I tried this and the Katana in the store and honestly liked it more than the Katana, tone wise. Not that into the delay effect but I have pedals for that. Will buy.
The dropping looks like the noise gate, you can disable it (it's on by default). "Press and hold the BOOST button and turn the BOOST knob. • From the 9:00~12:00 position, the Noise Gate is bypassed; past the 12:00 position, the Noise gate is enabled."
For those looking for a modelling amp for home use with a good sound, I'll just put in a word in favour of the discontinued Roland Cube 40GX - the 10 inch speaker is great for using in smaller spaces and it has very good clarity at lower volume - I use it with effects pedals. I liked it so much I got a second one - both second hand.
I think he has a Roland Cube in the top right corner of the screen. They appear to remain a popular amp. He didn't like the Yamaha line 6 Catalyst. From this review, I think tube amps will be around for some time, providing tubes can be obtained. Good Review.
Hi Elmo. I've checked out a few of your videos and liked them very much. You are an exceptional player. Thanks for the honest gear review and keep up the good work.
Catalyst 100 + HX Effects using 4CM. Works great, versatile, lightweight. Using Clean, Boutique and Chime mostly. The Clean works great for jazz and swing jazz with archtop hollow body guitars. I also use HX Effects with my tube amps.
The best way most modeling combos are used is have two clean channels, one on edge of breakup and run dirt pedals into the front and then a straight clean with a few light effects (delay/reverb from the amp). You only need 2 settings, the other 200 can go away. Then let your pedals do all the work for drive. With these modeling combos the drive channels never sound good. Appreciate your honest reviews as always!
That’s about how I use my katana, if I really need a tone in a pinch or something, works great as a powered speaker for ir/amp sim type stuff as well. Very useful and very cool tool.
I own a Katana 50 MKII. Love it. Tried and played the new Catalyst at the store and I have to say I think it overall sounds better than the Kat. That was hard for me to say because I didn't want to like it. But to me it just has a rounder sound to its tone and fuller. The Kat has this kinda high fiz on the top of the tones that remind you it's a solid state amp and for me it's hard to dial out. Just my two cents. I may be looking to get a Catalyst soon. I also have a Fender Champion 100 that I frankly still think is the best amp for the price out there. Amazing clean tones and a super awesome pedal platform. Again, my two cents.
Go into tone studio on your katana. Turn on parametric eq and low cut at 100 hz and hi cut at 5 k. That will get rid of boominess and fizz. Give it a try. Look at most guitar speakers. There frequency response is 80 hz to 5k.
Great to get your review of this, and I am very pleased that the first alternative you recommend is the tube 15, which I have (a version of), so no need to think about upgrading 😄
This is what happens when an obviously tube amp biased reviewer tries a solid state amp. I have a tube amp and the Catalyst, and it does not disappoint.
Elmo is not tube biased. Hes one of the few youtubers which is not paid. And Line 6 paid MANY people to advertise the catalyst, because they know its not the best amp compared to direct opponents like the Katana, the GTX 100 or even the VTX100. It sounds like a Line 6....and thats not meant in a possitive way. They doin the modeling thing the longest, so i think it should sound good. And should be modified. Today im used to IR, a adjustable effect chain, strong processors which can handle more effects (gtx also struggles with it), Bluetooth, Wlan, a decent easy app, fx loop etc. The Catalyst would struggle to face the old mustang 3, because the mustang still sounds way better. Also a bit synthetic, especially in high gain, but you get one with footswitches for 100 bucks. And the line 6 sounds like a midi chip tries to copy a real sound, and thats not ok anymore in 2024. Thats the line 6 sound. Synthetic, high, harsh clipping. Spectre Sound did a video. I dont believe a creator who only uses words like "awesome, amazing, marvelous, kinda nice" etc while a gun is pointed to his head and a bag full of money in his sight. I dont believie Cpt. Anderson, (or Agufish, or 60 Cycle, or or or.) Hes nice. But he sells that things and needs good reputation with line 6. I want a honest critic. And Elmo gives that. I also like that he uses a "normal" sound. Like i would hear at home. No per 50000 Euro Interface DI Hightech Sound with X Boosters and recorded plus edited. Just him playing. Sure the shredding is debatable. if you want a "Tube biased" oldschool RUclipsr, Olli from Session Music (but he says "im old, i dont like modeling and i dont know anything about it".) in Germany or Rhett shull....this are tube biased guys. And even Olli said "Nyah.....its nice what you get for the price today....but......" If you really think this sounds like a tube amp, even a HB Tube15 (which is a good amp) you should train your ears or change the tubes. Its sounds like a Line 6. And thats not a compliment when youre a bit older. On the other hand they are able to produce the helix, so they know how to do it. But this is the cheapo version. Its ok for a "practice amp" aka "i buy it for my kid and look if he plays in a year or so and then i buy him a real amp". Because for practice i need a fx loop for a looper. Its the best practice tool. Fender knows this, they have one built in.
Thank you for another thorough and honest review. You saved me some $$. BTW, I can play just like you…except for the speed, clarity, tone and fret board command…great googly moogly..😉
I both amps , and the catalyst sounds better imo. Sure the katana has more options, but I dont really need it - and I prefer how the line 6 sound with pedals.
The thing you mention around 7:20 happens when you either don‘t have enough volume/level on your OD pedal or not enough gain on your amp, at least that‘s my experience.
I have the spark amp love it as a practice amp. Especially with the new upgrades, which we’re introduced a year ago some great amp models on the spark amp
I went back and forth at GC between these two and left with the Katana 100 v2. I only tried the clean and brown channel. I wanted to leave with the Catalyst, but left with the Katana. I'm still wondering if I did right. Maybe I didn't know how to use the Catalyst amp correctly. The Katana was more money as well.
I know this is an older video but, i have been using the Catalyst for a while and i really enjoy it. Of course I'm enjoying it because i use it as a pedal platform for my great sounding drive pedals 😂
Katana catalyst it doesnt matter, they all sound nearly same within similar price ranges with a similar look. Now line 6 will pay several youtubers to praise catalyst. Thank you for the honest review.
