Boss Katana Series

The Katana Amp range offer the same feel as a valve amp, with a beautifully simplistic user interface and access to Boss’s iconic history of effects.

The Katana Range has become one of our firm favourite amps to suggest to bedroom players, gigging musicians, guitar teachers or guitarists of all levels, due to the sheer quality of its tone and versatility. It’s become one of our Best-Sellers and here’s why.

The Boss Katana Range has an analogue A/B Poweramp, meaning it has the same innards as a valve amp. Typically, a valve amp is heavy, unreliable, expensive and you can only get a great tone at high volumes. The Katana utilises the Analog A/B Poweramp to give you all the feel, warmth and dynamics that a valve amp has become famous for, and due to the adjustable Power Controls, you can amend the wattage of the amp to suit the stage, bedroom, studio or rehearsal settings.

You can reduce the total power of the amp to either 0.5 of a watt (excluding KTN-MINI & KTN-AIR), Half Power (25W on the KTN-50MKII or 50W on the KTN-100MKII, KTN-100/212MKII, KTN-HEADMKII and KTN-ARTISTMKII) or Full Power (50W on the KTN-50MKII or 100W on the KTN-100MKII, KTN-100/212MKII, KTN-HEADMKII and KTN-ARTISTMKII), meaning you can still experience the tone, and more importantly the “feel” of a dimed amp, at a reasonable volume.

Each amp in the Boss Katana series comes with a 2-year warranty when registered with Roland Backstage.

For users that require a more “boutique” tone, with options for four selectable Analog A/B power amp circuits and the added ability to fine-tune your amp like a guitar tech, we recommend the Boss Nextone.

What Katana amp is right for me?

KATANA-Artist MkII Combo

The flagship Katana tones backed by the 12-inch WAZA Speaker with increased 100-watt capacity. Exclusive front-faced controls including Contour, Global EQ and Solo boost features for professional sound shaping.

Who’s it for? - Guitarists who want the best of what the Katana range has to offer in a convenient, all-in-one format where all you need to do is plug in and play.

KATANA-Artist MkII Head

The amp head version of the Katana-Artist MkII combo. Pairs beautifully with the Katana Cabinet 212 Waza, which has been designed to handle the immense sonic range of the Katana-Artist MkII Head.

Who’s it for? - Perfect for gigging guitarists that want flagship Katana tone and features in a compact, easily transportable solution as well as discerning tone hands that want the flexibility of experimenting with different speakers.

KATANA Cabinet 212 Waza

A flagship guitar cab equipped with two 12-inch custom Waza speakers that are inspired by iconic '60s-era British stack speakers. Features a removable back panel for both tight closed-back and wide open-back tones.

Who’s it for? - Any guitarist with a compatible amp head that wants to compliment it with a premium cab as well as modern, high powered amp head users looking for that iconic, vintage ‘60s speaker feel and response.

KATANA-100/212 MkII

Equipped with custom 2x12” speakers, plus acclaimed tone and feel from the ever-evolving Tube Logic design approach featured on all Katana MkII amps. Fire up and command your effect device, connecting the dedicated Power Amp In.

Who’s it for? - For discerning players who will appreciate the increased air, extra punch and bigger sound offered by the additional speaker.

KATANA-100 MkII

Stereo effects like chorus, delay and reverb can be powerfully deployed by linking two amps. Optional GA-FC foot controller provides complete control for your stage. All the gigging tools you need, right on your amp.

Who’s it for? - Ideal for gigging guitar players who want the additional headroom and sonic power versus the Katana-50 MkII. Also ideal if you’re looking for a portable alternative to the Katana-100/212 MkII.

KATANA-50 MkII

Sound that cuts through, loud enough for performance, with enhanced capabilities over the class-defying previous model—but still great value. Personalize your tone with 10 amp characters, 60-plus legendary BOSS effects, and more.

Who’s it for? - Guitarists who are looking for a portable, feature-packed amplifier that punches well above its price point. If you’re playing with a loud band, you might consider the extra volume and headroom offered by the Katana-100 MkII models or, pairing with a Katana-50 MkII EX model to take full advantage of the onboard stereo effects.

KATANA-50 MkII EX

An expanded version of the Katana-50 MkII combo amp, with GA-FC/GA-FC footcontrol compatibility, Stereo Expand functionalty that allows you to connect to Katana MkII amps and a line output for sending mix-ready tones directly to a mixing desk, house PA system or audio interface.

Who’s it for? - Perfect for gigging guitarists who want the features and connectivity of the bigger Katana-100 MkII with the portability of the Katana-50 MkII.

KATANA-HEAD MkII

Compact road warrior provides a commanding Katana sound and controllability with any compatible cabinets. Plus, enjoy practice without an external cab using 5” built-in monitor speaker.

Who’s it for? - Ideal for gigging guitarists that want the option to experiment with different cabs.

KATANA-AIR

The world’s first totally wireless guitar amplifier. Take your music anywhere, playing and jamming on the move with premium Katana sound, and streaming music via your mobile device.

Who’s it for? - On-the-go guitar players that want to experience incredible Katana tones, practice and jam wherever they are.

KATANA-MINI

Ultra-portable Katana amp with battery-powered operation, perfect for warming up before stepping onto the stage. Rich and full sound supported by the multi-stage analog gain circuit.

Who’s it for? - Guitarists who want a seriously portable practice amp that’s a cut above the rest.

Katana MKII Version 2.0 Software Update

The Katana MkII Version 2.0 software update enhances your amplifier with a host of incredible new tone-shaping tools - completely free. With this update, Boss have made one of the most feature-packed guitar amp ranges out there even better.

How do I update my compatible Katana MKII amp?

