Boss Katana Amps - User Reviews

Started by Elantric, October 11, 2016, 11:33:29 AM

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vtgearhead

Quote from: Elantric on November 15, 2016, 10:54:36 AM
but this will be limited to the following


In theory, anything that BTS can control in real time can be sniffed and issued by a controller.  I'd be very surprised if the Katana used a protocol substantially different than than GP-10 and other Roland USB-only products.  Of course, a majority of the cool software controls will involve Sysex messages, but that's surmountable.  MIDX-20 has the ability to send pre-defined Sysex, for example.  The MidiSolutions Event Processor is another potential solution.  I believe you can map arbitrary CC and/or PC messages to Sysex.

mchad

Quote from: Elantric on November 15, 2016, 02:43:15 PM

actually the stewart amps and DIs were a different company
http://www.stewartaudio.com/products.php?category_id=5


but i once met Mr. Stewart Ward, the UK designer of the Award Sessionette 75 amp at the Morley booth at NAMM 20 years ago, smart guy!

The Award  / Session Sessionette 75's were legendary for their tone
http://www.award-session.com/
http://www.award-session.com/award-session_history.html

Stewart Ward also designed the Jerry Donahue JD-20 pedal which was being sold in USA by Morley
http://www.award-session.com/pdfs/manuals/JD20%20Manual.pdf
 
http://planetbotch.blogspot.com/2015/01/session-sessionette-guitar-amps-in-1980s.html






Congratulations on your new Katana 100-112
(I still love mine)

I think you will find Katana sounds better than the Sessionette 75

Thanks Elantric. My Sessionette has 2 12in Fanes. Nice. The plate on the front says Steward and the chasis says Sessionette. Not a huge amount were sent to Australia so I was lucky to find mine.

GuitarBuilder

I just got the KATANA 100W Head and I can confirm that program changes work using MIDX-20 into the USB port on the back.  I still have to check CCs.
"There's no-one left alive, it must be a draw"  Peter Gabriel 1973

Elantric

QuoteI just got the KATANA 100W Head and I can confirm that program changes work using MIDX-20 into the USB port on the back.  I still have to check CCs.


THANK YOU!

I'll try with the Katana 100-112 combo  soon

Though its possible the firmware is different

GuitarBuilder

#54
Confirmation: CCs 16-19 are recognized by KATANA head at USB port for effect control.  Note that you can only turn the effects on or off, not select the effect mode.  The latter seems to be only possible through the push buttons on the head (or Sysex, perhaps?).

I programmed my Keith McMillen Softstep 2 with PCs on switch 1 through 5 for channel/panel control and CCs on switch 6 through 9 for effects control.

Control chain:

Softstep 2 USB out > MIDX-20 UPR USB
MIDX-20 LWR USB > KATANA USB

MIDX-20 is powered via mini USB and 5V power adapter.
"There's no-one left alive, it must be a draw"  Peter Gabriel 1973

Elantric

QuoteNote that you can only turn the effects on or off, not select the effect mode.  The latter seems to be only possible through the push buttons on the head (or Sysex, perhaps?).

Most use BTS for Katana assign what FX are desired


GuitarBuilder

Yes, I do that as well; I was referring to changing the FX type via a MIDI foot switch on stage.
"There's no-one left alive, it must be a draw"  Peter Gabriel 1973

Elantric

#57
QuoteYes, I do that as well; I was referring to changing the FX type via a MIDI foot switch on stage.

As Gumtown pointed out  - with patience it may be possible to document each USB MIDI mesage data traffic of Boss Tone Studio for each Katana setting and FX parameter

using BOME's SENDSX

https://www.bome.com/products/sendsx


not a trivial task

but once accomplished - this opens the doors for Android / IOS /  iPad control using MIDI Designer, Lemur, TB Stuff, etc.

but the PrimovaSound  MIDX-20 is still a crucial "missing link" to accomplish MIDI Communication with Katana


More details
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=19707.0

CodeSmart

It's good to know the Katana works like the other Boss/Roland gear. i.e. compatible with the USB stack implementation in MIDX-20.
I never coded specific code for GR-55,GP-10 etc. so therefore it's working. I just identify "Boss/Roland" and assume everything is working same as VG-99, GR-55, GP-10, SY-300, GT-10, GT-100,GT-001.

I just requested a quote from my local Boss/Roland supplier (good friend Janne at 4Sound in Karlstad) for a Katana head and a GT-1...no response yet.

