BOSS Katana Artist MK2 HEAD | 4 of my Favourite Features

[@AudioAtmos]

There are so many affordable ways to sound awesome these days. I wonder if young guitarists realize it? Nice demo Leon!👍

[@LeonTodd]

Hope so!

[@hansgrayman4809]

It would be nice, but someone has to understand what it's like to not have all the options to appreciate what you do. I remember the days when you had to have a rack full of different processors and effects to get the tones you get out of these amps alone today. Ah how I miss it though. They were still awesome times.

[@kennethmeeker6369]

@@hansgrayman4809 I think that’s why so many people sound the same everybody buys the same sound lol , you were limited to what could buy locally and limited by your influences depending on what your local shop carried

[@markbrewer4785]

I was thinking this the other day when I was watching Leon's video about the Lifeson tones available for the Fractal. I was thinking about how long it probably took Alex to dial in those tones over the years and now anyone can just download them. I am not complaining just observing....it's like how back in the day I had this briefcase looking thing I put in my car with a lot of cassette tapes and now my phone has my entire music library. This Katana sounds awesome!!! Thanks for posting Leon!!!!

[@hansgrayman4809]

@@kennethmeeker6369 There was definitely a lot of that. So many players in my town as a teen all played the same JCM800 Marshalls and used the same Boss pedals for the longest time. It was great tone for what it was, but it was all the same for the most part.

[@LordBransty]

That outro jam was something so special. I had no idea you could get a tone like that from a Katana. I could jam with that all day. Thanks Leon!

[@89ji76]

This is great. Katana was always tempting for the great features so I’m glad the more robust version finally got its update.

[@jayeye89]

I picked up this amp with some amazon vouchers I got over Christmas. I absolutely love it i think that speaker sounds brilliant.

[@jamdalf4343]

Right now at Sweetwater for US $30.00 more you can get the KA Combo with a US $225.00 Boss Waza Speaker and it still has powered 8ohm and 16ohm speaker outputs if you want to run Cab(s). This KA Head doesn't have the built-in 25watt 5" speaker for like easy practice that the regular Kat 100 Head has. For the price it should at least have a 50watt 6" speaker that could be used for practice and maybe even small gigs.

[@ronmoore8732]

Thank you for answering my question . No where do they say if it has a internal speaker or not . I now know. If it did have an internal speaker I would buy it for at home practice . But because it doesn’t . I think I will pass on the new artist head . I think having the internal speaker in the older boss head was an ingenious idea. Too bad they didn’t. Carry That idea over to their new head.

[@peterharvin2775]

Yeah, Boss really nailed it with this one. Loved that final jam, btw.

[@LeonTodd]

Thanks man! Yeah this feels like the "final form" for a Katana IMO.

[@brubakersflatcakes9755]

I brought home a Katana 50MK2 and really loved it. The next day I found out about the Artist MK2 Combo, so I bought that instead. I've gigged it (typical party cover band) and it's amazing. The boost function is amazing. Setting up tones is fun and relatively easy with Tone Studio. It's LOUD, and clear. I wish I had this back in 1987. Killer amp. Let's be honest, we don't hear too many negative things about the Katana.

[@bluarcher5941]

I have a JCM 2000 with a 4/12 cab but that Katana surely looks and sounds like a good (and small) investment. Great video.

[@stevengoodman3498]

Nice sounding amp. Solo boost feature is great as well. Excellent playing Leon!

[@LeonTodd]

Thanks a lot!

[@ShadovvV]

Excellent review. Very thorough and concise, right from beginning to end. Immediately pointing out the differences between the amp series was extremely key and something I haven't seen anyone do except for yourself. Well done.

[@LeonTodd]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mikejelinek1413]

Who needs a Fractal or Tubes anymore! Great tone brother.

[@tonymarinelli7304]

This man knows how to dial in a tone! So many young players and their scooped mids sound horrible. Plus, you’ll never cut through a mix

[@diogenesstudent5585]

Dude, you have the best tone and you play the best licks.

[@kevinmcguinness1113]

Great review of these features, which make a great amp even better. Awesome tones. The good news is that with the latest system and BTS updates (Oct '22), all of the features in this demo are now also available on my 100/212 MkII as well. The feature set gap between the Artist and mine is now so small that I don't feel the need to upgrade any more, tbh. The only REALLY annoying thing about mine is the positioning of the control panel. I wish it was on the front, like on the Artist.

