Amplifier Classes Explained | Boss Katana Artist
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- Understanding amplifier classes can be confusing. What is the difference between 'Class A' and 'Class AB'? What's going on with 'Class D'?
Wonder no longer, using the Boss Katana Artist as an example we delve into the world of amplifier classes.
Boss Katana Artist:
www.boss.info/...
#boss #katana #artist
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Congrats on new camera fam
Thank you, but how did you know I got a new camera?
Finally someone explained this in a way I can understand.
Wow, once again tons of expert knowledge condensed into understandable language. Good on ya, man.
This guys videos are literally the only ones that make sense to me... the best instructional videos on UA-cam.
I'm so glad to have discovered your channel: you're a thorough, engaging teacher, with great playing to boot. I've tiptoed around this topic for years -- ever since a Guitar Center sales rep looked starry-eyed when he described an amp option as "Class A" -- and this is by far the clearest, most helpful overview I've seen.
Guys, I think Collin likes dinosaurs
Dinosaurs are life
CSGuitars I've got bad news for you, man...
@@ScienceofLoud Dinosaur Life
Ya because dinosaur's Rule!!!
hunt the dinosaur
Finally someone who puts that there's a product placement!!!
Not like all the other youtubers who are "demoing the latest Ernie Ball stuff"!!!
Gosh! THANK YOU FOR YOUR HONESTY and this great explanation video!!! 😉👍
To be very fair to Boss, they didn't want a normal product review. They just wanted to be used as an example in a technology explanation video like this.
I chose the topic and equipment and had free reign to say whatever I wanted and fortunately the Katana Artist is very good.
If companies make good product honesty is nothing to be scared of.
The fact that Boss even want to work with me considering the shade I've thrown at the original Metal Zone in the past should speak volumes about how supportive they are to honest content.
It's a brilliant marketing move by Boss - what's the use of having a unique advantage in your amp if the drooling guitar player won't understand it?
On the whole Metal Zone thing, I cannot imagine any long-standing company to be so much out of touch to miss a product of theirs has achieved meme status. Come on, there's a That Pedal Show episode where they wear surgical masks to handle one.
@@ScienceofLoud Hey have you used a standard Katana (40 Watt version would be preferable)? If so I'd like your opinion on it
*Smacks table* THANK YOU! o.o
Stupid question dough: Why didn't your sound get clean after the shower? Explain this in a seperate video please! ò.ó \m/
Well, that is an easy explanation, the signal was still... _wet_ .
It got wet! Lol!! Thanks for the laugh! I needed that shit
made my day
@@d1oftwins Bwaahahah, excellent mate
I love the visualization, especially the one that constantly stays on the right side of the video.
Colin. Your channel is criminally unrecognized and unsubbed. Love the channel
Iron Wall so true. His videos are hands down some of the best on YT. DylanTalksTone is also severely underrated. He deserves waaaay more subs
Anthony Sclafani while I do like to watch some of Dylan’s videos, he often seems like a salesman who wants to promote his products. I can’t help but think he’s really arrogant sometimes..
Colin however is the opposite, it seems like all he wants to do is educate us about stuff we don’t know in the most polite, helpful and funny way.
I do like Colins videos a lot and think he really should get more attention!
Finally, someone was able to explain amp classes to me! I totally get it now, thank you!
Never heard of the classes of amplifiers but your vid brought the big picture and all the details I need. The visualization is really good for understanding! Also your Tiramisu Explorer really looks cool! This is the promoted video that I would click to watch!
Oh btw Colin, where's the riff in 11:09 from? Thanks!
Scorpions - Rock You Like A Hurricane
You read my mind. I was researching about this topic lately and many explanations are confusing. Your video is amazing, very well explained and in an accessible way. Thank you for that!
I was literally going to search this topic before my UA-cam binge but changed my mind - this was my first recommended video when I went to YT. Spooky....
This is the best video I’ve seen in a fucking while. Got educated with precise and understandable information explaining shit every guitar player needs to know, and then got to listen a killer tune. Love you Colin.
HOLY CRAP, THAT KNOB ON THE BACK OF MY AMP THAT HAS IT GO FROM CLASS A TO CLASS A/B OR A BLEND OF THE TWO FINALLY MAKES SENSE
Thank you Collin
11:44 WE ALL GOT LEFT BEHIND
*Hey, Colin! I just want to make you a very, very big compliment!!* - I' m not that technical talented sound specialist ( with an "A"-- classification in maths...), but thats the first time, that someone could *explain the "A","B","AB" and "D"- classification of guitar-amps* the way, *that even i really understood it!!*- And it was the same in your episode, you explained that phenomenon called "negative feedback" ( which was of special interest for me, because i own a VOX AC-30, an amp, thats well-known and especially popular because of having not such feedback...)
