Line 6 is always trying to push the limits of technology…I like that. Always inventing, always creating guitar gear that pleases the masses. I am always willing to try their products with no hesitation on my part.
Man, I just got the 60 watt version of this amp, and am literally playing it as I watch your video! It is a fucking kickass amp so far, and I'm only just dipping my proverbial feet in it right now, as i just updated the firmware, and downloaded the Catalyst edit software on my computer. I have to say, ever since Glenn threw that line 6 Spider V off the roof, and sledge hammered it, Line 6 just went on fire.
I bought the 60w in Feb this year. Been out of the game for quite a while so appreciated the simplicity. Dialed in my 2 sounds, customizing settings for the 'Dynamic' amp. Now wanting to delve into the deeper editing possibilities. As an analyst, I am hardware/software easy. Looking foward to this! Guess I have found a use for the kickass android tablet I bought several months ago...
This was a very professional video as always, Fluff. I can imagine that you have a great relationship with manufacturers. But let’s face it, we all heard it and you would never use it yourself, not when you have access to better equipment. The amp is for beginners or people on a low budget. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I just wish you’d mention it’s limitations. It is of course difficult to judge the sound quality on a video, but it sounds better than the Boss Katana (which I hate) but not as good as the Positive Grid Spark amp ( which I think is tremendous and will never sell mine). Sorry for any negativity, I love your videos.
I've used modelers for years, but I like the simplicity of my tube amps. The Catalyst, like the Katana, is a good balance between complexity and simplicity with enough versatility to get several different amp tones. I was in the market for a small, lightweight, versatile, 1x12 combo and ordered a Vox MVX150C1. Unfortunately it's been backordered for months, probably on a cargo ship off the Cali coast. (edit: cancelled this order, considering a Catalyst 100) These digital/hybrid amps are getting better each iteration.
Agreed. I started moving towards modeling and plugins out of necessity after moving into an apartment a few years back, but I always kept a high to mid wattage tube head nearby for gigging, and a low watt tube combo (my trusty Vox AC4 1x12) to practice on untethered to a computer, but after Covid hit? I was unfortunately forced financially to liquidate a large chunk of my gear. Mostly, all of my tube amps, effects units, an a handful of guitars. Later that following Christmas, my GF sympathetically got me a BOSS Katana 50 MkII in appreciation for the sacrifice I made to keep us afloat during the year. Naturally I initially approached the amp with cynic skepticism, but quickly began enjoying it the more I played and tweaked it in the editor, and it's Class A/B "power amp in' feature is worth the price of admission on it's own IMO. Now however? I think these new Catalyst amps seriously deliver on some of the tones and key features I've been wishing were in my Katana. Mainly more modern modeling processing dynamics, an XLR out with the option of cab simulation On/Off, and the added midi capabilities. Iv'e had a Melloaudio Midicommander basically gathering dust after selling my AXFX Ultra, and while it does occasionally get used to control Biasfx and BiasFX iOS? It would be awesome to use it to control something more substantial. My only unanswered query with these Catalyst amps is what class power amps they are utilizing? IMO Class A/B is the way to go for solid state compared to Class D for guitar. Gads! Am I inadvertently rambling on and on about gear again? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Yeah, I do that sometimes... (Facepalm)
@@EasyHeat My main guitar rigs are a Boss GT-1 + SY-300 for my non-GK guitars, and a Boss SY-1000 for my GK guitars direct into an Alto TS210 powered cab. I use a Boss GT-100 with my tube amps, and I'm considering upgrading to a GT-1000. I just cancelled an order for a Vox MVX150C1, and I'm considering the Catalyst 100 - and using the GT-1000 4CM with it. It never ends. But having options is always good.
@@zoomzoom3950 I’ve recently been pondering getting a Victory V4 “The Jack” preamp pedal as my main recording/gigging preamp with a mix of analog pedals in the front and virtual ones post via my Orange OMEC teleport pedal interface going to the “power amp in” of my Katana (or two), but after seeing/hearing the Catalyst? I’m beginning to question the validity of that signal path entirely. I’m after that analog tube amp “feel” that responds as it should to boost/OD/Fuzz pedals accordingly, but with the reliability and weight benefits associated with solid state modeler combos. I had been using the OMEC to pump BiasFX iOS through my Katana, but wasn’t really thrilled with the results when using analog drive pedals with it. It’s a constant trial and error journey of tone I’m on. Eventually I’ll suss it out hopefully. ✌️
there is nothing simple about the Katana.. too many choices.. too much to fuck things up with... give me a two channel tuber combo any day over these digital nightmares... even my old Peavey Valveking!! :)
I'm curious to hear how an HX Stomp would sound through the power amp in of the Catalyst. A demo using the Catalyst compared to a Powercab would be very interesting. For those looking for a powered cabinet but can't warrant the cost for a Powercab or the like, the Catalyst might be a more affordable option if it can produce good results. What do you say Fluff?
I remember first playing guitar as a teen playing the Spider 3 at guitar center..sounding like complete shit with the gain dimed. Sounding like some digital nightmare. Then I became a tone/tube snob scoffing at anyone who wasn't playing out of an amp they didn't have to warm up for several minutes before playing. Now... I've got rid of all of my tube amps and cabs andI'm using a helix and living the digital dream.
Good video again! 🤘 New metal amp for home (7 string) and have a tight bottom ends: A: Peavey Vypyr X2 B: Boss Katana mkii 50w C: Line 6 Catalyst 60 D: Fender GTX 50 E: Neural DSP Gojira with 5" studio monitors
For $300, the 60w could be a good practice amp. It’s definitely not anyones dream amp, but it’ll sound great and be more versatile than any other $300 amp.
