Boss Katana VS Marshall Plexi Challenge
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- I've recently been given the challenge to get a Marshall Plexi tone on a Boss Katana and to compare it to the real thing. I'm not one to shy away from a challenge so here is the video. In this Video, I plug the Marshall SV20 Plexi and a Boss Katana MK1 100 watt head through a Kahayan Amp switcher into a Divided By 13 Cab. 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.
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The answer in the intro is I was using both of the amps, It started with the Plexi then the Katana then back to the Plexi. If you look in our recent post you will see the video with the switching.
Awesome, amaing how clsoe the osunds are - interchangeable!
Only you to pull this trick out of the hat. Incredible.
I honestly didnt notice a single single diffrence... Good job
In this crowded TH-cam space with the buzzilion guitar related channels and the various "rock star"/big ego TH-cam personalities, finally someone who knows his craft. Short to the point videos, excellent tips and amazing sound and playing! Kudos from a metalhead! Keep it up man ;)
Cheers Grinder that means a lot!
@@TheStudioRats Cheers from the Athens of the North Paul ;)
I second Grinder ✌️
I have katana mk2 and I simply couldn’t be happier. 100 watts on 3 volume is monstrous
Katana is good but not only is there less symbiotic relationship as with valve amps but it lacks the chime and harmonic nuances a good valve amp has
Katana is a excellent cheap fake amp, 10 out of 10.
At the end of the day unrepairable and landfill at the rubbish dump.
The Marshall is still a real tube amp with normal sized components inside, repairable for many many years.
For all the bells and whistles the MARSHALL is the better amp I think.
Also has resale value.
Katanas second hand sell for very little.
Horses for courses one does one thing really well they other is a Swiss Army knife
The Blues Driver is my favorite overdrive on the Katana. Wouldn't have thought you can get a Plexi sound with it on the Crunch channel. Who knew? Thanks for making this video, you always do a great job on these and I always learn something! Keep them coming.
The Crunch channel on the Katana is based on a Fender Tweed Bassman so its not surprising that is sounds like Plexi given that Tweed Bassmans are verey similar to Marshall JTMs The Blues Driver is a pretty transparent overdrive so here its reaelly being used for some extra gain and tone shaping. Its a great combo.
@@SohamBhattacharya3105 Oh wow, I didnt know that - do you happen to know what are the others channels based on?
@@justhadrums here's what I could find out
Clean - Roland JC120
Clean 2 (on MkII) - Fender Twin Reverb
Crunch - Fender Bassman/Marshall JTM45
Drive - Peavey 5150
Brown - Soldano SLO100
This is what I've managed to figure out so far.
@@SohamBhattacharya3105 Oh cool, thanks!
@@SohamBhattacharya3105
According to Roland,..The Katana in its purest "panel form" is based categorically on a Marshall Plexi.
Although Roland says the Katana is NOT a specific modeling amplifier.
I own the Katana mkii, but come on, it sounds chalkboard scratchy compared to the Marshall....
I really appreciate you showing how to dial in these kinds of tones on various amps. Even if it's not an amp I own it's helpful to learn about how pushing the front and power sections, or how signal chain placement affects the sound. Thanks!
Cheers Casey!
@@TheStudioRats perhaps you can answer the big question..does all this tech mean most people wont need to buy tube amps again ? You tested a Tone King 35w a while back which costs some £2.5K ; EIGHT times the cost of the BOSS Katana..great amp...but none of the same versatility...but some will not let go of tubes!
@@vincentl.9469 I've been playing for 42 years and live gigging for the last 29 years.
I have been gigging exclusively with a Boss Katana 100 MK2 out to a large bodied 2X12 cab for the last 4 years.
I've actually sold my Marshall JCM, DSL and JTM heads.
@@stricknine8623I have one tube amp which stays at home.... going forward people will find that it will become harder to find good technicians to service tube amps as people retire or die. with SS if it's not fixable, you just buy another one
@Strick nine wow! That's saying something eh? I'm floored. I haven't taken my mk2 head yet but I do know it's really versatile. I've got 3 other valve/tube amps and I will not give them up. I have noticed however that I've been using the katana a lot more. It's actually become my go to .
