Boss Katana GEN 3 - Unleashing the Power of Katana GEN 3
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- Today is a very exciting day as the eagerly awaited Boss Katana GEN 3 has been released.
In today's video, Paul from The Studio Rats checks out the new features of this fantastic amp and demos The Studio Rats new Boss Katana GEN 3 Pack that is available for free on BOSS TONE EXCHANGE.
Here is a link to Thomann for the
Boss Katana Gen 3 100
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Katana GEN 3 50
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Boss Katana Gen 3 50
Here is what Boss say about the Boss Katana GEN 3
Compact 50-watt combo amp with a custom 12-inch speaker,
evolved Tube Logic sound, 12 amp characters, onboard BOSS
effects, advanced connectivity, and more.
With Katana Gen 3, the acclaimed BOSS stage amplifier series evolves to take your guitar ambitions to the next level.
New Tube Logic enhancements enrich the core platform with even greater sound, feel, and response, including an expressive Pushed amp character that edge-of-breakup fans will love. The BOSS Tone Studio app has also been updated, making your remote amp and effects editing workflow more intuitive than ever. Loaded with inspiring tone tools and diverse connectivity options, Katana Gen 3 is your indispensable centerpiece for studio recording, live performance, and daily practice.
The Katana-50 Gen 3 model strikes the perfect balance of punch and portability, offering 50 watts of Class AB power in a compact 1x12 combo.
• Third-generation Katana amplifier with evolved Tube Logic sound and expressiveness
• Stage-ready 50-watt combo amp with a custom 12-inch speaker
• Six amp characters-including the newly developed Pushed type-plus a selectable variation for each
• Five independent effects sections: Booster, Mod, FX, Delay, and Reverb
• Four Tone Setting memories for storing all amp and effect settings
• Power Control for achieving cranked-amp tone and response at low volumes
• Updated Boss Tone Studio app (Windows/macOS) for remote editing from a computer or mobile device
• Download and share Katana sounds on BOSS Tone Exchange
• Compatible with sounds created on previous stage-class Katana models
The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.
#bosskatana #bosskatanagen3
Amazing work as always, Paul - always the best tones and a complete Katana wizard!
Paul and Leon Todd really are the kings of creating superb tones
Boss hit the sweet-spot with the new Gen3!
You are one of just a few demos that make this amp sound good. That clean tone sounds very Princeton or Deluxe reverb like. Thanks for the demo.
I love the tones you get with the black Strat... definitely my kind of vibe!
Thank you Paul for dedicating your time to expertly explain the numberous features of the Boss Katana! So much valuable information! I've learned to get the most out of this fantastic piece of gear because you shared your precious knowledge with us... I can never thank you enough! Cheers!
TSR does the best sounding presets yet again! Watched loads of Gen 3 vids this morning and nothing came close to your preset sounds Paul. Outstanding as always 👏🏻👍🏻
Cheers John.
What do we all think of new gear videos being released at the same time?
Too much ? Or really good as have lots of choice?
Staggered better?
A questions for next week Lives.
Btw this is the only review of the katana I have watched.
Great demo as always.
However what is the red guitar, sounds great!
Looks like a cross between a Suhr (body) Pacifica (inlays) and a Friedman (headstock design)
@@hollywoodactress cheers fella, it’s a Pilgrim guitars
@@TheStudioRats thanks. I have not heard of them but I will look them up
Hello sir, this is the first video I’ve ever seen from you and I just have to say you’re a tremendous plays and a great tone smith. I was truly amazed. Massive props to you!
You're the master Paul for reviewing Boss products.
My 100W Gen 3 arrived yesterday. I connected my 100W MKII to it using the Stereo Expand feature. Full stereo Gen 3 sound, and it sounds phenomenal.
Best sound gen 3 or mkii?
@@Twylightt I prefer Gen 3. I suppose it’s a matter of taste.
The Line Out Setting is going to be REALLY great for me just handing my phone to the front of house at a gig. They will love adjusting the digital mic positioning for themselves by just using my phone. So good!
More great videos from TSR. I bought an original Katana 50 when they hit the market, and ended up doing a lot of gigs with it- they are excellent, reliable gigging amps. Just ordered a GEN 3 version.
