Katana GO flexible mini pedalboard setup
Using off-the-shelf components and a couple of midi routing/transformation apps on Android, I was able to build what I believe is a very flexible control solution for the Katana GO.
Pedalboard feature highlights:
- Patch/bank changes
- State-aware FX toggles, tuner
- Custom logic so the expression pedal controls different FX parameters per patch
- Real-time manipulation of Stage Feel to place the guitar within the stereo field, especially handy when sending the GO's stereo audio out to an external source for looping (set center, record a loop, set left, change FX, record another loop, set right change FX, record another loop, etc)
- One tap tempo switch that sets delay times for both delays for a given patch simultaneously
- Ability to use both the foot controls and Katana Librarian app simultaneously, all wirelessly, to control the GO
Board components:
- Cheap Amazon metal pedalboard
- Charmast power bank (battery percentage indicator visible through the top of the board)
- FS-1-WL to control A/B/C within current bank. Tap tempo, expression, and toe click also go through this.
- M-Vave Chocolate Plus for FX toggles per patch, Stage Feel manipulation, etc
- Hotone Ampero 2 Press for expression/toe click
- Pirate Midi Scribble for patch name and expression percentage display
- Custom laser-engraved Altoids-sized tin from Etsy, with 3D-printed pick holder insert
- LED strip on bottom
- Button toppers
- Various adapters and extension cables for power/signal routing
Android apps used:
- BLE Midi Engineer for FX toggle state management, expression parameter selection
- Midi Hub for routing and expression parameter mapping
- Tasker to automate startup sequence
- Native android Bluetooth sniffing/debug logging for capturing the Sysex commands for FX sweeps/toggles from the native Tone Studio & Katana Librarian apps
- ChatGPT to parse the logs and auto-generate templates/configs for the main two midi apps being used
In total this took a little over a month of periodic tweaking, but it was well worth the effort for a super flexible mobile rig that I could bring anywhere.