Boss Katana Amps - FAQ

Started by Elantric, September 09, 2016, 08:50:43 PM

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pasha811

#50
Quote from: Elantric on November 27, 2016, 05:36:13 AM
I do advise skip the Katana 50, its a loss leader - its missing important features that only exit in the 100 watt models
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=19048.msg139386#msg139386

Read Katana FAQ from the 1st page.

I see. Mainly FX Loop and Pedal Board control. As an owner of a GT-1 do you think FX loop it's better than the usual Guitar-->MultiFX--> AMP? The thing is that K50 really fits my budget and home space and it's going to be used mainly for practice at home and very low volume gigs. Mainly with a Guitar straight into the amp or VG99 / GT-1 via Aux In or (in case of GT-1 only) as the chain above.
Sure the head it's better. However I have read many good reviews of enthusiastic people about the K50. The sound should not be bad for sure, as the trademark of the family shares the Tube-Logic.  What remains to be seen (more as a general issue) is what's best with VG99 or GT-1. When I was younger I had Boss Pedals and no amp simulators, then a ME-5  and later a Zoom 9030 (they had a Jurassic amp simulator that I never used) with my Fender 85. Today it's all changed and hooking a Guitar Modeling box to an amp can be cumbersome and what's more even the tiniest of the MultiFX board like GT-1 has COSM and deserves a proper connection and amp.

Edit : Yesterday I didn't notice the main pitfall of Katana 50, the absence of a Line out (more important than the lack of 'Presence knob').
You can still record via USB but on stage the only option to PA it's to mike your amp. Boss...just a Line out... :'(

Thanks for advice. :)
Listen to my music at :  http://alonetone.com/pasha/

Elantric

#51

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


pasha811

Quote from: Elantric on November 27, 2016, 05:13:25 PM
Boss Katana with Supra Titan 12" closed back cab

Elantric you're tempting me on a crazy path.
If I get the head, I still have an 85 with a 12" Celestion speaker. If I strip the electronics away (pre and amp) and retain the wood cabinet and the speaker.. if I find a way to link it to the head.. well I can reuse part of the 85. What do you think?

Listen to my music at :  http://alonetone.com/pasha/

Elantric

#53
Sure can do.

I have a 1982 Fender Princeton Reverb cab with front baffle board recut for a 12" EVM-12L.

Thought it might work well , but the Katana 100-112 combo 12" speaker actually sounds better.

I'm down in LA area this week doing FCC tests but brought my Katana Head (+ Headphones) so evenings in the hotel , I can dive deeper into Boss Tone Studio for Katana and get more experience with GA-FC pedal controls

Lucky I can own both the Head and the combo

If I was poor I'd just buy one Katana  100-112 combo.

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!


pasha811

Thanks Elantric!

Well done! The Head in the Hotel makes me remember about Bruce Springsteen...:-)
On a GT-1 the Guitar Sim Rocks as well. It's a pity that no wave synth in GT-1 :-)
Have a nice time in LA!


Listen to my music at :  http://alonetone.com/pasha/

pasha811

Experts owners of Katana Amps:

1. Given the FX inside the amps, does it makes sense to have a GT-1 or similar to connect?
2. What is the best way to connect? (Guitar-GT-1-Katana or Guitar-Katana-FXloop-GT-1)
3. It's Aux In the best option for Modeling / synth as VG99, GP10,SY-300?

Thanks in advance
Pasha
Listen to my music at :  http://alonetone.com/pasha/

Elantric

#56
I've covered all these questions in my prior Katana posts. Not much more to add
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=19581.msg140782#msg140782


pasha811

Quote from: Elantric on November 29, 2016, 02:14:19 AM
I've covered all these questions in my prior Katana posts. Not much more to add

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?action=profile;area=showposts;u=4

Sorry. For some reasons I missed that. :o :'(
Listen to my music at :  http://alonetone.com/pasha/

Elantric

#58

Elantric


http://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?posts/23065445/
QuoteWill the Katana's FX Return work if nothing is connected to the FX Send?
Blix wrote>
Yes it does, I've used it to slave both a EVH 5150 and Bugera 1960 through it.

