BSByrdman Posted March 20, 2023 Share Posted March 20, 2023 I have been searching on how to use a laptop as a modeler/effects pedals with my amp without much success. What I would like to do is try Tonex CS and some of the other the free/opensource modeling plugins through my Catalyst 200. I'm not interested in running it through a DAW to record, at least yet, unless there is no other way around it. Just wanting to try some of the free modeling plugins out there through the amp without needing to buy hardware/pedals. Perfect setup would be guitar>computer>amp, with an audio interface in the line somewhere. I play at home and I just want to use my computer as the modeling/effects pedalboard. I know I will need an audio interface, but I have never used one and unsure of where, how or what unit would work in this situation. All the videos/info online I found discuss the interface as a tool to replace your amp, not use it as a modeler/effects hardware replacement. Any recommendations are appreciated and obviously since this is a home only situation, the cheaper the better. Thanks in advanced! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josehdx Posted March 20, 2023 Share Posted March 20, 2023 Hi Well, I am sure you can connect the Catalyst as an audio interface to the computer (i dont have a catalyst) if you are using windows, you need the ASIO driver for the Catalyst. But you will have to take a look to the manual or ask about how to "route" the usb audio. I am using the new NUX mighty space which is a 30w Amp with an audio interface function. Why i do with this amp is to set (in the amp app) the usb audio as Dry out signal, then mute the built in the FX of the amp to avoid to things, first, the draw signal for usb will not pass through the built in FX of the amp and then to be handle to the computer (even when they are turn off, it will add some latency which according to the manufacturer is aroun 1.5 ms) and second, the built in fx will not affect the USB audio coming from the computer as well. My amp is stereo, so everything that i set on Line 6 HX Native, can be set as stereo as well. It will depend of your needs. Let me know if this clarifies the scenarios you need 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSByrdman Posted March 20, 2023 Author Share Posted March 20, 2023 On 3/20/2023 at 9:40 AM, josehdx said: Hi Well, I am sure you can connect the Catalyst as an audio interface to the computer (i dont have a catalyst) if you are using windows, you need the ASIO driver for the Catalyst. But you will have to take a look to the manual or ask about how to "route" the usb audio. I am using the new NUX mighty space which is a 30w Amp with an audio interface function. Why i do with this amp is to set (in the amp app) the usb audio as Dry out signal, then mute the built in the FX of the amp to avoid to things, first, the draw signal for usb will not pass through the built in FX of the amp and then to be handle to the computer (even when they are turn off, it will add some latency which according to the manufacturer is aroun 1.5 ms) and second, the built in fx will not affect the USB audio coming from the computer as well. My amp is stereo, so everything that i set on Line 6 HX Native, can be set as stereo as well. It will depend of your needs. Let me know if this clarifies the scenarios you need I have been using my Catalyst Edit SW since day one, so we are all good there as far as computer connectivity. Hopefully it will run through or in conjunction with the Cat Edit SW. Thanks for taking the time to let me know how you are doing it with another amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josehdx Posted March 20, 2023 Share Posted March 20, 2023 OK, so maybe you just need to set it up with the plugins you want to use and find if the DAW/plugins detect the Catalyst as an audio device. You havent explained what computer you use, but i would say is feasible, just take a look to the audio routing as i explained before and you are ready to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd2rk Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 The Cat's USB 1/2 outputs are processed, USB 3/4 are not (DI). As to the ITB outputs, USB 1/2 is returned to the Cat's poweramp, bypassing the Cat's internal fx. USB 3/4 returns to the beginning of the Cat's signal chain. If you want the pure amp sim, use inputs 3/4 as inputs to your DAW/Amp Sims and outputs 1/2 back to the Cat. If you want to use ITB fx before the Cat's signal chain, use inputs 3/4 and outputs 3/4. The above applies to both DAW Pluginsand standalone ITB amp sims/fx. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSByrdman Posted March 21, 2023 Author Share Posted March 21, 2023 On 3/20/2023 at 8:14 PM, rd2rk said: The Cat's USB 1/2 outputs are processed, USB 3/4 are not (DI). As to the ITB outputs, USB 1/2 is returned to the Cat's poweramp, bypassing the Cat's internal fx. USB 3/4 returns to the beginning of the Cat's signal chain. If you want the pure amp sim, use inputs 3/4 as inputs to your DAW/Amp Sims and outputs 1/2 back to the Cat. If you want to use ITB fx before the Cat's signal chain, use inputs 3/4 and outputs 3/4. The above applies to both DAW Pluginsand standalone ITB amp sims/fx. Thank you for the information. I assume the USB 1/2 & 3/4 are assigned in the software? Do I still need an AI in the chain or will Cat Edit handle it? This will be the first time I have done this and if you have time and can dumb this down any additional info is appreciated. Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSByrdman Posted March 21, 2023 Author Share Posted March 21, 2023 Okay, I got sound coming out, but the latency is bad and it really doesnt sound good at all. There are no 3 & 4 in Tonex settings, just Input 1 and output Left and Right. It did automatically pick up the Cat as an AI. Any suggestions appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd2rk Posted March 21, 2023 Share Posted March 21, 2023 Are you using the desktop version or the mobile version of Tonex? If you're using the mobile version then you'll need to get a copy of the AUM recording SW to use the Cat as AI with ToneX. If you're using the desktop version, then when you select the Cat as your ASIO Driver the drop-downs will show all of the I/O options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSByrdman Posted March 21, 2023 Author Share Posted March 21, 2023 On 3/21/2023 at 1:00 PM, rd2rk said: Are you using the desktop version or the mobile version of Tonex? If you're using the mobile version then you'll need to get a copy of the AUM recording SW to use the Cat as AI with ToneX. If you're using the desktop version, then when you select the Cat as your ASIO Driver the drop-downs will show all of the I/O options. Thank you! I'll try that. I'm using a laptop, so desktop version. I messed with the all the settings and saw ASIO, but I did not change the inputs when I picked ASIO. I'll let you know if it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSByrdman Posted March 21, 2023 Author Share Posted March 21, 2023 On 3/21/2023 at 1:00 PM, rd2rk said: Are you using the desktop version or the mobile version of Tonex? If you're using the mobile version then you'll need to get a copy of the AUM recording SW to use the Cat as AI with ToneX. If you're using the desktop version, then when you select the Cat as your ASIO Driver the drop-downs will show all of the I/O options. Thank you for the help! Choosing ASIO did the trick. Now all I need to do is dial them in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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