Elmo. The amp comes by default with the Reverb and Effects set to PRE, i.e. as if you had it in front of the amp. Both can be set separately to POST, as in in the loop. Also, amp hum/hiss is turned on by default. Hold in the button, when flashing, turn knob past 12 for post, or use the app. When set to pre, particularly on the reverb, it does sound off. Also, imho the speaker needs to break-in. It needed a couple of hours minimum to loosen up and not attenuate some frequencies while over emphasizing others. THis coming from someone with a Katana with upgraded WAZA speaker, and a main rig of an Axe FX 3 with Xitones. End result is, imho Catalyst holds it's own with Katana, and again imho sounds a little better, if being slightly less versatile as far as range of tones go. Catalyst also needs a MIDI controller to be useable live for many folks, if you want to effectively use more than 2 presets.
Thank you so much for this review. I was thinking of buying this amp but not now. Thank you for all your brilliant and honest review. I really love your channel. 👍
Hi Elmo, it’s a funny thing but your comments ring true with me. I bought a 100w 1x12 Catalyst combo expecting it to blow me away (from the reviews I read). When I played it, and I did several attempts to try a get on with the sound, it failed to give me that positive wow factor. Will persevere as I’ve now bought it, but I’m wondering what this issue is - would be good to have a more scientific analysis done on this as to what the amp is doing to ‘turn off’ the players musical mojo.
My Line 6 Duoverb x2 combo is still amazing... I bought it in 2003 and its still a fantastic sounding amp...organic and authentic... It was modelled on the real deals back then and came incredibly close.... In a live setting it is a real gem...
I played on that amp today. I was at Guitar Center when I spotted it. I had to play on it. I thought it was a good amp. As you have probably heard a million times, you are an AMAZING guitarist my friend.
Sounds this amp makes kind of sound the same to me regardless of setting. For me, no competition for the katana. Lots of hype on this thing though. I will happily keep my katana. Good review Elmo.
I tried the 60 watt Catalyst at PMT, it was busy and noisy in there and difficult to assess the amp properly, but I was getting the same results as you, a harsh / unnatural distortion on the drive sounds. They said you have to spend some time dialling it in..... and the 100 watt version ( which they'd sold out of ) is more resonant. 'Be interesting to hear if you're able to dial it in and make it sound better? Thanks for the review.
This is the thing, the Line 6 patches have always been garbage. But I don't think there's really that much more to be gained from tweaking. Why should you have to spend time dialling stuff like this in? Why wouldn't they just make the defaults sound good?
I bought a MINT used CATALYST 60 this week for $150 US. I know its not the greatest amp ever but im happy with it. It does have an effects loop where as the katana 50, i believe, does not. I appreciate your videos and reviews and you seem honest with your take on gear. Im sure someday i will find something i like better, for now im gunna rock this thing the best i know how. :-)
You got a great deal! Elmo didn't like it, but think of the amps of a generation ago. These "wonderful" tube amps would have 50 / 60 cycle hum and sometimes the tubes would be microphonic. Then there's the reliability. No burned out tubes with your MINT Catalyst with its class D amp. It's going to be lighter than those old tube amps too and easier on your power bill. You can get a lot of different sounds from that amp, With a lot of those old tube amps the most you could expect was tremolo and maybe a spring reverb
Thank you! I knew you would give us an honest impression. Everyone is talking about how great this amp is. I've went to Guitar Center twice to play a Catalyst and each time I was not impressed at all.
Same here - I went to GC and had them open a 100 watt Catalyst and I plugged in and it sounded lame to me. Went to the Katina 100 and boom! there it is. Thought I did something wrong and went back to the Catalyst and same thing. I tried manual mode on it and was still disappointed. I'm thinking there is something wrong with me. I went to buy the Catalyst but left with the Katana 100 v 2. I'm still wondering if i did right.
I have this amp. I need to open the software to add some sag make sure the affects are post pre amp ext. Its definitely a modeler. I like it for what it is i need to save 2 sounds turn on the gate. It makes a strange noise that blackstars make
Good review as always, perhaps any difference between a Catalyst a Katana or any other affordable amp can be reduced or improved by using an EQ pedal and the controls of the guitar 🎸 .Whatever guitar you might be using.
Elmo the Musical Magician! I can relate to what you're saying about the crunch having a weird stunted? (If I interpreted that correctly) sound, I have an old Hughes and Kettner Blues Master that does the same thing if I turn up the gain. If I put an overdrive pedal in front it cleans it right up, especially this NuX Steel Singer (very inexpensive) otherwise it gives what sounds like blocking distortion, thanks much, Bruce
I tried this amp in a music store recently and came to the same conclusion, something about it feels off. I did manage a pretty decent SRV type tone on the boutique setting, but nothing else really stood out as being very good. I'll stick with my rmicro cube and blues junior.
For me it takes pedals better then the Katana, Good riffs exelent, but it seems like the only style you know, the amp is meant to be used to play different styles of music. Good amp on this side👍
It's too much like the spider V, which I have. Now I like to have a wide range of slight to moderate distortion, but I'm not sure if any amp or pedal does that.The spider is still good for clean jazz and 50s/60s rock but don't expect the bass to have as much punch as a tube amp. I still like my amp,but I wish it could do more like sound like a supro amp but those cost serious $ and if you're poor like me, you have to take what you can get. Stacking overdrive pedals helps and while you cannot get the supro sound, it does have a decent quality to it. I think though that you can never overcome the basic sound of most amps. You can only approximate at best. I wonder how much new pickups can help.
I really enjoyed your review of the harley benton 5 watt! I ordered one a few weeks ago and I absolutely love it!! Now I'm trying to convince my wife that I need an overdrive and delay pedal to put in front of it. 😄
Good video, even better picking! I think you were fair, or as fair as one can be having played through all those amps you have in the background. Voxs, Marshalls, to name a couple. With amps like those, who can blame you for feeling "uninspired" by the Catalyst? I just bought one. The decision was based on two things. It was in my budget, The other being that I can run it as power amp for my modeller, which already has some great tones. In time I'll use the Catalyst Edit software to build patches, but it's going to take a deep dive to bring out character from an amp that sounds generic, and each setting from clean to high gain, as you said, they all sound the same. Undistinguishable. One reviewer of this amp mentioned how Line 6 blew it with this amp. It was supposed to be an amp with digitsl modelling that worked more like traditional amps, using conyrols on the amp itself rather than having to hook it up to a phone, tablet, pc and run software. Then they don't even include the usb cable you need to hook it up! Yeah...I have a love hate love relationship with line 6. They've revolutionized the gear industry but also sabotaged it and themselves at the same time. I think the concept for this amp was a show of ingenuity, but the execution fell flat. Having said that, they need to go back to the drawing board with this one.