[@stephenjohnson899]

I have pulled at least 10 80s guitarist tones out of this amp,its loaded with John Sykes..I've done a bunch of Via stuff as well as Zakk wylde and more..I dont by patches for tone studio, u can dial them in by ear..Its a really great solid state amp..

[@kbrinson85]

dude you’re a modern day guitar legend

[@duckfluff]

honestly the difference between a good tone and a bad tone is (aside from effects) all EQ. Using the 2 eqs in tone studio is sooo useful

[@midifalcon4965]

Leon, please do your deep dive on the Boss Katana Artist Gen 3 with expression pedals, EQ, AMP settings etc...

[@DisruptedSinner]

I got a Katana last summer and it frickin' rocks!! Love it - NO regrets!

[@brentmydland5176]

Awesome DOGS jam at the end!!!!!

[@Superjet113]

I want to upgrade. Its about time they put the controls on the front. I have my mkii head sitting on its side so the controls are on front..lol Love the new features also! Great review Mr. Todd!

[@alexmurphy5289]

I’ve owned this amp for two months now after my last amp got stolen and it’s simply incredible. I have tweaked the sneaky amps and gotten some really nice amp models, and my favorite part is probably all the incredible boosts boss has available too. I might like solid state more than tube now…

[@robertbarajas2311]

You're the man Leon..

[@rolandmengedoth2191]

I got the Katana Artist combo Mark II with the WAZA speaker in it. Wonderful good sounding Amp. I also use the Katana Head 100 Mark I, with a Rivera 2x12 speaker cabinet and V30 speakers in it in my Band which is good as well, but with less of features. For both Amps i use the GAFC footpedal. I am a complete satisfied Boss Katana User. Greeting from Germany.

[@mkrj2576]

How does the Kat Head sound with an aftermarket cab vs the Artist combo?

[@rolandmengedoth2191]

@@mkrj2576 a little different but not bad

[@tomstegall1346]

Great demonstration, I love mine it rocks my fenders and prs guitars

[@dustinvandehey9885]

Cool video. I have the mark 1 dialed in so i just use that for gigs and recording. Love the thing. 240 dollars and it weighs 20 pounds. Sounds amazing during gigs.

[@bimblebob9609]

Big thanks for running through some of those features I have yet to explore...or in fact managed to get my head around. Really appreciated, and of course great playing.

[@LeonTodd]

Very welcome!

[@MrStephenlederle]

I just bought one. The artist's features are very exciting for me.

[@marius53891]

Great amp review. Thanks Leon!

[@LeonTodd]

My pleasure!

[@jasongoad1084]

Sounds amazing!! Love hearing that Scorpions riff!!

[@TheDistortionPrinciple]

The mic change for line out alone is worth the price of admission

[@Paul-D]

I currently have the mk2 head and the fact the buttons are on the front of this one is enough to make me want to upgrade lol! Being 5ft 9 is a problem when the buttons are on top and the head is already on top of loads of stuff

[@markdouglas8073]

The front panel controls were the main reason I gravitated to the Artist, but MIDI and stereo are why I love it.

[@angusorvid8840]

I was a big fan of the Randall RG75 combo. I owned one and gigged all over L.A. in the 80s with mine and it could more than handle clubs with the very loud drummers I worked with. This was the metal shred scene where you had to be loud and clear to be heard. I loved that amp and often used it in place of my Boogie, Marshall, or some of the Laneys I'd been borrowing from friends. But in subsequent years I became more and more disillusioned with Randall and their decline in solid state quality as they put more emphasis on valves. Nothing against their valve amps, they've made some great ones. But I wanted to see them pop out some great solid states which is how they made their name in the first place with players from Lynch to Dimebag using them. The Katana is the solid state amp I've been wanting for decades. I'll be purchasing one soon. I just have to decide which one. I've tried them all and I dig them. Great demo.

