UNLEASH the power of your KATANA MKII with the GA-FC - How to use it and why you need it!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- Get your Katana at Sweetwater (US) - imp.i114863.ne...
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If you have a Boss Katana, a GA-FC footswitch can open up a whole new world on tones at your feet.
Here are my thoughts on why you need a GA-FC for studio, practice and for gigging. You can add expression pedals, tap tempo, assign controls of the patches. Use Tone Studio for the full experience but this setup is possible without plugging your USB cable in too.
Buy a Katana
Thomann - bit.ly/2N50lB8
Sweetwater - imp.i114863.ne...
Amazon - geni.us/dzof (Amazon)
Buy the GA-FC
Thomann - bit.ly/2CdUuDH
Sweetwater - imp.i114863.ne...
Amazon - geni.us/PtYXa (Amazon)
Momentary Footswitches that work:
Thomann - bit.ly/3n1pFbv
Sweetwater - imp.i114863.ne...
Amazon - geni.us/VxdK (Amazon)
Buy the guitar:
Thomann - bit.ly/30ltoH6
Download the Free Presets Liveset I use in this video!
bit.ly/30it0ZF
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DISCLAIMERS:
Some of these links have an affiliate code, if you purchase gear with these links I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
The content of this video and my opinions were not reviewed by any outside persons.
#theguitargeek #bosskatana #GAFC
Want the free presets or want the links to the stuff I use in the video? Check the video description!🔥
Are those presets for mk2 only?
Where are the presets from channel B? Its only the four presets from A
Sure, I'd like to see an expression pedal demo hooked up to the GA-FC
... sounds like a good idea ...
Alrighty then!
NIce explanation. I just purchased the GA-FC and was just using it to switch between Channels 1-4. Didn't realize that you could get to to second set as well.
I'd love to see the expression pedal demo
This footswitch really is a no-brainer, but damn it pisses me off to no end that this isn't compatible with a Katana 50 - so utterly frustrating. Now I have to get the 100 just to use this paperweight! Great demo - it sold me on the usefulness.
I did it not know. Glad I bought a 100 off the bat!
The info at the beginning is gold. I almost bought this with the Katana 50 mk2. I'll get the 100. Thanks again
Yea I just bought this and didn’t realize until this video that I can’t use it on my 50 :/
@@rosechild3885 same bro :(
I’ve got the Mark II 50 & 100W’s. The 50W is lighter to carry and for guest jammers. I purchased the GA-FC. Thx for articulating to put the sticker panel sheets on. I bought the GA-FC online at a good price, now I realized it was initially for an earlier Katana build but no matter it works fine with the Mark II’s now that I see what each button controls.
Great video. Although I like to slow the YT speed at 0.75% to catch every word, whilst I fiddle.
GAFC!! OMG!! Here is something that boss did not tell us.....
This may be obvious to some, but after some frustration, I finally figured out why my GAFC always started out in boost mode for every saved preset. I guess I had SOLO turned on when I programmed each preset, so by default, BOOST was on.
The BOOST function of each GAFC button, actually toggles the SOLO function on and off in Boss Tone Studio.
It would have saved me a lot of headache if Boss would have just named boost and solo with the same word. 😑
I own a Katana 210 bass combo. Same story. Yes it (the foot switch) costs a bit extra. But the versatility that & the bluetooth feature opens up is SO worth it. One combo, One foot switch board one guitar lead & you are gig worthy. You can make life harder for yourself or you can cruise easy. Its your call.
dude ill take every piece of info you have on this amp and its functions...so far the 100w mk2 looks and sounds like an amazing amp...i got a schecter 8 string and im looking for an affordable amp for home and practice and this little beast seems to have everything a person would need to explore a range of sounds...
This thing is a lot bigger in person lol throws you off completely
More videos about the BOSS Katana, please! ✌️😎🎸
The Katana is a brilliant amp
What a great and useful video! Thank you! Happy 2023!
agreed the GA-FC is essential, it really brings the system to practical live usage. make sure you saved the label for it that came with the katana
Hi Andy, yeah, I bought the GA-FC with my Katana Artist - I didn't want to pay the extra $ but even for practicing at home I feel it's worth it. Please do a video on the expression pedal, thanks!
Ok man I’ll go more into detail at some point
Thank you so much - I will tidally get the GAFC. Loved your presentation as well. Very cool
Great video dude. You must be one of the most natural presenters on youtube 👍
You look a bit like Napoleon Dynamite in that shirt.
he ALWAYS looks like Napoleon Dynamite
You look a bit like emporer Palpatine! I look a bit like a mask
Weezer bro
Eat your dinner, Tina! Gawd.
