Boss Katana MINI X Guitar Amp - Any Good?

[@dpajc056]

Shocked that Boss gave you Bluetooth without charging extra for a dongle

[@bretspangler8717]

Thank you, Roland has been ripping people off for a decade now, Bluetooth dongles are a joke, trust me I spent the $59.95 when every other consumer product has BT built in, it is integrated into so many chipsets it is a no-brainer to include and abuse to not!

[@sugatooth]

And a tuner!

[@StuartKReilly]

Man. I saw the LOOK of this amp and got mega nostalgic. THIS is what practice amps looked like when I was a kid. In fact this looks exactly like my first amp. A Peavey Rage silver stripe. It sounds about how I expected for what it is. Boss knows what it’s for. And anyone that needs a small amp for a rehearsal room, the office, etc, this is FINE. It was fine 20 years ago.

[@marvinthemartian6788]

I played a peavey rage for years. Mean little amp

[@benlogan430]

Peavey blazer 158 is on my shelf!

[@JasonT-xp3kh]

I had a rage back in the '80's. Played the absolute crap out of that thing.😊 Perfect little bedroom amp.

[@MaxQuagmire-u3r]

I've still got my Crate GX-15, it is nice seeing everything on the front of the amp and not on the top. Too bad I just picked up the Katana GenIII 50 or this would have been the one to get. :D

[@ChrisLoNgShAnK1990]

hahaha modelling amps are literally moving back towards the interface of the legendary LINE6 Spider series, and I'm here for it.

[@jimmykowalksi]

I'm still rocking my 60W Spider V mkii - a great amp with really bad presets. Once you dive deep into menus and dial your tones, it's awesome.

[@davediamond245]

I have the 40w . Great hybrid of modeling and tube,an overlooked gem imo. Grabbed it for less than $250 (US) 👌

[@j.reveille6815]

It’s not modeling

[@SlyRyFry]

A Line 6 Spider IV 15w combo got me started. It doesn't hold a candle to modern modelling, but it was awesome being able to start out with a few gain options and effects to mess with at solo practice volume

[@SlyRyFry]

@@j.reveille6815 If the line 6 spider series is modeling (it is) then the boss katana is 100% modeling

[@akwamarsunzal]

Love the original Boss Mini. Still gets a play from time to time. Still sounds great! Trouble is the Spark 40 for not a lot more money has almost retired the Mini. I recon 150 quid is a bit steep for this one. It has that Boss Mini sound but with more features. Spark Mini or Spark Go would be a better option for home use.

[@wildeoscar7393]

Am I the only one that found the quick side trip about Boss clothing interesting? Always enjoy the ‘hang’ as much as the demo. ❤

[@mroland808]

I was just thinking in the past few days about when will Boss finally update the Katana Mini and here we are! Didn't fall in love with it tho...

[@matthewlaw8268]

Nice review and helped me decide to stick with my Spark Mini.

[@dauddd_0]

Or even spark go is better

[@wildeoscar7393]

@@dauddd_0I really like my Spark Go too.

[@alfgwahigain5544]

Just got a Spark 2 and I think it sounds great, but I wish I'd gone with the mini, just for portability. To me the tones are one thing - and I seriously think the Spark 2 sounds fantastic at quiet to medium bedroom levels (I live in an apartment so have volume limits), but the feature that I love is the quick access to backing tracks and loops. It makes it so easy to find inspiration to play and it's a ton of fun.

[@hughbonfire]

Although, unlike the Spark series, the Katana's have decent dynamics. I like dynamics, which is why I gave my Spark 40 away (couldn't even bring myself to sell it).

[@wildeoscar7393]

@@hughbonfire I just use mine to practice when I’m travelling. I like that it’s a good little Bluetooth speaker as well. So handy to throw in a guitar bag. For an amp, I use REVV (and love that as well). Made me lol when I read that you couldn’t bring yourself to sell it. :) All the best!!

