BOSS Katana 100 MKII Footswitch Guide - GAFC & Expression Pedal Options

[@aynisbahlsak5465]

My friend, this was the most helpful video ever for this amp. I just bought an mk2 artist and nobody at any point explained what the f the stickers were for and how I could use my fs6 and my gafc with it or my exp/volume pedal. I feel a ton better about my purchase now. 👌

[@larsdahl6594]

I know, right?!?

[@NoWayOut55]

Hell Bruh! At least you got to talk to someone! Mine came on a freight truck!! It's taken me a bit to get this sucker figured out..and I STILL don't know what the hell I'm doing!! And at my age, I'm not getting any sharper!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤜🤛🍺🍺🎼🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@esr4471]

​@NoWayOut55 you ain't lying !! The old days are clearly over and all the millenials have taken over the industry !! These cpu apps and programs not to mention the patches and every other damn thing definitely makes it interesting !! Especially for those os us who actually started this hobby when the tube amps were hot and stomp pedals were coming out like hot cakes !! Now if only I was a bit mire savvy with the cpu maybe this wouldn't be taking so long to get down 🤣

[@seangarland]

Great video! This is pretty much THE essential video explaining the footswitches for the BOSS Katana MKII. Thank you!

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

Thanks Sean!

[@Ray-Angel]

I got a Katana several months ago and found it very complicated to work with. But I'm an old guy used to just plugging into an old amp and turning it up. Videos like this have been very helpful so thanks and stay cool.

[@roytaylor6559]

I recently purchased this beast. I have to say, at 62 although not a technophobe, I am behind the times with modern amps. Your guide is pretty much idiot proof, and I thank you for that. I recently formed a covers Band and needed an up to date stage amp. This info is invaluable. Well done my friend.

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

Thanks Roy! Hope you have fun dialing in some rocking tones!

[@roytaylor6559]

@@GuitarZero2Hero I actually bought it as a bundle, with the GA/FC, FS6 and a boss expression pedal. I have the ME-80, but I am struggling with that so I am hoping to get what I need from this set up. I basically only need a nice clean tone, a 70's/80's classic rock distortion and wah. So should be a walk in the park :)

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

@@roytaylor6559 Should be easy enough then! Good luck - I have a tone video here so that might help when it comes to using the tone studio - kzbin.info/www/bejne/q32WXn6El9WVqMU

[@roytaylor6559]

@@GuitarZero2Hero Thanks. I will most definitely check it out.

[@marvin-burns]

I just got one and I'm 78 not being worried by the tech stuff just the amp, it replaced an AC30 which became impossible to lift. This is a beauty, I use it with my old Roland RE-201 echo and nobody has come up to me saying that my sound has altered as I downloaded an AC30 patch. For country I found a Fender Super Reverb patch and with the Tele it works a treat so don't worry too much about all the tech stuff, just use it and learn as yo0u go, it's the best money I ever spent since 1964.

[@alberthernandez9384]

Can't thank you enough. This video was a huge help. I feel like I have $1000 of gear now

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

No problems! It definitely opens things up a whole lot when you know how to use it!

[@erikpaterson1404]

Best overview of the Boss Katana MkII 100 I've seen. Top class. Thank you

[@24AnVRodri]

I was about to comment that you can actually do 3 expressions but after hearing you say that, I can now say that you can have 4 pedals!! 😂🤣😂. 2 through GAFC 1 in the back 1 (mainly wah) through your guitar input. Thanks so much on showing just what this amp can do with pedals!!

[@onefatstratcat]

yes.. our other guitar player is an octopus and finds this very useful :)

[@jamish23]

This was beyond helpful! I have the Katana 100 mark 2 but didn't buy any footswitches with it. I love the amp as is, but seeing the pure scope the footswitch and expression pedal can offer (especially wah!) this is a must buy I think.

[@Devinavey]

Thank you so much! I couldn’t figure out how to turn my wah pedal on and off and now I’m set! Love it!

[@markdesouza6044]

This was such a thorough walk through of the GAFC. I'm a new owner of a katana head and regularly refer back to this video for set up of the GAFC and expression pedals. Thanks so much!

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

Glad it was helpful Mark!

[@guitarnunnsense8115]

This is what I have been looking for. Thank you for opening up a whole new way to enjoy the Katana100MK2!

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

No problems:) it certainly makes things a lot more fun!