Uncle Rico at all the 🥩
I just love how succinct you are. Finding your content supremely helpful.
Thanks Anthony! I try hard to make sure there’s nothing there that doesn’t need to be
@@TheGuitarGeek apart from the winking 😋
Definitely get the footswitch. No question.
Your videos rock!! Thank you. I think the gafc pays for itself. No need for a pedal board. The amp with the Gafc and its gig ready.
Super helpful and really well done videos. Thanks for taking the time to make these 😊
You’re very welcome!
Yes I need a expression pedal video
Just checking this out ... again ... thanks for your time & efford Andy to post up stuff for folks !! :)
My pleasure!
Got the GA-FC when I got the MkII 100 earlier this year. You really do need it. I use an FS-5 for the tap tempo. This is the best small non-tube amp I have every had. It sounds better to me than some tube amps. Definitely a keeper.
Where did you find the one like his? I see only the prior generation model...
@@andrewwheelerguitar I got both at Guitar Center. Most online retailers have them. There is an overlay for the GA-FC that comes with it for the Katana.
This is a really useful tutorial on the pedal. I'd love to see videos on the expression pedal etc.
Very informative and quick to the point, unlike soooo many other vids on this subject. Well done mate . I’m ordering my foot pedal . I hope you get royalties 👍🎸🎼
Cheers David! Yes, TH-cam rewards me ever so slightly
You can use the GA-FC to use tap tempo on the MK2 !
Hold down the effect switch on the GA-FC until it blinks.
Then use te delay switch on the GA-FC to tap tempo Delay 1
And tap Reverb for Delay 2
tried it on my Katana 100 MKII. Did not work. I have the MKI GAFC if that makes a difference.
Worked for me katana 100 mk2
Thanks, I was just figuring this pedal out today when I noticed that holding down the effect button puts it into flash mode and was wondering what the hell it meant. Been scouting the how-to vids on this and no one has mentioned it until now, so again, thank you for that, it works for me. Katana 100 MKII head. So awesome, so much potential. I'm starting to get some very cool sounds out of this little powerhouse.
Hi, can you please tell me what Delay 2 means? I'm struggling to find any info
@@DenissOlshevsky if you open your Reverb settings you can set a second delay in the delay 2 column. You have to click on the effects button, next to the chain. Seems redundant but that's what I've found out. In the Reverb section there is a mode, delay 2 and Reverb column, choose your type and then click the delay 2 button to set the parameters. Have fun.
Thanks, makes so much more sense. I got a expression pedal too, off to the next vid...
Great video...it's worth noting that you need a TRS cable to connect the GA-FC and not a regular 1/4 jack. Don't think you mentioned it sir.
One comes with the GA-FC
@@kenorford7151 not true. Not all retailers provide the TRS cable. And for a channel that prides itself on detail....it wasn't mentioned or explained. The devil is in the detail sir 😊
Mine did, in Canada. I’d be inclined to call BOSS anyway and tell them yours was missing. Some unscrupulous retailers have been known to remove incidental goodies from packaging..
@@kenorford7151 I have a TRS cable it's fine, many don't though and this video didn't mention the requirement ....just an observation
Could you please make me a video on how to use the expression pedal for the wah and such. I have already made up my mind to buy this amp I’m just not that savvy when it comes to all the side gadgets. Thank you so much I hope everyone really appreciate all the help you provide❤
I just ordered the mk2 100 and the fact today I can't wait to get it next week
Awesome video! Ga-fc is awesome! 8 presets at touch of your foot is sweet!
Your comment about the GA-FC being viewed as an effect pedal on it's own sold it for me.. bang on! The internal effects of the amp are totally liberated with this pedal. It's like buying all the boss pedals (65 or so?!?) individually for just the price of one. No brainer!
That’s great news. Yes, it adds a lot of value to what you’ve already paid for
Before I knew better I got a fender mustang iii. But I did get the 4 button footswitch and expression pedal. I just play in the basement so it's good enough for what I do. Katanas do seem sweet though.
These are all tools we use. The mustang does a beautiful clean!
