Skip navigation
Up to Discussions in James Tyler Variax Guitars
485 Views 8 Replies Latest reply: Jul 4, 2012 2:52 PM by StandYourGround RSS
StandYourGround Just Startin'
StandYourGround
4 posts since
Jun 26, 2012
Currently Being Moderated

Jul 3, 2012 7:32 PM

Variax Set Up

Hi there, was wondering if someone could tell me about using a Variax without the VDI cable. I want to get the versaitility of the Variax but need wireless, however from what I hear a wireless VDI isn't yet possible. So is the VDI used just for power and preset changing? is it possible to run the 1/4 output wireless only and have the variax presets changed by a POD's foot controller, not using the VDI output at all?

  • davidb7170 Just Startin'
    davidb7170
    253 posts since
    May 3, 2008
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jul 3, 2012 9:45 PM (in response to StandYourGround)
    Re: Variax Set Up

    No -- if you go wireless through the 1/4" jack, you will not be able to have the HD500, HDPro, X3Live, or XTLive switch the Variax (1st Generation, or JTV's). The HD300 & 400 don't have the VDI interface, so it's just plain not possible with those models, nor any of the desk-top bean type Pods to switch or power the Variaxes. So far, Line 6 has not offered a wireless VDI device. It would need continous 2-way communication wirelessly - sending a digital audio stream from the guitar to the pedal while receiving switching signals to the guitar from the pedal. Not impossible, but at least an order of magnitude more complicated than any currently available wireless setup -- analog or digital.... Probably an order of magnitude more expensive as well, unfortunately.... You'd also be on the battery, as the wireless option would obviously not be able to power the guitar as the VDI does from the pedal.

     

    Some people on the forums have made the decision to go wireless and fore-go the many advantages of the VDI. Now what you could do would be kind of 50/50. Have a wireless setup on your strap and the wireless base unit plugged into the regular 1/4" guitar input on the HD500, but be plugged into the VDI. When the urge hits you to move away from your rig, unplug the VDI, plug in the wireless pack and off you go.

     

    I've considered this for my backup guitar -- have a wireless setup on that, plugged into the guitar set up and switch to it when I need to go elsewhere on stage or whatever. Otherwise, if I'm by my rig, I don't see being on the VDI as a problem... But that's just me -- I know there are many other opinions out there....

     

    Just my 2 cents.

     

    Dave

    • player99 Just Startin'
      player99
      111 posts since
      Dec 13, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jul 3, 2012 10:41 PM (in response to davidb7170)
      Re: Variax Set Up

      Is it that much different from a $30 wireless computer router and a wireless device? In my opinion it is simple communications and all the technology is readily available and cheap. Different from conventional guitar wireless but still easily done by a company like L6 who already owns a wireless company and product line.

      • Rewolf48 Just Startin'
        Rewolf48
        133 posts since
        Aug 9, 2010
        Currently Being Moderated
        Jul 4, 2012 5:22 AM (in response to player99)
        Re: Variax Set Up

        This discussion has been had before - can you make the VDI link wireless (using WLAN tech)? The answer is No.

         

        The reason is that while the physical harware uses a Cat-5 style cable and connectors, what is exchanged over the wires is not ethernet.  The VDI link passes two streams of Digital Audio, MIDI control from JTV to HD and MIDI control from HD to JTV, and power over the lines, but however it is arranged it is not compatible with Ethernet therefore WLAN doesn't work.

         

        I do agree with you though that it should be possible for Line-6 to make this work over wireless; especially as Line 6 have product that stream Digital Audio over wireless and the MIDI data is miniscule.

         

        It is not so much of an issue for an HD500 user who generally has to be close to the HD500, but for an HD Pro user perhaps on a larger stage it would be much more useful.

         

        Personally when I used my old Trantec Guitar wireless I had timing problems from more than about 20 yards from the guitar amp as the latency (speaker to ear) while not noticable normally was really obvious.  I guess if you have monitors or in-ears it won't be a problem.

      • silverhead Expert Line 6 User
        silverhead
        9,592 posts since
        Apr 1, 2009
        Currently Being Moderated
        Jul 4, 2012 5:29 AM (in response to player99)
        Re: Variax Set Up

        The other issue that needs to be considered is power. While the JTV has a good battery alternative, earlier Variax models don't. For those models there is no wireless option until power can be delivered wirelessly. I'm sure that is not seen as an issue for JTV owners, but it is for others.

        • player99 Just Startin'
          player99
          111 posts since
          Dec 13, 2007
          Currently Being Moderated
          Jul 4, 2012 5:40 AM (in response to silverhead)
          Re: Variax Set Up

          I would think whatever device is developed would have it's own power supply, not feed off the Variax' power.

          • silverhead Expert Line 6 User
            silverhead
            9,592 posts since
            Apr 1, 2009
            Currently Being Moderated
            Jul 4, 2012 5:56 AM (in response to player99)
            Re: Variax Set Up

            I think you misunderstand - the Variax requires power - it can't feed anything. No computer (and the Variax is a computer) runs without battery or a power cord. Wireless power delivery doesn't exist. That's why millions of people in the U.S. are out of power right now - because the wires were knocked out and need fixing.

  • phil_m Expert Line 6 User
    phil_m
    4,243 posts since
    Jan 25, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jul 4, 2012 7:58 AM (in response to StandYourGround)
    Re: Variax Set Up

    There was a way that some people came up with running the communication data wirelessly, but I believe it also requires that you use a separate wireless device for audio.

     

    http://www.vettaville.nl/page.php?id=58#166

    • StandYourGround Just Startin'
      StandYourGround
      4 posts since
      Jun 26, 2012
      Currently Being Moderated
      Jul 4, 2012 2:52 PM (in response to phil_m)
      Re: Variax Set Up

      Running two wireless systems wouldn't bother me too much. Does the method you suggested work exclusively with Variax to Vetta II or can it also work with the Variax to POD HD Pro setup?

      I looked at the wireless MIDI transmitter/receivers suggested in the link but the first one seems to be a dead link and the second seems to have a bit of an awkward shaped receiver (the bit that'd go on the guitar).

      Also, if it's as easy as running two wireless systems (one for audio, one for MIDI) and using a couple of homemade cables, why don't line 6 release a product capable of doing it all? Can't be that hard to house the MIDI transmitter and Audio receiver in the one rack unit and the MIDI receiver and the Audio transmitter in the one wireless pack. As for the cables, I'm sure L6 could manufacture them. And finally, as for the power, the JTV models have internal batteries any way? Sure having batteries for a guitar, audio wireless and MDI wireless would be a lot but JTV battery is rechargable and there is no reason why the wireless' can't be either.

       

      Anyhow, let me get this straight. In order to run wireless Variax guitars into a POD HD Pro, the signal would look like this?:

       

      Variax:                                                                                                                                      :POD HD PRO

       

      AUDIO 1/4 OUT> Wireless Audio Transmitter>Wireless Audio Receiver>POD HD Pro Guitar Input

       

      VARIAX VDI IN<Wireless MIDI Receiver<Wireless MIDI Transmitter<Custom Cables<POD HD Pro Variax Output

       

      Guitar powered by batteries.

More Like This

  • Retrieving data ...

Bookmarked By (0)