[@fairladyz9957]

Thank you. You’re the reason I picked up the boss katana

[@mickfretty8038]

Best Katana footswitch tutorial ever, thank you for this! 🙏

[@ianstanley2222]

Purchased this item last week and was a bit lost. This video is so helpful

[@eddominates]

9:45 that is the coolest part. I bought a zoom pedal and was seriously disappointed in the expression pedal options. it's a pretty simple matter to have the exp control ALL the effects instead of just a few. i was kinda upset zoom left that function out. I'm super stoked that I'll be able to do it with my amp instead. yeah I have to buy the GAFC and exp pedal, but such is life.

[@douglasnewman4163]

Thank you, thank you!! Absolutely the best, most inclusive and comprehensive rundown on the GA-FC. Very helpful.

[@bretspangler8717]

Amazing video, you cover so much I will have to watch this several times, thanks so much for all your time devoted to this subject!

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

No problems! And if you haven’t got a GAFC yet then I’d suggest checking out my recent video on the AIRSTEP katana pedal :)

[@stevecrocker6904]

amazing (shake my head) the number of people "phoning in" for requests. I'll thank you for a concise yet full explanation of a switch box I an considering. You answered all my potential questions - so thank you very much

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

Thanks Steve

[@stevecrocker6904]

@@GuitarZero2Hero: got it today. Thanks again

[@daytonwilson4504]

Thank you so much for the upload! I am still trying to figure out my Katana 100 and my GA-FC footswitch. Good to know my next purchase should be an expression pedal, as well!

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

No problems! Enjoy!

[@tommyscott8511]

This video in a nutshell: But wait, there's more!

[@inheritedoutdoors2404]

Would love for you to do a tutorial lesson for 3am by matchbox 20 on acoustic. ! The way you do your lessons are the best I’ve seen for a newbie like me

[@masaharumorimoto4761]

Man, you've almost sold me on this amp for my 1st one. It's tough picking a 1st amp, I have no idea how to even test one, so videos like this help, thanks dude!

[@jeffreyjhouser]

Terrific instructional video! I was very confused about the GA-FC functions and the various switch combinations. Thanks!

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

You’re welcome!

[@Jose-xl9xt]

Thank you David! The best complete review of the GA-FC! Keep the great work! Love your videos!

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

Thanks Jose!

[@izzyg75]

Boss should pay you for this video! Because of this video I bought the foot switch and subscribe to your channel. Thank you!

[@darylm.stephens9603]

Thanks for all the info for someone not so savvy.

[@Billy23562]

Get him to 1M

[@SteveT__001]

Just ordered my Katana head MkII and GA-FC EX today so this was very helpful thanks, will be back as soon as it arrives. An EX update would be useful, cheers.

[@OlawaleOlaleye]

Life saving tutorial is what I can call this

[@synonyx]

Thanks for the breakdown! Just got my Katana Artist and GAFC and this was helpful!

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

Very welcome!

[@carltonjones2915]

Yo yo, excellent review and instruction. I'll probably keep my setup more simple and just add a expression pedal to my GFC foot switcher. Thanks. ✌🏾

[@eddominates]

update: got the mk1 version of the GA-FC and used your vid as reference to re-label it to mk2 setup. I also got a AMT exp pedal and a boss momentary. Now to update the software, download tonestudio, and figure that crap out lol

[@ronlydianproductions]

Great demo, I’ll definitely watch this again when I get my pedalboard 👍🏾

[@sames1012]

This is a fantastic video! I currently have a boss gt100 and a peavey bandit. I'm looking to consolidate and simplify and was looking at the katana 100 + footswitch. As cool as this functionality is, by the time you have the original footswitch, optional expression pedal, and looper/tuner in your loop, you almost end up at the same place. If there was a looper built in, that would be the icing on the cake. Did anyone else consolidate down to the katana from a multi effects and have any feedback from your experience? Thanks!

[@larsdahl6594]

Saved to my Boss Katana playlist. Very helpful, indeed! I'm a Katana newbie (and fairly fresh to guitar, to boot), and while I'm fascinated by the Katana, and the technology available to electric guitar players in general, sometimes I wonder if I'd been better served by using a barebones amp, since I seem to be spending a lot of time learning the ins and outs of the Katana and its accessories rather than practicing my skill on the actual instrument. I know, I can always use the Katana in a barebones mode, but the temptation is always there and I'm only human. 😄

[@StratsRUs]

Don't use the footswitch yet.Just use the amp itself.Get to know that first.Then you will understand why the footswitch is made.Also, there is a great App for Android phones , you can edit the amp on your phone .