Ill stick with my Roland Micro Cube GX for now as a beginner. I’ll wait for Katana to release an updated 50w mkIII that takes GA-FC because I don’t want/need a bigger practice bedroom amp then that. I appreciate you can’t drop the watts on all the Katana’s but the 50MK is as big as I’ll go for size purposes. I’m thinking about the Yamaha THR10II but, I literally just got the the Roland MC 2-days ago and I can’t justify spending $300. Only thing I personally want is a 3-band EQ to help dial in tones for example I’m playing the Santeria solo about 70% and not as a beginner I have no ear for tones yet. Well, I do know when I have the tone it’s just dialing it in isn’t easy for me like everybody on TH-cam seems to know exactly what knobs to dial in. Part of the reason I got the Roland MC-GX is because I don’t have a PC and it’s basically all knobs. I’m going to try and get the Apple iPhone adapter and see if I can use GarageBand… that would be awesome 🤘
The GA-FC is a great and quality thing 😁 and I hadn’t even realised that tap tempo is an option! I have an EV-30 and it works great as volume/rate/whatever when you set it up in Tone Studio. The Y cable setup intrigues me... I must investigate... No! I don’t need to investigate! I need to practice!
I just ordered the mkII 100 with a footswitch!
It is absolutely worth the extra money to buy the GA-FC controller...without it, the Katana is a great amp, but the controller completes it. I have yet to gig with it, but there is no way I'd play without that pedal...it opens up the full potential the Katana amps offer...
Truth
Wow, i didn't know that the ga-fc controller doesn't work with the MkII 50, and i was thinking to buy it. Thank's Andy you helped me to save my money, nice video
I think it works with an adapter, but un not sure
@@carljohnson9474 you can use a wireless controller instead the GA-FC, but you have to link it with your computer or smartphone
It is so worth it! First thing I got when I bought my K100.
enjoy your videos you seem to get to the points im wanting to find out about while a lot of presenters seem to go in the wrong direction in explanations and miss the obvious questions. I was wanting to get to the bit where you got to its app that you can program to do what you want. But maybe you do that in the katana app- so you can use any of the switches to do anything the amp has and do things like multi functions on same switch without needing to first hit another switch to enter a certain mode - for example on airstep by using press, release, long hold on all switches so can do 3 different things with one switch and unlimited things on any of those 3 switch movements- maybe you cant do that Any way i was wondering why people would get this when it is literally 5 years behind the brilliant and virtually limitless xsonic airstep ( im talking full airstep version not the abridged ones aimed at thr, air specifically) Then I thought maybe you cant use full airstep with any of the katanas other than the air ( which i have and have outgoing to a cabinet for massive stereo sound) If you can use airstep with all katanas why would you buy this, the airsteps abilities make this look out of date even at launch
Plus forgot to say in airstep you have unlimited preset savings so you literally can program all the switches to do things in one preset then program all switches to do other things on a different preset
all can be switched through without app via button on airstep
I pondered a bit before getting one of these due the price. It's a bit more than switches wired together. I got one and took the bottom plate off. Multiple diodes, resistors and transistors that are surface mounted to a PC board. It would not be entirely inexpensive to build your own.
It sounded like the effects dropped as soon as you hit the footswitch..which is good, i think! I just brought home the 100w and plan to be up all night playing :)
Watching your videos is started to get expensive. @boss - this guy is making you money
Great compact video.I also love the Android App for Katana Librarian as my Mac OSX is too old for the Tone Studio !
My older iMacs as well, since they can’t take the newer OS updates from the App Store. Hello, Mac Mini! I have a great Android phone so your post will help me search App for Katana Librarian. Thx in advance.
I’d love to see that video ! Please make it! Thanks legend
Just discovered this channel. Love all of the katana videos!
Found this video very informative, was thinking of buying a Katana and the footswitch is rather useful. Cheers mate!
Hey Mark! You’re welcome
Great demo. I'd love to see a video about the expression pedal. Apparently there are lots of setup options that I didn't know about.
Good video but, I have the K100/212 MKI, do have a liveset version for this model, Thank you
When I'm able to buy cool stuff again, getting one for my Katana Artist :) Cheers M8
I have a Fender Champion 100w on a 30 day refund, however, for me and my style the only channel with any life in it is the 'British' setting, but the volume drops by half??
I plan to take it back and get a Boss Katana MKII 100w 2x12 and the GA-FC.
Good demo cheers bud!
Excellent once again, thank you.
I'd love to see that video too with expression pedal.
It’s online dude! Check my channel on the katana playlist
Hah! Don't need to read my GA-FC manual now. More katana stuff please, new katana 100 owner here loving everything about it.
