Boss Katana vs Marshall DSL40cr (Part 1) comparison - Can you HEAR the difference?

I finally did it... This is Part 1 of a two part series comparing solid state and tube/valve amplification (in this case the Boss Katana 100W vs the Marshall DSL40 CR). I love them both, but I was fascinated at the sometimes subtle and sometimes blatant nuances between the two. This was both fun to create and educational as well. Make sure to view it with HEADPHONES for maximum enjoyment.
The song samples (in order) are 1. "Chrysalis" (an original in mostly 5/4 time that I wrote), 2. "SuperMassive Black Hole" (Muse cover), and 3. "Anything is Possible" (Bethel music cover for the Pdubbers out there).
If you would, please take the time to post your guesses in the comments (or if you didn't hear a difference, make sure to say that)... I'll be posting the answers in Part 2. Thanks for participating, thank you for watching, and stay tuned for Part 2!!

[@MrMd5555]

My thing is I can't always hear the difference, especially listening to others play on compressed recorded yt videos but I can almost always feel the difference when guitar is in hand & I'm playing. Side note:My wife & I do blind tests where she'll go upstairs & I'll randomly switch through some of my amps/cabs & I think it's intersting that she can pick out my '65 deluxe reverb every time... she loves that amp & she's not a musician just a music lover

[@onevoiceinc]

That's very true. Being there live will be noticeably different than any recording. My goal with this video and the part 2 of it was mainly to shine a light for those on a budget that they didn't have to sink all that money into getting a usable sound. Once the money is there, though, it's kinda nice using the source material, hahaha. :) Side note: I ~may~ one day get another Fender especially for the cleans. Fender clean tone is pretty one of a kind in my opinion.

[@deltawhiskey1398]

I own both...and live....it is obvious which is the tube amp and which is solid state. The Katana doesn't sound bad....but it doesn't have the depth and warmth of tube amps. It sounds like what it is....solid state....which isn't a bad thing....just different.

[@onevoiceinc]

So you've gotten to put some significant volume to therm. That was actually the reason I bought the Marshall in the first place. Most live environments I play in *these days* (as opposed to years past) don't utilize enough volume to really see the volume comparison, but I was in a louder volume situation this past fall and suddenly I could hear a noticeable difference... hence my buying the Marshall. I'll say for most live play I do, the Katana is the more fitting choice (lightweight, diverse, etc.) but each of these definitely have a role they're better at and for. :) The ideal for me is to have both.

[@diystompbox]

It can sound as nice as a tube amp live but you have to put the time into it to EQ correctly. I have mine through a 2X12 greenback cab and it rocks!

[@onevoiceinc]

@@diystompbox As far as the Marshall, I'm looking into (short term) doing the C19 capacitor mod with mine to balance out the clean and ultra gain sounds, but I'm also considering swapping the speaker. The Veteran 30 was recommended to me, but I'm watching a bunch of speaker comparison videos. Hopefully when I finally decide, I'll do a video for that. I've heard good things about the greenback. :) I'll admit, I'm still trying to dial in that perfect EQ setting, along with the presence and resonance. As far as the Katana, I've had some really good luck with it so far.

[@Rau1S]

I'm considering this two as my first amp. I think I will choose the Marshall. It's expensive but I think it's better.

[@alfredvuqiterna607]

​​@onevoiceinc hi sir how are you good video good job i have one questions which one is the best marshall dsl 40cr or boss katana 100mk2

[@aitken1965]

I too have owned both amplifiers. The BOSS is excellent, as is the Marshall, but the overdrive tones from the Marshall sound more natural, with none of the high frequency fizz that the Katana tends to have. Again BOTH amplifiers sound great but the Marshall to my ears has more tonal depth and pleasant overtones. EDIT: The 6-button footswitch for the DSL opens up the versatility of that amplifier.

[@SarcasticComments23]

But the one with the fizz number 2 was the DSL…. Soooo……

[@onomado]

I'm stunned to find this video... I'm the current owner of the kat100 (mk1), and I just ordered a new Marshall DSL40! Thanks for the videos, keep them coming! I believe the katana is the 1st Amp, and the DSL40CR is 2nd Amp...

[@eriksoto8473]

Yes, stunned to see a comparison. I just got the Marshall yesterday!

