Tips and Tricks for Using The Line 6 Variax with the Helix

[@Hoagiemon]

I’ve been on the fence for years about the variax, but watching your videos and live stream have convinced me. The Standard Onyx should arrive tomorrow so I’ll be watching these tutorials again. Thanks

[@pismomark4860]

I enjoy how you're not afraid to try new things with new tools.I have the Helix but I have been debating getting a Variax or not, but this may help sway me.Appreciate you takin gthe time tom show what is what on the Helix and yuor reasoning on why you like what.Keep up the good work!!

[@joeyragz06]

WOW!!!! I just learned so much by watching this video. I just got my Helix last week and I love it. After watching this, I think I'm gonna love it even more!

[@johnalves9125]

Great video! I bought a Helix 2 weeks ago and my JTV 59 arrived today. I play in a cover band and I can tell the possibilities are endless with this setup! No more having to take at least a few guitars, amps and cabs. I'm going to watch more of your videos, I didn't know the volume and tone controls can be programmed that way. Thanks again

[@johnnyvlee]

As Bob SoloMan said, you can get the gear, but you still have to think creatively to figure out what to do with it. Pink Floyd got dinged for using so much processing early on. Gilmour commented that you still have to know what to do with it. If you attend sales training, you find the emphasis on selling the BENEFITS of a product. In the case of Variax and Helix, that means not only showing what it can do but WHY you would want to do that. I wish there were more videos that start with a problem statement and use the tools to solve it. For example, "I need to cover . I'll need 3 guitar sounds for that. Let's figure out a couple of ways to do that with Helix and Variax."

[@BobSoloMan]

After 30 years of playing, it's so difficult to train my mind to think like this... but I have the gear and I'm damn sure trying. Your videos are food... and I'm starving.

[@lonepoorboymusic4365]

LOL, I am you!

[@jeffbateman2339]

I've got the same guitar in Black... And the Helix is coming today! This is incredibly helpful!!! Thanks again for sharing!

[@randybooth3020]

Great explanation of the awesome capabilities of helix integration with variax.

[@Cigarsnguitars]

I’m just now getting to work on the Helix. I don’t have a Variax so I’m working on patches and snapshots. I have a Roland GR-55 guitar synth that I use for alternate tunings. When we played Stevie Wonder tunes I was the horn section. It was awesome. I use a cello and violin setting a lot at church. Technology is incredible!

[@zakklee2556]

good to know I have the GR 55 and going to finish a dream rig, got the DT50, next month the HD500X, then 2 months for the Variax.

[@andrewbettis4247]

awesome I just got my Helix yesterday and I'm not even sure where to start but I'm very excited about it I may have to save up for a variax now lol

[@chitlun]

You've just convinced me to buy a Variax to plug into my Helix. It was the 'B bender' bit that sealed it. I wonder how well that will work using the expression pedal assigned to 2 strings? Ooft, the possibilities of that are just ridiculous and i can't play like Jerry Donahue so a winner all round! Thanks for the excellent and fun videos Ritchie, you definitely helped in my decision to buy a Helix last year. Peace 😀

[@klshelton2123]

Genius man...just Genius. I know I'm a late comer to this video but, dang man...game changer. My Variax sounded like crap with the helix until I saw this. Not to actually learn how to play!

[@rtubeyou2010]

JUst ordered a Line 6 Variax600 "Good condition," next is the Helix. Great demo video.

[@tjnugent62]

Excellent job Richie... You should be in the running for great guitar demo's for this year.

[@alessandrorossini8704]

The three Variax videos has been veeeery useful to give me (and I think all of us) an exhaustive trip through Variax guitars' possibilities + the amazing power of mixing Variax and Helix. I was already interested on this kind of gear and now I know it's definitely the gear I need/want, great job, hats off, THANX A LOT Richie! P.S. AND you do know your business about playing a guitar!! ;-)

[@MadDuck]

Line 6 needs to PAY YOU man.. are you serious? I'm buying both the guitar AND the Helix because of this series of videos! WOW! Thanks man, totally amazing!

[@AlexVonCrank]

Thanks Richie, you're a great presenter and reviewer. You guitar skills are fantastic as well which makes the videos well worth watching!!!

[@bestguitarchannel]

Adding the DT-25 makes a huge difference because you are playing through real tubes and it is phenomenal. I also added a fishman triple play to my variax and can literally pull up any sound or instrument ever made.

[@zakklee2556]

good to know. picked up a dt50 last month, next month an HD500X then 2 months the Variax.

[@bestguitarchannel]

@@zakklee2556 go ahead and get the Helix as the HD500x computer support wont be there as long and the helix does sound better, I just have not really had the money and the triple play is well worth it!