I am a proud Katana 1 owner, and I absolutely LOVE it. Especially in a small apartment setting at low volume. Nothing beats it. Got it for $200 - at a price of a dirt box - and can't stop playing it. So simple, great sounding, and inspiring.
Listening carefully, on headphones, at the end comparison c5.40, although you have done an excellent job in matching the tonality, the actual distortion on the Katana just sounds a bit gnarly. (In that way that Boss distortion always does). TBH, it's close enough though!
I'm kind of new to the Katana Head MkII, and I love how incredibly versatile it is. Thank you for the helpful video.
The intro sounds like the Katana.
I’ve been playing since the late 70’s. Had lots of amps and pedals.
The Katana is the best amp for home use I’ve ever had. I’ve got the 50w mkii.
The only other amp I may buy is the katana artist. But I’m in no rush. I wish I had the katana thirty years ago. I would’ve played a lot more.
Great amp.
only reason I got a katana is so I'm not constantly using the vox or marshall cos they both use tubes, and tubes cost money.
It is indeed the best amp for home use but my home is the stage therefore I use the 100 watt version! 🤘😎
@@blakjack3053 I got the 100watt version head so could mix speaker cabs. I don’t like single speakers. They sound a little dull.
@@RockG.o.d yeah I have the katana head also, the mk 1, but I only use it as a back up to my JMP 2203. And yes a single 12 is not enough, I need 2 at minimum and usually an unmatched pair. Lately I been using Celestions; V30 and a G12-65 in a Marshall 212 cab and it sounds awesome 👌
@@blakjack3053 i been plugging it into the vox amp cos the vox needs new valves. green back and gold, with the acoustic channel, but also using boss metal zone in front too. I do have the boss cab, but I want to change one of the speakers out and at the moment haven't been bothered.
The Katana never fails to impress and it’s really helpful to see how you dialed it in. Many thanks!
And I also believe it was the Katana in the intro.
I think the Katana sounds so close to the SV20 here that there is no real discernible difference- but there is one HUGE difference with the Katana- once dialed in you can get that sound AT ANY VOLUME- try that with the SV20...
Could you do a comparison between the Plexi and the JIMS45 amp pedal made by TC Electronic through the Katana?
Another Kat lover here. Sold my JVM 50W, 2 x 12 for 850€ and bought the Kat 100W 1 x 12 for 350€. No regrets and never looked back. 😁 Once you get used to using BTS you can dial in some fantastic valve sounds and lovely Fender-ish clean tones without valve cost, weight, servicing and reliability issues. Great video, thanks Paul and fingers crossed for Saturday (England v Ukraine) 🤣👍🤠
cheers Malcolm
Call me crazy but I liked þe BOSS tone better. Maybe knowing I can get it for like 300 dollars kinda helps I gueſs. I can’t ſee þe difference mattering at all in a mix wiþ baſs, drums, & vocals.
Nice and thank you, how dialing sound to jtm? By modified booster to centaur od ? I ask because dont have jtm to compare.😂
Nice. I think the Katana gets pretty close. The Marshall really does sound great. I almost got that same head, but went for a Friedman Runt 20 instead - similar price and power, but it also has a great clean channel and speaker-emulated XLR out, both of which I've found useful.
Friedman in my opinion is the best sounding out of the 3.. good choice!
You nailed that plexi thump of the pick on the strings
Katana is nothing to sneaze at. I love the sound of hot tubes and use tube amps, vintage Fenders and Marshalls, but if I were to get a modeler, the Katana would be it.
A working guitarist playing a live gig won't look back using valve amps, personally I couldn't help but look back on stage wondering why on earth I didn't bring my valve amps, sorry but valve amps will be around for quite some time yet and worth the lifting.
The Katana is much more cheaper than the 20 Watt Plexi and generates a very simular Sound without any valve in it. Valveamps in general need much more Service than Amps made of semiconducters.
