I listened blind, to keep from biasing my choice. Maybe the Cat could still be dialed in more, but I thought the Katana sounded significantly better, especially in the first and last clips. For the first sample, your dirty-clean tone, it was the Katana by a country mile.

@LauraSquirrel

Жыл бұрын

I did the same thing and yes, I liked the Katana sounds a lot more.

Two cats one Dave.

I bought a Catalyst a couple months back and love it. Previously owned the Katana and a Blackstar ID Core V3.

Been amp shopping the past few weeks, and I've probably watched 30 of your videos in the process. The playing and personality you bring to your channel are awesome, keep up the excellent work!

Both great sounding amps & yes I do agree with you that boss know how to make the format menu's very user friendly but that's Boss for you a great manufacturer of high end gear. Great playing Dave,❤️it

What a great vid Dave - thanks. As a long time 100w Katana owner, with the Boss GA-FC footswitch it gives me everything I need to gig. Whilst it is subjective and I’m biased, it has reinforced my conclusion that I made the right choice!!

@user-lp2yg7gc5g

19 күн бұрын

I just got that new catalyst 60 w and it blows the katana away the katana distortion sounds like mechanical

@user-lp2yg7gc5g

19 күн бұрын

The days of Boss katana dominate The amp circuits coming to an end.

@user-lp2yg7gc5g

19 күн бұрын

50 amp people just too lazy to do the presets they want to just plug in an app just play

Catalyst sounds incredible. Katana sounds fizzy and thin, Maybe not so difererent on stage but in the room and near the amp. Both good amps.

Great comparison, Dave! I have not experienced the issues you mentioned with my Catalyst. I use the DI during Twitch streams as well with no problems. It's probably worth trying to get a repair/replacement if the factory reset doesn't fix it. Take care.

I got the Katana MkII 100w head with 212 cab and I’m in love full stop. Then I got a Bugera v5 Vintage Infinium 5w tube amp with 8” Turbosound speaker and it’s glorious. For my home playing I think I’m well and truly set and done!

Thanks again for a great video. I'd love to see a review of Peavey Vypyr and Sanpera II pedal. Your reviews have a lot of credibility due to your versatility and experience with so many amps. That one has bass specific channels too, for Queenie to show us.. Cheers.

I preferred the Kat too, but I wish Boss would add an FX loop to the 50 watt model. The Katana 50 with an FX loop would tick every box that I, as an intermediate player, would ever want; sound quality, portability, high-quality effects and the possibility to put a looper after the effects. It would be perfect.

@Nortonrigged

3 ай бұрын

@@JIAbbotwrong

Just picked up the Line 6 Catalyst today. What sold me was the clean channel and amount of bass I could get out of it. Also the effects it has. I'll have an update when I use the amp, hopefully not have the issues you were experiencing. The Line 6 sounded more tube like to me.

@Mike-ng3zl

Жыл бұрын

how has it been getting with the Cat?? I'm trying to decide between the two

@ralphy6526

Жыл бұрын

@@Mike-ng3zl The cat has been good, still learning how to get the many sounds and effects this thing has. No matter what guitar I plug in and adjust the amp for that particular guitar, the sounds to me are good.

I preferred the katana. I thought it had a bigger sound.

@xXN0SK1LLZXx

Ай бұрын

That's mad how different people's ears are. Because I was in love with the Catalyst and being a katana main for ages that's crazy for me.

Very clever word play my friend

They both sound good in a room on their own, but get them in a room with a kick ass drummer and bass player and thing’s can totally change!

1:57 could have the delay set to a rhythm based delay as opposed to time, you can change this with the computer(annoying that it’s the preset)

I have a 100 watt Katana head MK1 ....love it....Especially through my various cabinet's...they all colour the sound in different direction's....in a good way. And that is the point. A Catalyst head through different cab's might be interesting. I own a Line 6 POD 2.0 from 20 years ago, and it sounds fantastic and takes pedals very well. If Line 6 could make a POD 2.0 Head or Amp I would be all over it. The newer stuff from them is hit hit or miss and very complicated. "Analysis paralysis"...at least for me it is.