To be fair, I did not like Katana as well. To the point that I thought all the guitars I tried were shit, only to discover that the amp was the issue. The good side was that I returned to the music shop, but this time I specifically asked for an amp (valve one, evidently) and out of a sudden the guitars I was playing were starting to come on the "good" side. (and to be more specific, I tried: G&L, Fender, Brian May's, Gibson, Epiphone and PRS SE and S2 ... so a lot of diversity). My taste, anyways. Great video, thanks for your input. Cheers
As long as a guitar is set up and intonation is good. With a decent set of pups it’ll rock. I’m using a busted up peavey bandit until I order a catalyst.
I'm looking for a good amp that is good with headphones. We live in a small home and my wife doesn't want to hear me playing. Do you have any suggestions? I can always tell when I see a sponsored video, some even say sponsored. I can tell by your reactions, they are honest. In my opinion, you're the best and most honest reviews they are detailed and honest, no sponsored BS.
I didn't like the Catalyst when I went to look at it for the first time, my expectations were high because Phillip McKnight played one in a video and it sounded great. I just couldn't get any distortion effect to sound appealing to me or at least sound better than my Acoustic g35fx which can model a decent distortion tone to my preference.
I think I'm going to buy the 200 watt Catalyst because I'm 62 with a bad back and I just can't lift my 1979 Mesa Boogie Mark 2B combo Amp anymore it weighs about 70 pounds with out the original EV SPEAKER ha ha and my Band moves around all over the place so I will sacrifice a little bit of tone to save my back and I think the compressor on my Boss ME-80 will help on them high notes and who wants 100 effects that you will never use I think less is better for my taste and I been playing 50 years to each there own I guess it can't be worse then a Fender tone master solid state Amp I bought one and I did one gig with it and I sent it back so I am trying to decide on a 100 watt Katana MK2 or the 200 watt Catalyst.
If the chime is based on a fender champ or something that would explain the clipping. Also the rest didn't sound that bad but maybe its just your playing making it sound good
Chime setting is British inspired..that's why the gain cuts off like that.Hes also playing on a strat on a single coil pickup.Thars how this will sound.
Thank you for this honest and complete review 👏👏👏 I've got both the Boss Katana and the HB Tube 15, and I think they are way better than this Line 6 amp. Greetings from Chile my friend 🤘🤘
My main reason for being interested in the Catalyst is the 200 watt version. I can't seem to find a solid state amp these days that is 200 watts. Any suggestions?
Have had the Catalyst 60 for a month now. I prefer it over my katana 50 EX. Specially the Dynamic voicing/channel. Unfortunately, it doesnt have an acoustic amp like the katana. Also, the "Aux in" in the katana and the Spark are better, but overall I think the Catalyst sounds great. Definitely tons better than my Spark40. Theyre all great in the own way, but to me the Catalyst's tone wins hands down.
@@BJJandBS No. Initially that was a negative factor for me. However, I prefer to use the "aux in" instead now. Does not consume any bandwidth and is straightforward. I even prefer to use the "aux in" in the Katana also. And also in the Spark40.
@@leoolivero963 I thought there was no latency in the Spark for Bluetooth? I was looking at that as well. How does it stack up to the Katana and catalyst?
@@BJJandBS None. It's just that with the way I've my setup in the studio room, it is more convenient to simply plug a USB cable to my phone when playing to backing tracks than start the relevant apps, etc. The Catalyst Edit app works fine, but via cable. If I decide to swap to the Katana or the Spark, with my setup, it's just a matter of flicking a switch, but even the switch can be removed. It's practically seamless.
BTW, I have the Katana 200W but run it on 0.5W 🙂 The spark is just great for the money. and so is the Spark mini. Just can't beat the tones I get off two 12" speakers. And with the Line6 Relay G10S and Yamaha YH-WL500 am completely wireless. Virtually no latency.
How about checking out some more Marshall's? Can't seem to find a lot of reviews of the MG100 head through a decent cab, and I'm very interested to know what you think of it =)
Niceeeeeee one Elmo! I tried one of these when they first arrived in my local guitar shop ; they look, sound, feel and even smell (yes I said smell) similar to a Boss Katana out of the box! It feels to me like Line 6 went to the same factory (where the Boss Kultanas are built) and commissioned them to build a similar budget modelling amp with the Line 6 brand and internals. Elmo buddy ; I really don't envy the time you will need to spend in order to compare the Catalyst to the Katana because it is essentially comparing cat piss to dog piss.... I respect anyone out there who loves their Katana or Catalyst and actually makes music, but man do I hate the cultist fanatics of guitar gear these days! Best Wishes, Gabe
As i only play clean this is the most important sound for me. and going by my monitors it compares well to the Katana 100 mk 2 that i have. But that is not saying a lot, as the Katana is lacking in mid range warmth to my ears, my Vox and Fender amps are far better. The next time i am in a store with both amps to compare i will try it, but for now it's not a must buy. Other reviews that compare these amps seem to favour the Katana, i think it's down to personal choice. Thanks for your honest review, very few reviewers buy the gear that they demo, and this makes me wary.
I think you sold this amp short. The crunch channel isn't designed for the tone you built up, it should have been done on the dynamic channel. It would have been much closer (if not spot on) with the tone you were trying to achieve. What you did was trying to build a higher gain Marshall tone on a low gain Fender amp; can't be done. I watch your channel frequently and overall I enjoy your reviews, but this one missed the mark on what this amp is supposed to be.
It may be more but if u need a 12" i think Positive Grid will release 12" combos next. Though many are just piggyback soldering 1/4 female jacks to the wires of the 4" speakers w a jack plate out the back and buying 2 x 4ohm 12" speaker cabs. PG makes a bt 4 button foot control now so you could gig it like that w 4 presets or ability to toggle pedals in another mode like a 1ch amp w pedals.
