Whoopsie! Several times in the video, I talk about the stereo cable to use for connecting things. To confirm, this is a TRS cable. NOT a TRRS cable as I mistakenly mention a couple of times. Sorry and thanks to the Geeks that pointed this out. ❤ Links to purchase the GA-FC EX here : UK (Andertons) - bit.ly/3YlSFNM EU (Thomann) - thmn.to/thoprod/549935?offid=1&affid=288 US (Sweetwater) - imp.i114863.net/rn6y1B
Thanks , I've just bought a 50w Katana mk2 EX and now after watching this extremely helpful guide I'll be getting the GA FC EX footswitch , so no more tap dancing for me .
I’m finding that the Katana is more crazy cramped with features than I ever imagined! I’m also pretty impressed with how far and wide the tone go! It’s so amazingly impressive!
It's super impressive how much you can do with the GAFC but honestly man, it sounds like you just need to get a real MIDI controller like the morningstar MC8. It would give you 8 switches and you can then program each switch to do literally anything you want. No more fumbling between switching modes. I have the Morningstar MC6 and have it setup to toggle on/off delay, chorus, solo boost and 3 more switches to toggle between 3 different presets and those presets can be in bank A or B. Also, the MC8/MC6 take up less space on the pedal board and you can have the LCD strips label what their function is. The new MC6 gives you full color scratch strips.
Thank you! Just bought the 50w II and foot switch for my kids to use at home and the instructions are next to useless (to me anyway). You managed to hit on all the confusing bits and explained them so well that we’re now getting somewhere! It’s actually quite intuitive once we got our feet in the door, so thanks again. And no more tap dancing for me anyway - I’m a 65yo non-guitar playing Aussie drummer who needs to conserve his available energies for carrying the bloody traps case..
What you have there is a TRS cable. Not TRRS. TRS is Tip Ring Sleeve, there is one ring on that cable. The GA FC and the EX work with standard stereo cables = TRS.
Only ppl who take wood that is arguably shaped like a female , string tightened wire across said wood, and hold that wood over their pelivic area to strum and hammer-on and arpeggiate and etc would have a separate type of cable called Tip, Ring, Sleeve.
@@TheMasonator777 TRRS cables do exist, they have an extra ring, and are usually used for headphones with an inline microphone, and usually on mobile phones. But yeah, what he has is a standard TRS cable.
This is a very helpful and detailed video showing use to both pedals and what they are capable of...I greatly appreciate it! "No more tap dancing for me"!
1) The explanations are so clear and progressive, had to subscribe, and 2) how on earth can they create such a complex little controller board and have basically no comprehensible guide?!? lol
Andy didn't mention that when you are in channel select mode (red lights on) by re pressing the button used to select the channel and holding it down , you go into Solo mode. The volume of solo mode can be set by using the PC software that you can download for free to a laptop or PC. Re pressing and holding removes solo mode. There are lots of other features that I am still getting to grips with ! The PC software really unlocks the features available and is worth getting. Also pressing the PANEL switch gives direct control to the control knobs on the Katana
Hey Brian, I'm usually pretty good with this stuff but this thing is driving me nuts. Are you saying that if I am in Channel 1 and I repress channel 1 and hold it down it will kick in the solo boost? Thanks in advance!
Yes it will. I forgot to say that the red light will flash to tell you that you are in solo mode. Of course you will have to have the solo level set to the volume that you want to use. Try it and see. It won't hurt anything .
Andy, you never disappoint, Sir! Very informative and answered many of my questions. I have the original GA-FC and will be keeping it when I add the GA-FC-EX. Again, thank you so much for the great video on this product and upgrade. And with that, no more tap dancing for me, brother!
Hello Andy thank you for showing us the GAFC EX and using the original GAFC together. Just to throw another is the GAFC/B which I think is the foot control for the big brother Roland Blues Cube Artist. So no more Tap dancing! But as a guitarist I've gone to the dark side Wet Dry Wet mix. 2 Katanas 1 blues cube Artist and 1valve amp with you guessed it 2 more foot switches. What Midi I hear a voice in my head !!!!! No more Tap Dancing except I have as you mentioned a visual indicator and the mode scrolling program 1 to program 4 or bank a to b, time for a cold beer it's 30 Degrees here at the moment and watch your video again. Cheers from down under.
As a new Katana owner I appreciate the detail you go into in your videos! My GA-FC EX is en route, can't wait to try it out! and No More Tap Dancing For Me from now on!
I just got the Katana MKII artist head with the 2x12 Waza cab, foot switch, and a moog expression pedal, both cables, for 1000 USD. I can't WAIT for the UPS guy man. Holy shit! How you liking the amp so far? IM stoked. This is the type of amp I dreamed about growing up.
@@DrMurdercock I've been playing guitars since I was 5 years old, (41 now, cough) and I kept thinking the guitars were wrong. I went through so many guitars trying to find tone. I had so many pedals trying to find tone, I was old school trying tube amp after tube amp, and now, have discovered that it's the amp that should be responsible for your tone. There's a bit of a learning curve with the software but once you sort that out, it's easy to dial in the tone. I love this amp and have no other. I have a big gig with it tomorrow actually. lol.
@@ThomasStrings I am 38, so same generation really, Remember back in the day shit like this was a dream? Remember the old Johnson combo amp athat had digital FX everyone lost their shit over?
@@DrMurdercock totally dude! My practice amp is a 30wattvtube fender tweed clone that my drummer made. I have a tc helicon reverb and a soul food and it’s pretty great, too but the power options on the boss is amazing!
I am tap dancing as to whether to get this in addition to my GA-FC, but in the spirit of continued great content. "No more tap dancing for me!" Thank you for the videos, you have great information.
Great vid thanks! My only real wish is for the wah to auto engage from moving the expression pedal. At present I need to turn it on with the footswitch and then operate the expression pedal.