[@MrMoneyHelper]

Blackstar make the ID Core 10 Stereo V4 for the same price. It has two small speakers: six channels with one variation each, four banks of effects that can be used together, a tap tempo, and tuner. It has a USB out and TRRS out for live streaming with phones. It uses mains power. Blackstar make a portable power pack that can be attached to all of their small amps using Velcro. Those cost just a little more.

[@rubencantu5067]

Love almost all Boss products. The only line I'm not too crazy about is their car stereo line, other than that I love their pedals, amps, and everything music instrument related

[@mrredritehand]

Not sure if this is sarcasm...but they're not the same Roland/Boss company.

[@jamescowie8445]

I don't get it? This is missing so many features that are on Boss Dual Cube LX. I guess it's just the mini amp of the Katana line rather than the mini amp of the Cube line, but the Dual Cube LX is so much more fully featured and flexible.

[@richim2326]

If I buy, I always buy based on the Andertons videos, but I also do my own research about the product (because of Andertons..!)... the thing is, Andertons seriously know how to make a video... (I love my keys as well, and Jack is a keeper for that!)..

[@davidcollin1436]

Run a Spark mini into 2 Roland Bass Cubes via headphone jack splitter cord. All battery if needed. 40+ watts and have used it at outdoor gigs. Added a Stage Right 5watt tube amp for indoor gigs . Left the big tube amps home and bring an extra guitar.

[@dcflake5645]

That PRS is a lovely colour

[@Bob-Whiting]

In the 80s the world would have laughed at these things, no matter how good they actually were. It was Fenders and Full-Stacks all the way baby. My how times have changed, a year ago I finally bought a bottom cab to put under my slightly smaller Line6 top-cab to make mine a full stack and I paid $49.99 U.S. for a big heavy-duty Crate 4x12 bottom cab in pristine condition (not including S/H + taxes) It was literally a $600 cab when new! No, it's not a typo either, 50 bucks through a Guitar Center sitting out in Arizona.

[@pearloidstrat]

For this price, I'd just buy a used Katana mk1 or mk2 and use it on the 0.5W setting. They're not that big, you can record directly via USB (no interface needed), and you could gig with them as well.

[@NotExpatJoe]

I have a Katana 50 MkII and it spends most of it's time on the .5 watt setting. I traded in a single effect pedal at L&M for the amp. Personally I wouldn't gig with the 50 watt version but it's an amazing amp for home use.

[@BertMusicWorld]

OH HECK YES! Finally an upgrade for the Microcube. This is gonna sells LOADS! You should've done a comparison with the OG Cube.

[@slawsonscot]

The dual cube Lx has been on sale for a few years, and is excellent. It’s been £130 on Amazon for months and is better featured than this so this product makes no sense at all.

[@darthgibsonlp6631]

​@slawsonscot Quite enjoy my dual cube but have been thinking on selling it. Having to spend another £50 for the bluetooth adapter is a pain. It has such a great sound tho

[@slawsonscot]

@ it’s a surprisingly full and loud little amp 👍🏼 agreed re the Bluetooth adapter, but this Katana doesn’t even have that option.

[@CJZM7777]

It's hard to tell how good this amp sounds but I love my Roland MicroCube. The MicroCube is great for bedroom practice. I would have to hear the Mini in the room to know if it sounds as good but if it does, it would be a great practice amp.

[@kloudtunes]

I find the Katana range quite cluttered menawhile. In your conclusion I think you missed the Boss Cube LX as a competitor. It is technically a different thing but it is stereo with also stereo inputs which is rare. I can use it as a practise stereo amp for my amp modellers and even as an amp for my synth desktop studio at home (no frequency compensation in stereo in mode). And you get that one sound that the Katanas don‘t have: that kind of Roland Jazz Chorus sound. And then it also has a USB audio interface built in and an editor plus a port to connect the Boss bluetooth plug. And a looper. And stereo line out. And Aux in. For a lower price.

[@xxdr34m5xx_4]

Dear andertons team, how about a video on the new Fender Tonemaster Pro update and building some bass rigs on it (as black Friday approaches) 😊

[@CJZM7777]

Roland Micro Cube is a relative of this amp (Boss is a division of Roland) but the Micro Cube has been discontinued. The Micro Cube is a great bedroom amp and I love mine. This is a good option for a bedroom practice amp but I would spend 95% of the time on clean or crunch with a little delay and reverb. Every once in awhile, I might play around with the effects for fun. The clean and slight breakup sounds with delay or reverb are very good.

