Totally agree. I’d just add, the Katana bass combo sounds very good and gets very loud, so if you’re looking for a very good and loud combo amp, this could be for you.
It’s also not crazy expensive, which is another nice thing.
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Boss Katana Bass ...
- Thread starter Phlipper
- Start date
It’s also not crazy expensive, which is another nice thing.
Its more to do with the fact that... ok while I like the BA 110v2... it j6st doexnt quite have thst classic Ampeg tone. But with my Markbass Comoressore and its tube based compression, and the Behringer Bass Driver DI pedal... ive gotten pretty close to a tone like.
I also like the sound of the 10" speaker on combos.
Im just debating whether the Katana would be worth it, in terms of getting a better tone, plus all the effects, in an all in one package...
Not to crazy loud... as im in a small apartment
Not looking for loudness.... but more so, looking for an improved tone.
Im after thst classic svt tone in as small and budget package as i can get.
Though blending my Markbass tube compression, with my Behringer bass driver di and eq pedal, has gotten close... but using the eq adds too much hiss, which I suppose is to be expected from a budget $20 eq pedal.
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The 1W mode on the katana bass amps is perfect for home practice. But what draws me to the katana 110 is that it appears to punch far above its weight when it comes to volume. If you're only playing at home, in an apartment, I would question whether you actually need a new combo to get what you need for your current situation.
That being said, I use the headphone out on my katana 110 a lot and it's great.
Check out the Tech 21 VT Bass DI. I have it, and it's great for exactly that (well except the budget part, perhaps).
Another option is the Ampeg SCR-DI - and this one actually has a headphone jack, so no amp needed (haven't tried it myself though).
If you have an audio interface for your computer and some relatively good monitors (or headphones), you can get away with playing straight into your computer and using plugins to achieve the sound you want. If you don't have an interface and monitors though, it wouldn't necessarily be cheaper to do that over a new amp.
As for whether the katana bass amps can even replicate a svt tone, maybe someone else can speak to that.
I bought the GT-1B when it came out to use as a portable in-ear preamp. I still own it and it's set up at one of my rehearsal spaces.
The Katana has a different pre-amp design. The Gt-1B doesn't really do the Boss Tube Emulation at the preamp like the Katana, and it has the older COSM amp models from the older Boss Bass Cube line. To my ears the Katana has just a little bit more depth and the effects are smoother. It does use the newer interim MDP system for some effects. The models and effects on the Katana amp seem to be smoother, with less graininess. On the other hand, the Katana is mono - and the GT-1B output is stereo.
Using a GT-1B through a PA speaker will not really get you close to the fullness of the Katana combos.
I got the Bluetooth midi adapter up and running. Now what expression pedal you guys use for the Wah pedal.
I've been looking at that Ampeg, its tempting, though it seems to have been surpassed by the newer SGT-DI... and....
I already have the VT.
The Behringer VT Bass Driver DI is essentially a clone of the Tech21 (just as most Behringer pedals are "cheap" clones of Boss pedals), just with less quality electronics, and cheap construction, as it only costs $40... while the Tech21 is $250.
Granted, there is obviously going to be difference in quality and tone considering the two are using very different quality electronics but... I read well over hundred owner reviews on the Behringer across multiple websites, before I bought it, and one thing most of those reviews had in common was its comparison to the Tech21 and how "its the same thing!"
After I bought it, I got curious and looked up the "recommended tone settings" for the Tech21 on their website, downloaded the manual for theirs... they have "recommended tone settings" for theirs, for recreating different classic amps; I tried the one they have for the classic SVT on my Behringer... and, well.. yea. Its pretty damn close! Paired it up with my Markbass Tube Compression, and its seems to have gotten even closer.
Anyway.... in the end, I'm looking to improve my tone, while also reduce my amount of pedals... I'm in a very small apartment... I actually only have about 19 inches of width space for my Amp... 17 inches if I were to go for something taller then 26 in height.
Not to get too off topic or philosophical in a thread about the amazing katana bass amps, but... You say you want to improve your tone. To what end? A lot of people chase certain gear to improve tone, but we can end up spending a lot of money on things that don't serve us well in the long run. Not to be cliche, but a lot of tone comes from technique - it starts with your fingers/pick, where you're plucking, and how. Strings and pickups are the next most important factors in tone.
If you feel you got those things locked down and you're still lacking something, you can start figuring out what sounds you're going for and in what context you want to achieve that sound. Are you trying to cop the sound of a specific bassist? A specific recording? Did you check what bass they were using, what type of strings, what technique they used? Are you going for an overdriven SVT sound or a clean one? Are you recording into your computer? Is it going into a full mix? Are you trying to come up with a good solution for a live setting? If it's for live music, how large of a venue? Is there a sound system?