I would say the Katana 50 mkII looks to be more versatile and they run $270. The catalyst I believe has an fx loop though so it’s ahead there. Interested too see how these are received by the general public and how Line 6 evolves them over time though.
@Weebi for one, the katana has more usable fx at the same time and the catalyst is a bit more "limited" with what you can have simultaneously (but this wont matter for some who use external effects), most cases competition is a good thing for companies to progress
@Weebi I can tell you now Katana wins. You can get literally any tone out of it, from glassy cleans, warm tube-like cleans, tight and modern metal/djent, or heavy chugs. Plus, you have a ton more effects, which you can use more of at once. Most are usable, and nearly indistinguishable from their real Boss pedal counterparts. Plus, much more versatile inputs/outputs, and the editor is fathoms deeper. I bought the 50w, upgraded to the 100w, then bought the head and 2x12 cab for a backup, and the mini for travel. I've compared the tones I got to Neural DSP Petrucci vst, using the vintage Rectifier sneaky amp model in Katana, and it was pretty much the same. Also compared to a few real tube amps and prefer the flexibility Katana offers, and the sound was on par. Cannot recommend enough, but you will need to get accustomed to the editor if you want to get the most out of it. Tbh, wasn't impressed by the stock front panel high gain amp types at first.
I had the boss Katana and it's VERY overrated. Clean sound is tinny and gain is too saturated. Not a fan. Gave it to my little sister who just started playing.
Great demo Fluff, this amp is a few light years ahead of the Spider. The only prob I see with this amp is its a little fizzy. The great thing about these is to have one stop shopping, everything is there for you. Perfect amp for us apartment dwellers with limited room. Thanks!
I think that fizziness might be easily reduced by taking out some treble. Or maybe the presence, I can never tell them apart. Anyway, there's always some wiggle-room with the sound
Great to see something new from Line 6. It's like the new Spider with the HX tones. Doesn't sound too bad direct. The room sound left a little to be desired to me personally. I think that's where the Katana has it's strengths as it sounds great in the room. That is all dependent on the speaker and enclosure itself, which is where the Spider always fell short. Would like to try this and see how it works for home practice. But then again with all of the amazing plugins and rack units available these days are people still using digital combo amps like this?
I wish Marshall would make something like this or the Katana, rather than the Code series. Just give us a handful of good amp models and effects instead of a hard to navigate screen and a bunch of bad sounding models. Like just give us JTM45, Plexi, modded Plexi, jcm800 and like a jvm or DSL. A few boost models, reverb, delay and some other stuff and make them feel and sound decent. Instead of cramming a bunch of useless crap in
@@TheSammyreynolds hmm...that’s a bummer, I had a katana and a spider V Mkii and I was happier with the spider. Don’t get me wrong, I support having more options, I would like to see line 6 keep both.
I really like the simplistic layout they took. Have katanas and some spider mkii combos and this really seems to nail some really good heavy tones. Katanas work for crunch etc, but I like the heavy tones a bit more on line6 did the delays are warmer on the line6 stuff..
this seems like such an awesome amp. I'd be curious how it handles being a pedal platform too. The on board gain sounds great but the convenience of other pedals will always beat 1 switch and having to adjust them all in the software
From what I’ve seen, it takes pedals great!! The clean amp has legit headroom so a loud OD pedal has both volume and distortion, and if the amp is already saturated, a louder pedal made it more saturated without increasing volume. That realistic response to volume from od pedals has me really considering getting one…
I don't understand the hate Line 6 gets, never had an issue with any of them. However, I have had bad experiences Marshall's. Every company makes some good AND bad shit. Every one of them. Name it, they have some good and some bad.
I bought the last L6 amp, the Spider V MKii, and I absolutely love it as a practice amp and even as an interface. The only thing I dont love is not being able to load IRs, but not a huge deal. I do love being able to download customtones on their websites! Basically like having everything I loved about the POD GO in an amp gorm and less than half the cost.
Sounds good. Line 6 has really stepped up the game lately. I'm new to your channel but wanted to say PROPS on the riffs! Certainly no shortage here! Earned my sub
I have to say this.., I'm looking for a 100 W amplifier for myself, maybe this is the amplifier for me, but I don't know, nor will I ever know....this amplifier, as you present it, is unbelievable....so how is it going? presentation? what kind of music is that...now my head hurts...horror...leave that sound and that rhythm for yourself and your family, let them have a headache...keep your depression in the confines of your home...don't spread it next ... and now or in another video, be more acceptable to society and play something that is pleasant to the ear ... let's say 9 to 5 dolly parton, welie nilson, or something like that ... let's wait to hear if that amplifier supports my thinking ....thank you ... greetings from Croatia 🤗
Hennings video says that you can't use the delay and the modulation at the same time. Meaning that there is only one effects block. If that's true that sucks
To me it sounds like it's kind of in-between a Peavey Viper and Boss Katana.. which is not a bad thing :) Sure does smoke the old Johnson Marquis I had back around 2002...lol
I had the Millennium. It was great for a bedroom amp. I thought it was a pretty good sounding amp… though I haven’t heard it for 10 years or so. That thing had to weigh 80 pounds though.
Interesting amp, but so far nothing really competes with the katana in my opinion. The katana is just an amp for everyone, amp people and tech people. The distortion also sounds a bit better on the katana (I’m a metal guy and it’s important for me). Of course there’s a lot of better options for a metal dude, but I’d say that the katana is the best bedroom amp for small gigs too.
@@hdstevie-d974 I use a bit of EQ and noise suppressor, if you have the mk2 then stay on the brown tone with the red button activated. Of course it’s not gonna get really tight distortion, but it’s still good compared to other budget amps. It also maybe depends on the guitar, some have some low end kicks like my epiphone les Paul. But playing with my Ibanez RGA and having the gain on low really hits the nice mid spot.
