it's not an extremely steep cutoff. It's somewhat of a gentle curve, relatively speaking.
There are also several different EQ options in Helix. One of them is a high and low cut EQ block. It has a steeper EQ curve and gives you more drastic high and low cuts.
The other EQ's available are a parametric EQ (low, mid, and hi with adjustable frequency and Q), a 10 band EQ, a simple EQ, and an EQ based on the EQ from the Mesa Mark IV model.
So there are lots of great EQ options with Helix!
Oh yeah, the Vypyr Pro. I haven't tried one of these myself. It may be a good amp, but honestly with companies like Line 6 and Fractal doing such high level modeling the Vypyr just didn't get my attention.
Also I run direct to the PA when I play live, so I don't generally look too hard at all in one amp combos. So I'm probably not the best authority on this subject.
Having said that, I did buy a Boss Katana 100 1x12 last year just to have a guitar amp for occasions when I needed one. It's a great amp for the money. Very simple to use, sounds great, and if I want to run the Helix through it, it works great for that as well.
Good to hear, but unfortunately I don't own a Helix. I was wondering in general terms how the cut should be done; i.e. Gradual vs extreme taper. I've been playing with it on my iPB-10 and it does seem to help, but it's more of a band-aid than a fix. There's just something about modeling which is inherently artificial. You are frankly the only one I've seen who seems to substantially avoid the "skeletone" syndrome on the Helix. Every other demo to me sounds harsh and brash. I think it's the factor of granularity. It's kind of like typefonts which are unkerned. They end up with jaggy edges around the curves. I believe that happens with modeling also. There just isn't enough information to round out the edges and fill in the gaps sufficiently - hence my term "skeletones". I hear less granularity on AxeFX and the best seems currently to be Kemper. Presumably due to higher resolution on the patches OR more complex algorithms requiring more processing power. I suspect in another 10 years modeling will be perfected by super high speed processors and high resolution data structures.
that makes sense, thanks Chad
Hi Chad, How can I set up expression pedal on Helix LT to give a B & or G bender sound? Thanks
Very well done, Thanks...
awesome educational video! Dumb question when you use the interface line6 box to the computer how did you get sound of the guitar for the video?
Not a dumb question at all. The Variax is connected to the computer via the USB interface, then I connect it to my Helix (or any other guitar processing you care to use) via the 1/4" cable. You have to have the 1/4" cable connected to the Variax to power up the guitar in order to connect it to the computer via USB. If you don't then the USB interface won't recognize it (you probably already know that part, but thought I'd mention it).
I connect the Helix to my computer via USB for audio, but if you have a different audio interface you can use that as well.
Hope that helps.
HI ,
I don't own a Helix but have a HD500x and I connect my computer/laptop to the HD500x via USB and my Variax to the HD500X. This way I can access both workbench and HD GUI. It seems to work. Have you tried it this way. I find you don't need a power source for the Variax then.
That is a feature they haven't added to helix yet unfortunately. I hope it will be added sooner than later.
I bought the line 6 but i don't know what it does.or how it works or set up or install.i need a tutorial for that
The HD500 X. I have had so many problems setting the thing up. Finally got everything installed on my Mac. But, the Workbench software, will not detect my guitar.
Chad, just received a JTV-59. I am feeling the same way I did when I first purchased my Helix LT. For me, a deep dive into a new world. Thanks for helping me navigate this "Tiger by Tail" feeling I'm having with what could be a great instrument. It's just the learning curve that's got me going "Yikes". Can custom settings be purchased or sampled?
Congrats on the JTV-59! It's an amazing tool no doubt, especially when paired with the Helix.
I do have some presets available on the Line 6 Market place. One of the most popular is this one that is all of the stock models, but tweaked: shop.line6.com/marketplace/varaix-tweaked-complete-bundle.html
Chad Huskey many thanks. I appreciate your musical playing skills plus your ability to transfer knowledge to others in such an effective manner. Once again, thank you.
Chad Huskey I still want to purchase your package deals, but I'm still having issues with my JTV-59. All the banks download properly into workbench from variax, but when I change the bank selector on guitar it points to a bank different than what's on the knob label. For ex., custom 1 on guitar points to Lester bank. Spank points R-Billy. Some labeled banks point to the proper internal banks. Ex., Lester points to Lester. T- Model points to T-Model. I've tried, but I opened a case/ticket open with Line 6. Unless I can resolve the basic issue I'm stuck. When I become unstuck I'm planning on purchasing you variax custom banks/bundles. Thanks for your videos and guidance.
@@YatJac That is very strange! In workbench do all of the presets appear to be in the right place? The T Models are under that bank, the Lester models are under the Lester bank?
I know they probably are, but that's one of those questions I have to ask first as a former IT support person. "Have you tried rebooting the computer?" :)
One other thing I'd try doing is using Line 6 Monkey to reload the firmware. It sounds like something has gotten really weird with the software.
The only other possible issue I can think of is if the actual hardware has messed up. That of course would be something that Line 6 would have to address.