The answer to all of these questions will change what people may or may not recommend for your situation. You already said you want the SVT sound, and you have equipment that (ostensibly) reproduces that sound as well as the VTDI, which is widely praised all over this forum for that purpose. Are you just wanting to reduce footprint? Maybe a multi effects pedal (or something like an actual VTDI) will give you that in one pedal instead of two. Maybe you can get the sound you want through the vintage shape mode of a katana bass amp, but the sound YOU want is subjective and changes based on the setting and context. Another cliche: what sounds good in a bedroom setting doesn't translate to what sounds good on stage or in a mix.
As far as the size of the combo fitting in your allotted space, the dimensions of the katana are listed on the product page, and you can measure those values against your actual space. But again, if you're never going to be playing above appropriate levels for an apartment (which are remarkably low when it comes to bass amplification), I don't know that a katana is a better option than some multi effects pedal or just investing in an audio interface and using software emulation. All depends on why you want it.
I think we all can agree that, there are a lot of great Bassist's out there. There are a lot that I like, and feel very much inspired by. But they're all different, and they all have their own style, tone and sound.
Sure I could name a few and then go off typing up a full page on how they inspired me and such...
But.. To me, its not about trying to copy them, not about trying to copy their sound... its about trying to develop my own sound. Sure, I can use some of them as inspiration. But their sound, is theirs. They spent their entire careers developing it, and it just doesn't feel right, to try to copy it.
Having a great sound... doesn't make you a better player.
But it could make you want to play more, and thus help you to become a better player through practice.
You know... back in the 90's... when I first started... we didn't have things like Equipboard, or even this website... its kinda neat now, that I can listen to some song on the radio now, that in the 90's I was head banging to in High School .. and now I can go on Equipoboard and see what they were using.
No mix, not going live, not in a band...
This is just me, goofing around in my living room... which doesn't have much space.
I dunno, maybe... if I sold my giant Pioneer 12" woofer Floor Speakers, and replaced them with a little pair bookshelf speakers, then I could scoot the couch over and have room for a bigger amp? But nah... I just looove cranking up some 90's hard rock or metal on that Stereo when the neighbor next door, is booming their hiphop through the wall... and, maybe on occasion I'll put something on the stereo and play along with it, even though most of time, I'm just trying to do my own thing.
I do also have a decent pair of headphones that I sometimes use with the Amp as well, and sometimes I think the tone sounds even better through them, then it does through the main speaker.
The Amp is also sitting just a few feet away from my PC, so maybe... someday, I might try doing something with that... but for now, not sure how, and don't have any software for it yet.
This comment right here really got my thinking... cause yea, I don't crank the Amp I have now... Its only a 40w Amp, and the main volume knob on it, isn't even past 3...
Sure I get a little more loudness through the pedals, but yea... I never crank the main volume any further, because I don't want neighbors complaining to the property manager...
I think at this point, instead of making post after post about it here... that as soon as I have some spare time to do so, I should just go down to my local Guitar Center and look at one for myself and try it out.
Hate Guitar Center though really, they're the ones who convinced me to pay too much, for my current Amp... Much prefer Sweetwater... but yea, we cant go to Sweetwater to try out gear... so GC is it.
GAFC users is there a way to turn on and off the Wah. I only can turn on and off the drive, compressor, and FX1 and FX2 and Changing the channels but I can't find a way to power the Wah. TIA!
Had a 210 for a few weeks and traded it back to the shop I bought it from. Positives: it is loud and the effects were cool. Negatives: it was too bloody complicated to dial in the tones/effects. If you like hooking up your laptop to dial in settings, then go for it. My $0.02
Got to try out a Katana at GC yesterday, it did sound really good... sounded amazing actually... and I was tempted... very tempted.
But it also is going to have a bit of a learning curve on the programming side of things, which really isn't much an issue. I used to think I was a knobs kinda guy, but then I got to thinking and realized that... I really DON'T turn my knobs much at all, I find a setting I like, and I leave it. Sp programming settings, etc isn't that big an issue...
The real downside is, that I would havta buy an optional footswitch and expression pedal... cause I don't like the idea of having to stop playing and reach down to fiddle with the buttons, etc, to change some effect or setting... and adding on a footswitch and expression pedal adds another $200 to the price tag; at least based off the Roland/Boss models the GC guy tried to talk me into buying...
However, after explaining to the GC guy what I was looking for, he explained... and showed me... that I could still achieve it all with the BOSS GT-1B unit, which also has its own expression pedal included, and also has the ability of plugging it into my computer.
