Boss Katana:Go Review - Is It As Good As Everyone Says It Is? + Free Liveset Downloads

Is the Boss Katana:Go personal headphone amplifier as good as everyone says it is? Is the hype real? You bet it is!
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@NStuffMusic
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0:00 - intro
1:49 - Closeup of the unit
3:38 - Boss Tone Studio Mobile for Katan:
11:26 - Sound Samples
12:21 - Final Thoughts

[@Guitarnivore]

If you would like to purchase the Katana:Go and support this channel, please consider buying from this zZounds affiliate link. Thanks! www.zzounds.com/a--3988626//item--BOSKTNGO?siid=349152

[@TDeane]

This review is fantastic. Literally everything I could've asked for. I feel like most reviews I find are just a listening demo, but you really touched on everything anyone would need to know on this amp, great work!

[@robryan7705]

Thank you for your service (as always)!

[@gt7058]

Got it.Great review on the app, just what I needed to know. Thx much!

[@Guitarnivore]

Thank you!

[@mattdylan664]

I'm even later to the party, I ordered the Katana Go and the pouch to store it while not in use from Sweetwater a few days ago , according to the sales rep I probably won't get it until late May since they are so backlogged with orders. until then my Katana 50 MKII and Boss GT-1 will have to suffice also for now at least NStuff Music are sold out as well but glad to hear you got yours and are loving it

[@Guitarnivore]

I think I got the last one from N Stuff until they get more. I don't think Boss anticipated how popular and in demand this thing was going to be.

[@nb3596]

Fantastic Patches, thank you very much. Crazy just how good this Katana Go is, have not touched my Kemper in a week. 👍

[@Guitarnivore]

So great for just grabbing and plugging in without having to mess with cables or worry about volume!

[@TechnoRiff]

Very nice overview and review! I agree with you that Cloud integration could be tightened up; I'm using an iPhone and finding the iCloud folder the Librarian uses is impossible at this time. One observation I have is that when Stage Feel is turned on, true stereo effects goes away. The guitar signal can be panned within the stereo field, but it's a mono signal - no panning/ping-ponging between left and right.

[@Jim-H]

Great review!

[@Guitarnivore]

Thanks. It's a great product.

[@Jim-H]

@@Guitarnivore mine should be here tomorrow. Sometimes I get called in for worship band at the last minute. This product will allow me to rehearse on site prior to start of the service.

[@redwalrustmnc5256]

Thx!!! Hope you do another patch liveset

[@Guitarnivore]

I'll be working on a couple in the next month or so.

[@AlecBourneMidiMadScientist]

Nicely done Scott Gotta be said.

[@Guitarnivore]

Thanks, Alec.

[@darrenhunt7838]

I love mine. Haven’t been able to put it down by mostly using my phones but it worked fantastically well directly into my 100 watt head and 4x12 cab. A Katana in my pocket 👍😎🎸🎸

[@Guitarnivore]

That battery lasts a long time too. I've been plugging it into my computer lately, using it as an audio interface with Studio One and it works great for that too.

[@paulhaustead7346]

Thanks for the great review. One question: When the Katana Go is connected to your phone via Bluetooth, are you able to record videos of yourself playing along with a backing track and capture both the audio? Or would I need to do this a different way? Hope this makes sense 😊 Thanks

[@Guitarnivore]

I have a Google Pixel and I just tried. As soon as I hit record with the camera and switch to the BTS app, the camera stops recording and if I'm in session mode and try to switch to the camera, the sessions music stops playing. SO i guess it's not possible with android. Not sure about IOS.

[@shanemcgoldrick210]

Great review Scott, how would you set these up for use with looper pedal or to use wah pedal? Thanks

[@Guitarnivore]

Hmm. That's a good question. Trying to wrap my head around that. I guess it would depend if you still wanted to use it with head/earphones. You could run a cable from your guitar to the wah and then plug the Go into the out of your Wah and then out of the headphone jack to either earphones or an amp and control the Go from your phone/tablet. And if you wanted to add a looper to the mix, go from the headphone jack into the looper and then out of the looper to heaphones/amp.

[@BooleanCorporation]

I have a Lekato PA1 jack start malfunctioning (kinda doesn't make proper contact so you only get one channel) but the IR support was top notch. Now I'm looking to upgrade to either this one, NUX Mighty Plug Pro, or Spark Go.

[@Guitarnivore]

The PA-1 is good for the price, but it can't do nearly what this or other similar units can do. This one is still hard to find right now due to backorders.

