Just watched you review, honest as usual, but as I own a 100 MK2 and also a Vox Tonelab (EX) I thought I could clarify a few things. The USB is not set up to play as a clean audio in to the amp, you need to use the AUX input for that. Then you will get the original recorded sound playing through the amp. The USB is used for recording and, if you want, then re-amping of your original dry sound from your DAW. That's why you got your recording playing through the Katana effects again. Full explanation at the end of this reply for those that are interested. Having looked at the pictures on the video I can clearly see it is a MK 2 as it has the concentric controls for effects and the variation button for the amp types which you didn't mention. This gives you 10 different amps not 5. I found it easy to get a good sound without using the Tone studio software but I have also found that using it is quite easy. You can make it as simple or complicated as you want. Simple, but useful things, are changing the effects that are on the panel settings. For instance I don't use the heavy octave (FX orange button) so I changed it to uni-vibe. The other thing it is good for is changing echoes. You can set the amp for two echoes and easily make good Shadows type echoes (which probably tells you something about my age). It only took me a few minutes trial and error to get a convincing echo for Apache. Other than that I don't go deep into the settings, EQ etc and altering all the different parameters for all the effects as I prefer playing to fiddling with settings. One useful addition for live playing is the GA-FC pedal board. This can foot switch between banks and channels and turn effects on and off in real time just like a multi effects pedal board. To sum up, a good amp easy to use for those who just like playing and even better if you can get round to using Tone Studio. How to use the USB correctly and other ways ways to connect for recording. You can use the line out (not Katana 50) or headphone/line out, but using the latter cuts off the speaker on the amp, so you have to listen to what you are playing via headphones into your computer/recording device or via your monitors of the same. The USB records as follows. Set the recording input in your DAW to Katana Primary and go ahead recording. This will record the sound from the amp but not coloured by the amp speaker. To play back via you monitors or headphones set you DAW output to monitor, speakers, headphones etc., whichever you want to use, but not to Katana Primary or Secondary. If you want to play back via the Katana just connect up the recording device to AUX input on the amp and select that on the output setting. Re-amping. Use the USB and select input in your DAW as Katana Secondary. Set up the sound you want on your amp and record your playing. Because you are on Katana Secondary this will record your guitar with no effects added i.e a dry signal even though you hear all the effects on the amp, i.e the wet signal. Now set the input in your DAW as Katana primary and output on Katana Secondary and play (NOT record). This will now play your guitar recording with all effects through your Katana. What you can now do is alter all your settings on the Katana whilst your guitar recording is playing. When you are satisfied with the sound open a new track in your DAW and hit record. This will now record a new wet track. You can save either or both of the tracks. If you want to hear the new track on its own via the DAW you would have to select only that track and change audio out from Katana Secondary to your choice of monitor or it will add the effects again to the play back. You could also save a mixture of wet and dry tracks, make more tracks to mix in etc. etc. If you have got to the end of this well done for your stamina. I would have been bored after the first sentence but I hope this helps someone.

@JRobsonGuitar

4 жыл бұрын

Great info! Cheers! 👍

@petemcgowan2828

Ай бұрын

Ive just found this comment and wanted to say thinks for taking the time to write it. Really useful information and well explained thanks.

Nice that you show how the tones were dialled in

In my case, John I got the 100 watt MKI in 2018 and sold my Vox 35 watt tube amp which was a beast, but very heavy-i have not missed it and I get a great tube-ish range of tones for gigging and recording, gets my vote.

Killer amp and for the money you can’t beat it with the options you have in the quality it sounds fantastic 👍

What a great Vid with no built in nonsense - nice one John

I received my Master of Curmudgeon degree a few years ago. Bright/Norm, Volume, Treble, & Bass with a modest pedal board works for me. But hey! Let the whippersnappers take up the banner! Cheers!

Have had a Katana 100 for almost two years now. Gigging amps should always!!! have a line out jack after the preamp stage = a must in order to connect PA while having your Katana for your own monitoring. Lot easier to handle and operate than miking. Also plugged a multi-function bass combo in there - fattens the sound remarkably. Yes, just try it, and be amazed :)

as always, a good honest review John..... you can get the first version for between £100-£150 but you would be extremely lucky to find the mk2 for under £200, even so, still a decent price for the sounds you got from it.

