Using an iPad/iPhone with Your Boss Katana

Using the Katana amp with an iPad/phone utilizing the CME WIDI UHost for tone patches

[@MrMixolydian7]

Thank you so much for this. I bought the Katana Artist and GAFC EX switch a few months ago but have been stalling re: learning about Tone Studio. I have a Spark amp and only use their app. I’m very happy to learn that this exists! Thanks again

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stvhop]

I appreciate the video, I’m just beginning to look into the Katana amp. That’s the very information I was looking for. I always have a iPad hanging on my mic stand.

[@alanivory8397]

Richard I have looked at loads of KZbin videos on Librarian and you are only person to actualy state that Librarian won't work on Iphone or Chrome books without a bluetooth adapter. Nobody else bothered (or knew) to say this. So thanks. I've just tried three different USB to C and USB to iPhone cables. Wish I'd known this before. I had heard about the Bluetooth WIDI but that is almost the price of the Airstep Kat which gives you much more. I just didn't want to spend another €100 right now and I also wanted to get to know the katana better before adding yet more gear!

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

Glad this helped! Keep on Strummin!

[@thegaindane]

Good to see you’re able too hook up to the Katana with the Librarian app. You can get so much more out of the Katana that way. Nice chops too, Richard 👍

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

Not my best playing (always seem to do better when practicing just before filming). And thank you for watching.

[@bad_dreams_hex]

Thank you very much for taking the time to make this video.

[@EllySpace]

Well played on a beautiful guitar .

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

Thank you. I think I did good picking that one out. Was not able to play it before have (got it during the pandemic). But I love playing it. And thanks for watching.

[@Nirabulator]

Wow, this is exactly the information I needed! Thank you! I’m trying out a Katana 50 Mk II at home. Its major shortcoming is that it doesn’t speak with my iPad or iPhone the way a Katana Air ex would. The solution you have found might just make the Katana 50 a keeper. The Air is so expensive by comparison. The ability to connect a guitar to it wirelessly is, however, a tempting proposition.

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

Your welcome. And they do make wireless guitar and amp transmitter and receiver you can purchase you can use with this also

[@richw.6296]

I was wondering why a seemingly savvy guy would run audio from the left only, then I heard what you up to. Thanks. Also thanks for helping me figure out this whole iPad fiasco. I’ll do some more reading and get these items.

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

Thanks but not that savvy. I use an usb interface with my iPhone to record. It’s the only way I know how. I am not an expert by any means nor do I plan on making money so this works for me. Hope you enjoy your Katana!

[@alwayswalter]

I loved your video the way you explain stuff!! Carry on. That is a great tip for sure!!

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

Thank you. I am very much a beginner and the vid was just after I played with it for a short time. I still use it this way but had to dig out of the rabbit hole of searching for the perfect tone and concentrate more on my skills. Again, thank you for watching and commenting. I hope to have more vids soon but life has a way of taking over.

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

Thank you. I am very much a beginner and the vid was just after I played with it for a short time. I still use it this way but had to dig out of the rabbit hole of searching for the perfect tone and concentrate more on my skills. Again, thank you for watching and commenting. I hope to have more vids soon but life has a way of taking over.

[@alwayswalter]

No need to be a guitar wiz to share good knowledge. I celebrate that !

[@thomasbray2342]

Thank you for your post. This was valuable information and very very helpful.

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

I am glad you found it useful. There may be other ways but this works for me. Enjoy the Katana!

[@tncatrn]

Fantastic video…also that dog is REALLY goin to town 😂

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

Never noticed til now! OMG!

[@sergeantgaf2212]

U r a cool boy - greets from Germany buddy - helped me a lot! Thank you very much. Take care and keep playing...

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

Thank you. Keep on Strummin!

[@rpeirce9044]

Thank you for your video. I’m seriously considering buying a Katana MKll. I was disappointed to learn that it wasn’t iPad iPhone compatible because that’s all I have. Looks like your workaround may be the solution! Could you possibly provide a link to the correct CME Widi product that worked for you?

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

CME WIDI Uhost - 3-in-1 Bluetooth... www.amazon.com/dp/B09GS326QW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

Hope this helps.

[@funkyplasmaman]

Get the air version, the other is a pain in the ass

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

@@funkyplasmaman the air version? Do you mean the Airstep? If so, mine is on its way now. I cannot wait to try it out.

[@nickybobby9317]

No, they mean the Katana Air, the backpack-boombox sized version of the amp. It can be wired or battery operated and can be connected to your phone through Bluetooth. It has a USB port on the back but lacks all the other ports of the other amps including the ability to run it into an external cab so the two 3” speakers are all you can use unless you mod it. Despite lacking the ports that the other Katanas have, it’s a incredible practice/basement performance amp since it has pretty good tone for those tiny speakers and you can use it as a Bluetooth speaker which allows you to play anything through the amp with your phone while also playing guitar through the same speakers. Katanas having both a master and a guitar volume knob allows you to mix the guitar volume in with the volume of the song you’re playing on your phone. You can also control the amp with the Boss Tone Studio app and tweak any effects and parameters through your phone without having to touch the amp. Because of the Bluetooth speaker and connectivity function I’d say that if it had a line in/out, effects loop, expression pedal port, midi, etc then I’d see no reason to bother with any other Katana model which is probably why Boss didn’t design it with those features. You can still get an expression pedal for it and connect it wirelessly through Bluetooth though. ​@@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330

[@jschulz17281]

Thank you for this

[@csj9619]

Killer guit-box!

[@stealthbum34]

Hey Richie, thanks for this. Just wondering is the widi compatible with the 50 mark 2? Is that what you’re using here?