You have really an easy to understand and - instead and thanks-god - technically correct and also humourful - way to explain things around musical issues!!
Fantastic, man! *You are not only a respectable guitarist, you are also a true teacher - in the best way of the word' s meaning!*
Carry on!! Rock on!! Stay healthy!!🎸🤟
Andreas
You explain things way better than other musicians. I love your videos. I also have had the regular boss katana 100 for a year and love it. Have yet to try the artist out.
you have a wonderful way of explaining things and these focused deep dives that explain the subject matter with out all the nonsense is unique and most welcomed. Thank you
I have the Katana Artist...love it! The thing is LOUD. I know about amp classification from the car audio world. Car stereo amps are rated the same. Class D was always reserved for powering bass subwoofers. If you look at all the latest bass guitar amps on the market now, you'll see a trend of super small heads with crazy power (like 800 watts). That's class D power.
Erik Stone How come class D power means less volume than class A if D has higher efficiency than A?
When talking about efficiency, there is always a "compromise". If you put a high efficiency shower head on your shower, does it flow more or less water? Same concept here.
Erik Stone If both showers take water from the plumbing at the same rate, the one with the higher efficiency makes my head wetter.
Totally spot on. I've got a 250 watt Carvin bass head that could fit in my gig bag. Sounds great and has more than enough power on tap for whatever I need. I'll never lug a a giant bass amp to a gig ever again.
mkaali both showers do not take the water at the same rate. The water hits the shower heads at the same rate, but the efficient head creates a bottleneck that helps conserve water (which is what makes it efficient). So with the amp, as you heard in this video...class A is a full stream of power with very little bottleneck. This is why it sounds pure. The downside is that it creates a lot of heat, so it looses energy in that heat (ie: non-efficient). Class D processes power completely different since that power is "filtered". You may loose sound quality and volume due to the filtration, but what you get in return is a cooler running amp that doesn't need large heat sinks and air moving around it to cool it down. It's a trade off. Maybe someday we'll have a new class of amp that has the best of both worlds.
This makes a lot more sense now. That explains why SS amps always have the PWM wattage, as well as part of the reason that tubes feel different. Thank you for this video!
Hey man! I’m playing for almost 3 years now and learned a lot from your video today. Thanks for the work and tutoring.. Frank
Colin is the best teacher period, we all need someone like him at University
I love your explanations and reviews; your videos are the ones I look forward to the most when it comes to guitar!
Nam Tăng Thought Kurzgesagt was a fan for a moment.
this Scottish accent sounds much comfortable after viewing decades of clips from this channel. good vid, thanks.
This is why your channel is one of my favorite. Love these in depth explanations
The content in this channel is amazing
Your the best guitar/musical you tube channel on UA-cam. Informational and even if you can't as fast as other channels each video people can tell that you take your time and thought just to get it right. Love the channel.
Excellent explanation. The graphics with the narration are the perfect way to get the point accross. This is the best tutorial on amp classes on youtube. Great job.
I've got a Boss Katana 50 and it is my favorite thing in the world. I only really play guitar in my home so dropping the output wattage with the flip of a switch while still keeping things sounding good is awesome. And that amp SOUNDS. GOOD. Even if I had an excellent 1W valve amp I'd still need a bunch of a pedals to get the sounds I'm after. The Katana has many effects built in so I don't have to journey very far. Its not the ultimate amp, but its all one really needs if they are after a simple, affordable, practice amp.
I was just thinking about what the Class AB in the Boss Katana series meant just a few days back and thus video comes up! Awesome!
I just learned everything about amps classes... I didn't even knew there were classes...
"DEM TONES, BRAH!" Hahahaha love this channel, always so informative & entertaining. Keep 'em coming, Colin!
Love how you threw a Parkway Drive riff in the demo!!!
Dude it's crazy, I was genuinely just wondering about that. And I couldn't think of anyone better to explain it. You're explanations are so clear and easy to understand :)
Also having been a subscriber for quite a while I definitely noticed your playing has improved!!! Good work man, your rhythm was much tighter and overall cleaner, and your lead lines were very nice too. Also your recording has improved as well.