Thanks John great vid, Someone is going to get a nice amp

I have the Mark 1 1x12 100 watt Katana and footswitch. I can pre programme 8 different sounds and access them quickly. Brilliant bit of kit. 😁

John, Thanks for this review. I had just purchased a Katana 50 2 weeks ago and was surprised it didn't show up on the prior video. I had a feeling there would either be enough inquires to prompt you to do one or you might have something up your sleeve LOL! I was trying to get to an amp that would handle a few pedals, a looper, and have enough headroom for multiple live tracks and this one certainly fits the bill. I haven't tried the acoustic channel yet but that is soon to come. All the best!

Excellent video.. Subscribed too. Picking mine up today from guitarguitar £219. Can't wait to get it back to base and unleash the beast.. 😅

Nice one John....

I can vouch to the fact it looks brand new, I saw it yesterday and until I watched this vid I thought it was brand new The acoustic option looks suddenly very interesting, just wondering about feedback and lack of XLR input aka Roland Cube EX.... Yeah, I know, really pushing it there

I got the the Boss Katana MKII 50 it's really loud the lights are buttons they change the sounds the tone studio make that do what no other amp does I'm love it sounds awesome it's the best sounding amp I've has a tube sound

I have MK1 of these. When connected to the PC via USB, we can select in Windows PRIMARY or SECONDARY, one goes as input and applies all the effects as you say, but the other one does not.

Picked one of these up last week. I agree with John, setting a few tones is straightforward & would probably suit most of us. The Acoustic setting is very useful. It’s not a simulator, it turns it into an acoustic amp which is great. Now here’s the thing - the clean channel is very nice & I put my Boss ME 80 into the front of the amp (it doesn’t have an FX loop.) & it sounds really good. I hate Tone Studio, specifically the hit & miss nature of the download process on my Mac. So, I’ll enjoy setting 4 presets on the Katana & continue with the ME80, the OD’s esp feel better than the onboard fx. Suits me - AND I have an Xsonic Airstep Kat on the way. This amp doesn’t connect with Boss’ GAFC footswitch. The Airstep connects using USB & Bluetooth & is a lot cheaper that the GAFC. Boss have addressed this with the revamped EX model but dropped the ball by not including an FX loop again. So, end of rant. Take the positives - a light amp, loud enough to gig, attenuator for home use. Good tones, takes external fx well & it’s affordable. No wonder the world & his wife have bought them. But BOSS, please sort out the software, as a user experience it stinks.

Nice jamming demo too!

Thanks John! l

Works well with my unnecessarily vast pedalboard too (the mk1 I have does , anyway ) Cheers John !

Great review! Was wondering if you were able to dial in an AC30 Top Boost style tone? If so, was it on the crunch or clean channel? Thanks!

Mr. Robsen, Thank you for another fine video. You helped me overcome my feeling of being overwhelmed by the tech. Its much appreciated to watch your clear explanations of the channels and effects without using the online software. I was spending my playing time trying to upgrade and load software that for my purposes are just not needed. Thanks again, your all right even if you don't speak "Merican"

Thanks John Robson for the good Review ! And what I do like to say , music is a lot of fun ! But People should not forget to Respect each other on the right tone ? Because the Sound, makes the Music so Beautiful ! And John Robson is doing it with his heart on the right place ! Thanks , Music can Change your Life and Emotions to ! Hate is no Music , to live Together in this World ! We all can Change this Climate.

@juanvaldez5422

4 жыл бұрын

Do what?

Hey John. I think you’ll find that’s version 2 of the mark 1. Yes confusing aye. The Mark 2 has the same amp sounds but has a variation for each one, these can be found between each amp, another click you might say. I have the 100 mk1, never plugged it into a computer and just use as is. Coming from a valve background I think this amp does a great job and I’ve used it on stage a few times with no issues whether that’s loud enough, clarity and without telling the drummer to use brushes. The acoustic settings fine and I’ve used that live too. Great for the price and I recommend them, light too. I use the GFCF? Foot switch with it and that really helps with switching channels, effects, boosters etc. Although the foot switch is around £80 it’s all you need live. As you pointed out the amp does everything so I don’t use any pedals into it apart from the foot switch. Good review and very positive. Cheers.