To update your Katana MkII amp to the latest firmware and access the new features, you’ll need to download and install the Boss Tone Studio app (available for Windows and macOS). If you’ve got the app, If you haven’t got the app yet, click here and find the product page for your Katana MkII amplifier model. Once you’ve found the page for your amp, click the Downloads tab. There you can download the latest firmware, the Katana driver for your computer’s operating system and the Boss Tone Studio app.

What’s new in Version 2.0?

New Solo Block In FX Chain: The moveable Solo block is perfect for sculpting and refining your lead tone. It can be assigned for on/off control using the GA-FC controller or an external footswitch.
New EQ Block In FX Chain: A moveable EQ block provides extra tonal flexibility.
Two New Effects: The new update introduces two additional effects, the Centa OD (Booster block) and Solo EQ (Solo block).
Contour Settings: Three different Contour settings with four customisable frequency curves let you shape your core tone exactly how you want.
Three Global EQs: These Global EQs are useful if you need to switch between different guitar types and styles.
Expanded Cab IR Capabilities: Now you can choose from selectable microphone types and positions for deeper control over your direct tone.

Compatible Amps

The following Katana MkII amplifiers can be updated to the Version 2.0 software:

Katana-50 MkII
Katana-100 MkII
Katana-100/212 MkII
Katana-Head MkII
Katana-Artist MkII

One Amp, 10 Different Voices & Over 60 Effects

There are 10 different amp voicings available on the Katana MKII Range (x3 on the KTN-MINI & x5 on the KTN-AIR), covering all the bases of what a guitar player may need. There are 5 amp voicings on the front panel - Acoustic, Clean, Crunch, Lead and Brown, and a variation of each.

Clean A has the classic American-Style bright/spangly clean sound, whereas B is more punchy/sparkly like an American Deluxe combo. Crunch A responds just like a traditional Class A vintage British amplifier, whereas B contains a more modern pronounced amp voicing. The Lead A voicing is a modern American-inspired high gain amp and B is a tight modern amp for prog/modern metal music. The “Brown Sound” is the essence of the iconic tone of the late Eddie Van Halen. Brown A is similar to his classic vintage tone, where the valves of the amp are pushed to the limit, whereas B is a more modern tone version - it’s so loud, you might as well jump! The Acoustic voicings transform the Katana into an acoustic guitar amplifier, meaning it’s not just for electric guitars! A is a more natural flat-response, whereas B has pronounced highs and lows.

As well as the 10 natural-sounding amp models within the Katana Range, there is a whopping 60+ effects to choose from (x1 Effect on the KTN-MINI & 50+ Effects on the KTN-AIR), which can be fully edited with the free Boss Tone Studio software (excluding KTN-MINI) for Mac and PC. The KTN-AIR has its own unique app that is compatible with Android/iOS Smart Devices, which connects wirelessly over Bluetooth. Imagine having a pedalboard with 60+ pedals at your disposal!

Each Katana model (excluding KTN-MINI) can have your favourite patches stored directly to the amp (x4 KTN-50, x6 KTN-AIR & x8 on the KTN-100MKII, KTN-100/212MKII, KTN-HEADMKII, KTN-ARTISTMKII), 15 effects can be stored per patch. You can also control the effects and amp models with the use of an external footswitch. There are rear-panel connections, for up to two footswitches (FS-6 for KTN-50 and GA-FC for KTN-100MKII, KTN-100/212MKII, KTN-HEADMKII, KTN-ARTISTMKII) or an expression pedal. All footswitch enabled models are compatible with all Boss Expression Pedals.

Traditional Amp “Feel”, With Modern Groundbreaking Technology

The Katana Range is not only a great guitar amp, they are also packed full of technology. You can seamlessly integrate with your studio setup, as the built-in USB interface (excluding KTN-MINI). It allows you to record the audio directly to your favourite DAW, without needing a microphone and messy cables - it’s completely hassle-free! You can use the Record Out (this will disable the internal speaker on the KTN-50MKII & KTN-AIR), to connect to a PA System for live use or run the amp into your favourite preamp. Both USB and phones/recording outputs have a Mic’d cabinet emulation, with three Air Feel types, making your Katana sound like an amp in a studio. There is a Power Amp Input for preamps (excluding KTN-MINI & KTN-AIR), modellers (Boss GT Range), and multi-effects (Boss MEs), meaning that it will bypass the Katana preamp, so you’re not colouring the sound of the external amp models. There are Three Cab Resonance (excluding KTN-MINI) options (Vintage, Modern, and Deep), selectable in Boss Tone Studio.

Overview from Boss

The Boss Katana MKII takes all the amazing features from the MKI, and takes it to the next level. We have added more effects, 10x amp voicings, a specific power amp input for amp modellers/multi-fx units and we have added the ability to link two Katana Amps together for a stereo rig.

The Katana Range has become one of the most favoured amp ranges on the market, due to its incredible tone, feel and response. This is down to the analogue A/B Power Amp, which is the same type found on iconic valve amps. This means that the very heart of the amplifier reacts just like a valve amp, giving that essential breakup sound and dynamic response that they are synonymous for. Each Katana Amp can have its power output changed, meaning it is ready to be used in any playing environment you should ever need. It can be ran at gig volume, practice and bedroom volumes. You can even run it on headphones for silent practice too. You can seamlessly, and silently, integrate the Katana Range to your studio setup with just a USB connection. So no need for any mics/interfaces or messy cables!

The USB connectivity also enables you to use the free editor software, Boss Tone Studio. With BTS, you can access over 60 additional effects, build perfect guitar rig, download artist patches and save additional presets to the onboard memory locations. Each amp in the Boss Katana series comes with a 2-year warranty when registered with Roland Backstage.

Boss Katana Series

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