[@zakklee2556]

@@bestguitarchannel thanks for the info.. the difference in price is the deciding factor : helix $1300 , hd500x $200. I'm going with hd500x, the software seems good enough.

[@bestguitarchannel]

@@zakklee2556 I still use mine daily, Its a great unit and combined with the dt50, my god its amazing, especially when you get the variax. I got a Variax Standard and love it! I had one of the older Variax 300s years ago and the standard is actually a nice quality yamaha strat with the variax piezos

[@zakklee2556]

@@bestguitarchannel there's one @ $900 used I hope to get in about 3 months. got to have the Floyd Rose though. Have to swap necks for one that has stainless steel frets. then good to go!

[@gonepickin990]

Great Videos Richie. Saw you with BOC in Waukeegan Il in 2017 and looked you up and found your vids after seeing you use Line6 on the floor. The FOH sucked that night unfortunately and Buck had to ask for "more cowbell" to get the tech to jack up the volume to rock n roll levels. Must have been a worship kinda guy! What a scream!! That guy pretty much ruined the sound that night. Anyway thanks for the guidance. I just upgraded from the Firehawk and your common sense vids are great! Thanks again!

[@vincentbranciforti329]

Wow late in the day but some real cutting edge stuff hats off dude !!

[@bailey12444]

I just bought my variax standard sunburst , thanks man I'm ready to have fun 👍

[@Claimjumper55]

That was crazy cool Richie. Thanks. I know what I'm playing with for the weekend now.

[@omarsosa44]

I was debating on getting a AX-8 or a Helix. I have a JTV as my main guitar. Thanks! you have sold me a Helix!!!! :-)

[@thomasedermusic]

Really love your tutorials - Great work and great playing! Thanx! Greetings from Austria/Europe

[@rayraymond2952]

Holy crappe, Batman! I have STV69 Variax & a Helix LT. How in the world did you figure out what you present? You are way more creative & smarter than I am. Thanks, for the vid. Richard

[@DrRussPhd]

Both Helix and Variax are getting long in the tooth and I wouldn't be surprised if Line 6 brings out a newer version of both of these products. After all, planned obsolescence is part of the equation. The next shiny object , please. Great demo, Richie, as usual.

[@indianrockstrat]

Great info. Our PA system is mono so running the two different Helix paths ( DSP processors ) with different guitars is intriguing but I don't thinking panning would do anything. Two guitars, just no stereo spread.

[@sfq86]

Richie I have watched all the videos on the series plus whatever I can find out there. First of all, awesome job, very down to the point and informative. I have one question, do you have any feedback on the trem system? I haven't been able to find any good review that talk about it. Keep up the good work.

[@edoardoallertsen]

Can I suggest an idea for a future video on the Helix? The integration of your Variax and Helix when you do the Band Geek podcast. Since the Variax is so versatile and since in the Band Geek Podcast you need to cover so many sounds (even just when you play encore) it might be very interesting to see your approach to something like that. You have no idea what sounds will be required during the game, so how to prepare for something like that?

[@Droidmaster1]

Hello Ritchie, Wanted to say your skills are quite good. Keep up with line 6 essential for music

[@tammelin_guitar]

Great video as always! I have heard that people have problems with palm muting with the variax. Since you are such a formidable guitar player I wanted to ask you what you think about it. Learning a ton from your helix videos.

[@jazfunk1972]

A momentary B-Bender, wow!

[@MarkSchuster-ym3iy]

Thanks Richie. I’ve got a line 6 pod hd 500x for now can’t wait till I can afford a helix. I don’t play live anymore, would the helix rack mount and controller be a better choice for studio playing? Of coarse a lot more expensive! Enjoy your line 6 videos. You gotta sell the rest of BOC on your rig. I have stubborn friends that are very closed minded on anything digital.

[@fastheartmartvideos]

Your videos are great, dude!

[@JeremyVarao]

Dude! So I can use my tone knob for a lead boost! That's awesome. I assume I could run 2 amps/rigs in stereo in the manner you did the L/R split with the sitar?

[@geirbyre]

Hi Richie! Thanks for some infomative videoes for a Helix / Variax user as myself! I have some problemes to program my helix where I can use different «Guitars» and tunings within a snap shot. Do you have a video where you explane how to program it? Love your stuff!👍🏻

[@MarkSchuster-ym3iy]

I don’t have a helix yet. I have 2 line 6 DT 50s 1 head and 1-212 combo. I’m controlling it all with a hd 500x, and I’m using a Variax standard. I’m also using the L6 link instead of the 4 cable method. I’ve learned a lot but right now I’m interested in sending the Variax model to one amp and the mag pickups to another. I can get 2 signal paths with the hd 500x . Not as easy as the helix but I’ve found the 2 In put controls. Now it’s a matter of setting up a separate am-p. It gets a little tricky after that so if you’ve got a video doing that I’d love to see it

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Can you do any of what you demonstrated with Helix, using the Pod HD500 in its place?