YES!! New Katana time and excellent TSR patches! Paul, you keep it knocking it out of the park with making these great sounds 🙌🏻
Love the new TSR presets! Well done, Paul!
Glad you like them!
@taxationistheft2.0BOSS TONE EXCHANGE.
MY GOD, I'm still learning everything there is about the Mark II.
right?? Same here!
Paul, You Make it REALLY SHINE!
Thank you so much for these tones. You helped me fall in love with my new katana
Well that’s me screwed cuz I was only getting my head round mk11 as I’m a beginner and this just made everything even harder! Thanks boss
I just got this amp yesterday and wow! I’m having a blast with it and haven’t even gone into the app yet.
Awesome update. The phone editor looks just like the one I’ve been using for my Boss Cube Street so I’m glad it’s something I’m already familiar with and find really intuitive.
I’ll be waiting for the head version since I like to travel light.
Paul Drew is the official Katana Master on TH-cam. It’s too early for a summation on all the new stuff, but to me, this is for new Katana users. The new features aren’t enough to stir my interests yet, but what do I know?
To this notion, I have a first gen katana 100. I was holding out on the Mk2 because I figured a new version would be out soon (glad I held off) and I want to upgrade not only for the newer preamp/sounds but also the FRFR function for my Quad Cortex. Should I get the Gen3 or should I start looking for a used Mk2 now that the Gen3 is out? Would love to hear Paul's take on this as well.
I use the 100W MKII and I've never checked out the Tone Studio. I use my pedals through the FX loop and others in front of the amp, and get everything else from the amp controls. Love these amps
I just ordered one to pair with Ibanez S470DXQM. I had one many years ago and pawned it for dope. Wanted to get back into playing and I wanted my guitar back. Was gonna go tube but really I will just play in my room most of the time so I liked the low wattage feature.
I guess it’s not necessarily arpeggios I was talking about but it’s a type of lick you use often. There’s a lot of half steps or something in there. Very nice and unique as well.
have a new Katana Gen 3 on it's way....great video...thank you and THAT Strat is SO SICK!!!!!!!!....badass dude!!!!
Yes!! I'm very excited and will change my 50MKII to a 100 or a 50 EX. Two questions I have is that the 100 have 8 channels and the EX 4+4, whatever that means in handling. Other thing is that the 100 sound rounder and fuller than the normal 50 but BOSS say that the EX have a developed speaker. I play and record a lot at home and really don't need 100 watt since I only play in 0.5 mode anyways.
The 100w Mk 2 and Gen 3 also have 4+4 presets; if you use a 50 EX (Mk 2 and I suspect the same with the Gen 3) you get 2 + 2 on the control panel but if you use the GAFC or even an Airstep pedal, you get access to 8 presets on the 50 EX (4 + 4)
Would like you to do a series of videos on how to get the sounds of certain amps from the Katanas - gen3 or mk2.
For example Vox chime then Marshall then Fender Princeton etc…
For those just interested in "basic clean tone", my little experiment A/B'ing many models, was that my 1 series 100watt sounded superior due to having a well broken-in speaker. OTOH if you want features, its great that Boss keeps making this amp more and more user friendly.
In sure you're right about the speaker my mk1 keeps improving I'm sure it's the speaker breaking in
My wife just surprised me with this amp today ! She had picked up an Orange RT35 for her self and said she knew i wanted the Katana 100 after messing around with it at the music shop. This is going to replace my Line 6 150 I’ve had since 2010. Can’t wait to mess around with it tomorrow. I didn’t get the Bluetooth adapter. Blows my mind that it’s not built in. I was told I can use a USB-C cable to my tablet instead.
How is it compared to the line6? Do you think you need to use the tone studio or is the panel without pedals enough by itself?
I am one of the USB recorders, but into a tablet. I could definitely use these upgrades.
My Artist MKII is but a year old in my possesion. Can't jump on this Gen 3 yet but it looks and sounds great!
The new chain option makes it easier to WDW with theses lil monsters! Loving my Gen 3
It’s a great upgrade isn’t it! Good to hear from you Ninj!
@@TheStudioRats I got it for the Bluetooth editor , I kept it because of the tonal versatility! Truly a golden age for guitarist .
they missed another opportunity to allow us to turn off the cab simulation.
that would be massive for recording!
