Katana - Tips & Tricks

Started by Elantric, November 22, 2016, 09:52:21 AM

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Elantric


Elantric

Using Boss Tone Studio for Katana


Elantric


http://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?posts/23026234/

Jeff S wrote>
QuoteHave you ever tried the Tube Screamer trick for tightening your hi-gain amp? If you're tuning down it works especially great. I haven't tried it yet with Katana but I would imagine drop D,C, B would work the same. Try the TS pedal with the drive knob set to minimum running it in front of Brown with its gain kind of high. May work great with the OD-2 as well.

Elantric

#3
The guitar simulator is very effective  too

Set it to "S-> Hollow" and got great results. In the Brian May realm.  What a great electric guitar system!

And check out the "Wave Synth" and Harmonist for synth lines.




Elantric

#4
Quote from: middy, post: 23079793, member: 70839I think I might (Try a GT-1 with Katana)
Which actually works very well

I used guitar into a third party  a/b/y selector that  feeds both Katana INPUT and GT-1 INPUT and then use a quality 3.5mm TRS cable and feed GT-1 Headphone out into Katana Aux (Mix in ) INPUT and have an incredible sounding rig
Provides more sonic options and delay/reverb tails from GT-1
This even works with Katana 50

Or on Katana 100 use BTS to assign the FX Loop for Parallel mode and run GT-1 Left Mono out into Katana FX Loop Return

But the 1st scenario above allows you to feed Katana Stereo Headphone out into a separate passive stereo DI box to feed the FOH PA or IEM system and Katana sits mono while GT-1 sits in a stereo field

Run an EV-5 into the Katana's rear expression pedal INPUT and then get your desired tone (Katana or GT-1 or blend of both using Katana and GT-1 expression pedals

Just remember the Katana and it's built in FX remain Mono




in some cases - might require a Ground Loop noise isolator

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019393MV2?psc=1


Elantric

#5
Quote from: skysurf51, post: 23090753, member: 17304Has anyone tried to control the Katana with a Boss GT series unit via midi? If so, how do you set that up? I got the GT's expression pedal to control the amp's volume, but how do I get my GT-10 to switch channels and control effects? I Just got the head a couple of days ago.


Only the Katana Head has 5 pin MIDI Input

Use the GT-100 Control Assignments to control the following Katana supported MIDI Commands ( Patch change  / MIDI CC# for FX)



Katana FAQ
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=19048.0

In my debug research, I  discovered ALL Katana amps support the same MIDI commands as the HEAD via  "MIDI over USB" - (however one hurdle)

- the Katana AMPs are NOT USB Class Compliant , but will work with specific USB HOST to 5 pin MIDI I/O adapters ( Raspberry PI,) or



PrimovaSound MIDX-20
http://www.primovasound.com/midx_20.html












https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=17561.100

but review the KATANA MIDI BRIDGE by snhirsch
https://github.com/snhirsch/katana-midi-bridge



Elantric

#6
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?posts/23105448/

mataraja wrote>

I've had some more time to play with the head, and I'm convinced that it is a major breakthrough in terms of price and quality. Here are a few more observations:

1. It also works well as a power amp + FX. The delay and reverb come after the loop return in default mode. I plugged my Voodoo Lab preamp into the loop and it sounds awesome, and I also don't have to fuss with a third box for FX. The preamp had been living in a 4-space rack with a stereo tube power amp and a Lexicon MPX G2 which weighed close to 60 lbs. I'll never carry that around again! This thing will be a great option for those with fun boxes like the Ethos or the Kingsley preamp pedals.

2. It sounds great through the headphone out. No perceivable latency, and whatever cab sim they have makes it sound on par with my Scuffham plugin on my laptop. If you plug an external audio source into the aux, the aux source remains stereo while the guitar mix is in mono.