@@lichkrieg4898 I got the same one and I get some pretty decent tones out of it. The clean tone isn’t bad for recording at all in my opinion. Distortion depends, but a lot of people like myself don’t have the option of buying $1000-$3000 amps combined with $1000 guitars. So the katana sounds pretty good for the price range combined with any guitar, low to high priced. Most important thing is how clean you play though. You can make anything sound acceptable if you can actually play clean and tight.
I hate being this guy but a year ago I played through a 74 fender princeton and it changed my mind on tube amps. I'm a former line 6 fan boy. I appreciate what these amps do I just can't go back to solid state.
Imagine having hundreds of different tones at your fingertips, then applying GarageBand synthesizer tones, and percussion tracks, to each and every tone to create new and unique tracks in a breath. I never would have been able to be so creative, so quickly that is, without line6's help. I swear, the stuff I do, is off the hook, and genuinely good. It's also helped to accelerate my learning curve on the guitar almost 4 fold; I kid you all not...thanks line6, I now have purpose in my life; even at 57 years old..
"Hypochondria" right there at the beginning. Dig it. One of my best friends is the professional wrestler who got permission from you guys to use that as an entrance song and he's still doing it loud and proud all over the west coast. Also it is great hearing these amps being this good! Long time L6 user myself and early adopter of the Helix stuff. I even play a Variax JTV59 as my primary guitar so yeah make of that what you will lol. They kind of have a track record when it comes to hardware amps. And not a good one. This though... This I could get in the hands of anyone just starting out or looking for something above a starter amp and tell them this is where to go!
Imagine creating an amp to rival the Katana, but you can only use 1 of those 18 effects and 1 reverb. and not to mention a bit more expensive. and yes, I have the Katana MKII 212.
Boss Katana doesn’t give option paralysis. 🤦🏻♂️ Line 6 copied Boss. This is a clone. Katana can have 5 effects on at once with twists of knobs. If anything it’s far more difficult with the catalyst plus Only 2 effects on with Catalyst. Line 6 online editor is easier.
I have not heard a decent metal tone out of this amp in any any video. This is a Katana copy anp that does not have the tone of the Katana. Garbage....
You're in the comments section of every Catalyst demo video on YT saying the same thing over and over. Sounds like you've got an agenda. Have you ever even played through the amp?
Now I'm kinda kicking myself for not waiting on this and buying a katana last year. Katana only as good as the speakers, so a set of v30s will make it sound killer, but through a more transparent speaker it sounds kinda bad. This sounds better so far and will most likely get better.
@@timmymaines6367 how would it of been easier to pull the speaker out and put a new one in. I didn't have a speaker out of a cabinet. But i had a loaded cabinet.
The 50 watt version is too small of an enclosure. The 100 w sounds way way better! I have an artist MK2 and it blows away all the other ones I've tried.
@@michaelsavides8856 I have the 100w mk2 head. It's a decent amp for recording but I keep it far from my recodings. It sounds good with good speakers but not so good with more transparent speakers.
2 channels feels like a step back when the spider and flextone amps had 4 without any extra footswitch. i'd be interested in seeing how the speakers compare to a v30. cheap combo amps like this are always going to suffer at the speaker.
Hopefully it can take lower tunings good and Hopefully it likes the precision drive. I have a joyo zombie that is just ok. And I have peavey vyper that I don't like. I have never owned a real amp bc they are so expensive
I'm trying a few different solutions now. And I've never come across one that reacted really well to pedal overdrive on the input. I would try the helix or any line 6 digital products. Or definitely try it before you buy it.
Solidstate amps can be even better then tube amps. my cheap beringer v tone gmx 1200h double 60 watt head( 2 amps 1 head clean channel is 60 watts and the dirty channel is 60 watts. That head into my line 6 4×10 in stereo sounds better then my 6505mh or my mesa/jcm800 modded valveking. Its crazy plus this berhinger has switches to change your amp plus your speakers to California (mesa) british (marshall) tweed (fender) so its a modeler with 99 effects that are all killer. The berhinger v tone head is a sleeper and they can be bought for 100$. Amazing way better then my tube amps into my mesa 2×12 or my peavey windsor 4×12
The speaker sounds kind of fizzy without having any real low mids. Better than the XLR direct out though. The DI sounds super hollow in the mids with no treble grind. Not impressed with the tones; but fantastic video as always Fluff! Not sure i'd ever be in the market for an amp at this price point, but for someone who is they would probably be happy with it.
Is it just me or did the amp sounded highly compressed and bit boxy? Which is a bit wierd, since the helix and even the actual Spider with the new firmware update sounded way better.
Katana sounds so much better, and it isn't an amp you absolutely have to dive into its editor to use to its fullest, like claimed. Plus, the depths of the Katana editor compared to this one? Huge. The foot controller's bigger because you have more channels to select from, instead of just 2, like on this.
The in-the-room tones sound fine. Not the greatest though. That XLR out sounds flat and static. No dynamics at all. Not a dig at this amp necessarily. That feature on most amps is awful. The technology needs work.
Maybe it's been mentioned here, 250 comments is...a lot...but there's a spot in the vid where you mention the entirety of the functionality is accessible from the amp's knobs, and...no. it's not. by a long shot bud, sorry. I'd say you get like 30% of the amps function on the dials, and even then they couldn't be arsed to bother with handy indicators that other amps have been doing fine with LEDs and such on the dials for -years- also from a multi-fx heavy company it seems they were terrified to cannibalize any of their other FX unit sales so they give you a baked reverb and one other effect? ew. Dig your playing, but this review feels a bit light on very valid, very worthy criticism, because I think this amp must have been designed in a vaccuum where Line6 didn't know the Katana line existed at all. That's not a critique on your opinions, I understand they're your own bud! I just find this amp isn't as strong a stand-up against it's priced/watt/size competitors that have been around for quite some time now. There's no USB-B cable in the box even. It's a swing and a miss from Line6 here IMO, every lineup has their stinkers, this smells like one when you squint at the details.