Big problem is finding repair guys many simply don’t even work on solid state, they’re considered disposable vs valve amps
@@AdamManley7I have 3 original solid states from 1999-2008 and all still work with 0 problems. My valve amp has been repaired twice since 2012 outside of normal valve maintenance.
U forgot that he used the same cab for the comparison, he would never get close with a combo katana with original speakers IMO
It's close ...Marshall has a bit more note seperation and different distorted vibe .
Try this setting: Brown amp variation engaged. Blues drive engaged (just slightly) set EQ at half with bass boosted. Reverb at 3/4.
Please do Katana VS Fender Blues Jr./Deluxe Reverb/Twin Reverb 🙏
Katana sounds better in "my opinion"
For me, it's also a visual thing. I have the Katana, but I wish it looked more...I don't even know what word I'm looking for...vintage, maybe. Stately? The Marshall, with the matching 2x12 cab looks stately.
Actually, I think it would’ve been perfect with a little bit less less low mid on the parametric as the Marshall was a little thinner in that region, but that was great
I think it was Katana in the intro. The Plexi sounds more compressed and cleaner to me. The Katana sound was great, just a little muddier.
Man that plexi sounds great man that katana sounds great to but the katana sounds like a lot more different amps also
Great as always Paul! Question: Was there a particular reason that you chose to go to the Mark 1 as opposed to the Mark 2? Thanks
Some people probably just like it better, it all comes down to personal preference honestly since they both and all sound good
@@scobloosh8242
Is your name Paul??
There's so many idiots in the comment section saying the Katana sounds better than the Marshall..
Indeed but already a booster is in use. So now I have to buy an extra drive pedal if I want to incrrease the sound. The plexi reacted as it should. So in my opinion the katana is actually not as close to a real plexi
Hello from across the Pond! Such great videos! I am almost persuaded to give up my 1966 Fender Super Reverb for a Katana!! You are a "master of your craft". Thank you....
Thanks so much. This is something I was looking for. Has anyone managed to get tsl file for it?
Paul, you have to demo a WANGCASTER.
Katana sound better.
And cheaper.
Win win.
So, the Katana 100 watt MkII wont work huh?.... dang.., thats the one I own! 😔
If i can see the controlls thats half the battle ! Boss design is s#!te How about boss putting controlls in a sensible place ?
Pretty dang close, maybe a little more lower mid cut and it's almost perfect. Totally gigable.
That katana does sound really sweet, going to be checking one out soon myself now that I can, been waiting on this pandemic stuff to pass.
Sounds very close .. in a live setting it would be just fine
Marshall sounds better and it should at 3x the price.
Yeah, it's hard to beat the Katana when it comes to bang-for-the-buck. I have the Mk1 head, and I think it's great. With the Tone Studio software, you can make it sound like anything you want.
There is a frequency that needs to be pulled out of the katana…lower mid…somewhere on the 10 band EQ…but very close
Man, that sounds great! I'm totally lost when it comes to fiddling with sound settings.
i have karana 50 don't know why in effect tone is not clear
SV20H
I’d like to hear more cowboy chords for the guessing bit.
To my ear when you played chords as you were setting up the katana I could hear the difference more pronounced. The single lead lines are a bit trickier to pick out.
I hear the Marshall as just a bit creamier (a bit of rough frequency in the boss.) A little more fiddling with the Kat and I bet you could get it even closer. The tones are really close (and negligible if you're not listening with critical ears.) In a mix the boss might actually present better. I use external pedals with my MK2 100 and my standard go to tone is very similar to this. It's my home practice amp. It gets turned on at 6am every morning and gets shut off at 11pm. It's ready to go ... anytime I get a stupid idea, which is often. Needless to say ... the wife hates it.
... wife hehe
I bought a Katana 100 recently but find that the dirty channels are lacking. What pedals do you use?