The Eart Strat/Suhr style guitars are Mahogany. Mines upgraded with a Wilkinson bridge, Irongear Alnico pickups, locking tuners, better pots & cap and graphite nut! Amazing guitar that is not a lot of money even with all the upgrades!
Great review as always. But I must say I have to disagree - I came away *very* impressed with the tones built in. But there’s one seriously crucial flaw - there’s a noticeable and unacceptable gap in channel switching with the footswitch. So I’m using it as my “cab” for my NUX MG-30 modeler and it sounds fantastic. With the modeler and amp, this is a super compact, affordable, and powerful gig-ready setup.
Elmo, you and your Clips/Reviews are "simply the BEST" 👍👍👍 As our Dude @sim715 already wrote, your honesty is TOP, also i love your Humor 😂 You should do some Clips/Reviews (and Sessions) with Greg Koch..... would definitely be great and funny 🤣🤘✌👍 Best Regards and many Thanx
Hello Elmo I subscribed to your channel, you truly seem like the only honest reviewer out there! But out of all the combos you tried, what would you recommend for brutal tight distortion for home practice ( I play decapitated suffocation style riffage ) ? I'm really at loss and still prefer real amps to plug in. Shoot the word out my guru !!
Thank you very much! I'd probably get something with a nice distortion and then boost that with a clean boost, using the SD-1 och a Tubescreamer. Not sure which amp though, as that's not really the type of tone I'm after.
I think the window on modelling amps have closed. I have the Katana 50 and the U.S. version of the HB 15. I run modellers in front of both and find it's just easier. All I need is a good clean sound. I don't get all the Katana hate though. You don't that tube chime but that's because it's not a tube amp.
Difficult to hear any tone due to your relentless speed - maybe play something different so we can actually hear some tones - that flurry of notes is boring as hell mate…
Remember that really really cheap toilet paper you used to get back in school that was almost painful to use? This sounds like the school toilet paper of amps.
Hey Elmo, maybe you should do a shoot out between the Marshall Code 50 vs the Catalyst 60... Then tell me that the Catalyst does not sound good... ;) LOL... But really, the catalyst sounds ok, better than the line 6 spider series..
Elmo could you review the SB20 by Monoprice, same people that made Tube15. SB20 is a 50w all tube head with 6L6 tubes, not a lot of reviews on it and for $380 seems like a great deal.
E..nice to see you, anymore I just play my acoustic, I've had fun with amps but I think that might be over, rather play my acoustic in my harmonica, easier to do, I think I'm going to start living out a van and travel the country, see you down by the river, ha..
Heavy distortion is crap. I'm currently looking for an 100w combo amp clean with reverb and no effects or distortion on it as I have pedals and racks, for the tone I want in a price range £300 to £700 (cheaper the better due to not having shite on it) sadly the ones that fit the bill seem to be boutique and over £2000 I'm not after the "oh look the shiney shiney DUH"
My main reason for being interested in the Catalyst is the 200 watt version. I can't seem to find a solid state amp these days that is 200 watts. Any suggestions?
Check out more amp reviews: ruclips.net/p/PLNaLwTdlpQNHNo5bubVjV1OW04gkqU8rM
Or some of my music: ruclips.net/p/PLNaLwTdlpQNHKlg8ALZfM3AINC20WMp8s
I tried this and the Katana in the store and honestly liked it more than the Katana, tone wise. Not that into the delay effect but I have pedals for that. Will buy.
Clean sound on the Cat so awesome. Clean, but full and warm game changer.
The dropping looks like the noise gate, you can disable it (it's on by default).
"Press and hold the BOOST button and turn the BOOST knob.
• From the 9:00~12:00 position, the Noise Gate is bypassed; past the 12:00 position, the Noise gate is enabled."
For those looking for a modelling amp for home use with a good sound, I'll just put in a word in favour of the discontinued Roland Cube 40GX - the 10 inch speaker is great for using in smaller spaces and it has very good clarity at lower volume - I use it with effects pedals. I liked it so much I got a second one - both second hand.
I think he has a Roland Cube in the top right corner of the screen. They appear to remain a popular amp. He didn't like the Yamaha line 6 Catalyst. From this review, I think tube amps will be around for some time, providing tubes can be obtained. Good Review.
I totally regret selling mine. Anyway, I keep using my Micro Cube for DI recordings and works like a charm!
The old cubes were awesome
Could you connect something like podgo?
Thats cool one on one side one on the other
Hi Elmo. I've checked out a few of your videos and liked them very much. You are an exceptional player. Thanks for the honest gear review and keep up the good work.
Thanks, will do!
I learned very little about the amp but learned a lot about you showing off a bunch...thanks!
hahahahaha
Catalyst 100 + HX Effects using 4CM. Works great, versatile, lightweight.
Using Clean, Boutique and Chime mostly.
The Clean works great for jazz and swing jazz with archtop hollow body guitars.
I also use HX Effects with my tube amps.
Elmo,
Your videos are always very honest... You're one of the few people to do that on RUclips and for that you deserve a lot of respect. 🙏
Thank you very much 😊
The best way most modeling combos are used is have two clean channels, one on edge of breakup and run dirt pedals into the front and then a straight clean with a few light effects (delay/reverb from the amp). You only need 2 settings, the other 200 can go away. Then let your pedals do all the work for drive. With these modeling combos the drive channels never sound good. Appreciate your honest reviews as always!
That’s about how I use my katana, if I really need a tone in a pinch or something, works great as a powered speaker for ir/amp sim type stuff as well. Very useful and very cool tool.
I own a Katana 50 MKII. Love it. Tried and played the new Catalyst at the store and I have to say I think it overall sounds better than the Kat. That was hard for me to say because I didn't want to like it. But to me it just has a rounder sound to its tone and fuller. The Kat has this kinda high fiz on the top of the tones that remind you it's a solid state amp and for me it's hard to dial out. Just my two cents. I may be looking to get a Catalyst soon. I also have a Fender Champion 100 that I frankly still think is the best amp for the price out there. Amazing clean tones and a super awesome pedal platform. Again, my two cents.