3. I'm starting to get some great sounds out of the Lead and Brown channels. I've tempered some of the icepick with the Natural OD (Tone -24ish, Bottom +18ish). I'll try to post a screenshot:




Katana plays well with others

And Katana works to amplify your DSP Tube Amp modeler du jour - (Axe-FX II, AX-8, Kemper, Helix, AmpliFIRE, G-5N, GT-100, GT-1, . . . . )

Use Katana 100 / Head as your 4 cable method amp

or place Eventide H9 in the Katana FX Loop, and stomp pedal in front.

===


and I'll add -

in general folks who are the type who never touch their Guitar Volume knob (and leave it on "10" ), typically will never experience the prime benefit of the Boss Katana Amps - the fact that even with a Gibson Les Paul on the high gain solo Brown Amp Channel cranked up , the tone cleans up big time when you back the guitar volume down to "3"

further reading for all Katana Owners
https://reverb.com/news/volume-and-tone-knobs-your-most-underrated-effects

Elantric

#7
Going to install taller rubber feet on my Katana Head  - so it can sit solid and clear top mounted handle on my Supro Titan 12" cab

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LBVWFWC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1



Boss Katana with Supro Titan 12" closed back cab





Elantric

#8
HIDDEN 15 Watt Power Mode for Katana Head owners
Review the specs

Rated Power Output: 30 W (Using internal speaker)
100 W (Using external speaker)
[/I]


https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=19475.0





See the red and black wire above on the internal speaker in the Katana Head - this is powered by a 30 watt amp that is under control of the POWER CONTROL Mode switch too.
As many Katana Owners observe, there is a big volume jump between the lower wattage POWER CONTROL modes.

At some gigs the 0.5 watt mode is not enough, and the 50 watt mode might be too much

But the internal speaker tap inside Katana Head is powered by a lower wattage power amp that also scales with the three available POWER Modes

MAIN SPEAKER OUT Watts__vs __Katana Head INTERNAL SPEAKER Watts

Power setting: 0.5 watt = 0.15 watt delivered to Internal Speaker
Power setting: 50 watt = 15 watt delivered to Internal Speaker
Power setting: 100 watt = 30 watt delivered to Internal Speaker

Adding a separate Speaker Output Jack from the Internal Speaker power amp yields more possible wattage options - like the 15 watt mode!

I would use the "switching function" of the isolated chassis ground "Cliff/REAN"
NYS2122
style 1/4" jack -
http://www.rean-connectors.com/en/products/1/4-jacks/nys2122

http://www.rean-connectors.com/zoolu-website/media/download/5830/REAN+Product+Guide


Configure the wiring so when the new "low wattage" speaker jack is un-occupied, the internal 5" speaker on the Katana head is connected. (using the tip shunt connection)
When an external 1/4" speaker cable is connected, it would disconnect the internal speaker. And be sure to observe the requirement for 8 ohm minimum load. ( i.e. no 4 ohm speakers, no parallel 8 ohm speakers, etc

https://geoffthegreygeek.com/calculator-speakers-in-parallel/

If ANY Speaker (+) wire or (-) wire touch each other - or Chassis ground while powered ON -  - you fry the Katana Power amp

( BTW - this is true for ANY Solid State Power Amp, and many Tube Power Amps too.


Elantric

#9
QuoteOne setup that I've got on my (far in the future) wishlist is a dual Katana setup with a Mimiq Doubler so that I can play "double tracked" guitars

No need for a Mimic
To simulate sound of 2 guitars at once
need  100% wet short delay with 100% slow speed LFO from a modulated delay, or Vibrato in front of the delay

Lets build the "Guitar Doubler" patch

Katana Amp supports these different FX order options









* Use Two Katana 100-112 combo amps (Katana#1, Katana#2)


* Set the Katana #1 FX Loop to Parallel mode)

Signal Flow: Guitar >Katana#1Guitar INPUT >Katana#1_FX Send> Katana#2_FX Return

(Note:  need to install a 1/4" dummy plug into Katana#2 Guitar input else signals will be remain muted)


on Katana#2 - set FX Flow for CHAIN1

This places the Katana #2 FX Return before all Katana's FX
in the Booster / Mod section - assign it to use the built in Katana Chorus FX with these settings
the "Rates" are the LFO frequency
the "Predelay"  = the short delay
the Direct Mix = off = 100% wet.