Love my mk1 100 combo
Absolutely agree, nothing wrong with the mk1, loud enough to keep up with a noisy F*****g Drummer, what more would you want.
Love your playing and your tone my man - also got your presets on S Gear LOL.. Got the Katana 100 Mk1, which is an amzing amp, I did a thorough walkthrough of the Tone Studio and all that hidden stuff which went down well. Anyway, love your stuff dude!
Cheers
I really wish Boss would upgrade the waza headphones. There is so much they could do with them to integrate them into a project studio as monitors as well as practice tool but nothing since pre covid :-(
i almost bought a mkII . i was consider to buy it , like a month or 2 month ago . but when i saw when they release mkII its like 4 or 5 years ago , theres no way they not drop the 3rd gen . ohhh , i am ready for thiss ..
Tsr crunch sounds really good
Sorry I missed the live last night. I will be watching this
Also that guy from a few weeks ago was right a Mark3 was sue out soon
Paul did his best Sergeant Schultz impression during the livestream. All questions about the Gen 3 were met with something akin to "I know nothing!!"...
"but for a candy bar I might.." 😊
I was just looking to buy a gen 2 amp but then realised a gen 3 can't be very far away... and here it is.😃
Gen 4 coming shortly 😂
@@MickyWalnuts Gen4 is 4 years away.
I just returned a Gen Ii that I bought a week ago. I had previously owned one that got destroyed in Floodwater from Hurricane Ian. I could not get a good sound out of the box to save my life . Sounded terrible with strat or Les Paul, I don’t know if it was defective or what but it seems like it takes a lot of tweaking to get a good sound. Just my thoughts.
Sounds amazing 🙌
To all combo amp manufacturers -- Aesthetics be damned. Bring the controls back to the front of the amp. Not the top front -- the front. I'm legally blind (READ: I have to be about 3" close to something to see it) and I DESPISE having to hunch my old man body over the amp to see the controls. And I hate that I'm confined to placing my amps in locations to where I need to have access to the tops of them to see said controls. I would love to go back to being able to place an amp under a table, desk, or in a rack.
TSR -- Great short look at the new Mk III's =)
I think the controls are on the top of the non-Artist Katanas so that all the sockets, circuits and controls can be mounted on a single plate that can be dropped in in one operation, helping to keep the manufacturing cost, and therefore the price, as low as possible. Unfortunately you have to go to the Artist models, where manufacturing costs don't have to be so tight, to get separate plates for the controls and sockets, and therefore front mounted controls.
@@philbrannigan5854 -- Thanks, Phil. Kind of what I figured. I may just have to start investing in some "antique" amps like I had in the '80s, lol.
@@swervature or a Katana Artist Gen 3 when it comes out 😁
@@philbrannigan5854 -- LOL! There ya go 😄
GOOD JOB, WELL DONE
As this video dropped I was actually purchasing a Tonex pedal😂
Excellent stuff Paul. No more need to use the phrase "moving on".
Thanks Pole
You bet
Do you know if BOSS is going to implement some of these features or tone models into the newly released Katana GO?
Solid vid, thanks!!
Katana reminds me of the Solid State version of Jake E Lee’s tone. They have a HUGE mid presence. Im probably goin with Catalyst- they have a lil bit more sag.
Great playin brother😎🎸
Get the Katana Gen3 head. It has a "Bloom" button. 😁
Here and in the Andertons video-this thing sounds as good or better than a lot of big dollar tube amps in videos from the same players. Which baffles me. I had the Mk 1 100w head, and later the Mk II Artist combo - i really wasn't satisfied with either. I keep thinking maybe i overshot myself by buying the bigger/more expensive versions and should have just bought the 'basic' Katana. And then another part of me just says there's a disconnect between demos and what i would get in my own experience. I just can't explain why. Oh, well-i kinda want a quick/simple amp for practice/noodling, but i guess i'll just keep using ToneX and Tonocracy with monitors. But, damn, Paul, you make this thing sound gooood.