No more tap dancing for me. I didn’t see the point of the new ex pedal. Now I do. Added it to my Christmas list. Keep up great videos like these. They really help.
I use a latching foot-switch to change banks on the GA-FC original. It also has a blue LED for Bank B to avoid confusion. Works well and no long pressing.
Hi Andy, I’m watching this because our 13 year old lead guitarist is getting a new katana 50 ex with the ga-fc ex pedal. Your video is so easily watchable. And informative and understandable. Will let you know how it turns out. I, on the other hand do the paso doble and rumba but certainly, no more tap dancing for me 😂
Thanks. A friend convinced me to get the Katana 100 Mk2 and then the GA-FC-EX and I loved it. But... I was basically just using it to switch between channels. Your vid unlocked all of the features for me and now I'm going to tap dance down to my local music store and grab a second GA-FC-EX. Then I'm done with the tap dancing.
No more tap dancing for me now that you've explained the GA-FC. I boughtthe new Mk2 10 days ago together with the GAFC and have only just realised that they gave me the Mk1 pedal instead of the latest. I will be contacting my retailer on this. Thanks.
Thanks Andy, I’m planning to buy a Katana in the near future and have been working through your videos to decide which version to go for. Most helpful. 👍🙂🤘 No more tap dancing for me! 😂
Thanks for the great video! I just snagged a new (used) package of BOSS gear from Reverb - the Katana-50 MKII EX and both the GA-FC EX and GA-FC foot controllers based on some other research I'd done. So pleased to find your very helpful explanation of all the ways I'll be able to use my new gear, and I'm delighted to hear that it will solve all of the challenges I was experiencing in live performance with my old foot switch controller arrangement and my Yamaha amp THR-10 II amp. I will no doubt come back to this video frequently when my new gear arrives to make sure I have it straight! If you happen to be aware of any written documentation others have created to describe what you've outlined in the video, I'd welcome that information as well. Thanks again!!!
Duuuuuuuude! Thank you very much! Very well explained and demonstrated. I ordered one right after watching this. I guess there'll be no more tap dancing for me!
"No more tap dancing for me" 🤣🤣 I purchased a Boss Katana Mk ii 100/212 last week... really digging it, just ordered the EX to go with it. I really wanted a system that could do what I wanted it to do without buying a bunch of pedals. So far so good... thx for the tutorial.
I do feel like I'm tap dancing sometimes going after all the pedals and switches. Another vote for tri-color LEDs. Just got my first Katana (MKII) and EX footswitch, so I appreciate the run- through vids you have. thanks!
I have purchased the GA-FC EX for my Katana, and appreciate the new functions. However, I do have a few grips as well. For the life of me I do not know why designers use red/green LED’s. For those of us with red/green colorblindness, this can be a challenge! Also, the long-press is cumbersome and open for failure. I have just purchased an FS-7 foot switch, and am hoping this will solve that problem. Your Katana videos are always helpful! No more tap dancing for me! 😀
Thank you, thank you for your video! I just picked up the new 50 W third generation and foot pedal. You’re so right; boss manual is horrendous. Your video helped clarify a lot of things.
Very helpful video - I was struggling with the owners manual - Turns out I put the plug in the wrong hole (Stop. It. Now). No more tap dancing for me! - Love the videos.
Thanks! I'm considering getting a Katana to have a more versatile amp and would also get a footswitching pedal for it, and Boss's website and the manual for this basically said "plug it in here and it switches some things on the amp". This new one seems like it would be worth the extra money
"No more tap dancing for me" 🤣🤣 I just found this video but love to comment regardless of the age. Great video. Don't think you missed anything except actually adding more switches to the inputs 1 2 3 and how to set it up in the awfully confusing section of the tone studio for foot pedal configuration. I have my GA-FC-EX loaded up with a EV-5 on Input 3 and an FS-7 on input 1 & 2. Input 1 is for tap 1, input 2 is for boost and input 3 is for vol/wah. Another FS-7 on my previous Mk II was connected to the backpanel solo switch. I'm thinking that adding another GA-FC-EX would allow me to add more inputs yet I expect. Why the additional pedal madness you ask? Well same as your comment - if you're not watching exactly what mode the pedal is in I've switched patches instead of turning effects on and off and the long press to get into tap is a pain. Of course now we are talking about the Gen 3 which I have just upgraded from the Mk II to the Gen 3 and the pedal works exactly the same. Unfortunately they did change the back panel jack for GA-FC solo function and expression pedal the Mk II to something else that I'm still trying to figure out to get my FS-7 solo switch working again. One thing that is sadly missing in the Katana and of course Tone Studio is being able to select for external on-off switches whether they are momentary or maintained, normally off or normally on. Katana totally missing effect - dotted eighth delay!!
Thanks for the clear comparison of the GA-FC (I've got one) and the GA-FC EX (I'm going to get one) and a clear explanation on how to use them both together. No more tap dancing for me for I'll be too busy rocking.
No more tap dancing for me!!! Thanks for another awesome video. I have been trying to find out what the difference was between these two pedals so I appreciate the info!!!
Well no more tap dancing for me... I think the 50W ex with the ex pedal is a solid choice - but my concern, as you have experienced, is that SO MANY BUTTONs and lights that do multiple things means mistakes will occur.. I mean one is not focusing on the pedal lights when one is trying to play something complex and well. So, I think Boss needs to work on that (simplicity). Helpful videos well done - thanks.
Summer 2024 and finally bought a MK2 50W on clearance sale so checking out this thorough EX footswitch vid. Pricey in Canada at $200CAD and the GA-FC prices are not much cheaper. I only paid $265CAD for the amp. Can't say "no more tap dancing for me" if using this pedal, it's all about tap dancing, to really use what's there. I only use Clean amp and various OD/FX, so likely will get the FS-6 (A/B) at half this price to have something at least.