Haven't bought anything yet... But after looking around, I've found that my local Music Go Round, has two used GT-1B's available for under $150...
Gonna go look at them later and see what sort of condition they're in, cause if they're in good condition and appear to be working normally with no issues... that'll definetely be a more economical decision over buying a new one for $250 with the optional AC adapter for an additional $30...
If I buy it... then I think I'll also invest into a better quality Bass Driver DI; likely either the Sansamp BDDI, or the Sansamp VT Bass DI... then sell all my crappy little plastic Behringer pedals...
Then I'll wait and think a little more on the Amp upgrade...
But it also is going to have a bit of a learning curve on the programming side of things, which really isn't much an issue. I used to think I was a knobs kinda guy, but then I got to thinking and realized that... I really DON'T turn my knobs much at all, I find a setting I like, and I leave it. Sp programming settings, etc isn't that big an issue...
The real downside is, that I would havta buy an optional footswitch and expression pedal... cause I don't like the idea of having to stop playing and reach down to fiddle with the buttons, etc, to change some effect or setting... and adding on a footswitch and expression pedal adds another $200 to the price tag; at least based off the Roland/Boss models the GC guy tried to talk me into buying...
However, after explaining to the GC guy what I was looking for, he explained... and showed me... that I could still achieve it all with the BOSS GT-1B unit, which also has its own expression pedal included, and also has the ability of plugging it into my computer.
Haven't bought anything yet... But after looking around, I've found that my local Music Go Round, has two used GT-1B's available for under $150...
Gonna go look at them later and see what sort of condition they're in, cause if they're in good condition and appear to be working normally with no issues... that'll definetely be a more economical decision over buying a new one for $250 with the optional AC adapter for an additional $30...
If I buy it... then I think I'll also invest into a better quality Bass Driver DI; likely either the Sansamp BDDI, or the Sansamp VT Bass DI... then sell all my crappy little plastic Behringer pedals...
Then I'll wait and think a little more on the Amp upgrade...
Yes, and you could also use any pedal board or effects unit. And just use the amp as an amp. It’s a really good amp.
The GT-1B is a great unit, can be used with batteries and headphones too, and you can plug in the USB to a computer and stream audio to the output for practice tracks.
Depends on how much you want to spend, the GT-1000 is even better sounding.
Depends on how much you want to spend, the GT-1000 is even better sounding.
If the VT gives you the sound that you want but you also want less clutter, maybe the Tech21 VT Bass 200 combo will do it. That said, it looks like they aren't in production, so you will have to get used or NOS.
Well the Music Go Round store that I went too... had two used GT-1B's...
One looked like crap, and was missing its battery cover, but included the power supply and was priced at $150...
The other was in excellent condition, and looked like it had just come out of the factory box, did not include the power supply and cost $100....
I knew the cost of the power supply wouldn't account for the $50 price difference, because you can buy them new off Sweetwater for $30... so I asked them about, flat out saying... "This one looks like crap, and its missing its battery cover, and I know the power supply is only $30 new."
The guy admitted that the only reason the cleaner one was cheaper, was because it had been sitting on their shelf for longer, so they discounted it down to try to make it sell quicker...
I asked if I could try it out, he let me use the power supply from the other one...
Tried it out with about 3 different basses they had hanging on their wall and as for amps... they had an Ampeg BA-115, an Ampeg BA-600... and a GK MB210II... so I tried the GT-1B with each of them.
Even though I had absolutely no idea how to work the GT-1B, I managed to run it through a few different settings... its EQ is nice and sounds a lot better then my $20 Behringer EQ Pedal, the flanger sounds great to, better then my Flanger pedal.. Chorus and Reverb were all great... Its got like 90+ different amp/cab modelers, found a few I liked. I didn't like its Synth Bass effects though, maybe I just didn't know how to adjust the settings, but the effect kept cutting in and out and sounded like crap.
Regardless, since it was only $100, I decided to buy it and bring it home to spend more time with it... they offer a 7 day money back guarantee anyway...
So it was after I brought it home I found its biggest flaw.
As soon as I got home and downloaded the software for it from the Boss website, then plugged it into my Computer.... all the fans in my PC immediately started feedbacking through the Amp and created this really annoying buzz/fuzz background noise... but once I make adjustments to various settings with the software and unplug the USB.. the annoyance goes away.
I don't know if its an issue with just this unit, since I bought it used.... or if its an issue with all of them... gonna research it some more, see if its a common issue.