Mission accomplished with one FX slot


These Katana Chorus settings should get you in the ballpark to mimic a "Doubled Guitar" in unison  - adjust to taste -  and  requires only one FX Slot

Elantric



The Roland GA-FC turns your Katana 100w combo or head into a lean mean gigging machine! Two modes allow you to either change through your presets or turn FX on off as well as tap tempo

Stevie F

#11
Quote from: Elantric on December 06, 2016, 10:18:16 AM
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?posts/23105448/

mataraja wrote>

I've had some more time to play with the head, and I'm convinced that it is a major breakthrough in terms of price and quality. Here are a few more observations:

1. It also works well as a power amp + FX. The delay and reverb come after the loop return in default mode. I plugged my Voodoo Lab preamp into the loop and it sounds awesome, and I also don't have to fuss with a third box for FX. The preamp had been living in a 4-space rack with a stereo tube power amp and a Lexicon MPX G2 which weighed close to 60 lbs. I'll never carry that around again! This thing will be a great option for those with fun boxes like the Ethos or the Kingsley preamp pedals.

2. It sounds great through the headphone out. No perceivable latency, and whatever cab sim they have makes it sound on par with my Scuffham plugin on my laptop. If you plug an external audio source into the aux, the aux source remains stereo while the guitar mix is in mono.

3. I'm starting to get some great sounds out of the Lead and Brown channels. I've tempered some of the icepick with the Natural OD (Tone -24ish, Bottom +18ish). I'll try to post a screenshot:




Katana plays well with others

And Katana works to amplify your DSP Tube Amp modeler du jour - (Axe-FX II, AX-8, Kemper, Helix, AmpliFIRE, G-5N, GT-100, GT-1, . . . . )

Use Katana 100 / Head as your 4 cable method amp

or place Eventide H9 in the Katana FX Loop, and stomp pedal in front.
===


and I'll add -

in general folks who are the type who never touch their Guitar Volume knob (and leave it on "10" ), typically will never experience the prime benefit of the Boss Katana Amps - the fact that even with a Gibson Les Paul on the high gain solo Brown Amp Channel cranked up , the tone cleans up big time when you back the guitar volume down to "3"

further reading for all Katana Owners
https://reverb.com/news/volume-and-tone-knobs-your-most-underrated-effects

Elantric

#12
SOLO BOOST using the rear FX Loop

Regarding boosting without using an effects slot: if you have the ga fc or a MIDI pedal for the 100w models, you can set the Katana External FX Loop send/return levels of the loop to turn it into a boost when engaged.
The settings are in the Tone Studio under "system" (I think) in the lower right corner.
You can also set the loop to parallel and adjust the send and returns to taste for a cool fat type boost.




SOLO BOOST using the rear FX Loop

Regarding boosting without using an effects slot: if you have the ga fc or a MIDI pedal for the 100w models, you can set the Katana External FX Loop send/return levels of the loop to turn it into a boost when engaged.
The settings are in the Tone Studio under "system" (I think) in the lower right corner.
You can also set the loop to parallel and adjust the send and returns to taste for a cool fat type boost.



OLD FIRMWARE



NEW FIRMWARE

The old firmware V1 had only a global/system S/R Loop which did not make it very flexible for different requirements.
The V2 firmware moved the S/R Loop from the global area and into each patch/channel.

Put a short patch cable between the send and return of the loop and you can kick in the "Solo Boost" function by using the "LOOP" foot switch while in EFFECTS Mode on GA-FC









Elantric

#13
Locking IEC Power Cords work and will "lock" into the IEC AC Mains power receptacle on all Boss Katana Amps
(Just like a Quilter)



http://www.ebay.com/itm/122258806934?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Elantric

#14

Katana Live Gig Settings

Crank up the MASTER ( on the far right ) to 2:00 o clock - 3:00 o clock = 3/4 up. and find the POWER CONTROL wattage Setting that works best for the room.

