That’s not a Photoshop trick—POD Farm is actually working with a non-Line 6 USB interface.

Hardware independence and 64-bit support

Version 2.5 isn’t about more amps and effects, but system integration. POD Farm is now hardwareindependent— it no longer requires a Line 6 audio interface. (That said, Line 6 still makes the only interfaces with their “ToneDirect” technology that slashes latency.) The package now includes license manager software that can authorize POD Farm 2.5 for a certain number of Line 6 hardware devices or computers; iLok authorization remains available too.

Furthermore, there are now native 64-bit versions of not only their plug-ins, but the “elements” introduced in POD Farm 2.0 that allow using specific processors, such as reverbs or preamps, without having to instantiate an entire POD Farm. POD Farm has always been good for more than just guitar, bass, and synths (I’m a fan of using it on vocals and drums); the elements underscore that ability. I tested the 64-bit plug-ins in 64-bit versions of Cakewalk Sonar X1 and Sony Vegas, and they worked flawlessly.

One more cool addition: POD Farm 2.5 can now work standalone without restrictions (V2.0 could do standalone, but only with the TonePort or POD studio interfaces). So if you want to stuff one heckuva guitar setup in a laptop, be my guest.

There’s not much else to add, except that 2.5 is a free update to registered 2.0 users . . . so if you’re a POD Farmer, fire up your browser and start the download. And if you’re not, there’s a free trial that works without functional or time limits, although there’s only a limited number of models. It’s a useful program in its own right, and if you like what you hear, you can always get a license for the full version.

Line 6 has been incrementally upgrading their software over the last few generations, so if you haven’t tried the latest and greatest, you might want to hear what you’ve been missing—even the free version has some great tones.

LINE 6 POD FARM 2.5 VST/AU/RTAS/ STANDALONE $99 STANDARD, $299 PLATINUM (MORE MODELS) MSRP

STRENGTHS:
Now hardware independent—use with any USB interface. No restrictions for standalone operation. 64- and 32-bit versions. Versatile, with models specifically for voice and bass as well as guitar. Huge number of available tones. Single or parallel (two paths) effects configuration.

LIMITATIONS:
Non-resizeable window. No new effects or amp models in addition to the extensive collection that was previously available.

line6.com

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