Make sure you check out the tone studio with it
@@TheGuitarGeek yup, even more goodness in there :)
Why do you have to go to channel two before going back to channel one after hitting the effects button for it to go back to the original settings? You should just be able to go directly back to the original channel one settings by tapping the effects switch.
I just want to be able to tap a switch to turn effects on/off for a channel during a performance.
Folks, as a older 6 string beginner, I bought a Boss Katana 50 MKII to have fun with. Could I ask which foot controllers would work with my amp? Is the GA-FC compatible or am I restricted to a simple two button footswitch setup? Apologies if my question has been answered elsewhere. Thanks...
The GA-FC will work or the xsonic Airstep Kat edition is a cheaper,some say better alternative...think I may buy the Airstep myself
The GA-FC pedal is marked incorrectly for the Katana 100 MK2. When you buy the amp it comes with stickers that are laid on the pedal that does not come with it, showing the correct settings. In other words, Boss got lazy. Instead of building a new pedal with the correct markings for the MK2 100, Boss made stickers to stick over the incorrect markings on the GA-FC pedal. If you have to pay extra for a pedal it should at least be the right one made for your amp, Right???
I would love to see a demo on how to use an expression pedal paired with the Ga-Fc foot controller. I have one but no idea how to use it to it's potential.
Great video Andy!!!
Thanks!
How to connect the "looper"?
Can we use any looper?
Sorry, I have found that you had done it too. Thank you very much!
Hey look it's Rabea 2.0. Come on man there's only one man in the gear review world who can rock the fro.
Hey look, No-one cares!
@@TheGuitarGeek Apparently you did. 😁
I really did and still do. You hurt my heart and even my soul. Comments about my hair really cut me deep and I really wish you hadn’t brought it up
Video was well done.. Thanks !
Thank you Carl
Volume, wah pedal.vid
...YES!
Ironically, I found your channel while browsing TH-cam. It was the video of the product you couldn't name. I browsed some of your other videos and came across this one. I have a Katana mark 2, 50. In this video, you said I can't use the GA-FC with the 50 mark 2. Will the pedal for the mark 1 work with the mark 2, 50, or am I out of luck?
Cheers.
Hi, so far dude, you nail it down better. I almost understand...lol......Question: Can i use amp out on KT to my JC120??????
You can use the line out to go to to a pa or any power amp. You could go to a JC 120 too
Hey Andy, thanks for your videos - super helpful! What is that light blue guitar behind you in this video?
What options do I have for my 50? I want to be able to switch on and off effects and channels
Newly subscribed after watching all of your Katana-related vids - invaluable viewing for us Katanaistas! Just bought a Katana Artist Mk1 at a very good price - which means I can probably afford the GA-FC footswitch now!! Which footswitch would be best for the Artist Mk1??
Also - I'd love to hear a live demo of a Katana + footswitch 'on the fly' to see/hear how it works in a real world gigging situation ..any chance of a vid??
Keep on geekin'
Cheers from OZ! 🦘
Are you Hugh Laurie’s long lost relative? Great review and playing. Thanks!
Please do a video about connecting expression pedals. Also, recommendations for cheaper expression pedals that work with the gafc.
Will do!
Excellent video bro, nice and understandable hahah thanks!
I have a question sorry I’m kinda new at this but even if I pre set the volume at one level and switch Chanel’s it always changes the volume am I setting it wrong ? I just want to switch Chanel’s without bursting my ear drums lol
One detail not covered, is how to get to the 2nd set of 4 presets, all you need to do is hold down the "Panel" button until the LED flashes, then you are in your second set of presets.
Hello thanks for the video. Are the changes through the effects seamless? Thank you.
Great! Helped me loads, thanks.
You’re welcome
Hi, great review! Thanks for sharing.
I've a beginner doubt, how is the best way to handle the difference of volume when change for one bank for another, for example when the first one is clean and the second crunch / brown.
When I change from clean to whatever the volume is so louder than previous, and I was wondering how to handle this properly...
Any ideias?
Did you work it out? You just save the banks volume that you want it at. Say the distortion is too quiet when you change over from clean, you just increase the volume of your distortion bank (not with master volume , but the normal volume) then re-save the distortion bank (by holding down the channel button on the amp you are saving it to) and then the volume will be saved.