By sheer coincedence by Katana Mk.II (100W) arrived today! I was looking at footswitches when I ordered it and wish I'd bought one now. Saw a link to this vid on Reddit, hence why I'm here!
@@TheGuitarGeek Update: My GA-FC-EX and my EV-30 expression pedal arrived today, thanks to your videos, I thought it would be foolish not to fully unleash the beast! thank you!
Ok, as a Katana owner I will tell you that yes, I love this amp! The Boss tones and GAFC is nice, but I would have preferred a digital display to tell me what I have selected. I'd pay extra for that. I've got enough trouble trying to remember chords, solos and lyrics, I dont need anymore confusion on my tiny nugget added by not being sure of what tone/patch I've selected. This why my GAFC and internal amp tones are merely a backup if my multi FX pedal talkes a dump at a gig. Happened once, and the Katana saved my butt! Channel 1 on bank A is my pure amp tone. No FX, just basic amp setting for using my Zoom pedal. I can change basic EQ and gain settings for the gig and hold button 1 to save it again and again. I'm a weirdo...but it is a great amp!!!
Would love to see a set up with the gafc ex, gafc, 2 expression pedals, and 2 fs7. So you can have banks, effects, expression 1 and 2 on and off, and solo on/off all on one pedal board
No more tap dancin for me! Currently have the gafc and kat Airstep, but never gigged. Yet. I think the gafc ex and gafc is tidier option. But like how the Airstep can change the different effect… ie the 3 different mod effects etc. how could all 3 work together ??
I have been looking for a new amp and after seeing many reviews on the Boss Katana MK2, including yours, I decided to get one. But then I had no idea how the GA-FC and the GA-FC EX actually worked or what the difference was. This video was perfect for helping me decide to get the EX, and at only $25 more, it's worth it in my case. Thanks for the great video, and BTW, No more tap dancing for me!! But to be honest, I never could tap dance anyway.
excellent video - thank you - I am forever appreciative of your generous offer but no more tap dancing for me - and for all others be sure to use the stereo cable as mentioned a few times in this video.
It will be very helpful to see a video demo for the two pedals plus a fs-6 and expression pedals, all working together in a live situation. After buying the expression pedal I realize that there is not on/off switch. I got to create a patch without the pedal enabled. Or add a fs pedal to turned off.
No more tap dancing. Great explanatory video as always. Any chance you could do a video, or point me to one, on how to use the katana on stage. 40 cover songs. How to set up the patches to cover the most songs or special patches etc. Just tyring to get my head around the most efficient way to use it. Would love to just rock up with the katana and that would be good enough to cover everything. Ive been considering putting an me70 in front of it for special effects for certain songs.
Mono cables (aka guitar cables) are TS (tip/sleeve). For the GAFC you need a TRS stereo cable (tip/ring/sleeve). You do NOT need a TRRS cable (tip/ring/ring/sleeve) - these cables are used for stereo connections with an extra function, usually an inline microphone. The presenter says he is using a TRRS cable, but this is incorrect, he is using a TRS cable.
Thanks for the video, nice simple straight forward information on the new controller. I have the 100 Mk II 1x12 with the original foot controller and I was wondering on how they are different. Nice explanation and it is appreciated. No more tap dancing for me either!
...and if you want to control the depth of the effect, simply long press all four buttons for exactly 3.4 seconds. Don't go over 4 seconds or you'll go into the wrong mode, and the only way to get out of that mode is to press the first two buttons while standing on one foot and facing due north.
Your Katana amp videos helped me decide which model to buy (M2 100). I'll see about getting a GA-FC EX foot controller down the line. No more tap dancing for me.
Great video! No more tap dancing for me! Lol. My biggest wishes, 1) the long press delay when going into solo mode is so irritating. 2) when pressing the solo mode with my foot, I can't see the LED as my foot covers it.
Very helpful video! I have the Artist MKII and this info is what I needed! But "no more tap dancing for me" I did try it for fun but I did more rolling than tapping! 😂
No More Tap Dancin' For Me! Nice video and filled with great info!! I just purchased the MK2 artist, and this foot pedal will do the trick. Great suggestion to Boss/Roland to add a 3rd led color.
Good info!! No more tap dancing for me! 😀 Hadn't realised that there was a tone studio update available, but did the update just now. Somehow I had missed that. And signed up for info when the gafcex is available in the local shop a have a voucher for 🙂
No more tap dancing for me😁. Hi Andy great vid as always. I've had the BK MK II head for a while now. Nearly bought the GA-FC-Ex, but decided on a MeloAudio MIDI Commander. It has a mode called 8x which means you can use the ABCD/1234 buttons to get access to both banks of the Katana at the same time. I use the original GA-FC for effects control.The down side to the MIDI Commander it's a bit fiddly to set up Custom Patches.
@@pembob Hi, I’m not sure to be honest. As mentioned in previous comment. The MA Commander is quite fiddly. I've been playing around in Custom mode, but it’s a learning curve. If BOSS supplied all the MIDI CC/PC commands for all the Effects it would make life easier. They’ve supplied some. I have managed to get the MA Commander to work in ABC/123 mode to change channels ABC & change effects 123. I haven’t got EXP1/EXP2 to work properly yet. I’m new to MIDI myself so it’s a lot of messing around. At the moment I’ve been trying to set up my Katana with a POD HD500 in 4CM to control Bank A/B switching as well as Effects control. It works, but the down side is setting up the Effects LEDs to match without activating POD Effects. I now use the POD HD500 for Channel Change & original GA-FC for Effects. The plus for this setup is that the POD Banks 1 & 2 control the Katana A/B Channels, POD Bank 3A turns on Katana Panel Mode & POD Banks 3BCD -16 are all POD amps and effects played through the Katana. Having said all that the MA Commander controls the POD HD500 really well. I might just get a GA-FC EX and save myself the grief. 😂😂😂 Hope this helps and not too confusing. Apologies for the delay and long response. Cheers Daz
I've just invested in the purchase of a BOSS Katana Artist with the GA-FX EX pedal. Unfortunately, I'll have to keep tap dancing until it arrives ;-) "Great Explanation!"