I use a Katana 100-112 , but only use the 100 watt Power mode when i want clean Dick Dale surf music tones.

i typically use the 50 watt mode for Blues / Rock gigs

Now move over to the left
Adjust the GAIN to set the Distortion you desire, adjust the VOLUME to taste.
if you want less Distortion - Lower the gain below 9:00 o clock ,adjust the VOLUME to taste. - even on Max full up if you need it to be louder . If your clean tone is still not loud enough, go back to the right and raise the MASTER or raise the POWER CONTROL setting to higher watts until your clean sound works for the room and your band situation - do that first before proceeding !

if you want more Distortion, raise the GAIN, adjust the VOLUME to taste.

I treat the VOLUME knob ( on the left) to set the current Amp level, and I assign a different VOLUME setting for Rhythm vs the VOLUME for my LEAD SOLO tones

By contrast
If I want the worst Katana experience with lots of buzz and poor tone - on the far right, lower the MASTER to 8:00 o' clock ( less than a 1/3rd way up ) and crank the Gain and Volume ( both on the left ) to the max

in the EQUALIZER - dont be afraid to try Bass / Middle / Treble settings that appear completely alien from a genuine tube amp tone stack on a Fender / Marshall

You just might find "your sound" when all three are set to "2" ( like 8:00 o clock )

The point is Experiment with different Amp types and EQUALIZER settings - but I find the best Katana tones DO NOT occur when all knobs on the left are maxed out on "11".

The good news is many guitarists today are baffled and resell their Katana after a week , - I picked up mine gently used at deep discount because the prior owner didnt read this thread. There is profit in confusion




fificap

Quote from: Elantric on June 03, 2017, 08:33:52 AM

...
You just might find "your sound" when all three are set to "2"

Experiment with different settings - but I find the best Katana tones DO NOT occur when all knobs on the left are maxed out on "11"

Hi

you mean "2" like to o'clock position or 2 on Boss tone studio? same question for "11" ?

thanks

Elantric

"2" like 8:00 o clock
But my point is just try every position to find the one that works for you

not me

lefty Freak

What an awesome thread! Thanks Elantric for this! I just picked up a Katana head and GA-FC controller and it should be here by Friday. I am very excited to dig into it.  :D
"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage."  ― Anais Nin

admin

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?posts/24308836/
QuoteHello :)

question for some of you! I like my Katana Head, but if i turn it up to gig volume it is pretty bright, like hurting my ears bright if i just use the stock setting and everything at 12 o clock. I am using a Gibson Les Paul Tribute, which is by itself a little bright. The problem is, that I am not really good at EQing and if I just do the obvious and reduce the treble it gets of course less bright, but something is missing aswell, it sounds too dark then.

So the right way would then be the graphic EQ, which is also recommended by alot of people, but nobody really shares their detailed experiences with the EQ. I read in another forum that people cut around 3000- 3500 and the annoying noise is somewhere there. Me personally I found a cut at the 4000 area helpful. Stil if i do this i have the feeling something is missing then and the bass gets a lot more noticable...

Anybody have any tips or even better some example screenshots of their graphic/parametric EQ which worked to tame the beast? :)

Thanks!

Try the Graphic EQ

Elantric

#19





FWIW  -there are guitar PU modeling options in the Boss Katana

And check out the "Wave Synth" and Harmonist for synth lines.

read the BTS Guide which includes Parameter Guide and search on "GUITAR SIMULATOR"
https://static.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/GT-1_parameter_e01.pdf



Elantric

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/simple-lightweight-clean-amp-for-use-with-modeler-still-powerful-enough-for-use-on-stage.1814695/page-3
QuoteFollow up on using katana 100 as active speaker:

Yesterday I carried my Kemper and Katana100 at reharsal and HOLY S#*T!!!
I used the preset I made on acoustic mode+parametricEQ, turned cab character all the way to -5 and used full Kemper profiles including CAB section.

