Hi Chad, I’m a brand new user to Variax, having just got my guitar 3 days ago (JTV-69S). Your tutorial is exactly what I needed to get me up and running to create a patch that incorporates both acoustic and electric. Thanks for your great work!
Spent a good 20 minutes trying to figure out in HX Edit how you do this - someone happened to link to your video elsewhere on a thread I found on Google. Thanks a million.
I learned a thing today. Virtual Capo only works correctly when you play as if the nut is the capo. I have been struggling because I always play on the position a real capo would be so when I attempted to play a song that normally has a capo on 5, I was way up at the 7th for a G Chord and my virtual capo is actually the nut. I didn't know and it sounded terrible and I just couldn't understand. Finally, after a lot of confusion, It hit me. Hahahaha, Lightbulb moment! I thought you'd get a laugh. Thanks for posting these videos. They truly help me when I get stuck.
Chad you must read may mind I love ❤ your content again you always have the best info ℹ for me just great keep up the great work and videos I sure appreciate it
Hi Chad. Really enjoy your content. I have had a variax for a year or so but just got the helix and that has opened a world of possibilities. I don't see any nylon string (classical) guitar models in workbench. Are there any out there or what would be the best way to build one. Thanks!!!
Hi Chad, How do you use snapshots to go from Variax model to mag pickups only? I want a single preset where snapshot 1 is an acoustic model, and snapshot 2 is only the onboard P90s on my Variax. Seems like the Variax models are always on. I must be missing something obvious but haven't found any discussion, other than someone suggesting the mags-only input on path 1 and variax only on path 2, and using snapshots to turn them on and off with gain controls. Also - I'd rather not use HX Edit. If possible I'd like to do it from the front of the Helix floor GUI.
I love this, thanks. Question; I love pedal steel sound & have watched strings B & G bending for Country. Is it possible to use Variax & Helix snapshot to Pitch a B or G to bend using expression pedal, leaving the other strings? Thanks, Dan
I've tried this exact thing before, but unfortunately it doesn't work. The Variax "steps" to the next pitch and doesn't glide, so it doesn't have that bend/slide effect to it. I was disappointed when I tried it thinking how cool that would be 😉
@@ChadHuskey thanks for you reply Chad. Thanks for your focus on the Variax. I've learnt more about getting the most from this instrument from your videos than anyone else. 🎸
Really enjoying your playing and tutorials Chad. Thanks for doing this. I've never played a Variax but have a lead on a used Standard sunburst in my neighborhood at a reasonable price. Since it's such a different beast, how does one go about inspecting a used Variax? Anything special I should look out for, apart from just running it through the models? (I have a Helix I can try it out on.) Thanks for your time, cheers
Glad you like the videos! As long as all the modeling works you should be good. If possible I'd recommend making sure the vdi and the standard jack work, but I think it would be rare that it didn't. The one thing I would say is make sure that the usb interface comes with the guitar. Every Variax ships with one, but for some reason most 2nd hand Variax guitars don't have one 🤷♂️
Chad Huskey I just bought a used JT-69 on eBay , and you’re right; it didn’t come with the USB interface. I was annoyed at first (especially when I saw that they‘re $99 at Sweetwater), but then I discovered that I could access Workbench by using the VDI into the Helix and going into my iMac from the Helix USB.
Greeting from Australia Chad I’m really struggling to get a usable (on stage) acoustic sound that with sit in a band mix. It seems like this is one of the biggest issues other variax users are having as well. I have a helix as well What do you do with your acoustic patches? Thanks for all the great videos btw. They’ve definitely got me through a lot of issues
Sorry for the late reply, had a couple of comments slip by me ;) What I do for acoustic is just have a parametric EQ block in my signal chain and have a snapshot set to turn off the amp/cab/drive blocks and turn on the EQ block. If I were doing a stand alone acoustic patch it would be Parametric EQ, Reverb, Compression, and then any other effects you'd want to use. Let me know if this helps. Thanks!
Yes,, I did learn something! I struggled to get snapshot control over Variax models not too long ago. This is a simple technique when you know it. So you have the Teemah there for footswitch control only?
Yes, the Teemah is only controlled via a footswitch in stomp mode. The heir apparent is controlled via a footswitch in stomp mode as well, but can also be turned on/off via snapshots.