This sounds great, I've owned Line 6 amps since the AX2-212's., Pods (4 dif models) my fave is still my Vetta II amps. I have 2 of them and love them. Now one is not working. I called Line 6, They won't even take a look at it for me. I have owned no less than 40 of their products, still have 8. So are they going to refuse to work on this for me in 6 months? I love Line 6, but their policy on this is pushing it.....
The Vetta is a really old unit that came out long before Yamaha bought Line 6. A lot of electronic companies will stop offering services on very very old equipment. For example I install security cameras and axis which is one of the bigger camera companies in the space well offer product support for about five years after The product is being discontinued or end-of-life. After that they generally don’t have service parts to support it anymore and it’s not really cost-effective for them either. I understand the frustration I had a line 6 wireless transmitter go out and you can’t open it or do anything with it because they glue it shut. When I talked to line 6 they told me the best thing I can do is just buy another one because it’s not cost-effective to repair it
Nice amp. But is it only for hardrock players? The only thing you do is playing riffs with same sound. If this is the only thing the amp can do it is not for, Country, Jazz en other style players who likt a more clean sound.
Hell we are in 2022 why not put in an FRFR speaker, include IR loading and Bluetooth iOS/Android control app ? This looks just like a more modern katana.
All I heard was a massive distortion machine, typical of all the Line 6 stuff I've tried. Come back when they have developed a warm realistically clean sonding amp. I'm guessing it will not be any time soon.
Fluff was like hold up im tired of kyle bull having way more heads out in the shots . thats why u busted out all your killer heads right? Jk man just busting your balls. Your the man. Wish i had half of your talent.
So I’m looking for a combo amp for pub gigs and I suppose in house practice. I play predominantly pop punk on a strat (need to upgrade pickup). Would you recommend this amp for what I’m looking for or are there better options elsewhere?
Appreciate the info on the amp, and that you mention you get paid by L6, but always bothers me when there are ZERO negatives mentioned. Trying to say that a 2 button footswitch (which costs extra) is a plus is stretching things. Would have like to see what the "Effect" button on the footswitch does also. Does it turn on/off boost? How do you turn on/off effects if you have more than one (say I have a boost and modulation effect but only have 1 button)?
Line 6 is always trying to push the limits of technology…I like that. Always inventing, always creating guitar gear that pleases the masses. I am always willing to try their products with no hesitation on my part.
I never understood the hate. I adore my Spyder IV 30, it’s reliable and tight enough. The line 6 Bogner shit is super underrated
Your taste in amps in vomitific 🤮
@@Starch1b2c3d4a yo mama vomitic
@@Starch1b2c3d4a to be fair the Bogner Line6 amps are criminally underrated
You're right on! And they keep their prices affordable. I'll give them the time of day anytime
Man, I just got the 60 watt version of this amp, and am literally playing it as I watch your video!
It is a fucking kickass amp so far, and I'm only just dipping my proverbial feet in it right now, as i just updated the firmware, and downloaded the Catalyst edit software on my computer.
I have to say, ever since Glenn threw that line 6 Spider V off the roof, and sledge hammered it, Line 6 just went on fire.
I bought the 60w in Feb this year. Been out of the game for quite a while so appreciated the simplicity. Dialed in my 2 sounds, customizing settings for the 'Dynamic' amp. Now wanting to delve into the deeper editing possibilities. As an analyst, I am hardware/software easy. Looking foward to this!
Guess I have found a use for the kickass android tablet I bought several months ago...
That glen guy hates this amp as well he’s nuts cause the sounds on this are amazing. Definitely not a Spider !
Pete Traynor(rip) used to throw his Traynor amps off the roof to show how solidly built they were. Replace the fuses and go.
This was a very professional video as always, Fluff. I can imagine that you have a great relationship with manufacturers. But let’s face it, we all heard it and you would never use it yourself, not when you have access to better equipment. The amp is for beginners or people on a low budget. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I just wish you’d mention it’s limitations. It is of course difficult to judge the sound quality on a video, but it sounds better than the Boss Katana (which I hate) but not as good as the Positive Grid Spark amp ( which I think is tremendous and will never sell mine). Sorry for any negativity, I love your videos.
I like the way that you crank up the gain of the amp most of the videos I watch on never ever do that
I've used modelers for years, but I like the simplicity of my tube amps. The Catalyst, like the Katana, is a good balance between complexity and simplicity with enough versatility to get several different amp tones.
I was in the market for a small, lightweight, versatile, 1x12 combo and ordered a Vox MVX150C1. Unfortunately it's been backordered for months, probably on a cargo ship off the Cali coast. (edit: cancelled this order, considering a Catalyst 100)
These digital/hybrid amps are getting better each iteration.
Agreed.
I started moving towards modeling and plugins out of necessity after moving into an apartment a few years back, but I always kept a high to mid wattage tube head nearby for gigging, and a low watt tube combo (my trusty Vox AC4 1x12) to practice on untethered to a computer, but after Covid hit? I was unfortunately forced financially to liquidate a large chunk of my gear. Mostly, all of my tube amps, effects units, an a handful of guitars.
Later that following Christmas, my GF sympathetically got me a BOSS Katana 50 MkII in appreciation for the sacrifice I made to keep us afloat during the year. Naturally I initially approached the amp with cynic skepticism, but quickly began enjoying it the more I played and tweaked it in the editor, and it's Class A/B "power amp in' feature is worth the price of admission on it's own IMO.
Now however? I think these new Catalyst amps seriously deliver on some of the tones and key features I've been wishing were in my Katana.