Essentially, great work man :) I noticed a big improvement
That old 10,000 hours thing. I can only get better with practice. Thank you for your support.
Thanks for explaining the different amp classes in a way that is both informative and entertaining. You sir, are both a scholar and a gentleman!
I have a Katana Artist and to me it feels like a valve amp, without valves. This thing is awesome! Personally I only use it "old-school" and will probably never muck about with the computery stuff - I can get everything I need from the from panel, just like any other "real" amp. Re the construction of the cabinet, the only part that doesn't feel so solid is the panel that has been fitted in the back to make it semi-closed (and care should be taken with this area) . The rest of the cabinet is very solid indeed! As long as nothing is bashed into the back of it, I think it'll last for years!
Finally! A REAL video of you playing. I knew you could play. It’s about damn time you show how good. I loved it. 🤘🤘
11:27 The riff from Vice Grip by Parkway drive really made me smile!
Love all your videos! Would love to see you post a video of you breaking down the complete "anatomy" of a tube/solid-state/hybrid amp. Fingers crossed!
Great lesson! You're the first person to explain this.
Explained so I could actually understand it--Thank you!
Man I love how you explain things, The basics are always quite easy to understand.
Love this guy!!!!! Not only is the information smack right on, his accent is just fabulous, fantastic!!!
Love this video my friend! Quality has improved a lot since your first videos! Its excellent! Keep up the good work ;)
Great video Colin! Interesting way to sponsor a video as something useful!
How does this channel not have a million subs, your videos are top notch. Very well done.
Love your clarity and precision. You make the difficult quite easy to understand. Bravo.
Funny how people actually expect to hear the full quality of AB amplified sound from a youtube video... As if there is no compression, and the phone or PC audio isn't class D :p
Thank you for providing this information!
Ronald, I appreciate your perspective. Sometimes I catch myself thinking all these amp and pedal videos sound identical, then I remember I'm on my phone! At least if something sounds decent here, it might sound that much better in person.
This is one of the more clear explanations I have encountered! Thank you
Nailed it. The best katana video out there by far
never heard anything about amp classes before but super interesting none-the-less. thanks for explaining in such a clear way.
Reminds me of that video where Stephen Hawking explains quantum mechanics then gets into the bath. Haha, nice one mate.
Thats because quantum mechanics is trash, and Amps use real physics not computer simulations of simulations to cook up figures.
The quality of the production of your videos is awesome! congrats Colin!
This video is SICK under every possible aspect
I study electronics and I'm vary glad that you explained this topic in such simple and comprehensive way. Also the track you made is suprisingly good
I got the same orange T-rex lamp on my nightstand! Love it!
And the video as well, but that speaks for itself!
Outstanding presentation. My little 5 watt is AB & it has a great sound!!
Very helpful. Got through decades of bong resin to reach my brain.
That's really very interesting ! Plus, making the effort to get your accent, I think I can now understand every single english accent in the world ! I thought Trainspotting was hard to understand, but now I get what Scotland really is all about !! Thanks man !
Utterly proper guitar playing.
Tones seemed paired nicely with purpose.
The video production during initial sound clip- just looney. Beyond solid work-
Respect;
from across the pond.
I’ve got the MK2, and it is a wonderful amp. I’m very thankful the local music shop gave me a sweet deal!
Thank you for the technical description of the various amplifier classes - that had certainly been a mystery to me. It seems that the Katana Artist uses a mixture of analogue and digital technology to delivers its sounds, but that the main signal route through (without effects) is analogue.
Colin .... simply amazing ! Your playing and song composition is absolutely world class my brother ! Add to this your knowledge , intelligence and absolute pro way of explaining technical aspects ... awesome . Great work . Awesomely interesting and very informative videos all done in a superb professional manner and top quality . Sub and like ... who could resist or deny ?
WE ALL GOT LEFT BEHIND!!! Love the Slipknot hat tip! Lovin’ some Lamb of God in there too! As always, Keeping it loud! Thanks again Colin for another awesome video, keep ‘em coming!
thumbs up for including them Parkway Drive and Slipknot riffs
And lamb of god
Parkway Drive and Lamb of God? You've made some great riff choices here Colin!
I like the fan through the hair effect. An amp worth looking at.
Seck reffs
and TEIM
Class EB powerstage
fockin roite
T-SHIRT DESIGN!
NOWWWWWW!