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

That is what I am using it with. And I love my amp! All the tones. The flexibility. And it can get loud! Not stadium loud but loud enough for small venues.

[@awittypilot8961]

HAHAHAHA....you really should take note of your background....at 3:18 your dog is lickin his arse! heheheh I did learn a lot from this. I can't believe BOSS doesn't have a bluetooth interface for the katanas. I DO wish you would have shown the WIDI and cords to make it hook up.....

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

Yeah. You are only the second one to tell me about the dog. There are a couple of vids on how to do the hook up.the Widi I bought had cords with it. It’s called the Uhost from CME. Got it from Amazon.

[@mikeklee9653]

Hey Richard I went and bought the widi uhost by cme and tried to connect it to my boss katana mk2 but it keeps saying on the katana librarian app that my amp is not connected to the widi device I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong I’m hoping you can help me out here

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

Did you connect the widi before you opened up the app? You have to do this step in the order of connect the widi to the device, then open the app, and then connect the app to the widi. And have the amp on while doing this. I hope this helps.

[@Bronco2Cj]

@@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330 will this work with the Katana MKII 100 2x12?

[@scubatrooper9895]

Hey Richard! Like you, I’m a beginner with an interest to up my gear game. I use an IPad as part of my “Retirement Survival Gear” and while looking at amps (torn between the Fender GTX & Boss Katana), using my iPad with a potential Katana, became a valid concern. Thanks to your video, I have a wee bit more insight/ confidence without consulting my college student son. I taught him many things while he was growing up, however keeping my dignity in a sea of electronic voodoo - is - priceless. Thanks again… I hope you’re enjoying your journey.

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

I am! Thank you. I don’t ever expect to be on stage but as long as I can play along on my headphones or ear monitors I will be happy. Keep on Strummin!

[@vernhanna4399]

Is the $12 or however much, a one time spend or is it monthly or yearly ?

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

One time

[@edoardoottone6548]

Do you know if the Katana tone studio app works with the mk2 50 and this widi uhost?

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

No. You must use the library. Tone studio is not supported on iPhones or iPads. Nor can you use a Chromebook. This is unfortunate. Happy Strummin!

[@hotelalphawhiskeykilogrunt7925]

Can you show how you hooked up your cables I have bought the Widi uhost and a bunch of cables but it continues to say amp not connected even though the Widi is connected to my phone and I can’t find anything online showing how to clearly hook the amp to the uhost

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

You first have to connect the widi via Bluetooth connection then look for the amp. As far as cables I use the usb-c to usb-b cable.

[@fabricegiuffrida7500]

Bonsoir Richard peux tu communiquer les références pour acheter le widi. Je ne le trouve pas sur internet ? Merci

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

I wish I could get this translated so I could reply properly.

[@frankt7769]

What type of cable do I need and do I need to keep phone connected when playing stored tones,or can I add them to the amp bank

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

You do not need to keep attached. Amazon has a cable set just for using the CME U Host

[@salsplace]

Question, why not get the Airstep and use the app for IOS?

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

This is just one way to do this. When I did this video, the Airstep was a lot more money than what I did. Plus, I was under the impression at that time it only worked for the 100 and not the 50. I have found out it can. But if you are traveling or busking it is just one more piece of equipment to haul around and supply power to. I am hoping to get an Airstep and will do a comparison of ease of use for both. I do not perform on stage (I really am not a good player) but I would guess most sets have 3 to 4 major tones and maybe a lead tone for solos so I can see how it would be a benefit. I will need to check that out.

[@ajackfees319]

can i use for boss katana 50 old version?

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

It’s what I used. I have not updated yet either.

[@ajackfees319]

@@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330 noted. but how the sound is it more better?

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

I like the sound. And as a beginner all of the choices are overwhelming. I just need an 80’s sound, a basic blues sound, and a clean or country sound. Not really needing to sound exactly like anyone since I don’t play well enough yet.

[@sgbh8874]

Great T shirt. Me, I’m slightly better than someone who can’t play at all ~ the ‘anti-goat’.

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

I may need that on a shirt also

[@Jackasama]

there is no audio

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

I don’t know why. I will look into it.

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

I just played it and I had audio. Wish I could help you more.

[@reneserna3168]

No blue tooth shame on you boss. Sharp amp has blue tooth hell everything has BT. What a joke!@!#$

[@tonycarpenter9043]

Need to practice a lot more mate …..should leave all that till later

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

Was doing it to show how to hook it up. Definitely not to show my skills. As I state, beginner.

[@williamb4652]

So…a beginner shows you how to Bluetooth up your Katana Mk2 and you come here to moan about his playing.

[@josearalat]

I mean no disrespect at all but try to learn to play the guitar well and just concentrate on that.

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

Just having fun. And these vids are more for me to record where I came from and how far I have or have not come. I know I am not good at playing. But I hope to get better. I am just surprised people actually watched this.

[@josearalat]

@@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330 People do watch. Rock on bro!

[@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330]

@@josearalat you make a good point. As beginners, talking about me here, we can go down some rabbit holes like the patches for the Katana when we should be concentrating on learning to play. Your comment was not disrespectful but insightful. So I shall take your advice. Thank you for watching and the feedback.

[@josearalat]

@@richardbrodbeckbeginninggu7330 I am 51 years old now and have spent the past 10 years really concentrating in developing good technique and learning music theory. So I'm a much better guitarist now than when I was young. On the other hand I don't know much about tone or amps or pedals and that sort of thing and that's why I stumbled on your page. The only way to improve guitar is to just play for hours and hours. There's no shortcuts. Take that same song (photograph) and some other easier songs and just practice and practice. You'll get there. Wish you well my friend.

[@jimmyjames7946]

🤣