Make the Katana Air Gigworthy with this $3 mod. Wow, it is LOUD!
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- Опубліковано 9 лип 2024
- Is the Katana Air loud enough to play in a band? With this mod, it will be. I show you exactly how to modify your practice amp with a cheap, simple mod that allows you to plug it into large speaker cabs and be heard above your drummer!
See all the parts used in this video:
Thomann (one link for all) -
redir.love/thocf/f0sd3fikj6
Sweetwater
Boss Katana Air - imp.i114863.net/R4DQv
Ibanez GIO GRGR221PA - imp.i114863.net/dbR2W
Sennheiser E-906 Mic - imp.i114863.net/dbqB2
These are the sockets i used - Neutrik NMJ4 HC-S
Timestamps
0:00 Intro
0:18 What does the Katana Air do?
0:58 DO NOT DO THIS MOD, OK?
1:41 The Mods begin
9:28 The finished product
9:35 Words of warning
11:41 The first time hearing the extension cabs!
12:05 Turning it up.. It is LOUD!
12:36 How loud compared to a voice
12:50 Insane
13:21 Some cleans
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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!
This video was not paid for by outside persons or manufacturers.
No gear was supplied to me for this video.
The content of this video and my opinions were not reviewed or paid for by any outside persons.
#theguitargeek #BossKatanaAir #GuitarModding
![6 KILLER Bass Effects [Boss Katana Bass Amp]](/img/n.gif)
Hopefully, Boss has taken note of this mod and decides to make it a standard feature. Brilliant.
Because it's brilliant they will be certain NOT TO DO IT. LOL How would they sell anymore 100's?
Necroing a comment to say they did with the new Ex, it looks like.
@@jonrogers1497 the Ex has line out but it’s not speaker out, it’s for recording. The impedance of a line out jack is much higher than a speaker jack, it won’t drive a speaker.
That will take $3 off their profit margin, so don't count on it.
Absolutely brilliant, can’t wait to try it out. Will this also work for the Series 1 katana 50?
TIP: When soldering the speakers turn the amp on its side so the speakers are facing down. If any solder drips then it wont drip on to the PCB. Better still try and re-use the speaker connectors that were cut off at the start or buy some new ones (it will be worth it). If you have to solder: Do it outside the amp.
Thanks! I do need to improve my soldering practice. I guess I was lucky this time
@@TheGuitarGeek it's a warranty void already anyway don't sweat it and get Boss to send another one ahahahahaha!! I'm sure they're having a laugh while also biting their fingers all the way to the end of the video lol!!
Another tip, use your friend’s Katana (刀). Maybe not your best friend.
@@markdouglas8073 hahahaha
Since the plastic walls are rather thin, I would put a metal washer or some self-made one from a scrap piece of plastic between the jacks and the walls on the inside. Helps to distribute the forces from plugging in and pulling out so you don't end up cracking your housing.
Finally you did the mod! Thank you!👍🏻
I think the Air is still a perfect practice amp!
I have the normal Katana 100 but I still often use the Air to practice!
Warranty void!! Thanks Andy for your demonstration and the mods you did a perfect job I thought the speakers might have blown but brother you pulled it off! Have a wonderful day mate!
Warranty void! Awesome video Andy! It always blows my mind a bit that the speaker in the signal chain makes such a difference. It’s often an afterthought. You’d never guess you were playing a tiny little home practice amp.
I’d love to see a comparison between the Katana Air and the Spark.
Thanks, I just did this modification to my Katana Air and it sounds great. I was considering selling it and getting the Katana Air Ex but opted for this mod instead and I am super happy with the result.
Very cool mate, well done. I love how you have spazzy different coloured wires everywhere because it's just what you had laying around at the time. I do the same. I been watching your vids for ages but only just noticed I wasn't subscribed, so now I am. And warranty void!
You have voided you’re warranty. Lol.
I’m really liking your work these days. Thank you for being excited and honest.