[@herboffiresidestudio9053]

For some reason I’m just now seeing this. I have been considering this , thanks for your input. Have you tried stereo out of the Katana Go to 2 - 1/4 mono into two channels on your interface? Also my intention is to go instrument cable from guitar into a volume pedal or a splitter then go from the KG to an interface with above idea of stereo to mono.

[@Guitarnivore]

I haven't tried that yet. I don't have the 👍🏻 right cables.

[@Guitarnivore]

Btw, these things are awesome, Herb. They're so popular that they're on backorder until November.

[@herboffiresidestudio9053]

@@Guitarnivore Scott I figured they would be. I was waiting until someone I trusted did an honest review before I bought one.

[@henryb160]

I really don't know why people bother with that hardware sticking out from their guitar when for a small amount of money they can get an extension cable with an input on one end and a jack on the other that removes the headphone amp from the guitar and provides better access to the controls.

[@jimshunamon2512]

That's exactly what I do with mine. I put some Velcro hook and loop on the GO and my guitar strap.

[@Guitarnivore]

This one isn't too bad if you have a jack on the front of your guitar like an SG or Jazzmaster. With something where the jack is on the side, it does sit odd and make me nervous that I might damage it. I've even used it wirelessly before with a female/female 1/4 extender and a pair of wireless dongles (such a funny word). But you really don't need to touch it once it's plugged in and your connected.

[@henryb160]

@@Guitarnivore Yeah I used to use a Vox AC30 headphone amp with Line 6 wireless dongle to drive a JBL Connect 3 wireless speaker (via aux in), and it sounded awesome.

[@Guitarnivore]

​@@henryb160I've heard good things about those little Vox headphones amps.

[@henryb160]

@@Guitarnivore I bought one when it first came out and used it as it's marketed. Immediately I disliked the set-up and put it away in drawer for a couple of years. Then one day I was using the JBL Connect and it struck me I could send the Vox headphone out to the JBL aux in. So I got one of those jack extension cables, connected an LP Standard, and proceeded to be blown away! Great clean and driven sounds.

[@bub2010]

Sounds awesome for such a little guy that you can take and plug in anywhere... however did you hear that for some reason these have been DISCONTINUED?? Wondering if this is a similar issue that Fractal had with their FM9 with chip shortages... ??

[@Guitarnivore]

I just heard that yesterday. Kind of bummed for.anyone that really wanted one that didn't get a chance to. I wondered what the manufacturing problem is as well. I hope whatever the problem is, they can figure it out.

[@tonya4157]

I'd never considered a headphone amp, figured they were just toys. Then this hit the market and everyone was demoing them so I figured wth, for $120, give it a try. Of course, they were sold out everywhere by then. I discovered the NUX MP-3 and bought one with some decent headphones. I don't regret waiting because they have definitely evolved. It actually sounds good and you could play it just about anywhere. Learning how to use it and some 3rd party software has at the very least been entertaining. lol If this Go ever becomes available again I'll try it to. Pretty amazing what you can do with these things. Thanks for the review!

[@Guitarnivore]

I've heard great things about the NUX mighty plug! It's crazy how this thing has sold out everywhere. Last I checked most places are saying November. That's insane. I've been plugging this into Studio One via USB-C and it's been great. You just monitor through the headphones from the Go.

[@tonya4157]

​@Guitarnivore Yeh, looks like Boss should have had a lot more stock available. Maybe I'll get one for Christmas. lol I got a 4 button midi foot controller today (Chocolate M-VAVE) and just finished doing a basic setup to control the NUX MP-3. This thing is turning out to be a lot of fun. Sounds good too. I realize you're a Katana guy and I understand, but if you get a chance, give this a try too.

[@Guitarnivore]

I may get one some time. I've had one of those M-Vaves in my amazon cart forever too. I need to dive into the mdid features of the Katana MK2.

[@tonya4157]

​@Guitarnivore Zzounds got some in and I should have one on Tuesday. Don't have to wait until Christmas after all. Their pre-order had said November 15th. I like the NUX unit but their higher gain or distorted amps are a little too much. You can't dial them back to a reasonable level. Same with their boost and drive pedals.

[@AlecBourneMidiMadScientist]

9:43 - I would just skip entirely download from phone and use the download from the cloud, this will also let you navigate to folders in your phone without even touching a cloud service.

[@Guitarnivore]

I only export to cloud for sharing purposes. Hopefully when they get the tone exchange working, we can eliminate messing with everything else.

