jeffb
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2011
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but I've been pleasantly surprised.
As some of you know, I finally changed the housing situation I was in but at my new place I'm limited in volumes due to close neighbors and I'm likely here for the next couple of years. I tried a few different alternatives to my CODE 25 that I won't bore everyone with, but I was not able to get any results that were better than what I have been getting and things/amps were returned.
I want something simple and with just a couple different good sounds that would work with my existing pedals. It should also have the ability to get more complicated *IF* I wanted to, not an amp that would require me to tweak for hours to get something. So, after a ton of trial and error, I tried the Line 6 Catalyst 60 knowing I'd hate it and it would go on the list of "amps/options that didn't work out"
It's actually pretty damned good and I'm keeping it. Modelling has come a long way, even in the budget friendly price range. It's not a tube amp of course. But it sounds quite good at lower volumes. Better than similar or even higher priced modelling gear from the other big boys. Better than some hybrid amps. Way better than my CODE and VOX modelers. Better than my attenuated tube amps.
PROS-
It sounds very much like a normal tube amp in the room (I back to backed it with my tube amps). I was really surprised here. I like it better than it's main competitor because it's not ALL midrange like those amps are- it has some highs and (lots) of low end for an open back cab.
It does all the edge of breakup to "vintage gain" stuff WAY better than most. This was super surprising. So many lesser modelers fail at that loud Blackface Fender or Malcolm Young tone thing.
There is a pre-set "boost" for each model that can really change the amp to something that seems like an entirely different model. For example- The "Chime" model is straight AC15-ish, but when you turn the boost on (and you don't have to even add any additional gain on the boost) it is now treble boosted AC30 ala Rory Gallagher and Brian May. Completely different sound.
Speaking of VOX- it seems reviewers are in love with the "Boutique" model, and it's very good (sort of Dumble-ish) but I was completely floored how good the "Chime" model is. In your face/barky mid forward Class A projection and extremely well done VOX simulation. I don't usually like VOX type amps with humbuckers, but this is fun. With Beck's recent passing, I've been getting my Yardbirds kicks here.
The "Crunch" is a cranked plexi type thing between a V30 and GB type tonality- nasal, punchy, and very percussive attack more like a 50 watter than a 1959. If you cannot get your Zeppelin II, Aerosmith, UFO, or early Rush on with this model, IDK how to help you
Boost mode is more 80s mod plexi.
The high gain is not my thing and it seems reviewers are not terribly impressed. Maybe they are looking for Rectumfrier tone? To me this is more like late 80s Metal Church, or Helloween type thing.
Dynamic is based on the engineer’s actual modded Traynor amp. It's no more or less dynamic than the rest of the models really- they all respond well to your touch and volumes for a digital amp. But it's probably a bit more versatile in that you can dial in a variety of sounds. More modern sounding “crunch”.
And speaking of, this EQ is EXTREMELY responsive and powerful on these models. You can get quite a few good usable and different tones out of each model just tweaking the EQ.
The effects sound quite good. In some cases, they are better than my expensive pedals. And they can be placed PRE (yay!) or POST (boo!) the amps. I'm old school so this was a big thing for me.
Speaker break is key. It's midrangey/warm and stiff at first, but once it starts to open up after a several hours the tones and feel really start to get good.
It can be used as a power amp for any modeler and is voiced to work well in this regard. This was a factor in my purchase, as many people say this works fairly well with their Helix (et.al) and the HX stomp is where I'm going if I want to go down the rabbit hole.
Power attenuation that works- Full power, half power, 1/2 watt, or mute. Designed to help compensate with tweaking in your tone at full power and not having to completely re-do if you need to drop your volume. That said the master volume works well. I've been using it in (half power) 30 watt mode with lower master, and 1/2 watt mode with higher master and both give me good albeit slightly different tones at the same volume.
It has an editor for your computer and phone so you can tweak a bit and save up to 12 pre-sets. It's not as complex or comprehensive as BOSS but doesn’t seem meant to be. The Catalyst is more of an amp for old cranks like me: Dial in the amp tones on the amp easily, with a bit of computer tweaking available for those who must. I think this probably is better for the editing of the effects, which is a bit of a PITA from the amp itself.
