Hi guys

FYI a new version of Variax Workbench is announced.
Putting the Electrics and Acoustic together in one program.

more here

Vettaville.nl

I can't imagine anything more I would want my Variax Ac to do. While I am not a great guitar player, I enjoy the guitar's versatility. I just can't think of any other sounds or tunings that I would want to add.
Respect

Thanks, as always, Hans! We really appreciate your keeping us in the L6 loop...

I hear you, Col. Andy. It's already far and away the best-sounding, most versatile acoustic/electric that I've ever used. Still, I have found Workbench to be an amazing tool with my Variax Electric. I'm hoping that it will allow me to overwrite a bunch of the registers on my Acoustic (the ones that I never use) with more of the models/settings/tunings that I will use regularly. I'm also hoping to be able to call them up with one click on the XT Live, the way that I already can with the Variax Electric...

No sign of Workbench 1.5 on line6.com yet. Anyone know when it might be available for download?

Chuck how happy are you with the acoustic modeling on the variax electric. I seem to have troupble with it sounding too thin. Any advise?

hebegb,

(jumping in here, Chuck)
I also play the Variax electric and I use the acoustic models frequently.
If anything I've had to roll the bass off a little bit occasionally. So, to answer your question, I've never thought they were thin sounding.

I always run through the Pod XT Live and use the factory acoustic presets. That combo never fails to generate compliments - even from engineers in the studio.

I get positive comments on the acoustic sound virtually EVERY gig I play from Smooth Jazz sets (with lots of chord work and solo stuff), to small acoustic/vocal duets, to classic rock gigs...playing Hotel California, Stairway to Heaven (we granted a request), Dust in the Wind, etc. Even heavy strumming country gigs.

Are you running through a preamp or modeler of some sort, or are you direct into the L1?

If you're running direct and flat, try the presets. They add a lot of magic to your sound.

Chad

Ok Chad, now I'm curious what presets you are using for the variax. Maybe I'm missing a good thing.
Respect

I am using the pod xt live also. I will play with it some more and see what I can do. What preset on the Bose are you using?

Also is the acoustic sound of the acoustic 700 better than that of the acoustic sound of the electric. Does that make sense? If you do not know the variax product line it may not.

The acoustic sounds from the 700 acoustic are more realistic than those of the electric... they are very spacific models of real guitars in front of a mic. The feel of the acoustic also alows fingerstyle players to get more authintic sounds. Wider neck and a psudo-sound hole make a big difference for fingerpicking.

No real secrets here, guys. I'm using a stock Variax 700 electric through the Pod XT Live. In bank 8, patches a, b, c.
8A is for the Jumbo model,
8B is for a Parlor acoustic with fx. and
8C is for Parlor acoustic.

8C is my favorite and sounds a bit warmer. I use it for pretty much all the acoustic models (Sounds great with the Jumbo 12 string for Hotel California) unless all I'm doing is big time strumming, then I'll use 8A since it's not as boomy -- more balanced and even.

The Pod XTLive is set to the Bose PS1 output setting and I run direct into a PS1, double bass system, either direct (ch 3 or 4) or on a flat preset (00).
(make sure you set the gain properly).

On a few occasions I've run stereo into 2 Bose systems. The acoustic models on the Variax electric were Pure Eargasm. (especially the 12 string-wow!)

Sorry, haven't played the Acoustic version Variax 700 yet, but it's probably my next purchase. (the dealbreaker for me would be the Nylon models if they really are as bad a few people have said)

I'll let you know if I have a chance to try it.


Let me know if you don't have the stock acoustic patches for the XT live. I'll email em to you.

Chad

please do e-mail those to me. Thanks

hebegb,

check your email.

Chad

If I could post an mp3 of the nylon patch here I would...

It's a strange thing... properly EQed, and with a bit of Reverb... most days I think it's great... and sometimes I think, "what, is this the bajo setting my mistake ?" I'm not a detail guy so I'm afraid I never take the time to write down what worked best live vs recorded to the PC. Someday.... <G>

quote:

Originally posted by hebegb -
Chuck how happy are you with the acoustic modeling on the variax electric. I seem to have trouble with it sounding too thin. Any advise?

I'm pretty happy with them, especially since installing the 3.10 update. I still find the acoustic models in the Acoustic 700 to be superior, though...

quote:

Originally posted by FocusPlayer -
If I could post an mp3 of the nylon patch here I would...

The nylon model didn't impress me at first, but when I record it and/or listen loud enough or through headphones to overcome the (unamplified acoustic) steel-string harmonics, I find it to be quite convincing. In all honesty, I have yet to use that model at a gig...

while awaiting the workbench.

Here's some audioclips of a Variax electric equipped with nylon strings at the link. Haven't tried it for myself but sure sounds nice.

Vettaville.nl