[@cnking27]

How have you progressed with it? I've had it for about 4 months myself and I have only just started to use the different channels, and just got the GAFC. I tend to keep it on the panel setting with the clean amp and a little blues boost and plate reverb.

[@jeffcrossley4757]

Totally agree. I had the 50 until I learned it pretty well then realized the 100 does soooo much more- I sadly had to build a pedal board for just the controllers and expression pedals because the boss modeling amp sound so great--- I'm totally addicted. Better than drugs though, and you have so much dang clean fun goofing around- man I wish I had the raw talent and brains/memory my man here does--- I have to practice constantly just to b a Crappy musician... but it's still fun to me!!! RockOut!!

[@nemanjazivkovic3309]

You should do a video about paches for boss amps

[@MikeSteinSeaTac]

What a superb video! You effectively remove all the mysteries. Kudos to a job well done. Thank you !

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

Thanks Mike!

[@kevinmcguinness1113]

Great video, thnx for posting. Please note one thing you didn't mention ... long-pressing on any of the patch/channel buttons engages a volume boost in the power amp stage (i.e. NOT the Channel Boost SOLO boost that you showed in your video). Since this video was posted, the latest software version (as of OCT '22) has also introduced new functionality to the GA-FC, as follows : Long-press on the EFFECTS button takes you into another mode where the button functions change as follows : CH1 : Channel SOLO BOOST ( the one in this video) CH2 : Switches the function of the expression pedal plugged into the back of the GA-FC (exactly like you've used the FS-6 "B" button). CH3 : Delay1 tap tempo CH4 : Delay2 tap tempo Hope that helps someone 👍. BOSS have also just introduced a new version of the GA-FC (the GA-FC-EX) with even more additional functionality (AFAIK *THREE* expression pedal inputs). That would need a whole new video 😊. Sadly, still no way to cycle through the RED-YELLOW-GREEN options for the BOOST, MOD, FX, DELAY and REVERB for individual channels. If they could do that, then we really would have a beast, but my guess is that this would need a whole new version of the GA-FC again, in which case they might as well add a.couple of expression pedals as well, akin to what LINE6 did with their floor controllers 👍🤘🤘

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

Thanks for the update Kevin! If you're after a controller that can cycle through red yellow and green options, check out the airstep katana edition pedal. I did a review on that recently. Cheers Dave

[@kevinmcguinness1113]

@@GuitarZero2Hero thanks for the reply Dave. Yeah, I looked at that unit a while back. While I agree it's a game-changer for owners of Katana 50W models, I have a 100/212 Mk2 and discounted it for various reasons - mainly because it's not better than the GA-FC, just offers a slightly different feature set and the GA-FC has closed the gap significantly with the latest software version. Yeah, you gain the ability to toggle through the RED-YELLOW-GREEN effects options (except DELAY and REVERB), but you lose the ability to have an expression pedal with function switching right at your pedal board connected through the back of the AIRSTEP and need to run separate cables back to the Katana. There's a lot of smoke and mirrors and mis-information out there about the Katana Librarian app too. Yes, it's great that you can use it wirelessly with the AIRSTEP, but it connects perfectly well directly from your phone or tablet to the Katana just as well, using a standard USB cable + OTG adapter. The fact remains that, LIKE THE AIRSTEP, it's a third-party app, neither owned nor controlled by BOSS, and compatability is solely the responsibility of the makers of those products. There is always the possibility that BOSS might break that compatibility when they issue software updates and it's the responsibility of XSONIC and the Librarian developers to keep up (which isn't always the case). Peace 🤘🤘

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

@@kevinmcguinness1113 All fair points for everyone to consider! All the best!

[@dbsteelerfan]

wow what a valuable video. Boss should pay you my man!

[@stevereese6488]

I have the katana 100w single 12, the ga-fc and I'm running the fs-6 off of the ga-fc, I just recently purchased the zoom g3xn. I plan to run it off the back of the amp. I may add a looper to this setup and run it with the g3xn. Really liked your video. Only thing I wish is that all these pedals ran the same type cord, either the TRS or the standard cord. Now to build a pedal board.