Mainly more modern modeling processing dynamics, an XLR out with the option of cab simulation On/Off, and the added midi capabilities. Iv'e had a Melloaudio Midicommander basically gathering dust after selling my AXFX Ultra, and while it does occasionally get used to control Biasfx and BiasFX iOS?
It would be awesome to use it to control something more substantial.
My only unanswered query with these Catalyst amps is what class power amps they are utilizing?
IMO Class A/B is the way to go for solid state compared to Class D for guitar.
Gads!
Am I inadvertently rambling on and on about gear again?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Yeah, I do that sometimes...
(Facepalm)
@@EasyHeat My main guitar rigs are a Boss GT-1 + SY-300 for my non-GK guitars, and a Boss SY-1000 for my GK guitars direct into an Alto TS210 powered cab. I use a Boss GT-100 with my tube amps, and I'm considering upgrading to a GT-1000.
I just cancelled an order for a Vox MVX150C1, and I'm considering the Catalyst 100 - and using the GT-1000 4CM with it.
It never ends. But having options is always good.
@@zoomzoom3950 I’ve recently been pondering getting a Victory V4 “The Jack” preamp pedal as my main recording/gigging preamp with a mix of analog pedals in the front and virtual ones post via my Orange OMEC teleport pedal interface going to the “power amp in” of my Katana (or two), but after seeing/hearing the Catalyst? I’m beginning to question the validity of that signal path entirely. I’m after that analog tube amp “feel” that responds as it should to boost/OD/Fuzz pedals accordingly, but with the reliability and weight benefits associated with solid state modeler combos.
I had been using the OMEC to pump BiasFX iOS through my Katana, but wasn’t really thrilled with the results when using analog drive pedals with it.
It’s a constant trial and error journey of tone I’m on. Eventually I’ll suss it out hopefully.
✌️
there is nothing simple about the Katana.. too many choices.. too much to fuck things up with... give me a two channel tuber combo any day over these digital nightmares... even my old Peavey Valveking!! :)
@@onefatstratcat not everyone is ready for 2022 music technology; good thing mid-20th century music technology is still available. 😁
I'm curious to hear how an HX Stomp would sound through the power amp in of the Catalyst. A demo using the Catalyst compared to a Powercab would be very interesting. For those looking for a powered cabinet but can't warrant the cost for a Powercab or the like, the Catalyst might be a more affordable option if it can produce good results. What do you say Fluff?
This seems like an evolution of the Flextone amps they used to make. I wish there was a head version.
*_Flextone III 212 was so good back in the day._*
insane mode, max gain. lets go
I remember first playing guitar as a teen playing the Spider 3 at guitar center..sounding like complete shit with the gain dimed. Sounding like some digital nightmare. Then I became a tone/tube snob scoffing at anyone who wasn't playing out of an amp they didn't have to warm up for several minutes before playing. Now... I've got rid of all of my tube amps and cabs andI'm using a helix and living the digital dream.
Good video again! 🤘
New metal amp for home (7 string) and have a tight bottom ends:
A: Peavey Vypyr X2
B: Boss Katana mkii 50w
C: Line 6 Catalyst 60
D: Fender GTX 50
E: Neural DSP Gojira with 5" studio monitors
Catalyst reviews be dropping like Justine Castro's tears and fears.
not impressed...stick to the old school...
To me, this sounds like crap.
For $300, the 60w could be a good practice amp. It’s definitely not anyones dream amp, but it’ll sound great and be more versatile than any other $300 amp.
I would say the Katana 50 mkII looks to be more versatile and they run $270. The catalyst I believe has an fx loop though so it’s ahead there. Interested too see how these are received by the general public and how Line 6 evolves them over time though.
@@Andrew_182 good point…
@Weebi for one, the katana has more usable fx at the same time and the catalyst is a bit more "limited" with what you can have simultaneously (but this wont matter for some who use external effects), most cases competition is a good thing for companies to progress
@Weebi I can tell you now Katana wins. You can get literally any tone out of it, from glassy cleans, warm tube-like cleans, tight and modern metal/djent, or heavy chugs. Plus, you have a ton more effects, which you can use more of at once. Most are usable, and nearly indistinguishable from their real Boss pedal counterparts. Plus, much more versatile inputs/outputs, and the editor is fathoms deeper. I bought the 50w, upgraded to the 100w, then bought the head and 2x12 cab for a backup, and the mini for travel.
I've compared the tones I got to Neural DSP Petrucci vst, using the vintage Rectifier sneaky amp model in Katana, and it was pretty much the same. Also compared to a few real tube amps and prefer the flexibility Katana offers, and the sound was on par.
Cannot recommend enough, but you will need to get accustomed to the editor if you want to get the most out of it. Tbh, wasn't impressed by the stock front panel high gain amp types at first.
I had the boss Katana and it's VERY overrated. Clean sound is tinny and gain is too saturated. Not a fan. Gave it to my little sister who just started playing.
Yep, sure does sound like garbage.
I would love to see a comparison video of this and the Boss Nextone
Great demo Fluff, this amp is a few light years ahead of the Spider. The only prob I see with this amp is its a little fizzy. The great thing about these is to have one stop shopping, everything is there for you. Perfect amp for us apartment dwellers with limited room. Thanks!
I think that fizziness might be easily reduced by taking out some treble. Or maybe the presence, I can never tell them apart. Anyway, there's always some wiggle-room with the sound
Great to see something new from Line 6. It's like the new Spider with the HX tones. Doesn't sound too bad direct. The room sound left a little to be desired to me personally. I think that's where the Katana has it's strengths as it sounds great in the room. That is all dependent on the speaker and enclosure itself, which is where the Spider always fell short. Would like to try this and see how it works for home practice. But then again with all of the amazing plugins and rack units available these days are people still using digital combo amps like this?