[@flynnstone3580]

I have the Roland Stereo Cube, its two channels with a mic and guitar input, is that the same one you have, with two speakers?

[@alfgwahigain5544]

I recently got a Spark 2 and to my ear it sounds fantastic, plus I love all the jam/looper features. 2x the price, but it's in a different league from this thing. For a bit more the Spark mini is hard to beat.

[@MrTech337]

Would like to see some more blind fold tests on acoustic guitars, PRS a60e in particular with other guitars in same price range!

[@mattmanley7118]

An upgrade of the micro cube and an actual interface? I’m soooo tempted 😂❤😂❤

[@bobzuidhoek9785]

It's quite astonishing how many variants of Katana amps Boss can squeeze into the range. It's getting quite cluttered if you ask me...

[@TechnoRiff]

This new Katana seems like a modern version of the Micro Cube. I already picked up the Katana Go earlier this year, and still need to fully explore its potential, especially when connected to powered speakers. Wondering if I can get similar sound quality as this one.

[@KenithCopeland]

oh COMMON boss. i love my katana and have so since 2016, love my mini kat, but MAAAAANNNNN!!!! put a speaker out onto these mini amps. orange did it and its so good, makes the amp super versatile and when plugged into a cab they're very nice. common boss, dont miss the mark once again

[@slawsonscot]

The Dual Cube LX has that for cheaper and has far more features. Don’t understand this new release at all.

[@gobodega5226]

We need a Katana desktop amp without Air, and with the Gen 3 software. Something like the Dual Cube Lx. That would be great.

[@desporma1]

I wonder if they’ll offer it in white like the previous gen Katana Mini. It’s just much easier to keep in the living room that way. That said, very happy about the front facing controls

[@neilwarden]

I'll stick with my Yamaha THR

[@Michel-r6m]

Got a Dual Cube yet this or the THR are nice alternatives. The sounds one like are subjective, to my ears they all sound good enough.

[@neilwarden]

@@Michel-r6m I agree, there is a great selection at different price levels too. Boss gear is always good and is reliable. I had considered a Boss product or Spark... Yamaha could be a pricey option.... I liked the wireless option and had looked at Katana Wireless. It's all great IMO! For practice streaming backing tracks and useable sounds. It's down to if it inspires you to play/practice more.

[@jimmyjimmy951]

THR is more expensive but way better and worth the upgrade.

[@neilwarden]

@@jimmyjimmy951 I had one of the first THR5 which were good but I played it too loud and didnt tame the bass, which you have to do on these... sold it. Still have THR5A which I use with my Weissenborn which is great. BUT the acoustic channel of the THR30II is great too and with the wireless it is great for outdoors! I like Yamaha gear.

[@rupe82]

Best practice amps I've heard. There's a reason why they maintain their value well, because they sound fantastic.

[@golfrick007]

Not related to this video, but has the crew ever made a sound like the "Parkway Drive" video? If not I would sure love to hear it! Thanks, guys and gals you're the best ❤

[@DustyMagroovy]

Nice amp. PRS sounds so much better on it.

[@RogerThat902]

I love my mini now. One big negative is that it doesn't have reverb. That addition alone is a big. When I saw Kirk Fletcher using it at home that made me feel really silly for looking down on it lol

[@SilasMoleCatcher]

My favourite 'brown sound' amp is the Royal Doulton Avocado

[@flybynight1929]

So it's a Micro-Cube reissue? I still have one of those, and it's great for sitting next to me on the couch. Has one of the best OD sounds in the world. And yes, I too play really expensive PRS guitars through it.

[@robbaskerville253]

Non adjustable delay is a deal breaker. Even my ancient Yamaha THR10C has tap tempo.

