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Catalyst Effects Return v. Power Amp in


lanceu
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Can anyone explain what DSP changes are made between these two Loop Return settings?  Can you utilize the native IRs if you use "effects return" setting? Why does it sound boxy if using your modeler's IRs considering it disables the native IRs when using the power amp in setting? Seems like there is some functionality that's not being used here...

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When there's nothing in the physical FX Loop the switch is irrelevent. The signal passes through the entire chain from Input to Poweramp/speakers.

 

When there's something in the physical FX Loop the switch determines whether or not the signal passes through the physical FX Loop and Cat POST FX or goes straight to the Poweramp/speakers, bypassing any Cat POST FX and applying a 6db cut to allow headroom for external FX processors.

 

The Cab Emulation (IR?) is always ON.

 

What "functionality" is it that you think is not being used?

.

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On 3/22/2023 at 2:39 AM, lanceu said:

Can anyone explain what DSP changes are made between these two Loop Return settings?  Can you utilize the native IRs if you use "effects return" setting? Why does it sound boxy if using your modeler's IRs considering it disables the native IRs when using the power amp in setting? Seems like there is some functionality that's not being used here...

Hmmm could you describe your signal chain? Just for context.

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On 3/21/2023 at 5:12 PM, rd2rk said:

When there's nothing in the physical FX Loop the switch is irrelevent. The signal passes through the entire chain from Input to Poweramp/speakers.

 

When there's something in the physical FX Loop the switch determines whether or not the signal passes through the physical FX Loop and Cat POST FX or goes straight to the Poweramp/speakers, bypassing any Cat POST FX and applying a 6db cut to allow headroom for external FX processors.

 

The Cab Emulation (IR?) is always ON.

 

What "functionality" is it that you think is not being used?

.

Interesting, I thought cab emulation might be off with power amp in setting.  I'm running a NUX MG-30 modeler with the power amp in on the Cat60 and it sounds really good.  Is there just one cab emulation for the Cat60 for all the amp models or is there a way to utilize more than one cab sim with the power amp in feature?

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On 3/24/2023 at 8:54 AM, lanceu said:

Interesting, I thought cab emulation might be off with power amp in setting.  I'm running a NUX MG-30 modeler with the power amp in on the Cat60 and it sounds really good.  Is there just one cab emulation for the Cat60 for all the amp models or is there a way to utilize more than one cab sim with the power amp in feature?

 

Just to be clear, the "speaker emulation" is ONLY active on the XLR and USB 1/2 outs. USB 3/4 is DI, so I THINK there's no speaker emulation there.

There're 3 cab sims - 1x12,2x12 and 4x12. Each can be used with a large number of different mic simulations (one at a time).

The cab/mic configurations are saved with the channel settings, so up to 12 configurations at a time are possible.

They can be changed on-the-fly via MIDI (USB HOST required for Cat60).

I do not think that these are actually IRs, they're just generic EQ curves like the Powercab speaker emulations use.

AFAIK, the only difference between the Cat60/100/200 apart from the obvious power/speaker/physical cab size is the lack of HW MIDI and stereo HP Out.

 

If you think it sounds "boxy" it could be that:

a) the cab is physically smaller

b) it's a guitar speaker and, even though it seems to have a wider/flatter frequency range than most, it's still not intended to be used with IRs

c) you need to try a different IR

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On 3/24/2023 at 10:55 AM, rd2rk said:

 

Just to be clear, the "speaker emulation" is ONLY active on the XLR and USB 1/2 outs. USB 3/4 is DI, so I THINK there's no speaker emulation there.

There're 3 cab sims - 1x12,2x12 and 4x12. Each can be used with a large number of different mic simulations (one at a time).

The cab/mic configurations are saved with the channel settings, so up to 12 configurations at a time are possible.

They can be changed on-the-fly via MIDI (USB HOST required for Cat60).

I do not think that these are actually IRs, they're just generic EQ curves like the Powercab speaker emulations use.

AFAIK, the only difference between the Cat60/100/200 apart from the obvious power/speaker/physical cab size is the lack of HW MIDI and stereo HP Out.

 

If you think it sounds "boxy" it could be that:

a) the cab is physically smaller

b) it's a guitar speaker and, even though it seems to have a wider/flatter frequency range than most, it's still not intended to be used with IRs

c) you need to try a different IR

I'm not using any IR's.  My modeler turns them off in "effects return" mode.  Using the "power amp in" can you utilize any of the native EQ curves in the Cat?  I switched amps/channels while using this way and didn't notice any changes in EQ/cab sound.  If possible, how would you leverage these EQ curves for each amp type when using as a poweramp?

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On 3/24/2023 at 10:35 AM, lanceu said:

I'm not using any IR's.  My modeler turns them off in "effects return" mode.  Using the "power amp in" can you utilize any of the native EQ curves in the Cat?  I switched amps/channels while using this way and didn't notice any changes in EQ/cab sound.  If possible, how would you leverage these EQ curves for each amp type when using as a poweramp?

 

You won't because the Cab/speaker emulations are ONLY active on the XLR and USB 1/2 Outs.

The MODE switch is irrelevant.

 

Connect your Cat to a mixer and/or monitors via XLR.

Turn the Cat's Master volume OFF (or use the MUTE setting on the attenuator switch).

Open the app and swap cabs and/or mics.

NOW do you hear a difference?

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