No more tap dancing for me! Long-time viewer, first-time commenter here. Love your content! Around the 9:35 mark, you get a really cool tone from different effects on the head and cab. Are you playing through the little 5 inch speaker on the head and the 12in on the combo as well? I have an artist combo and I'm interested in buying an artist head, but I don't think the artist head has the little speaker in it (just the regular 100w head from my understanding,) so I'm wondering if I would need another cab or to go with a 2nd combo. Just want to see how you're achieving this sound. Thanks!
No more tap dancing for me. Cool vid, I've been using my Katana 50 mk2 without any footpedal but I want to use it to gig soon so this video is timely for me! Thx
"No more tap dancing for me!" Great video. I love(d) my Katana. I blew out my first Katana MKII Head one a couple of weeks ago(pay attention to the impedance and wattage on external speakers). That said, I just got a new one and I also bought a new power amp IC that I will install on the blown Katana this week. So, I hope to be using two Katana MkII 100 Heads shortly. It would have been nice of Boss to have a way to do a firmware upgrade on the original GA-FC, so we don't have to buy the new one. They could have just sold us stickers for the new labels. I'll probably end up buying the new one too. I'm interested if people are using Tone Studio at gigs and or to practice? I haven't used my Katana at a gig yet but I will be in March of 2023. I'd be interested to find out how difficult the process of setting up and using both the old GA-FC and the new EX is for and during a gig? Smiley day to ya!
Dudes. I just got the Katana MKII artist head with the 2x12 Waza cab, foot switch, and a moog expression pedal, both cables, for 1000 USD. I can't WAIT for the UPS guy man. Holy shit!
no more tap dancing for me!! (sound of toppling) love your videos! your delivery is clear concise and fun- i have had a 100mk2 for a while and am currently assisting a friend with his new mk2 (which oddly came with the older GA foot cont.) I think your firmware suggestions are spot-on and great to know there is more to be had using 2 linked GA’s cheers
So, ANDY and BOSS, i love my Katana Mk 2 100, and got the GAFCEX pedal and love how it functions. i learned a couple things from your vid, but what i had hoped for was to be able to get the second GAFCEX, (which i purchased) and get bank A on one pedal and Bank B on the other, AND be able to operate two Katanas together for live stereo sound...BUMMER!!!! THE PROBLEM IS THAT I HAVE TO PICK WHETHER TO PLAY THROUGH 2 MK 2 100s with one GAFCEX or only one amp with 2 pedals. KINDS SHORT SIGHTED ON BOSS WAZA TO BUILD IN THIS LIMITATION. SO, BOSS, IF YOU'RE LISTENING.....I AM THINKING TWICE ABOUT BUYING THE SECOND KATANA AMP....
No more tap dancing for me. They have done a great job here. The Katana is a fantastic product. Having said that they need to speak to you before they do updates right?
Whoopsie! Several times in the video, I talk about the stereo cable to use for connecting things. To confirm, this is a TRS cable. NOT a TRRS cable as I mistakenly mention a couple of times. Sorry and thanks to the Geeks that pointed this out. ❤
Links to purchase the GA-FC EX here :
UK (Andertons) - bit.ly/3YlSFNM
EU (Thomann) - thmn.to/thoprod/549935?offid=1&affid=288
US (Sweetwater) - imp.i114863.net/rn6y1B
Yup. TRS Tip Ring Sleeve = 3 wire. TS Tip Sleeve = 2 wire for the guitar.
Was about to say, Tip Ring Ring Sleeve cable it is!
@@Mdjagg what?
Thanks , I've just bought a 50w Katana mk2 EX and now after watching this extremely helpful guide I'll be getting the GA FC EX footswitch , so no more tap dancing for me .
I’m finding that the Katana is more crazy cramped with features than I ever imagined! I’m also pretty impressed with how far and wide the tone go! It’s so amazingly impressive!
It's super impressive how much you can do with the GAFC but honestly man, it sounds like you just need to get a real MIDI controller like the morningstar MC8.
It would give you 8 switches and you can then program each switch to do literally anything you want. No more fumbling between switching modes. I have the Morningstar MC6 and have it setup to toggle on/off delay, chorus, solo boost and 3 more switches to toggle between 3 different presets and those presets can be in bank A or B.
Also, the MC8/MC6 take up less space on the pedal board and you can have the LCD strips label what their function is. The new MC6 gives you full color scratch strips.
Look into the new MC6 Pro with color LEDs for the switches, and more.
Thank you! Just bought the 50w II and foot switch for my kids to use at home and the instructions are next to useless (to me anyway). You managed to hit on all the confusing bits and explained them so well that we’re now getting somewhere! It’s actually quite intuitive once we got our feet in the door, so thanks again.
And no more tap dancing for me anyway - I’m a 65yo non-guitar playing Aussie drummer who needs to conserve his available energies for carrying the bloody traps case..
Just ordered this for my Katana Artist MK II. This was a GREAT instructional video, no more tap dancing for me!!
Congrats on the BOSS sponsorship, man! I know I'm late to the party when it comes to this video, but it doesn't make that any less impressive. 🤙
What you have there is a TRS cable. Not TRRS. TRS is Tip Ring Sleeve, there is one ring on that cable. The GA FC and the EX work with standard stereo cables = TRS.
Well I was wondering if I had the wrong TRS cable. I was trying in vain to find a TRRS. Must be a European thing.
