r/BossKatana

In this video, I demonstrate how I configured the affordable M-Vave Chocolate Plus foot controller to fully command the Boss Katana:GO. Using custom SysEx strings, we can manage not only presets but also individual stompboxes (Booster, Mod, Delay, etc.), the Tuner.

Special thanks to "@AxxBob" the inspiration and his great work on the Katana: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmAo1axXTVM

Useful Links & Technical Sources:
Katana MIDI Protocol Analysis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG_9Fyd1Ogk
Blooper Project (GitHub): https://github.com/pktbmiller/blooper/tree/main
Katana MIDI Bridge (GitHub): https://github.com/snhirsch/katana-midi-bridge

This was built using Gemini, so I may not be able to answer all your questions.

is there large differences between the different marks and gens of katana amps. Also is it best to get a 50w or 100w. It is being used when plugging into a pa in medium sized venues. Would be using boss pedals and maybe the ones that it comes with maybe

I’m thinking if buying a used boss katana 100 gen 2 for 250 USD and an airstep kat for it. Is this a good idea? Or am I better off buying a Boss katana 50 mark 3 for about 280 USD used?

What are the possibilities with the airstep kat? Can I connect the amp to Bluetooth and edit tones from my phone with the 100w + airstep kat?

Hi All,

Is the Boss Katana Ex 50 Gen 3 custom speaker worth the upgrade compared to standard gen 3 50 version?

I have searched google and youtube for reviews regarding the Boss Katana 50 EX Gen 3. I read on-line that it you can add a footswitch, it is has line out for PA and a custom speaker.

Some people prefer to upgrade to 100 watt if they are gigging or 100 watt head. If they practising they would go standard gen 3 50 however is the Boss Katana 50 ex worth the upgrade for the speaker? Does the 100 watt head sound the same or boss air ex better? I heard 12 inch speaker gets you the best quality ound.

I am only going to use it to practise at home. Sound quality is important to me to make me smile while playing.

Does anyone get what I'm saying? I have the Katana librarian app which is fantastic and allows you to move all the settings of your chain around in any order but I still can't figure the answer out to this.

Basically, I use a Klon internally as part of my bass sound combined with a real Tube Screamer and Bluesbreaker. I use those in combination with each other but the Klon is always on.

Left to right, Is the Klon before my two drive pedals or after them?

Because pedal order can be very important sometimes and I can't get a clear answer with this.

I'm also confused about the different orderings of the signal chain that you can move around and what should be in what order. I've read all kinds of stuff about it online but it's all very confusing at the same time....

Thanks guys.

So I'm trying to use my amp (mkI 100w) for double duty. Basically i want to use my power amp (effects return) for amp sim from my audio interface output, *and* use my usb (secondary Katana is what windows calls it) for stuff like music and metronome and stuff like that.

This works when I have the AI (audio interface) plugged into the input jack for the amp, but I'm concerned that the preamp is coloring my tone without me really noticing. As I write this, it occurs I could just A/B it until I have the preamp dialed to he as transparent as possible, but who has the time for that?!

I suspect that the signal chain is broken by jacking directly into the effects return, but if you see it differently or know of a workaround I haven't thought of, let me know. Thanks!

Im a 14 year old hongkonger who started playing acoustic around a year ago and electric around half a yr. Ive gotten a spark 2 as my first amp and a hotone ampero mini for pedals. I have a Gibson les Paul standard 60s as my main electric, a sound gear 4 string for bass and a Taylor gs mini koa plus as my acoustic. I love the sound of my hotone, but I feel like the spark 2 is muddy. Also, my brother is starting to learn guitar so I would like a second amp. I honestly kinda want a tube amp head and cab separately but my parents can’t handle the volume Im Alr playing at(very soft, can still hear the electric acoustically when plugged in) so I think the tube options aren’t feasible for me. I’d want a katana because my teacher has one and I’ve heard that it’s a very good beginner to professional amp. I play anything from metal to indie so I need a good clean tone and distortion. I might not use my pedal for home as it’s a bit clumsy to always take it out and plug it in. Price is honestly not a big concern as my dad’s gonna be paying. I just want a good amp to use at home.