Go into tone studio on your katana. Turn on parametric eq and low cut at 100 hz and hi cut at 5 k. That will get rid of boominess and fizz. Give it a try. Look at most guitar speakers. There frequency response is 80 hz to 5k.
There are so many ways of getting yr sound
I think the catalyst has a clean plant forum that would make most people happy with finding ones own tone. If you use pedals.
Boutique and Dynamic sound pretty bada$$ on this demo
Great to get your review of this, and I am very pleased that the first alternative you recommend is the tube 15, which I have (a version of), so no need to think about upgrading 😄
This is what happens when an obviously tube amp biased reviewer tries a solid state amp. I have a tube amp and the Catalyst, and it does not disappoint.
no they are not the same but he has a point when he says it sounds boring, a mustang or even the katana would do better
It’s just not an amp for metal players
I think the Catalyst 100 has great clean tone
Elmo is not tube biased. Hes one of the few youtubers which is not paid. And Line 6 paid MANY people to advertise the catalyst, because they know its not the best amp compared to direct opponents like the Katana, the GTX 100 or even the VTX100. It sounds like a Line 6....and thats not meant in a possitive way. They doin the modeling thing the longest, so i think it should sound good. And should be modified. Today im used to IR, a adjustable effect chain, strong processors which can handle more effects (gtx also struggles with it), Bluetooth, Wlan, a decent easy app, fx loop etc.
The Catalyst would struggle to face the old mustang 3, because the mustang still sounds way better. Also a bit synthetic, especially in high gain, but you get one with footswitches for 100 bucks. And the line 6 sounds like a midi chip tries to copy a real sound, and thats not ok anymore in 2024. Thats the line 6 sound. Synthetic, high, harsh clipping. Spectre Sound did a video. I dont believe a creator who only uses words like "awesome, amazing, marvelous, kinda nice" etc while a gun is pointed to his head and a bag full of money in his sight. I dont believie Cpt. Anderson, (or Agufish, or 60 Cycle, or or or.) Hes nice. But he sells that things and needs good reputation with line 6. I want a honest critic. And Elmo gives that. I also like that he uses a "normal" sound. Like i would hear at home. No per 50000 Euro Interface DI Hightech Sound with X Boosters and recorded plus edited. Just him playing. Sure the shredding is debatable. if you want a "Tube biased" oldschool RUclipsr, Olli from Session Music (but he says "im old, i dont like modeling and i dont know anything about it".) in Germany or Rhett shull....this are tube biased guys. And even Olli said "Nyah.....its nice what you get for the price today....but......"
If you really think this sounds like a tube amp, even a HB Tube15 (which is a good amp) you should train your ears or change the tubes. Its sounds like a Line 6. And thats not a compliment when youre a bit older. On the other hand they are able to produce the helix, so they know how to do it. But this is the cheapo version. Its ok for a "practice amp" aka "i buy it for my kid and look if he plays in a year or so and then i buy him a real amp". Because for practice i need a fx loop for a looper. Its the best practice tool. Fender knows this, they have one built in.
Thank you for another thorough and honest review. You saved me some $$.
BTW, I can play just like you…except for the speed, clarity, tone and fret board command…great googly moogly..😉
I was thinking that too. I’m so good I’ll just have to keep it to myself 😂
Cheers!
This is a gret time to be a guitarrist! I love the value of decent solid state digital modeling units. Going to the store to try the Catalyst myself!
I both amps , and the catalyst sounds better imo. Sure the katana has more options, but I dont really need it - and I prefer how the line 6 sound with pedals.
If you visit Andertons they have the Katana and this amp side by side the line 6 sounds way better. It sounded good to me
The thing you mention around 7:20 happens when you either don‘t have enough volume/level on your OD pedal or not enough gain on your amp, at least that‘s my experience.
I have the spark amp love it as a practice amp. Especially with the new upgrades, which we’re introduced a year ago some great amp models on the spark amp
I went back and forth at GC between these two and left with the Katana 100 v2. I only tried the clean and brown channel. I wanted to leave with the Catalyst, but left with the Katana. I'm still wondering if I did right. Maybe I didn't know how to use the Catalyst amp correctly. The Katana was more money as well.
I know this is an older video but, i have been using the Catalyst for a while and i really enjoy it.
Of course I'm enjoying it because i use it as a pedal platform for my great sounding drive pedals 😂
Katana catalyst it doesnt matter, they all sound nearly same within similar price ranges with a similar look. Now line 6 will pay several youtubers to praise catalyst. Thank you for the honest review.
Elmo. The amp comes by default with the Reverb and Effects set to PRE, i.e. as if you had it in front of the amp. Both can be set separately to POST, as in in the loop. Also, amp hum/hiss is turned on by default. Hold in the button, when flashing, turn knob past 12 for post, or use the app. When set to pre, particularly on the reverb, it does sound off. Also, imho the speaker needs to break-in. It needed a couple of hours minimum to loosen up and not attenuate some frequencies while over emphasizing others. THis coming from someone with a Katana with upgraded WAZA speaker, and a main rig of an Axe FX 3 with Xitones. End result is, imho Catalyst holds it's own with Katana, and again imho sounds a little better, if being slightly less versatile as far as range of tones go. Catalyst also needs a MIDI controller to be useable live for many folks, if you want to effectively use more than 2 presets.
Thank you so much for this review. I was thinking of buying this amp but not now. Thank you for all your brilliant and honest review. I really love your channel. 👍
Thanks for doing this review, your fretboard looks like it is hollowed out in between the frets, is this just an optical illusion? thanks for posting.
Scalloped neck.
Spend more time with it. I have been enjoying mine.
Hi Elmo, it’s a funny thing but your comments ring true with me. I bought a 100w 1x12 Catalyst combo expecting it to blow me away (from the reviews I read). When I played it, and I did several attempts to try a get on with the sound, it failed to give me that positive wow factor. Will persevere as I’ve now bought it, but I’m wondering what this issue is - would be good to have a more scientific analysis done on this as to what the amp is doing to ‘turn off’ the players musical mojo.
My Line 6 Duoverb x2 combo is still amazing... I bought it in 2003 and its still a fantastic sounding amp...organic and authentic... It was modelled on the real deals back then and came incredibly close.... In a live setting it is a real gem...