Great sounds, wide ranges and the cabs make all the difference in the world.
Loudness was amazing, 100w mode was too much I switched to 50w mode, master at 11o'clock, volume&gain at noon, kemper master volume @6,5.(we play hard&heavy covers with loud drumming)

Amazing with Kemper full profiles, amazing on its own but will have to try more OK Katana alone( target of the experiment was to make Katana100 as close as I can to a Frfr)

Elantric

#21
https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?posts/24392465/
I bought my Katana 2x12 back in October and loved it except when i got it a lot louder it was missing something. So I decided it was because it's open back and I'm a closed back speaker guy normally. So I made a removable back panel out of a piece of cherry I had sitting around my shop. I also changed the channel volume, gain, and master volume knobs to red so they're easier to see on a dark stage.



admin

Quote from: wzpgsr, post: 24527615, member: 163413I like that the Katana's reverb comes after the effects return.

FWIW - with Gumtowns Katana FX Floorboard Editor - you can move the reverb anywhere in the signal chain

Place it 1st in the signal chain to get vintage 1960's surf instrumental "drip"


and double click the Pedal icon to dive in to adjust the settings to Spring reverb effect for better sound

Elantric

#23
Quoteironman28 said: ↑
Agree that the head should have front mounted controls like the Blues Cube head. I cant stack two heads and most cabs cant do two heads side by side.


https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?posts/24981256/
KGWagner wrote>
I don't have a stacking problem, but top-mounted controls have always presented a variety of other problems as well. Never have liked that packaging.

So, I just bought some rubber feet, removed the front panel retention screws, then ran 'em back in through the feet. Now I can set my head on it's face and I have front-facing controls...





Doesn't solve a stacking problem, though. Face the thing down, and now you have at least 2 cords sticking up in the air, and quite likely more. But, this served my purposes as I didn't have a stacking problem, I had a control access problem.


Elantric

#24
https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?posts/25176253/
NotYalCer wrote>

Just got a Dunlop DVP1XL volume/expressions pedal to use with my K100. Really well designed and solid feeling pedal. I have the GA-FC controller and spent a few hours experimenting with it last night. I wanted to report and see if others can confirm what I found.
When plugged into the Volume jack on the GA-FX the volume effect is placed last in the chain. It acts like a master volume. Lowering the volume also cuts effect trails on delays and reverb. Not great, unusable for me.
When plugged into the FX jack, it behaves more like I would expect, closer to first the in the chain, so effect trails are maintained. You can swell up and down and hear delay repeats fade off into reverb. Nice. If a Wah effect is in the patch, turning it on will assign the pedal to control the wah and the volume goes up to 100% until you turn it off. Then its back to volume pedal, set to wherever in the range the pedal happens to be. Makes sense, but you have to be aware of this when coming out of the wah.
The behavior of the volume effect when using the FX jack, while in a more usable position in the chain, doesn't act like a true passive volume pedal. The amount of dirt either from the boost or amp model stays the same, it just gets softer or louder. It's like a master volume placed after boost and amp, but before Mod, FX, Delay and Reverb.

I've found no way to adjust where the volume effect is located in the chain. The manual, if I recall, shows it first but it doesn't behave this way. I am hopeful that when the Floorboard app is updated to work with the 2.02 update, I will be able to adjust and better control the volume pedal effect position.


Member
Was experimenting with the built-in wahs using an expression pedal. Compared the Crybaby and Vox models to my BBE Wah and Fulltone Clyde. The Katana wahs sound and feel convincing. I use wah sparingly so this will work really well for me.

In Tonestudio many of the effects have a Direct Mix control, including the Pedal Wah. I dialed in about 30% direct signal on the Vox model and really liked the result. It cures the problem I have with wahs in that the high position can be piercing and the low position can drop out and be muffled. Mixing in dry signal mellows out the highs and adds clarity to the lows. You can still hear the wah effect clearly, but it gives it a little bit more even and subtler effect. This is an approach that has been applied to compression and overdrives (thinking Barber Tonepress and Sparkle Drive). Nice idea with wah, too.