Boss Katana 50 Gen 3

The Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 is a highly popular and versatile 50-watt solid-state combo amplifier. As the third generation of the best-selling Katana series, it builds upon its predecessors' success by offering enhanced tone-shaping capabilities and an updated feature set. It is a fantastic choice for practice, recording, and small gigs.

Here is a detailed breakdown of its key features:

Core Concept & Sound:

• 50 Watts of Power with Power Control: The Katana-50 Gen 3 delivers 50 watts of Class AB power, which is more than enough for home practice and is surprisingly loud for its size. Its standout feature is the built-in power control, which allows you to dial the output down to 0.5 watts or 25 watts. This means you can achieve cranked-amp tones and response at bedroom-friendly volumes without sacrificing sound quality.

• Tube Logic Enhancements: Boss's proprietary "Tube Logic" design has been refined in the Gen 3 models. This technology aims to emulate the complex, dynamic interaction of a tube amp's output section and speaker, giving the Katana a responsive feel that changes as you turn up the volume, similar to a genuine tube amp.

• Six Amp Characters with Variations: The amp offers six distinct amp characters: Clean, Crunch, Lead, Brown, and Acoustic, plus a new "Pushed" type. The new Pushed character is designed to emulate the pleasing, touch-responsive gain of a clean amp being driven into harmonic saturation. A new "Variation" button for each character doubles your tonal options, giving you twelve unique amp tones to work with.

Built-in Effects and Connectivity:

• Five Independent Effects Sections: The amp includes five simultaneous effects sections: Booster, Mod, FX, Delay, and Reverb. Each section offers three selectable variations, providing a total of 15 ready-to-play effects right out of the box. The effects have also been updated with enhanced sound quality.

• BOSS Tone Studio: Connecting the amp to a computer or mobile device via the USB-C port unlocks its full potential with the free and newly updated BOSS Tone Studio software. This editor allows you to dive deep into customizing your sound, with access to over 60 different effects, channel and global EQs, and adjustable routing.

• Professional Connectivity:

  • Power Amp In: This feature allows you to bypass the Katana's preamp and effects, letting you use it as a powered cabinet for an external preamp, modeler, or multi-effects unit.

  • USB-C Output: A USB-C output allows for direct connection to a computer or mobile device for high-quality recording, complete with IR-based cabinet sound.

  • Headphone Output: A stereo 1/4" headphone jack allows for silent practice.

  • Footswitch Support: You can connect external footswitches and an expression pedal for hands-free control of your sounds and effects.

• Optional Bluetooth Adaptor: The Gen 3 models have a dedicated slot for the optional Bluetooth Audio MIDI Dual Adaptor (BT-DUAL), which enables wireless audio streaming and remote editing from a mobile device.

Overall Impression:

The Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 is an exceptional choice for:

• Beginner and Intermediate Guitarists: Its combination of versatile tone-shaping, reliable performance, and affordable price make it a perfect practice amp and a great first amp.

• Home Practice and Recording: The power control, headphone jack, and USB audio output make it a highly flexible tool for practicing and recording at any volume.

• Players seeking a wide range of tones: The combination of amp characters, variations, and the extensive built-in effects suite provides a massive tonal palette, from vintage blues to modern metal, all in one package.