Has it done this since you bought it?
Chad Huskey thanks for corresponding. I purchased the guitar off of eBay last week from a fellow that, claims to have, purchased a Scratch and Dent from Sweetwater, in February. I installed Line 6 monkey and workbench last week. So yes, I believe it's always had this issue, I just wasn't aware until I studied more closely and I received my VDI cable for Helix lt. I reloaded/flashed the firmware, again. All presets are located under the proper bank, within workbench. I've tried uploading to variax, no avail. Downloading from variax looks perfect in workbench. However, when using the guitar bank selector, there is a pattern: 1st bank points to 4th bank. 2nd points to 2nd bank. 3rd bank points to 5th. 4th bank points to 4th. Etc.. Every 2nd, or other, bank is spot on. I documented this for Line 6. I also have pictures to show this. I sent the help desk request Sunday with additional info this a.m. So,I'm hoping maybe by end of week to hear from them. Chad, once again thank you so much for your help. I won't forget it. Jim. PS: I'm retired 25yrs of software implementations.
Thank you so much Chad!
thanks very much Chad that makes my mind up I Intend to buy one now
this will sound stupid but is it possible to tune down to e flat literally 'physically' so the strings are easier to bend and do all the stuff like changing models like that ?
Yes that's entirely possible. You just have to keep mind that workbench will always label the pitches relative to standard tuning. But it's just what displays on the screen, it still works just fine. If you're programming Alt tunings in workbench you just have to keep that in mind.
Thanks, for the Great vid! I have most of the "Real Guitars" just bought a Helix recently and just got a JTV 89-F last night. Is there a way to use work bench while the vdi cable is connected to the Helix? Or do I need to use the USB connector thing? I'm all thumbs with this modeling stuff at the mo and I find the Line 6 site a little difficult to navigate. ;-)
+Tony Hao you're welcome! Right now you have to use the USB interface that came with the guitar. I hope line 6 adds the functionality of using helix as a USB interface for Variax in the future. They eventually added this to the HD500.
One other note, be sure to have a standard guitar cable plugged in while connecting to your computer to edit. The USB interface doesn't power the guitar like it does when plugged into the helix.
Thanks Chad, appreciate your advice mate! In the video it looked as though you had the Helix in the background and workbench talking to it, so thought you had figured out a way around it. :) I am in New Zealand, it took around 6 months to get the JTV-89F in my local store to try out, and no one really knows any advanced answers to my questions around here. I tried three other models didn't like the way they felt, but the 89-F is pretty good. I am trying to figure out how to get a good acoustic sound too, and some alternate tunings like Hawaiian slack key open G, I don't think that is standard on this model? With workbench I should be able to setup a preset with that Thanks again for your tutorial and advice you Rock!
+Tony Hao I actually have a friend here in North Carolina with a helix and variax who is from New Zealand. I'd love to get the chance to visit NZ at some point.
Here's a link to a video I did on building an acoustic patch. The link to the patch is in the description. th-cam.com/video/NjiPjWgV7YI/w-d-xo.html
You can easily use workbench to create custom tunings and assign them to the tuning knob if you want to.
+Chad Huskey Cheers for the link Chad! The acoustic sounds really are the reason I wanted to get a variax. I was wondering about the amp models with acoustic sounds I have made a few and found that using very little effects and a reverb no amp sounds best to my ears. Thanks for the tips on pre amp and chain! Great that you have a Kiwi friend up there, Kiwis are good salt of the earth people, hope you get a chance to visit NZ. Take Care
Thanx for the lovely Tutorial God Bless
You're very welcome!!
Apparently if you rename a preset in workbench, it doesn't then show up that way in the POD Mixer tab.
I replied to your FB post, but I think you're correct on that. Maybe you could post on Line 6 IdeaScale requesting they change that and see if it gets voted up. I'll vote for it :)
Can I make a Variax sound like an EVH Wolfgang or Frankenstein?
I think you can get pretty close. I'd take the Strat body and put either the Les Paul or the High gain pickup in the bridge. If you really want to crank it boost the pickup level and also you can try stacking 2 pickups on top of each other and running them in series. This will get you the maximum amount of output.
You'll just need to experiment with that to see, but that's basically what the original Frankenstrat was, just a Strat body with a humbucker in it.
Amazing! Thanks Chad :)
Are you using a LINE 6 POD to connect it to the computer?
I'm using line 6 helix, but pod HD500 works as well.
Great video and info
I bought a variax 500 mint condition ,1 month ago and love it ..
also bought a pod xt live in order to add some patches. well first thing was to upgrade firmware according to line 6 Monkey.
I had the original version firmware in both .
got it to flash memory in both and all went well , i got the operation flash memory successful ok ..
Now i lost all my factory presets in both the pod xt live and variax 500 , the guitar sounds the same in all the selections . re flashed several time and same thing .. called Line 6 and tech guy says he never heard of that problem. Maybe this is the wrong platform to ask for help but i'm desperate,,
any body know where i can go for help? Help .