[@mkrj2576]

Thanks for the nice review. Great playing. Here's what people want to know... 1) Does the Artist Head through an aftermarket cab sound much different, better, worse, than the Artist combo with its own Waza speaker? What cab would you like to use with this head live? I like my combo but would prefer a the head for portability and keep a spare cab at different locations. 2) Does the sound, in your opinion, rival, or at least come close to your standard amps/tube amps? Good enough for you to gig with? 3) Please further demystify the "Contour" knob for us !!! Can that be used for example to dial the sound specific to each guitar. For example, thru my Kat Artist combo I run a Tele, a Strat HSS, and a LP style guitar. 4) To take the last point one step further, how about using the global eq setting to mate well with different guitars. For example, maybe a slightly brighter, less bass heavy stock eq setting for the LP vs a Strat or Tele. Thanks.

[@kevinmcguinness1113]

Good post👍. Point 4) that's exactly what I use the global EQ settings for. Set it for AMP INPUT and match the GREEN-RED-YELLOW EQ settings to different guitars, also as a 6dB boost right on the amp input to compensate for the signal loss through a couple of AB-Y switches that I use for flexible signal routing to different amps.

[@sabbster1157]

I had a Katana Artist mk 1 and loved it. Some scum bag stole it. I went to a tube amp which I love but miss my Katana

[@Scott__C]

Great tones and the new features are awesome.

[@matthewearl9824]

One of the main reasons for moving up to the artist was to get the Waza speaker, but of course, that is not an option with the head.

[@andrewbecker3700]

They all have contour control. The Artist has it on the panel. Tone Studio enables it on the rest.

[@27pugsly]

I have this amp it’s so amazing it feels so natural like a tube amp 😮

[@RODZILLA-58]

and MOST OF ALL...quieter

[@clintjames7327]

SOUNDS FANTASTIC

[@joekelly9369]

Finally boss figured out where the controlls should be ! Shame all my different guitars sound the same through boss amps , yet retain their personalities through other amps ?

[@tommywallberg]

Nice demonstration! What do you think of the Waza cab? I would like to buy the head but I have some hesitation reg their cabs. What is your thoughts about this? Maybe any good Celestion speakers would do as well or even better 🤔

[@TungstenCarlbide]

I'd love to see you tinker with the onboard synth, its not fancy... But you'd make it sound waay better than i could

[@armandosinger]

Nice demo and amp. So much overlap-you get most of all of the amp features in other boss products like the IR-200 or their multi Fx pedals. For an amp head, I don’t see why it needs to be so large. These days a solid state and/or digital amp modeler can be pedal sized. Since the head is dedicated to driving a cabinet + gigging in stage, the big feature this is missing is the ability to load custom IRs to get a good DI sound out for the FOH. And for convenience, give us a quality balanced XLR out so we don’t need to bring a DI box. The ability to simultaneously play out of the speaker and to the FOH w/ a quality IR is essential in a product like this, IMO.

[@sandyturner1911]

I just got the Artist MKII Combo, and it is really dark and almost muddy sounding, no matter what I do. I have the 100 Head, and I have the opposite problem. It's actually very bright sounding. It's driving me a bit nuts. Thanks for this, Leon!

[@JanLawicki]

Try doing a reset to default settings

[@anlaik]

Watching this on my Boss Katana mkII!

[@spivvo]

CORRECTION - The pre or post amp feature on the solo boost ONLY RELATES TO THE SOLO EQ and NOT the volume lift applied by the solo button. If you are simply using the solo button to boost the volume (ie you have the solo boost green EQ button switched OFF) then selecting the Amp in or Out makes NO DIFFERENCE. The solo button by itself (ie without the solo EQ applied) is clearly post pre amp as it simply increases the volume and does not colour the sound in any way. These are two separate features activated by one button...

[@Mac-td7lt]

I heard a setting on that amp that sounds so close to Iron Maidens 2 minutes to midnight.

[@owendavis4154]

Happy New Year Leon!!

[@johnfritzenjr.1240]

Amazing solo LT ✌️

[@LeonTodd]

Thanks ✌️

[@chipchiperson679]

Sounds great, but when you match it up to a tube amp like a Evh 5150 or a Marshall dsl you can clearly hear the lack of percussion and latency picking the strings. I know there’s a 3 to 400 price difference for the real thing rather pay it than, having extra features that I’m never going to use

[@jessetate9701]

Such a good tone for a good price

[@twinklesirola909]

I plan on buying my first serious electric guitar and amp. I had shortlisted a Fender Ultra Luxe and Revstar professional RSP20, tried both did not like Fender whereas the Revstar felt really great. Now since Revstar is cheaper and my choice for guitar. I'm in doubt should I go for a Katana Artist mk2 combo or something like a Fender tone master pro/Headrush prime with an FRFR cab........ I usually play at home or Jam with some friends. But the choices with amp and going through reviews have gotten me nowhere.🙃 I would appreciate some advice here.

