Catalyst as a powered cab for modelers?

[dronerstone]

I'm sure the Catalyst is great as a modeler power amp. I've been using my Katana MK2 Head like this for a couple years now, and when I ditched the Katana Cab for a super-light DV Mark, things got even better!

I switch between a Helix Floor and a large board with a preamp on it, and both sound awesome through the Katana.

With the Helix, I split to a parallel path near the end, so I can add a cab sim that's sent to FOH via XLR, while the 1/4" out sends the cab-less signal to the power amp input.

When I gig with the board instead, I use a Red Box or CAB M+.

Anyhow, I love big-iron solid-state stuff for that purpose. Katana, Catalyst, but also cheap old "niche" amps like LAB Series, Peavey, Acoustic, etc.

All sleepers, imho.

 

[MIJLOVER]

I’ve been using my Catalyst 200 w for a couple of years with Helix and it’d great. I had a Carol Ann top and cab, which sounded amazing, but to be honest, mostly appreciated the differences when playing by myself. At rehearsals and gigs, it kinda gets lost in the type of music we play, where I would set both up with more cleanish sounds and use helix to boost it.

I also found myself being more weary of bringing the CA with me to certain types of gigs.

As a new thing, I’m going to try to make do with only Catalyst and pair it up with a cheap multi effect board, like Ceberus, since I’ve sold my Helix (going to pick up Stadium some time next year).

Since Cat got the GSG Dumble thing, I haven’t bothered with loading it in Helix, opting to just send out the XLR from Cat to FOH. So easy to deal with

 

[ragingplatypi]

I’ve been using my Catalyst 200 w for a couple of years with Helix and it’d great. I had a Carol Ann top and cab, which sounded amazing, but to be honest, mostly appreciated the differences when playing by myself. At rehearsals and gigs, it kinda gets lost in the type of music we play, where I would set both up with more cleanish sounds and use helix to boost it.

I also found myself being more weary of bringing the CA with me to certain types of gigs.

As a new thing, I’m going to try to make do with only Catalyst and pair it up with a cheap multi effect board, like Ceberus, since I’ve sold my Helix (going to pick up Stadium some time next year).

Since Cat got the GSG Dumble thing, I haven’t bothered with loading it in Helix, opting to just send out the XLR from Cat to FOH. So easy to deal with

Depending on how simple your setup is you could try just using the effects in the Catalyst.

 

[MIJLOVER]

Depending on how simple your setup is you could try just using the effects in the Catalyst.

I was considering it, just for now, but I’d still need a way to make it footswitchable. So I don’t know if spending money on a midi controller is worth it, when I could get a quite affordable multi effects with midi capabilities instead. That way, I also have a tuner

 

[Stratzrus]

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

It works great!

I haven't ttied it witn my FM9 yet but going directly into the "Amp In" jack my Tone King Imperial Preamp sounds really good. Surprisingly so.

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 have the CX 100 and yes, using it to play at home it's absolutely fine.

Given the price it's well worth an audition. Get it from a big box store and return it if it doesn't work for you.

 

[ragingplatypi]

I was considering it, just for now, but I’d still need a way to make it footswitchable. So I don’t know if spending money on a midi controller is worth it, when I could get a quite affordable multi effects with midi capabilities instead. That way, I also have a tuner

I get that.
Every time I think I should just throw a couple of pedals in front of an amp I realize how many pedals I’d actually want to buy (plus a pedalboard and power). Then I get a multi effects.

 

[dbagchee]

I picked up one of these gadgets to be able to plug in an external cab to the Catalyst:

I've been running into my Mesa Thiele cab and man it sounds killer. Now I really want a Catalyst pedal power amp!