[@onomado]

I've had my Marshall now for a couple of months and have gotten comfortable with it and my pedal board. It is a VERY responsive Amp and I almost always play it on 20w (half power). I really like the warmer, fuller note of a tube Amp, now that I have one sitting beside the Kat100. I get it now about the tube cult, I really do... However, I also learned the tricks to make a katana behave like a tube Amp and I LOVE the model switching capability. It is an all day practical tool nod to the kat100. Loud as $hit too, both of them! 🤘😎🤘 That suhweeet Marshall crunch though..... 😏😍

[@onlyshallot]

let’s run them to stereo

[@Jenvión]

Literally exactly what I'm doing, ive realized as a beginner that im not a huge fan of solid state amps (my katana sucks) the only solid state amps I've enjoyed are Peavy's, but I'll be glad when i get my hands on my DSL40 and rip some shit

[@steveberridge4648]

Have just bought a Marshall DSL40 to use for gigs alongside my boss Mini katana for home use - IMO a great combo

[@bushleague3472]

Cool vid, I think in alot of these types of comparisons there isnt much time spent trying to get the Katana to sound good, so the difference is huge. Too, like just about any other gear there are things that the Katana can and cant do well, and if you learn to work with its strengths rather than fight it your going to get better results. I play everything from country and reggea to punk and metal, and even without using the GA-fc or the computer stuff I can get it to sound good. In particular I think the high gain channels can sound a bit digital, but the crunch and clean channels are great. Working within the limitations of just the pannel and occasionaly an OD pedal, I can boost those two channels to get any tone I need without the digital white noise, and access everything using just a two button footswitch. For the price I dont see how anyone could complain. Personally, I dont think the DSL ultra high gain sounds that great either unless you use a booster and tweak the shared EQ to the point that the other channes start to sound like crap.

[@iancurrie8844]

Paused at 0:43. It seems to me that amp #2 is the Marshall. It has more of that high end tube sizzle and presence. If I'm wrong, I'll be surprised but that's my impression in the first 40 seconds. You can give the Katana a smiley face EQ and crank the presence and give the "deep" cabinet resonance, but you still simply cannot replicate that tube sizzle. If you know what to listen for you'll hear it immediately and I did. I don't know how to find part 2 of your video but I'm 100% sure I'm correct. #1 is the katana and #2 is the marshall (in the first 40 seconds, I didn't watch the rest).

[@iancurrie8844]

OK I skimmed through the rest. For sample 2 it's the same. Katana/Marshall. For sample 3 it's the opposite. Edit: also, you have image stabilization on in your lens. I can hear it. I'm not sure you need it on a tripod my man :).

[@alonsoarias9699]

The tube amp is the Best way to play guitar, warm, armonics, wider sound....

[@onevoiceinc]

I love both of my tube amps- the Marshall DSL and the Fender Bassbreaker 30r. I'm working on a review video for the latter now. Stay tuned. It sounds really really fantastic. :)

[@herbervalencia3401]

Example 1: 1. Boss Katana 2. Marshall. DSL40CR. Example 2: 1. Boss Katana. 2. Marshall DSL40CR. Example 3: 1. Marshall DSL40CR. 2. Boss Katana. The sound of a tube amp (Marshall DSL40CR) is ALWAYS better over a solid state amp (Boss Katana 100W) even with headphones. But if you really are looking for a better option for the buck, small size and really good sound, go for a multieffects in second hand, like for example LINE 6 HX STOMP XL.

[@onevoiceinc]

Holy crap. You may have nailed it. (Part 2 posts the answers.) If so, you're one of the first, and you have a good ear.

[@onevoiceinc]

Thank ALL OF YOU for your responses. I'm working to get the follow up/reveal video completed and posted ASAP. I think you're going to be surprised. :) Something I didn't mention in the video (I'll be bringing this up in the next video) is that the Katana has two to three different EQ 'pedal' options that can be used in addition to the bass, mid, and treble knobs. (Each specific patch has an overall parametric EQ, an optional parametric/graphic EQ if chosen, and then there's the overall amp 'global EQ,' though I never touch that last one.) Lots of nuances that can be honed in and tweaked. I will say (to minimize the mystery) that in the first and second examples ('Chrysalis' and 'Supermassive Black Hole'), Amp 1 and Amp 2 are in the same order for both songs. In the third example, I reversed the order. ;)

[@allanb1402]

Just ran across your channel (subbed). I really enjoy your content and the style of music you play. Thanks for the vids and keep em coming!

[@onevoiceinc]

Awesome! Thank you!! I actually have a new video in the works. :)

[@rogdanda]

Amp 1 is the Marshall, Amp2 is the Katana

[@andrelp9596]

Man, can’t tell them apart!!!