[@wilmathewisp8252]

I heard a lot of these Katana amps, but did not expect that. This unit here sounds really impressive. I‘m running a Quad Cortex at the moment, but i don‘t really need all its features. Maybe this could be an alternative🤔

[@NYCguitarist]

And they are light!

[@marcopanetta3510]

5:38 what cable i need to go from the katana line out to the computer, also i need a USB sound card?

[@satarello]

great new boss product. I really like it !!

[@LeonTodd]

BOSS always delivers

[@satarello]

@@LeonTodd yess !!!

[@onix45]

Regular Katana MK2 head does have the contour feature through the app.

[@LeonTodd]

Ahhh they hid it in there!

[@derekmartin8498]

Has all the same features as a regular Katana except maybe 16ohm speaker outlets and missing internal speaker. I just brought a regular head $550 AUD huge price difference from the artist not sure it’s worth it.

[@sergejkrynycky728]

I once had a Katana 50w combo. Loved the thing so much. But I really missed an fx loop. Sold it, got 100w mk2 because of the loop, ended up not liking it that much cause it was much larger, considerably heavier and MUCH louder. So I sold it because of that. It was kinda inconvenient. The 50w with fx loop would be my perfect home practice amp.

[@JohnPerryMusic]

Why didn’t you switch to the 50w mode then..?

[@martincockburn6821]

im tempted to sell my mk2 head to get the artist head... mostly for the speaker options. standard head is 8ohm... artist has 8 and 2x16ohm outs. i had the artist combo and it sounded killer running it through my Marshall cabs

[@LeonTodd]

Katana through 2 4x12's :D

[@martincockburn6821]

@@LeonTodd gotta say it made my dsl100 sound a bit meh after that.

[@niteriderband4713]

I bought a solid state amp years ago that I loved but it didnt last over 8 months of weekly band practice and playing until it started becoming intermittent. All techs could fix tube amps but not solid state, their only solution was to replace the whole mainboard. So I never bought another solid state amp again. I paid a lot of money for my first one and never again.

[@Negative.mrb1]

I love my Katana mkll !!! it’s sounds awesome by itself and handles pedals awesomely for a digital multi sound amp. My only gripe is I own the head version & I wish it had a stereo cabinet extension so I could do left /right without buying another Katana or y box

[@PainterDans]

Will the Artist push 2 cabinets in stereo ?

[@PNWGuitar]

Might just go with this and the footswitch instead of a helix or any other modeler

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Hi Leon. Great video as always.. Man, Boss / Roland has really upped their game with the Katana series. I can't tell the difference much at all from a tube amp. I sold my katana and I wish I hadn't .. I did so to buy a tube amp and I sold it.. 🤣because the deal was too good. I'm actually playing thru the Boss 4 track recorder now which has cosm amps. I am going to have to check this out.. I'm trying to get down to almost a pedal board and a speaker and that's it. So, I've been checking out all the pedal board amps as well multi effects modelers, etc when I have time. Great review brother! Be safe and well my friend!

[@LeonTodd]

These are amazing for the $

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

@@LeonTodd Yes they are. I watched a video by Roland awhile back that they hid the amp and compared it to a hidden tube and asked the audience to tell which was which and of course it was almost impossible. I saw the same type of test with Peavey and their solid state amps.

[@jordanbouwer1708]

Would it be possible/wise to connect this head to the speakers of a Orange Rocker 32 to have an alternative amp without having to get a speaker cab for the head?