Warranty definitely voided! Fun vid Andy, thanks! I recently ran the amp out to newly installed external speaker socket on a 5w/8" spkr Champ wannabe and ran it through a 12" Celestion G12H cab (not forgetting to use speaker cable and always making sure either the 8" or 12" speaker was connected to give the amp load). Amazing how loud 5 tube watts can be, especially in a cab with lots of air - so best of both worlds, either funky boxy 8" or bigger cleaner louder 12"...simple cheap mod with big payback. Cheers
Great video. When I was a kid I did this with my Boombox so it could drive large speakers at home but could still be used portably. It worked almost exactly the same as you showed in this video. You could probably do this with just about anything with stereo speakers on it.
OG hero- love the scarlet ghost avatar to boot. was the boombox the one with little speakers that popped off to spread out when parked at home, with the pull-out tape deck you could use as a walkman? (ie shockwave the decepticon) ... had that on my uncle's old speakers held together with electric tape until i learned to solder- thanks radioshack!
Love that. Thank You. Warranty Void, amp improved !
Photos before Mods!!!!
Most important piece of knowledge right there!
It’s the GOAT
Warranty void! Awesome video Andy! Thanks!!!
I've done this to some of my amps years ago. Cool and easy mod.
Brilliant Andy I’m sure you’re warranty was void 😀 it sounds amazing. Totally entertaining and if I had an air of course I’d try it 😂😂👍👍
Warrenty void!!!! Great stuff my dude... love the channel and the hair bro !!! Be cool and be safe....Rockin roll wlll live on !!!!!!
Did this to a late 90s Kustom reissue tuck n roll combo a few years back and it has been one of my favorite amps since. Run it through eminence swamp thangs and it is so loud.
Warranty void mate! Top video, thanks for doing this 🙂
I will be back with more Katana answers! Sub here - ua-cam.com/users/theguitargeek
0:00 Intro
0:18 What does the Katana Air do?
0:58 DO NOT DO THIS MOD, OK?
1:41 The Mods begin
9:28 The finished product
9:35 Words of warning
11:41 The first time hearing the extension cabs!
12:05 Turning it up.. It is LOUD!
12:36 How loud compared to a voice
12:50 Insane
13:21 Some cleans
I really like all of your vids, Cheers from Oklahoma
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT - DO THE SPARK NEXT PLEASE!!!...
quick reminder that your hair is freaking amazing
Yeah, what product do you use?
great experiment🤩🤩...thank u🙏🙏🙏 great video👌👌👌
Thanks for this I will be doing this to mine❗🤘
Cool and simple mod! Great 👍 job
Thank you for the confirmation of my idea for that exact mod to my Blackstar ID Core 40 stereo amp which I got for under $100 a couple of years ago. Another few bucks and I'll have a more versatile amp which I plan to plug into my surround system for a more well rounded sound.. I only play in my room so this along with a switching box I'll custom build for the purpose, will do the trick quite nicely thank you. and Yes the sub woofer is included in the surround system. Actually there two subs so a bit of boom boom from a my guitar may be there too..
Warranty void! Nice to see the cleans sound great. Distortion seems to be more affected by the speakers further coloring the amp sim's cab emulation.
Great video - as always on your channel! In your Thomann-Parts-List you have referenced a wrong jack socket: it should be NMJ4HC-S instead of NMJ2 HC-S which is not switchable and not available at Thomann Germany.
LMAO - I love the Jeremy Clarkson impression at the beginning... "In the worrrrld..." :D
Warranty void! For such a simple mod that so cheap to do at home, I'm really surprised that Boss didn't do this from the factory because with their economies of scale it would cost them even less! Although maybe a purpose move to not overlap with their own other products?
Warranty void!!
Great mod and great guide how to do it!!
Great warranty void timing! I’ve been considering doing a mod like this recently. Now I don’t have to wonder if it’s possible.
Cool vid! Exactly what I am doing to a Blackstar LT15.
Great idea! Would love to know how you get on
@@TheGuitarGeek Haven't done it yet. I didn't even know that kind of bypass jack/socket existed prior to watching your video. My first plan was to disable the built in speakers completely and just connect the speaker mains to a regular 1/4 inch jack.
Correct me, if I'm wrong, but I think, that it is also important to use external cabinet of same impedance as internal speakers are of. Otherwise you could damage the power amp section.