[@onevoiceinc]

I can hear nuance differences (especially live), but if I had to pick based on diversity of sounds, the Katana is hands down the winner in that category. I personally love both amps, but I use the Katana way more in what I do for live music (and when i want to record things with more tone options). I tend to use the Marshall more as a fun amp to practice on (and sometimes record with) at the moment. The Katana is also lighter weight, so it makes it easier to transport to the stage.

[@bysykler4959]

Many report the Marshall sounds best at higher volumes. For many reasons, that’s a deal breaker for me. I own the Boss Katana Artist MK2 (which can blow the windows out of my house), but I use headphones mostly. 😂 But I want a Marshall too. 😮

[@onevoiceinc]

Hahahaha!! You're a smart man (and will remain happily married). To be honest, I generally run my Marshall at around 9-ish o'clock at the house on the 20W mode. It keeps things tame but still sounds good to my ears. Those people who always talk about blasting it wide open are also shopping for hearing aids... and that can't be good. I've kept mine at lower volumes, though. I will say this, though - to keep things totally transparent - the Marshall isn't as versatile as the Katana. It does what it does amazingly well, BUT the different channels do not balance out very well with the shared EQ. To get the Marshall to do what the Katana will do (channel-wise) you'll probably have to spend spend spend on pedals and possibly a midi controller. It is great for playing basic clean to dirty stuff. It's the best in that department. Anything requiring 3 or more channel settings, however, (like so many songs and styles) you're going to need to shell out the money. I've spent so much to get past the one EQ/unbalance option. I love the DSL so much, but I'm still wrestling with it when it comes to the amp alone (minus pedals). No one ever addresses that aspect. I ran into this in the months following this video. Just putting that out there. :)

[@bysykler4959]

Thanks for the additional comments. I do love my 100W Boss Katana Artist MK2!! The little devil on my shoulder keeps whispering…”Maaaarshalllllll” 😅

[@onevoiceinc]

@@bysykler4959 I know that voice!! Hahaha

[@bvanfossen01]

Great playing. I was really jamming out to the second song around 5:40 mark 🤘🤘🤘

[@ShinoGuitar]

I have no idea at this point which one is which, but I slightly prefer sound of amp 1. Both are amazing tho.

[@onevoiceinc]

The results are in the part two video. And thank you! :)

[@ritchiewiii]

I have to guess that amp 2 is definitely the Katana. But that's based on knowing what my own Katana sounds like. Nice video!

[@ritchiewiii]

*unless you are changing it up between example. I'm going by the first example at the beginning. On the PW one, I'm not so certain.

[@onevoiceinc]

@@ritchiewiii I changed it up between the songs. :) Thank you for the kind words. I'm working on Part 2 now... hopefully it's pleasantly surprising. I gotta say, the Katana held its own, imo.

[@ritchiewiii]

wow, without giving too much away, I'm surprised and excited by the results in part 2. I like the sounds of the Katana better in ever case (for me anyway).

[@aliengrey6052]

I’ve got both. Believe you me in real life if you can’t you’re deaf!!!! Chalk and cheese the dsl eats the Katana.

[@xtravyx1]

The availability and dropping price of attenuators will kill the computer amps. Nothing like the feeling, sound of driven preamp/power tubes.

[@joeybobbie1]

1st Example, Amp 2 Tube 2nd Example, Amp 1 Tube 3rd Example, Amp 1 Tube I own both Amps and the Tube definitely has more of a Presence and Feel. The Solid State just sounds weaker and Artificial. I hope I’m right.😁👍👍

[@onevoiceinc]

I don't want to spoil the results and Part 2, but I will say you have a good ear. Now you gotta see if you were right about all of them. :)

[@sergioalvarez5949]

I have both, the marshall 40 and the katana head, each has its own character. I would not say one is better than the other they both are great, JMO

[@onevoiceinc]

Part 2 is now uploaded. Thank you again for all your responses. I thoroughly enjoyed this. I have an idea for the next video (and I am still brainstorming a miniseries I've been wanting to do), but thought I'd throw this out there: any suggestions for a future video?

[@Wooburnmusic]

For decades amp manufacturers have been producing solid state amps with claims of how they sound just like valves ! Well they don't ! Most solid state amps can be tamed with some decent compression but to this day valve amps are still the way to go, I have been gigging Marshall valve amps for over 50 years and know and love the warmth that three ECC83 and two EL34 valves can produce and I'm not talking just big boy distortion, valve amps are STILL the way to go.