[@peterschmidt9942]

The solo boost function is a great idea. I reckon more amps should have it. Don't know whether that alone would be worth the $300 extra investment over the standard Mk2 though? My Mk1 katana doesn't get a lot of love as I prefer the Blackstar TVP60 head I got around the same time. Sounds as Marshally as my Marshall LOL

[@judestv]

Hey Leon…GREAT stuff all around. Love what you do man. Been giggin with an artist mk2 for a while now. Love it. Recently took the plunge into the FM9 world…ITS A BEAST! would appreciate any thoughts you might have on running FM9 thru the artist…haven’t had much time yet…tried power amp in…bit mushy…gonna xperiment with/ without cab sims, and amps of course…. You should do a vid on that brother…. Peace~

[@LeonTodd]

Congrats on the FM9! Turn cab sims off and go into the power amp in as a start. A little PEQ or multiband comp last in line can help with mush

[@judestv]

@@LeonTodd thanks man…can’t pull off an FRFR now. Thinkin bout runnin FM9 DI into protools, and also mic’d cab… See if I can get em close…so I can make a template… Keep doin what you do brother. You help TONs of peeps!

[@Nig6tWalker]

sound pretty good!!me like it

[@TheSpineSplitter1990]

What an awesome time to be a guitar player.

[@tman6495]

Very nice improvements in tone! Will the digital 100watts keep up with a band and most drummers?

[@Mujcanal]

Your drummer will end up def 😂

[@Andy8790c]

Brilliant review, does anybody know if the custom line out IR is available on the artist mk2 combo? I can see there is no hardware switch but wondered if it gives the option in the tone studio?

[@JBEJSting]

Is it worth switching from the katana mkii 100 to an artist II combo or the artist 2 head? nice video!

[@bsquare6809]

I want to get this amp along with a 2x12 cab, I just cant decide if I should buy the head or the combo. Like I said I want the 2x12 cab anyway but the combo is only $30 more.

[@Johnny-oy9fh]

Katana 4x12 with standard speakers needed to go with it...

[@gamra0168]

I don't understand how this head works. Does this work as a sound source? do i need to buy a separate speaker for this?

[@joinerleal]

I didn’t get how can i make this work with my current modeler (headrush) I feel kinda overwhelmed about having too many options honestly haha

[@CedricSatterfield]

When you plug your modeler into the Power Amp in on the back it disabled the preamp functions of the amp (effects, EQ, etc) so that your modeler is the one doing the driving. You really only have one set of options at that point other than the output volume on the amp that you can still control

[@Mac-td7lt]

Love the sound. Does it have a real "100 watts" of power?

[@FACToryTV762]

Great video! Are the presets available?

[@audiomonster303]

Funny thing is Behrinhger made amps like this 20 years ago and they were laughed at. I still have them and they are just as useful as the Katana mk2!!!!!!!!!!

[@BitsOfEternity]

Les Scorpions! Tease Me Please Me! C'est magnifique! Did you use one of your own patches for this, or did you just dial it in? I love the sound and I'm assuming you're on Brown, based on the lights, and based on the fact you mentioned Brown! Would love to hear what your settings sound like on my Artist - I normally just keep it on clean (variation) and have the gain up near to break-up, and tweak the eq's ... (Edit again, I forgot to finish my previous thought, in the previous sentence sequence - I use some pedals with my amp set clean'ish, as explained before - I had failed to mention the pedals!) Edit: I've set mine based on your on screen panel settings, and I made my booster the Muff Fuzz, and it sounds pretty damned good - almost as good as my Big Muff Pi, but the Pi has something I can't get the Muff Fuzz to replicate... Maybe I'll find it in a tweak some day ...

[@KM-302]

I found the original mk1 katanas had terrible latency when using the gafc footswitch. Has this been addressed in the mk2's ?

[@paolo68dreamer]

Thanks for your fantastic videos Leon, as always. After many years playing only with Axe fx, Kemper and many plugins like Neural Archetype Petrucci and now the Boogie 2C+, I would like to buy a Boogie Mark 5 25w combo but now it’s very hard to get one (I’m in a waiting list with Thomann since one year but they are delaying every time 6-7 months… the next one is January 2024). Do you think Katana could be a good choice thinking I’m a big lover of Mesa Mark 2C+ sound? Can I get something close to that with Katana Artist in your opinion? Thanks in advance for the time you’ll give me! You’re absolutely great!!! ❤

[@LeonTodd]

You could probably get a decent approximation using some pre/post EQ but if you like the Boogie thing ultimately you'll want a Boogie. A used Mark IV or Triaxis is a great way to access those tones if you can't wait.