[@JerryCastaldo_NYC]

Nice. Thanks for putting this together.

[@ThaWolfe1]

Richie, Thank You for all videos... GREAT Job 👍🏽

[@thegasman8567]

Thanks for these videos, I really enjoyed them. I was just wondering what made you decide to get both the JTV and the standard? You seem to use the standard more in the videos, is there a reason for that? Many thanks

[@jeffd8597]

Hey Ritchie great video series. I'm using an older variax 500 (updated firmware)with my Helix LT but it won't respond to the custom tuning I program on the Helix ( I am using it with the CAT 5 cable into the VAriax input). Any thoughts? Thanks

[@kmcnair123]

Great stuff Richie!

[@Hardcaslte]

Choice paralysis. There's so much you can do that you can't even start because it's just overload. Each option has multiple options that have options inside of options.

[@ShatzThe]

Great video! Thanks for the in-depth dive into the Variax and Helix! Quick question: it looks like you have your overall Helix volume turned all the way up. Do you that, and not run your preset volumes as hot/high? You are getting great tones, even with minimal amp+cab setting changes, and not even messing with the microphone settings! Do you find that having your Helix output volume all the way up helps with that? Thanks!

[@Dodgebullet40]

Hi Richie...will you be posting your patch from "The Calling"? That was sick...you really nailed those tones!

[@DennisLDelGado]

Awesome! Thanks Richie!

[@78tag]

Richie - I had the same thought about the b-bender a while ago and didn't follow up on it. I thought I could hear the switch when you used it to activate the bender? I was thinking maybe an expression pedal could do the job more smoothly. I am also thinking of combining two string changes to see if I could get that I to IV change combo (A&B pedals) that is common on a pedal steel. I'll let you know how my experiment goes. Any suggestions on the programming of this would be appreciated if you have any.This could get real crazy if I start assigning controls (vol, tone, maybe even p/u selector) on the variax to make other string changes that would imitate a pedal steel. Thanks, Tom W -oh sorry, I got all caught up in this idea, in need to mention - great set of videos!

[@RichieCastellano]

Unfortunately there isn't currently a way that I can think of to actually get the bend effect. That particular parameter only works chromatically and wont do a smooth transition between pitches.

[@marshallbrown9406]

Keep in mind that it different than a full-on pitch shifter/whammy, which affects the entire signal, not just one string. The parameter is controlling the Variax model tuning of a particular string, which only has half-step resolution.

[@borgan1964]

And i fucking bouth it today,,,,i cant wait

[@RichieCastellano]

Awesome!!!

[@kubel83]

Great video!

[@MarvOtis]

Great Job!!!!

[@dannyharrisjr.9188]

Could you do a video on using an acoustic for strumming rythym and electric together in the variax

[@ConstantinoOfficial]

hi, do you prefer the Yamaha or Tyler? seems the latter is a better standalone axe?

[@lovick1]

HI Richie. I’ve been watching several of your videos...great stuff man! Thanks! Question for you: I have a Helix and would like to jump into the world of Variax. As i process the scenarios in my mind of what I’ll like and not like about this potential “Dream Rig”, I keep getting stuck on the fact that I have not found any reliable info - or solution - to using a wireless guitar system with the Variax. And that’s a problem for me. I’m a gigging musician in a cover band that plays in and around the Dallas, Texas area. But I LOATHE being stuck to a cable...I want freedom to move. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance for any response you may be able to give me. Tim

[@stefcars6549]

Wow just wow!! Thanks

[@dwaynerobare1153]

Thanks Richie... Have you used any actual acoustic guitars with the Helix Floor? I'm considering both the Helix Floor and the Variax guitar. But use my acoustic alot... thanks!

[@surfdigby]

Can you assign the whammy pedal to a single string, so that you could do slower bends on the B-bender effect?

[@RichieCastellano]

Yeah I think so, but it’ll be chromatic and not sound very smooth.

[@GUITARSTUFF911]

Have A question Here is the set up: Existing patches on helix for a song "Rhythm, Lead" and Clean. I just bought a Variax and I want to still use the "Rhythm, Lead" sounds I have dialed in BUT I want to use the Variax 12 string sound instead of the clean.. Is it possible to do this with one switch, back and forth without compromising existing tones? And tap dancing?

