no sustain in Catalyst 100?

[chief2006]

I have been trying to improve sustain in my Catalyst 100 but nothing works.  It is particularly bad when I plug in my Variax standard in the acoustic mode.   Play a note or chord and sound drops out almost immediately  Any suggestions? 

[rd2rk]

Make sure that the noise gate is off.

 

You're playing an emulation of an acoustic guitar.

How much sustain are you expecting?

Unnaturally long sustain is a result of the compression achieved using hi-gain amps or pedals.

That's not (normally) something you do for an acoustic sound.

I don't use compressors, and they usually (IME) add dirt, but you might research which compressors are considered to be "clean".

[chief2006]

A sustain shorter than two seconds is unnatural.    Is there a setting to adjust it?    My Fender acoustisonic amp doesn't behave like this.   The owner's manual doesn't do a very good job of expaining what all the various settings within Catalyst edit are for.

[rd2rk]

Did you turn off the noise gate?

 

[rd2rk]

I did a little test today.

 

Using the .5watt setting with the "Clarity" (clean) amp, all parameters at noon and Noise Gate OFF.

 

I tested both my Affinity HSS Strat on the HB (not a high output pickup) and my PRS Acoustic.

I'm getting over 10 seconds sustain on both guitars.

 

If you, with the same settings, still aren't getting any sustain, I'd look at the Variax.

The problem is certainly NOT the Catalyst.

 

 

[chief2006]

Turning off the noise gate worked.  Thanks!