It seems sturdy and built fairly well for an amp in this price range. The CODE and VOX VTX construction feels like a cheap 5 and 10 store toy from the 1970s. If I just handled the Cat without knowing, I'd say it was an amp in the $600 range.
NEUTRAL points
Feel- it's stiffer than a tube amp but it is immediate with no perceptible latency. It does not quite have the natural compression feel and attack of tubes, but it's also not a lifeless "flub" and disconnect when you attack the strings like on the CODE or many other inexpensive modeling amps (and with the $ increase, CODE is no longer "inexpensive"- it's a rip off at new pricing). I'm guessing feel will continue to get better w/ the speaker breaking in more and more. PLUS- there are controls for Sag and Bias in the editor. Looking forward to tweaking those to see what happens.
Footswitch is optional. I'm on the fence here. For a KISS (keep it simple, stupid) type modeler, it should just come with the FS- there are no other complex FS options like other line 6 products to where guessing the consumer's needs/wants is a problem. That said, the amp is very inexpensive to begin with, and I'd rather that extra $ be put into the engineering budget to design a better amp sound. The FS can be (re) programmed in the editor to give some variation in what it is able to turn on and off.
Digital glitchy- overall this thing does not scream "digital" to me when I'm playing like most inexpensive modeling amps do- however the EQ and gain settings are very powerful and at a certain point when you go too far (especially with the presence or gain) all of a sudden you get into that zone where it starts to obviously sound digital. Doing a neck pickup woman tone (tone control rolled off) I do get some weird ghost notes that get less offensive if I’m using delay or reverb, but that’s the only issue I have had.
CAB models- I'd like to be able to select cab models or utilize IRs like it’s more complex brethren. Somedays I want a G12M tone, some days a H30 tone, some days an Alnico tone, and being able to have speaker options like on my CODE is something I miss. However, I have to remind myself that the Cat series was designed to be a simpler plug and play amp, not a wealth of options. I also have to remind myself that I am highly susceptible to Analysis Paralysis and I just want to plug in and play and have it work without tweaking all the damn time. And finally, I have to remind myself that while the Marshall amp models are passable renditions of the original amps, most of the cab sims on the CODE are absolutely awful renditions of the real cabs, especially the 1960X. You can tweak cab sim and mics for the XLR and headphones out though, so you can get variety there.
CONS
As many reviewers mention it has two glaring issues- one literally, one figuratively.
The amp model select button has a glowing ring around it which indicates the amp model selected- it's very poorly done and in certain situations is hard to tell which model you are on because of glare/lack of clarity.
The effects selection and tweaking them on the amp itself rely on the amp selection button to scroll through parameters, and pressing and holding/turning other buttons, and it's hard to tell WTF you are doing with no screen. They got the AMP section right- dial in quickly and easily and the effects sound quite good, but it's a PITA to dial in those effects. LINE 6 provides a amp overlay for the top of the amp to help here, but I'm guessing a new version of Catalyst will go to something more user friendly.
It's a computer. I have had pretty much zero luck with modeler reliability over the years. I played VOX hybrids for years, including the original high end ones, the pedalboard, and the lower end combo versions. I used them alone, into the effects loops of tube amps, and even utilized early Atomic tube power cabs, BITD. In time they all just started acting weird or died and no number of "resets" ever fixed them. Same issue with some Line 6 (Spyder, Flextone) and BOSS/Roland amps (Micro Cube RX). I did the most recent firmware update to my CODE recently and it sounds worse than it did before. I re-set it to factory but now it won't play nice with my laptop for recording. And that weird digital ghosting I mentioned above re: the CAT. Fricking computers.
Overall though I'm very surprised by the CAT60. It punches way above its price point. No, it won't hang with anyone's 4 holer or Friedman and a 4x12. But even for tube snobs like me one would have to admit that the gap is closing dramatically, even on the "introductory" designs- especially when we are talking about "in the room" feel and projection (which has been the major sticking point for me). I'm surprised this amp does not get more love on various forums. Don't let older "budget" line 6 products cloud your judgement (like it did mine).
I need a different USB cable than what I have for recordings, so clips will have to wait.
