Boss Katana GO: Upgraded Version of the Headphone Amplifier
A new version of the compact and sonically flexible Boss Katana GO mini headphone amplifier has arrived, which can become a practical and undemanding companion for everyday practice or jamming with a guitar or bass guitar. Like its predecessor, this year's model offers the authentic sounds of popular Katana series instruments combined with tools for wireless music streaming and editing via smartphone. Advanced surround technology provides an impressive 3D playing experience, while Boss Tone Exchange offers a near-infinite sound library for exploring any style.
The second-generation amplifier has undergone a facelift, including a downsizing and relocation of the volume potentiometer from the main panel to the side of the chassis, which also now has a significantly sleeker design and contours that make the new product look even more compact than the original model. The aforementioned Volume control is followed by a sliding On/Off switch and two buttons – the first for pairing devices via Bluetooth and the second for activating the Stage Feel function.
The latter, in conjunction with the headphones, bring a special surround mode that emulates the sound close to that of a conventional amp placed in a room, and thus a more realistic feeling of playing. In addition, presets allow you to place the virtual amp and backing tracks in different places in the sound field, giving the impression that you're playing on stage, jamming with the band in the rehearsal room, etc. The sound field can even be further personalised in the Boss Tone Studio app. By the way, it was the groundbreaking and easy-to-use Stage Feel feature that made the first-generation Katana Go a clear bestseller in its product category.
On the opposite side of the chassis, we find the integrated tuner switch and a trio of buttons for quick access to individual presets, while connectivity consists of a mini-jack headphone output, a USB-C port and a flip-up jack allowing connection to guitars with differently designed output jacks. Of course, the small but clear enough OLED display informing about the selected preset is still used.
Modelling of tens guitar and three bass amps with their corresponding cabinets, more than 150 effects, is provided, and each of the modes (guitar/bass) contains 30 memories with ready-made sounds that can be edited in the app, create custom presets, import Tone Setting memories created with Katana guitar and bass amps, etc. The app also provides integrated access to Tone Exchange, where you can download professionally edited Livesets and share sounds with the brand's global community.
The user can also use the Session tutorial to build playlists including looping different sections or setting time stamps, and have Katana Go automatically switch memories when playing with YouTube backing tracks. The manufacturer has thus conceived the entire system as a complete mobile solution to help musicians in their daily practice. This concept is also supported by a built-in USB audio interface for music production and online content creation on a computer or mobile device.
The power supply is provided by the aforementioned USB-C port recharging a Li-Ion battery with an average runtime of about 5 hours, the sound quality is guaranteed by 32bit/48kHz converters, Bluetooth includes A2DP (audio) and GATT (MIDI BLE) formats. A wireless MIDI Expression pedal EV-1-WL or a foot switch FS-1-WL can also be added, extending the Katana GO's capabilities with Bluetooth remote control functions, assignable in Boss Tone Studio.
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