Any amp on its own can sound great . Tube amps react a particular way which means ‘live’ they tend to sound rich and punch through the mix to where solid state hit a wall and dynamic response is compressed enough that you don’t cut through . In their own they sound great though
@@andrewslads Thanks for the explanation, but this wasn't what i was discussing. After the Katana Mk II Artist, i bought a Fender Deluxe Reverb, and i used to have tube amps back in my younger days. My comment was about same scenarios, these demo videos, which match my own home-only use, for practice and ostensibly recording, with no live application. And any "mix" issues would be dealt with in engineering/at the mix stage. Compression isn't really a part of what i was referring to. Just simple/basic tone, frequencies that either annoy or please me, and the nuances of harmonics and how strings 'sing' or don't.
@@CentaurusRelax314 sorry ! I just realised that I read only the first part of your reply. You could try the blackstar amped 3 , I have one and plug it into Bluetooth speaker as well as cab when gigging . Sounds good . A lot of demos show its metal capabilities but it’s got a great crunch and I use it as my main amp . Also has fx loop and is fairly portable . The models are better than these. Tube amps are more inconsistent and it’s important to match wattage with intended use . Marshall’s for example ( jubilee ) sound absolutely awful unless cranked , but others more consistent like the blackstar HT series. Most tube amps will suck for home application . There’s always a compromise . HT5 isn’t bad . Fender deluxe reverb is gonna be pointless at 40 watts. Also master volume tube amps will always sound ok at room practise volumes .
@@andrewslads Thanks for the re-reply and suggestion. But, i think i'm content now. After the Katanas, i bought the Deluxe Reverb, to purge my 'insecurity' and doubts about using solid state instead of tubes. But, even though the Deluxe was quite nice clean, and pretty good with pedals for low-medium gain, i was never able to get satisfying high gain tones. The Van Halen brown sound and 80s metal tones were quite important to me, and high gain pedals just didn't work with the Deluxe, either because of the Deluxe's inherent tone or the speaker itself. So, i sold that and switched to running ToneX/Amplitube and Tonocracy on a Macbook. With a pair of modest JBL 5" monitors, it sounds fantastic, i have 'all the amps' and don't have to try to recreate a Marshall stack with a pedal into a Fender combo. Every once in a while, i'll tune into a demo of an inexpensive modeling amp-this, the Blackstars, the Catalyst-because i'm still (mildly) interested in the idea of having a simpler/quicker/more immediate practice and noodling device, but that's really just GAS and the smallest interest in finding even a few seconds of efficiency between the moments of deciding to play and getting a tone. With the laptop, though, i have really only been playing one amp model the last few weeks, and absolutely loving it, just going from 9:00 on the gain dial to noon.
Oh, regarding the "most tube amps will suck for home application"-with the Deluxe Reverb, i have a Bugera passive attenuator that really did the trick, simply and inexpensively. I was able to run the amp at 6 or 7 with very comfortable 'tv volumes.' In another (very brief) situation, i once played an EVH 5150 100w amp at the NAMM show, at ridiculously low volume, and it sounded fantastic. But, i'm a person who has lived in big city apartments all my adult life-the last 35 years-and i'm used to low-volumes, so i don't need pants-flapping to make happy sounds. Some amps, for certain, are better at doing what they do at low volumes than others that really need to be cranked to get the tubes working.
As I'm still relatively new to the Katana 100 mk2 (btw thanks for the patches, Paul) and haven't gigged it thoroughly yet, it's unlikely I'll be upgrading to the Katana Gen3 any time soon. The cynic in me wonders whether all these new Gen 3 features have actually been "kept in reserve" by Boss developers for some time, to "drip feed" them onto the market in new iterations of the Katana line, when mk 1 & 2 sales have peaked. This will always be the case with amp tech. I'm hoping the new Gen3 BTS features can be used by us MK2 owners but I have my doubts. On the plus side, there'll be a healthy market for s/hand Katanas
The Katana has always been amazing, and I hate to complain about the one thing it doesn't do. But if they could make the Gen 3 headphone output stereo, couldn't they have made the Line Out stereo as well?
Very good video and sound. Boss katana gen 3 vs spark 40, who's the best in your opinion?
As a huge Katana fan I think they’ve been napping a little with the development of gen 3. It sounds great, which is ultimately all that matters, but I feel they should’ve been braver with updating the Tone Studio software and recognise the seismic development in modellers since the Mk2 came out and have that evident in these amps.