I usually just leave it set to multi. That's what it defaults to. And in the extremely rare case I'd need to plug in a regular guitar, or let someone without a variax use my helix, I wouldn't have to change anything. It would already accept inputs from the Variax and the regular guitar input. Now if I setup a patch where the Variax models are on one path and the variax mags on another then I'll change the assignment.
Hi Chad, I downloaded and using your patch with my JTV 69 to Helix with VDI cable. On alternate tunings I can hear the unaltered string noise coming through as well. How do I stop that?
I know this is a basic question, but I have seen a lot of people do this, are you playing loud enough that you can't hear the acoustic strings? If you're playing volume is fairly low you will hear the dissonance between the actual strings and what's coming out of the helix.
Hey Chad, The Variax Snap preset doesn't seem to be working especially when I reach Snapshot 2-4, 6&7 and I thought maybe it's the setttings on my Variax. What settings should the two knobs be on? I have a Variax Standard. So appreciate a reply.
The knobs on the Variax don't matter too much. You can leave the tuning knob on "standard" The first thing I'd check on the helix is to make sure that Variax control is set to snapshot and not global. It's on global by default. You'll see this on the Variax settings of the input block. Let me know if this helps!
@@ChadHuskey Hey Chad, the input block of the Variax (by right clicking on Variax (under the "Bypass/Controller Assign tab) suggestion was helpful but to keep the settings (snapshots) from changing (as they did on me), do you keep "Per Preset" and below it, "Custom" checked? I definitely saved after every snapshot assignment. This open tuning/snapshot assignment via Variax is a game changer. Thanks for your reply. Larry
very cool stuff Chad. The Variax is amazing. Wish I had one. One day....... you rock
Chad, thanks so much for these videos!!!
Hi Chad, I’m a brand new user to Variax, having just got my guitar 3 days ago (JTV-69S). Your tutorial is exactly what I needed to get me up and running to create a patch that incorporates both acoustic and electric. Thanks for your great work!
Spent a good 20 minutes trying to figure out in HX Edit how you do this - someone happened to link to your video elsewhere on a thread I found on Google.
Thanks a million.
I learned a thing today. Virtual Capo only works correctly when you play as if the nut is the capo. I have been struggling because I always play on the position a real capo would be so when I attempted to play a song that normally has a capo on 5, I was way up at the 7th for a G Chord and my virtual capo is actually the nut. I didn't know and it sounded terrible and I just couldn't understand. Finally, after a lot of confusion, It hit me. Hahahaha, Lightbulb moment! I thought you'd get a laugh. Thanks for posting these videos. They truly help me when I get stuck.
Chad you must read may mind I love ❤ your content again you always have the best info ℹ for me just great keep up the great work and videos I sure appreciate it
Thanks for the kind words!!
Very cool!
Thanks!!
Awesome!
Thanks!
Hi Chad. Really enjoy your content. I have had a variax for a year or so but just got the helix and that has opened a world of possibilities. I don't see any nylon string (classical) guitar models in workbench. Are there any out there or what would be the best way to build one. Thanks!!!
Hi Chad,
How do you use snapshots to go from Variax model to mag pickups only?
I want a single preset where snapshot 1 is an acoustic model, and snapshot 2 is only the onboard P90s on my Variax.
Seems like the Variax models are always on. I must be missing something obvious but haven't found any discussion, other than someone suggesting the mags-only input on path 1 and variax only on path 2, and using snapshots to turn them on and off with gain controls.
Also - I'd rather not use HX Edit. If possible I'd like to do it from the front of the Helix floor GUI.
I wanna know if i don't have varian guitar , how could i use helix varian......any other way?
I love this, thanks. Question;
I love pedal steel sound & have watched strings B & G bending for Country. Is it possible to use Variax & Helix snapshot to Pitch a B or G to bend using expression pedal, leaving the other strings? Thanks, Dan
I've tried this exact thing before, but unfortunately it doesn't work. The Variax "steps" to the next pitch and doesn't glide, so it doesn't have that bend/slide effect to it.
