catalyst 200 and garageband/recording

[horax]

I'm new to the digital world of amps and everything, having been a tube player for most of my life.

 

I am wondering if I can use garageband as a Midi controller and play through the amp?

The garageband app has some great models that are pretty amazing, but can you play via garageband into the catalyst as a power amp?

 

Also, I read that catalyst's have recording software that can be integrated them via PC.

I ahven't seen anything about this other than what I read online. Is this true?

[rd2rk]

On 7/6/2023 at 1:25 PM, horax said:

I am wondering if I can use garageband as a Midi controller and play through the amp?

 

I DL'd the free iPad Version and, yes, it picks up the signal from the Cat. Channels 1/2 are the Cat processed signal, channels 3/4 are the DI (unprocessed signal.

I imagine you'd use 3/4 if you wanted to use the GarageBand amps.

 

I don't see that the free iOS version does MIDI, but you can use MIDI from normal DAW SW to control the Cat, so if your version does that then I don't see any reason it wouldn't work.

 

On 7/6/2023 at 1:25 PM, horax said:

Also, I read that catalyst's have recording software that can be integrated them via PC.

I ahven't seen anything about this other than what I read online. Is this true?

 

L6 may have been offering a free DAW with purchase at some point - Ableton LIVE Lite, IIRC.

The dirty little secret about these "Buy NOW and get FREE DAW!" offers is that if you go to the DAW website you can DL the free "lite" version anytime.

Among others, I have Ableton LIVE Lite v11. Very nice DAW. Full versions pricey, but if you're into Electronica, especially live performance, LIVE is the way to go.

 

Better yet (IMO) is to get REAPER (Cockos). Use it (full function) for FREE until your conscience starts bugging you (it doesn't nag you, just reminds you when you first load it), then pay (currently) $60 for a LIFETIME license. GREAT DAW! LOTS of online support, great friendly Forum, THOUSANDS of YT vids on most every aspect of using it.

 

As for iOS, I use AUM. MUCH more sophisticated that the free GB version I DL'd but then, I only spent a few minutes with GB to verify that it works with the CAT.