I totally agree. I have used the line 6 catalyst like an FRFR, but on one gig I forgot the power supply to my modeler so I was able touse the line 6 catalyst as a straightahead amp, and the gig went fine.
Can I ask if you use the cab sims when using the Catalyst? I’m super tempted to buy one, both for the actual amp but also as an FRFR for my Pod Go. Thanks!
I’ve been gigging for a few years now simply running my Line 6 Pod straight into the “Amp In” option on the rear of my 100w Boss Katana Artist series amp (with the Waza Craft Spkr) after trying an Atomic FRFR (tweeter turned right down or mostly off with my old trusty old Axe-Fx Ultra and it does a great job . I have been turning the Line 6 cab sims off but I might experiment more with leaving them on now . Fantastic super portable , quick and easy to set up and cheap option for sure . Good practical and well explained advice (as usual) John . Your channel is constantly evolving and growing into a fantastic go to resource for guitarists on so many really useful aspects of playing our beloved guitars.
I did something intermediate. I use A HX Stomp and a Catalyst 60 (return input). I was feeding a white noise signal through the 10 channel eq in the HX stomp and then adjusted the eq to a flat as possible spectrum from the catalyst speaker using a spectrum analyzer app on my iphone. The idea is to "pre-compensate" for the speaker in the catalyst. So far it appears to give better results than without the eq.
4:04 The Idea: Leave the cabs on in your modeler and plug the Send (or headphone out) into the Return (FX Loop In) of the Catalyst or another amp. Don't get an FRFR speaker, save some money and probably sound better. If you can A/B between reference monitors and your amp then you can verify that the sound isn't radically different.
You always give smart advice, informed by using your ears. Sounds much better with the Cab on. The contrast revealed in the comparison using the "In the Room Camera Audio" was startling. As the saying goes, If it sounds good, it is good.
It is simply an option. FRFR is tried and true. Going in via E. Loop will be darker. In some cases it might sound fine. In other cases it won't sound great. No rules in Rock n' Roll. Do what you love and love what you. Just got my FM9. *It's a great time to be a player!*
I’m running my Helix into the return of an Orange Terror Stamp and an old Marshall 2x12 and the cab sims always sound smoother and bigger than turning the sims off.
All good ideas and matches my experience. One thing I've often done is mixed in a part of the 'dry' non-IR/non-cab wound with the IR and then into the return of a guitar speaker. I find that about 70/30 cab/dry is where I usually wind up. It's also way easier than EQs and messing with multiple cables and stuff. You have one knob/slider and just move it until it sounds best. And, when you think about it, that's very similar to what a lot of good recording engineers do with guitar sounds. Get a fairly bright mic like a large/medium condensor on the cab, then a dark mic like a Royer ribbon, and mix the two at the desk. Just easier than EQing. Love your channel as always.
That’s what I did in our last gig. Cab sim goes into both PA and my Fender Champion 40. I used the latter as personal monitor and dialed it so that it would match as close as possible to what I hear from the FOH. Advantage is that I didn’t have to use a mic which minimises feedback.
4:12 yes this is what I discovered over lockdown recording little music videos for church in my living room. My Zoom G3 plugged into the return of either my Champ 25 or Super Cube 100 with a cab sim enabled sounded the best to my ears.
I’m a big fan of Boss “output select” feature when it comes to this. I feel like my patches translate decently well between different backline amps using that.
I have a PowerCab but I think I may give this a go. I’ve been having issues with my Helix sound cutting out so until it’s resolved this would give me the confidence live that I’ll at least have the Catalyst as a backup. If it works out I can sell the PowerCab.
This is great to see, I quite like my catalyst and the pod go most preset packs are built for true frfr, but I'm not giving in just yet l so, I've been on this and have ideas, use snapshots to switch to an IR or two (depending on the requirements for a song- all 4 snapshots on pod go may be needed for each part especially with vocals) so that may be an issue with pod go not sure as much an issue about helix hx lt etc as it has more dsp and blocks, but in cases where there is space, then a snapshot or two can be set up for quick changes- IR's to suit the requirement of use- either at home and recording or a bigger space gigging, quick easy switching, leave the main preset as it is, then with snapshot for gigging and one for practicing at home or smaller spaces where an attenuator can be useful to adjust to the area you're playing.
I‘be been running my gx-100 straight into the input of my 67 Bandmaster, with a 75 Twin Reverb combo in stereo; I use the cab sims as another “eq” set and balance any tonal inequities with a parametric in the chain. Sounds phenomenal.
I use a Fryette Power Station and a 4x12 Marshall 1960A with Creambacks and V30s in a X pattern with my Axe FX3. No cab sims. I put a Parametric EQ block last in my chain and high cut everything at 6500 and low cut at 80 with little surgical cuts in other frequencies. I use a Plate Reverb block with the mix at 12% just to take a little of the direct feel out. Still doesn’t beat my JVM410H with the 1960A and my pedal board which sounds way better live, but it’s is more convenient.
I totally agree about using an amps return input and not turning the cab off in the modeler. Can you tell me what Fender strat that is? I tried to find a video on it but couldn't locate one. Thanks John.
Excellent video once again young fella! I run my PodGo with cab sim ON through my Catalyst and gig it and it sounds great. PodGo in through the Amp in, Direct Out to the PA and the amp itself as the back line although I do mainly use in ears. Have also used just the back line as the monitor and it sounds and feels great! A really cost effective great sounding rig to gig....so to speak! Added bonus, if my PodGo should fail, then I have a fantastic sounding back up in the Catalyst on its own .... it really is an excellent amp!
@@ReveeGuitarist I would say absolutely yes .... but like any amp it depends how you use it, but for most pub / club venues it is great! If you think you may need extra oomph get the 100, but my 60 has been great using it in the way I described it above. Honestly, for the money, this amp is excellent!
Ooh this is the setup I’m interested in. I have the Pod Go but struggling to get it to sound good from my Blackstar Debut 50… been considering the Catalyst both for the amp and as an FRFR for the Pod.
I've started to gig with a Headrush FRFR-108. I'm shocked how well it's been doing and the sound guys love jamming an XLR into the back to front of house.