Need external speakers because near impossible to get away from small plastic box sound of internal speakers. Years ago I put a similar mod to my Vox AC1 (9 v battery, 1 watt with a tailwind). It drove my friend's JBL PA speakers surprisingly well. Thanks for vid
The Warranty is VOID! Great video.
Warranty void! So if I have to use a single speaker cabinet, it has to be a 4ohm cabinet? Otherwise it always has to be 2 cabs? Awesome vid BTW! Thanks!
Warranty Destroyed! Love you Andy
I did this mod with a cheap Behringer 30W practice amp I got a while back for something to do. FYI the internal speaker sounded like a$$. Worked out fine. Ran it into my Marshall 4x12 for kicks, and it sound like a$$ through a 4x12 ;)
Two 12" Celeron Vintage 30 8ohm cabinets open back. SWEET Blues baby.
Have done something similar to a Laney LX12 practice amp I have a few weeks back.
Just added an effects loop between its preamp and power amp and alsolso, added a speaker out jack.
No joy is more that the tone I get from this amp now and some basic pedals, not even the tones of the Katana 100 mkII 🤣
Self modding is a joy as long as you acknowledge the risks 🤣
This is awesome.......but will it work on the Positive Grid amp???
Warranty void . Informative and entertaining.
You’re welcome!
Be bloody careful of a warranty void situation mate. Super cool dude👍
Thanks for the heads up!
I’m very impressed that it works so well and was so loud. Yet I’m Disappointed that Boss doesn’t have a single jack for external Speaker cabinet to be used . Would make this traveling amp near perfect idea. This might change my purchase of this amp.
Good to hear Ron, glad it helped
Hey, that is a nice mod. I do want to know why you chose this over going out from the earbud plug into a big cabinet preamp?
Great video. Up to me there should be more of this ‘don’t do this at home’ videos for those who have thoughts on modifying one of the Katana amps (and who are a bit stubborn of course :-) ). A thought I have is adding a send return out and in to the Katana 50. The ‘in’ is there,, but when using, the signal from the preamp and effects is disconnected. This signal is however still available and it must be possible to lead this signal out via a jack (which will create the send signal). Any thoughts on this noughty idea? B.t.w. In this video. Switching only both red wires would have been sufficient to do the job. For those who have already single switching jacks on the shelf.
"Warranty void"? Oh, I do remember the times when your TV came with a fully detailed schematic for you to be able to fix it ...
...I'm getting ready to purchase a boss katana air for practice purposes. When I do get it you can be sure I'll be doing this "Warranty-Void!" Speaker out Jack Mod! For sure! My only question is witch 2×12 cabs I'll be using with it!?
the new EX is the same amp with bigger speakers. Im now wondering if I should re house my air into a new wooden cab ad go one better than the EX and use 6.5 ich speakers
Warranty void. I did this to my Katana mini(after watching your video) and a Vox Pathfinder 10. Because the Pathfinder 10 has an 8ohm stock speaker, it drives my 1x12 cabinet really well.
Out of curiosity what do you lose simply using the aux as your output? It's not a tube amp so it doesn't need the resistance to keep from blowing up.
I have the katana 50 and wireless guitar cables so the air doesn't really interest me atm but if the air had released first I totally would have went for that!
I realize line out would not power a speaker cab, more thinking along the lines of studio monitors or speakers with a "line in"
Hey Andy, I have a new katana artist, I often like to use an 8 ohm external speaker along with my amp speaker with my other combos. Will it damage the amp if I plug into both internal and external speakers into each 16 ohm speaker output? Thanks
I use an 1/8" to 1/4" adapter in the headphone/record out port. Keep the volume on the katana air low for better sound quality (because it's solid state) while using the other amps volume to crank it up. Or use an aux chord. You can run it through a home stereo system, car system or whatever. Perhaps a Bluetooth adapter would work in other scenarios. I've even used a cassette adapter. Be advised that if you're playing through something other than an instrument speaker it may cause damage or failure if you run it too loud
Interesting. Where can you find these adapter ? You meant you can have the same results without doing what he's doing in the video ?