[@madmick9205]

I am a pretty bad gigging guitarist. I'm a decent sound engineer and I can mix your tracks. I don't have 'golden' ears, but they're ok. Oh, I'm also a guitar tech. A pretty good one according to my all 5 star reviews. I own the katana artist. I own valve amps and I tested the DLS. Also other amps. Guess that I'm Mr pretty average! This is a great demo for sure. It really helps, I'm more educated! My view is this. Any decent amp or guitar, that produces a decent sound will do the job you want it to, 99% of the time. It all comes down to a persons ability to get the sound that they want, using the kit they have or can buy. It's a skill that is learned just like learning to play guitar. does not matter whether it's valve, analogue, or, digital. Tone really is in the fingers. The tools you use are just tools. So many variables though. Tone depends on so many things. The Katana is just so easy to use, and it really is a great tool. Sound wise, it will give you what you need. Just up to a person to find it! Same with a valve amp.. in my humble opinion:)

[@Moonsguitars]

I’m gonna guess Amp 1 is the Kat and Amp 2 is the Marshall.

[@damiancraig6544]

The reality is the punter in the crowd would not give 2 fucks as long as who or what they are listening to is good.

[@onevoiceinc]

Ding ding ding! We have a winner! You are 100% correct. (Now if we could only convince the majority of gear snobs of this....)

[@xtravyx1]

Cab sims, playing through computers is not the same as loud in the room or live. Play them in a room with volume at 6 or greater, and you’ll have your answer. Solid state are nice toys for kids. A computer has no place being hooked up to an amp.

[@onevoiceinc]

It goes even deeper. The Katana was run at around 9 o'clock in the video, mic'd with an SM57 (same with the Marshall), BUT the first time I ran the Katana super loud, it sat me on a quest that resulted in me buying the actual Marshall. (I love the Marshall for what it does well.) Going deeper, this was less intended to be a "this one is better than that one" video and more of a video about how to maximize one's budget when they have limited funds and/or individual needs. The Marshall has just recently become my live amp, but there are strengths in both amps and weaknesses alike. The Marshall definitely wins in the "what is does best" category (that wonderful tube overdrive that we all know and love), and the Katana wins hands down in the area of being way more diverse without spending over a thousand dollars to buy just the pedals alone that one needs to do what the Katana does well. So each has pros and cons. Aside from all that, I'll be purchasing another tube amp I ran across in the coming months that (in my opinion) may actually "out-Marshall my Marshall," and I'll be doing a real deal comparison between the two, so definitely stay tuned for that. :) Thanks for commenting, and look forward to some interesting material over the coming months. :)

[@BenDover12759]

I own a Katana 50 and I'm trying to get a Marshall sound. To me the chords tell the difference between a solid state and a tube amp. The chords in amp 1 sound like a solid state amp. Chords in amp 2 sound like a tube amp. Lead lines I can't tell the difference. Both amps sound good tho...

[@onevoiceinc]

I do the reveal in the part 2. You have a good ear, btw. :) I posted my settings in a previous video.

[@johnnythelion.8670]

Amp #1's the Katana.

[@onevoiceinc]

@@johnnythelion.8670 I actually switched the amp order on different examples. The big reveal is in part 2. :)

[@nufit7]

it's very good comparison with beautiful tones

[@music-writinglife1813]

I would of preferred the Clean tone of both included... The Marshall EL34 Clean tone is special...

[@onevoiceinc]

Stay tuned... future video to come

[@kostasntougias7874]

Who cares, both of them sound good and you have bring them close enough with the EQ pedals anyway. I believe that it is more of a feel and response thing than a tone one at this point. (Also, probably the differences might be slightly more pronounced in isolated tracks than in the mix, but even then I doubt we could identify which amp is which in an A/B blind test). Another interesting test would be to bypass, if possible, the speaker of each amp and connect both to the same speaker, to get away with the tone shaping effect of the speakers (in case they are different - I don't know which are the stock speakers of these combo amps) and make even more difficult to differentiate between analog and digital. Anyway, I am not familiar at all with the Marshall tone stack, but for what is worth, I would say that Amp 1 in the first two clips and Amp 2 in the last one is the tube amp. Nice video as always!

[@onevoiceinc]

Thank you! Yeah, both speakers are stock, and you raise some good points. I uploaded Part 2 just last night. :)

[@leonardskinerd7758]

For those of you who've never owned a tube amp, you could buy a Katana for what it would cost you to completely re-tube a DSL40 and get it biased by a good amp tech(who are getting harder and harder to find). The DSLs are GREAT amplifiers but it's like buying a sports car, you have to know what you're getting into.

[@JS-nf1sn]

Great video. Thank you. The Nasa shirt definitely make it more scientific.

[@onevoiceinc]

Hahahaha!! Thank YOU.

