Line 6 Catalyst CX 100

[Stratzrus]

I'm picking up a Catalyst CX 100.

I just saw Cordy's video and realized that it would make a good replacement for my Roland Cube 60 which was my cheap grab and go option for years. From listening to the video it sounded like it would be more than good enough for practice and that's how I'd primarily use it, as a bedroom practice amp.

I'll A/B it with my FM9/FR10 V3 Archangel rig and expect the Fractal rig to sound better but the Fractal rig costs six times as much. I'm hoping it will be "good enough" for casual use.

From the little I've gleaned so far it should acquit itself well for $350.

Has anyone used one of these? Pros? Cons?

Thanks.

 

[holoholo]

I'm picking up a Catalyst CX 100.

I just saw Cordy's video and realized that it would make a good replacement for my Roland Cube 60 which was my cheap grab and go option for years. From listening to the video it sounded like it would be more than good enough for practice and that's how I'd primarily use it, as a bedroom practice amp.

I'll A/B it with my FM9/FR10 V3 Archangel rig and expect the Fractal rig to sound better but the Fractal rig costs six times as much. I'm hoping it will be "good enough" for casual use.

From the little I've gleaned so far it should acquit itself well for $350.

Has anyone used one of these? Pros? Cons?

Thanks.

If you do buy it from line 6’s reverb shop brand new for $200.

https://reverb.com/item/84840658-line-6-catalyst-100-2-channel-100-watt-1x12-modeling-guitar-combo?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=84840658

 

[paisleywookiee]

If you do buy it from line 6’s reverb shop brand new for $200.

https://reverb.com/item/84840658-line-6-catalyst-100-2-channel-100-watt-1x12-modeling-guitar-combo?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=84840658

That’s not the newer CX. Not sure what the differences are.

 

[holoholo]

That’s not the newer CX. Not sure what the differences are.

Oh shoot my bad!

 

[Jarick]

I had the first version of the Catalyst 60. It's a good amp for cleans I think with basic effects built in. The speaker and cab are on the warmer side so may be a bit dull or need more volume. I didn't like it at all for anything heavy or high gain. Ended up trading it in, but for a practice amp it wouldn't be bad.

I think for grab and go I might prefer the Boss Katana 100 as it's more punchy. The Katana 50 is pretty boxy sounding with the little cab and the Catalyst 60 is a bit dark, the Katana 100 should be in the middle. May be worth checking out to compare.

 

[Stratzrus]

The CX has USB audio in and out as well as MIDI. I'm sure there are other differences.

 

[Stratzrus]

The Katana 50 is pretty boxy sounding with the little cab and the Catalyst 60 is a bit dark, the Katana 100 should be in the middle. May be worth checking out to compare.

My amp tech has a Katana 50 and I agree, it did sound boxy, that's why I had written the Katana's off.

I'll check out the 100 if I have a chance.

Your concerns about the original Catalyst 60 are duly noted. I'm hoping there's been a significant improvement with the firmware upgrades the CX has.

 

[Jarick]

My amp tech has a Katana 50 and I agree, it did sound boxy, that's why I had written the Katana's off.

I'll check out the 100 if I have a chance.

Your concerns about the original Catalyst 60 are duly noted. I'm hoping there's been a significant improvement with the firmware upgrades the CX has.

I think it's pretty much cab and speaker related. I was running my Axe FX 3 into the power amp return of each.

The 100 could be a sweet spot. I went for the Artist which was bigger and better for speaker, cab, and possibly amp. It sounded huge but ultimately I didn't like the included amp tones really.

Really depends on the purpose though, I'd get a Katana 100 in a heartbeat for a cheap grab and go gigging amp. It's basically the standard nowadays in Nashville from what I hear.

 

[dbagchee]

The CX has USB audio in and out as well as MIDI. I'm sure there are other differences.

I'm 90% sure that the original with the firmware update is functionally equivalent to the CX. CX release has slightly different aesthetic and a some knob label differences. The firmware update added an extra bank of amp models and the ability to use multiple effects in the reverb effect slot.

I have the original 60 - the Badonk model that was added in the firmware update works really well with the built in speaker for high gain (keeping in mind it is still open back). It has a good balance of simplicity so you can just focus on playing instead of tweaking endlessly.

My only gripe with it is when switching between channel A/B presets via footswitch the effects you have on "stick" which can work against you if you want to switch to a lead sound with delay to a dry rhythm sound etc.

 

[Stratzrus]

My only gripe with it is when switching between channel A/B presets via footswitch the effects you have on "stick" which can work against you if you want to switch to a lead sound with delay to a dry rhythm sound etc.

Perhaps the CX's MIDI capability will address that issue if it remains an issue with the CX.

 

[laxu]

Perhaps the CX's MIDI capability will address that issue if it remains an issue with the CX.

From the manual:

• MIDI CC 25: Boost Bypass/Enable
• MIDI CC 28: Effect 1 Bypass/Enable
• MIDI CC 29: Effect 2 Bypass/Enable

Value 0-63 = Off, 64-127 = On.

So you could use MIDI to do all that.

At least according to the manual it should be possible to save the effects state to each channel.
"Once you’ve exited Effect Selection mode, press and hold CH A orCH B to save your settings to that preset location if desired."

 

[Stratzrus]

...according to the manual it should be possible to save the effects state to each channel.

