Katana - Get horrible sound at high volume during jaming sessions

Started by arakatak, December 01, 2017, 01:32:35 AM

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arakatak

Unfortunately, it seems that I'm part of the extreme minority that this amp seems not to fit with my expectations. Such a pity.. living in a place that there's no music shops at all around 200 km, I have to base my choice just on internet review. And I will say I saw 99% good reviews concerning that amp....
I tried different guitars with that amp, go around each chanels,  tried "sneaky amps", sound great at 0,5 watts at home. But once using during jamming sessions with drums and bass at high volume (output power setting at 50W or 100W)....HORRIBLE...! especially concerning the dispersion of the sound , I've tried at different places, differents amp positions, always the same results, the sound becomes inaudible porridge . I tried to use different setting, EQ etc...etc...NO WAY....I use on a gretsch tone block, and on a telecaster, same sh**..no clarity...and especially using gain (I go no more than 25% gain level..)
Do you think it's because of the speakers...? Not suitable with garage punk tones, surf, stoner sounds..? Not suitable with my guitars...? Or (and I really hope this last probability...) there's perhaps an hidden setting that I didn't saw...? I use this amp at master level 3/4, gain no more than 25%, sometimes internal distortion (TScreamer) no more that gain 30%...
Btw, there's a delay using FS-5L footswitch between chanels, this amp didn't take well my pedals (blackstar ht dual, fuzz..) eventhough using just clean channel on the amp panel setting..I use the last firmware version
My guitars sound better through China replica Marshall solid state head amplifier sh**  with cab 4x12 (also sh**..)...There's ground on electricity installation at studio...My cable are all new and have been tested one by one...My pedals use battery or single power adaptator (also tested...) I don't have problems concerning my guitars wiring...SO, I really don't understand why this katana sound like sh** with me......??? (sorry in advance for my bad English...) Any inputs.....? Thks

admin


arakatak

Quote from: admsustainiac on December 01, 2017, 01:38:27 AM
Then sell it and move on - plenty of choices today
Thanks,  that helps a lot to understand why, and that help also to know if I'm the only one in that case. Sell it's not so easy here, and I will lost at least 30% of the investment...that's why before sell it, I ask. Btw thanks for you input.

admin

spend time and review all Katana topics we have here on the forum
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?board=232.0

Watch Katana Tutorial videos
https://www.google.com/search?q=Boss+Katana+tutorial&source=lnms&tbm=vid&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjoo8C31ujXAhWqxlQKHUxDC9YQ_AUICigB&biw=1536&bih=790


What is your goal? What guitarists do you admire, and hope / aspire to land in similar ballpark tone with Katana  ?
QuoteNot suitable with garage punk tones, surf, stoner sounds..

I cover all that with Katana ( but Ive been playing 50 years)


What Amp did you enjoy prior to the Katana ?

QuoteMy guitars sound better through China replica Marshall solid state head amplifier

Then trust your instincts and use what works for you




arakatak

Thanks for your anwers, before buy it, I've already spent huge time on those topics , watch videos tutorial, etc...I use most of the time a gretsch g2622t. The list is too long concerning bands that I admire. To resume I expected with that amp to get a versatile sound, and a "all in one" purpose (home, jam, live) as every where if you read comments and reviews this amp looks like this. I thought I could play funk, skinhead reggae, dub, surf, garage punk, doom, stoner , psychobilly, boogie etc...etc... using just one amp...I like the sound from the cramps, karma to burn, the new mastersounds, the routes (japan garage band), Reverend Horton Heat, MC5..and so on...Perhaps this amp is not suitable at high volume with a gretsch, perhaps better result using stratocaster, Les Paul guitar type...Or like new motors it takes time for the speakers  to give results...(seriously i don't think so..). I notice also that not huge difference between 50 and 100w power output... I like grainy textured sound on clean and on drive, I get closer on time using a fender hod rod 60w 4x10, just the clean chanel and fuzz, overdrive using pedals..but lack of balls..I just want to be sure before I sell my katana 100w 212, that there's nothing who escape my vigilance...like it's often the case with new material....I can't buy an original marshall jcm 800 here and a reel fender twin reverb...no skilled technicians here in Indonesia if you get problems with tube amps...For all those reasons, I naturally be intetested by the katana amp..

Smash

Arakatak - you're not the only one who doesn't like the Katana, but they are in the minority and usually talking about harshness of sound.

You seem to be saying it doesn't cut through at rehearsal level - is that right?

I note you say master on 3/4 whereas all the tips on Katana I've seen I'm sure say always run the master flat out and adjust level in the amp section on LHS? Maybe that'll help? I think the Master controls the level at which the simulated power amp tubelike "compression/limiting" for want of a better word hits so you might be hitting a ceiling with the tone controls.

God it has enough EQs in it to be able to make it spikey as you like!

Is it 112 or 212?