If someone breaks the Katana Sysex knowledge barrier before I return from NZ I'm all ears to implement it in the MIDX-20 firmware as a "bridge".
Otherwise, I have to do the MIDI message sniffing when I get back in late January.
This Katana thing just has to be cracked.
Osu!
But I got more gear than I need...and I like it!

vtgearhead

Just as I expected, but good news to have the confirmation.  My crystal ball says the Katana sysex implementation will look very much like what we've seen in the GP-10 and GR-55 (with only names changed to protect the innocent).

mchad


Hi Codesmart,
I have a MIDX-10 and soon to receive a Katana 100w 1x12. Will the MIDX-10 do the channel/effects changes like the MIDX-20 will do?
Thanks

CodeSmart

Quote from: mchad on November 16, 2016, 05:48:19 PM
Hi Codesmart,
I have a MIDX-10 and soon to receive a Katana 100w 1x12. Will the MIDX-10 do the channel/effects changes like the MIDX-20 will do?
Thanks

Most probably Yes.
But I got more gear than I need...and I like it!

mchad


Thank you Codesmart. I think it's Robert?  :)

Elantric

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?posts/23007792/
QuoteSo I finally had chance to open up the 50 watt model at home. It does start breaking up when maxed out. For those who were interested the 50 full out and the 100 in 50 watt mode are very different. The 100 must use some of the spare capacity in the power amp to keep it clean at extreme volume since in the clean setting I could get the channel and master volume to 10 without any break up. On the 50 watt I have to back off both the channel and the master to about 7 to get a clean tone. Even that distorts a little in a chord digging in hard.

I may try to trade put to the 100 watt but that is heavy enough to not be worth it as my Mesa Express is not a lot heavier than the 100 watt version. The 50 is a good amp to play at home due to the power scaling and I'm not even sure I can return the amp or trade up anyway.

mchad


Had a chance to sit down with my 100 1x12 today. Pretty much spent the whole time on the clean channel exploring the controls. Used the 0.5w setting and hoisted the Gain up. Also maxed out the Master Vol. Controlled the overall vol with the Amp Volume control. I think the Katana does the simmering hairy clean/break up tone quite well. Big Townsendesque chords sounded mighty.

Could not blast off with the 50w or 100w setting as it is loud. Looking forward to replicating the 0.5w tones but louder.

pasha811

A lot of talking about the head and the 100W combos.
Do you think the 50 has value as well?
I have a very old (27 years) Fender 85 that it's showing age and needs a revamping that I am not capable of doing as my electronic skills might not match the requirements. I like the 12" Celestion warm sound and bell like treble of my 85 but not the noise... I think the Katana 50 might do.
A greek geek did the revamping here...https://guitar-dreamer.blogspot.it/2013/04/fender-85-amplifier-restoration.html
too bad I have not that skills.  :-[ 
Listen to my music at :  http://alonetone.com/pasha/

mchad

Quote from: pasha811 on November 20, 2016, 08:16:04 AM
A lot of talking about the head and the 100W combos.
Do you think the 50 has value as well?
I have a very old (27 years) Fender 85 that it's showing age and needs a revamping that I am not capable of doing as my electronic skills might not match the requirements. I like the 12" Celestion warm sound and bell like treble of my 85 but not the noise... I think the Katana 50 might do.
A greek geek did the revamping here...https://guitar-dreamer.blogspot.it/2013/04/fender-85-amplifier-restoration.html
too bad I have not that skills.  :-[

I used to have a Fender Pro 185 back in the day. At some settings it had a nice valve like character. I wish I still had it so I could explore that tone again. Anyways I think the Katana 100 is the go. You get an effects loop and a presence control. The 100w can use the GAFC footswitch. More presets too. I haven't played the 50 but the 100 has that extra headroom. And the 100 has the power scaling with a 50w setting.

pasha811

Quote from: mchad on November 20, 2016, 01:24:27 PM
I used to have a Fender Pro 185 back in the day. At some settings it had a nice valve like character. I wish I still had it so I could explore that tone again. Anyways I think the Katana 100 is the go. You get an effects loop and a presence control. The 100w can use the GAFC footswitch. More presets too. I haven't played the 50 but the 100 has that extra headroom. And the 100 has the power scaling with a 50w setting.

I was looking for something compact and 'light weight'. 100W Head it's a tad less than 9 Kg at 8.8, and looks compact. My interest for 50 was about the price and the 1x12" configuration of the cabinet even if it comes at more weight with 11.6 Kg. Conversely The 100W it's 14.8 Kg. I'll take a look in the shop (still not available, except Katana 50).
Thanks!
Listen to my music at :  http://alonetone.com/pasha/

mchad


I've got Boss in my FB feed and lately I've noticed a post like this:

"...With all the hype surrounding our new KATANA amps, don't forget that much of the technology that makes KATANA possible comes directly from our flagship WAZA AMP. Check out this great studio clip from Hungary featuring the incredible WAZA AMP in action. Tone for days..."