[@kirkhilts3996]

Excellent! Far better than the manual!

[@harryhaigh3621]

I love your videos you have helped me so much with guitar and please can you do a tutorial for I want to hold your hand by the Beatles

[@thecareyaffair]

great vid dude.........i was lost without this........thx heaps from wollongong!

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

No worries

[@destroyerdestroy87]

yo thanks for the help just got my katana head today with the foot switch didnt know what was what lol

[@timopeedu6077]

Thank you! This was most helpful

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

You’re welcome

[@PhrygianScale]

Well done man. Well done. Many thanks.

[@DowneyOrrick]

Brilliant video!! Thanks so much for all the useful info 👏

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

No problems! You might also benefit from watching this video too :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKq5Xoh_j7SJpdk Cheers

[@ljb1933]

It would be cool if you did a tutorial on “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton! I would love to learn how to play this.

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

It's coming in a few weeks

[@julianmassetti3538]

Great discription on the pedal GAFC can you use FS-5L in the back of the amp . ? What function can be assigned to it?

[@rinzan28]

The best review👍 Very helpful, Thanks

[@MichaelWolfrom]

This is a fantastic video. Thank you.

[@rolandmengedoth2191]

Very good explaination. Thanks

[@lucasdiasguitarrista]

Nice vídeo! Man, the footswitch fits inside the back of the amp?

[@JoeDaveycrockettsoundlabs]

So many thumbs up!

[@thesteelwarrior]

Been a while since I watched one of your videos! But now I NEED this amp! AND an electric guitar XD

[@andonis327]

Very good thanks

[@DilganURikisNuni]

I just wish they would allow assigning different options to the footswitch plugged into the back panel of the amp. That would allow 2 of either on/off or tap while allowing the use of 2 exp pedals via the GA.

[@johnleach7774]

Can you program the foot switch without a pc, great channel, thanks.

[@BriantLuong]

Will you do a video with the new GA-FC EX? Also how about if you have a GA-FC EX plus a GA-FC, and expression pedals? Boss documentation really doesn't tell you much.

[@hel_sim]

Fantastic my friend👍👍👍

[@MichaelMoore-od4jz]

nice video thanks for the info

[@kurtkroschel]

VERY Helpful, thanks!

[@gianlucagori8881]

very useful video, thanks a lot!

[@theloniouscoltrane3778]

Sir, kindly do a tutorial for MK2Ex using GA-FC...Please..thanks I bought a GA-FC because our local music store does not have GA-FCEx.

[@StratsRUs]

A great video .Well done !

[@onefatstratcat]

Cool beans.. thanks

[@beneditasilva1330]

Thanks! Only a question, I can use the fs-6 as guitar selector? I need to change guitar in a gig

[@JulianoMarcello]

Grandes dicas!! Valeu por compartilhar 💪🏽🤘🏾

[@silentscepterrs368]

Yoo mate, a simple request from me is a tutorial for "My Sweet Lord" by George Harrison. A song I dearly want to learn but not a single tutorial video compares to your video quality. Thanks in advance and keep up the work 💪🏻

[@mikeb792]

Great video, sir. New sub here. Cheers

[@matts8638]

Great video. Thanks mate!

[@itarot7304]

Hi, if u can do a tutorial of Mystery of Love from the ‘Call me by your name’ movie, It’d be really cool. Your tutorials are the best and all the songs I’ve learned have been from your tutorials😁

[@jamiecallaghan8467]

How would I use the GA-FC with a looper and a dedicated wah pedal

[@iamabuilding4747]

dont have any of these things yet but I would assume wah pedal before the looper in the effects loop and use the ga-fc however you please

[@BAND-MAID-USA]

Great video

[@alejandrosaavedralopez3666]

Great video, thanks a lot it's really helpful! Can you share or sell the patch of the Audioslave song you played around minute three? Thank you!

[@TJHigham]

Thanks for the awesome video, really useful, how long would you say the trs cable is?

[@chrisrsp2025]

Great video dude!! Thank you question though, Can you connect multi Ga-fcs together for more switches and then expression pedals?

[@garycrouse1918]

Very helpful video ty

[@17silence]

Thank you very much for the great video! What's the best way to connect a wah pedal (Dunlop) with the boss katana MkII and the ga-fc? Than you.