Thanks!

The MIDI implementation, 4X USB audio in/out, firmware upgrades, and headphone output were some features that caused me to give it serious consideration.

 

[dbagchee]

No MIDI ports on the 60 I think it would require USB host to use but not worth the hassle for me - the 100 is definitely the sweet spot for functionality and power, I had a special restriction where I needed the slightly smaller size of the 60 (so it would fit in my Miata's trunk ).

I don't think I've tested the effect state thing since the firmware update, so will need to check if that still persists. If I recall correctly it works fine if you just toggle presets without modifying anything, but if you use the footswitch to toggle the effect while in the preset, it sticks when you switch to A/B.

 

[maguchi]

I'm picking up a Catalyst CX 100.

I just saw Cordy's video and realized that it would make a good replacement for my Roland Cube 60 which was my cheap grab and go option for years. From listening to the video it sounded like it would be more than good enough for practice and that's how I'd primarily use it, as a bedroom practice amp.

I'll A/B it with my FM9/FR10 V3 Archangel rig and expect the Fractal rig to sound better but the Fractal rig costs six times as much. I'm hoping it will be "good enough" for casual use.

From the little I've gleaned so far it should acquit itself well for $350.

Has anyone used one of these? Pros? Cons?

Thanks.

Yeah, I got the 60 watt version of the same amp name of Line 6 Catalyst CX 60. It's a good amp, only costed $250 new. Gots some nice preset sounds. I expeshally like the crunch, dynamic, bootyque, clean and chime amp models. The reverbs, delays and mod effects are good too. I like the ergonomic user interface, no menu diving here, just twist knobs.

Cons? Not sure how sturdy it is and if the software or electronics glitch or fail, it'd probly be hard to fix if even fixable. And considering it costed two fitty it's probly not your most advanced, powerful or feature packed modeler.

I considered the Fender FR Tonemasters but they were twice as expensive, and the 1000 watt rating scared me as far as long term durability. Since at this point modeling advances so fast, I din't want to spend more on something that might be obsolete in a couple years. Line 6 has a good rep and history, and the Catalyst seemed like it would serve me well for awhile.

 

[Byrdman]

I'm picking up a Catalyst CX 100.

I just saw Cordy's video and realized that it would make a good replacement for my Roland Cube 60 which was my cheap grab and go option for years. From listening to the video it sounded like it would be more than good enough for practice and that's how I'd primarily use it, as a bedroom practice amp.

I'll A/B it with my FM9/FR10 V3 Archangel rig and expect the Fractal rig to sound better but the Fractal rig costs six times as much. I'm hoping it will be "good enough" for casual use.

From the little I've gleaned so far it should acquit itself well for $350.

Has anyone used one of these? Pros? Cons?

Thanks.

I have the Cat 200 OG model. The only difference according to Line 6 is the aesthetics and the CX ships with all 12 models, and the OG ships with 6 and you have to upgrade the software to get 12. I did mine and it took about 2 min, easy-peasy.

I have been using mine as a speaker cab with my Stomp XL running power-amp mode. It is really a good versatile amp that does what it says. I'm going to sell mine though, I have since moved to Marshall Heads and Cabs and it is only being used as a 212 cab, I'm going to see if I can trade it up for a Telecaster tomorrow at my local music store.

 

[Stratzrus]

Initial impressions:

I've only had a little time with it. Auditioned a few amp models adjusting for tone controls.

I think it's going to be fine for what I bought it for. It's easy to be disappointed when comparing it to my tube amps or even my FM9/V3 FR-10 rig which cost 5-6 times as much, but in comparison to my Cube 60 that it's replacing as my go to lightweight solid state amp it's a major step up.

I like the way the gain tones clean up when you turn the guitar volume down and some of the amp models are not bad straight out of the box. As I've heard about Helix products, I can tell that it will be much better when I get a few presets dialed in the way I'd like.

But with that said, the cleans are good for Funk and R&B but so far aren't my ideal Jazz tone, particularly when compared to my Rivera Sedona Jazz Recording or the Jazz preset I created for the FM9 which I absolutely love. Not a fair comparison considering the cost but it's what I have to compare it to.

The crunch tones are okay for practicing. I'm not looking for knock your socks off tones here, just ones that are good enough that they aren't a distraction.

The high gain tones could be better but are a significant improvement over the ones in the two Roland COSM amps I have.

My goal was to pick up something inexpensive that would work as a decent bedroom practice amp and occasional grab and go. It's more than good enough for practicing but I can't think of anywhere I'd take it instead of my FM9/FR-10 rig that's only six lbs. heavier so it's likely to be largely limited to home use.

I've seen some posts suggesting that the Katana might be a better choice but the 4-in/4-out USB audio interface and MIDI switching more than offset any tonal advantages the Katana may have for me.

So far I'm happy with it and as I suspected, I'm practicing more now that I got it. That's worth it's weight in gold...significantly more important than any other particularities.

I still have to dial it in and once done it's looking like it will acquit itself well. As someone mentioned, it's unfortunate that you have to use the editor to get the most out of it but at least it has an editor and is capable of more than just what the knobs can do on the amp.

In summary, my initial impressions are that it's the right price, the right weight, the right tonal options, and the right feature set for what I want in a practice amp. Despite my caveats I'm glad I picked it up and will report back once I really get to know how to get the best out of it.