Only ppl who take wood that is arguably shaped like a female , string tightened wire across said wood, and hold that wood over their pelivic area to strum and hammer-on and arpeggiate and etc would have a separate type of cable called Tip, Ring, Sleeve.
@@justpray365 No he just got it wrong. There is no such thing as a TRRS.
The “expanded” TRS cable isn’t different other than it comes with an additional letter R so that you can say its name in stereo.
@@TheMasonator777 TRRS cables do exist, they have an extra ring, and are usually used for headphones with an inline microphone, and usually on mobile phones. But yeah, what he has is a standard TRS cable.
This is a very helpful and detailed video showing use to both pedals and what they are capable of...I greatly appreciate it! "No more tap dancing for me"!
You are a good teacher, Andy. Clear, concise, to the point. Thanks for the explanation. And no more tap dancing for me!
No more tap dancing for me 🎉 because I bought this pedal just now. Great instructional video Andy! 💯👊🏼
1) The explanations are so clear and progressive, had to subscribe, and 2) how on earth can they create such a complex little controller board and have basically no comprehensible guide?!? lol
Thanks for this. Been playing with my GAFC and your videos help me remember how it works - no more tap dancing for me
Andy didn't mention that when you are in channel select mode (red lights on) by re pressing the button used to select the channel and holding it down , you go into Solo mode. The volume of solo mode can be set by using the PC software that you can download for free to a laptop or PC. Re pressing and holding removes solo mode. There are lots of other features that I am still getting to grips with ! The PC software really unlocks the features available and is worth getting. Also pressing the PANEL switch gives direct control to the control knobs on the Katana
Hey Brian, I'm usually pretty good with this stuff but this thing is driving me nuts. Are you saying that if I am in Channel 1 and I repress channel 1 and hold it down it will kick in the solo boost? Thanks in advance!
Yes it will. I forgot to say that the red light will flash to tell you that you are in solo mode. Of course you will have to have the solo level set to the volume that you want to use. Try it and see. It won't hurt anything .
Andy, thanks for your clear explanation. Mine's on order. While I may still cha cha cha, no more tap dancing for me!
Your WISHLIST is spot on Andy! "No more tap dancing for me!"
Andy, you never disappoint, Sir! Very informative and answered many of my questions. I have the original GA-FC and will be keeping it when I add the GA-FC-EX. Again, thank you so much for the great video on this product and upgrade. And with that, no more tap dancing for me, brother!
Hello Andy thank you for showing us the GAFC EX and using the original GAFC together. Just to throw another is the GAFC/B which I think is the foot control for the big brother Roland Blues Cube Artist. So no more Tap dancing! But as a guitarist I've gone to the dark side Wet Dry Wet mix. 2 Katanas 1 blues cube Artist and 1valve amp with you guessed it 2 more foot switches. What Midi I hear a voice in my head !!!!! No more Tap Dancing except I have as you mentioned a visual indicator and the mode scrolling program 1 to program 4 or bank a to b, time for a cold beer it's 30 Degrees here at the moment and watch your video again. Cheers from down under.
As a new Katana owner I appreciate the detail you go into in your videos! My GA-FC EX is en route, can't wait to try it out! and No More Tap Dancing For Me from now on!
I just got the Katana MKII artist head with the 2x12 Waza cab, foot switch, and a moog expression pedal, both cables, for 1000 USD.
I can't WAIT for the UPS guy man. Holy shit!
How you liking the amp so far? IM stoked. This is the type of amp I dreamed about growing up.
@@DrMurdercock I've been playing guitars since I was 5 years old, (41 now, cough) and I kept thinking the guitars were wrong. I went through so many guitars trying to find tone. I had so many pedals trying to find tone, I was old school trying tube amp after tube amp, and now, have discovered that it's the amp that should be responsible for your tone. There's a bit of a learning curve with the software but once you sort that out, it's easy to dial in the tone. I love this amp and have no other. I have a big gig with it tomorrow actually. lol.
@@ThomasStrings I am 38, so same generation really, Remember back in the day shit like this was a dream? Remember the old Johnson combo amp athat had digital FX everyone lost their shit over?
@@DrMurdercock totally dude! My practice amp is a 30wattvtube fender tweed clone that my drummer made. I have a tc helicon reverb and a soul food and it’s pretty great, too but the power options on the boss is amazing!
I am tap dancing as to whether to get this in addition to my GA-FC, but in the spirit of continued great content. "No more tap dancing for me!" Thank you for the videos, you have great information.
Hope Boss people will watch your recommendations, they are golden. If so, there will be no more tap dancing for anyone.
Great vid thanks! My only real wish is for the wah to auto engage from moving the expression pedal. At present I need to turn it on with the footswitch and then operate the expression pedal.
No more tap dancing for me. I didn’t see the point of the new ex pedal. Now I do. Added it to my Christmas list. Keep up great videos like these. They really help.
I use a latching foot-switch to change banks on the GA-FC original. It also has a blue LED for Bank B to avoid confusion. Works well and no long pressing.
Thanks you Limey devil ,you have sold me on the Katana .
Hi Andy, I’m watching this because our 13 year old lead guitarist is getting a new katana 50 ex with the ga-fc ex pedal. Your video is so easily watchable. And informative and understandable. Will let you know how it turns out.
I, on the other hand do the paso doble and rumba but certainly, no more tap dancing for me 😂
No more tap dancing for me!! Great video, excellent explaination of the differences in the switches. Thanks!
Thank you for the in-depth explanation. No more tap dancing for me.
Thanks. A friend convinced me to get the Katana 100 Mk2 and then the GA-FC-EX and I loved it. But... I was basically just using it to switch between channels. Your vid unlocked all of the features for me and now I'm going to tap dance down to my local music store and grab a second GA-FC-EX. Then I'm done with the tap dancing.