[@paolo68dreamer]

@@LeonTodd thank you very much dear! 🙏🏻🥂

[@paolo68dreamer]

I’ve seen your video with Synergy llCP. Do you think this could be a good substitute of the Mesa? Do you think their Combo could sound good? Thanks again for your kindness! 🙏🏻❤️

[@LeonTodd]

@@paolo68dreamer check out my comparison vid between the IICP and the Mark IV. It stacks up great IMO

[@paolo68dreamer]

@@LeonTodd thank you very much. I have seen also the slo module that seams very good. BTW, do you think an original Mark IV is for sure much better? There’s one on selling in Italy at the moment, a M4 Combo 1992 for 2k and maybe could be the best option. Thanks again for your incredible kindness! You’re amazing man!!!

[@ProfVonW]

Great overview of stuff that might be missed by a lot of reviewers. A couple of questions: Does the new Artist Head have a small internal speaker like the original Katana Head? Also what model PRS is that, and what pickups do you have installed?

[@LeonTodd]

I don't think this has the speaker. PRS custom 24,Seymour Duncan JB/Jazz

[@Guitarman01]

Hey Leon, Are you using the 2x12 Boss Cab?

[@johnnyt3676]

i have this amp too, its awesome! thanks for the review. took one look/listen and wet my pants. thanks a lot. lol bye Leon!

[@kingfisher7960]

Honestly man, the Katana is a great amp but whats missing in your head is the combo's Waza G12 speaker.....man it sounds so much better than a vintage greenback its unreal....try the combo!

[@jayeye89]

Can one of you LEGENDS or maybe even the LEGEND himself help me with the contour knob. Im just wondering where the eq sits in the signal chain. Is it the same as putting an eq in the loop, or is it PRE Preamp?

[@LeonTodd]

Pretty sure it's "in the loop" style

[@radicaster1]

Leon - Is the record out stereo?

[@heavybrett-al4082]

🤪 great tone and riff straight off the bat brother 🤘hell yea BOSS really set a standard for affordable killer amp when they released those katana's...when I was a kid we all had either Boss "cube" practice amps or peavey "rages" that all we could afford in highschool 😂

[@LeonTodd]

It's crazy that it's just the brown channel and the built in IR!

[@cchavez248]

Lol, the Katana Artist is worth the upgrade just to get the front-facing control panel! Kidding aside, thx for the vid!

[@LeonTodd]

Hahaha I'm right there with you

[@kevinbolton5]

Sounds great Leon. I'm wondering how would the FM3 or FM9 would sound going through the power amp input of the Katana?

[@LeonTodd]

I tried with the OG Katana and it worked great!

[@kevinbolton5]

@@LeonTodd Thanks Leon

[@hbomb495]

Wait?, there's a Head version of the Artist series?

[@LeonTodd]

There is now!

[@hbomb495]

@@LeonTodd I only just got a standard mk 2 head about a week and a half ago. As much as I love it I wish the layout was the same as the Artist. With the controls on the face of it. But that's a minor gripe as the tones are awesome. If they made a mini head of the Katana the size of a mini Rectifier or 6505 MH that could run a 4x12, I'd totally buy that.

[@Worlds_Worst_Guitarist]

First off: where did you find the Delay under the "Solo" Settings? i don't have that function (Katana Artist MK II Combo)? Second: you don't just switch Mics in the Recording Setting! The stock REC Options will sound different if you are changing the settings on the CUSTOM Settings -even when they are turned off-; and if you turn the CUSTOM Settings on the selected Mic is kinda the "leading one" and the other one is blended in -try this: use M1 with say a SM57 and use M2 with the 121, than change to another Mic there - boom, your Mic 1 (SM57) will sound different, you can do it with Distance etc. as well. And in the CUSTOM Settings the Stock REC Settings are still kinda the Basic Feel/Sound of your IRs. Makes sense?

[@kevinmcguinness1113]

Sounds like you need to upgrade your Katana system software and BTS software ?

[@redcomn]

This, or comparable nextone and blues cube? For dang blues, pop and rock stuff?

[@LeonTodd]

I haven't tried the other two so I'm not sure!

