I tried out the Catalyst from Line 6, the new standard in digital amplifiers!

In this issue, I am going to introduce Catalyst, a digital amplifier from the brand Line 6!
Launched in 2022, this device is already loved by many guitarists. However, there are probably some people who are still unfamiliar with the Catalyst. It would be such a shame to not know about such a wonderful amp! So, let me introduce you to the Catalyst!

1. What kind of amp is Catalyst?

First, for those of you who are not familiar with Line 6, here is a brief explanation.

Line 6 is a very popular brand that is highly regarded by professionals for its digital modeling and other products.

Among them, the Helix (HX) Series of multi-effects pedals is characterized by a juicy sound so real that it’s hard to believe to be modeling, and its functionality makes you think there is nothing you can’t do. It could be said that Line 6 was the driving force behind the culture of sending sound directly to a mixer without the use of a guitar amp.

Catalyst was created based on the HX sound. As the name suggests, it is an amplifier that overwhelmingly expands the possibilities of sound creation while maintaining the conventional operability.

2. What can it do? Who is it recommended for?

Catalyst is equipped with six original amps and about 18 built-in spatial effects such as reverb and delay.

I would recommend this amp for small music circles and home practice situations.

In club and circle activities, various people often use the same amps. The amps on board cover a range from clean to high-gain so they can match any genre of music.

Having multiple amplifiers in your home can be financially and spatially challenging. With Catalyst, you can create a wide range of sounds with just one amp.

3. Trying it out!

Now that I have given you the concept of Catalyst, let’s check out the body of the amplifier.

Here is the actual Catalyst 100. It looks chic and sophisticated and could be placed in any studio or room.

The original speaker can be seen in the open cabinet.

The shape of the amp and the placement of the knobs are the same as a normal combo amp, but there is a knob that rotates 360° next to the input jack on the far left.

There are six different amp models to choose from, allowing the use of various types of amp sounds, from clean to high-gain.

As a side note, one point that excites me personally is that I can see a light like that of a tube amp running through the slits in the back of the unit.

While it’s possible to create sounds with just the knobs on the Catalyst, you can further pursue original sounds by connecting the amp to a smartphone, tablet, or computer using the dedicated editing application “Catalyst Edit”.

The connection is made using a USB Type-B cable, and when the tablet is actually connected, the screen looks like the one below.

Catalyst Edit allows you to edit not only the parameters that can be set on the amp, but also edit detailed settings for effects pedals, cabinet size applied to non-speaker output, microphone type selection, and many other items. All you have to do is connect the app to the Catalyst with a cable. It’s so easy that you can’t afford not to use this feature!

Here is the Catalyst Edit screen connected to the Catalyst. Each knob on the amp can be turned by touch operation, and the pedal icons also appear, making it easier to visualize and intuitively operate than if you were looking at a manual.

The selection of the cabinet size and microphone to be simulated is also simply notated for quick selection. I changed to different cabinets and microphones and then actually listened to the sound on my DAW software. I found that it changed the character of the sound considerably, making it a very interesting feature.

Since this is not reflected in the sound output from the speaker on the Catalyst, check it by connecting to an audio interface or mixer.

4. Impressions after playing it

I have introduced some different features so far, but my impression after playing it is that it is a delicious sound that can be used by the band.

Many people may have the impression that digital amplifiers sound cold or that distortion is muddled and unrefined, but the Catalyst has a juicy sound that is pleasant to play. There are certainly moments when the sound feels audio-like solid, but I think this is one aspect that contributes to a pleasing sound with good articulation.

I felt that this amp has a natural character that is not overbearing or exaggerated, and does not get buried in a band ensemble or when combined with an orchestra.

The ability to produce a thick sound even when the output wattage is lowered, without being affected by volume or gain, is one of the strengths of digital amps that tube amps do not have. These amps are useful in studios and home practice sessions where you can’t play very loud.

5. Summary

In this issue, I introduced Line 6’s Catalyst.

Every guitarist needs at least one amp. This product is ideal for first-time buyers of large amplifiers and those seeking versatility, as it allows you to easily play with a high-quality sound and create detailed sounds!

I invite you to take this opportunity to get your hands dirty and try out Line 6!