@JRobsonGuitar

4 жыл бұрын

It does say, quite clearly, "MARK II" on the box 😄

I've got a volume and a tone knob on my old Kalamazoo model one. I always thought that was one knob too many. Thanks for a good look at the Katana.

If you can afford the extra outlay, the 100w version has a better spec and a fuller warmer sound. I have tried both, and went for the 100w version. It gets close to a valve amp, just don't expect a mirracle, the weakest component is the speaker, i tried it with a Vox Cellestion 12 inch Cab, and it sounded far better.

I got a Boss Katana MKII 50 11 days ago the tone studio is awesome is makes t hff e do what no other amp does many different sounds from djent /metal/ blues it got it all done comes with 60 boss pedals in the tone studio I really recommend it my self 50 watt or the 100 212 the best amp I've ever had

@markkk04

Жыл бұрын

how do u use pedals in the software?

Those are great

Thanks John, a nice straightforward review (as ever) with some interesting points I've not seen made before. Will you be doing a follow-up (e.g. to revisit the recording issues you raised in this review and perhaps look at tweaking your basic sounds using the Boss Tone Studio software)? Would you consider a Katana as an (eventual) replacement for your Vox ToneLab ST if you were able to sort out the recording issues? Although it might not be of any particular advantage to you, it would probably allow more of your subscribers to accurately reproduce the tones you get. By the way, I was wondering whether you use the ToneLab for practice and one-to-one lessons, and if so, what do you play it through?

@JRobsonGuitar

4 жыл бұрын

I won't be doing a follow up video as the amp won't be here much longer (it's being sold with proceeds to Zoe's Place). When the Tonelab eventually dies, I'll probably replace it with another Tonelab to be honest. They crop up on eBay all the time. I usually have the Tonelab connected to the PC via USB with the Tonelab audio output going directly into my powered monitors.

@Smudger654

4 жыл бұрын

@@JRobsonGuitar Thanks for the reply, John. Just thought you might slip in a quick follow-up before selling off the Katana, but no matter. Interesting to hear that you still prefer the ToneLab to anything else you've tried or reviewed. Shame they stopped making them! I bought an ST (and an EX) off eBay on the strength of your endorsement, though for rather mundane practical reasons I don't use them as much as I would like. That was one of the reasons I was interested in how you monitored yours. What monitors do you use, by the way?

@JRobsonGuitar

4 жыл бұрын

Oh... The name badge fell off ages ago. They're just a set of powered monitors I bought years ago on eBay for a hundred quid 😄

I can't get the boss tone studio 😭 😩 to work 3 weeks now midi no connection

Good vid, John. I just couldnt get to grips with the katana mk1 and got a Vox AV15 instead. Smaller speaker, very basic, no interface just plug in and play, and it sounds lush. It also has a bit of poke for a 15w hybrid.

The amp settings (acoustic ,clean,crunch,lead,and brown)are not models.They are Solid State signal paths.

Hello John, could you or someone else please confirm (or not) something I saw on another review. Does the Katana MK II series have like an instant backing track function on it? I saw a guy playing some rhythm chords, which he then played back through the amp, and was then able to play the lead over it. Which I thought was awesome. Is this possible with the new range? Thanks.

@JRobsonGuitar

4 жыл бұрын

I think you must have seen someone using a looper pedal in front of the amp. You can grab one of these pretty cheap & they're fun to use.

Thank you again, great review John. But... hang on... wait a minute... hold up... are you saying that these things, and presumably other things too, like maybe even everything (!) have manuals? Well I never, that's amazing I never realised. That must be what those weird pamphlet-like "packing" materials where. (I always thought they were terrible as padding anyway.)

John I just received the amp a month ago cant get the tone studio to work ! Do you have a step by step to install the program?

@JRobsonGuitar

2 жыл бұрын

I don't, mate. Sorry. I didn't use the software if I remember correctly.

How dare you? I read a manual once...it was for a VHS player back in the 80's

@OzzyMandias

4 жыл бұрын

@@UncleChillGuitar Betamax or VHS?

Should I get this or the Positive Grid Spark Amp?

@JRobsonGuitar

4 жыл бұрын

Haven't tried the spark, but I've heard unanimously great reviews of it.

Hello, I want to buy this amplifier but I have an electro acoustic guitar and I want to play with the effects, do you recommend that I buy this amplifier? Thank you

@JRobsonGuitar

4 жыл бұрын

It's a great amp & many people use it exactly how you describe, so yes... I can highly recommend it.

