Catalyst as a powered cab for modelers?

[Lysander]

I've been noticing Catalyst are extremely well priced these days, for some reason.

So, i've been looking for a compact "FRFR" for some time now, and the 60W is starting to look as a competitive option with a power-amp in, being relatively compact at 19.9 x 17.5 x 10.2in (505 x 444 x 260mm) and the option to just use it as a standalone combo.

Seen a couple of happy Catalyst owners in these parts; have you tried plugging in modelers into it? How did you like it?

 

[dbagchee]

Yeah it works great as a powered speaker. I haven’t used my 60 live but it gets pretty darn loud - I’d expect it to hang for most gigs. I run full models into it with the cabs off.

 

[ian_dissonance]

It’s not going to be “"FRFR"” in any capacity, but if you don’t mind an open-back cab it’s probably great for that purpose. I like too much beef in my tones for open back.

 

[Jarick]

I've tried it and it's not bad at all. Sometimes I find that modelers into a power amp and cab still have some extra high end that needs to be dialed out and/or may need a boost in the low end. But it's a good affordable option.

 

[KingsXJJ]

Sounds like it’s worth a shot!

 

[banned]

I've been noticing Catalyst are extremely well priced these days, for some reason.

So, i've been looking for a compact ""FRFR"" for some time now, and the 60W is starting to look as a competitive option with a power-amp in, being relatively compact at 19.9 x 17.5 x 10.2in (505 x 444 x 260mm) and the option to just use it as a standalone combo.

Seen a couple of happy Catalyst owners in these parts; have you tried plugging in modelers into it? How did you like it?

This is the way to go.

 

[Los-D]

I think it’s pretty good with modelers (tried FM3, QC, Hx Stomp). I’ve mentioned this before but I’m not a fan of the speaker (on the CAT100). However, adding an EQ pedal in the loop helps (or you can just add the EQ at the end of the chain in your modeler).

 

[ragingplatypi]

I’ve used the Catalyst 60 with the Stomp and PodGo. It worked great and I didn’t need to do too much tweaking.

There was one chaotic jam session where I forgot to disable the cab block on the pedal and it sounded dull, but not horrible.

Considering the price, it’s definitely worth trying because your next better option is going to be a decent tube amp or nice powered speaker which will cost you $500 more at least.

 

[Guitarcal]

 

[bucephalus]

But isn't the point of "FRFR" to use the cab sim/ir?

 

[Lysander]

But isn't the point of ""FRFR"" to use the cab sim/ir?

It... depends. In my experience, speakers on digital combos tend to be more linear than their tube counterparts, so you can actually get decent results with IRs. But even if this weren't the case for the C60, i could just as well use it as a powered 1x12" cab.

 

[ragingplatypi]

But isn't the point of ""FRFR"" to use the cab sim/ir?

A powered cab is the larger category, where they can be "FRFR" or a traditional guitar speaker. They’re two different tools to get the job done. Honestly the terminology sucks. An "FRFR" should just be called a “powered speaker”, since what the exact same speakers are called when a guitarist is not using them. Maybe we could agree to call a powered guitar speaker a “powered guitar cab”?

 

[dbagchee]

I totally missed the "FRFR" part of the original ask - while the Cat speaker is somewhat neutral it isn’t flat or full range by any means. Of course you can still run cab sims if you want that extra EQ layer but I recommend just running it with cabs off. Sounds killer that way to me.

I honestly prefer running this way to "FRFR" since you don’t have to deal with high cuts etc.

 

[Lysander]

I honestly prefer running this way to ""FRFR"" since you don’t have to deal with high cuts etc.

Yeah, i'm beginning to question whether i want a "FRFR" to begin with, or i'll be happier with a real guitar cab.

 

[dbagchee]

Yeah unless you really need to switch between a 4x12 sound to an 1x10 sound in the middle of your songs it’s not worth the hassle in my opinion. I pretty much run a V30 cab of some sort on all of my patches so one speaker works for me I still may try a Seymour Duncan PowerStage at some point so I can run into my Mesa cabs.

 

[Byrdman]

I really liked mine when I was using it that way. I had the Catalyst 200w 212 and it sounded great and no issues hearing it over the drummer. I sold it a few months ago, and no matter how good it sounded, my Marshall SC20H through a 212 sounded considerably better in a live band situation.

If playing at home, it's going to do everything you need and more. IMO, you should get the 100 since it has true midi capabilities vs Midi over USB. Plus, IMO as well, it sounded much better to me vs the 60 when I tried both at GC.

I even had a 15w Monotone tube amp on top and it really sounded great. I use to call it my Ghetto Stack...

 

[banned]

Yeah, i'm beginning to question whether i want a ""FRFR"" to begin with, or i'll be happier with a real guitar cab.

You'll be way happier with a real guitar cab and IR/cab-models disabled. Trust me - the realism is unreal!

 

[banned]

But isn't the point of ""FRFR"" to use the cab sim/ir?

Yes - but while the cab sim/ir part is highly accurate - how it translates to actual audio sound reproduction with a "FRFR" speaker is usually highly variable.

I've tried most of the usual suspects - FR12, Powercab etc. and it almost always sounds fake and digital. Conversely, plug into a guitar cab and I hear almost no difference compared to the actual real amp.

The guitar speaker makes all the difference - there's something very special about this low fidelity device - and it greatly affects tone and feel.

 

[bucephalus]

Yes - but while the cab sim/ir part is highly accurate - how it translates to actual audio sound reproduction with a ""FRFR"" speaker is usually highly variable.

I've tried most of the usual suspects - FR12, Powercab etc. and it almost always sounds fake and digital. Conversely, plug into a guitar cab and I hear almost no difference compared to the actual real amp.

The guitar speaker makes all the difference - there's something very special about this low fidelity device - and it greatly affects tone and feel.

Yeah, Cheers. I get that I think, I play my LT through a power amp into a1x12 cab and obviously remove cab or IR for this. Just thought that for "FRFR" speaker it would sound pretty bad without some form of cab or IR wouldn't it?

 

[banned]

Yeah, Cheers. I get that I think, I play my LT through a power amp into a1x12 cab and obviously remove cab or IR for this. Just thought that for ""FRFR"" speaker it would sound pretty bad without some form of cab or IR wouldn't it?

Absolutely - would sound terrible with "FRFR" without IR