[@JELIFISH19]

Your THR10C cost twice as much over 10 years ago

[@robbaskerville253]

@JELIFISH19 and computers have improved in power many times in 10 years. Tap temp is not rocket science. I don't know what this will cost in Australia, but I'm guessing it will be more than the JOYO DC-15S, which has ridiculously more features including tap tempo.

[@JELIFISH19]

​@@robbaskerville253in the US the Joyo is about 50% more expensive than the Katana. You pay more, you get more features. Boss has 4 desktop amps. This is the cheapest. And it's one of the cheapest desktop amps out.

[@smartmammal9926]

IMO 6.5" speaker or 2 x 5" would make this more appealing, and a line out

[@danielsguitarchannel1992]

I use my old Boss Katana Mini as a testing unit when changing out pickups and pots etc.

[@alanredversangel]

Yeah it's a perfect bench amp.

[@MichaelIrons-d5v]

a great vid boys loved it.

[@YawpMusic]

If they keep going in this direction, they'll invent Cube 80XL: and I;'d probably buy it.

[@damianrf6309]

Vox Mini Go’s are similar but with more features. Tap. Mic in. Looper in the 10W. Drum machine.

[@Psyclonus7]

EVERY TIME a Boss Katana is demo'd, it's on a Strat. It's the ultimate dad bands church amp.

[@dblat1291]

I don't get it with Boss, for a cheaper portable amp they include Bluetooth, for everything else you have to buy a separate EXPENSIVE dongle to get Bluetooth capability. Nice that you don't need a phone and app to get all the features. Not really a busking amp, so if you're sitting at home why not just get the Katana 50 with a proper speaker. I wonder if this will replace the mini 7.

[@fabioragone22]

Well, I don't think that Boss went to the the right direction with this one... I have the original Katana Mini, and when it was released 6 years ago or so, it was indeed kind of a game changer for it's niche. It sounds incredibly good for the size, and it's simplicity is also a very good point. I have my pedals and a just plug them into my Katana Mini to have a very decent practice experience. This new version though, is definitely far behind it's competitors. The built in effects are not good enough to justify the price increase. I would rather buy the original Mini or an Yamaha THR or whatever before this new version...

[@topnug7626]

I'd buy the original one if it had reverb instead of delay. Why did all the old mini amps put delay instead of reverb? I have a laney lionheart mini and I love the sound but it has delay instead of reverb and the tone control is pointless on the clean tone.

[@jutukka]

​@@topnug7626Perhaps a decent reverb sound is still more difficult and expensive to create than a delay. But still a bit difficult to understand because I two weeks ago just for fun tested my old 12 bit Boss RRV-10 reverb from late 80's and still sounds quite usable with it's stereo ping pong effect etc. 😂

[@tomaselke3670]

This is cool for the right use case, but are they going to re-release the katana GO, ever?

[@nikverschuren4291]

How is the sound, need an comparison against the Spark mini.

[@StormJH1]

I have both the Katana (4") Mini and the Dual Cube LX (2x4" speakers). So I guess this jams directly in between those two products? Appreciate the demo, but trying to accurately convey the "depth" of a small-speaker amp by mic'ing it for a KZbin demo is not going to determine if it sounds "big" enough for you. I also really don't like the integrated rechargeable battery versus 4-8 AA batteries, with which you could use Eneloop rechargeable and just switch them out when they die. But, having owned the other two products, I think it's perfectly "fine" for a $150 practice amp.

[@jjdubois6101]

Shame the speaker craps out so quickly, otherwise it’s a perfect feature set for me

[@wonderfullife3108]

Think I'd prefer to get the Head Rush flat response amp they reviewed recently and just use a multi-effect/amp modelling pedal.

[@Mitch-6-Strings]

Just need a review of the new Blackstar 100W St James. I need this amp. When will it be in stock ?

[@GuitarNoize111]

Sounds good. Great demo. Thankyou

[@bukwok]

this type of small busking amp, i think the blackstar ID core v4 series is the best one, and cheaper too,and more useable function .

[@DonaldPanhorst]

Amazing! The thing I love about NiMH batteries is that they "sag" a lot like tubes. Steel guitar players have known this for decades.