Another fantastic video, I think the idea of two foot switches is incredible. No more tap dancing for me!
No more tap dancing for me! Just got it for Christmas. Love the informative video! Thanks.
No more tap dancing for me. Funny thing, I never could that. But seriously, your honest, informative, and entertaining videos are always appreciated!
No more tap dancing for me now that you've explained the GA-FC. I boughtthe new Mk2 10 days ago together with the GAFC and have only just realised that they gave me the Mk1 pedal instead of the latest. I will be contacting my retailer on this. Thanks.
You should have some stickers for the fact with the new labelling on them. If you haven't Boss will send some to you
No more tap dancing for me. Thank you for this wonderful tutorial, mate! You did a great work!
Thanks Andy, I’m planning to buy a Katana in the near future and have been working through your videos to decide which version to go for. Most helpful. 👍🙂🤘
No more tap dancing for me! 😂
Thanks for the great video! I just snagged a new (used) package of BOSS gear from Reverb - the Katana-50 MKII EX and both the GA-FC EX and GA-FC foot controllers based on some other research I'd done. So pleased to find your very helpful explanation of all the ways I'll be able to use my new gear, and I'm delighted to hear that it will solve all of the challenges I was experiencing in live performance with my old foot switch controller arrangement and my Yamaha amp THR-10 II amp. I will no doubt come back to this video frequently when my new gear arrives to make sure I have it straight! If you happen to be aware of any written documentation others have created to describe what you've outlined in the video, I'd welcome that information as well. Thanks again!!!
Great video that finally explained to me why I want the second controller for my Katana after I get the EX.
Duuuuuuuude! Thank you very much! Very well explained and demonstrated. I ordered one right after watching this. I guess there'll be no more tap dancing for me!
You are very welcome! Enjoy it.
Love your videos please keep’’em coming. “No more tap dancing for me”
"No more tap dancing for me" 🤣🤣 I purchased a Boss Katana Mk ii 100/212 last week... really digging it, just ordered the EX to go with it. I really wanted a system that could do what I wanted it to do without buying a bunch of pedals. So far so good... thx for the tutorial.
I do feel like I'm tap dancing sometimes going after all the pedals and switches. Another vote for tri-color LEDs. Just got my first Katana (MKII) and EX footswitch, so I appreciate the run- through vids you have. thanks!
"No more tap dancing for me!" time to get one of these. Great video!
‘Excellent’ video mate, got my 50EX 2 weeks ago, it’s fabulous - thanks for your advice.
No more tap dancing for me.
I love your work. Thank you.
You’re welcome!
Thanks for this and your other Katana posts. They’ve been most helpful. Those mean no more tap dancing for me
I have purchased the GA-FC EX for my Katana, and appreciate the new functions. However, I do have a few grips as well.
For the life of me I do not know why designers use red/green LED’s. For those of us with red/green colorblindness, this can be a challenge!
Also, the long-press is cumbersome and open for failure. I have just purchased an FS-7 foot switch, and am hoping this will solve that problem.
Your Katana videos are always helpful! No more tap dancing for me! 😀
Thank you, thank you for your video! I just picked up the new 50 W third generation and foot pedal. You’re so right; boss manual is horrendous. Your video helped clarify a lot of things.
If you use two GA-FC EX; the second one running effects uses the green LEDs, making it easy for me to know which one is doing what.
Thank you for confirming that. This is what I had hoped for
Dude thank you so much! I was trying to figure it out on my own with the manual and was quite confused. Appreciate it
Very helpful video - I was struggling with the owners manual - Turns out I put the plug in the wrong hole (Stop. It. Now). No more tap dancing for me! - Love the videos.
Thanks! I'm considering getting a Katana to have a more versatile amp and would also get a footswitching pedal for it, and Boss's website and the manual for this basically said "plug it in here and it switches some things on the amp". This new one seems like it would be worth the extra money
"No more tap dancing for me" 🤣🤣 I just found this video but love to comment regardless of the age. Great video. Don't think you missed anything except actually adding more switches to the inputs 1 2 3 and how to set it up in the awfully confusing section of the tone studio for foot pedal configuration. I have my GA-FC-EX loaded up with a EV-5 on Input 3 and an FS-7 on input 1 & 2. Input 1 is for tap 1, input 2 is for boost and input 3 is for vol/wah. Another FS-7 on my previous Mk II was connected to the backpanel solo switch. I'm thinking that adding another GA-FC-EX would allow me to add more inputs yet I expect. Why the additional pedal madness you ask? Well same as your comment - if you're not watching exactly what mode the pedal is in I've switched patches instead of turning effects on and off and the long press to get into tap is a pain. Of course now we are talking about the Gen 3 which I have just upgraded from the Mk II to the Gen 3 and the pedal works exactly the same. Unfortunately they did change the back panel jack for GA-FC solo function and expression pedal the Mk II to something else that I'm still trying to figure out to get my FS-7 solo switch working again. One thing that is sadly missing in the Katana and of course Tone Studio is being able to select for external on-off switches whether they are momentary or maintained, normally off or normally on.
Katana totally missing effect - dotted eighth delay!!
no more tap dancing for me. love the content. I need a new amp and a features review of extras for amps is really helpful. Thanks.
Thanks for the clear comparison of the GA-FC (I've got one) and the GA-FC EX (I'm going to get one) and a clear explanation on how to use them both together. No more tap dancing for me for I'll be too busy rocking.
No more tap dancing for me!!! Thanks for another awesome video. I have been trying to find out what the difference was between these two pedals so I appreciate the info!!!
I’m glad I could help, Cathy!