What does this thing do cause it comes with a ethernet cord and I'm confused now
I'm planning to do some videos on Variax setup A-Z, but it will probably be a couple weeks out at least.
But to answer your question the guitar should have come with a USB interface and an Ethernet chord. Plug the Ethernet chord into the Variax and the other end into the USB interface. Then connect a USB cable from the interface to your computer.
Also very important plug a 1/4" guitar cable into the Variax. This is required to power on the Variax.
On the computer side of things you'll need to download from Line 6's website a program called Line 6 Monkey. You'll find this on the support>downloads page. This will allow you to install the latest firmware to the guitar as well as drivers and the Workbench HD software.
At that point you should be connected and this tutorial video should help you to get acclimated to Workbench HD.
I have a line6 helix and the Variax Shuriken... Cant get them working.... The sound presets all sound the same...
+Jeremy Vetter are you saying that every preset on the Variax sounds the same, or the helix presets sound the same?
I would recommend starting with a clean preset on the helix and turn the model knob on the Variax to see if you can hear the differences.
When you plug in the Variax make sure the modeling is turned on by pressing down the model select knob.
Nice Video....lots of good info... To your point about fooling with it.when bought my Original 1.0 Pod, I thought I'd wasted money, but ou gotta get your hands dirty....it makes all the difference when it's up on the screen. Sooner or later you find your way.
BTW...have you posted any Helix patches on Custom tone or elsewhere? that acoustic patch sounds great.
Thanks
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video. I agree, you really have to get in there and find your own sound. I have posted several patches over on custom tone. My user name is chuskey if you search the site.
Here's a link to the acoustic patch: line6.com/customtone/tone/1967148/
Very cool, thanks again!
Hi Chad. Thanks this very helpful. I really mostly play the electric and acoustic mandolin family of instruments tuned in 5 th's instead of 4 th's. I don't play lead guitar. In this 5th tuning I could play all instruments on my JTV 69 in 5 th's as well as 4 th's.I would like to have a preset in the tuning knob section which I think is with 6 string guitar would be low e string to high e,a,d,g,b,e. string to c2,g2,d3,a3,e4, (g ?) or leave as an e4. I could use the virtual capo and play higher up the neck for shorter fret spacing and maybe deaden the top and bottom strings with the (ap) to have mandolin gdae. With 12 string body it might sound like a mandolin. Other wise electric mandolin would be fine I tried to do this and gave up. Kinda old and challenged. Is this a pipe dream ? I bet there would be some other folks that would fine this tuning fun too. Thank You ….Hollis
Does this run on Mac osx. Or windows 10?
Workbench hd runs great on windows 10 an 11. I haven't owned a Mac is several years, so I don't want to say one way or the other on that.
I know there's a version for the Mac, but I've seen comments about it sometimes not working (right away) with new OS X updates.
When you go to the downloads page on the line 6 website it should say which version it runs on.
can i use a variax 700 on worbench hd?
+André Baeta no unfortunately you can't. It has to be a jtv or Standard model to use workbench hd.
great job as always - I'm inundated with strat sound now for 1st 3 or 4 models on wheel lol :) - I really must look @ what to do w/the eq...I have a whack of Glenn Delaunnes' patches & models, 1 mostly that's way to dark -
+Dagan Haddad thanks! There's lots of ground you can cover with the strat sounds :-)
Chad, How can I setup a capo on a setting? I see you have cap1, 2, 3.
If memory serves, In workbench turn on the tuning and set it up to what you want (cap1, cap2, or cap 3). Hit the save button and you can name it. Then hit the manage button. This will bring up the manage tunings screen. Here's where you can move custom tunings to the positions on the tuning knob.
Hope this helps!
Chad Huskey thanks Chad!
What lead connects to my computer from guitar?
You'll need to use the USB interface that comes with the guitar. It's usb to your computer and the cat5 cable goes to the vdi port on your variax.
Just make sure you also have the 1/4" cable plugged in as well to power on the guitar.
Chad Huskey what !!!!!
Help I have no idea what that looks like ??
I didn’t get a lead with my guitar
Can you send me a link or email me a picture of what I’m supposed to do -
Ian
paramedic@hotmail.co.uk
Email sent...
Chad Huskey mate thanks I got one now
The higher the capacitence the more the highs are knocked off. 0,047mf. is the typical Strat capacitor, Les paul typical is 0,022mf. (rolling of highs but letting midrange through). FWIW
hi can you make it sound like a bass ?
The basic answer is yes. You can tune every sting down an octave and it does a pretty good job of mimicking a bass. Especially if you're looking to use it to loop bass parts for live looping. Works great for that.
In this video I use different snapshots with Variax for looping and one of them is bass
th-cam.com/video/ZQvvp9FYGxk/w-d-xo.html
to bad my laptop will not communicate with the workbench and my guitar
That's "Neutral", not "Natural".....
This was such a help. Thank you.
You're very welcome!