[@DonaldPanhorst]

I do feel like the effects should just be a phaser and a delay that are both more controllable. I got my rig down to just one pedal and then realized it was just a phase I was going through.

[@crolodon8024]

Nonsense. The voltage is regulated inside the unit anyway lol.

[@DonaldPanhorst]

@@crolodon8024 I have 3 of the 7 watt Minis that I have tested extensively. I assure you the voltage is not regulated on them and there are in fact voltage drops under heavy playing. I have only been playing tube amps for a little over 50 years, but the voltage compression feels extremely similar to me ;) I do accept that Boss may have installed a voltage regulator on their battery pack, but there is really no reason they would. It is not needed with NiMH batteries.

[@njp2k914]

Reminds me of my old Roland micro cube

[@barcham]

I still have an original Micro Cube and it will be mine until the day I die. The thing is indestructible. :)

[@njp2k914]

@ they’re great :) mine has been dropped, beer thrown on it and the rest and it still worked when I gifted it to a family member

[@jakesmith5606]

I thought Dagen from PMT had covered a review where there was a tap delay on this amplifier.....

[@TheBigH1975]

Fun idea, but I think I'd go for the v4 blackstar in that price range.

[@antonakis79ohyes]

A bit pricey for a 10w amp, but a decent piece of kit if my Katana mini is anything to go by...

[@Janine.Najarian]

Is this and an Epiphone a good bedroom rig?

[@embiggens1]

I love Boss. I've been in the game since the 90s. Now I'm just a chillin' old dude with guitars and amps and shit in my office, and the Katana isn't very appealing, to me. I can get better modeling fun now if that's what I want, this feels like an old Line 6.

[@AwkwardHypernerd413]

Damn, and I just bought the mini two weeks ago

[@Magic_Man916]

Boss are the boss

[@usmcyounggun6879]

Pretty much anything with a decent amount of gain sounded awful to me. No thanks.

[@benlogan430]

Just go to the pawn shop and get a Peavey Blazer 158 for $40 and call it good.

[@j.rozman7016]

Yamaha, now its your turn to make a THR combo with upgrades!!

[@damasterkarej]

Call me an idiot (that wouldn't be first time in my life) but I have never fell in love with any Katana. Neither with this one. I belive Vox Mini Go would crush this one.

[@baldybonce29]

I had a katana mk2 50 and I found the gain way too fizzy

[@deweyoogwey]

my katana mini sound wonky. 2 years ago it was a chugging mini monster machine. now it’s just as if you’re playing under the mud

[@feoul92]

We on the same boat mate. Fell into the katana hype and bought myself a Katana. My guitar playing reduced because i couldn't get it to sound pleasant to my ears at all. Cleans are decent for sure, but anything higher gain, is just ear piercing.

[@tylercarson158]

Me either. I had the artist mk 2. And could never get it to sound well, I ended up selling it and getting an hx stomp with a little Headrush frfr speaker. Night and day difference.

[@wojciech2456]

Same, I had the 50, 100, 100 mk II, artist, mini…always sounded just like a transistor amp with transistor sound- especially driven. Liked the waza air tho

[@danieljdtaylor]

The specs on this amp was set to be the perfect practice amp for me, being able to get good, diverse sounds without an app or computer program was a real attraction for me. But I gotta be honest this sounds no where near as good as almost everything else out there. Obviously I am coming to this conclusion based on a video and not trying it firsthand yet, but to me even something like the Spark Go or Blackstar Fly 3 sounds way bigger and handles the gain so much better in a smaller and cheaper package. Heck, even the original Boss Katana Mini sounds better than this to me!

[@rodneytod7141]

Wow! You guys created a new instrument on the Synth setting! A......"Fartaar"

[@bluesbodo335]

It´s Boss Katana R2D2 Amp! I miss the more or less effect knob. This range is to small and 10 Watt really!

[@ereimul1444]

Digital John and Djent to do a special Hello Kitty Guitar review please. something different from their without busting the bank series.

[@jutukka]

Fixed delay time 400 ms!???😮 OMG, not for me, I prefer 360 ms. 😂 There is always these kind of crazy little surprises in every low budget category Boss product. And in many more expensive products as well...