Yeah, these modern modelers are really designed to be standalone units. One generation earlier modelers were very much designed to be used in conjunction with amps (like the Zooms, Pods and Digitechs) and they sounded best (and still do!) when plugged into a clean guitar amp. But I found when turning off the amp/cab sim on these more modern units like the Helix, Valeton etc. and going into the input of a real amp really requires you to tune your sound completely different. Just turning it off produces something not really usable. So what I do to "hack" it when I'm in a situation where I want my amp as a monitor (or full speaker) is to go into the AUX or MP3/Phone input of the amp and leave the models and IRs on.
What’s the difference between using the Power Amp In or the Effects Loop Return? Btw - I’ve had the same experience with the Boss Katana... it sounds worse with cab sim disabled.
I realized every situation is so different that tweekability and versitility are the most important thing for ordinary working musicians. If something can produce usable tones in the bedroom, studio, at rehearsals, in small venues and in large/outdoor ones then it is a pretty good option. I have built a rig based on my heros before, it was a bad idea.
I absolutely love my Catalyst and HX Stomp combo, its just so great. Those legato runs in the intro were also great! the one at 00:39 is one is like to learn. You've probably taught those basic runs already or something close, would you teach it? I just want something accessible to add into my playing while doing some improv and then build upon it. I have a ton downloaded already but thought i'd ask anyways. Cheers
It is enough loud? John was saying in other video that IT have half loudness of same Katana ? That sounds strange for me. I have Catalyst 100 and waiting for my Nux MG30. Will IT be enough loud for gigging?
But the Catalyst IS a modeller and its speaker is not a guitar speaker. That's why you need to run a cab IR into its Power Amp In or FX Return. A more affordable option is buying a used Fender Mustang III.
@@theonetruehellolaf It's not. People have tried swapping different speakers and they all sound like crap because they don't have the extended bass or treble of the custom FRFR-like speaker.
I'm running the Strymon Iridium amp sim on (Round) and cab off going into the effects return of a V1 Boss Katana for my stage monitor and it sound's mega, but when I'm using In Ear Monitors I go XLR out from walrus audio canvas mono out to front of house and use the Cab IRs (York Audio and David Hislop IRs) and get amazing results and sound engineers say it sounds great to boot.
There really is only one rule in music and gear. If it sounds good, it is good. Having said that, I do appreciate the super light weight on the FR/FR systems.
I have the catalyst and i also decided to leave the cab on in the hx stomp. It will sound a bit dark though, not bright enough. But i thought the problem was that i built the presets in the hx stomp while using in-ear monitors and not using the catalyst directly in the process. If you connect the hx stomp to the catalyst and build your preset based on what you hear from the catalyst, man! You realize how good the catalyst is, you can get pretty close to the line 6 powercab
Yeah, if I build a Stomp preset using my HS8 studio monitor, it's wayyyy too bright if I listen through my Sony monitor headphones. You really need an adjusted preset for each scenario.
would it work to directly plug the modeler output to a input of a poweramp? I have the Harley Benthon GPA-100 going into a cab, and honestly, when leaving the cab sims on it sounds way better
For my setup (into the fx return of a tube amp then into a 4x12 cab) it sounds better with the cabs off. If I leave them on it sounds too mushy, almost sounds like it's underwater, if I turn them off its more true to how a tube amp would naturally sound. I get what you mean about the spikiness, but I find that a 4x12 cab mitigates quite lot of that and a little EQing via the global EQ does the trick.
I’ve been trying the powercab plus 112 lately at live gigs, xlr from power cab to FOH. Using speaker emulations in the powercab with no cab sims from the helix. Seems to liven up with a deluxe compressor at the front with mix around 80-85 and a LA studio comp after the amp with mix around 70. Mostly for Fender style tones, the compressors bring back the snappiness of tubes amps that the powercab seems to be lacking.
So you mentioned the Yamaha DXR. I have been wanting someone of your caliber to test out Line 6 with Yamaha DZR. I spent the extra to get one. I put about 6 hours on two different visits to my LGS listening to the DZR next to the DBR and the DHR. I also put hours listening to the setup up on som other lower end PA equipment and have spend significant time listening next to the Line 6 FRFR with another player. The DZR was a massive upgrade to to all mentioned cabinet options and received particular tonal praise from a couple of local pro friends. Please try a DZR 10 and let me know what you think, because I feel like it is kind of amazing!
Minus the phasing I get sometimes, I kinda like all 3 mixed together. I used to do a rather excessive and convoluted setup involving a podhd500, zoom g9, and a jamman stereo. Swore it was next level crushing. When I revised the concept later I realized I basically was running a cab Sim into a cab Sim and then first cab sim by itself. Since then I've tried one cab Sim and no cab Sim mixed together with some eq. One thing I like about Helix is the dry blend in the ir menu. I think with the cortex I tried cab Sim, 2x cab Sim and dry all blended together buy haven't tried it live, only headphones. I showed a friend and he realized I was doing something he was doing in his mixes and that was basically having 1 of the 4 guitar tracks be only low end up to 250hz or 400hz maybe.
It's a good topic. Everyone has their opinion obviously. To me it makes no sense to bring an amp to play your modeler out of. You might as well just play the amp. Some players play a lot of covers and need/want a bunch of tones fitting to the songs. I can understand the pluses of the modeler there. But if you have a modeler, you should get a good FRFR regardless. Where you use it is up to you though, but you should have one if even to just use at home to amplify your modeler at home accurately. There not all the same though. That's for sure. I tried every one I could and ended up just getting the wedge ISP Technologied FS8 with the 8 inch speaker. It's still light enough and easy to carry if I want to bring it. It's fairly accurate and flat. And I rig it at times out of one of my interface outs to play with my plugin amp sims with my studio monitors. And that sounds great. I can also connect it to the direct out on my Mesa Mark V 25, to get more amplification if I want where there wasn't a great PA. The best sounding FRFR's to me that I decided not to invest in though, because I'm not as wowed on the modelers as some players, are the Mission Engineering FRFR's. But unless you really do need a bunch of different tones, once you start lugging an FRFR with you to gigs, especially a big one, the ease of using a modeler and just plugging into the PA is gone. Might as well just bring the tube amp.
If you use the Helix Floor or Lt and play small bars and clubs, some with outdoor stages, what kind of monitoring/amp/FRFR setup would make the most sense? Many of these places don’t have a house PA system.
By the way Zoom have just released a modeler with three IRs all captured at different volumes, transitioning from one to the next as you turn up. Thought you might be interested after that video on future developments you did t‘other day
A year later, would you still use the Catalyst as a speaker for the Helix? I've been looking for an FRFR for it, but if this works well it would be nice to have it also backup as an amp.