Ya I wish it came with it.... I want it
Hello Andy, Great site! Thank you for your video. I have a new Boss katana ARtist MK2 and just got a GA-FC. I have the stickers and looks like I need to install them. I have scoured every site and document and cant figure out one thing. When you press the "EFFECTS" Button on the GA-FC. Where do you set the effects so they mirror the the right effects level when you step on the pedal presets? 1) on the panel. 2) or in the tone studio software? thank you,
Have they made a pedal for the 50 yet?
When I go from selecting channels to using the "pannel" setting I can't activate effects that aren't already programmed into the saved channel. Quite disappointing. I hope I'm doing something wrong.
Please help Andy! There is a momentary drop in signal when you change channels with the footswitch. Have you noticed this, and how can it be rectified?
Does the GA-FC still not work with the Katana 50 MKII? Please tell me they did some firmware update that fixed it?? And if not - why not??? I am so mad that every other Katana is compatible with one or the other..
hello why i can buy just 1 gafc ? i cant have the mkII ver
Hi. There’s only one Ga-FC model. It will work with all Katana amps
Ok, so first you say that it does not work with the 50 mk1 & 2, and then you say that it works with mk2? Can you please clarify?
Thank you so much
Luckily, I don't gig, and so I just use my iPad to change the settings as needed. That said, if I was gigging, I would absolutely get one of these. It would make a massive difference.
As always, thanks for the video.
You are welcome! Which app do you use?
@@TheGuitarGeek Just the iOS app. You can change everything with just a few taps.
Ahh so you’re talking katana air!
@@TheGuitarGeek Yeah. I use the desktop app for the mk1 100 that I have. I keep it beside my PC, so it's as easy to tweak as the others on the iPad (lol... I also have the Katana Air and the Waza-Air... what can I say, I love the sound from the Katanas).
I'm a beginner guitar play and have a really complicated set up involving two MK2's, the GA FC, an expression pedal AND a pedal board with a Fuzz, Wah etc. I think I need help to make sense of it all.
Why do you have a stereo amp set up and a full pedal board if you're a total beginner? Sorry if this comes off the wrong way
@@ollie5845 Well I've been playing guitar for 15 years. I had one MK 2 with a fuzz and it came with the GA FC to make the preset selection easier (so that's a no brainer). Adding a second amp for a stereo capabilities isn't THAT complicated. It's only integrating an additional pedal board that complicates things
@@SWizz871 oh sorry, when you said you were a beginner it made it seem like you had only played for a few years and had all that - nice setup man
and yes, we want that video :)
Clear and helpful video. Thanks. Good to know about the extra features you mention near the end.
Afforable??
9:07
Is my foot switch faulty? I have a mk1 katana and when I go onto effects setting to add the delay or modulation or reverb it doesn’t engage with the amp until I tweak the nob on the actual amp.. which seems to wake it up.. also when I go out of it again and go back in, the same problem occurs.. which completely defeats the object of having a foot switch. What’s even more annoying is that it seems to work back to front, so I can use it to eliminate effects instead of add them.. as I’m righting this it sounds like this pedal is totally f*cked 😂
Would be cool if you had a pedal to control wah.
You can add an expression pedal to do that with
Andy....now have the GA FC-EX with my Artist MK II 100. Would love to see you do a video of that on your site. Also, I am still unable to access the green, yellow, and red level of effects for each mod in a patch live on the fly. As the front man in my band, playing lead/rhythm and singing, this makes it difficult to change one of the mods for a certain effect while playing by turning around and punching a the button for that mod once or twice. If I am standing at the front of the stage or playing area, I would have to walk back to the amp to make this change as you are aware. Have sent an email to BOSS/Roland support but don't have an answer yet. Do you think they will be able to make this happen in the future? I love using both of these items but feel limited by BOSS/Roland not giving us even more flexibility and creativity on the fly when playing at live venues. Thanks for all your efforts. Love what you do.........
Great video thanks! Is there any latency/pause between pressing a button and a new preset coming on please?
Is this foot switch compatible with the Boss Katana Artist MkII 1x12" 100-watt Combo Amp
Hey Andy, really informative video, I'm not great with multi effects (old schooler lol, if it's not Crybaby wah I'm lost) but this one seems pretty intuitive to me.
According to the manual tap tempo is possible without an external pedal, by holding 'Effects', and then using the Delay switch. I can't get it to work though.
Make sure the delay is on
@@richardmalouin9085 it randomly started working after the firmware update.
I have one it comes in handy
Katana has two foot pedals ... one for 124 U.S. and one for 149.99 ... What's the diff ? Thanks.