[@efx245precor3]

Dly has a range. Bass comes from a separate port to the side.

[@ichibandude]

I'm glad it's an analog amp again. I wish it had an effects loop, and I wish it were AA battery powered for extensive longevity.

[@tptaz2007]

Such a shame it's not battery operated to . Nice amp tho . Would be nice to have lee play ahit more to .

[@juliano4611]

Creating bot profiles to comment on others video is another level. Dirty marketing.

[@garycordwell9730]

It looks very similar to the Dual Cube

[@pawemaruszczyk2701]

spark mini still a lot better.

[@mikeanthony5684]

Nothing beats spark mini in the tiny amp space. Battery life is great, BT great , app with amps and pedals … and listening to this the Sparks tone catalog blows it away .

[@slawsonscot]

Why would anyone buy this over the Dual Cube LX? Given that it’s the same price if not a bit cheaper.

[@JELIFISH19]

Dual Cube is over 50% more expensive

[@slawsonscot]

@ it’s been £130 on Amazon for several months.

[@Jonathan-L]

10:54 ... I didn't know that Pete had a prosthetic leg!

[@TheMasonator777]

Lee… why would you turn the level that high on the Brown Sound and turn the gain down…. hahahah holy cow.

[@wojciech2456]

Man, I just want the waza air mk II

[@HarryBall-fw7pv]

They put a tuner on the cheap little thing. But not on the gen3 100watt. Ludacris

[@DonaldPanhorst]

Are the effects analog?

[@jorgesxbass7606]

Nice Job

[@BuleriaChk]

No Aux In (for drum machines, VE-22, etc.) Deal breaker for me.

[@mwyatt222]

Why not just put a 10'' speaker in it and make it slightly taller?

[@GreenHoleSun]

Is the internal battery replaceable by the user? If not, it's just another gadget that in a few years will probably go to the dustbin...planned obscolescence, you know.

[@jukebox5308]

I want a small amp with 50 or 100 watts that I can play at home then plug it in to a 4x12 cabinet and have a full blown stack - dual duty amp ??? Where’s that ???

[@fergusuan7371]

Maybe a Katana 100w head? It's got a 5 inch speaker built in so you can use it without a cab, then plug it in for gigs?

[@topnug7626]

I'd tell you about a 15 watt tube amp that you could do that with but I don't want you to buy the one I'm trying to get before me cause they don't make them anymore

[@87RedSpecial]

Does it have the otg recording function?

[@The-11]

You could say that handle is Em Boss'd

[@Chudhole]

For a few dollars more why not buy the bigger one? And why doesn’t Boss make any of these stereo? Seems like a swing and a miss.

[@xMaoxoaMx]

To be fair, for the price of the really expensive PRS guitars one should expect that an amp would be included. 😂

[@chriskitchen4772]

Thanks for the review ! You might want to lay off on the coffee.🤣🤣🤣😳

[@ukuk907]

Pete should grow a proper lip ferret ay :)

[@infn8loopmusic]

@1:30 "teenie weenie, take it to a picnic" 🤣 The name Katana doesn't really match up with something so "cute" 🤣

[@Bob-Whiting]

By the way @OZ can I be off the Muted list. Other viewers used to talk to me and I'm feeling rather lonely. lol Am I?

[@zebulon39u]

This amp has no USB connection which means it can't be used with the very clever Xsonic Ulooper.

[@SWatchik]

Shame about the fixed delay, otherwise a pretty faultless package

[@themattitude]

Is it too obvious to say that even a couple of fixed delay times would be more useful than a defretter and that synth?

[@benjamingilmore825]

Pete, you need to start a yacht rock 80s band called Cheese Danish! Thank me later

[@jesperjacobsen2463]

Alas, I can only give one like and subscribe.

[@townee23]

i'll stick with the fender champ 20.

[@stoneysdead689]

You know how acts will stack up a wall of 4x12 cabs behind them on stage, even though they're not using them? How hilarious would it be to have a wall of these behind you? Come out with your pink Hello Kitty Strat and peel some heads back. LOL