I’m using the Catalyst 200 with HX stomp XL. Just power amp mode. It blows away the frfr and the power cab. Not sure how this hasn’t become the standard for anyone using helix HX. Twin reverb is amazing through this rig.
Can I ask- Are you running into a mixer and the Catalyst and how you have the cable routing? I am having a hard time figuring out the routing to get it into the mixer and the amp without the mixer output (going into my in-ears) sounding very, very faint.
@@georgemyers2683 Are you trying to route the amp to your mixer? I run my hx stomp xl to the mixer. I haven't routed my catalyst through it. However there is a line level out.
@@Sybex127 I'm trying to go guitar into the hx stomp. Then trying to split with one signal going into the Catalyst and the other going into the mixer. I thought of the line out on the Catalyst going into the mixer but I think that would cause issues if I turned the volume up on the amp. Thanks for the response!!
@@georgemyers2683 well the hx stomp has a di mode. So you would want to monitor through catalyst and set the signal to daw raw if you want to add effects in post. But if you want proccesed signal form hx stomp you can do that too. There has to be a tutorial on it. Hope this helps
Interesting, when you use the power stage with a real cab are you building the presets from the ground up or using your originals? Because I had a different experience, I found it doesn't take hardly anything either. You can also use the katana as an FRFR
I have a Tonex One modeller and I found that when using clean amp models with my pedal they sound great in front of my Catalyst! But when modeling an amp with gain it sound best going in the Return input of my Catalyst. So if I want to use my Tonex one with my distortion pedals Im going straight from distortion pedal into the ToneX one and then into the front of my Catalyst and it sound killer!
IMHO this is why it is "full range..." It let's though all the frequencies you do not need also while v30s, g12s, .... are acting like an "EQ" in the chain. It should be your job to create the tone by setting low and high pass filters on IRs, and even some EQ is needed. Then you save it and ready to go to anywhere. The benefit would be that the endcome would sound the "same" on all FRFRs, PAs, front of houses. As you said if you use guitar cab, the audiance will not hear it just what the mic's pick up. So I think using FRFR is for consistency of the sound whenever I play.
i would think using a pa speaker to dial in tone would be best…since ultimately everyone in a venue will hear you that way. i always wanna hear what the audience hears or as close to as possible.
I wish I would like all the digital stuff. I simply dont. Have tried and tried the last 10+ years. I’ll stick with my great tube amp, it always sounds great and it vibrates :-)
I tend towards a lot of clean sounds, have an EVM12L IR and it works brilliantly to avoid that 'darker tone' in the return and through whatever speaker is in cab.. Tested through a V30 60w Texas heat 150w Boss Waza g12 100w. (among others) With a supposed 7khz top end it really sparkles but keeps that 'spike' under control too. I may even be tempted to buy a REAL EVM12l to really give it what for-but have decking to buy for new house 🙄
Personally I've used my modelers both ways and I've found that with the cab sims on the sound was "choked"....too much compression but I think it might be time to revisit.
John this exactly the problem I have had for years now. I’m using a helix stomp into a Katana. Cab off is a harsh spiky tone and on its muddy and unclear. I run cab on as it makes it easier to run the same signal to front of house. It’s ok but not perfect and in MHO the biggest problem with using digital for gigs. My sound guy reckons it sounds great out front but I’ve never been totally happy with my stage tone. If your not being inspired by your stage tone you don’t play as well. The manufacturers need to fix this problem. If you use in ears it’s great and large touring bands running digital are all using this now but for smaller gigs it’s really not affordable and practical. Please use your influence with the manufacturers to overcome this. I’ve tried everything but there is not a perfect solution at present.
I’ve been looking for a dedicated FRFR cab to use for jamming and writing with my pedals + Two Notes Cab M+ and for the price I think using the Catalyst 60 like this is going to be the way to go. I’ve used pa speakers and they work great I just hate the form factor and having controls and power switch on the back
You don't put the catalyst switch on "power amp" mode? You leave it in fx loop mode? I've been trying to get my headrush sound decent with my catalyst and it sounds so bad. I plug my guit in headrush unput then it goes to the fx loop return with swith on power amp and I remove all cab sims from headrush so it sounds a little bit better but it still sound like im playing under water. I use an instrument cable, maybe I should use a trs? Or maybe I should not put the swotch on "power amp"?
How do you run to front of house in this setup? Are you going directly to FOH via HX outputs or are you routing through the Catalyst in some way or even using a mic on the cab of the Catalyst? Even though I do play on in-ears and we have no sound for practice (except the acoustic drums), it would be nice to have some stage volume. The Catalyst is fairly inexpensive and light, the idea of lugging around a tube amp to be a speaker out for the Helix seems backwards to me, I'd just then plug into the amp.
I got a pod go last year and found the exact same thing to be true. But when doing that you lose volume control on the pedal in any way it’s just wide open. So I literally sold it because it’s just clearly not for people using a combo as a speaker. Which would be great if they said that in any of their advertisements because their older modelers this was not the case at all.
I use HX into a regular QSC monitor, I want something as close to the FOH as I can get so I know what it’s sounding like through the PA. I have a Headrush FRFR which sounds great but it’s not the same as the PA sound which is what I want to actually monitor.
This makes a ton of sense to me. Your patch should be set up so it sounds good out of whatever your audience is hearing you through. And maybe your live patch is different than your studio patch.
I've been on this and have ideas, first thought was to use snapshots to switch to an IR or two (depending on the requirements for a song) all 4 snapshots on pod go may be needed, so that may be an issue with pod go not sure about helix as it has more dsp and blocks, but in cases where there is space a snapshot or two can be set up with IR's and to suit the requirement of use- either at home and recording or a bigger space gigging, quick easy switching, leave the main preset as it is, then with snapshot for gigging and one for practicing at home or smaller spaces where an attenuator can be useful to adjust.
Wait so you're essentially running your whole sound (amp+cab simulations) through a unit that has a poweramp and cab? I thought everyone said you should turn off your cab sims when going into a power amp + cab.
Very interesting indeed! Now i am experimenting with the ampero stomp ii having only the pre amp and the ir into the return of my amp and it sounds great! this was I can skip the power amp (6L6) out of the equation and sound less dark
IMO, I wasted a ton of money when I bought 2 Line 6 PowerCabs (almost $2K). Running my Helix to the power section of my very reasonably priced Catalyst works great. I wish it came to market first...IMO - Line 6 had to offer the Catalyst to have something in the Boss Katana range.
