Stompbox effect, Variax style

rockbadger · August 15, 2016 at 3:16 PM

We know that KPA are the geniuses of sound processing. So how about a stompbox type effect that does the kind of thing the variax guitar does. Maybe it needs extra processing power so it would take up multiple effects slots. But it would be very cool to have an effect that goes from humbucker -> single coil sound, or to sitar, acoustic etc.

I'd say that kind of processing is impossible but if anyone's going to figure out a way, it's going to be Kemper.

viabcroce · August 22, 2016 at 3:20 AM

An external unit of this kind has already been made.
The problem is that you need to drive it with an esaphonic PU, like the Variax does. This would be the only way to get custom tunings, for example, or to tweak each string's sound like in the L6 workbench.

rockbadger · August 22, 2016 at 3:42 PM

Sure - and I can certainly see that detuning one string etc. would be impossible without that sort of pickup. But you get acoustic simulator pedals and the like and I figure Kemper could probably find a way to make it sound much more awesome.

viabcroce · August 22, 2016 at 3:59 PM

Agreed! This has nothing to do with what the Variax does tho.

Anyway, as I said a "variax rack" has been out for years now.

whippinpost91850 · August 22, 2016 at 7:14 PM

Rackvax has long been discontinued as developer could never get updated software from Line6. The least expensive way to get alternate guitar tones and alternate tunings is a Roland GP10

viabcroce · August 22, 2016 at 8:04 PM

Yep. It didn't even sound great to me TBH

whippinpost91850 · August 22, 2016 at 9:03 PM

Rackvax used 1st generation Line6 tech and couldn't be updated to newer variax content.... Roland GP 10 works good and Autotune ATG-1 works excellent

viabcroce · August 23, 2016 at 1:38 AM

They are interesting products, but I'd by far prefer to not have to carry another floor unit with me. The Variax seems more practical to me. Eagerly waiting for the new implementation T.T. Mum Yamaha

whippinpost91850 · August 23, 2016 at 1:57 AM

Well so far I've had them all and the ATG-1 sounds way more natural and real then the Line6 stuff. But you never know what will be out next.
I have a internal Atg kit, But I'm now looking to remount the ATG-1 in a project box with external pedals to mount on my pedal board

viabcroce · August 23, 2016 at 2:15 AM

Thanks for the info
Yep, I bet the next (pre-announced) Variax will be a definite quantum leap (see what Yamaha has done for the Helix).

Is the internal kit you're referring to custom-designed and does it require invasive works, or is it easily available and installable?

paults · August 24, 2016 at 5:09 PM

When I think about Yamaha making improvements to a guitar that has a hex pickup, I can't help but wonder if they might add some kind of pitch to MIDI functionality to the Variax line.

whippinpost91850 · August 24, 2016 at 9:34 PM

The internal kit does take some mods to the guitar. But a basic knowledge of wiring and wood working will get you there fairly easily