@isaacdolores4493

4 жыл бұрын

@@JRobsonGuitar I really appreciate your answer, it was the only question about buying or not the amplifier, I thank you. Your response was just in time. Greetings from Mexico

your videos are very much appreciated ... not only do you have great info and inspiration ... if my girlfriend can't sleep I play one of your videos and she is sound asleep within minutes ... no offence, yesterday sleep fell asleep to the sound of angel of death by slayer, maybe she was really tired then ;)

the issue you have with playback can be handled with a look at manual and manual of audacity as well

@JRobsonGuitar

4 жыл бұрын

Fair enough, I suspected as much 😄 I just thought it a bit odd that neither the Vox tonelab nor the Yamaha THR5 have give you that particular kerb to trip over 👍

I thought the 50watt Katana has 2 Channels and the 100watt version has 4. Having never actually seen on in person I'd like to know if this is correct. This is what Boss and all the online sell Sweetwater etc say. You know because you've actually played through one.

@StephenGallacher

4 жыл бұрын

I can't speak for version 2, but the 50w version 1 allows you save 4 sounds, stored in 2 banks of 2. The hundred watt versions allow 2 banks of 4 sounds.

@jamesreaves5534

4 жыл бұрын

@@StephenGallacher I thought they were 2 Channels with an A&B per Channel and the 100watt version is 4 Channels with an A&B per Channel. At least that's what they advertise but like I said I've never actually seen one in person. God Bless

@Vidfavne

4 жыл бұрын

The Katana v1 originally only had 2 channels, but that was doubled with a firmware update a few months after release. So (as Stephen G said) 2 x 2 channels.

@StephenGallacher

4 жыл бұрын

@@jamesreaves5534 It could just be terminology - what I call bank they might call a channel - either way its 4 sounds on the 50 and 8 sounds on the hundred.

@jamesreaves5534

4 жыл бұрын

@@StephenGallacher I was speaking of version II maybe the the deal is with 2 Channels wi an A&B for each that's how you can store 4 different sounds effectively making it a Channel Amp.

Amps come with manuals? Who knew.

Good morning from Texas John.

@JRobsonGuitar

4 жыл бұрын

Good afternoon from a sunny but cold North Yorkshire 😄

8:28 Your basic Windows Volume Mixer allows you to change the device.

@JRobsonGuitar

4 жыл бұрын

Yes but my point is that with the Tonelab, I don't need to make any changes. It knows to add the amp model/overdrive/FX to the signal it gets from the guitar input, but NOT to the audio it gets back from the PC down the USB pipe.

@passenger128

4 жыл бұрын

@@JRobsonGuitar Under Win 10 I had to make that change only once. It is likely not the Katana's fault, but rather a default setting from the operating system. I don't know what you are currently using, but it's the same when you plug in some headphones or a TV via HDMI. I forgot to mention: I like your channel, great content. Thank you (:

@JRobsonGuitar

4 жыл бұрын

Cheers mate. I've had the amp hooked up to my Win10 PC & my Win7 lap top with the same issue both times. Neither machine has this problem with either the Vox Tonelab or Yamaha THR5 though 😄

Had one for about two weeks until something electrical went out... Traded it in for blues Junior Enough said.

@davidmerlin3344

4 жыл бұрын

Matthew and that amp is a one trick pony

@seniordh500

4 жыл бұрын

@@davidmerlin3344 pedals .. sorry modeling amps can compare to drill tubes

What's a manual..?

@stevewelsh8560

4 жыл бұрын

a car that you have to do the gears yourself, crazy I know.

@ianrichardson3968

4 жыл бұрын

I tried one 'o them what changes its' own gears once...didn't like it. Bloody thing changed 'em when i didn't want it to.. John didn't say you get a free car with a Katana amp though...I'll have 2..

I swear by Fender amps,,, 😁🖒✌

Is it a modeling amp?

@JRobsonGuitar

4 жыл бұрын

Yup 😄

The Katana is not a modelling amp

I have testet the Kantana..my Roland Cube is better. Much easier and easier to use.

@alfsmith4936

Жыл бұрын

The cube might be easier to use but the Katana sounds much better, especially when you know how to use global e.q on the tone studio.

Not a modeller