Well no more tap dancing for me... I think the 50W ex with the ex pedal is a solid choice - but my concern, as you have experienced, is that SO MANY BUTTONs and lights that do multiple things means mistakes will occur.. I mean one is not focusing on the pedal lights when one is trying to play something complex and well. So, I think Boss needs to work on that (simplicity). Helpful videos well done - thanks.
No more tap dancing for me.... and now sunsbribed. Great video and will be getting the GA-FC EX for my MKII
Summer 2024 and finally bought a MK2 50W on clearance sale so checking out this thorough EX footswitch vid. Pricey in Canada at $200CAD and the GA-FC prices are not much cheaper. I only paid $265CAD for the amp. Can't say "no more tap dancing for me" if using this pedal, it's all about tap dancing, to really use what's there. I only use Clean amp and various OD/FX, so likely will get the FS-6 (A/B) at half this price to have something at least.
By sheer coincedence by Katana Mk.II (100W) arrived today! I was looking at footswitches when I ordered it and wish I'd bought one now. Saw a link to this vid on Reddit, hence why I'm here!
Oh hey! Welcome from Reddit! Enjoy your amp
@@TheGuitarGeek Update: My GA-FC-EX and my EV-30 expression pedal arrived today, thanks to your videos, I thought it would be foolish not to fully unleash the beast! thank you!
“No more tap dancing for me.”
Just a lot of trial and error.
Thanks for this helpful clip!
Ok, as a Katana owner I will tell you that yes, I love this amp! The Boss tones and GAFC is nice, but I would have preferred a digital display to tell me what I have selected. I'd pay extra for that. I've got enough trouble trying to remember chords, solos and lyrics, I dont need anymore confusion on my tiny nugget added by not being sure of what tone/patch I've selected. This why my GAFC and internal amp tones are merely a backup if my multi FX pedal talkes a dump at a gig. Happened once, and the Katana saved my butt! Channel 1 on bank A is my pure amp tone. No FX, just basic amp setting for using my Zoom pedal. I can change basic EQ and gain settings for the gig and hold button 1 to save it again and again. I'm a weirdo...but it is a great amp!!!
I'm still working on understanding how to use the first GA-FC
I can understand that. Hopefully this helps a little bit
I Have two Katana Artist's and a GA-FC suppose I'll have to get the GA-FCX now. Great video and demo. No more tap dancing for me.
No more tap dancing for me!
Nice clear video.
GAFC-EX coming for Xmas to join my GAFC.
Would love to see a set up with the gafc ex, gafc, 2 expression pedals, and 2 fs7. So you can have banks, effects, expression 1 and 2 on and off, and solo on/off all on one pedal board
No more tap dancin for me! Currently have the gafc and kat Airstep, but never gigged. Yet. I think the gafc ex and gafc is tidier option. But like how the Airstep can change the different effect… ie the 3 different mod effects etc. how could all 3 work together ??
Thanks for good explanation! Now I'm proud owner of Katana 100 mkII and GA-FC EX. Let's see how it will work. "no more tap dancing for me" :)
I just ordered the Katana Artist, be here Wednesday...
No more tap dancing for me!👍
I have been looking for a new amp and after seeing many reviews on the Boss Katana MK2, including yours, I decided to get one. But then I had no idea how the GA-FC and the GA-FC EX actually worked or what the difference was. This video was perfect for helping me decide to get the EX, and at only $25 more, it's worth it in my case.
Thanks for the great video, and BTW, No more tap dancing for me!! But to be honest, I never could tap dance anyway.
excellent video - thank you - I am forever appreciative of your generous offer but no more tap dancing for me - and for all others be sure to use the stereo cable as mentioned a few times in this video.
It will be very helpful to see a video demo for the two pedals plus a fs-6 and expression pedals, all working together in a live situation. After buying the expression pedal I realize that there is not on/off switch. I got to create a patch without the pedal enabled. Or add a fs pedal to turned off.
No more tap dancing.
Great explanatory video as always.
Any chance you could do a video, or point me to one, on how to use the katana on stage. 40 cover songs. How to set up the patches to cover the most songs or special patches etc. Just tyring to get my head around the most efficient way to use it. Would love to just rock up with the katana and that would be good enough to cover everything. Ive been considering putting an me70 in front of it for special effects for certain songs.
Mono cables (aka guitar cables) are TS (tip/sleeve). For the GAFC you need a TRS stereo cable (tip/ring/sleeve). You do NOT need a TRRS cable (tip/ring/ring/sleeve) - these cables are used for stereo connections with an extra function, usually an inline microphone. The presenter says he is using a TRRS cable, but this is incorrect, he is using a TRS cable.
Great to watch this as a refresher, so many combinations! BTW, I love to tap dance, Cheers!
Thanks for the video, nice simple straight forward information on the new controller. I have the 100 Mk II 1x12 with the original foot controller and I was wondering on how they are different. Nice explanation and it is appreciated. No more tap dancing for me either!
...and if you want to control the depth of the effect, simply long press all four buttons for exactly 3.4 seconds. Don't go over 4 seconds or you'll go into the wrong mode, and the only way to get out of that mode is to press the first two buttons while standing on one foot and facing due north.
Your Katana amp videos helped me decide which model to buy (M2 100). I'll see about getting a GA-FC EX foot controller down the line. No more tap dancing for me.
Great video! No more tap dancing for me! Lol. My biggest wishes, 1) the long press delay when going into solo mode is so irritating. 2) when pressing the solo mode with my foot, I can't see the LED as my foot covers it.
Very helpful video! I have the Artist MKII and this info is what I needed! But "no more tap dancing for me" I did try it for fun but I did more rolling than tapping! 😂
"No more tap dancing for me," I really needed this video, thank you. :)
No More Tap Dancin' For Me! Nice video and filled with great info!! I just purchased the MK2 artist, and this foot pedal will do the trick. Great suggestion to Boss/Roland to add a 3rd led color.