I actually preferred the Cat 60 and bought it. I have had no problems with anything on mine Dave, maybe return it and get a replacement. I find the boutique setting and a few of the downloads available really make it come alive.

@Joormode

Жыл бұрын

Got the 100w - and I have no problem with it.

@jonathanpeden9930

Жыл бұрын

I have the 60 and I love it - does everything I want with no problems, I think Dave has a faulty unit

@steverolfeca

Ай бұрын

Ditto. Especially now the early 2024 firmware upgrade doubled the amps to 12, and the simultaneous FX to 2 plus the boost.

I returned my Katana, cause it had a issue and was crackling like it was about to break. Thought it was lacking on bottom end. I tough my old Line6 Flextone2 was better. I really wanted to like the Katana, but didn't. I returned it and changed to Blackstar Artist 15w which is my dream amp (awesome Fender style sound on one channel and perfect Marshall style sound on the second. Don't really like other Blackstars). But hey! Here is what you should do. Set up the Katana and Catalyst together Frusciante style and see how they sound together ;) I would set up the other similar to Silverjubilee and other like the Major. Can you get new magic sounds there?

I have the 2x12 catalyst and find it fun. Sounds massive. But recording the speakers with a sm57 proves the speaker is a tad more fizzy but more low end than a v30 in an open back. I Velcro on a panel to my back panel of the amp to close it off and the catalyst comes to life and pushes overdrive and higher gain tones much more balanced. Never played a katana. But I’d assume it is so close that there’s not much difference in a live setting. Thanks again for your awesome videos! Especially the orange crush ones. I’m so happy I got the super crush 100.

@steverolfeca

Ай бұрын

Why mic up the Catalyst, when it has such a good modelled DI, with fine control over mic type?

@Thearcherfl

Ай бұрын

When mixing I find it easier to do Di guitars and reamp through the cab or the amps I prefer

Spot on Mr S l have both amps!🙂 I run my Headrush MX5 fx through power amp use either one like you mentioned both sound great and know both make a backup amp if needed!🙂

Hi Dave .I think the boss is better clean but the cat in overdrive and distortion sounds more classic rock ,so in my opinion the cat is better

My catalyst sounds great and I’m very happy with the feel of the amp. I can ply clean with a light touch and get dirty with a heavier attack

i really enjoyed the vibrato at 9:16. The rest of that run was also killer. Stand-out parts for me :D

Honestly Dave you can make any amp/cab sound good but I'm a katana man myself. Along with my other ampage and cabs I have a katana 100 mk2 head using a katana 2x12 cab and it's my go to practice amp.

I've got a Catalyst and it behaves perfectly. I do hook it up to my phone or laptop for ease of use, the Cat menu is so easy to use in the app...

Brilliant video and comparison with an outcome I wasn’t expecting. I assumed, wrongly, that the Katana would blow the Catalyst out of the water. It would be a harder choice for me to make if I had to than I thought. If I could only have one I would choose the Katana. I’m wondering if my preference is down to the speaker. I’m remembering the Andertons video where several Celestion speakers were compared with a standard Katana one and the standard item stood up very well indeed. I feel your frustration with the Catalysts uncooperative nature and terrible DI fingers crossed a reset or update will cure it.

I love my Cube 80x, for all the same reasons you love your Katana. So versatile, and not a bad sound in it.

@daniellarson3068

2 ай бұрын

I had a Cube 80. The amp went bad, but I kept the speaker in the box. I now drive it with an Electro Harmonix Howitzer and pedals and it just has something my Katana doesn't have.

@MegaHairybum

Ай бұрын

@@daniellarson3068 I got mine second hand with a torn speaker. It's running through an old Crate 1x12 ( Eminence ) cab. Sounds bloody marvellous!

They sound different but they both sound good. How do they sound played together in a mix?

Telecaster,Boss Les Paul, Stratocaster Catalyst, nice sounds from the Catalyst. Keep up the good work Dave. Peace ☮️

Andertons did a shoot out the Line 6 blew the Boss away. I guess it’s personal choice

@garyd3725

10 ай бұрын

Likely it’s a matter of dialing in the tone. I’ve heard other comparison videos and I preferred the catalyst over the katana. I don’t think you can go wrong with either amp. Its features and cost the really make the difference.

