GrumpyRocker

Line 6 has announced a forthcoming update to the POD HD range of guitar modelling systems. The update adds a new Marshall guitar model and finally adds bass and vocal amp support.

Other features include enhanced functionality for use with Variax modelling guitars.

At this rate Line 6 might actually have a finished product deserving of release a couple of years after the POD HD was actually released.

Click through for the full POD HD firmware 2.0 press release.

Line 6 has released version 2.5 of its PodFarm guitar modelling software. This major update removes the requirement to use an iLok dongle or Line 6 interface.

Now users can use the software with any audio interface. Other new features include 64-bit support and a free demo.

Check out the full details after the break.

No surprise here really. I couldn't imagine Line6 abandoning the popular "bean" form factor in the POD HD range.

The floor versions were released last autumn, but today the company announced the desktop version of the POD HD.

Notice the extra button labelled "Tweak" - that's due to a software update later this month that's going to benefit all POD HD owners.

Bean press release after the jump.

I've been using the new Line6 POD HD500 for a week or so now and I've worked out a few tips and tricks you may like to try with your own unit.

Some of these tips may work with the HD300/HD400 models too.

This brief demo is of some of the dynamic feel with the new POD. Very quick noodle played straight into Cubase over the USB connection, no post processing at all, it's all just one track.

Model is the JCM800 with the gain set under half. I'm not changing anything while I play over the looper (Fender Blackface with some verbs) other than picking soft/hard or moving the guitar volume pot.

Okay, being brave here. Please ignore my hackneyed clichéd boxy playing.

Edit: Eek sorry about the crackling in the loop. I turned it down pretty low and it's in the noise floor of the recording. This being an mp3 doesn't help as it's added some unwanted compression too. But hey ho, you get the idea. The clip ends abruptly as my playing actually got worse - in my defence it's a bit early in the day for me.

After 24 hours I'm very happy with my purchase. It's taken a little time working out how to use it without wishing I was keeping my M13, but I have it all worked out now. I've also tried out the PC editing software which is a great way of creating tones (rather than crouching over the hardware).

The way I'm already preferring to use the PC edit software is to create a patch that's in the ballpark of what I'm after, all the FX in the right places, choice of amp etc. then pass it over to the hardware for actually playing/tweaking.

On the unit itself I've created three separate setlists. The first is a selection of tones that use the preamp versions of the amp models. I'm using the pre-amp versions because for this setlist the idea is to use the HD500 plugged into the FX Return of my Bugera V22 tube amp (EL84).

So as I explained earlier I did send the Spider Valve MKII back to Andertons (thanks for the refund guys).

I spent half the amount on a Line6 Pod X3 instead. So I now have something to practice on without (a) waking the kids with a tube amp, and (b) not having to turn a PC on.

The Pod's tones aren't the best around - certainly Guitar Rig IV is much better - but that's not the point. The Pod is a portable and convenient way of getting your sounds anywhere.

Also the tones aren't as bad as the presets would suggest - which Line6 always seems to overbake. Putting your own sounds together reveals some really nice subtle tones.

One of the tricks Line6 modelling veterans know is that some of the best bluesier light-overdrive tones can be found by turning the really high-gain amps way down. I created a gorgeous sound by taking the Line6 Chunk Chunk way down and combining withe Hiwatt model.

So I think that's things sorted for now. I still don't have an EL34 based amp - so I'm still gassing for a Marshall or Blackstar - but I've just been experiment with the Line6 Drive effect on my M13 and it's gotten me really close through the Bugera V22.

I really like tinkering. I also like computers. I'm no cork-sniffing guitarist that is only happy when playing through 1950s technology full of glorified lightbulbs. Yes I do have an all-tube amp, but I've also owned several modelling amps and I regularly using software such as Guitar Rig and PodFarm.

So when looking for a more heavy-rock orientated amp to complement my Bugera V22 I was happy to look in the direction of the new modelling amps such as the Marshall JMD:1, Peavey Tube Vypyr and Line6 Spider Valve MKII. I dropped the Vypyr from the list due to lack of decent recording outputs and no effects loop - a shame as I loved the digital version I used to have.

In the end reviews won me over - and although I was searching for the Marshall sound - I believed the Spider Valve MKII would give me some better Plexi-like tones than Marshall's own modelling amp. Yesterday I took delivery of a Line6 Spider Valve MKII 112 combo. And what an enormous beast it is. Getting it up the stairs made me realise that the 212 version would have damn near killed me.

Pod Farm is Line 6's guitar and bass amp/fx modelling software supplied with a variety of its devices. The software is also available as a standalone version if you wish to register it with an iLok dongle. My copy of the original Pod Farm came free with the purchase of a UX1 USB recording interface. Since I bought the UX1 I also added several of the expansion packs - but the basic software came with plenty of amps and fx to play around with.

But onto the new version? Does it bring enough to the table to warrant the upgrade? Certainly my $49 upgrade seemed a complete bargain. But after the jump I'll discuss how the software compares to rivals such as Guitar Rig and Amplitube.