Digital Igloo (Eric Klein, YGG)

Digital Igloo said:
Ah, sorry. Your OP said "Helix" so that's what I was referencing. Cannot currently be accomplished on HX Stomp I'm afraid.
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Thanks anyways Eric, really appreciate the answers. I found a workaround for it after all!

I'm missing out on the normal Input goodies, but can plug my guitar into Return L, put a Return L block on Path B (A/B Split with 100 Path A) and then use USB5/6 as Input to accomplish what I wanted. On the other end of USB I use Input 3/4 and output 5/6.

I got pointed towards a post detailing this on the Line6 Community Forum.

Still utterly in awe of the routing possibilities in this little box. Now I can use the Poly Capo or dirt pedals up front, then NAM Captures of my own amp on my iPhone and then back to the Stomp for some nice cabs and ambience reverb. AND I can play backing tracks or loops from the phone as well, no extra hardware purchased! This will help me stop tweaking amp settings and get to playing more (a ME problem, not shaming the Helix amp models).

Happy weekend!
 
Might be a dumb question, but what happens systematically when I turn up the output block by +10 dB (it’s not clipping) rather than crank the headphones knob higher on the Helix Floor? Per B. Adrian’s suggestion, I try to maintain my block levels equal to my guitar’s input level and therefore my presets tend to be on the quieter side.

I found that adding that additional gain on the output block makes things a bit rounder and more pleasant in my headphones. Without that, for my headphones, I need to turn the knob up fairly high and that, to me, sounds more sterile for some reason. Must be something happening at the D/A or the headphones amplifier side. Is there any benefit to this, from an architectural perspective?
 
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Can you share any info on the future arc for Catalyst amps?
I just bought a 60 and am truly amazed at how it delivers a great variety of amp voices that range from clean to more-heavy-than-I-need.
Makes all my efforts to cobble together power amps and speakers or "FRFR" etc to give voice to my modeling gear a complete failure by comparison. Literally a $249 Catalyst and *almost* the whole package is right there in a tidy box.

Makes me think a $500 or $750 version would have the missing bits included…presets stored and midi and a bit more upgrade for controlling effects as well as increasing variety.

Basically looking for better build, more effects, expand presets/banks and ‘control center’ inspired app interface for an included footswitch.

Not looking to change the choice of amp models. I think that was a brilliant design choice now that CX version has arrived. 12 originals with such a broad spectrum of quality is plenty! If anyone says ‘you should fix the Gramatico please just toggle ignore on them ;)
 
Enchilada Jones said:
Can you share any info on the future arc for Catalyst amps?
I just bought a 60 and am truly amazed at how it delivers a great variety of amp voices that range from clean to more-heavy-than-I-need.
Makes all my efforts to cobble together power amps and speakers or ""FRFR"" etc to give voice to my modeling gear a complete failure by comparison. Literally a $249 Catalyst and *almost* the whole package is right there in a tidy box.

Makes me think a $500 or $750 version would have the missing bits included…presets stored and midi and a bit more upgrade for controlling effects as well as increasing variety.

Basically looking for better build, more effects, expand presets/banks and ‘control center’ inspired app interface for an included footswitch.

Not looking to change the choice of amp models. I think that was a brilliant design choice now that CX version has arrived. 12 originals with such a broad spectrum of quality is plenty! If anyone says ‘you should fix the Gramatico please just toggle ignore on them ;)
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I think DI has said before that the market won’t support the $700 modeling amp yet.
 
ragingplatypi said:
I think DI has said before that the market won’t support the $700 modeling amp yet.
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He would likely know better than anyone else.
From my perspective, albeit a 'market of one', it would support it because I spend more than that every time I assemble a collection of modeler/pre amp/capture/etc + speaker/"FRFR"/near field /etc + midi controller!

This last time I started putting a 'rig' together I did it side by side with my purchase of the Catalyst 60 and the reality hit hard, a combo modeling type device begins the competition at great advantage and a fractional total cost.

A head version might be the way to go, especially if the offered cabinet/s were equipped with a speaker choice to handle the variety of 'amps' it was going to be giving voice to. Some people would buy the special cabinet some would go for other options.

I have been out of town for about 10 days, I could have grabbed my powered Kemper head and the Kemper cab and had a superior rig but for just ten days? The Catalyst has more appeal for the convenience factor and the price difference is remarkably better!
 
bucephalus said:
Yes, give us all head DI
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Eddie Murphy Reaction GIF
 
Enchilada Jones said:
Can you share any info on the future arc for Catalyst amps?
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Most NAMMs have one or two big takeaways. This year there seemed to be three—AI-generated vocals and mixing/mastering tools, personal stage monitor mixers, and... amp sales kinda being in the toilet. Everyone seemed to be complaining about the state of the guitar amp this year. The only company appearing to buck this slump is Positive Grid. Catalyst is doing pretty well, but we are noticing this downward trend, and even BOSS is feeling the crunch. (Finance captures tons of industry data.)

We love Catalyst, but the profit margin on guitar amps isn't that great and shipping costs are high. If we felt confident that people would buy a higher end digital amp that didn't say "Fender" on it, it's something we'd likely pursue. But I'll be honest—too many YouTube Comment Cowboys still associate Line 6 with "My First Spider" and as much as Helix/HX has done to improve our brand image, we still have a bit of work to do.

That said, I have two or three higher end amp designs, but all the stuff I create tends to skew expensive. A $1200+ digital amp with a Line 6 badge might be a hard sell (much less a $2500 Helix amp with cab and speaker worthy of the DSP), especially when that means resources would need to be taken from less risky opportunities.
Alex Kenivel said:
Eddie Murphy Reaction GIF
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Bowfinger is one of my favorite comedies.
 
Not sure if you need this data point but thought I’d share: my PodGo’s power cable frayed and died 14 months into weekly use at church. It was coiled and uncoiled twice a week for practice and Sunday. I used it for a handful of regular gigs outside that.
 
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I've thought about getting the Catalyst 100 that they're selling direct via Reverb just because it's so cheap, but I really don't need another amp. I can understand why a lot of the industry isn't selling a lot of amps lately. It's an interesting trend.
 
I'm surprised there's barely any alternative to Fender FR10/12. In the digital era, I think it's quite a common thing to buy, and AFAIK, the only other options are from Headrush (lighter but worse than Fender), ToneX (more expensive) and Line6 (more expensive and with emulation not needed if you have a Helix).
 
Another use for the Catalyst is as a stereo expander amp for your tube amp. I was just playing with this today.
  • Run your favorite stereo pedals in the your tube amp fx loop
  • Run the left out of the last stereo pedal to the fx return of your tube amp
  • Right the right out of the last stereo pedal into the fx return of the Catalyst (I do not use the power amp in switch as the output from my amp is not line level)
  • Set the volume on your tube amp to desired level
  • Turn on catalyst and adjust the master volume to match your tube amp level
  • Enjoy the stereo goodness
 
Closed back 2x12, a handful of a la carte amp models (like 6 slots you can add whatever HX amps to), 4 pre fx slots, 4 post fx slots, FX loop, $750.
 
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