That Boss sounds better than several valve amps I’ve played or heard. I can tell it’s solid state, but it’s got the tone so dialed in, I’d have no problem arriving from the airport with my fly rig and having those on the back line instead of the usual suspects.
Understanding amplifier classes can be confusing. What is the difference between 'Class A' and 'Class AB'? What's going on with 'Class D'?
Wonder no longer, using the Boss Katana Artist as an example we delve into the world of amplifier classes.
Boss Katana Artist:
www.boss.info/global/products/katana-artist/
Finally got it. Where have you been the last 40 years :D
Great explanation vid!
My Kustom 1200HD bass head is Class B, which concerned me before I bought it, but switching technology has vastly improved and crossover distortion isn't as much of an issue with longer waveforms.
It's actually Class D, so it has nothing to do with the crossover distortion associated with Class B. Class B *will always* have these crossover problems pretty much, so that's why it isn't used in audio while Class A/B is.
Class D, on the other hand, is quite good for audio, especially for high power amps. It's the only one of these 4 classes that use the switching technology.
My mistake: I don't have the 1200HD - that's the new one that is Class D. I have the Groove 1200, which is Class B. Some Google images label them the same, thus why I mentioned the wrong model.
Incredible explanation !
I'm so glad you play so cleanly :P
Great explanation! And that single pickup Explorer is SICK :o
Hahah you are amazing. Your way of explaining is uncomparable. Love from India
Love your stuff man, great editing and lots of useful informaton
Great video, thanks! A kind of a Rob Roy and a Braveheart dialect of the guitar/amp world! And the Oscar goes to...
Excellent video Colin. Thank you.
How can 15 people thumbs down this video? Great content in a fun style! Fantastic as always Colin!
Simple, you watch the video, and in your head decide which of the information received you appreciate and enjoy enough to put a like or a dislike.
Some folks maybe disliked the product placement and weren't entertained enough from the science part.
I would have put a like for the explanation of Amp Classes, and a dislike for the Katana part, simply cos I have a completely different experience with these amps.
However I gave the video a like, because the main reason I watched this video was the Class A - A/B explanation, did not care for the Katana part, regardless of Colin's experience to me these amps are just garbage, especially the artist at its price point, but I am not gonna go and throw a dislike and damage the dude, he's put work and effort into this, and the information he conveyed his accurate and easy to follow, that deserves appreciation. The amplifier part is his own experience as player and "recorder", which being personal, in my eyes can't be disputed.
@@BlackZar84 you could have just wrote, “sone people are self absorbed douches like me” and saved a lot of time
@@chadbouterse8617 you can't take any sort of criticism, can you? Everything has to be as you want it, right?
Gr8 playing and awesome tone. I have a Katana too but am still a tube man..
That Scorpions tone was spot on, I'm impressed. Not gonna trade in my Mesa or anything, but maybe I'd recommend one to a friend.
The new milkman the amp uses a class d power amp according to the namm interview a few months back. now it started to make sense on what he meant about class d thanks my dude
3:08 The "class B" depicted here seems more like the unbiased version which, yes, will have major levels of crossover distortion. Douglas Self, on the other hand, classifies class B as the optimally-biased push-pull output stage, with class AB being a class B with a pointlessly high idle bias, which (ironically enough) actually leads to *higher* distortion than the optimal bias. Plus the associated extra heat waste.
I don't play metal but I still enjoy your videos. Nice chops.
Great explanation my friend!
Really useful especially considering that I am looking for an amp and I am trying to figure out what and how.to.compare things!
Hit a home run on this one. Great channel just subscribed. Thank you.
great content. great riffing and some cool guitars. and the fan. in the hair.
thank you for the video sir!
Nice summary. Well-explained. I tip my hat.
I recently bought a Class D 50W/50W amp from Parts Express. Cost me $10 (can I say about 6 pounds?), and is the size of my Raspberry Pi. Mind you, that doesn't include power supply.
Excellent tones
Great video and thank you for the info. I didn’t like the rhythm amp tones but the lead sound on top did sound good to my ears.
Great explanation. You're a *class* act Colin 😀
A very well made video. Good song too!
Love that slipknot
Great video
I love ins and outs you give in all of you videos 🤘
I think we're all expecting more shower scenes in the future.
Dake Townsend of course
Colin is Da BOSS !!! cheers mate :)
Good video. I've been looking for a demo of what the amp sounds like prior to using software editing. Subscribed 👍
Great review. Thanks!