I wish Marshall would make something like this or the Katana, rather than the Code series. Just give us a handful of good amp models and effects instead of a hard to navigate screen and a bunch of bad sounding models. Like just give us JTM45, Plexi, modded Plexi, jcm800 and like a jvm or DSL. A few boost models, reverb, delay and some other stuff and make them feel and sound decent. Instead of cramming a bunch of useless crap in
I would love to see some of the catalyst features/ technology in the spider line of amps.
Catalyst is the replacement for Spiders. Spiders just developed a bad reputation.
@@TheSammyreynolds hmm...that’s a bummer, I had a katana and a spider V Mkii and I was happier with the spider. Don’t get me wrong, I support having more options, I would like to see line 6 keep both.
I really like the simplistic layout they took. Have katanas and some spider mkii combos and this really seems to nail some really good heavy tones. Katanas work for crunch etc, but I like the heavy tones a bit more on line6 did the delays are warmer on the line6 stuff..
God bless for your in-room clips!!!!
Alot of other UA-cam amp demo people should incorporate the in room sound
Great now I can bomb more money on shit I don’t need. Lmao
Exactly. ...now little Bobby is not going to get those braces he so desperately needs...haha
Nothing wrong with this or the Katana for digital modeling. Definitely would have liked to hear this close mic'd though.
this seems like such an awesome amp. I'd be curious how it handles being a pedal platform too. The on board gain sounds great but the convenience of other pedals will always beat 1 switch and having to adjust them all in the software
From what I’ve seen, it takes pedals great!! The clean amp has legit headroom so a loud OD pedal has both volume and distortion, and if the amp is already saturated, a louder pedal made it more saturated without increasing volume. That realistic response to volume from od pedals has me really considering getting one…
Man they are going to sell a bajillion of these things for that price
Damn, they really reinvented the spider and gave it a good plastic surgery treatment
Sorry, horrible sound. Not your fault, man. This amp sounds really bad and cheap in many others video reviews.
I don't understand the hate Line 6 gets, never had an issue with any of them. However, I have had bad experiences Marshall's. Every company makes some good AND bad shit. Every one of them. Name it, they have some good and some bad.
kinda like a Firehawk amp but Helix technology?
If wanting to add a HX Stomp, any thoughts on adding that or a Helix?
They need to build a new version of the Spider Valve...cathode self biasing preferably. That would put all others to shame.
I bought the last L6 amp, the Spider V MKii, and I absolutely love it as a practice amp and even as an interface. The only thing I dont love is not being able to load IRs, but not a huge deal. I do love being able to download customtones on their websites! Basically like having everything I loved about the POD GO in an amp gorm and less than half the cost.
Can you get same sounds from spider v mkii ? Or is catalyst better?
Sounds worse than the katana which is a shame . And that recording was not like you at all… 2 beards
Ok the DI is ALRIGHT
Do you not like the Katana?
I ought this amp...
That Direct sounds massive
Sounds good. Line 6 has really stepped up the game lately. I'm new to your channel but wanted to say PROPS on the riffs! Certainly no shortage here! Earned my sub
I'm glad line6 did these as well.. always loved line 6 heavier tones..
I think it sounds excellent.
I watched quite a few of the catalyst videos. Yours is the best. Great job explaining everything and excellent playing to demonstrate. Nice job.
I have to say this.., I'm looking for a 100 W amplifier for myself, maybe this is the amplifier for me, but I don't know, nor will I ever know....this amplifier, as you present it, is unbelievable....so how is it going? presentation? what kind of music is that...now my head hurts...horror...leave that sound and that rhythm for yourself and your family, let them have a headache...keep your depression in the confines of your home...don't spread it next ... and now or in another video, be more acceptable to society and play something that is pleasant to the ear ... let's say 9 to 5 dolly parton, welie nilson, or something like that ... let's wait to hear if that amplifier supports my thinking ....thank you ... greetings from Croatia 🤗
I think I still prefer my Katana. Cool amp tho
Hennings video says that you can't use the delay and the modulation at the same time. Meaning that there is only one effects block. If that's true that sucks
I was hoping to see you try the amp with the helix. I'm really curious about how well it works with helix.
Whyyyyyy
I just bought the 60, not real impressed with it, but it was 60 dollars off original price so I will keep it.
How come the other guy has such a stark review on metal type playing? Very confusing for prospective buyers?
Would Dime use it?
Seems like a decent product but oh so boring. I almost died of boredom thinking about owning one of these.
For the love of Christ, can there be an amp demo without using the damn big E string on every chord? We don't all listen to death metal.
To me it sounds like it's kind of in-between a Peavey Viper and Boss Katana.. which is not a bad thing :) Sure does smoke the old Johnson Marquis I had back around 2002...lol
Mannnn I loved that amp. I had the JM60.
I had the Millennium. It was great for a bedroom amp. I thought it was a pretty good sounding amp… though I haven’t heard it for 10 years or so. That thing had to weigh 80 pounds though.
Interesting amp, but so far nothing really competes with the katana in my opinion. The katana is just an amp for everyone, amp people and tech people. The distortion also sounds a bit better on the katana (I’m a metal guy and it’s important for me). Of course there’s a lot of better options for a metal dude, but I’d say that the katana is the best bedroom amp for small gigs too.
I really struggle to get smooth high gain tones out of the katana, it's great for everything else though
@@hdstevie-d974 I use a bit of EQ and noise suppressor, if you have the mk2 then stay on the brown tone with the red button activated. Of course it’s not gonna get really tight distortion, but it’s still good compared to other budget amps. It also maybe depends on the guitar, some have some low end kicks like my epiphone les Paul. But playing with my Ibanez RGA and having the gain on low really hits the nice mid spot.