[@Stereostupid]

The blues cube artist is much better sounding than this amp...but this is great for beginners or a clean platform or just a fun amp .all Katanas sound pretty good the Yamaha thr is another great alternative

[@davedaveleadguitar]

When using the line out to do your recording does it still mute the the speaker output? Hoping this can be addressed at a later software update on previous Katana versions! Thanks for posting the vid Leon!! You're allways sounding so good!!!no matter what platform you're playing through

[@davedaveleadguitar]

After all, if we wanted the speaker muted we could put it in standby.

[@kevinmcguinness1113]

Maybe you're getting confused ?Plugging headphones into the headphone jack mutes the speaker, but LINE OUT doesn't.

[@davedaveleadguitar]

@@kevinmcguinness1113 Ahh, Didn't know that! I didn't realize LINE Out had a cab sim as well, PHONES /REC OUT seemed the only option when looking at the back panel because its the only one that says REC OUT meaning this is the only output to use when you want to record. No wonder it seemed so counter intuitive muting the speaker and all, MY APPOLOGIES and thank you for your reply. Now why is the PHONES OUT seeming to be in mono? Is the USB output the only way to achieve a stereo output using a direct output? I've been using the USB but the level is difficult to get so its not distorted but then it's so low in volume? There's no on board support on MAC to adjust the input level on the MAC, so what seems to look like a good output is distorted once you've recorded and listen back closely. I'm only asking you all this because it seems you area knowledgable with the Katana for knowing what know, I can fool around with adjustments on my patch levels and BTS USB output levels and go from there, (or have I missed the boat on that one too?) just like to have a streamline way of decent stereo recording, IT"S CLOSE to me and I really appreciate all that BOSS has to offer in the KATANA,! Thanks for your insight and help KevinMcGuinness!!!

[@kevinmcguinness1113]

@davedaveleadguitar the PHONES/REC jack output signal is a stereo signal, but is pretty low level, so you would need to amplify the signal in your recording software (DAW). Unfortunately, the LINE OUT signal is mono, but the level is OK. For recording, I use the USB PRIMARY (POST AMP) signal from the Katana (100% wet signal with all the pre-amp signal conditioning and effects and modulations from the Katana). I only use the LINE OUT when playing live, where I DI the signal to the mixing desk.

[@kevinmcguinness1113]

@davedaveleadguitar the PHONES/REC jack does mute the Katana speakers, as you would expect, but my audio interface (Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen) has a switch that allows you to directly monitor the incoming signal through the connected speakers, maybe your audio interface has this too ?

[@piperwd]

Are you playing straight into the amp? It sounds awesome

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah

[@Robbie28]

I wanted to get th e Waza cab, with the Normal Katana Head but the cab is 16Ohms and the Head is 8. Does that matter with Solid state heads?

[@LeonTodd]

It only really matters if the cab is rated lower than the head.

[@Robbie28]

@@LeonTodd Thank you . To me, the WAZA speaker really is the thing that makes this so much better than the normal Katana cause those amps are good on their own. I really think ill get the Katana MKII head and pair it with the Waza Cab. Wish i could get those tones that YOU get lol. I am no good with the modern stuff. I have a hard enough time with just an amp and pedals lol

[@edlib02169]

Is that a spot of Pink Floyd I detect at the end?

[@LeonTodd]

Yes indeed!

[@brentmydland5176]

Honestly the only new or good feature is the fact that the controls are on the front. Everything else is already accessible in there mkii tone studio. There’s like an extra speaker jack.. It adds NOTHING new

[@derekmartin8498]

Main difference is its double the price that about it

[@zolwikwkurwik]

Can this head work without a speaker?

[@LeonTodd]

Yeah

[@zolwikwkurwik]

@@LeonTodd seriously? It doesn't need a speaker connected like tube amps?

[@CedricSatterfield]

@@zolwikwkurwik No load is needed. One thing the Artist head does not have over the MKII non- Artist head is the monitor speaker. The non-Artist has a speaker that is loud enough to play wth a light drummer. If you use the head with only the onboard speaker the max wattage auto adjust so that even on the "100 w" setting its only pushing out about 35- it adjusts for the onboard speaker. I use mine for plugging in my GX100 or ME90 and without having to snake a cable over to where my FRFR speaker is. In any case, you can get to the contour functions and Eq functions in Tone Studio for the regular Katana head- the functions are still there, just not buttons on the panel. If you can live with adjusting some of that in the software and saving it and then turning the Katana head face down your controls are now on the front. Instant Artist.