They can be found virtually everywhere and have been used/sold for decades. An aux chord is an 1/8"×1/8" male to male chord. Some car stereos come with a port for these. You might find one at any dollar store or even gas station. The 1/8" to 1/4" isn't as easy but Walmart or bimart should have it. You can plug an aux chord into it and it turns the 1/8" male into a 1/4" male for house stereos or whatever. The cassette adapter looks like a cassette tape with a wire coming out and a 1/8" male plug on the end. Helpful when connecting to older house and car stereos. Walmart or bimart might have them. If any of these places don't Amazon will. If you live somewhere where sound is illegal these adapters make it possible to drive to open space and play as loud as you like. If you just want to piss off all the crybabys in the campground or electronics department of a store by playing live punk rock or metal or maybe draw attention to yourself in an unfamiliar town by performing through a car system these adapters make all that possible. Adapters make it possible to use otherwise outdated equipment which is nice because the "outdated" stuff is louder more reliable and higher quality not to mention plentiful and cheap. Be warned...companies are writing programs that block adapters. That's why cell phones have never had a "line out" port. They want to sell you internet for your house, your phone, and your car instead of using one connection. They want to sell you cable even though you can watch everything you ever wanted on your phone. And lastly they want your bank credentials, the ability to track you, and the ability to sell their crap to you wherever you are. That's why analog should remain. It's done a wonderful job broadcasting video and sound for more than a century and is still working just fine without needing a credit card.
"It's not the strongest, nor the smartest species that survive...it's the ones that are most able to adapt."
- Darwin-
my spark 40s getting some tone holes :-) how big a bass cab could you power with a 40w, though? harley benton cabs here i come - was scared of the 4/8/16 ohms bit, but WARRANTY VOID! sign me up
Hey,somebody has an idea How can I connect with two notes cab m? (Cab simulation )There is 2 speaker outputs on Katana and cab m one in !?
Hi Andy.
Nice, nice, nice. Isn't there some issues that the speaker control from the amp carries some InputResponse si,ulation that helps it make sound big from small speakers and makes it sound OKay from a Stereo Playback of Audio files through (air) Jam along / AUX inputs?
Doesn't this ruin the sound?
The warranty void is a bad thing.
Actually, my HB-80R has a mono out to a cabinet.
I don't know what it is, but to me, this sounds like cheap little plastic speakers. I know it's not the HB-cab, that actually sounds great, so there must be a different reason.
The reason is that the speakers on the Katana Air are most likely hi-fi speakers, not guitar cabinet speakers. So the guitar cabs are receiving the signal that was tailored to a very different type of speaker.
brillant!
Nice mod. Another option would be a stereo/mono auto connect - one cable mono with both channels, two cables stereo. Also, the speakers in Air is not guitar speakers. I would like to hear your mod into FRFR speakers, like studio monitors or a PA.
Another interesting mod would be: removing the speakers, put the electronics into a small box. Powered by a boss plug, center neg from a power supply. Voila, a pedalboard amp!
If I connect it to a 50 watt cabinet with power amp, will it work and sound good?
Ok, question. If i have a 100 watt amp driving 1 speaker you get a given volume. If you run 4 speakers to that same amp does each speaker only put out 25% of the volume? So is 4 actually louder or quieter than 1.
How can I use the rec out to record direct but hear myfelf through the amp ? Boss mutes the amp every time u connect a cable to the rec out...
@theguitargeek Neutrik NMJ2 HC-S listed on Thomann is not the right one I guess because it is missing 2 connectors, must be Neutrik NMJ4 HC-S instead right?
Hello just question is it ok to connect two 4ohm speakers externally thanks , your casts are great 👍 thanks 😊
Warranty Void. Wow. Amazing volume. Many of my best (& worst) experiences, started with focusing on 'don't try this at home'.
i have a need to warranty void. Liking the channel
Cheers Mike!
Hello, Can I also use the small phone jack to connect a cabinet speaker?
Has anyone figured out a way to use a pedal to switch channels/effects on the katana air?
Say could I do something similar to my Blues Jr? Not stereo of course but I always wanted to run it to a 2 x 12.