I was disappointed when I tried it thinking how cool that would be 😉
@@ChadHuskey thanks for you reply Chad. Thanks for your focus on the Variax. I've learnt more about getting the most from this instrument from your videos than anyone else. 🎸
Really enjoying your playing and tutorials Chad. Thanks for doing this.
I've never played a Variax but have a lead on a used Standard sunburst in my neighborhood at a reasonable price. Since it's such a different beast, how does one go about inspecting a used Variax? Anything special I should look out for, apart from just running it through the models? (I have a Helix I can try it out on.) Thanks for your time, cheers
Glad you like the videos!
As long as all the modeling works you should be good. If possible I'd recommend making sure the vdi and the standard jack work, but I think it would be rare that it didn't.
The one thing I would say is make sure that the usb interface comes with the guitar.
Every Variax ships with one, but for some reason most 2nd hand Variax guitars don't have one 🤷♂️
@@ChadHuskey Thanks for the quick reply and great tips Chad. If I do pick it up I expect I'll be spending a lot more time on your channel. Cheers.
Chad Huskey I just bought a used JT-69 on eBay , and you’re right; it didn’t come with the USB interface. I was annoyed at first (especially when I saw that they‘re $99 at Sweetwater), but then I discovered that I could access Workbench by using the VDI into the Helix and going into my iMac from the Helix USB.
Greeting from Australia Chad
I’m really struggling to get a usable (on stage) acoustic sound that with sit in a band mix. It seems like this is one of the biggest issues other variax users are having as well.
I have a helix as well
What do you do with your acoustic patches?
Thanks for all the great videos btw. They’ve definitely got me through a lot of issues
Sorry for the late reply, had a couple of comments slip by me ;)
What I do for acoustic is just have a parametric EQ block in my signal chain and have a snapshot set to turn off the amp/cab/drive blocks and turn on the EQ block.
If I were doing a stand alone acoustic patch it would be Parametric EQ, Reverb, Compression, and then any other effects you'd want to use.
Let me know if this helps. Thanks!
Yes,, I did learn something! I struggled to get snapshot control over Variax models not too long ago. This is a simple technique when you know it.
So you have the Teemah there for footswitch control only?
Yes, the Teemah is only controlled via a footswitch in stomp mode.
The heir apparent is controlled via a footswitch in stomp mode as well, but can also be turned on/off via snapshots.
I almost never use stomp mode. I'll tie it to a snapshot
Just change the snapshot bypass setting and you're good to go 👍
Hey Chad new Shuriken owner and devouring all Variax vids. Curious why your HX edit shows regular guitar input rather than set to the variax setting?
I usually just leave it set to multi. That's what it defaults to.
And in the extremely rare case I'd need to plug in a regular guitar, or let someone without a variax use my helix, I wouldn't have to change anything. It would already accept inputs from the Variax and the regular guitar input.
Now if I setup a patch where the Variax models are on one path and the variax mags on another then I'll change the assignment.
Hi Chad, I downloaded and using your patch with my JTV 69 to Helix with VDI cable. On alternate tunings I can hear the unaltered string noise coming through as well. How do I stop that?
I know this is a basic question, but I have seen a lot of people do this, are you playing loud enough that you can't hear the acoustic strings?
If you're playing volume is fairly low you will hear the dissonance between the actual strings and what's coming out of the helix.
Yes this was exactly the issue....another reason to play louder. Lol. Thanks.
Hey Chad, The Variax Snap preset doesn't seem to be working especially when I reach Snapshot 2-4, 6&7 and I thought maybe it's the setttings on my Variax. What settings should the two knobs be on? I have a Variax Standard. So appreciate a reply.
The knobs on the Variax don't matter too much. You can leave the tuning knob on "standard"
The first thing I'd check on the helix is to make sure that Variax control is set to snapshot and not global. It's on global by default.
You'll see this on the Variax settings of the input block.
Let me know if this helps!
@@ChadHuskey Hey Chad, the input block of the Variax (by right clicking on Variax (under the "Bypass/Controller Assign tab) suggestion was helpful but to keep the settings (snapshots) from changing (as they did on me), do you keep "Per Preset" and below it, "Custom" checked? I definitely saved after every snapshot assignment. This open tuning/snapshot assignment via Variax is a game changer. Thanks for your reply.
Larry