[@druidhugger6311]

The Kat is the 1st one . Oddly in the first two clips the 1st amp (If it is the Kat) sits better in the mix but then in the 3rd clip the 2nd amp is miles better to my ears . Did you change something in the setting or something?

[@onevoiceinc]

Without giving it away, I'll say you're definitely mentioning the same amp (based on placement) in the examples. In the first two songs, amp 1 is in the same place and I reversed the placement in the third song. Wow. Good ear! Soooo.... not saying you nailed it correctly (but I'm definitely NOT saying you're incorrect, lol), I gotta ask. How did you arrive at your (very confident) answer? You're the first person so far to guess the Kat was where it was. I took great steps to make these examples as difficult to figure out as possible, lol. Without giving the answer away (yet), your ear is quite impressive. :)

[@druidhugger6311]

@@onevoiceinc Now your test is complete I can try and explain how I came to the conclusion I did . The first amp in the first two examples is very clear to my ears and a little bright. It lacks a certain warmth compared to the second amp. The tone is great but because of that slight edging towards a slight brittle tone I was absolutely certain it was not a tube amp. . Because of this I could hear exactly the same slight brittleness in the 2nd take . The 3rd take threw me out. I replayed the 2nd take and then played the 3rd . The first amp on the 3rd take was way warmer , smoother and sounded a little like my JTM 60 combo. Putting all that together I was really confident about which was which. You did a great job and you are right one is not better than the other just different.

[@onevoiceinc]

@@druidhugger6311 you have ninja/jedi level hearing, haha! Great job! And thank you! I was really tempted to give the answer away when you first responded.

[@eaglex5723]

I'm leaving this comment before watching the part 2. I like AMP1 more. But I think AMP2 sounds more like my DSL20.

[@eaglex5723]

I'm back and I was right, sadly.

[@onevoiceinc]

@eaglex5723 this one fooled a bunch of people. :)

[@UnchainedEruption]

In the first test, I liked Amp 2 better. In test 2, I liked amp 1 better.

[@grantt27647]

i cover songs with my katana i find it easy to get a songs tone with the katana and it’s overall a fun and easy amp to record with i don’t even need to mic i can just plug it into my pc

[@onevoiceinc]

I love recording my cleans especially with a Katana. As far as high gains, I still kinda lean on a mic. I've been using an SM57, but I've recently been experimenting with a Sennheiser e609. They sound very close, but there are tiny nuance differences. The Sennheiser shines the best when you're tight on space and really don't want to use a mic stand.

[@smurfisevil]

I'm guessing Amp1 for the 1st two tracks and Amp2 for the last track is DSL 40

[@valueofnothing2487]

Yeah I think it's meant to play certain types of music. But of course you could tell the difference if you were playing different types of music.

[@Honkey_Tonker]

Can definitely tell a difference when a tube amp is cranked.

[@onevoiceinc]

That's truth (or as we say in the South: "where the rubber meets the road"). Higher volumes will definitely change the overall dynamics and what we would all be hearing. :) I'm realizing more and more that most of the venues I personally play these days require lower volumes, so someone on a budget could pull off more possibilities with either in those environments. If it were a loud venue (like ones I've played in years past especially) one would probably find themselves wishing they had a tube amp when the time comes. It all boils down to what the individual player is after, what their ears lend to, the environment, and a few other factors. I talked about that more in the part 2. :) PS. I love my Marshall amp!

[@arkennoren0]

I'd say 1 2 1 for the Katana. For how I usually set mine it sounds more defined in the highs, and that's how I personally like it. Both sound really good.

[@grimoire7851]

can tell in the mix 1c is tube

[@SuperSpecialWorld]

The first amp sounded muddy so I Believe that means it was the Marshall. Amp 2 sounded like amp 1 but was less muddy..so thats why I Believe it to be the boss. I liked 2 better.

[@onevoiceinc]

I have the reveal video following this particular video. I swapped amp order on the third song. :)

[@SuperSpecialWorld]

@onevoiceinc thank you!

[@rderfa]

Great video, invites you to reflect on it. Thank you very much for the effort!!! Cheers.

[@onevoiceinc]

Thanks for the kind words. That keeps me inspired and wanting to make more (hopefully helpful) content. :)

[@YvesChaput]

I'd say ex1 and 2: amp1 Marshall, amp2 Katana. Ex3, amp1 Katana, amp2 Marshall. To my ears, with headphones, the Marshall seems a bit less shrill in the high end and a rounder bottom end. But of course, I could be wrong.

[@onevoiceinc]

I'm working on part 2 now. Can't wait for the big reveal. :) Thanks for contributing. Hopefully see you in part 2.

