New amp models or feature updates??? Catalyst needs more metal / rock amps...

[GrantsV]

I really like my Catalyst but I get the feeling from watching the Line6 videos that clean and edge of breakup tones were the main focus of the amps designers.

 

I wish Line6 would throw in a few more variations for metal / rock.

E.g. a proper JCM800 (instead of the more vintage sounding Voltage (Crunch)), and a Metal amp (5150 or similar) variant to add alongside the Oblivion (the only Hi Gain model in the amp).

 

Come on surely it time for an update.  The amp has been out a while now.

[rd2rk]

On 1/29/2024 at 8:50 AM, GrantsV said:

I really like my Catalyst but I get the feeling from watching the Line6 videos that clean and edge of breakup tones were the main focus of the amps designers.

 

I wish Line6 would throw in a few more variations for metal / rock.

E.g. a proper JCM800 (instead of the more vintage sounding Voltage (Crunch)), and a Metal amp (5150 or similar) variant to add alongside the Oblivion (the only Hi Gain model in the amp).

 

Come on surely it time for an update.  The amp has been out a while now.

 

Not to say that it'll never happen, but it will probably never happen. Catalyst is what it is, and it is not a top-of-the-line modeler. Updates will likely be minor - bug-fixes, different FX maybe - but I suspect that the amps are what they're ever going to be. One good solution might be to put a ToneX pedal in the loop. I've done that (in addition to running Helix/HXS into the Return) and it sounds pretty darn good, BUT...

 

Metal amps sound best (to my ears) through a closed back cab. MAYBE they'll release a "CATALYST METAL" version with a closed back cab.

You should post a request for that on Ideascale.

[GrantsV]

It cant be too hard to double up the Model knob so we get 12 amps instead of 6.

For now I'm using analog, metal style distortion pedals with the clean channel to fill the gap and get a modern scooped tone.

Works really well with the clean channel.

[rd2rk]

On 1/30/2024 at 11:37 AM, GrantsV said:

It cant be too hard to double up the Model knob so we get 12 amps instead of 6.

For now I'm using analog, metal style distortion pedals with the clean channel to fill the gap and get a modern scooped tone.

Works really well with the clean channel.

 

You know this because of your extensive insider knowledge of the HW and SW architecture of the Catalyst amps?

 

You're using the amp in exactly the way it was intended to be used. It is not the everything for everybody amp solution, and never will be.

 

Want more amps? I already gave you the solution - ToneX! Probably cheaper than the sum cost of your pedals and will likely provide much more variety of tones!

 

However, you're welcome to post your personal wish list on Ideascale. Nobody from L6 hangs out here, :-( , but they do pay attention to that. 

[esidewat]

Yes, absolutely.  There is nothing in the Catalyst literature to imply that there will ever be more amps/amp types added.  If that was what you truly wanted, you bought the wrong amp.   For a modest $100 or so you can buy the basic Sonicake Matribox and have all the amp types and cabinet types your heart desires.  To use them effectively you will have to connect the Matribox to the POWER AMP IN jack.  This works really well, I use it and recommend it.  There are 34 amp types for electric guitar, including 4 for Fender amp models. 

[NC870]

On 1/29/2024 at 1:36 PM, rd2rk said:

 

Not to say that it'll never happen, but it will probably never happen. Catalyst is what it is, and it is not a top-of-the-line modeler. Updates will likely be minor - bug-fixes, different FX maybe - but I suspect that the amps are what they're ever going to be. One good solution might be to put a ToneX pedal in the loop. I've done that (in addition to running Helix/HXS into the Return) and it sounds pretty darn good, BUT...

 

Metal amps sound best (to my ears) through a closed back cab. MAYBE they'll release a "CATALYST METAL" version with a closed back cab.

You should post a request for that on Ideascale.

 

RE: ToneX in the loop..  connection-wise what does that look like?  You're using the CATALYST  as a power amp correct?  Would it need to be in "loop mode" on a clean channel or as power amp?

 

Woud you say the Tonex is a considerable improvement over the stock CATALYST tones?

 

Thx

[rd2rk]

On 2/11/2024 at 2:19 PM, NC870 said:

RE: ToneX in the loop..  connection-wise what does that look like?  You're using the CATALYST  as a power amp correct?  Would it need to be in "loop mode" on a clean channel or as power amp?

 

I put it in a loop of my Helix and send that to the Catalyst Return, using the Cat's delay and reverb (FX Loop Mode) unless I want the delay before the amp old-school style - both if I'm feeling really ambient/psychedelic!