[@anosegal]

I imagine this could go well as a few preamp effects as well

[@Guitarnivore]

I don't see why not.

[@Guitarnivore]

You can download all of my Katana:Go livesets here. There is also a PDF file in there with a list of all the liveset tones with the tuning for each one. The AC/DC tones should be tuned to about 432hz to sound album correct. drive.google.com/drive/folders/1axHQhhMkKcWpzMsvs7CBMTPAtEYaBvB9?usp=sharing

[@user-jy3io4iz2p]

In doubt between this and the L6 Pod Express. Got a Micro Mustang (sounds good to my ear). The L6 PE is a bit more flex yet €90 more.

[@Guitarnivore]

I worked on a review video for the Line 6 Pod Express, but I lost audio so it won't get published. Between the two, I would go for the Katana Go. The looper on the Line 6 kind of sucks and the whole thing is clunky and a pain to change parameters. With this, you can do everything from your phone and get just as good, if not better sound out of it. Sure the Pod Express has stereo out and footswitch, but for somethings you have to hold two buttons while adjusting a parameter and there is no graphic interface, so saving presets is a pain to recall them. Plus this is much cheaper. HOWEVER, there are rumors that this may already be discontinued due to a manufacturing issue. I've also heard great things about the Mooer P1 and P2, so check those out as well. Good luck.

[@xristosssoul8403]

(Maybe a stupid question, I'm really new to electric guitars and amps) Can you plug it into any pedal, specifically a loop pedal??

[@Guitarnivore]

You could plug it in to a loop pedal from the headphone jack, I suppose, but I'm not sure how it would sound from there.

[@xristosssoul8403]

@@Guitarnivore Just to make sure that I understand correctly. Guitar -> Katana Go -> (through the headphone jack) "In" Loop pedal -> ?? What if I plug my headphones in to the "Out" of the Loop pedal?

[@Guitarnivore]

@@xristosssoul8403 that should work. I just don't know how the signal will.be coming from the loop..

[@erikboon5560]

Any suggestions which headphone will fit the katana go best?

[@Guitarnivore]

I use Sennheiser HD Pro 280's in the house, but my earbuds that came with my Samsung Note 9 work just fine too while I play outside. I think as long as they're a decent set of wired headphones or earbuds, they'll work well.

[@JustSomeSongs]

Will the bluetooth allow for connecting Airpods or is the bluetooth just to connect to the phone/app?

[@Guitarnivore]

Unfortunately no. ONly BT to the phone/app. I wish it could. I have a pair of Presonus noise canceling BT headphones I would love to be able to do that with.

[@AlecBourneMidiMadScientist]

There’s no way to do this. Guitar over Bluetooth would have a fair amount of latency. The bt audio is receive only and you’re playing over this with low latency. You could use rf or digital stereo in ear systems. Preferably at 5.8ghz and you should be ok.

[@DavidAllenMD]

how are you not sponsored by them yet? they need to you do so much for the katana stuff

[@Guitarnivore]

No idea. Maybe they require a certain number of subs and views. Perhaps I need to reach out to them.

[@simonho8374]

1. Can I connect Boss Katana Go with a Mac computer over bluetooth, playing along backing tracks on iTunes or any digital audio workstations on the computer to jam along with? 2. Does Boss Katana Go support wireless/Bluetooth headphones?

[@Guitarnivore]

The only thing you can connect to bluetooth is your phone or tablet to use the Boss Tone Studio mobile app. If you want to use it with a DAW or connect it to a computer, you can connect it via USB and it works very well.

[@simonho8374]

@@Guitarnivore I see. Thank you for the prompt reply. Have a nice weekend !

[@Guitarnivore]

@@simonho8374 Thanks. You too.

[@MrCD-xv3jj]

Any word on boss tone studio for the go yet?

[@Guitarnivore]

You mean tone exchange? Tone Studio has been available all along. As far as the tone exchange, they said June, so hopefully soon and hopefully they integrate it into all of the other apps as well.

[@MrCD-xv3jj]

@@Guitarnivore That's what I meant. My bad 🤭

[@Guitarnivore]

@@MrCD-xv3jj No worries. I just wanted to make sure.