As some of you know, I finally changed the housing situation I was in but at my new place I'm limited in volumes due to close neighbors and I'm likely here for the next couple of years. I tried a few different alternatives to my CODE 25 that I won't bore everyone with, but I was not able to get any results that were better than what I have been getting and things/amps were returned.
I want something simple and with just a couple different good sounds that would work with my existing pedals. It should also have the ability to get more complicated *IF* I wanted to, not an amp that would require me to tweak for hours to get something. So, after a ton of trial and error, I tried the Line 6 Catalyst 60 knowing I'd hate it and it would go on the list of "amps/options that didn't work out"
It's actually pretty damned good and I'm keeping it. Modelling has come a long way, even in the budget friendly price range. It's not a tube amp of course. But it sounds quite good at lower volumes. Better than similar or even higher priced modelling gear from the other big boys. Better than some hybrid amps. Way better than my CODE and VOX modelers. Better than my attenuated tube amps.
PROS-
It sounds very much like a normal tube amp in the room (I back to backed it with my tube amps). I was really surprised here. I like it better than it's main competitor because it's not ALL midrange like those amps are- it has some highs and (lots) of low end for an open back cab.
It does all the edge of breakup to "vintage gain" stuff WAY better than most. This was super surprising. So many lesser modelers fail at that loud Blackface Fender or Malcolm Young tone thing.
There is a pre-set "boost" for each model that can really change the amp to something that seems like an entirely different model. For example- The "Chime" model is straight AC15-ish, but when you turn the boost on (and you don't have to even add any additional gain on the boost) it is now treble boosted AC30 ala Rory Gallagher and Brian May. Completely different sound.
Speaking of VOX- it seems reviewers are in love with the "Boutique" model, and it's very good (sort of Dumble-ish) but I was completely floored how good the "Chime" model is. In your face/barky mid forward Class A projection and extremely well done VOX simulation. I don't usually like VOX type amps with humbuckers, but this is fun. With Beck's recent passing, I've been getting my Yardbirds kicks here.
The "Crunch" is a cranked plexi type thing between a V30 and GB type tonality- nasal, punchy, and very percussive attack more like a 50 watter than a 1959. If you cannot get your Zeppelin II, Aerosmith, UFO, or early Rush on with this model, IDK how to help you
Boost mode is more 80s mod plexi.The high gain is not my thing and it seems reviewers are not terribly impressed. Maybe they are looking for Rectumfrier tone? To me this is more like late 80s Metal Church, or Helloween type thing.
Dynamic is based on the engineer’s actual modded Traynor amp. It's no more or less dynamic than the rest of the models really- they all respond well to your touch and volumes for a digital amp. But it's probably a bit more versatile in that you can dial in a variety of sounds. More modern sounding “crunch”.
And speaking of, this EQ is EXTREMELY responsive and powerful on these models. You can get quite a few good usable and different tones out of each model just tweaking the EQ.
The effects sound quite good. In some cases, they are better than my expensive pedals. And they can be placed PRE (yay!) or POST (boo!) the amps. I'm old school so this was a big thing for me.
Speaker break is key. It's midrangey/warm and stiff at first, but once it starts to open up after a several hours the tones and feel really start to get good.
It can be used as a power amp for any modeler and is voiced to work well in this regard. This was a factor in my purchase, as many people say this works fairly well with their Helix (et.al) and the HX stomp is where I'm going if I want to go down the rabbit hole.
Power attenuation that works- Full power, half power, 1/2 watt, or mute. Designed to help compensate with tweaking in your tone at full power and not having to completely re-do if you need to drop your volume. That said the master volume works well. I've been using it in (half power) 30 watt mode with lower master, and 1/2 watt mode with higher master and both give me good albeit slightly different tones at the same volume.
It has an editor for your computer and phone so you can tweak a bit and save up to 12 pre-sets. It's not as complex or comprehensive as BOSS but doesn’t seem meant to be. The Catalyst is more of an amp for old cranks like me: Dial in the amp tones on the amp easily, with a bit of computer tweaking available for those who must. I think this probably is better for the editing of the effects, which is a bit of a PITA from the amp itself.