@@fionn8057 I first go into a Keeley 4 knob comp. It has a "blend control" which I keep at 50%. It really helps with the string feel and gives a gain boost. From there I go into a Wampler Equator eq and lastly an EH Soul Food. This gives me lots of tonal options in the front of the amp. I can get most of what I need with just the clean and crunch channels, and it stays quiet. This amp feels and sounds exceptional now that I have my pedal settings and presets dialed in. I also run a separate delay and reverb into the effects loop and actually keep them hidden inside the amp, I mix them with the amps internal delay and verb. All these effects are always on and I switch presets on the amp for clean and distorted tones.
@@davidwoods358 The big question remains unanswered; when will Tube amps become obsolete or too expensive to buy? or someone decides they use 'too much energy' You can see how good BOSS and others are
Keep up the love for music and teach your children !
Why use a MK1? All those tones are in a MK2.
I think it was the katana in the intro.. though I couldn't tell you why!
I'd love to see the same vid but with the GT1000 instead of the Katana..
Really shows how good the Katana is, nicely emulating a $2000 Plexi head, pretty amazing.
636 likes with zero dislikes , that is very unusual ...
Thanks for pointing that out, I didn’t realise that.
It was SURPRISINGLY close!
Lesson Tweaking 101!
Katana
Probably heretical to say so, but the Katana sounds better to me 😄☯️🙏
It's just not there.
Awesome! Makes sense that you're using the MkI because they messed up something with the MkII. Could you elaborate on the following? Where did you set the Katanas master when you recorded this (what level), and how was the panel set on the Plexi? Also, what global settings on the Katana did you use (Global eq or not active, and Vintage/Modern/Deep Resonance)? Cheers!
The MkII on the first variation is the exact same amps...
Probaly came closer that another plexi. The vintage one vary a lot from unit to unit.
So close it doesn’t matter.
Marshall has more head room
Both sound good win win
Katana 100 2*12 combo for 180 quid on Ebay, cheap because a MK1, my best buy ever, I know it has all the overdrives built in, but I use a Caline Blue Sky as an overdrive, for the rare instances I need to change mid song, as I dont have the footswitch yet, but most of the time I use the clean or crunch channels, does everything I need, if not, I also have a Vox and Marshall! Other effect I make a lot of use of, is the Joyo American, plug into PA and go, instant Fender tones.
Gotta say that is very close
What a breakthrough the Katana is.
I think the intro was the Katana.
Great video 👍🏻
The Marshall still sounds warmer to my ear.
I tried the Katana/Plexi setup yesterday. I’m running a wet/dry rig with a Mk2 50 and an Artist Mk1. It sounds massive!! I think you’ve latched on to a new Studio Rats Katana thread. Thanks so much, Paul!
cheers Lim
Super🫶
Your playing and content is really really impressive , easily one of my favourite channels to date.
In reference to your previous video between the QC and the cortex , there wasn’t much in it. Except the plexi feel seemed like it really stand out for you.
How does the feel compare between the QC and katana , for your preference who wins there?
And likewise for tone ?
I think the intro was katana by the way.
Cheers Paul.
I love your Katana-videos. They give good input and ideas. I personally get better tone with the tube screamer than blues driver, but on the other hand I always have the clean channel so it might be wrong comparison.
Anyways, great job again! 🎸🎸
Thanks for this video!!! I´m new in your channel, Do you have a video about Boss Katana with Fender Super Reverb patch? Greetings from México!!!
Great job!! Honestly I tried, but couldn't hear any difference. Both sound great, Katana is affordable with effects!
Could you make a vídeo showing how to make Boss Katana MKI clean closer tô a Fender twin style would be interesting with paramétric eq post preamp section!
I would have liked to hear a Les Paul with the two comparison amps. Further a traditional later 1960s rock song(s)
My mate, who is a pro and plays in a well known DC tribute band was surprised by the tone from 100W Katana twin, he has Marhalls and a Tone King, I stuck a video on my channel, great amp, I can carry 2 guitars and the Katana into a Gig, dont need anything else.
Sounded like a Marshall to me in the intro. I own an MKII Katana combo. Great amp. Doesn't sound as good as that Marshall though.
