Inspired by Katana guitar amps, Boss’ new bass combos promise an impressive set of features.
Boss’ Katana amp range has become a standard in the world of portable guitar amps. Now bass players can enjoy them too, with a couple of Katana bass combos: the Bass Katana-110 it’s the Bass Katana-210.
Both amps include a feature set similar to their 6-string siblings, with 3 pre-amp voices, comprehensive tone modeling, a range of Boss FX models, digital connectivity and more.
O Boss Katana-110 offers a power of 60 watts, a 10-inch woofer and a tweeter. In turn, the Katana-210 it is more geared towards the stage, with a power of 160 watts, 2 10″ woofers and a tweeter, which can be deactivated if necessary.
In terms of control, both Katanas offer the same “signal path”. The chain starts with a pair of input effects – which offer compression and drive – both with 6 selectable modes and a level control, allowing you to route to the chain or be bypassed completely.
The signal then passes through the “channel section”, which offers Vintage, Flat or Modern voices, as well as gain and volume controls, and includes a “pad switch” and “shape” control that lets you adjust to the type of bass you want. you are using. Then there’s a blend control, which routes the “Dry” sound back into the mix, ideal if you want to use the drive while still maintaining the original clarity and transparency. Four-band EQ delivers constant bass and treble, with a pair of mid-frequency controls for customizing the sound.
The FX section offers a range of classic bass effects, from T-Wah auto-wah, Chorus, Octaver, Bass Synth and more on the FX1 bank, while FX 2 includes 6 Delay and Reverb models. When you’re happy with the sound, you can save the patch in one of the 6 memory slots, saving all settings – except the master volume adjustment.
Both amps are designed to perform equally well at low volumes, with the inclusion of a “Power Control” knob that reduces power to 1 watt, plus a headphone output with speaker emulation and 3 “Air Feel” settings.
Both the Katana-110 and Katana-210 offer an XLR DI balanced speaker output, complete with ground-lift and switchable post/pre/direct options. You can also use combos with the option of “external effects loop”, and connections to footswitches or an expression pedal – and use Boss’s 6-switch controller, “GA-FC foot controller”.
The Katana Bass are integrated with a USB audio interface, which allows for more in-depth amplifier editing via the “Boss Tone Studio” PC application. There is also an “aux-in” for connecting to an external audio source. As they are “Bluetooth-ready”, through the “Boss Bluetooth Audio/MIDI” module (sold separately) you can transmit audio wirelessly between the amplifier and your device, in addition to being able to use the “Tone Studio” smartphone application.
The Boss Katana-110 Bass and Katana-210 Bass will be available in April 2022 for prices of $399.99 and $649.99. For more information, visit the Boss website.