Oh yea I had one of those! I should have never sold it. It was fantastic.
I played on that amp today. I was at Guitar Center when I spotted it. I had to play on it. I thought it was a good amp. As you have probably heard a million times, you are an AMAZING guitarist my friend.
Thank you very much :)
When you hear an amp hiss...you know you are in for a hell of a ride!
Sounds this amp makes kind of sound the same to me regardless of setting. For me, no competition for the katana. Lots of hype on this thing though. I will happily keep my katana. Good review Elmo.
I tried the 60 watt Catalyst at PMT, it was busy and noisy in there and difficult to assess the amp properly, but I was getting the same results as you, a harsh / unnatural distortion on the drive sounds. They said you have to spend some time dialling it in..... and the 100 watt version ( which they'd sold out of ) is more resonant. 'Be interesting to hear if you're able to dial it in and make it sound better? Thanks for the review.
This is the thing, the Line 6 patches have always been garbage. But I don't think there's really that much more to be gained from tweaking. Why should you have to spend time dialling stuff like this in? Why wouldn't they just make the defaults sound good?
Yeah. It sounds digital to me. 🤘♥️🤘
I bought a MINT used CATALYST 60 this week for $150 US. I know its not the greatest amp ever but im happy with it. It does have an effects loop where as the katana 50, i believe, does not. I appreciate your videos and reviews and you seem honest with your take on gear. Im sure someday i will find something i like better, for now im gunna rock this thing the best i know how. :-)
P.S. i played the katana 50 for an hour or so once also, and liked that amp very much as well ..... the catalyst used, was just priced right.
You got a great deal! Elmo didn't like it, but think of the amps of a generation ago. These "wonderful" tube amps would have 50 / 60 cycle hum and sometimes the tubes would be microphonic. Then there's the reliability. No burned out tubes with your MINT Catalyst with its class D amp. It's going to be lighter than those old tube amps too and easier on your power bill. You can get a lot of different sounds from that amp, With a lot of those old tube amps the most you could expect was tremolo and maybe a spring reverb
Always appreciate and respect and honest opinion with their own evidence. 🤘
Sounds like there is a blanket over the speaker/$ at times?
I prefer the tone from my $100 Vox pathfinder to this tbh.
Good review. Thanks!
Thanks Elmo. Your reviews are always honest.
Thank you! I knew you would give us an honest impression. Everyone is talking about how great this amp is. I've went to Guitar Center twice to play a Catalyst and each time I was not impressed at all.
Glad I could help!
Are you a metal player?
Same here - I went to GC and had them open a 100 watt Catalyst and I plugged in and it sounded lame to me. Went to the Katina 100 and boom! there it is. Thought I did something wrong and went back to the Catalyst and same thing. I tried manual mode on it and was still disappointed. I'm thinking there is something wrong with me. I went to buy the Catalyst but left with the Katana 100 v 2. I'm still wondering if i did right.
I have this amp. I need to open the software to add some sag make sure the affects are post pre amp ext. Its definitely a modeler. I like it for what it is i need to save 2 sounds turn on the gate. It makes a strange noise that blackstars make
Thanks Elmo I was checking this amp out but now I won't anymore :) Thankfully I do have my Tube 15 :)
Yeah, the HB is really good.
Good review as always, perhaps any difference between a Catalyst a Katana or any other affordable amp can be reduced or improved by using an EQ pedal and the controls of the guitar 🎸 .Whatever guitar you might be using.
Elmo the Musical Magician! I can relate to what you're saying about the crunch having a weird stunted? (If I interpreted that correctly) sound, I have an old Hughes and Kettner Blues Master that does the same thing if I turn up the gain. If I put an overdrive pedal in front it cleans it right up, especially this NuX Steel Singer (very inexpensive) otherwise it gives what sounds like blocking distortion, thanks much, Bruce
And thank you 😊
I sold my katana and got one of these ,never looking back I never really dug the katana
I tried this amp in a music store recently and came to the same conclusion, something about it feels off. I did manage a pretty decent SRV type tone on the boutique setting, but nothing else really stood out as being very good. I'll stick with my rmicro cube and blues junior.
For me it takes pedals better then the Katana, Good riffs exelent, but it seems like the only style you know, the amp is meant to be used to play different styles of music. Good amp on this side👍
It's too much like the spider V, which I have. Now I like to have a wide range of slight to moderate distortion, but I'm not sure if any amp or pedal does that.The spider is still good for clean jazz and 50s/60s rock but don't expect the bass to have as much punch as a tube amp. I still like my amp,but I wish it could do more like sound like a supro amp but those cost serious $ and if you're poor like me, you have to take what you can get. Stacking overdrive pedals helps and while you cannot get the supro sound, it does have a decent quality to it. I think though that you can never overcome the basic sound of most amps. You can only approximate at best. I wonder how much new pickups can help.
I really enjoyed your review of the harley benton 5 watt! I ordered one a few weeks ago and I absolutely love it!! Now I'm trying to convince my wife that I need an overdrive and delay pedal to put in front of it. 😄
Haha :D Good luck with the wife :)
Good video, even better picking! I think you were fair, or as fair as one can be having played through all those amps you have in the background. Voxs, Marshalls, to name a couple. With amps like those, who can blame you for feeling "uninspired" by the Catalyst? I just bought one. The decision was based on two things. It was in my budget, The other being that I can run it as power amp for my modeller, which already has some great tones. In time I'll use the Catalyst Edit software to build patches, but it's going to take a deep dive to bring out character from an amp that sounds generic, and each setting from clean to high gain, as you said, they all sound the same. Undistinguishable. One reviewer of this amp mentioned how Line 6 blew it with this amp. It was supposed to be an amp with digitsl modelling that worked more like traditional amps, using conyrols on the amp itself rather than having to hook it up to a phone, tablet, pc and run software. Then they don't even include the usb cable you need to hook it up! Yeah...I have a love hate love relationship with line 6. They've revolutionized the gear industry but also sabotaged it and themselves at the same time. I think the concept for this amp was a show of ingenuity, but the execution fell flat. Having said that, they need to go back to the drawing board with this one.