Hi John, I know this video is a bit old, and you well maybhave mentioned it in the video and I just missed it, but did you have the power amp in switched on or were you juat going into the return?
Some thoughts came to me as I was watching your video. If you're running a Pod Go or other modeler through the Catalyst, can you: 1. Use the Catalyst as your direct source at that point OR do you still run direct to FOH with your modeler? 2. It seems like the Catalyst could also serve as a nice backup in case the modeler fails? If you have presets and the A/B switch, you're pretty much good to go, no?
I run my GX100 in the power amp in of my catalyst 60. Honestly, don't see why I'd buy a FRFR for playing in my house. If anything, the speakers in modelling amps are supposed to respond to wide ranges of frequencies, given that those modelling amps are supposed to provide many different amps and sounds. So bypassing the amp and only using the speakers when you have a pedal type modeler just seems proper to me.
Hello, I have a question, if someone can answer it for me. I understand that you have to leave the cabinets and amplifiers on. My question is, do I have to activate the Catalyst's Power In or not?. thanks for everything
I wanted to try using my HX Stomp into the Lonestar efx loop, which would include all timebase efx and my Flint… AND including some of the Stomp Pre Amps. Any thoughts on this?
Turning off the effects on the amp is a pip - two switches on the top of the amp, one above each effect, push them until the lights go out, done. You can definitely use the foot pedal without an issue. Now, the ‘how you are using it’ comes into play. If you are doing amp/cab sim, then you would plug into the Return and flip the switch to use the power amp and done. Otherwise, can you use in 4-cable method or even run it directly into the front of the amp. The Catalyst is an exceptional modeling amp for the price
Using a Boss Katana 50mkii I’ve found the Stomp with cab sim on to to be muddy and lack definition so I’ve been keeping it off. Perhaps the opposite is spiky to some ears? I don’t have experience with tube amps to compare to.
I would love to hear what your thoughts on running the helix through a line6 DT series amp... I bet you would be impressed. Dt 25 combos probably could be had fairly reasonable if you can find one.
I just plug the kemper (cab off) in a real cabinet with a proper m65 celestion speaker. Most profiles sound good. Some need a high cut. Whats speaker is in that catalyst cab?
I just bought a Quad Cortex for home use mostly, and I have a PRS Archon combo amp. Should I just use the 4 cable method with my amp mono ? Or should I get monitors so I can run either a dual wet/dry amp setup in the Cortex and also utilize ping pong delays etc? if I should get monitors, what would you recommend?. Sorry for writing a novel, I’m new to all of this haha.
@@joshuabenton3785 thanks a lot for the response, do you notice with monitors too much high end frequency, cause I’ve heard that can be an issue, but if that’s the case couldnt I just EQ it out of the mix or add a DB drop off starting at a certain frequency?
i use a qsc k12 as that’s what many small venues have. helix and headrush both sound great. i don’t get why you would want a different stage tone and then have no idea what the tone is going to foh.
guitar players just don't get how hard and expensive it is to do accurate FRFR even in a 20'x20' room. ask an audiophile (home stereo gear) guy. Your FRFR is never going to be both good and achieve live volume levels without spending enormous money!
"This preset is JonnyGiggs35HXEX - I'll stick it in the folder if anyone wants it in the comments?" Please add it! I already was using the Catalyst for my band rehearsal so it was a no brainer to just plug the FM9 into the power in. I think it's great! I just left the cabs in all the presets. I just sit down and start playing-- 4-6 hours a day with very little ear fatigue. I also run into a Katana 100 power amp in for stereo. By contrast, the high end was very harsh when plugging into my JBL Eon cabs we use for the band practice.... I couldn't make it sound good no matter what I did. Thanks for the video!
The only way I use modelers that makes me feel like a “real amp” is into a guitar amp return and into a guitar cab. Also sounds surprisingly good into a bass amp fx return using the cab sims.
I have a catalyst 60 and Helix...the helix had very harsh top end like you said through both my cat60 and my other cabs. After getting advice on the forums, I put a high cut at the end of the chain in my helix and it made all the difference. I'm going to experiment tomorrow with running the cab sim on as you suggest. I'm curious as to which will sound better....cab sim on or cab sim off with high cuts.
I'm generally running into monitors, but if I use my frfr I find it sounds best much more aggressive high and low pass. If running into a poweramp and cab, keeping the cab sim on is way too dark for my uses, high gain rhythm tones.
I totally agree. I have used the line 6 catalyst like an FRFR, but on one gig I forgot the power supply to my modeler so I was able touse the line 6 catalyst as a straightahead amp, and the gig went fine.
Can I ask if you use the cab sims when using the Catalyst? I’m super tempted to buy one, both for the actual amp but also as an FRFR for my Pod Go. Thanks!
@@lionelhutz3170go with the Katana for sure👍🏼
I’ve been gigging for a few years now simply running my Line 6 Pod straight into the “Amp In” option on the rear of my 100w Boss Katana Artist series amp (with the Waza Craft Spkr) after trying an Atomic FRFR (tweeter turned right down or mostly off with my old trusty old Axe-Fx Ultra and it does a great job . I have been turning the Line 6 cab sims off but I might experiment more with leaving them on now . Fantastic super portable , quick and easy to set up and cheap option for sure . Good practical and well explained advice (as usual) John . Your channel is constantly evolving and growing into a fantastic go to resource for guitarists on so many really useful aspects of playing our beloved guitars.
I did something intermediate. I use A HX Stomp and a Catalyst 60 (return input). I was feeding a white noise signal through the 10 channel eq in the HX stomp and then adjusted the eq to a flat as possible spectrum from the catalyst speaker using a spectrum analyzer app on my iphone. The idea is to "pre-compensate" for the speaker in the catalyst. So far it appears to give better results than without the eq.
How is the speaker in the cx 60? I was thinking of swapping it out for a Jensen C12N when I buy mine.
@@joeltunnahThe Catalyst speaker is too mid heavy and I sold the Catalyst and got a Fender FR10. Very happy with that FRFR.
@Andreas_Straub well, no guitar cabinet is really "FRFR", as you demonstrated with your testing. You need a studio monitor or hi-fi speaker for that.
@@joeltunnah Well, the Fender FR10 (as the name implies) is a true FRFR. It is not a traditional guitar cabinet, but a powered full range speaker!
