Sonic Reaction

LINE 6 CATALYST 100

- Chris Gill

SINCE THE MID Nineties, Line 6 has been a leading force in making digital modeling technology accessible to the masses. Over the last few decades, the quality of Line 6’s amp and effect models have improved to the point where most guitarists can’t tell the difference between a model and the real deal (at least those who use their ears and not their eyes), and even the most skeptical critics admit the sounds are pretty damn good.

While the immense popularity of Line 6 products like the POD and Helix multi-effects and Spider amps is partially due to the expansive variety of amp and effect models they offer, Line 6’s new Catalyst series amps take a different approach by standing predominantly on the merits of its own sonic personalities. Instead of providing dozens of different amp models, the Catalyst amps offer six original amp designs created using Line 6’s HX sound design technology. Even half of the 18 delay, modulation and pitch/filter effects are Line 6 originals as well as all six of the reverbs. The series currently consists of three dual-channel combos that look and function like a traditional guitar amp. We took a look at the Catalyst 100, a 1x12 combo situated between the smaller Catalyst 60 and larger Catalyst 200.