[@fk1028]

What is the difference with this newer model -> Line 6 JTV-89F ?

[@blogwiser]

I've had my Helix for 18 months now, and today I pulled the trigger on the 'ax, arriving Thursday. "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus". I was pretty excited about it, and then I see this video. Gonna be a long two days.

[@syaolanli]

I LOVE your videos. Where is the sound coming out from? The Line6 L2m?

[@RichieCastellano]

Direct

[@syaolanli]

Sorry for asking again. By "direct" you mean the Helix to PC by USB? Also, I'm thinking of buying a couple of L2m (maybe L3m) for my band. Would you recommend them to replace guitar amps if I were using the Helix?

[@RichieCastellano]

syaolanli 1/4 inch out into my interface.

[@kanyaugatiejagwo]

Did you update thine Helix to 2.12? if so, are you having any issues, hangs blank screens etc? Is it stable? I am still on 2.10 and not sure to update or not

[@sweetbushstudiochannel4606]

Real dumb question, can I use various accessory pedals on the Helix in the rear send/returns WHILE using the Variax?

[@Newnodrogbob]

Yes

[@cast390]

Richie" Here comes the sun" for the band geeks pod cast...

[@bailey12444]

The different tunings can only be done with the variax ? Can you do them with a regular guitar too ? Thanks

[@RichieCastellano]

Variax only

[@leemaples1806]

the b-bender wasnt bending. it was switching notes instantaniously. there must be a way to make it more portimento and not note switching... to add: ok, i just read your comment on the b-bender and about its limitations.

[@belo1971]

Hi, Can I plug this guitar directly in my Deluxe reverb 65 amp ? And use every sort of guitar ? Thanks , Best regards from France

[@Newnodrogbob]

Yes absolutely. The variax guitars have a regular line out like normal guitars, and they send the modeled guitar sounds through it. The Ethernet connection to helix allows the helix to control the models in the guitar...

[@bailey12444]

Thanks

[@kane6529]

can this be done with HX Stomp?

[@Chickenpickenfool]

Been watching you for a month & didnt realize you play in Blue oyster cult. Wondered how you afford all that equipment. LOL

[@AlexisGitarre]

too bad that there is no variax wireless. Got myself a G10 and it's way better than I expected. I really hate wires even owning the Forte Cables from Evidence Audio that cost as much as the G10.

[@paramediccpo]

Bra I have a variax 700 acoustic! What lead do I used to plug it in my helixfloor

[@ronkentwellstein6352]

nice. when it comes to USA or Korean made. do you have any real difference. I watched a video about the Korean model a there were gaps between his neck and body. but on my Korean I just got it's bites up perfectly fits. do you think it's worth the extra money as I payed $1800 AUSTRALIAN .i got Variax lead usb. work bench adaptor charger battery. the guitar looks amazing. I got the Variax JTV 69 placid blue. HSS.. now Iam thinking USA Variax JTV 69 but it $600 more. the only thing in the video he says the 5way switch is better and machine heads and the cut on the USA is better is the USA worth the extra $$ vs Korean

[@RichieCastellano]

I've never played the American one, so I wouldn't know. My Korean ones are great.

[@ronkentwellstein6352]

iam happy with my korean variax jtv 69 too,i contacted a dealer about the usa at a music shop he said the usa start at $7000au, i paid $1800au got all the goodies,thanks for your imput anyway,i will subcribe and i want to down load some of your helix settings,do i go to line 6 and then ,if you could let me know how

[@lonepoorboymusic4365]

"Now I'm gonna do something interesting". Video speed slowed down from 1.75 to 1.0

[@videomusic1381]

Great video, the guitar almost look like a fender and the amps almost sound real and when you play it is very close to sounding like a real pro guitar player but in the end the music we all love was made by better artists with simpler gear that they actually knew how to get the most out of. I think or hope Line6 is giving you a check because those vids are really well made. But please Richie come back from the Dark side of the Force sell of this plastic crap and emulation of emulation of copies of authentic genuine earthy woody full of feeling guitars and amps and buy yourself just the one or 2 guitars you will ever need for the rest of your life. Truth is unless you're a studio musician (and they're all out of business now) you don't need half of the crap included in those packages. Truth is the real studio musicians I met actually had 70 guitars and 60 amps and would bring the ones needed for the job and it was really much more fun! Those were the days now it's virtual backing tracks with virtual guitars and amps and soon a virtual coffee when you wake up in the morning. On another hand I think it would be easy to list all the best guitar players and see that they actually mostly only used 1 guitar that made their sound