Once I started playing around with the software though, I found a LOT more features I didn't know about.... figured out how to configure its pedal to work as a cry wah instead of a volume pedal... then I found this really beautiful Harmonizer effect that, when paired with the cry wah... it almost sounds symphonic.
Got 7 days to decide if I'm gonna keep it... if the PC Fan feedback is an issue I can't resolve... then yea I might return it... and if I do, then I might reconsider the Katana 110 Amp... presuming it too does not get some weird buzzing fuzz from computer fans, when plugged into USB...
One looked like crap, and was missing its battery cover, but included the power supply and was priced at $150...
The other was in excellent condition, and looked like it had just come out of the factory box, did not include the power supply and cost $100....
I knew the cost of the power supply wouldn't account for the $50 price difference, because you can buy them new off Sweetwater for $30... so I asked them about, flat out saying... "This one looks like crap, and its missing its battery cover, and I know the power supply is only $30 new."
The guy admitted that the only reason the cleaner one was cheaper, was because it had been sitting on their shelf for longer, so they discounted it down to try to make it sell quicker...
I asked if I could try it out, he let me use the power supply from the other one...
Tried it out with about 3 different basses they had hanging on their wall and as for amps... they had an Ampeg BA-115, an Ampeg BA-600... and a GK MB210II... so I tried the GT-1B with each of them.
Even though I had absolutely no idea how to work the GT-1B, I managed to run it through a few different settings... its EQ is nice and sounds a lot better then my $20 Behringer EQ Pedal, the flanger sounds great to, better then my Flanger pedal.. Chorus and Reverb were all great... Its got like 90+ different amp/cab modelers, found a few I liked. I didn't like its Synth Bass effects though, maybe I just didn't know how to adjust the settings, but the effect kept cutting in and out and sounded like crap.
Regardless, since it was only $100, I decided to buy it and bring it home to spend more time with it... they offer a 7 day money back guarantee anyway...
So it was after I brought it home I found its biggest flaw.
As soon as I got home and downloaded the software for it from the Boss website, then plugged it into my Computer.... all the fans in my PC immediately started feedbacking through the Amp and created this really annoying buzz/fuzz background noise... but once I make adjustments to various settings with the software and unplug the USB.. the annoyance goes away.
I don't know if its an issue with just this unit, since I bought it used.... or if its an issue with all of them... gonna research it some more, see if its a common issue.
Once I started playing around with the software though, I found a LOT more features I didn't know about.... figured out how to configure its pedal to work as a cry wah instead of a volume pedal... then I found this really beautiful Harmonizer effect that, when paired with the cry wah... it almost sounds symphonic.
Got 7 days to decide if I'm gonna keep it... if the PC Fan feedback is an issue I can't resolve... then yea I might return it... and if I do, then I might reconsider the Katana 110 Amp... presuming it too does not get some weird buzzing fuzz from computer fans, when plugged into USB...
That's not normal, but there are quite a few reasons why noise could carry through the USB cable. Did you try another USB cable? Or did you try a USB port that is perhaps further away or in a different quadrant of your computer motherboard (some have USB ports on more than one side or via a daughter-card/riser card that is further away from the power input)... Does your USB cable have a choke installed?
Mine is silent over USB... even on an older cantankerous PC no noise transfers through.
Its a brand new USB cable that I ordered through Amazon and paid the extra $10 to have it overnighted to me since I didnt have one that would work...
This one: https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Basics-External-Gold-Plated-Connectors/dp/B00NH11KIK
The Computer, is brand new... just built it barely a month ago, and its sitting on my desk 2 - 3 feet away from my Amp... the noise happens on every USB port. Never had any issues with the PC and Amp being close to each other...
Unless I stand really close with my Pickups right next to the front case fans.... then I can get some funky Eddie Van Halen electrical "whizzing" sound! Its sounds kinda cool if I set my computer to run some benchmark like 3DMark and the fans are constantly changing RPM while feedbacking through my pickups. Though its definetely not the same as Eddie revving an electric power drill against his pickups!
LOL
This one: https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Basics-External-Gold-Plated-Connectors/dp/B00NH11KIK
The Computer, is brand new... just built it barely a month ago, and its sitting on my desk 2 - 3 feet away from my Amp... the noise happens on every USB port. Never had any issues with the PC and Amp being close to each other...
Unless I stand really close with my Pickups right next to the front case fans.... then I can get some funky Eddie Van Halen electrical "whizzing" sound! Its sounds kinda cool if I set my computer to run some benchmark like 3DMark and the fans are constantly changing RPM while feedbacking through my pickups. Though its definetely not the same as Eddie revving an electric power drill against his pickups!
LOL
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