[@leonardskinerd7758]

The question isn't whether tube amps sound better, of course they do. The question is do they sound better, enough to justify the much higher cost to purchase and also the cost of ownership, which is almost nonexistent for solid state amps. Digital amps are probably 80% as good as their tube counterparts at this point. Is that extra 20% worth almost quadruple the price in this case, plus maintenance costs? Maybe for some, not for me.

[@onevoiceinc]

You raise a very legit and practical question. The only question you left out is: is it worth the chiropractic appointments after lugging a heavy tube amp around every week? :) My ears might love tube amps. My back loves solid state.

[@markallen381]

After you have layered on several effects you will never tell. So if this is the way you want your guitar then it doesn't matter. Think about the way you may have enjoyed your blues artists. They most likely didn't layer in so much junk. I personally hate the OD sound. I like a nice clear sounding guitar. If you mask your guitar sound with the fuzz box and or OD you have. As a guitarist your pretty good and the type of music matches your taste for fuzz (square waves). I've heard them side by side and straight sounding for me the sound is in the tube technology. Your test was not fair in my eyes.

[@onevoiceinc]

In a majority of what I've been doing live the past few years, I play a lot more clean than dirty (as well as grabbing piano lines and as many guitar parts as I can humanly play simultaneously, lol). This particular video - part 1 and 2 - is more aimed at anyone on a budget... or anyone who's ever been browbeat by gear snobs. (I've witnessed that many times with up-and-coming guitarists.) So this wasn't designed to be a "one is better than another" video, but more of a "this is what you can get out of what you may already have" kind of video. :)

[@cofieleven]

Hey whats the name of your neck pickup?

[@onevoiceinc]

It's a Seymour Duncan '59. I absolutely LOVE those pickups for the neck position.

[@donwade-di8ny]

Put them both on the stage with a band! You'll hear a difference, I promise you! IMHO, NO solid-state amp will ever stand up to an all tube Marshall! I have two DSL 40 C's, and various solid state amps... I can play the solid state and say this sounds pretty good, then when I hook up to the Marshalls, reality comes back and kicks me in the head!!! Again.. IMHO😮😮😮

[@onevoiceinc]

This video was more designed for the up-and-coming artist who maybe can't afford a decent tube amp and all those pedals to make it do what it needs to do. I love my Marshall. It's not the most diverse amp, but what it does, it does so well. Hopefully this summer, I'll be purchasing another brand tube amp and doing a shoot out between the Marshall DSL40 and that other brand. To be continued, lol. :)

[@pakujewpiwnicy6701]

compare marshall mg50gfx vs marshall dsl40

[@onevoiceinc]

Unfortunately, I don't own the Mg50gfx at the moment. If I can get a hold of one, I'll do a future video for that. :) Or maybe one of these companies (especially Marshall) could sponsor me, hahahaha! That would be amazing.

[@pakujewpiwnicy6701]

@@onevoiceinc :)

[@TYMEMGMT]

very cool! JamiSun

[@jeffersononetwo]

Very cool channel & videos - glad I came across your channel. I like what you do, your style, and your playing. I have the DSL40CR and I really do like it ... I pretty much run the Green channels (mostly Classic) and overdrives up front. I have the two Masters cranked at 10 and then adjust the channel volume - I also now run an attenuator just for cranking fun :). I am in the market now for the Marshall SC20C (Marshall JCM800). I think the DSL40CR has a good bit of top-end - some may say fizz, but I think they may be getting too much preamp and not enough power section. I still find it hard to dial back the top end on it ... that being said, I like AMP 1 in the first segment. My gut tells me it is the Boss, but I hope it is the DSL. In the second segment I still preferred AMP 1 - please post results soon! I thought AMP 2 sounded a bit thin, especially on the second portion. I thought AMP 2 was not in the zone on the first segment.

[@onevoiceinc]

Thank you for the kind words! Welcome aboard also! Yeah, I'm going to ~try~ to get part 2 up by this week. I'll say you have a good ear, insight, and intuition (without giving away the results yet, lol). :) And yeah, I love my Marshall also. I'm still learning it (and trying to dial in the perfect sweet spots), but it is my go-to lately for almost everything. It's just fun to play.... annnnd that Marshall sound! Sounds incredible.

[@jeffersononetwo]

@@onevoiceinc Thanks brother! I was just jamming my DSL & dialing on the Classic Green channel with an MXR Sugar Drive in front. Also an MXR GT-OD in front on the Green. I really like the Classic Red too ... you are right, that Marshall sound is awesome and so fun to play! I have three other Blackstar amps (two of them tube type) but I still love the Marshall! Can't wait for the update bro!

