By design, all Katana amps make it easy to dial in and save great sounds on the fly. Learn about the powerful editor for the Katana amp series. Read more… KATANA Amplifier BOSS Katana Amplifier Series The Katana-50 features line, USB, and phones/recording outputs with mic’d cabinet emulation, allowing you to send mix-ready amp tones to a PA system, computer DAW, or headphones. Connecting to BOSS Tone Studio provides access to three different Air Feel settings, letting you shape the tonal character of the direct sound to suit any performance scenario. The Version 3 update further enhances the direct USB capabilities, offering true stereo sound with many of the Katana’s modulation, EQ, delay, and reverb effects, including the newly added DC-30 Analog Chorus-Echo. BOSS Tone Central One of the first things that originally put the Katana range on the map was its amp-like response. For a relatively compact solid-state amp, it sounded – and felt – great to play, thanks to Boss’ Tube Logic design. They’ve ensured that the MkII retains this great sound – they’ve even updated the ‘Clean’ channel for a warmer, more classic feel. With its built-in BOSS effects, the Katana-50 lets you perform anywhere with just a guitar and amp. Connecting to BOSS Tone Studio via USB provides access to 65 fully customizable effects, and you can load your favorites into the amp’s various effects sections. Going beyond standard distortion, delay, and reverb, the selection includes effects types like pitch shifting, ring mod, slicer, and many more. Channel and global parametric EQs are available as well for powerful overall tone shaping. Version 3 Effects and Control Features With output set to 50 watts, a Telecaster on the clean setting floods the room with pure ‘valve amp’ tone. The low-end power and midrange clarity are truly impressive, even if the Katana-branded speaker wants for a little refinement in the top end. And there’s a fair bit of natural grit available, even without switching up to the crunch setting.

Using dual-concentric knobs, similar to those featured on many of their stompboxes, Boss have drastically expanded the Katana’s effects capabilities. Rather than having 3 effects types at your disposal, you’ve now got 5. This means you can use 5 effects at once, right out the box. The EQ is a little more important here, as it’s easy to get it to sound fizzy with too much of anything. The Boss Katana 50 MkII EX expands on the capabilities of the best-selling Katana 50 MkII guitar amp combo, providing more performance versatility in the same portable design. GA-FC and GA-FC EX support allows you to select Tone Setting memories, turn effects on/off, and even more with Boss' dedicated foot controllers. There's also a handy line output for sending mix-ready tone straight to a house PA, plus the ability to link a second Katana MkII amp with the Stereo Expand feature — for three-dimensional, immersive sonics! For optimal performance, stay up to date with the current Katana Mk II system software and BOSS Tone Studio

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The knobs include an ‘amp type’ knob to switch between the five amp models. After comes a ‘gain’ and ‘volume’ knob. The volume knob is an independent volume control, so you can match volumes between your presets.

It’s really really loud. Personally, I’ve been able to easily get over a loud drummer and bass player with a 4×15 cab at not even half the total volume. Optional GA-FC and GA-FC EX foot controllers provide complete amp control, including expanded Tone Setting selection, effects on/off, expression pedal control, and more Mic’d cabinet emulation on the USB and phones/recording outputs, with customizable tone via three Air Feel settings There’s also a handy carrying handle at the top of the amp. The handle is made of a sturdy rubber material. At the far right, we find master volume and a rotary switch for selecting either 50-, 25- or 0.5-watts of output power, and three more buttons that flip between manual and preset modes. By holding down the ‘panel’ button you can access alternative presets, so four different sounds can be stored and recalled here. More control is available; but again, we need to look beyond the amp itself for that.The last button in the effects section has the reverb tank. There are many different types of reverbs, like digital, analog, and modulating reverbs. All of these sound very nice and responsive.

This footswitch not only allows you to seamlessly switch between effects, but it also gives you the ability to connect an additional GA-FC EX or a standard GA-FC, doubling up the number of switches at your feet. Better yet, Foot Control 2 mode permits you to hook up two Katanas simultaneously, giving you the ultimate stereo experience. So, if you’ve ever wanted to get lost in the wonderful world of true stereo chorus, now is your chance.This new edition of Katana 50W Combo Amp simply brings in some of the features previously only available on the larger Katana 100 Edition. You’re essentially getting a more powerful feature rich version of the Katana 50 Combo. I've been guitaring 40+ years. I've played mostly acoustics during that time, but started on and have always had electrics. I bought the 50 Mk II in hopes of having a versatile, portable, and good sounding amp. The acoustic setting was also an important feature. I've had my Katana for a couple weeks now and am very pleased. My Taylor AE sounds very good through this amp and the ability to add effects such as reverb and delay is nice. It's much lighter than my Fishman Artist - the two would make a nice pair for small acoustic/vocal venues.

Boss also provides their Tone Studio software which allows you to control every aspect of the amp and really start tweaking the tone. Here you can get crazy in detail with the effects. It includes easy to work with sliders to set every parameter. You can assign effects to the colors from here, The cabinet is made of quality MDF wood. It’s very sturdy yet light. The main cab is covered in a plastic skin that’s reminiscent of Tolex, except it’s much harder and smoother. Stage-class 50-watt combo amp with GA-FC/GA-FC EX Foot Controller support, Stereo Expand, and line output with cabinet emulation The effects are, in a word, familiar – this is a Boss product and we all know what the trusty stompbox titan can do in that field. The pre-loaded selection covers all the basics, from three different boost voicings to a nice trio of reverbs, while the three ‘FX’ options are tremolo, octave down and a very cool envelope follower.USB connection for recording and changing effect settings (matching USB cable: art. 450531 - not included) One thing that’s often mentioned when speaking of the Katana is its wide range of features. The amp includes five amp models: Acoustic, clean, crunch, lead, and brown. Each of the effects controls features 3 presets that can be easily switched on the control panel. The best bit? Each of these presets can be reassigned in Boss’ editor app. So you can choose your favourite reverb type, octave algorithm, filter mode – the choice is yours. It plays nicely with pedals The Boss Katana 50 MKII is pretty loud. You’d probably manage some smallish gigs with it, but if you’re looking for a guitar amp that’s primarily for live use, then maybe consider the 100W model; you’ll also get a little more clean headroom with that too.