[@jasonwojcik]

It is impressive what they can do in such a small form factor. They haven't reinvented the wheel since they've been working with this stuff for quite a while. However, for a practice tool, it seems a little gimmicky. I would rather deal with wire-to-headphones so I have access to my entire signal chain. I wonder what the target market is for this? Beginners not wanting to invest a lot in a hobby that might not last? Dorm and apartment dwellers, tiny home living? Thank you for making the video so I can save some cash for effect pedals 🤣

[@Guitarnivore]

I wouldn't say it's gimmicky.nperhaos there has been some demand for it since the Waza headphones are expensive and they saw a market for it with other headphone amps like the Mustang Micro. Something small, portable and easy to use as a practice and recording tool. I've been wanting something portable like this, since the Air and Air EX are expensive and the Katana mini is very limited. The Spark Go just didn't do it for me and I can play this anywhere. I might even take a guitar to work with me and play around on my lunch hour with it. Jeez...did I just reply with a book?? 😆 Speaking of pedals, I'll be doing videos on the Boss NS-1x and the IR-2 in the next couple weeks.

[@romgtr]

could you run it to a bluetooth PA?

[@Guitarnivore]

No. The bluetooth is only to use the app. However, you could connect one of those wireless systems with 3.5mm jack to the unit and to the PA if you wanted to.

[@jimyounger9490]

I still don’t know exactly what this is or exactly what it does. When he plays how do we hear it ??

[@Guitarnivore]

Did you watch the video?

[@jimyounger9490]

Not every second. But I’m old and slow. I don’t understand anything from today. All I still know is a guitar and an amp , but you can use a nady with no cord. I don’t understand how it’s done today which I know is pathetic.

[@Guitarnivore]

@@jimyounger9490 Okay. Well, it's basically a headphone amplifier. It comes with 30 presets that you can navigate through the unit itself, or you can control or edit tones from a free app on your phone that communicates through bluetooth. You plug it into your guitar and can play and listen through a pair of headphones that plug into the unit. While there are some really cheap ones out there that do similar things, this one works and sounds a lot better. You charge it with a USB-C cable and the battery lasts for about 5 hours or more.

[@jimyounger9490]

@@Guitarnivore thanks man that helps and makes a lot of sense. One question I immediately thought of was could ya have Bluetooth headphones when you said plug in. I do know a couple things but seriously not much. I had a rock man back when they were brand new like 1983. I loved that thing and never understood why it didn’t become popular. Till years later Def Leppard. Wished I still had it. My brother liked it better than me I guess , lol. Thanks for explaining that though. I really want that new epiphone es 355 , and this would be cool.

[@Guitarnivore]

@@jimyounger9490 Unfortunately you can't use BT headphones with it. It has to be a physical plug, otherwise you'd have a delay. This thing is so popular right now that it's on backorder until November. There are other ones similar, like the Fender Mustang Micro and NUX Mighty plug that I've heard good things about and he price is comparable.

[@son0fsocal]

The NUX is A hot mess, I could never update the firmware because it goes to some Chinese website and I couldn’t figure it out , the BOSS has a BASS MODE! Woohoo!! And it’s awesome! It felt good smashing the mix with a hammer

[@Guitarnivore]

The Nux.looks like it has a ton to offer though. The bass mode is cool though. These things are on backorder until November!

[@martinguitars2109]

It's not available any where

[@Guitarnivore]

I checked AMs/zZounds (They share inventory) and they're saying mid November. It's crazy!!

[@brianrollins7275]

Guitar center has them

[@troybenfield5309]

Can i use it with airpods ?

[@Guitarnivore]

Unfortunately no. They need to be wired.

[@ptrisonic]

I got suckered in by the Fender one... I have too much small shit...

[@Guitarnivore]

I've heard good things, but have no experience with it. Can you pair it and control it with a mobile app or is pairing only for playing along?

[@jackpostma5407]

I think boss is too late, even the mooer prime P1 is much more for much less money !

[@Guitarnivore]

I've heard good things about the P1 and P2.

[@jackpostma5407]

Yes, I love mine, I use it with a cheap wireless adaptor, it has much more options than the boss, and now there is a p2, the P1 is dropped in price to $ 85 !

[@jimmiphaze5785]

I'm really late to the party

[@korodski]

😈 🇺🇸

[@Kjhd9987hy]

damn having to paste a URL sucks i mean dont most of us click through back tracks a lot, what a nonsense extra step.

[@Guitarnivore]

Once you put it in there, it stays there until you delete it. Then you can set it up with markers and different tones so it automatically switch patches as you play. If you already have the track on your phone, you just have to know where it is to import it.

[@Kjhd9987hy]

@@Guitarnivore ahh ok thats better then thx man