4:04 The Idea: Leave the cabs on in your modeler and plug the Send (or headphone out) into the Return (FX Loop In) of the Catalyst or another amp. Don't get an FRFR speaker, save some money and probably sound better. If you can A/B between reference monitors and your amp then you can verify that the sound isn't radically different.
You always give smart advice, informed by using your ears. Sounds much better with the Cab on. The contrast revealed in the comparison using the "In the Room Camera Audio" was startling. As the saying goes, If it sounds good, it is good.
It is simply an option. FRFR is tried and true. Going in via E. Loop will be darker. In some cases it might sound fine. In other cases it won't sound great. No rules in Rock n' Roll. Do what you love and love what you.
Just got my FM9. *It's a great time to be a player!*
I’m running my Helix into the return of an Orange Terror Stamp and an old Marshall 2x12 and the cab sims always sound smoother and bigger than turning the sims off.
All good ideas and matches my experience. One thing I've often done is mixed in a part of the 'dry' non-IR/non-cab wound with the IR and then into the return of a guitar speaker. I find that about 70/30 cab/dry is where I usually wind up. It's also way easier than EQs and messing with multiple cables and stuff. You have one knob/slider and just move it until it sounds best. And, when you think about it, that's very similar to what a lot of good recording engineers do with guitar sounds. Get a fairly bright mic like a large/medium condensor on the cab, then a dark mic like a Royer ribbon, and mix the two at the desk. Just easier than EQing.
Love your channel as always.
That’s what I did in our last gig. Cab sim goes into both PA and my Fender Champion 40. I used the latter as personal monitor and dialed it so that it would match as close as possible to what I hear from the FOH. Advantage is that I didn’t have to use a mic which minimises feedback.
Things like this make me even happier I got the Catalyst due to how versatile it can be.
4:12 yes this is what I discovered over lockdown recording little music videos for church in my living room. My Zoom G3 plugged into the return of either my Champ 25 or Super Cube 100 with a cab sim enabled sounded the best to my ears.
I’m a big fan of Boss “output select” feature when it comes to this.
I feel like my patches translate decently well between different backline amps using that.
I have a PowerCab but I think I may give this a go. I’ve been having issues with my Helix sound cutting out so until it’s resolved this would give me the confidence live that I’ll at least have the Catalyst as a backup. If it works out I can sell the PowerCab.
Picked up a used 60 and it sounds great, thanks for the video
This is great to see, I quite like my catalyst and the pod go most preset packs are built for true frfr, but I'm not giving in just yet l so,
I've been on this and have ideas,
use snapshots to switch to an IR or two (depending on the requirements for a song- all 4 snapshots on pod go may be needed for each part especially with vocals) so that may be an issue with pod go not sure as much an issue about helix hx lt etc as it has more dsp and blocks, but in cases where there is space, then a snapshot or two can be set up for quick changes- IR's to suit the requirement of use- either at home and recording or a bigger space gigging, quick easy switching, leave the main preset as it is, then with snapshot for gigging and one for practicing at home or smaller spaces where an attenuator can be useful to adjust to the area you're playing.
I'm impressed at how good the Catalyst sounds with the cabs on. Thanks for the info and demo. It really helps to sort this stuff out.
I'm using a pair of spider v 112s as FRFRs
I‘be been running my gx-100 straight into the input of my 67 Bandmaster, with a 75 Twin Reverb combo in stereo; I use the cab sims as another “eq” set and balance any tonal inequities with a parametric in the chain. Sounds phenomenal.
I use a Fryette Power Station and a 4x12 Marshall 1960A with Creambacks and V30s in a X pattern with my Axe FX3. No cab sims. I put a Parametric EQ block last in my chain and high cut everything at 6500 and low cut at 80 with little surgical cuts in other frequencies. I use a Plate Reverb block with the mix at 12% just to take a little of the direct feel out.
Still doesn’t beat my JVM410H with the 1960A and my pedal board which sounds way better live, but it’s is more convenient.
I totally agree about using an amps return input and not turning the cab off in the modeler. Can you tell me what Fender strat that is? I tried to find a video on it but couldn't locate one. Thanks John.
Excellent video once again young fella! I run my PodGo with cab sim ON through my Catalyst and gig it and it sounds great. PodGo in through the Amp in, Direct Out to the PA and the amp itself as the back line although I do mainly use in ears. Have also used just the back line as the monitor and it sounds and feels great! A really cost effective great sounding rig to gig....so to speak! Added bonus, if my PodGo should fail, then I have a fantastic sounding back up in the Catalyst on its own .... it really is an excellent amp!
So is Catalyst enough loud for gigging when using modeller ?
@@ReveeGuitarist I would say absolutely yes .... but like any amp it depends how you use it, but for most pub / club venues it is great! If you think you may need extra oomph get the 100, but my 60 has been great using it in the way I described it above. Honestly, for the money, this amp is excellent!
@@369jpm already have 100 do when u use 60 and id enough with modeller then I am calm about my order :)
@@369jpm i compared this one with Katana MKII and for me choice was 100% Catalyst
Ooh this is the setup I’m interested in. I have the Pod Go but struggling to get it to sound good from my Blackstar Debut 50… been considering the Catalyst both for the amp and as an FRFR for the Pod.
Good points. How do the acoustics (like from a Variax) sound?
I've started to gig with a Headrush FRFR-108. I'm shocked how well it's been doing and the sound guys love jamming an XLR into the back to front of house.
I’ve been looking into one of these…what modeler do you use? I’ve been considering a headrush 108 to run with my quad cortex
@@bradysmith8410 my main modeler is a Mooer GE250. The 108 has loads of bass on tap so you will need a global EQ to dial it back a bit
Yeah, these modern modelers are really designed to be standalone units. One generation earlier modelers were very much designed to be used in conjunction with amps (like the Zooms, Pods and Digitechs) and they sounded best (and still do!) when plugged into a clean guitar amp. But I found when turning off the amp/cab sim on these more modern units like the Helix, Valeton etc. and going into the input of a real amp really requires you to tune your sound completely different. Just turning it off produces something not really usable.
So what I do to "hack" it when I'm in a situation where I want my amp as a monitor (or full speaker) is to go into the AUX or MP3/Phone input of the amp and leave the models and IRs on.
What’s the difference between using the Power Amp In or the Effects Loop Return? Btw - I’ve had the same experience with the Boss Katana... it sounds worse with cab sim disabled.