Thanks Dave - I will get the BOSS Catalyst v.3.5 :)

Cab size matters, and I liked the sound of the Catalyst more. You can probably set the Katana to sound similar to the Catalyst. It may help to do a Firmware Update on the Catalyst to fix some of the issues once it comes out. Line 6 put a lot of effort into the Helix so I hope they will improve here too.

@glenl9472

Жыл бұрын

Forgot to mention: I own a Katana head, but the Catalyst won for me in Dave's comparison.

The Boss is good, but sounds boxy/bassy. Even with the bass turned down it doesn’t have much treble presence, nor overall clarity. The Catalyst seems to do more things well. I will buy the Catalyst.

I've played all the variations of both amps except for the Catalyst 200. The Katana Artist rules them all but I'd take the Cat 60 or 100 over the Kat 50/100 every time.

Both sounded great to me. The Catalyst sounded that bit fuller to me when using crunch and overdrive but it all depends on which rocked your sonic boat I suppose. If I was choosing I would go with the one that was the more user friendly to make adjustments on the fly, other than that they can both do a great job. Thanks, as always for the demo and your thoughts. 👋👋

The Catalyst sounds better to my taste. Less boxy sounding.

I have a Catalyst 60 and I don't really like it. As you said, manipulating the controls gets annoying. But the worst thing for me is... it will periodically get some strange phaser-like thing going on by itself (and that is playing on a clean channel with no effects). I think I will buy a small simple tube amp and use pedals.

@cesarccoronel1156

9 ай бұрын

Same exact problem . Thanks god I am not hallucinating . Maybe a faulty unit I always think, maybe needs some firmware update. On December I planned to sell it and go for the katana 50 mkii. ✌️

Dave, I'd like to see you run the Line 6 Pod into the loop on the Catalyst.

I've got both currently, the Catalyst 60 and Katana 50. My Catalyst also doesn't work well with tap tempo, it just kind of picks some random tempo rather than what I tap in. Katana works no problem. Also the Katana as you said is easier to use without holding buttons and can do an extra effect on top of delay and reverb. Sonically the Catalyst does sound nicer likely because the speaker is better. I swapped in a Celestion V Type to each amp and it made little difference on the Catalyst but huge improvement for the Katana, took away the harshness. Both amps have very nice clean tones, Catalyst a little nicer than the Katana. High gains sound not great on either in my opinion, too fizzy on the Catalyst and fuzzy on the Katana. Like bad modeling/distortion. Both sound a lot better used as power amp and cab for a modeler like the HX Stomp though. Then you hear how the Catalyst sounds a little bigger with the larger size or the Katana sounds more punchy with the smaller size.

I don't think that you're the only one with the faults that you mentioned on the Catylist. I saw another on a KZread channel with the same faults especially the delays doing what they want to, plus one in a shop had exactly the same problems. Great playing by the way, I love your channel

Amp week rolls on! I am enjoying the vids this week. Really intrigued by todays comparison. I am a Katana guy so i may be biased, but the Catalyst sounded muddy to me. It didn't sound horrible, just muddier. I'll stick with my Katana. Thanks for this shootout, i have been curious about the comparison and now i know.

@what1864

Жыл бұрын

felt the same way ...

Interesting video Dave. It's a Personnel Choice \ Cost for a lot of us at the moment. Generally can't go wrong with the Katana however I used my Headrush FRFR 122's when I was depping a few years ago. I believe Racoon City is nice this time of year. All my best wishes from the Lake District 👍👍😎😎

@6nosis

Жыл бұрын

Bro have you gone zombie on us??!! ShhhheeeeeeIOT!! But i cannot recommend city of trash pandas this time of year..

both very nice amps. can't go wrong with either!

Looks like you've been living a healthy life Dave.

To me, when using the katana 100 212, i could never get a good clean sound? It was too boxy and square. Plus, id have the eq set the way i liked and "saved" but then if i even so much as touch one of the eq dials, my sound evaporated and i lost it. Drove me bonkers

hahaha, clever title! they both sound great! I want to get a BluGuitar AMP-X

You should use the catalyst as power amp A line out to the catalyst from katana it would be interesting to hear

My ears prefer the Katana 👍 Dave did you do the new software upgrade to the Katana before this video?