[@esr4471]

I have a question for you....can you run an EV-5, FV-500H and the FS-6 with the GA-FC EX and a looper off the back of the amp on the 100mk2 ?? And if so how would that look / sound ??

[@Buragwit]

Can you use the middle jack (A&B) of FS6 and connect it to GAFC?

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

No I’m pretty sure you need to use the individual A and B jacks

[@Buragwit]

Thanks

[@RichardLumasag]

I have a question, what will happen to a pedal that is both expression and volume pedal at the same time? Like the BOSS FV-500H. Will it function as both volume and expression at the same time? thank you

[@threeheavensmusic]

what a great and helpful video!!

[@portuguesebeer5069]

Thats fuckin' awesome! Katana its almost a pedalboard! Katana GT! Cheers from Portugal 🤘🍺🇵🇹

[@uneel061]

Hi, great video. Are the switches on GAFC normally open or normally close please?

[@toploadtele]

5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@angylugo5367]

This video is really helpfull. Thanks man

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

No problem!

[@HENNINGRAS]

Do you have any tones tested with a electric guitar with a Piezo pickup installed? I'm waiting for my Gibson that will have a Piezo Bridge installed.....

[@mirkocesare4142]

No chance to have some indication about solo function on?

[@MUMU-pf9dv]

In all of this connection.. I can add also my pedals? TIA

[@marvin-burns]

Do the single footswitches require a stereo lead if only using one?

[@CoolPabloDeTodo]

hello, can you make video about a new version V.2 and this footswitches gafc and f6 together ?

[@eddieg1153]

Thank you for this video, it's excellent. Just subscribed too. I just want to make sure that once you make all of these settings in Tone Studio, it saves to the amp itself so you don't need to be connected to the computer all the time. Is this the case?

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

Hey! So all you need to do is hit the save button once you've created your tone, and then you can select which of the 8 amp preset banks to save it to.

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

Hi, and thank you. Using the GAFC with the Katana 100 mkII, how do you go back to the sound as it was saved after you’ve modified it, say by adding effects in & taking them out? The only way I’ve found is to switch to another sound and then back again. Thank you!

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

Hey, as far as I'm aware the way you mentioned is the only way :(

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

@@GuitarZero2Hero OK, thank you... and tap tempo for the echo is not accessible from the GAFC? Dude in the store said it was... :/

[@GuitarZero2Hero]

@@UncleTonyGuitar Yeh it's not, you need to assign that to an additional footswitch. The Airstep KATANA can provide that though. It's a bit more flexible but needs to be plugged in the USB port. Search that up on YT if you're interested.

[@UncleTonyGuitar]

@@GuitarZero2Hero It’s an awesome amp. Owner’s manual; not so much... thanks for the help!

[@wglennhowells]

You have the volume pedal hooked up incorrectly Dave, and the manual is incorrect (kinda). If you notice, when you raised and lowered the volume of your guitar, the tone characteristics did not change (gain did not clean up at all). To correctly hook a volume pedal and have it properly change tone characteristics (ex. reduce gain w/volume reduction) you have to run the guitar to the input of the volume pedal, then the output to the front of the amp, completely ignoring the GA FC. If you use the GA FC in the loop, you loose the benefit of a volume pedal (cleaning up the sound when you decrease volume). It's a fatal flaw in the design, but one we have to live with. Otherwise great demo, very informative and appreciated.

[@mattsoutherden]

It would be great if the behaviour was assignable - like the effects loop is positionable pre/post reverb

[@riffdigger2133]

Thank you.

[@joebush3738]

Curious, would you prefer the gfac or the Airstep Kat?

[@ddebayan1990]

Is there any cheap alternative for the GAFC foot switch to be used in Gen 3 too ?

[@SinningVolta57]

Thank you for this video. I'm looking to buy this combo amp want to use it with my boss me 70 multi-effects pedal board. Would I simply put it in front of the amp on a clean channel?And are there any compatible features with it being boss as well? It has an expression pedal on it too so Idk if that changes anything. Thanks in advance.

[@CB-wi3vc]

I read the comments. Didn't see this particular question: So let's say I make preset 1 an OD boost and nothing else. So as I'm playing in preset 1, can I then turn on and then turn off, say, reverb or flanger in the foot switch while staying in preset 1 OD? Or does switching to "Effects" on the foot switch take me out of preset 1 and into Panel mode?