Hi all... Thanks in advance for your help. I tried the search function here first but most of the filtering options seemed unavailable so the results list was way too long.
I've revamped my old laptop and want to experiment with my POD Studio UX1/PodFarm and a DAW. Thought I'd try Cakewalk first but I have also installed Reaper because of this question I have - I don't know if I have a problem or if what I observe is to be expected.
I used the SI-drums and SI-bass in Cakewalk (just the midi of the some of the included loop rhythms) for a couple of tracks. I set the loop playing and I can add VST Fx like reverb, etc. with all the Cakewalk-included plugins - I can manipulate the plugin controls, hear the effect, I see signal meters bouncing, etc. If, however, I select any of the PodFarm plugins, it's like they are permanently bypassed. I don't hear any change or see any input/output signal and turning knobs does nothing. (Fwiw, I could not find a "power on/bypass" button on the plugin itself but maybe I missed it. When I say plugin, I've tried the whole PodFarm2 giant plugin, with all the amps, etc. and then some individual effects as well - same behavior either way.)
Perhaps this is expected? Are the Line6 plugins tied directly to the UX1 interfaces and can't be applied otherwise? Seems logical on one hand, why would they allow the plugin to be used outside the scope of their product after all? But this just goes against my (admittedly very!) limited knowledge of DAW/VST fundamentals.
I could answer some of my curiosity by going to get a guitar or mic and plugging it in to the UX1 and actually trying it to see if the plugin is enabled. But that's taking the easy way out and I'm stubborn like that! :-) (While technically possible I suppose, it seems unlikely that "plugging in" to the UX1 is going to magically enable the plugin.)
thanks!
Rob
Update: I did just now find all the little yellow on/off toggles for the various effects/amps/mics etc in the big PodFarm plugin. They are all "on" as they should be but the effect is clearly not enabled.
Also, how might I find out if my license includes the use of the VST plugins? (I would have expected some sort of indication while trying to use them if in fact my license doesn't include the plugins.)
Update: I think this text I found from the Pod Farm 2 install documentation suggests I should be able to use the plugins as long as the interface is connected: (meaning I don't necessarily have to be actually *using* it as input)
"Just remember that for running POD Farm 2 & elements Plug-Ins, your Line 6 hardware that holds the POD Farm 2 license must always be connected via USB (even if you’re also using a 3rd-party interface). You don’t necessarily need to be using your Line 6 hardware as your active USB audio device - it just needs to be USB-connected (and powered on for units that have a power switch)."
So now I think there is a real problem of sorts here. I'm going to use Pod Farm standalone and see if that works as expected before trying anything else.