@thedavesimpson

Жыл бұрын

I didn’t no.

@davelewis4215

Жыл бұрын

@@thedavesimpson It’s really worth doing all your Mk2 Katanas .You could even do a before and after video ?🤞🙏

@davelewis4215

Жыл бұрын

The Version 2 software update brings you a host of new features that further expands the capabilities of your Katana Amplifier. The latest update to our popular range of Katana Amplifiers is out now, and includes several exciting new features.

Dave... I have the fender Mustang GTX100... Would you say that these two amps are superior? Mine has a looper and Bluetooth too. What's better about these compared to mine?

@thedavesimpson

Жыл бұрын

I’ve never tried the mustang so I can’t say. Sorry.

Great video, but it worths to match the output volume for both the amps imho. The louder always will "sound" better for some psycoacoustic phenomenon. Anyway they sound amazing! Thank you for this video

Both it is then. I've had the Katana for a few years now and I want to play with something else.

Nice video

Dave, I’m surprised that you have an issue with the DI on the Catalyst. I use mine religiously and have never had an issue at all with it. Tried both, just preferred the tone of the Catalyst. To be fair, I don’t use the effects on the Catalyst at all and the effects in the Katana never appealed to me. However, as usual, you make EVERYTHING sounds amazing. Cheers!

I went to GC to try both out. I was sure I would leave with the Cat 100, but for me the Kat 100 v2 sounded more fuller with headroom, and the Cat did not. I left with the Kat 100 V2. I only used the clean and brown settings. Yes the Kat is easier to use. I was going for that full clean fender like tone and felt the Kat did a better job of that. I really wanted to love the Cat and feel maybe I didn't know how to use the amp right. With all the raves regarding the Cat, I am confused because I just didn't hear it.

I bought a brand new one catalyst 60 and it fucked up within 24 hours. Selector dial light burned out on clean selection, amp started humming on manual mode. Took it back and purchased the floor model which i initially demoed and loved. Got the extra protection, from GC, m set. I own the katana 100, i hated it.

Hey Dave, I'm interested in a Katana and are searching the used market. This has thrown up a question as both are similarly priced, what is more useable for practice and small gigs, a Mk1 Katana 2x12 100w or a Mk2 Katana 50w 1x12? Please help if you have experience with both. I play 70s / 80s rock with the occasional heavy song thrown in.

@thedavesimpson

Жыл бұрын

The 50 is great for portability and can go loud enough for small gigs. You can’t really go wrong with either though.

@mikejefferis2748

Жыл бұрын

I've got both and the 100 watt 2x12 punches through the band much better than the 50 1x12.

The Kat, to me had a warmer tone with the Tele. The Cat seemed to be a bit more crunchy with the Strat and LP. but they both sound great.

Which one's app is more user friendly in your opinion? And on the app... which one would you say has more/better pedal sims?

@thedavesimpson

9 ай бұрын

Katana.

I prefer my Katana 100 MKii 1x12, over the Cat. For me, the Kat has/does pretty much anything, and everything I need, especially with Tone Studio, and Librarian. I just didn't find the Cat, to be as efficient, nor versatile.

I think the issue with the DI is that the channel volume can easily overload an audio interface. You should be able to turn down the channel volume without changing the tone. My understanding is that the channel volume is to allow you to balance the volume between the two channels. You might want to try using the built-in audio interface. I hope that helps.

I knew right away with the clean demo that I prefer the Katana. If I like the clean sound I should be able to get others. The Cat is thinner sounding to my ears.

@christopherguzzi1316

Жыл бұрын

One thing I can say, however, I actually preferred the Catalyst for the heaviest tone you had dialed in. The Katana has sort of a half cocked wah tone that I can do without. Does anyone else experience this with the Katana???

Dave I love your 'annoyed about crud di' face! 😂

Great demo, but is the catalyst new, if so its covered by line 6 get in touch with them, and i'm sure they will sort it out, they have excellent customer service, keep the great demos coming

Maybe there's a firmware update for the not-Catana? Worth a look.