I realized every situation is so different that tweekability and versitility are the most important thing for ordinary working musicians. If something can produce usable tones in the bedroom, studio, at rehearsals, in small venues and in large/outdoor ones then it is a pretty good option. I have built a rig based on my heros before, it was a bad idea.
I am looking for something that can do bass and guitar. I play both and go back and forth. FRFR is probably the best option
I have a Tonex one Modeller on the way and I have a Catalyst 60w. Do you still recommend going in the Return input leaving cab on the ToneX?
I absolutely love my Catalyst and HX Stomp combo, its just so great.
Those legato runs in the intro were also great! the one at 00:39 is one is like to learn. You've probably taught those basic runs already or something close, would you teach it? I just want something accessible to add into my playing while doing some improv and then build upon it. I have a ton downloaded already but thought i'd ask anyways. Cheers
Where are these teachings?
It is enough loud? John was saying in other video that IT have half loudness of same Katana ? That sounds strange for me.
I have Catalyst 100 and waiting for my Nux MG30. Will IT be enough loud for gigging?
@@ReveeGuitarist my catalyst 60 makes me deaf at 0.5 watts mode. :)
@@pb25193 i mean Catalyst plus Modeler. I AM waiting for my modeler and already know that 0.5W is surprisingly loud xD
@@ReveeGuitarist the modeler will always emit higher levels than an instrument signal. So it won't become "softer".
But the Catalyst IS a modeller and its speaker is not a guitar speaker.
That's why you need to run a cab IR into its Power Amp In or FX Return.
A more affordable option is buying a used Fender Mustang III.
It is too a guitar speaker
@@theonetruehellolaf It's not. People have tried swapping different speakers and they all sound like crap because they don't have the extended bass or treble of the custom FRFR-like speaker.
I'm running the Strymon Iridium amp sim on (Round) and cab off going into the effects return of a V1 Boss Katana for my stage monitor and it sound's mega, but when I'm using In Ear Monitors I go XLR out from walrus audio canvas mono out to front of house and use the Cab IRs (York Audio and David Hislop IRs) and get amazing results and sound engineers say it sounds great to boot.
There really is only one rule in music and gear. If it sounds good, it is good. Having said that, I do appreciate the super light weight on the FR/FR systems.
I have the catalyst and i also decided to leave the cab on in the hx stomp. It will sound a bit dark though, not bright enough. But i thought the problem was that i built the presets in the hx stomp while using in-ear monitors and not using the catalyst directly in the process. If you connect the hx stomp to the catalyst and build your preset based on what you hear from the catalyst, man! You realize how good the catalyst is, you can get pretty close to the line 6 powercab
Yeah, if I build a Stomp preset using my HS8 studio monitor, it's wayyyy too bright if I listen through my Sony monitor headphones. You really need an adjusted preset for each scenario.
would it work to directly plug the modeler output to a input of a poweramp? I have the Harley Benthon GPA-100 going into a cab, and honestly, when leaving the cab sims on it sounds way better
For my setup (into the fx return of a tube amp then into a 4x12 cab) it sounds better with the cabs off. If I leave them on it sounds too mushy, almost sounds like it's underwater, if I turn them off its more true to how a tube amp would naturally sound. I get what you mean about the spikiness, but I find that a 4x12 cab mitigates quite lot of that and a little EQing via the global EQ does the trick.
I’ve been trying the powercab plus 112 lately at live gigs, xlr from power cab to FOH. Using speaker emulations in the powercab with no cab sims from the helix. Seems to liven up with a deluxe compressor at the front with mix around 80-85 and a LA studio comp after the amp with mix around 70. Mostly for Fender style tones, the compressors bring back the snappiness of tubes amps that the powercab seems to be lacking.
So you mentioned the Yamaha DXR. I have been wanting someone of your caliber to test out Line 6 with Yamaha DZR. I spent the extra to get one. I put about 6 hours on two different visits to my LGS listening to the DZR next to the DBR and the DHR. I also put hours listening to the setup up on som other lower end PA equipment and have spend significant time listening next to the Line 6 FRFR with another player. The DZR was a massive upgrade to to all mentioned cabinet options and received particular tonal praise from a couple of local pro friends. Please try a DZR 10 and let me know what you think, because I feel like it is kind of amazing!
Thanks for this video John
Minus the phasing I get sometimes, I kinda like all 3 mixed together. I used to do a rather excessive and convoluted setup involving a podhd500, zoom g9, and a jamman stereo. Swore it was next level crushing. When I revised the concept later I realized I basically was running a cab Sim into a cab Sim and then first cab sim by itself. Since then I've tried one cab Sim and no cab Sim mixed together with some eq. One thing I like about Helix is the dry blend in the ir menu. I think with the cortex I tried cab Sim, 2x cab Sim and dry all blended together buy haven't tried it live, only headphones. I showed a friend and he realized I was doing something he was doing in his mixes and that was basically having 1 of the 4 guitar tracks be only low end up to 250hz or 400hz maybe.
It's a good topic. Everyone has their opinion obviously. To me it makes no sense to bring an amp to play your modeler out of. You might as well just play the amp. Some players play a lot of covers and need/want a bunch of tones fitting to the songs. I can understand the pluses of the modeler there. But if you have a modeler, you should get a good FRFR regardless. Where you use it is up to you though, but you should have one if even to just use at home to amplify your modeler at home accurately.
There not all the same though. That's for sure. I tried every one I could and ended up just getting the wedge ISP Technologied FS8 with the 8 inch speaker. It's still light enough and easy to carry if I want to bring it. It's fairly accurate and flat. And I rig it at times out of one of my interface outs to play with my plugin amp sims with my studio monitors. And that sounds great. I can also connect it to the direct out on my Mesa Mark V 25, to get more amplification if I want where there wasn't a great PA. The best sounding FRFR's to me that I decided not to invest in though, because I'm not as wowed on the modelers as some players, are the Mission Engineering FRFR's. But unless you really do need a bunch of different tones, once you start lugging an FRFR with you to gigs, especially a big one, the ease of using a modeler and just plugging into the PA is gone. Might as well just bring the tube amp.
If you use the Helix Floor or Lt and play small bars and clubs, some with outdoor stages, what kind of monitoring/amp/FRFR setup would make the most sense? Many of these places don’t have a house PA system.
By the way Zoom have just released a modeler with three IRs all captured at different volumes, transitioning from one to the next as you turn up. Thought you might be interested after that video on future developments you did t‘other day
A year later, would you still use the Catalyst as a speaker for the Helix? I've been looking for an FRFR for it, but if this works well it would be nice to have it also backup as an amp.