So, katana or katalyst?
To be fair, I did not like Katana as well. To the point that I thought all the guitars I tried were shit, only to discover that the amp was the issue. The good side was that I returned to the music shop, but this time I specifically asked for an amp (valve one, evidently) and out of a sudden the guitars I was playing were starting to come on the "good" side. (and to be more specific, I tried: G&L, Fender, Brian May's, Gibson, Epiphone and PRS SE and S2 ... so a lot of diversity). My taste, anyways. Great video, thanks for your input. Cheers
As long as a guitar is set up and intonation is good. With a decent set of pups it’ll rock. I’m using a busted up peavey bandit until I order a catalyst.
I'm looking for a good amp that is good with headphones. We live in a small home and my wife doesn't want to hear me playing. Do you have any suggestions? I can always tell when I see a sponsored video, some even say sponsored. I can tell by your reactions, they are honest. In my opinion, you're the best and most honest reviews they are detailed and honest, no sponsored BS.
Thanks! Sorry, I never really use headphones so I can't really help you.
Respect for playing clean with no effects ……sounds good ……like a katana dead clean tone sounds best with touch of reverb
Thanks for your honest opinion. You have saved me a lot of money.
I didn't like the Catalyst when I went to look at it for the first time, my expectations were high because Phillip McKnight played one in a video and it sounded great. I just couldn't get any distortion effect to sound appealing to me or at least sound better than my Acoustic g35fx which can model a decent distortion tone to my preference.
Hi Elmo.Thnx Form your honest Tests.You are the one Tester i Trust and your Test of the HB Tube 15 was great.I will buy IT.🤘
No problem 👍
Awesome review. Thank you Elmo!!!
I think I'm going to buy the 200 watt Catalyst because I'm 62 with a bad back and I just can't lift my 1979 Mesa Boogie Mark 2B combo Amp anymore it weighs about 70 pounds with out the original EV SPEAKER ha ha and my Band moves around all over the place so I will sacrifice a little bit of tone to save my back and I think the compressor on my Boss ME-80 will help on them high notes and who wants 100 effects that you will never use I think less is better for my taste and I been playing 50 years to each there own I guess it can't be worse then a Fender tone master solid state Amp I bought one and I did one gig with it and I sent it back so I am trying to decide on a 100 watt Katana MK2 or the 200 watt Catalyst.
Winston Churchill reading the Catalyst specs!!! Soo honest. as always. Thanks!
My pleasure!
this wasnt about the amp it was about him wanting to show off , you forget that this is a 300 euro amp
Awesome guitar playing thankyou
Thank you too!
If the chime is based on a fender champ or something that would explain the clipping. Also the rest didn't sound that bad but maybe its just your playing making it sound good
Chime setting is British inspired..that's why the gain cuts off like that.Hes also playing on a strat on a single coil pickup.Thars how this will sound.
Another over-hyped amp gets a reality check. 👍🏻 thanks Elmo.
Cheers!
Thank you for this honest and complete review 👏👏👏 I've got both the Boss Katana and the HB Tube 15, and I think they are way better than this Line 6 amp. Greetings from Chile my friend 🤘🤘
My main reason for being interested in the Catalyst is the 200 watt version. I can't seem to find a solid state amp these days that is 200 watts. Any suggestions?
If your not impressed , I’m not impressed , thank you for your honesty
It was little odd that this amp got 9/10 in Guitarist magazine!?
They say too that high gain was muddy sound.
All other things just praise?
Hi have you ever reviewed an Orange crush 60 or 100 combo amp...
No.
I think it sounds alright with the gain lower but I like the gain rather high, so I don't think this'll work for me. Thanks for the great review
Have had the Catalyst 60 for a month now. I prefer it over my katana 50 EX. Specially the Dynamic voicing/channel. Unfortunately, it doesnt have an acoustic amp like the katana. Also, the "Aux in" in the katana and the Spark are better, but overall I think the Catalyst sounds great. Definitely tons better than my Spark40. Theyre all great in the own way, but to me the Catalyst's tone wins hands down.
Does it have Bluetooth?
@@BJJandBS No. Initially that was a negative factor for me. However, I prefer to use the "aux in" instead now. Does not consume any bandwidth and is straightforward. I even prefer to use the "aux in" in the Katana also. And also in the Spark40.
@@leoolivero963 I thought there was no latency in the Spark for Bluetooth? I was looking at that as well. How does it stack up to the Katana and catalyst?
@@BJJandBS None. It's just that with the way I've my setup in the studio room, it is more convenient to simply plug a USB cable to my phone when playing to backing tracks than start the relevant apps, etc. The Catalyst Edit app works fine, but via cable. If I decide to swap to the Katana or the Spark, with my setup, it's just a matter of flicking a switch, but even the switch can be removed. It's practically seamless.
BTW, I have the Katana 200W but run it on 0.5W 🙂 The spark is just great for the money. and so is the Spark mini. Just can't beat the tones I get off two 12" speakers. And with the Line6 Relay G10S and Yamaha YH-WL500 am completely wireless. Virtually no latency.
Good job, another reviewer said he believed that the sweet spot for this amp was those mid-driven tones... but that’s about it.
The sweet spot for this amp and the Katana is in the dumpster behind Guitar Center. A 1989 Peavey Bandit > Katana/Catalyst 🤣🤣🤣 funny cuz it’s true.
@@scottcummings8602 - that’s hilarious but c’mon man for the newbie axe wizard these things kill. I had a Bandit... loudest thing ever!
Because mid-driven tones are the easiest to make sound decent.
How about checking out some more Marshall's?
Can't seem to find a lot of reviews of the MG100 head through a decent cab, and I'm very interested to know what you think of it =)
Maybe at some point. So much stuff out there to try.
Niceeeeeee one Elmo! I tried one of these when they first arrived in my local guitar shop ; they look, sound, feel and even smell (yes I said smell) similar to a Boss Katana out of the box!
It feels to me like Line 6 went to the same factory (where the Boss Kultanas are built) and commissioned them to build a similar budget modelling amp with the Line 6 brand and internals.
Elmo buddy ; I really don't envy the time you will need to spend in order to compare the Catalyst to the Katana because it is essentially comparing cat piss to dog piss....