 

Pure old-school would be to have whatever external FX you want before the ToneX and send that to the Cat's Return using FX Loop Mode as above. This disallows using the Cat's amps though, whereas having ToneX in the Loop of a Multi FX such as Helix/HXS/HXFX allows for both scenarios using 4cm. I'm not currently using 4cm because the Cat is on the other side of the room and cable salad is a real thing in my studio (the living room). I just swap the cable from Return to Input when I want to use the Cat's amps. Keep in mind that in order to use the Cat's FX (POST) you need to be in FX Loop Mode, as Power Amp Mode bypasses the FX.

 

There's LOTS of possible configurations and I can't detail all of them. My recommendation is to get one of the aforementioned devices to augment the ToneX and provide max flexibility. Also, be aware that the Cat's speaker is sufficiently neutral that both Cab and DI captures can sound good.

 

NOTE: CAB captures are created with a mic'd cab; DI captures are created with a Line Out from a Reactive Load Box. 

 

Just for kicks (because I'd never really tried it) I just spent some time using guitar into the ToneX pedal then into the Cat's return. I have a lot of Amalgam captures, including JTM45 DI captures, some made with various OD boxes. I set up a Bank on the ToneX with a CLEAN, BOOSTED DRIVE and BOOSTED LEAD and with nothing more than the Cat's delay and reverb it sounded AWESOME. A near perfect 3 channel Marshall! If I put a WAH/VOL pedal up front it would truly be all I'd ever need!

 

On 2/11/2024 at 2:19 PM, NC870 said:

Woud you say the Tonex is a considerable improvement over the stock CATALYST tones?

 

No. Just different flavors of ice cream with nearly infinite choice.

[NC870]

On 2/11/2024 at 6:44 PM, rd2rk said:

 

I put it in a loop of my Helix and send that to the Catalyst Return, using the Cat's delay and reverb (FX Loop Mode) unless I want the delay before the amp old-school style - both if I'm feeling really ambient/psychedelic!

 

Pure old-school would be to have whatever external FX you want before the ToneX and send that to the Cat's Return using FX Loop Mode as above. This disallows using the Cat's amps though, whereas having ToneX in the Loop of a Multi FX such as Helix/HXS/HXFX allows for both scenarios using 4cm. I'm not currently using 4cm because the Cat is on the other side of the room and cable salad is a real thing in my studio (the living room). I just swap the cable from Return to Input when I want to use the Cat's amps. Keep in mind that in order to use the Cat's FX (POST) you need to be in FX Loop Mode, as Power Amp Mode bypasses the FX.

 

There's LOTS of possible configurations and I can't detail all of them. My recommendation is to get one of the aforementioned devices to augment the ToneX and provide max flexibility. Also, be aware that the Cat's speaker is sufficiently neutral that both Cab and DI captures can sound good.

 

NOTE: CAB captures are created with a mic'd cab; DI captures are created with a Line Out from a Reactive Load Box. 

 

Just for kicks (because I'd never really tried it) I just spent some time using guitar into the ToneX pedal then into the Cat's return. I have a lot of Amalgam captures, including JTM45 DI captures, some made with various OD boxes. I set up a Bank on the ToneX with a CLEAN, BOOSTED DRIVE and BOOSTED LEAD and with nothing more than the Cat's delay and reverb it sounded AWESOME. A near perfect 3 channel Marshall! If I put a WAH/VOL pedal up front it would truly be all I'd ever need!

 

 

No. Just different flavors of ice cream with nearly infinite choice.

 

 

Thank you .  would i be able to use the TONEX as my "amp (s), in the loop and use the CAT strictly as a power amp?

[rd2rk]

On 2/11/2024 at 9:25 PM, NC870 said:

 

 

Thank you .  would i be able to use the TONEX as my "amp (s), in the loop and use the CAT strictly as a power amp?

 

If I understand what you're asking, no. Once you plug into the Input the signal passes through the Cats Amps. You could use the CLEAN amp, but why bother with Captures to ruin them with the coloration of another amp? Makes no sense.

 

However, if you want to use the Cat's other effects, the delay can be replaced with any of the other FX, most of them sound just as good after the ToneX as before.

Just make up a bunch of Cat presets with different FX and use MIDI to switch between them. Not as elegant a solution as ToneX in the FX Loop of a MultiFX, but it works if your needs are simple and your budget is limited. A basic MIDI controller can be gotten for <>$100.

 

EDIT: Actually you may be asking what I described in the "Just for kicks" section of my previous post.

Guitar>ToneX>Catalyst FX Loop Return.