I know it’s going to be a great amp though so I’m keen to see updates to the Artist/Artist Head.
They want to keep it affordable. Do you want it to be as complicated as a AxeFX-III, and cost $2,000? Most players don't need that. I think Boss hit the sweet-spot with this new Gen3.
I ordered the artist gen 3 head and the cab212
Cany wait
I bought the 50 Mk2 from Amazon last December for 235 euros, the Gen 50 is listed at the moment at 339 euros. I think I would sooner buy a new Mk2 with that price difference.
Can the artist mkll be updated with gen 3 tones🤷♂️
So, a separate version of the tone studio app from mkII? Essentially they killed off the mkII line now, no new features or improvements? Boss should perhaps think a bit more sustainably and long-term.
They have not stopped supporting MK II. But they stopped making them, having improved them with Gen 3.
@@markdouglas8073 supporting as in continue improving them with fixes and features is probably not planned, though, and the Tone Studio v 2 is "feature complete". I'd be happy to be proven wrong.
You are getting even better sounds than before from this amp. Question, could that stereo headphone jack work as a stereo out to go front of house or it would not have enough volume to reach line level?
My other question, doesn’t the speaker stop working g when you go through the headphone jack?
Very nice but if you had to choose between the Katana GEN 3 or the Marshall DSL 40cr which would it be?
Those tones are amazing Paul. Are they available for the GX-100?
Was that man on the side by John Mayer when you demo’d the tsr clean setting ?
Damnit. I just got a used mkII a few weeks ago.
Still a great amp
Not only that, if you get another Gen 3, you can run them together in stereo (as long as your MkII is not the 50).
Thabks for the video. The tones sound really good. Is there a video on how to us the katana on stage. Do you turn effects within the patches on and off or switch between 4 patches. Or use specific patches for certain songs.
wonder if there will be a GEN 3 katana Go?
Unlikely since they just released that like a month ago. Same with the new Katana Air EX.
I totally love the Sound of the Tsr pushed patch. Does anybody know a patch that Sounds like this for the mk2?
Is it true that BOSS unfortunately fixed the backdoor and in Gen 3 you no longer has access to SneakyAmps? So ~25 "unofficial" amp sounds from MKI/MKII are gone?
Is this a paid demo or an honest demo of the product? Cheers!
Ok, cool stuff… but what is that slick looking Friedman guitar?! And I noticed you had one of his amps there in the back…
The guitar is a Pilgrim guitar
Do Katana's sound better with Katana speakers, or can I expect an improvement running it through the usual Celestions, etc.?
I’ve tried a few different speakers with the Mk2, including a Celestion Neo Creamback and the Boss Waza G12 speaker. Both sound great but in all honesty there is so little in it I came to the conclusion that the stock Katana speaker is actually a really good speaker for this particular amp, so there is nothing wrong with sticking with it…
Does the Bluetooth connection allow for instant changing of effects and channels, or do you still need the foot switch for this on the fly experience?
You can change all with Bluetooth
I just bought MKII 50 last weekend and really amazed of it. I hope it gets same update like the gen 3 in terns of freedom to move each pedals in the chain. Do you have same patches on MK2?
Boss Tone Studio Website - I do not see access for the Gen 3 amps. Am I missing something obvious? Would love to download these presets.
I wish they did trade in...
I recently bought the Katana Gen3 100/212 to play thru something more powerful than my Roland Cube practice amp I had been playing thru. I'm as of now just a bedroom jammer with a collection of my dream guitars and a huge pedalboard loaded w/mostly Boss stomp boxes. I haven't really messed with any special features of the Katana...I just plugged in my pedalboard to the main input while on the clean setting and stick to using only my pedal effects...
So my question is: Am I getting optimal sound out of this amp by not using the effects loop or not taking advantage of other features I may not be aware of which could improve my sound ???
I feel like I may be missing out on something with all the hype 😕
If you only use a clean channel be sure to check the Variation button above the Amp Type dial. Some stompboxes sound better in front and some sound better/make sense in the loop, depends on type.