Thanks mate
I’m using the Catalyst 200 with HX stomp XL. Just power amp mode. It blows away the frfr and the power cab. Not sure how this hasn’t become the standard for anyone using helix HX. Twin reverb is amazing through this rig.
Can I ask- Are you running into a mixer and the Catalyst and how you have the cable routing? I am having a hard time figuring out the routing to get it into the mixer and the amp without the mixer output (going into my in-ears) sounding very, very faint.
@@georgemyers2683 Are you trying to route the amp to your mixer? I run my hx stomp xl to the mixer. I haven't routed my catalyst through it. However there is a line level out.
@@Sybex127 I'm trying to go guitar into the hx stomp. Then trying to split with one signal going into the Catalyst and the other going into the mixer. I thought of the line out on the Catalyst going into the mixer but I think that would cause issues if I turned the volume up on the amp. Thanks for the response!!
@@georgemyers2683 well the hx stomp has a di mode. So you would want to monitor through catalyst and set the signal to daw raw if you want to add effects in post. But if you want proccesed signal form hx stomp you can do that too. There has to be a tutorial on it. Hope this helps
Can I also chime in and ask if you’re leaving the cab sims on when running the stomp through the Catalyst’s power amp in?
Interesting, when you use the power stage with a real cab are you building the presets from the ground up or using your originals? Because I had a different experience, I found it doesn't take hardly anything either. You can also use the katana as an FRFR
John what Cabinet Model that is turned on do you use on your modeler going into the Catalyst effect return?
I have a Tonex One modeller and I found that when using clean amp models with my pedal they sound great in front of my Catalyst! But when modeling an amp with gain it sound best going in the Return input of my Catalyst. So if I want to use my Tonex one with my distortion pedals Im going straight from distortion pedal into the ToneX one and then into the front of my Catalyst and it sound killer!
didn't quite follow your method...are you doing a "4 cable" insert effect thing?
IMHO this is why it is "full range..." It let's though all the frequencies you do not need also while v30s, g12s, .... are acting like an "EQ" in the chain. It should be your job to create the tone by setting low and high pass filters on IRs, and even some EQ is needed. Then you save it and ready to go to anywhere. The benefit would be that the endcome would sound the "same" on all FRFRs, PAs, front of houses. As you said if you use guitar cab, the audiance will not hear it just what the mic's pick up. So I think using FRFR is for consistency of the sound whenever I play.
Hey can use my iridium pedal with the this amp? As a frfr speaker?
i would think using a pa speaker to dial in tone would be best…since ultimately everyone in a venue will hear you that way. i always wanna hear what the audience hears or as close to as possible.
I wish I would like all the digital stuff. I simply dont. Have tried and tried the last 10+ years. I’ll stick with my great tube amp, it always sounds great and it vibrates :-)
I tend towards a lot of clean sounds, have an EVM12L IR and it works brilliantly to avoid that 'darker tone' in the return and through whatever speaker is in cab.. Tested through a
V30 60w
Texas heat 150w
Boss Waza g12 100w.
(among others)
With a supposed 7khz top end it really sparkles but keeps that 'spike' under control too.
I may even be tempted to buy a REAL EVM12l to really give it what for-but have decking to buy for new house 🙄
Personally I've used my modelers both ways and I've found that with the cab sims on the sound was "choked"....too much compression but I think it might be time to revisit.
Totally agree! 👍🏼
John this exactly the problem I have had for years now. I’m using a helix stomp into a Katana. Cab off is a harsh spiky tone and on its muddy and unclear. I run cab on as it makes it easier to run the same signal to front of house. It’s ok but not perfect and in MHO the biggest problem with using digital for gigs. My sound guy reckons it sounds great out front but I’ve never been totally happy with my stage tone.
If your not being inspired by your stage tone you don’t play as well. The manufacturers need to fix this problem. If you use in ears it’s great and large touring bands running digital are all using this now but for smaller gigs it’s really not affordable and practical. Please use your influence with the manufacturers to overcome this. I’ve tried everything but there is not a perfect solution at present.
I’ve been looking for a dedicated FRFR cab to use for jamming and writing with my pedals + Two Notes Cab M+ and for the price I think using the Catalyst 60 like this is going to be the way to go. I’ve used pa speakers and they work great I just hate the form factor and having controls and power switch on the back
Where can I get my hands on JCs HX stomp packs? Can’t find them on here. Thanks.
You don't put the catalyst switch on "power amp" mode? You leave it in fx loop mode?
I've been trying to get my headrush sound decent with my catalyst and it sounds so bad. I plug my guit in headrush unput then it goes to the fx loop return with swith on power amp and I remove all cab sims from headrush so it sounds a little bit better but it still sound like im playing under water. I use an instrument cable, maybe I should use a trs? Or maybe I should not put the swotch on "power amp"?
How do you run to front of house in this setup? Are you going directly to FOH via HX outputs or are you routing through the Catalyst in some way or even using a mic on the cab of the Catalyst? Even though I do play on in-ears and we have no sound for practice (except the acoustic drums), it would be nice to have some stage volume. The Catalyst is fairly inexpensive and light, the idea of lugging around a tube amp to be a speaker out for the Helix seems backwards to me, I'd just then plug into the amp.
I got a pod go last year and found the exact same thing to be true. But when doing that you lose volume control on the pedal in any way it’s just wide open. So I literally sold it because it’s just clearly not for people using a combo as a speaker. Which would be great if they said that in any of their advertisements because their older modelers this was not the case at all.
Did you replace the Pod Go? Currently having a similar issue and considering selling mine.
Definitely would try
I use HX into a regular QSC monitor, I want something as close to the FOH as I can get so I know what it’s sounding like through the PA. I have a Headrush FRFR which sounds great but it’s not the same as the PA sound which is what I want to actually monitor.
This makes a ton of sense to me. Your patch should be set up so it sounds good out of whatever your audience is hearing you through. And maybe your live patch is different than your studio patch.
I've been on this and have ideas, first thought was to use snapshots to switch to an IR or two (depending on the requirements for a song) all 4 snapshots on pod go may be needed, so that may be an issue with pod go not sure about helix as it has more dsp and blocks, but in cases where there is space a snapshot or two can be set up with IR's and to suit the requirement of use- either at home and recording or a bigger space gigging, quick easy switching, leave the main preset as it is, then with snapshot for gigging and one for practicing at home or smaller spaces where an attenuator can be useful to adjust.
