no you keep the variax in standard, and you plug it into the computer to change the value of the electrified sound.

i played one for years. i'm really sorry line 6 gave up on them - it was a noble experiment, and they were getting there. i thought it turned to shit somewhat at the point of plugging your acoustic amp into the the PA. a bridge too far!

i remember doing fylde with one and insisting they miked up the amp. which really is putting yourself in someone else's hands, and making a nuisance of youself.

the fishman transducers are just so good these days. and the current fender acoustasonic amps.

its a perennial really. i saw Ralph McTell play the little theatre at Sleaford a few years back. he'd decided he wanted to finish his career as he started playing a j45. anyway at that stage the entire back of his guitar was covered in contact mic's..