@@phantomwarrior0313 Nice, I’ll mess around some more with the EQ. Thanks!
Katana is good but only with good speakers. I have the 100w mkii and it's good enough for practice but I would want it anywhere near a recording.
@@lichkrieg4898 I got the same one and I get some pretty decent tones out of it. The clean tone isn’t bad for recording at all in my opinion. Distortion depends, but a lot of people like myself don’t have the option of buying $1000-$3000 amps combined with $1000 guitars. So the katana sounds pretty good for the price range combined with any guitar, low to high priced. Most important thing is how clean you play though. You can make anything sound acceptable if you can actually play clean and tight.
The amp looks good, but I'll stick to my Katana Mk2 head and 2x12 cab. Boss tone studio has so much to choose from to upload to the amp.
I'd like to hear Glenn's opinion on this one
Do I go with this or the Boss Katana, hmmm?
I hate being this guy but a year ago I played through a 74 fender princeton and it changed my mind on tube amps. I'm a former line 6 fan boy. I appreciate what these amps do I just can't go back to solid state.
Agreed... I think they are great bedroom practice amps tho!!!
Have fun repairing yr tube amp fender uses cheap parts you will be spending money on that
I’m more than okay with that
this amp is a bit noisy...ill stick to the boxletter 5150 with a gate
Imagine having hundreds of different tones at your fingertips, then applying GarageBand synthesizer tones, and percussion tracks, to each and every tone to create new and unique tracks in a breath. I never would have been able to be so creative, so quickly that is, without line6's help. I swear, the stuff I do, is off the hook, and genuinely good. It's also helped to accelerate my learning curve on the guitar almost 4 fold; I kid you all not...thanks line6, I now have purpose in my life; even at 57 years old..
"Hypochondria" right there at the beginning. Dig it. One of my best friends is the professional wrestler who got permission from you guys to use that as an entrance song and he's still doing it loud and proud all over the west coast. Also it is great hearing these amps being this good! Long time L6 user myself and early adopter of the Helix stuff. I even play a Variax JTV59 as my primary guitar so yeah make of that what you will lol. They kind of have a track record when it comes to hardware amps. And not a good one. This though... This I could get in the hands of anyone just starting out or looking for something above a starter amp and tell them this is where to go!
Imagine creating an amp to rival the Katana, but you can only use 1 of those 18 effects and 1 reverb. and not to mention a bit more expensive. and yes, I have the Katana MKII 212.
Yeah, there's no comparison. I've got the head and 2x12, the 100w combo and the mini too
I would pay easily the difference on the price, but they really screwed it up by leaving only one effect. I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY DID THAT!!!
But no option paralysis, right? lol
FLUFF, DOES IT DRIP?!?! I need that surf sound.
Cleans filter effects not everyone is a metal head here is your clue
Boss Katana doesn’t give option paralysis. 🤦🏻♂️ Line 6 copied Boss. This is a clone. Katana can have 5 effects on at once with twists of knobs. If anything it’s far more difficult with the catalyst plus Only 2 effects on with Catalyst. Line 6 online editor is easier.
I have not heard a decent metal tone out of this amp in any any video. This is a Katana copy anp that does not have the tone of the Katana. Garbage....
You're in the comments section of every Catalyst demo video on YT saying the same thing over and over. Sounds like you've got an agenda.
Have you ever even played through the amp?
I'd take the Katana.
Where can i download the programm?
Nice to see they did away with that awful "Insane" channel
I want to hear this A/B'ed with a Spyder haha
Now I'm kinda kicking myself for not waiting on this and buying a katana last year. Katana only as good as the speakers, so a set of v30s will make it sound killer, but through a more transparent speaker it sounds kinda bad. This sounds better so far and will most likely get better.
Agreed. I added a speaker out to my 50 watt katana and run it into my 2x12 evh cab and it sounds way better than the katana speaker.
@@youWoNtLikeMe04 wait.. you added a speaker out jack? Why not just replace the speaker? It would of been much easier.
@@timmymaines6367 how would it of been easier to pull the speaker out and put a new one in. I didn't have a speaker out of a cabinet. But i had a loaded cabinet.
The 50 watt version is too small of an enclosure. The 100 w sounds way way better! I have an artist MK2 and it blows away all the other ones I've tried.
@@michaelsavides8856 I have the 100w mk2 head. It's a decent amp for recording but I keep it far from my recodings. It sounds good with good speakers but not so good with more transparent speakers.
Can you use a tablet with it or does it need a laptop
2 channels feels like a step back when the spider and flextone amps had 4 without any extra footswitch.
i'd be interested in seeing how the speakers compare to a v30. cheap combo amps like this are always going to suffer at the speaker.
Helix amplifiers?
Hopefully it can take lower tunings good and Hopefully it likes the precision drive. I have a joyo zombie that is just ok. And I have peavey vyper that I don't like. I have never owned a real amp bc they are so expensive
There's a 2x12, it's on sweetwater's page
I'm trying a few different solutions now. And I've never come across one that reacted really well to pedal overdrive on the input. I would try the helix or any line 6 digital products. Or definitely try it before you buy it.
Google is your friend
@@imandan1966 i looked right after I said this and edited the post seconds after.
It's kinda pointless boosting/driving a solid state amp. I mean you can, but it usually doesn't sound good.
Solidstate amps can be even better then tube amps. my cheap beringer v tone gmx 1200h double 60 watt head( 2 amps 1 head clean channel is 60 watts and the dirty channel is 60 watts. That head into my line 6 4×10 in stereo sounds better then my 6505mh or my mesa/jcm800 modded valveking. Its crazy plus this berhinger has switches to change your amp plus your speakers to California (mesa) british (marshall) tweed (fender) so its a modeler with 99 effects that are all killer. The berhinger v tone head is a sleeper and they can be bought for 100$. Amazing way better then my tube amps into my mesa 2×12 or my peavey windsor 4×12
The speaker sounds kind of fizzy without having any real low mids. Better than the XLR direct out though. The DI sounds super hollow in the mids with no treble grind.
