NAD | Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 & patches

[mariosyjp]

Hey guys, haven't written in a long time.

I sold my beloved Orange Rocker 15 head and actually got a Katana 50 combo!!

After a going from multifx (tonelab se, many years ago) to big tube head (marshall vintage modern) to small tube head (with pedals), then replacing the pedals with a little GT-1,
I wanted to go back to simple, easy to carry gear .
Very few cables and gear failure to worry about, fast trouble shooting, piece of mind (GT-1 and Katana in a gig work as a backup to each other).

This kind of amp (size, price, quality) was unheard of 10 years ago and before.
I went with the lightest package.
I thought to replace the stock speaker because many suggested this, but actually my Eminence GB128 wouldn't fit because it's too tall.
Managed to put it on temporarily just to hear the difference, and it was noticeably better, but much of it can be achieved by using EQ2 (after amp).

Very happy with my purchase !

PS: I uploaded some killer 80s tones including clever switching with a simple 2-way footswitch to Boss Tone Exchange.
Liveset name: Bring back the 80's !!!

 

[weepingminotaur]

Nice! I've got a Katana 100 Gen 3 and I love it. Great value and yeah, EQ2 is your/our friend.

 

[Mincer]

I have a Katana 50 mkII, which I use for teaching and practicing. It sounds fantastic! Does the new version have bluetooth for editing? Mine doesn't, so if I want to get deeper into the parameters, I have to hook it up to the laptop.

 

[mariosyjp]

It is possible to add Bluetooth with an accessory but I don't have it.
Using usb and PC as well.
On board controls are very limited compared to the app.

 

[Mincer]

It is possible to add Bluetooth with an accessory but I don't have it.
Using usb and PC as well.
On board controls are very limited compared to the app.

Yeah, mine doesn't even have the option, and the onboard controls are like 1/10th of what you can actually control.

 

[weepingminotaur]

I have a Katana 50 mkII, which I use for teaching and practicing. It sounds fantastic! Does the new version have bluetooth for editing? Mine doesn't, so if I want to get deeper into the parameters, I have to hook it up to the laptop.

The access to Bluetooth is there, but you have to pay extra for the proprietary Bluetooth widget. (which I didn't.)

 

[donaldr]

I have a Katana 50 mkII, which I use for teaching and practicing. It sounds fantastic! Does the new version have bluetooth for editing? Mine doesn't, so if I want to get deeper into the parameters, I have to hook it up to the laptop.

You can use Katana Librarian on Android phones/tablets, which are more portable than a laptop.

 

[donaldr]

I thought to replace the stock speaker because many suggested this, but actually my Eminence GB128 wouldn't fit because it's too tall.
Managed to put it on temporarily just to hear the difference, and it was noticeably better, but much of it can be achieved by using EQ2 (after amp).

I refitted my Katana Gen1 into a close back cab with an Eminence GB128, and effectively it was noticeably better.

 

[Mincer]

You can use Katana Librarian on Android phones/tablets, which are more portable than a laptop.

Nothing yet for iOS, though.

 

[donaldr]

Nothing yet for iOS, though.

Nope sadly, but a used Android phone/tablet is pretty cheap and less risky than being stolen.
I don't know why the iOS version is bluetooth only.
Edit: cannot work on iOS over USB because Katana is not class-compliant.

 

[Mincer]

Nope sadly, but a used Android phone/tablet is pretty cheap and less risky than being stolen.
I don't know why the iOS version is bluetooth only.
Edit: cannot work on iOS over USB because Katana is not class-compliant.

Yes, this is the reason why iOS users can edit anything on their devices via bluetooth. Way to go, Apple.

 

[mariosyjp]

I refitted my Katana Gen1 into a close back cab with an Eminence GB128, and effectively it was noticeably better.
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That's impressive but it looks heavy! Also what about ventilation?

 

[mariosyjp]

Yes, this is the reason why iOS users can edit anything on their devices via bluetooth. Way to go, Apple.

Even if it's faster to do it on the phone, I think it's better to store and backup your settings on PC. I might get the BT at some point for faster tone experiments.

 

[Mincer]

Even if it's faster to do it on the phone, I think it's better to store and backup your settings on PC. I might get the BT at some point for faster tone experiments.

I get that, but at a show, it would be important to have device backup or cloud backup, too. Plus, I hate either dragging my laptop to the amp, or the amp to my PC.
In the end, it isn't a great idea to have most settings not accessible on the device itself.

 

[mariosyjp]

Definitely it would be better to have more access on the amp itself but that's probably a choice they made for lowering the cost.
Frankly this amp does so much at this price point that I can't complain.

 

[donaldr]

That's impressive but it looks heavy! Also what about ventilation?

I haven't weighted it but it's no more than 30lbs.
As it's not a tube amp, so the vents seem enough.

 

[donaldr]

Yes, this is the reason why iOS users can edit anything on their devices via bluetooth. Way to go, Apple.

Not Apple fault, I have no problem connecting and powering my Axe IO One via UBS-C on my iPhone 16.

 

[Mincer]

Not Apple fault, I have no problem connecting and powering my Axe IO One via UBS-C on my iPhone 16.

Well, it is either Apple or Roland's fault, but in the end, half of the customers can't use their phones and tablets to edit.

 

[xxxplorer]

I refuse to have to download and go through the mess of plugging my Katana into my laptop. Tried once and gave up. So I just don't use it anymore lol. Went back to a single channel tube amp that I don't have to futz with. I hate updates and all that mess. Yes, I am a dinosaur.

 

[Mincer]

I refuse to have to download and go through the mess of plugging my Katana into my laptop. Tried once and gave up. So I just don't use it anymore lol. Went back to a single channel tube amp that I don't have to futz with. I hate updates and all that mess. Yes, I am a dinosaur.

I don't mind it- updates are part of everything these days. I do mind that they don't make it easy. Why charge separately for something that should come with the amp to begin with?
I have also used Line 6's version of a Katana, a Catalyst. It gives you even less control over the sound via the front panel (like allowing you to control the volume of the delay, but not the feedback), but you can use a phone or tablet (any kind) to get to the rest of the stuff.