Good info!! No more tap dancing for me! 😀 Hadn't realised that there was a tone studio update available, but did the update just now. Somehow I had missed that. And signed up for info when the gafcex is available in the local shop a have a voucher for 🙂
no more tap dancing here... your channel is super helpful...great presentation..subbed
No more tap dancing for me😁. Hi Andy great vid as always. I've had the BK MK II head for a while now. Nearly bought the GA-FC-Ex, but decided on a MeloAudio MIDI Commander. It has a mode called 8x which means you can use the ABCD/1234 buttons to get access to both banks of the Katana at the same time. I use the original GA-FC for effects control.The down side to the MIDI Commander it's a bit fiddly to set up Custom Patches.
Hi mate, is it possible to have the meloaudio running 8 different effects??
@@pembob Hi, I’m not sure to be honest. As mentioned in previous comment. The MA Commander is quite fiddly. I've been playing around in Custom mode, but it’s a learning curve. If BOSS supplied all the MIDI CC/PC commands for all the Effects it would make life easier. They’ve supplied some. I have managed to get the MA Commander to work in ABC/123 mode to change channels ABC & change effects 123. I haven’t got EXP1/EXP2 to work properly yet. I’m new to MIDI myself so it’s a lot of messing around.
At the moment I’ve been trying to set up my Katana with a POD HD500 in 4CM to control Bank A/B switching as well as Effects control. It works, but the down side is setting up the Effects LEDs to match without activating POD Effects.
I now use the POD HD500 for Channel Change & original GA-FC for Effects.
The plus for this setup is that the POD Banks 1 & 2 control the Katana A/B Channels, POD Bank 3A turns on Katana Panel Mode & POD Banks 3BCD -16 are all POD amps and effects played through the Katana.
Having said all that the MA Commander controls the POD HD500 really well. I might just get a GA-FC EX and save myself the grief. 😂😂😂
Hope this helps and not too confusing. Apologies for the delay and long response.
Cheers
Daz
I've just invested in the purchase of a BOSS Katana Artist with the GA-FX EX pedal. Unfortunately, I'll have to keep tap dancing until it arrives ;-) "Great Explanation!"
Thanks Enzo!
Thanks for the video. It was really helpful.
No more tap dancing for me!
No more tap dancing for me! Long-time viewer, first-time commenter here. Love your content!
Around the 9:35 mark, you get a really cool tone from different effects on the head and cab. Are you playing through the little 5 inch speaker on the head and the 12in on the combo as well?
I have an artist combo and I'm interested in buying an artist head, but I don't think the artist head has the little speaker in it (just the regular 100w head from my understanding,) so I'm wondering if I would need another cab or to go with a 2nd combo.
Just want to see how you're achieving this sound. Thanks!
No more tap dancing for me. Cool vid, I've been using my Katana 50 mk2 without any footpedal but I want to use it to gig soon so this video is timely for me! Thx
My Ga- Fc ex pedal jusat arrived today...great timing lol thanks.
No more tap dancing for me !
No more tap dancing for me..I find that I really do need the new footswitch with the MK2. Thanks! Your demos are always very good.
No more tap dancing for me!!! Thank you for the video, it was very useful!
Super helpful. I agree with your wishlist items as well
No more tap dancing for me, super helpful, just going to order one!
yeah i love it brother. i got rid of my 50mk2 for a 100mk2 with a ga-fc. now i need a ga-fc ex, lmao
"No more tap dancing for me!" Great video.
I love(d) my Katana. I blew out my first Katana MKII Head one a couple of weeks ago(pay attention to the impedance and wattage on external speakers). That said, I just got a new one and I also bought a new power amp IC that I will install on the blown Katana this week. So, I hope to be using two Katana MkII 100 Heads shortly.
It would have been nice of Boss to have a way to do a firmware upgrade on the original GA-FC, so we don't have to buy the new one. They could have just sold us stickers for the new labels. I'll probably end up buying the new one too.
I'm interested if people are using Tone Studio at gigs and or to practice? I haven't used my Katana at a gig yet but I will be in March of 2023. I'd be interested to find out how difficult the process of setting up and using both the old GA-FC and the new EX is for and during a gig?
Smiley day to ya!
Thank you! Now I know how to use my new GA-FC EX. No more tap dancing for me!
Dudes. I just got the Katana MKII artist head with the 2x12 Waza cab, foot switch, and a moog expression pedal, both cables, for 1000 USD.
I can't WAIT for the UPS guy man. Holy shit!
no more tap dancing for me!! (sound of toppling) love your videos! your delivery is clear concise and fun- i have had a 100mk2 for a while and am currently assisting a friend with his new mk2 (which oddly came with the older GA foot cont.) I think your firmware suggestions are spot-on and great to know there is more to be had using 2 linked GA’s cheers
I finally got mine and I do agree an amber LED would have been ideal.
So, ANDY and BOSS, i love my Katana Mk 2 100, and got the GAFCEX pedal and love how it functions. i learned a couple things from your vid, but what i had hoped for was to be able to get the second GAFCEX, (which i purchased) and get bank A on one pedal and Bank B on the other, AND be able to operate two Katanas together for live stereo sound...BUMMER!!!! THE PROBLEM IS THAT I HAVE TO PICK WHETHER TO PLAY THROUGH 2 MK 2 100s with one GAFCEX or only one amp with 2 pedals. KINDS SHORT SIGHTED ON BOSS WAZA TO BUILD IN THIS LIMITATION.
SO, BOSS, IF YOU'RE LISTENING.....I AM THINKING TWICE ABOUT BUYING THE SECOND KATANA AMP....
No more tap dancing for me. They have done a great job here. The Katana is a fantastic product. Having said that they need to speak to you before they do updates right?
no more tap dancing for me. Great vid. Thank you sir.