T-Bone-BBQ

Will a 16 ohm replacement speaker work in the 100 watt 1X12 combo amp?

admin

#61
Katana Amps are designed for 8 ohm load.

16 ohm speaker alone will yield lower volume and not allow the Katana Power amp to reach maximum wattage

Same as most solid state amps

But doubt you will want to change the Katana stock 12" speaker after hearing it.

Elantric

Katana Amp Reset procedure

* Press the "Panel" button when turning AC Power Switch on.
This is to specifically reset the Ch 1 - 4 "back to the factory state".

Elantric

If you are lucky to own two Katanas
If you want to get the JC-120 sound - try only one side "wet" chorus (turn down the direct signal in BTS) and run the other side dry.


kneagle

#64


So, I guess it would also be impossible to develop some kinda "Software on a Stick" that would allow you to store and load "Tone Settings" on a thumb drive without using a computer or any device.

vtgearhead

I don't know about a stick, but with a credit-card sized computer and some degree of coding you could probably come close. The Katana clearly has a means to dump its current parameter set into BTS and accept updates from same, so the necessary facilities are in place.  The first task is to document the sysex messages (in and out).  Doable but tedious.

( . )( . )

Does an external MIDI controller offer more control than a GA-FC? I looked at the manual, but didn't really see much.

Elantric

#67
QuotePosted by: Chameleon
« on: Today at 08:13:05 PM » Insert Quote
Does an external MIDI controller offer more control than a GA-FC? I looked at the manual, but didn't really see much.

No

Actually less because the GA-FC supports Tap Tempo

But I Tested Codesmarts PrimovaSound MIDX-20 does provide 5 pin MIDI IN for all Katana's

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=17561.msg140190#msg140190

admin

#68
Use the Boss Tone Studio to change the FX Order - these are the options:

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?posts/22929857
(But note these rules )
* The EFFECT LOOP SEND/RETURN is part of the  AMP / FX Loop Block - FX Loop is immediately after the "Preamp" (DSP Modeling AMP block) regardless of other settings

* You can't change the placement of the reverb. It is always placed last

Consider EFFECT CHAIN 3 - where only the Reverb is after the AMP / FX Loop block



As an aid to understand the Katana 100 / Head FX Loop
Anytime you launch Boss Tone Studio and see the "AMP" block - remember in reality its the "AMP> EXT. FX LOOP" - they are the same block in the Katana hardware.

admin



ALL Katanas function as 24 bit USB audio interfaces


vtgearhead

While we're on the subject of Mick Taylor:



And I had the hubris to think I had that tune down fairly well.  Always good to get a bucket of cold water over the head!

whippinpost91850

Very nice! I've never seen this befor... thanks for sharing

( . )( . )

Quote from: Elantric on December 01, 2016, 09:13:26 PM
No

Actually less because the GA-FC supports Tap Tempo

But I Tested Codesmarts PrimovaSound MIDX-20 does provide 5 pin MIDI IN for all Katana's

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=17561.msg140190#msg140190

Well, since I already have a MIDX-20 and the stock combo speaker seems to be really good, I guess there's not much advantage for me to buy the head.

admin

#73
agreed!

and you can always add an external speaker out to the Combo
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=19581.msg140644#msg140644

supernicd

Forgive me if this has been covered previously.  What's the frequency response of the speaker and power amp like on the Katana 100 112 when something is connected to the aux in or FX return?  Is it comparable to the Roland Cube 80XL (not FRFR but good enough for most practical purposes)?

I was thinking about trying to pick up a second used Cube 80XL but it turns out they are a bit scarce.  In many ways the Katana 100 112 looks superior.
Strat w/ GK-3, Godin LGXT
VG-99, GR-55, GP-10
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