Not impressed with the tones; but fantastic video as always Fluff! Not sure i'd ever be in the market for an amp at this price point, but for someone who is they would probably be happy with it.
I noticed the same but only on this video, previously I've watched other videos on UA-cam and it sounds much better than this.
looks like some competition for the Boss Katana line
Sick of my katana not working
Glenn Fricker hates it. To each his own. I kinda like mine. Don't regret buying it, matter of fact it's my most used amp right now.
Is it just me or did the amp sounded highly compressed and bit boxy? Which is a bit wierd, since the helix and even the actual Spider with the new firmware update sounded way better.
Katana sounds so much better, and it isn't an amp you absolutely have to dive into its editor to use to its fullest, like claimed. Plus, the depths of the Katana editor compared to this one? Huge. The foot controller's bigger because you have more channels to select from, instead of just 2, like on this.
The in-the-room tones sound fine. Not the greatest though. That XLR out sounds flat and static. No dynamics at all. Not a dig at this amp necessarily. That feature on most amps is awful. The technology needs work.
Ill upgrade when the Line 7 comes out
Fun fact: The name Line 6 came from a secret research and development department. There’s a call for you on “line 6.”
Line 7 makes no sense.
@@Burnt_Gerbilhow about a “walk to conclusions mat”?
@@donniejean - Explain.
Really like the approach to this amp, basically as simple or complex as you want it to be. I wonder how well it takes external pedals?
Maybe it's been mentioned here, 250 comments is...a lot...but there's a spot in the vid where you mention the entirety of the functionality is accessible from the amp's knobs, and...no. it's not. by a long shot bud, sorry. I'd say you get like 30% of the amps function on the dials, and even then they couldn't be arsed to bother with handy indicators that other amps have been doing fine with LEDs and such on the dials for -years- also from a multi-fx heavy company it seems they were terrified to cannibalize any of their other FX unit sales so they give you a baked reverb and one other effect? ew. Dig your playing, but this review feels a bit light on very valid, very worthy criticism, because I think this amp must have been designed in a vaccuum where Line6 didn't know the Katana line existed at all.
That's not a critique on your opinions, I understand they're your own bud! I just find this amp isn't as strong a stand-up against it's priced/watt/size competitors that have been around for quite some time now. There's no USB-B cable in the box even. It's a swing and a miss from Line6 here IMO, every lineup has their stinkers, this smells like one when you squint at the details.
This sounds great, I've owned Line 6 amps since the AX2-212's., Pods (4 dif models) my fave is still my Vetta II amps. I have 2 of them and love them. Now one is not working. I called Line 6, They won't even take a look at it for me. I have owned no less than 40 of their products, still have 8. So are they going to refuse to work on this for me in 6 months? I love Line 6, but their policy on this is pushing it.....
The Vetta is a really old unit that came out long before Yamaha bought Line 6. A lot of electronic companies will stop offering services on very very old equipment. For example I install security cameras and axis which is one of the bigger camera companies in the space well offer product support for about five years after The product is being discontinued or end-of-life. After that they generally don’t have service parts to support it anymore and it’s not really cost-effective for them either. I understand the frustration I had a line 6 wireless transmitter go out and you can’t open it or do anything with it because they glue it shut. When I talked to line 6 they told me the best thing I can do is just buy another one because it’s not cost-effective to repair it
Why no mic test?
Nice amp. But is it only for hardrock players? The only thing you do is playing riffs with same sound. If this is the only thing the amp can do it is not for, Country, Jazz en other style players who likt a more clean sound.
Hell we are in 2022 why not put in an FRFR speaker, include IR loading and Bluetooth iOS/Android control app ? This looks just like a more modern katana.
Is a shame from Line 6 to put only 1 Fx slot, plus the reverb.
All I heard was a massive distortion machine, typical of all the Line 6 stuff I've tried. Come back when they have developed a warm realistically clean sonding amp. I'm guessing it will not be any time soon.
Fluff was like hold up im tired of kyle bull having way more heads out in the shots . thats why u busted out all your killer heads right? Jk man just busting your balls. Your the man. Wish i had half of your talent.
ALSO Just noticed that you named your dirty sound patch "Pretty Clean". Sounds clean enough to me...
Hey Fluff!! Stupid question: would you say the 200w 212 version would be hold it's on onstage?
I insist they should have named them HatalyXt or something dumb like that with HELIX or HX in it.
So I’m looking for a combo amp for pub gigs and I suppose in house practice. I play predominantly pop punk on a strat (need to upgrade pickup). Would you recommend this amp for what I’m looking for or are there better options elsewhere?
Ima go deep kinda guy.. something to be said about options 🤘🤘🤘
You did say you can use it as just an amplifier And plug in say a helix stomp xl, would I get a better tone that way.
Appreciate the info on the amp, and that you mention you get paid by L6, but always bothers me when there are ZERO negatives mentioned. Trying to say that a 2 button footswitch (which costs extra) is a plus is stretching things. Would have like to see what the "Effect" button on the footswitch does also. Does it turn on/off boost? How do you turn on/off effects if you have more than one (say I have a boost and modulation effect but only have 1 button)?
The katana would eat this thing alive on stage. It’s too compressed and muddy.
How does XLR out work with an audio interface? Does it capture the amp sound and send that into a DAW?
Henning also reviewed the Catalyst and said it sounded good but did not sound like a tube amp?I thought HX modeling was more tube like sounding?
Can you use the Firehawk as a floor board for this?
Sounds not so good. Why didn't you close mic it?