Hi John - I love the intro solo so much that I've transcribed it. Can I send it to you? Cheers, Dean
Can this power a Harp? If not I might have to just stick to my Triangle.
Wait so you're essentially running your whole sound (amp+cab simulations) through a unit that has a poweramp and cab? I thought everyone said you should turn off your cab sims when going into a power amp + cab.
Very interesting indeed! Now i am experimenting with the ampero stomp ii having only the pre amp and the ir into the return of my amp and it sounds great! this was I can skip the power amp (6L6) out of the equation and sound less dark
I've never been first at anything, but here we are!!
IMO, I wasted a ton of money when I bought 2 Line 6 PowerCabs (almost $2K). Running my Helix to the power section of my very reasonably priced Catalyst works great. I wish it came to market first...IMO - Line 6 had to offer the Catalyst to have something in the Boss Katana range.
I use my axe fx iii into boss katana I, but also used Marshall origin 20 both send using Marshall and again sound ok with cabs on
Hi John, I know this video is a bit old, and you well maybhave mentioned it in the video and I just missed it, but did you have the power amp in switched on or were you juat going into the return?
Some thoughts came to me as I was watching your video. If you're running a Pod Go or other modeler through the Catalyst, can you:
1. Use the Catalyst as your direct source at that point OR do you still run direct to FOH with your modeler?
2. It seems like the Catalyst could also serve as a nice backup in case the modeler fails? If you have presets and the A/B switch, you're pretty much good to go, no?
I run my GX100 in the power amp in of my catalyst 60. Honestly, don't see why I'd buy a FRFR for playing in my house. If anything, the speakers in modelling amps are supposed to respond to wide ranges of frequencies, given that those modelling amps are supposed to provide many different amps and sounds. So bypassing the amp and only using the speakers when you have a pedal type modeler just seems proper to me.
Excuse my ignorance…but what does frfr stand for?
Hello, I have a question, if someone can answer it for me. I understand that you have to leave the cabinets and amplifiers on.
My question is, do I have to activate the Catalyst's Power In or not?.
thanks for everything
I wanted to try using my HX Stomp into the Lonestar efx loop, which would include all timebase efx and my Flint… AND including some of the Stomp Pre Amps. Any thoughts on this?
Looking to get a boss gx100 with this amp. Can you turn off all the effects on the amp and just use the foot pedal? Would it sound ok?
Turning off the effects on the amp is a pip - two switches on the top of the amp, one above each effect, push them until the lights go out, done.
You can definitely use the foot pedal without an issue. Now, the ‘how you are using it’ comes into play. If you are doing amp/cab sim, then you would plug into the Return and flip the switch to use the power amp and done. Otherwise, can you use in 4-cable method or even run it directly into the front of the amp. The Catalyst is an exceptional modeling amp for the price
Using a Boss Katana 50mkii I’ve found the Stomp with cab sim on to to be muddy and lack definition so I’ve been keeping it off. Perhaps the opposite is spiky to some ears? I don’t have experience with tube amps to compare to.
I would love to hear what your thoughts on running the helix through a line6 DT series amp... I bet you would be impressed. Dt 25 combos probably could be had fairly reasonable if you can find one.
I just plug the kemper (cab off) in a real cabinet with a proper m65 celestion speaker. Most profiles sound good. Some need a high cut. Whats speaker is in that catalyst cab?
a crappy one
I tend to lean towards running the Helix with cab sim on through a solid power amp then to two 1x12s. Love the channel 👍🏼
There is a switch to run power Amp in mode... You are a little bit misleading ;p this Amp have power Amp in mode :p
"Power amp in mode"?
Katana power amp works well...similar to this.
I just bought a Quad Cortex for home use mostly, and I have a PRS Archon combo amp. Should I just use the 4 cable method with my amp mono ? Or should I get monitors so I can run either a dual wet/dry amp setup in the Cortex and also utilize ping pong delays etc? if I should get monitors, what would you recommend?. Sorry for writing a novel, I’m new to all of this haha.
I just got two Kali audio 6” speakers
They kick butt. Do the monitor route for at home playing.
@@joshuabenton3785 thanks a lot for the response, do you notice with monitors too much high end frequency, cause I’ve heard that can be an issue, but if that’s the case couldnt I just EQ it out of the mix or add a DB drop off starting at a certain frequency?
My QSC CP8 is the best monitor for a modeler that I have heard.
i use a qsc k12 as that’s what many small venues have. helix and headrush both sound great. i don’t get why you would want a different stage tone and then have no idea what the tone is going to foh.
guitar players just don't get how hard and expensive it is to do accurate FRFR even in a 20'x20' room. ask an audiophile (home stereo gear) guy. Your FRFR is never going to be both good and achieve live volume levels without spending enormous money!
Power amp input on my katana does a good job
I just use my studio my studio monitors. Seems fine. Flat response. Then again, I ain't gigging, so this may be a completely pointless response.
Cant you just use the normal line in and make a patch with nothing on it yo essentially make the catalyst an FRFR
"This preset is JonnyGiggs35HXEX - I'll stick it in the folder if anyone wants it in the comments?" Please add it! I already was using the Catalyst for my band rehearsal so it was a no brainer to just plug the FM9 into the power in. I think it's great! I just left the cabs in all the presets. I just sit down and start playing-- 4-6 hours a day with very little ear fatigue. I also run into a Katana 100 power amp in for stereo. By contrast, the high end was very harsh when plugging into my JBL Eon cabs we use for the band practice.... I couldn't make it sound good no matter what I did. Thanks for the video!
The only way I use modelers that makes me feel like a “real amp” is into a guitar amp return and into a guitar cab.
Also sounds surprisingly good into a bass amp fx return using the cab sims.
I have a catalyst 60 and Helix...the helix had very harsh top end like you said through both my cat60 and my other cabs.
After getting advice on the forums, I put a high cut at the end of the chain in my helix and it made all the difference.
I'm going to experiment tomorrow with running the cab sim on as you suggest. I'm curious as to which will sound better....cab sim on or cab sim off with high cuts.
FRFR=?
full range flat response
I'm generally running into monitors, but if I use my frfr I find it sounds best much more aggressive high and low pass.
If running into a poweramp and cab, keeping the cab sim on is way too dark for my uses, high gain rhythm tones.
Did you try this on a gig? Be interesting to know how you fared