Listening to both I'd say that neither is better in terms of sound. Both are producing good useable sounds. It's a matter of personal taste and what you as the player want to do with the timbres you get out of them. The speakers may have quite different qualities between them. Would be interesting to run each through the other's speaker/cab for extra comparison. In terms of the Catalyst being a bit flaky and possibly haunted by a ghost that needs investigating by Scooby-Doo, that's a bit of a concern. It could be a firmware issue, or all manner of other things. Which is pretty much the downside of both amps if you are not all that keen on using editors and messing with computer stuff.

Just rewatching this now after finding a good deal on a catalyst at cash converters hopefully it arrives soon. Ive bought a katana 50 based on your review years ago with Jo in the video. Had to sell it as it was abit to big for my room. Moved now and have abit more space now. And damn im glad i bought a Cat. I loved my katana but man imo the Cat wins over the kat. Sounded way meatier which i loved. And seemed to break up less which i like alot. The only thing i feel the kat did alot better was the clean at the beginning. But the Cat wasnt far enough behind for me to regret my choice. Cant wait now 😊

Your problem with reverb I had too. I updated the firmware and it was solved.

I bought a katana originally and it just wouldn't even entertain working with the software. Soon switched it for the catalyst. I haven't noticed it doing its own things. Maybe try a tr y a factory reset 🤔

First, let me thank you again for giving us such good content! I felt I would like the Katana better. I’ve been curious about this type of amp for awhile now, but I haven’t convinced myself that I would like it as much as my analog Oranges or tube amps. While I personally don’t know anyone with a Katana, I’ve seen a lot of acquaintances have catastrophic problems with their Line Six products. Boss has always had superior products and I believe these amps should be no different.

@lehmusic2675

Жыл бұрын

This past year sold all my pedals, Burgera head/1x12 cab and Marshall Code 5 Watt tube combo and went all in on Katana 100 and it's great. Light weight no pedal board to add for trips to the car! The Tone Studio really opens it up to get the tone your looking for. Even set effects loop to after reverb for looper pedal

I had a Kat - traded it. Have the Catalyst.... it's the Catalyst by 2 Miles. It sounds vastly superior. Does more. With less. It's literally hard to dial in a bad sound with the Catalyst. Amazing Amplifier. The Boss Katana - A good Amp. A nice piece of gear. But not in the same league as the Catalyst. The only bad part of the Catalyst... the crap footswitch. Katana by a mile on that.

Dave your a legend mate 👌 i think your content is awesome, if you want to really increase the tone of that katana, you can have my F.A cabs bluesbreaker housing for free, if your interested let me know 👍 keep up the good work mate your killing it 😎

I like the Bass katana with guitar so much more than either of these!

Catalyst is a no brainer. Sounds great, feels great, katana sounds boxy and digital.

@thedavesimpson

11 күн бұрын

Well it comes down to personal preference doesn’t it.

For me the Boss just sounded more there and open, the Cat sounded a bit condensed and processed. Just my view, always play these vids through decent speaker set up to get a better sound. Not to say the Cat isnt a good amp it obviously is but today the Boss ruled. Cheers Dave love your reviews.

The Catalyst Probably needed a Firmware update to sort the issues?

Katana 100 vs Fender GTX100 would be epic. No decent comparisons on YT!

Line 6 just added 6 new amps and other upgrades in a firmware update (are you listening, Boss?). To my ear, the Katana is "more Dave", simply because it excels at the gainier tones that he often uses. The Catalyst is more scooped, under a blanket, whatever you want to call it. Based on other videos I've watched, Line 6 offers a wider variety of low and mid-gain tones, which is where I tend to live. I sold my Kat 50 because I liked but didn't love it. I have a used Catalyst 60 on the way, and I'll be curious to see what I think of it (with the new firmware) when it arrives.

@bradbaker4679

Ай бұрын

Any thoughts on your Catalyst compared to the Katana??