I get the feeling that the scale of love being showered on the Katana amp line is distracting people from the Waza line. And Boss are possibly a bit miffed.

And I'd hope that other manufacturers are also now taking notice. NAMM 2017 might be a cool opportunity to announce new lines of SS/digital amps for less money.

Elantric

#69
Quote
"...With all the hype surrounding our new KATANA amps, don't forget that much of the technology that makes KATANA possible comes directly from our flagship WAZA AMP. Check out this great studio clip from Hungary featuring the incredible WAZA AMP in action. Tone for days..."

Myself, with my $300 Katana 100-112 Combo  I'm getting "just the right Tone for many Days" , and it includes built in high class effects, Delays, Tap Tempo, Wah, not available in the  $2,499 Boss Waza amp.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/WazaHead

QuoteAnd I'd hope that other manufacturers are also now taking notice. NAMM 2017 might be a cool opportunity to announce new lines of SS/digital amps for less money.

Competition is good - but for those folks in USA, and the new import tariffs soon to be imposed in 2017, I  suspect the days of "new" $300 Katana 110-112 combos will soon be a fond memory

also any manufacturer designing a new amp in response to the September 9, Boss Katana release wont have new product until summer 2017

IMHO the Boss Katana Amp line yields a much better user experience compared to the recently released Line-6 Spider-V amps.

Katana amps are among the few that pass my "Elantric DSP Modeling Amp test" with flying colors     

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=6125.msg138360#msg138360

I can judge ANY DSP TUBE AMP Modeller in a few easy steps.

1) crank the amp up to gig volume with a high gain patch , stand 6 feet away from the Amp with a well setup Les Paul on Bridge PU, Guitar Vol on "10"  and a straight 1/4" guitar cord plugged straight into the amp under review.

2 )  Fret an E power chord ( 7th fret "A" position Bar chord), and with one Pete Townsend style power strum hit all the strings once , and then

3 ) hold the chord with your left hand and spend the next full minute carefully listening to what the DSP Amp delivers as the strings vibration naturally decay


I analyze the following :

The initial Attack transient ( was it too spikey or too spongy with too much sag)

The sustain , (a good DSP Amp sustains just as well as the real tube amp)

Around 15-30 seconds after the one power strum and all string vibration decays to a low level and have less energy/ less amplitude delivered into the Guitar input jack is the key area of interest for me.
At some point specific to each Amp under review (with all noise gates disabled and off ) a poor designed DSP amp will no longer deliver the remaining sound of your barely vibrating strings , instead it delivers its own poor noise floor of hiss and noise , and bury the sound of the last remaining string vibration energy.

The best ones (like my AXE-FX into a QSC K12 cab, Boss Katana Amps ) will deliver a complete range of musical expression for nearly a full minute after the one power chord strum

The poor ones will begin to sputter and choke around 15- 20 seconds. Lacking good dynamic range makes it impossible to play many styles of music


whippinpost91850


Elantric

#71
There are other "best ones" : Kemper, Atomic Amplifier, and as long as its latest firmware - Helix.

There are "poor ones" : Vypyr, Firehawk, HD500X, any Spyder, Hi gain models on Fender Mustang

pasha811

Quote from: Elantric on November 22, 2016, 08:11:21 PM
There are other "best ones" : Kemper, Atomic Amplifier, and as long as its latest firmware - Helix.

There are "poor ones" : Vypyr, Firehawk, HD500X, any Spyder, Hi gain models on Fender Mustang

I've heard the Fender Mustangs after 15 seconds have artifacts during decay. That's why despite their size and weight I ruled them out.
Listen to my music at :  http://alonetone.com/pasha/

( . )( . )

I have a V30/G12H30 loaded 2*12 cab (speakers in parallel). I'm thinking  about getting a Katana head and running it through this cab, but I'm worried I'll blow it cranked. I've run 50w tube heads through it plenty with no problem, but the cab is only rated for 60w as I understand it...thoughts?

aarons

#74
Quote from: Elantric on November 22, 2016, 08:11:21 PM
There are other "best ones" : Kemper, Atomic Amplifier, and as long as its latest firmware - Helix.

There are "poor ones" : Vypyr, Firehawk, HD500X, any Spyder, Hi gain models on Fender Mustang

What do you guys think of the Blackstar ID:60TVP? Would you prefer the Katana 100w over that Blackstar?

Also, I use the GP-10's amp emulations through an ALTO TS110A. For clean and crunch tones, does the Katana sound better?