The gain channels on this are great as are the built in efx. With the GA-FC, EV-30, it's a powerful and complete package. Tone Studio app is fast to use and can add noise gate, global para or graphic EQ, swap orders and define functions.
For the money (€339 over here) it is a nice amp (with 3 step power att.). A DSL-5 does €369 but has no fx (ok verb...) also 10". Do not like the looks of the Katana (Fender GTX looks a lot better and so does the DSL...) but sounds great for the money. Only have YT as reference but Katana is the benchmark with maybe the Fender 50XL (for the Fender tones).
Do you still need a laptop or computer with Windows 10 or 11??
it can use other ir ?
Can you use a looper and change the tone post mix ?
It seems that what it can do is getting more attention than how it sounds
Could you make some patches for the Katana Air EX? Your patches always sound amazing.
These new tools are cool, but from the internet, it's not perceivable that the sound quality has improved. I've heard videos you did with the MK2 that sounded just as good.
Him are these any good live? Like the 100 watt one?
They sure are.
Is it just me but your demo of the 80s clean tone sounded very similar to a track called run to … by Bri.. Ad..s I hope it is as i’ve been searching for that one..Thanks TSR..
Such a missed opportunity. The katana Go has a small LCD screen that allows for a tuner and to see what effect is selected so you don't have to carry a crib sheet to see what effect "yellow" is. It's their own design! Why isn't it in the Katana? Such a shame.
Absolutely this. And having to pay extra for the Bluetooth adaptor is a greedy cash grab
Yes and bluetooth comes with its own potential problems. (see Line 6).
Paul, does the stereo expand feature work with a MK2 Katana? If so, it might make sense for me to buy a MK3 and use them both
I can’t see why not, stereo expand uses the 2nd Katana as a slave. It might be worth putting in a tech question to Boss.
No mention of the Katana app? Looks like they're finally incorporating this. I'm not sure what took them this long. It gave an opening to companies like positive grid for the Spark.
I still think they should do digital. I think it's the way of the future.
You say no mention of the Katana app. Did you watch the video?
You must be blind and deaf😮
I have had my Gen 3 Artist for about 1 month with no problems, however this weekend in the middle of the gig my amp powered off 2X when I went to switch between patches.
Anyone having this issue?
Will you trademark “flubby bottom” as a Katana patch name?
Flubby bottom girls make the rockin' world go 'round.
Sorry, until they put an effects loop in the Katana 50 I'll keep my mk2...
Can MK2 presets from the Boss Tone Exchange be used on the Gen3?
Gonna answer my own question here. Yes they can.
how did you manage to connect it to tone studio?
Can't believe they still haven't added a wireless receiver with it as they do on the their little practice amps 🤷♂️
Not enough to make me upgrade from my artist mk2
They did add the Bluetooth on the rear of the amp. It is an optional dongle (same one used on the GX-100 or Dual Cube LX).
@@markdouglas8073
I know they are selling the Bluetooth with the gen3 which is a complete rip-off. I was talking about a wireless system so you don't need a guitar cable to the amp just plug and play.
You just bet the Gen 4 will have that
Have you tested the Gen 3 with the patches you created for Gen 1&2. Do they saound differnt? Is it worth the upgrade if you have Gen 1 or Gen 2?
It’s definitely a better sounding amp to my ears
They still havent done it through an app and bluetooth connection.
Thank you and boss for showing me stereo from Gen 3 and mark 1 as slave : three months I am going Artist ex Katana because I didnt get bloom and I cant stand everything in the back of amp drop guitar or tuner every climb to knobs
Are patches created on the Gen3 backward compatible with Mk2?
They are not, but mk2 patches can be loaded on gen 3
Tone exchange doesn't even load for me. Depressing first day with my new amp... seriously debating just returning it.
I'm wondering from the commenters who own this amp if there is a difference in the high gain stuff because nobody seems to be talking about it. Is it still fizzy, ice picky?
Can someone tell me if you can download the patches to your katana via Bluetooth or is it still old school download via cable to laptop tone studio?
Guys I need help, I am connecting my Boss Katana Gen 3 50 EX from Line Out to my audio interface. I noticed that when I monitor it through my daw it is in Mono. How can I get a Stereo sound from the Katana while monitoring it? :(