The Line 6 Variax story

Line 6 has been working for some years now and was moving strongly due to the suc ccesful ampsimulations or modeling. To put it in other words to digitally recreate the original amps en get this captured in software (and hardware). This means to digitise the orginal sound, the way the original amps knobs effect eachother, the way the channels of the amp interact with an overdriven amp etc...

Besides modeling amps, the next (logical) step would be to try to model guitars. That's how the story of Variax starts. During the change of the last century (2000) Pete Celi (Line 6 design engineer) got the 'go ahead' to look at the possibllities to creat a guitar that could model other guitars. De Line 6 Variax is the worlds first modeling guitar. The first guitar that re-creates the sound of different electric and acoustic guitars. This is all done in one single natural looking-, playable guitar.De diffrent models, 26 in total, are ealiy accesable through the selectorswitch and 5 way switch as you are used to on Stratocaster type guitars.

Six people have worked on it during the last 3 years. In the beginning a tremelo-arm was considered but later was decided not to place this on the first Variax type. This first generation Variax (that was just called Variax) are now know as the Variax 500 series. Now in October 2003 is a new series, called the Variax 700, added to the salesportfolio. The 700 series do have the tremelo. The original idea was to make a set-neck instrument, later on Line 6 rejected this idea because they liked the idea that users should be able to put another neck on it if so desired.

The instrument itself is rather pratical, the way this Variax guitarcollection looks and feels has a bit of a retro-look. Playablillity & comfort are obvious. When you look at the guitar then it looks like something's missing... Varaix guitars don't use magnetic pick-up's. That's what you probebly miss.Pete Celi, Line 6 senior design engineer, says: "The Variax is a base design is a good solidbody with a stiff neck, which mechanically and acoustically performs just like a custom strat."

The modeling process itself explained: "Well, first, we put a low-level signal into the guitar that we're modelling to measure the pickups' impedance at a given frequency," explains Celi. The information is loaded into a software program that evaluates, and recreates, the circuit's performance. Numerous parameters are evaluated.

For example, there's the magnetic aspect, "the distortion that's introduced by the proximity of the string to the pickup's magnet. This proximity alters the magnetic field, and as you move the pickup away from the string you lose volume and high-end." Then there's the position of the pickup on the guitar: "depending on the position means you're altering the frequency response of the string's output." By carrying out this investigation, Celi believes, "all the nuances of the pickup should be replicated if you've done this carefully."

As the information is amassed, it's assembled into the software program, which in reality is a number of processing blocks that will create the final model. Each and every parameter can be tweaked: "individual string volume, sharpness of the frequency peak, etc." For an electric model it's a little easier. The designers are 'listening' and trying to emulate the signal that emanates from the jack socket output. An acoustic presents more problems: "Listening to an acoustic model, the body resonance is obviously fundamental to the overall sound."

To give you some idea of the intricacy of this process, initially each string is evaluated and passes through more than 10 individual processing blocks, each containing a little piece of Line 6's modelling secret. Then the tweaks become global: pickup response, body resonance and numerous other elements are adjusted here until the sound is perfected.

All frequencies are measured with an analyser during the modellingprocess and captured in the mentioned software. This software is loaded into each of the six strat-like saddles that can be adjusted in height....

and intonation.

This is being done to have no latency during the switch to differend models. each string of every modelled instrument is recreated in this way. Creating a model is one thing, but how it's voiced by Variax is another. The strings' vibration and character are picked up by the hexaphonic piezo pickups. That information is then altered by the selected model. "There's no triggering," explains Celi. "We're taking the natural string vibration and dynamically altering it."

The bridge itself is the LR Baggs X-bridge with a modified flexible PCB hook-up cable, "to maintain as full a response as possible." During the design-fase of Variax the question was asked: What pick-up shouldwe use? "Initially it was, What kind of pickup should we use?" says project manager Dave Fruehling, who leads the engineering team. "We looked at optical, piezo and magnetic. We came to the conclusion that piezo had more information; magnetic loses stuff - it's easier to take away than add."
 

"We learnt a lot about modelling," It's interesting. You see, an amp is just a circuit, but the electric guitar is a circuit plus its actual physical properties." says design engineer Dave Fruehling.

During the R&D proces of capturing the character of the different modelled guitars, the Line 6 engineers have systematically measured all parts of these guitars and captured it into software. Each factor that adds to the specific guitartone is a part of the complex interaction between vibrating strings, resonance of guitarbodies and magnetic pick-up's and captured. Subsequently Line 6 developped a way to mathematically capture this interaction, this is way we can re-created the same sounds on our own Variax.On the processing power side you could look at the Variax as if you had six Line 6 POD's, that's how much mathematical power is under the Variax's hood to be able to have this kind of natural emulation of the modelled guitars.On the Variax are three knobs, 1 for volume, 1 for tone en and a so called "model selector switch".  On this model select switch are twelve positions. Each position gives you a range of modelled guitars.

These 12 postions are labelled:

T Model, Spank, Lester, Special, R-Billy, Chime, Semi, Jazzbox, Acoustic, Reso

Custom 1 & Custom 2, are banksthat can be 'filled' with the models in Variax

When you made a choice for a certain bank, let;s say Lester, than it's possible to select a type with the 5-way switch. For the Lester bank you can make your choice out of the models based on:

1. Bridge pick-up of a 1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard

2. Bridge pick-up (P-90) of a 1952 Gibson Les Paul "Goldtop"

3. Bridge & neck pick-up of a 1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard

4. Combination of bridge an middle pick-up's of a 1961 Gibson Les Paul Custom

5. Neck pick-up of a 1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard

In this way all different, available guitarmodels become available for the Variax player.