Elantric'll know better than anyone

arakatak

Thanks smash..! Yes I've already tried it with flatout master and then adjust trebble, medium, bass, presence..But not yet using EQ effects...Perhaps it will help... I have a 212..I notice that is not a problem of volume, but looks like higher volume is less definition/consistency in the sound you get...sorry in advance, very difficult to describe...I need high volume to hear and  distinguish what I'm playing and in an over hand, it damage and transform the all sound in a porridge...

rolandvg99

Quote from: arakatak on December 01, 2017, 05:34:30 AM
Thanks smash..! Yes I've already tried it with flatout master and then adjust trebble, medium, bass, presence..But not yet using EQ effects...Perhaps it will help... I have a 212..I notice that is not a problem of volume, but looks like higher volume is less definition/consistency in the sound you get...sorry in advance, very difficult to describe...I need high volume to hear and  distinguish what I'm playing and in an over hand, it damage and transform the all sound in a porridge...


High levels will eventually saturate the room and ultimately your ears. I use my head with a variety of cabs and anything above 0.5 watt on a Marshall 1960A blows people off the stage at small clubs. My regular 112 is more manageable and plenty loud on the 50 watt setting. It also cuts through like a razor.
To V or not to V: That is the question.

My little Soundcloud corner

Elantric

Another possible issue

Since arakatak is in Indonesia


I wonder if his Katana 100-212  combo is the correct AC Mains voltage for his region?


(230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.)
https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/indonesia/


QuoteI've tried at different places, differents amp positions, always the same results, the sound becomes inaudible porridge



Look on the rear  KATANA Amp  near the IEC AC Mains input and read the label - verify your Amp's Input Voltage actually matches your local AC Mains voltage at your rehearsal space.

Ive played a Katana 100-212  combo with Master and Channel Volumes max volume  with Power setting on 100 watts - it a pummeling experience, blows my socks and ears.

If you cant hear yourself in your band situation

* Remove your hearing protection, or In ear Monitors
* tell your drummer to contact  German metal band ACCEPT, tell their manager he's available should their normal drummer fall ill during their next Indonesion tour 
http://www.dw.com/en/accept-german-metal-legends/av-37129724

vtgearhead

I would think that plugging a 120V unit into 230V main would let all the magic smoke out in a very colorful (and quick) manner.

mercury1

Seeing that you have the 212 model , check your speaker polarity. Out of phase speakers sound something like what you have described.
Gr-55, Gr-33, Gr-1, Vg-88, Jamman looper, Brian More 88.13  ,/ 8.13 , Fender hm strat( gk-3 ), Hammer( int gk-2) , Behringer V-ampire Lx1200 / fcb1010

arakatak

Great thanks for all your inputs...!
No issues concerning AC voltage and speaker phase.
I think I did not express my self well....The sound I get while setting at home (0,5W) it's the same I get during jaming sessions BUT become distroyed more I play at higher volume...and it's not a question of gain/drive...Volume I get is more than enough, just sound quality and sound dispersion in the room from this amp are not as expected. Obviously if you put your hears  in front of the speakers during rehearsal, the katana would slice your eardrums....it' s really one way directional sound,  you move one meter from the source, sound is different....Perhaps that the difference between reel amp tube and other system that make the amp sound depending on many factors, perhaps it's more stable on full tube amp..I'm really not a technician and sound specialist... I just try to understand using hypotetical. Most people are in total ecstasy with this product, why not me...It's because of speakers...? Perhaps I made a wrong choice, using a head and 4x12 speakers will be closer to my expectations..Or not fit with my gretsch using more drive..I'm not so demanding compare to the average of people that use that amp...Btw, using internal EQ effects could perhaps help a lot, but lazy just to the idea to bring laptop during rehearsal and adjust EQ without using loop pedals while drummer is playing...that sound like a challenge...as I can't base the result using homesetting...

arakatak

I thought it was link wray...hehehehe! Yes thks I've tried this also (put the amp on table/seat..)..hahahaha! Speakers seems not to be damaged..Such a pity that sound really great at « room » volume...

Brak(E)man

Quote from: arakatak on December 02, 2017, 05:17:13 AM
I thought it was link wray...hehehehe! Yes thks I've tried this also (put the amp on table/seat..)..hahahaha! Speakers seems not to be damaged..Such a pity that sound really great at « room » volume...

I'm guessing you need to dig into the EQ section and the cabinet resonance.

No amp sounds comparable using , bedroom volume vs live volume
nor with and without other instruments.

And maybe you need to turn it down.
swimming with a hole in my body

I play Country music too, I'm just not sure which country it's from...

"The only thing worse than a guitar is a guitarist!"
- Lydia Lunch

arakatak

Thanks Brak e man for your input, I will try this live with drummer and laptop...at minimum 1 meter, 90 degrees from the cabinet.

Idgolfguy