Why does my Boss Katana Gen 3 50 sound harsh when miced with an Shure SM58, especially around the 5 kHz range? The presets I’m using sound normal when recording through USB.

can someone explain to me the differences between all the katana combos, heads and the cabs

Should I Still get the 100 watt amp instead of the 50 if I'm planning on getting the valeton gp200 later on down the line?

What's the verdict on the gen 3 head as a practice amp that you park next to your couch and play at tv volume? I've had a modeler with a separate speaker next to my couch for years, but I'd rather have something with more tactile controls and less cables. I'd ideally only use the built in speaker, but could use a Mesa Rectifier 1x12 too.

I have a spare BOSS bluetooth adapter, so I could play along with stuff, but does the built in speaker have a full range response where it actually sounds good or is it more like a guitar speaker with lows and highs rolled off?

Another option is to just get the Mini X, but the Gen 3 Head does offer a whole lot more features for roughly double the price used.

So I have a Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 and I'm trying to decide how to get into using more effects. I've tried messing with the tone studio but I'm kind of frustrated with it. Mostly its because I dont like the interface...its hard to control with a phone or tablet and I'm not really sure how to dial in a good tone with it. I've watched some videos but its still not helping.

Maybe its just me, but I'm considering alternatives. My goals are to record my plsying for instagram or youtube and play live at open mics.

I want to keep it budget friendly.

My options are to build my own pedal board, buy a multi effects pedal, or invest in a modeler using my laptop. Any advice?

hello dear friends, im wondering about whether i should buy the 100w version(playing only in my bedroom or in pubs nothing big) or i should buy the 50w version and save the ≈100$ for and electric i wanted to buy after the amp. I also want to ask if theres any diffrence i dont really know what the watts mean i just play them and i suspect its just like the volume and i mean i had a 20w amp wich was really loud so does it mean the 50w version will be 2 1/2 times louder? if thats the case i wont need probably the 100w one and the last thing is there anything on the 100 version wich isnt on the 50 version except the loudiness? like the studio something on laptop or the app or smth? thanks from the mountain

Hi guys. I have a Gen 3 100w head and a waza cab and I'm trying to figure out how to connect my audio interface to the cab so that I can play my amp sims through my cabinet. Would I connect the line out from my interface to the power amp in on the head?

I’m running an amp/cab modeler on my pedalboard and using my Boss Katana head as a power amp (plugging into the Power Amp In on the back). Right now I’m borrowing a Marshall 4x12 cab.

For tones, I mainly use:

• Les Paul + Marshall-style amp/cab sims for high gain
• Telecaster + Fender Twin Reverb-style sims for cleans

The Marshall 4x12 sounds great for high-gain stuff, but I’m not loving it for cleans — they sound a little stiff/dark compared to what I’m hearing through headphones/studio monitors.

Does anyone have recommendations for a 4x12 guitar cab that works well for both clean Fender-style tones and heavier Marshall-style tones?

So I bought this little amp to have in the lounge to play along with backing tracks. You can't adjust the backing track volume in the amp, it's done on your phone. However at any kind of volume, the backing track quality is awful.

Now I appreciate i shouldn't expect it to handle high volumes, but for context when I'm playing along I have the guitar volume set at 7 oclock on the dial ,(ie pretty much as low as it can go), and when I match the backing track volume it still distorts, specifically the bass which sounds 'farty'. And these are just normal rock tunes, nothing particularly bass heavy

Guy at the guitar shop said its a small speaker, and I shouldnt expect much else, but I'm not convinced. Are they all as rubbish as this. Or is my speaker goosed.

Given its sounds OK when just playing the guitar through it I suspect it's just how they are, but thought I'd check if anyone else's was any better. I should add I previously had a blackstar fly 3 which has a far smaller speaker and didn't have this issue at far higher volumes

Started recently getting break up, stuttering and connection issues while playing music through the katana. Nothing connected to it. Using a different amp with the guitar. Just trying to play music through it to play along with. Thought it might be interference and have moved it but still same thing. I’m using the Bluetooth adapter and connected to an iPhone playing Apple Music. Anyone ideas?

Found a Gen 1 Artist at my local GC for $259. Looking for a gigging "workhorse" so I can stop beating up my Fender Blues Deluxe.

- is it a good price?

- compared to the latest models, it is a big difference ?

- how is it with pedals? never really gigged with a solid state amp.

I just need something reliable that I don't have to baby. Should I grab it? If not, any other alternatives?