For a complete overview of models in Variax

Another big advantage is that Variax doesn't need any adjustment of the play-style or the feel of the guitar. Normally, when you chnage guitars (for differnet sounds or playabilly) you have to get aquanted with diffrent lenghts, thickness of the neck, where the swtiches and knobs are, how it's tuned etc... Nou you don't have to get used to it cause everything is a part of the same guitar.

The influence of TL lights or computers, the 'humming' of the guitar, is with Variax no longer present. It has no influence on the sound coming out if the Variax. evene when you sit next to a computer en are connected to a high gain amp the Variax won't pick up any 'hum'.

Alternative tuning?, Can you use that with Variax? Of course says Pete Celi: "de-turning will work, although we've not scientifically modelled the sound of a down-tuned Strat or whatever." Also string gauges and string condition will play their part. "We'll ship with .010s and we've modelled with .010s on the solidbody electrics (on other models appropriate strings/gauges were chosen). But if you use acoustic or flat-wound strings it will affect the sound of the model. Likewise string gauges and type will affect the sound you hear, as will string wear and condition."

Another thing on the Variax is the 'mystery connector' it sits besides the normal jack plug. Possible future upgrades will be brought through this jack for upgrading your Variax with...., new models, upgraded software???.

Line 6 have included an extra multi-pin connector on Variax. Line 6 aren't revealing too many details, but agree that downloadable software, new models and user-editing software are strong possibilities. If we think about this we could dream everything possible like: Steve Lukather's Music Man, Brian May's Burns, B.B. King's Lucille.... Aaah dreams, always nice.

Direct feed to a recording device and MIDI patch change may also become available. Simultaneous patch change - as you select your Strat model, your Line 6 Vetta II amp will switch to a Fender, Cornford or whatever. In short we can speak of an upgradable concept.

With the new Vetta II, that has the VDI within, (and is sold seperatly for Vetta I owners who wish to upgrade) Variax can be upgraded through this VDI connection (Vetta Versie 2.03 with VDI installed) the next step is logical. Interaction between Variax en Vetta II even goes further. When connecting your Variax through the VDI, you'll Variaxx will have it's own power and you won't need the A/B switchbox that comes with Variax. Besides the A/B box there's also a battery compartment where you can install 6 penlite batteries for use with a wireless system for instance.

VDI stands for Vetta Digital Interface, you can read more on the VDI page. Line 6 will probebly follow the same path as with Vetta, flash-software upgrades for the Variax. For those unknown with de Line 6 Vetta. This amp has modelled amps, effects, cabs and microphones. This digital amp is flash upgradable and owners have had 3 free upgrades so far. These upgrades included better models, new effects, new amps etc...

If you wanna know more on this subject go to the different Vetta pages. Besides the power aspect, there's one different digital advantage. With the new VDI connection the signalpath reamins completly in the digital domain of Variax, Vetta and/or Recording system. Through AES/EBU and/or SPDif to digital recording equipment, signalloss will be minimum, bringing better soundquality. This brings us to the path of recording... that's a complete new chapter.

Januari 2004 a new Chapter to the continuing story...

Line 6 Announces Variax Acoustic 700: Exact Tone for performing and recording

Variax Acoustic 700 is a breakthrough product for any guitarist, as it provides the best means by which to record great acoustics direct to achieve exquisite, professional results. It's output can be sent direct to a recording device or any standard acoustic amplifier. It will enable guitarists to achieve the best acoustic sounds possible without requiring expensive instruments, microphones and sound-proofed studio space.

Variax Acoustic 700 brings guitarists the perfect acoustic sounds for live performances via direct output to a PA system or standard acoustic amplifier. It is the only acoustic guitar that can handle any high-volume onstage situation without feedback hassles or complex setups.

"Variax Acoustic 700 was developed to create the ultimate acoustic experience for guitarists that play in live situations that require microphones or pickup to amplify or record acoustic guitar," said Rich Lasner, director of instrument product lines, Line 6. "No other instrument enables artists to easily create their perfect acoustic sound for live recording environments, save it and call it up at will without the worries of feedback or ambient noise problems."

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If you want to see the Line 6 preview page click here

Line 6 managed to make an instrument with classic guitar models to (almost) every budget. This is a quality performance already but the technology and Line 6 are still going strongly forward. I don't think that this story is complete yet... But so far for now...

The latest unconfirmed rumours is that there could be a bass version of Variax coming, and a different way to upgrade your Variax, how isn't reveiled yet but rumours has it that 2004 will bring more, yes more Variax activity...

Variax DVD...17-01-04

The Line 6 DVD offers these chapters:

• Variax Electric & Acoustic introduction
• Variax Electric
• Variax Acoustic
• Variax Soundsamples
• Insider Guide to Variax Electric
• Guitars Modeled in the Variax Acoustic & Electric
• Pilotbooks

The DVD features: Marcus Ryle, James Santiago, Carl Rydland, Rich Lasner, Christian Nesmith, Stevie Locks & Anne McCue, to name a few.

• here some pictures taken from the DVD on measurement for Variax

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