[@jeffersononetwo]

@@onevoiceinc .. also, wanted to say for my listening of this test, my comment about AMP 2 not being in the zone, I think was that I felt that the 'backing' melody for the entire deal was with AMP 1 ... and I sort of hear the difference in tonal and spacial presence I guess. I still go for Marshalls, and today I ordered that JCM800 combo! Hope you get time this weekend to put together some tasty treats for us in Part 2 and do the reveal! Rock on man -

[@adamwatson6916]

I mostly certainly can tell.

[@johannesschwantner7143]

Amp 1 is the Marshall, I'm pretty sure.

[@johannesschwantner7143]

damn, guessed all 3 wrong

[@onevoiceinc]

@@johannesschwantner7143 I put a LOT of work into creating those sounds on the Katana, back before I had the Marshall. :)

[@greggsheridan9325]

Amp 2 sounds like my katana. I think amp 1 is the marshall

[@DNYS8N]

Some of the backing tracks drown out the sounds to me.

[@stewarttomkinson3356]

I have the katana 2 head and a Marshall 100 mg head I can make them sound the same because I have 10 pedaled

[@jamesmcmillan7845]

Amp 1 is Marshall

[@ronnieolive]

I can 100% tell the difference if you're using the first version of the Katana.. It sounded HORRIBLE, the mids were overpowering and the lows were way too muddy, even on clean tones... The Mk2 was better though.

[@onevoiceinc]

You have a good ear. I haven't really gotten my hands on a mk2 yet, so I'm assuming it's going to be eye-opening.

[@ronnieolive]

@@onevoiceinc I ordered one today lol, I'll be able to tell you in a couple days if it's any better XD

[@onevoiceinc]

@@ronnieolive yeah! Yeah! Please do! I'm curious.

[@khargrarnrhan209]

I prefer Amp #1, and I hope it's the katana, because I already have a K-Artist MKII :-)

[@musicianmpt]

For practice or recording digital is fine but live and in band rehearsal there is a huge difference in feel and sound in the mix. I have the DSL and the JVM and I will say the JVM sounds light years better than the DSL. So the boss may compete with the DSL but not the JVM. Also the tube amps are so much louder and sound better at higher volumes. I played with a guy who had a boss and it sounded good for jazz/funk at moderate volumes.

[@onevoiceinc]

Honestly, an actual jam with my Boss one time at higher volumes was the big prompt to look into a tube amp. On a budget, the Katana can make things happen. I agree, though, that in those certain sound situations, you're going to be able to hear a big difference. On the plus side, most live venues I've played over the last decade or longer have insisted on lower stage volumes and controlled environments (so an amp like the Katana will fit nicely), BUT the first time you gotta just old school rock it, you're going to know a noticeable difference by far in the two. On the plus side, though, amps like the Katana can carry players with modest budgets pretty far. Eventually, though, they will probably find themselves in that situation where they are going to start looking at why those tube apps are so appealing. :) I'll admit, though, in most of my live playing, the mixing environments are more controlled, so lower volumes are a must. So i typically carry my Kat with me just cause it's so lightweight and easy to set up. I played some very large and loud venues a few years back, and there's no way the Katana would've handled that. They're not really designed to, I'm thinking. :)

[@MrBarefoot09]

No clean tones ?

[@onevoiceinc]

The cleans would give it away, hahaha. My Katana is set to a Fender twin clean vs the Marshall having the standard Marshall clean. I haven't set up a Marshall clean for the Kat at the moment... but then again, I prefer that Twin clean sound.

[@billhannum4117]

Both sound good for me it would come down to feel

[@onevoiceinc]

An addition option (I've been using lately in addition to these two) is the Blackstar Amped 3. It's definitely worth checking out. I've just recently started recording with it direct and getting great results. :)

[@CAGE9000]

Amp 2 in track 1 and 2, and amp 1 in track 3 is the Marshall. Can't mistake that tone. Rock on baby!

[@onevoiceinc]

Good ear!!

[@whatarefriends4]

In person you can tell

[@ShineOnDude]

I'm gonna say amp two is the katana ;)

[@TheCleaner6969]

Amp 1 is the Katana

[@onevoiceinc]

But on which sound samples? ;)

[@TheCleaner6969]

@@onevoiceinc I just listened to the first one. As soon as I heard that I clicked off. To me it was missing the bottom end & the top end sizzle. I really was hoping I was going to like it. Tubes prices are crazy & no one carries them in my area. I'll give it a listen again.

