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.

Oh heck. I've just created a tone on the POD HD500 with /13 and Dr Z. amps running in parallel.

It sounded really, really, good. It sounded better than my V22, which is gorgeous and full of real Russian glass bottles.

I'm afraid if my wife hears it she will utter the words "so you don't actually need that big Bugera thing cluttering up the place, do you?"

And I doubt I'll gets me the EL34 powered stack I've asked Father Christmas for.

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).

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.