I respect anyone out there who loves their Katana or Catalyst and actually makes music, but man do I hate the cultist fanatics of guitar gear these days!
Best Wishes, Gabe
Boss Katana=piss? That's a litthe extreme. Maybe you don't know what u are talking about.
Harley Benton fanatics are the worst, bar none.
@@milankotevski1663 I have not had the pleasure of talking to any yet haha
@@milankotevski1663 Have you ever tried the Harley Benton Tube 15? At least check Elmo's review about it and then talk...
Yeah, fanatics are terrible.
I think that the Katana is way more well thought out. I would even still prefer the Fender LT 50 over the Catalyst.
As i only play clean this is the most important sound for me. and going by my monitors it compares well to the Katana 100 mk 2
that i have.
But that is not saying a lot, as the Katana is lacking in mid range warmth to my ears, my Vox and Fender amps are far better.
The next time i am in a store with both amps to compare i will try it, but for now it's not a must buy.
Other reviews that compare these amps seem to favour the Katana, i think it's down to personal choice.
Thanks for your honest review, very few reviewers buy the gear that they demo, and this makes me wary.
Thanks!
What about Fender Mustang LT25 for home use, in comparison to this amp?
I reviewed that a long time ago, and really quite liked it.
I think you sold this amp short. The crunch channel isn't designed for the tone you built up, it should have been done on the dynamic channel. It would have been much closer (if not spot on) with the tone you were trying to achieve. What you did was trying to build a higher gain Marshall tone on a low gain Fender amp; can't be done. I watch your channel frequently and overall I enjoy your reviews, but this one missed the mark on what this amp is supposed to be.
It may be more but if u need a 12" i think Positive Grid will release 12" combos next. Though many are just piggyback soldering 1/4 female jacks to the wires of the 4" speakers w a jack plate out the back and buying 2 x 4ohm 12" speaker cabs. PG makes a bt 4 button foot control now so you could gig it like that w 4 presets or ability to toggle pedals in another mode like a 1ch amp w pedals.
Well, maybe you don’t like it but you make the amp sound pretty good tho.
Thanks!
Are mohagony strats like that readily available? Suppose not by Fender though..
The Eart Strat/Suhr style guitars are Mahogany.
Mines upgraded with a Wilkinson bridge, Irongear Alnico pickups, locking tuners, better pots & cap and graphite nut!
Amazing guitar that is not a lot of money even with all the upgrades!
Mine is custom built, and I don't really know if they're readily available.
Great review as always. But I must say I have to disagree - I came away *very* impressed with the tones built in. But there’s one seriously crucial flaw - there’s a noticeable and unacceptable gap in channel switching with the footswitch. So I’m using it as my “cab” for my NUX MG-30 modeler and it sounds fantastic. With the modeler and amp, this is a super compact, affordable, and powerful gig-ready setup.
Fair enough.
I have the 100. I love it.
I tried it at shop and it's not that good .
Elmo, you and your Clips/Reviews are "simply the BEST" 👍👍👍
As our Dude @sim715 already wrote, your honesty is TOP, also i love your Humor 😂
You should do some Clips/Reviews (and Sessions) with Greg Koch..... would definitely be great and funny 🤣🤘✌👍
Best Regards and many Thanx
Appreciate that
Thanks EJK. Your Harley Benton is a pretty wee beastie.
If possible, would you do a review of the Orange Super Crush 100?
Probably not. There's just so much gear out there. I think I reviewed one Super Crush at some point. I forget which one though.
Hello Elmo I subscribed to your channel, you truly seem like the only honest reviewer out there! But out of all the combos you tried, what would you recommend for brutal tight distortion for home practice ( I play decapitated suffocation style riffage ) ? I'm really at loss and still prefer real amps to plug in. Shoot the word out my guru !!
Thank you very much! I'd probably get something with a nice distortion and then boost that with a clean boost, using the SD-1 och a Tubescreamer. Not sure which amp though, as that's not really the type of tone I'm after.
I think the window on modelling amps have closed. I have the Katana 50 and the U.S. version of the HB 15. I run modellers in front of both and find it's just easier. All I need is a good clean sound. I don't get all the Katana hate though. You don't that tube chime but that's because it's not a tube amp.
Difficult to hear any tone due to your relentless speed - maybe play something different so we can actually hear some tones - that flurry of notes is boring as hell mate…
Remember that really really cheap toilet paper you used to get back in school that was almost painful to use? This sounds like the school toilet paper of amps.
Brilliant comparison, mate! 😄👍
:D
I come here for an honest (I don't sell these) review. AND you're a really good player.
Thank you :)
Hey Elmo, maybe you should do a shoot out between the Marshall Code 50 vs the Catalyst 60... Then tell me that the Catalyst does not sound good... ;) LOL... But really, the catalyst sounds ok, better than the line 6 spider series..
Hello Elmo. What brand is that type of Stratocaster you used during the review?
Custom made for me.
Line 6 does it again! 😆
Elmo could you review the SB20 by Monoprice, same people that made Tube15. SB20 is a 50w all tube head with 6L6 tubes, not a lot of reviews on it and for $380 seems like a great deal.
Sorry, not before it's available in Europe.
Is that Fret board of that guitar wavy?👀
E..nice to see you, anymore I just play my acoustic, I've had fun with amps but I think that might be over, rather play my acoustic in my harmonica, easier to do, I think I'm going to start living out a van and travel the country, see you down by the river, ha..
My Amp tech told if this amp or Katana or the mustang go out…..throw them away , not worth the cost to fix them.
Also not worth the cost to purchase them in the first place
Heavy distortion is crap. I'm currently looking for an 100w combo amp clean with reverb and no effects or distortion on it as I have pedals and racks, for the tone I want in a price range £300 to £700 (cheaper the better due to not having shite on it) sadly the ones that fit the bill seem to be boutique and over £2000 I'm not after the "oh look the shiney shiney DUH"
My main reason for being interested in the Catalyst is the 200 watt version. I can't seem to find a solid state amp these days that is 200 watts. Any suggestions?
Sorry, no.
Blackstar Silverline Stereo Deluxe 2x12" 2x100-watt Combo Amp