I stand corrected lol. Just saw your pinned post. Amazing.
Thanks for sharing
Great video , I always found that i couldn't the Mids on the Katana to sound like a Marshall .
cheers
I've got a better challenge for you. Try to make a Plexi sound like a Katana!!!
"you're never gonna get the Katana to sound exactly like a plexi" FACT
...but it's close enough for rock n roll 😎
I own a Carvin Legacy 100 half stack and recently got a Katana Mk II head. I have to say that although I would think my Legacy tone is superior, I mainly take my katana head around with a lightweight 2x12 and that has been the go to rig for me lately. I just don’t want to lug around such heavy gear and the Katana really does sound great and very usable. Not as “squishy” as a tube amp but, pretty dang close for such a low price tag.
I love my Katana 100 Head !!
The Katana line has redefined all the amp market... just unbeatable for the price. Sounds awesome, just why buy an expensive tube amp for not so much difference in sound... I've got the Katana Artist V1, this amp is just incredible (really better speaker).
That sounds really really close. Very impressive!
Boss
I actually prefer the Katana. :)
Thanks for the tutorial on this - I've been struggling with creating patches that I'm happy with - this will help a lot. Tough thing is when you don't have the original amp to A/B with.
I want to say the opening riff was the Katana........but gonna go against the grain and say Plexi. My reason is I truly went back and forth with time stamp about 5 times. I just hear that really specific midrange that my ear says Marshall. If I'm wrong,...........wow. Great job Paul and Boss!!
That 20 watt Marshall is not a Plexi A Plexi was made before rock had PA systems You can get a ok rock tone from a Rockman But you ant get the harmonic overtones with the fundamental on a little amp playing live
It's really close. You definitely wouldn't hear it in a live mix out of a PA. Where you can really tell the difference is a high volumes, which is why playing at lower volumes and letting the PA do the work is always the way to go with solid state amps.
The katana is the only amp I’ve returned,way overhyped and was way disappointed,background noise was unbearable,maybe a bad one? Didn’t sound good enough to try another
@The Studio Rats - Can you do a video demo of setting up the Katana mkII to sound like a maxed out Fender Twin Reverb?
Marshall sounded better though.
Great job. I think they sounded very close Paul. Both are great amps. The good thing about the Katana is that's it's pretty versatile.
Just to side track . . . 😊
I've been considering modelling amps recently and the Katana Artist mk ll was on my radar. However 'listening to' the Line 6 Catalyst 100 (or 200) i think the Catalyst wins on the clean amp sounds but the Katana still wins on the crunch to heavier amp sounds. Horses for courses i guess 😊
Thanks for your excellent videos
Why did you add the overdrive and didn't first increase the gain on the amp?
Do you prefer the tone from the pedal?
I got the tone I wanted on the amp, then added pedals
@@TheStudioRats thanks for the quick reply!
Sorry, I was not clear. Before adding the pedal, the sound was different. In particular gain, or so it seemed to me.
Why didn't you add gain on the amp?
I'm very surprised with the tones you're getting from this amp. It's a little muddy compared to the Plexi but very close and I would also be very happy to gig and practice with that setup if I still was. Leave the high end tube stuff for the studio if you can get this close. I think I need to get mine hooked up to a computer and start messing with that parametric EQ because I also notice a lot of harsh tones that I can't dial out using the panel setup and I find myself doing that with the guitar volume and tone knobs, which can be hard to duplicate exactly when switching between tones. I like to just leave everything cranked to 10 on the guitar and dial everything using the amp and maybe a stomp box EQ. I used to run an MXR EQ for that purpose. You definitely can't just hit the footswitch and get there the way I'm using it now, but seems like I can get there with what you show here. Thanks for the great video.
Nice! thanks for sharing! I wonder your take on say a Marshall JCM-800? I saw another thread that had Katana Brown gain-4 bass-5 mid-5 treb-5 presence-5 but the poster admitted that was just a starting point and didn't really dial it in. I feel JCM-800 is that next step when you need more Go then the Plexi can give.