It seems sturdy and built fairly well for an amp in this price range. The CODE and VOX VTX construction feels like a cheap 5 and 10 store toy from the 1970s. If I just handled the Cat without knowing, I'd say it was an amp in the $600 range.
NEUTRAL points
Feel- it's stiffer than a tube amp but it is immediate with no perceptible latency. It does not quite have the natural compression feel and attack of tubes, but it's also not a lifeless "flub" and disconnect when you attack the strings like on the CODE or many other inexpensive modeling amps (and with the $ increase, CODE is no longer "inexpensive"- it's a rip off at new pricing). I'm guessing feel will continue to get better w/ the speaker breaking in more and more. PLUS- there are controls for Sag and Bias in the editor. Looking forward to tweaking those to see what happens.
Footswitch is optional. I'm on the fence here. For a KISS (keep it simple, stupid) type modeler, it should just come with the FS- there are no other complex FS options like other line 6 products to where guessing the consumer's needs/wants is a problem. That said, the amp is very inexpensive to begin with, and I'd rather that extra $ be put into the engineering budget to design a better amp sound. The FS can be (re) programmed in the editor to give some variation in what it is able to turn on and off.
Digital glitchy- overall this thing does not scream "digital" to me when I'm playing like most inexpensive modeling amps do- however the EQ and gain settings are very powerful and at a certain point when you go too far (especially with the presence or gain) all of a sudden you get into that zone where it starts to obviously sound digital. Doing a neck pickup woman tone (tone control rolled off) I do get some weird ghost notes that get less offensive if I’m using delay or reverb, but that’s the only issue I have had.
CAB models- I'd like to be able to select cab models or utilize IRs like it’s more complex brethren. Somedays I want a G12M tone, some days a H30 tone, some days an Alnico tone, and being able to have speaker options like on my CODE is something I miss. However, I have to remind myself that the Cat series was designed to be a simpler plug and play amp, not a wealth of options. I also have to remind myself that I am highly susceptible to Analysis Paralysis and I just want to plug in and play and have it work without tweaking all the damn time. And finally, I have to remind myself that while the Marshall amp models are passable renditions of the original amps, most of the cab sims on the CODE are absolutely awful renditions of the real cabs, especially the 1960X. You can tweak cab sim and mics for the XLR and headphones out though, so you can get variety there.
CONS
As many reviewers mention it has two glaring issues- one literally, one figuratively.
The amp model select button has a glowing ring around it which indicates the amp model selected- it's very poorly done and in certain situations is hard to tell which model you are on because of glare/lack of clarity.
The effects selection and tweaking them on the amp itself rely on the amp selection button to scroll through parameters, and pressing and holding/turning other buttons, and it's hard to tell WTF you are doing with no screen. They got the AMP section right- dial in quickly and easily and the effects sound quite good, but it's a PITA to dial in those effects. LINE 6 provides a amp overlay for the top of the amp to help here, but I'm guessing a new version of Catalyst will go to something more user friendly.
It's a computer. I have had pretty much zero luck with modeler reliability over the years. I played VOX hybrids for years, including the original high end ones, the pedalboard, and the lower end combo versions. I used them alone, into the effects loops of tube amps, and even utilized early Atomic tube power cabs, BITD. In time they all just started acting weird or died and no number of "resets" ever fixed them. Same issue with some Line 6 (Spyder, Flextone) and BOSS/Roland amps (Micro Cube RX). I did the most recent firmware update to my CODE recently and it sounds worse than it did before. I re-set it to factory but now it won't play nice with my laptop for recording. And that weird digital ghosting I mentioned above re: the CAT. Fricking computers.
Overall though I'm very surprised by the CAT60. It punches way above its price point. No, it won't hang with anyone's 4 holer or Friedman and a 4x12. But even for tube snobs like me one would have to admit that the gap is closing dramatically, even on the "introductory" designs- especially when we are talking about "in the room" feel and projection (which has been the major sticking point for me). I'm surprised this amp does not get more love on various forums. Don't let older "budget" line 6 products cloud your judgement (like it did mine).
I need a different USB cable than what I have for recordings, so clips will have to wait.