Warranty Void! Andy my amp is broken, but that's unrelated to this video and more related to the fact my son spilt his apple juice on it. Any mods for that?
What about delivering the output signal through the headphones / rec out socket through an amplifier and to some larger speakers? No drilling, no soldering, no warranty void...
Best warranty void video ever!
Warranty Void. I possibly should have watched this before I bought my Katana 50EX - which I chose because I've been very happy with the Air. I miss the wireless feature too. I'm going to buy a set before I trip over the guitar lead. 😜
Want to try this. I love my katana, best amp ever
Thats totally fantastic ! But i have a question, how we can make sure about we dont overload the Katana's power amp ? You said be careful to resistances of speakers but is it enough?
Can't do that, it's ok.
Wenn man dann nur eine externe Box anschließt, läuft dann der interne Speaker auch mit? Sprich muss man extern zwei Boxen oder eine Stereo Box benutzen?
Warranty void! I'm planning on doing the same mod to an old Vox valvetronix because the alleged out via the headphone socket bypasses the valve stage... and I usually switch it to manual and use it as a barebones regular amp. Because I can!
Warranty Void. Cool mod but isn’t the speakers in the Katana Air FRFR speakers?
I’m not sure, just asking.
If they are, wouldn’t this mod be better served by using a PA speaker?
Basically use rec out and some actives...or 8" PA/hifi mid woofers with this mod for some battery powered toy vibes.
How long do the batteries last running it into a large cabinet?
Could this mod instead be used to create a pseudo effects loop by running stereo out the back and into the aux in of the amp?
Hello,
I want to buy Boss Katana 50ex or 100 but I must connect a mic to it. İs this possible?
Warranty void.
Yes well....
But suddenly the Katana Air is back on my radar 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Right?!
Thank youuuu
you are welcome!
It's nice to see Quinns from Shut Up & Sit Down plays guitar! 😂
Have they fixed the App yet?
Warranty not voided. Nice easy mod, but I don’t need it!. Thanks for posting
Dont own this amp, but this is going in my "Helpful Videos" playlist to refer back to later...
Also, not sure why I wasn't subscribed before, but I've decided to remedy that 👍
Clever. No one should ever try this WARRANTY VOID, but could you do this mod without soldering if you just put the quick connect terminals on the new jack and a second set of wires with quick connect terminals from jacks to the internal speakers? Or would the quick connect terminals not work on the new jack?
Thanks for sharing.
I tried that at first but the spades did. It fit as one side was too small. Buying new spade connectors is an option of course but I won’t be undoing this mod on my amp
Simultaneously watching a premier, downloading a game on apple tv and texting on the phone, while being tired from along and busy work day, will void my guarantee 🤪🤯
Wow man! Careful with that brain!
@@TheGuitarGeek will recharge it soon 😴😅
I have 2 amps, katana air and also the artist. I love the tones i'm getting from the air, but I love the power of the artist. Is there any harm in running a cable from the air's headphone jack to the artist's aux in? Is there a risk of harming either amp by running it this way? Only reason I do this is I cant seem to dial the same tones soley into the artist.
No harm at all! I have also done this
So... I have just used recording out to mixer's line in and played it through the huge speaker. No mods needed :DDD
anyway to get pedal switch? that's the only thing i miss in this practice amps :(
Warranty void!! Can I connect it to my Hughes and kettner 212 16ohm cab ?
Warranty Void
I like the Yamaha THR series but it lacks an FX loop. There are mods to do it, but it looks very complicated. Perhaps that should be your next video... show us exactly how easy or hard it is.
I will try this on my Spark 40. Warranty Void!
Do it!
pretty cool MOD, so I guess I could do this to My Boss Katana MK11 2/12 and run 2 4/12 Cabs
It shall be done.
Warranty void any of my apps that aren’t wired I wire them I have a 20 W fender champion that I can plug into my 2 x 12 and then I have a vox Cambridge, which I can plug into my 2 x 12
Warranty void! So it still works as a practise wireless amp but can be plugged into a cab and the internal speakers of the katana disengage?