Hi guys,
I am in the same boat with the same problem – a Catalyst 60W that doesn’t respond to USB commands.
I am trying to get the amp to change settings on a song-by-song basis using MIDI commands sent automatically from the UnRealBook app on an iPad. I have it connected via an iRig MIDI connector (which works fine with my Helix) and a Kenton USB Host MkII.
From the reading I have done so far, you can’t just use a pedal that sends a MIDI command over the USB interface – it also has to act as the controller on the interface. It is my understanding that the Kenton does this, yet it doesn’t work.
It’s very frustrating. The advertising material and the manuals state:
MIDI In jack for use with external MIDI controller devices (CATALYST 100 and 200 only—note that
all CATALYST models offer MIDI In via USB).
This would imply to a prospective buyer that you can control the amp via USB, which I have spent all day trying to achieve.
Then you go to the Catalyst FAQ page and it says:
Can I use the Catalyst 60’s USB over MIDI capabilities without using a computer?
Although the expected use of the Catalyst 60’s USB over MIDI capabilities is with a computer, you
are welcome to try your choice of USB Host to 5 pin DIN MIDI solutions available on the market.
However, we cannot recommend or endorse any given solution.
So in other words you might be able to do it but we won’t tell you how to (or we don’t know). It’s pretty close to false advertising.
I can’t understand why Line 6 would recognise that users of the 100W and 200W versions would want to access the 12 settings on the amp remotely, but deny that capability to the 60W users for a couple of dollars’ worth of circuitry.
Anyway, the shop said they would be happy to upgrade to a 100W version that has a proper interface, if I want to spend the money, but I like the small size and lower weight of the 60W, so I am reluctant to do so.
I will keep looking for solutions, but I will be interested to hear if anyone has any success.
Cheers, Simon