@steverolfeca

Ай бұрын

@@bradbaker4679 The deeper cab gives it a nice heft with my Baritone, and works well with the built-in octaver- low notes have real authority when you want it. It does nice pushed Fender and Vox tones- couldn’t get those out of my mk1 Kat 50. The Dynamic amp model is very responsive to guitar volume and pick attack. The boost feature changes character on a per amp basis. I’m still getting learning the new amps in the latest firmware, but the 60 already pairs nicely with my Tone Master Deluxe in a stereo or wet/dry setup. The FX loop is useful with my pedals, and for my piezo-acoustic guitars, which is also where the various reverb and delay options shine, both pre and post. The XLR DI out is excellent- lots of options for tweaking what goes to FOH.

@steverolfeca

Ай бұрын

@@bradbaker4679 to sum it up, any v2 or Gen 3 Katana is streets ahead for a beginner who doesn’t have any pedals. But for someone who already has their FX game in order, you have to step up to the Kat 100 in order to get stage-ready features like an FX loop. And the proper XLR out that comes on the Cat 60 isn’t even available on the Katana Artist.

Ok ✅. It’s definitely both. 👍☮️🌞🎸🎵❤️

The clean sound at the beginning was quite radically different between the two amps. To me the Kat was a lot fuller. Could have been an EQ issue I suppose.

I suspect the difference I could hear could be explained by the larger cabinet of the Catalyst.

To me the katana sounded best. I like that you change the output power on the katana, might be the same on the other one... Got the katana 50 myself and most of the time i use it on low power.

im a deathcore musician and i bought this and a line pod 6 go, just to try out, for like as blood runs black esque tones. ill update this comment this week (12/6ish) on how that goes

I wish you would add the Blackstar Silverline to these comparisons...

I wonder if the Line 6 Cat has the "factory reset" (to get rid of that "Mind of its own)that four years ago plagued your initial foray into the Boss Kat?

Cat for me. A little less painful in the treble delivery. I've got the katana 50 mk2 and it suffers from the same issue. A pity your catalyst has what you feel are build faults. I'd reach out and see if there is truly an issue. Otherwise both perform adequately at least, thankyou Dave

My vote is for the Catalyst.

Of course your magic hands make any amp sound good!

They both sound good and have their merits, but....... I'd like to see a shoot out between a good ol' VOX Valvtronix AD60VT (Blue) and a modern hybrid. I'll never sell my VOX coz it's so versatile and well stocked (it DOES have an effects loop!!!!) but it would be interesting te see/hear how well a 20 year old Game Changer (in it's day) can hold up against the modern competition. Just as an aside.... The AD60VT is a little bit dark and needs an EQ pedal to "open" it up but, it has all the right bells and whistles , i feel, to give a modern amp a run for it's money even after 2 decades. 🤔😀

Pmt have crazy offers on a catalyst, 100 watt one is £160

Dave , every manufacturer should have you do the demo for their products, you do a great job !!!

Im still torn tbh between these two and the Orange Crush 60 and the 50 and 60 of the other 2 . The Cat comes with the cover and footswitch which are extra on the Kat and Orange .

@TheSavagederek

9 ай бұрын

I should add , I'm not really bothered regards inbuilt effects as I'll be using my board . I understand the Kat 50 doesn't have an effects loop either .

Get the head version of the katana and run it through your cab of choice

Katana sounds better to me. I have one and I'm not just saying that because I have one. I did put a Celestion V-Type speaker in mine that I had from another cab I wasn't using, I think it sounds a little better with that speaker but just a little.

Kat vs Cat. Like it haha For what its worth Kat wins to me still

“Mind of its own” - *AI BRO!*

Hey Worship Leader channel said that his line 6 update might fix the problem!!

Katana won here clearly. Sounds best, looks better, more portable, loud enough. I've recently had band practice and was using katana 100w on 0.5w setting with volume on 10 and it was unbelievably loud. Love it!!

Based on what you say about low-end on the Katana. Would you think that the Katana would work well for a bass vi? I’d need it to play guitar parts and bass parts.

@thedavesimpson

3 ай бұрын

It does work yes but don’t crank it. The speaker wouldn’t be happy.

@ellipsismusicuk

3 ай бұрын

@@thedavesimpson thanks for the reply Dave! Hmm. Guess I’ll have to try a Spark & cab side by side with the Katana!

Fender Mustang 4 version 2. There is no other!!!! 😁