[@TheCleaner6969]

@@onevoiceincSecond sample something changed right @4:32-4:33 but amp 2 is the Marshall. The third sample amp 1 is the Marshall. I could tell on that D chord it has that sizzle. Then when you go up to the 9th & 12th fret in the third sample those notes just don't ring on amp 2. Let me know if I'm correct.

[@onevoiceinc]

@@TheCleaner6969 I posted a part two video that reveals the answers. I think you're going to be shocked. :)

[@TheCleaner6969]

@@onevoiceinc I just watched it. I was correct 2 out of 3 of the samples. You did make it hard & in a mix it's even harder. You did great creating that patch.

[@MIDNIGHTCRAFT355]

4:20 5:08

[@johnwillard6198]

Amp 1 Marshall

[@onevoiceinc]

I did the "big reveal" in part two. I think you're gonna be surprised. :)

[@aliengrey6052]

Katana is nothing like the dsl 40. It’s a toy. The dsl 40 is a real valve amp. I have both.

[@Noah-oe8mg]

Test 1: Amp 1 = dsl Amp 2 = katana Test 2: Amp 1 =katama Amp 2 = dsl Test 3: Amp 1 = dsl Amp 2 =katana

[@onevoiceinc]

I posted the answers in part two. I think you're going to be surprised. :)

[@jimmiebrown3009]

Katana 2 , marshall I in my opinion.

[@richardjones2811]

Bit unfair as I have both amps. If the Boss Katana and Marshall mated then a perfect amp would be made.

[@onevoiceinc]

True. Very true!! That's the unstoppable combination for sure.

[@richardjones2811]

@@onevoiceinc And maybe if Marshall sorted out the terrible lack of reverb.

[@onevoiceinc]

@@richardjones2811 right? It shows up on recordings, somewhat, but definitely not in any kind of live setting. If it were a $150 - $200 range amp, I could see them justifying bad reverb due to manufacturing costs... but for what they charge, it's really sad on that end.

[@jefft5854]

Very difficult to guess which is which, but the NASA shirt is an unfair trick ;) I'd just try my luck on the 3rd example and say the Marshal is amp #2 as it sounds sweeter. Btw with the same guitar and a 50 mkII I get very Marshall-ish overdriven sounds with a Guv pedal.

[@onevoiceinc]

You're going to be surprised on the next video... (did I say too much?). Regardless, that's the biggest underlying purpose of this video series - to shine a light on how far amps like the Katana have come - but also to show that there are ways to create and get amazing sounds without having to spend thousands on expensive gear. Side note: I was talking to my son last night at dinner, and he's apparently looking to buy a Kat 50W. I'm soooooo excited about that! =)

[@Elissiim]

2 dsl

[@zanaudio]

Amp1 is more warm than Amp2 🤔

[@onevoiceinc]

I'm hoping to do a mod to the Marshall in the near future and possibly a speaker swap, but yeah, I agree.

[@timjoseph887]

Take out the band and it’s obvious which is tube

[@onevoiceinc]

Live or in a band setting, then, that's a win for both. :)

[@serchlozano4313]

Tool!!!!!

[@floflomas1322]

One thing the boss won't suffer from is the dreaded Marshall bias drift

[@vincentnieto7792]

What exactly is that? I’ve noticed on my DSL 40 it became out of bias after 2 years

[@ianmitchell1848]

A2 has more balls and better harmonic response....fuck...im prob wrong

[@onevoiceinc]

You might be surprised, actually. (Or relieved.) I posted the results on Part 2. Keep in mind, though (and I'll give you a spoiler), the amps on the first two examples are the same order and the third example reverses the order. :) Let's just say you have a good ear for details.

[@wesleyc.4937]

EAR WIGS ONLY!!!

[@onevoiceinc]

You must live in Washington state, I'm guessing. :D

[@wesleyc.4937]

@@onevoiceinc Ha! Ha! You're playing is awesome... great way to use long notes!

[@sorenahlback]

To me Amp one sound much better in all 3 clips. Fatter, better attack and more dynamics. If Katana is Amp 2 maybe there is more to adjust on that. Sound is to fuzzy and flat. Here Paul from Studio Rats try to get a Katana close to a Marshall. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rn-pqZdnm9elsJo

[@onevoiceinc]

I'll check that link out. Thanks. I like Paul from Studio Rats as it is. He's got clever approaches and a good ear.

[@fkfakemusic3172]

I cnt beilieve how many bought the fizz machine (katana) lol the guitar world is full of fanboys (big companies laughing)