Boss Katana Air After 1 Year - In-depth Review & Demo - The Guitar Geek 

By far, the most honest and detailed YT reviews. A bottomless pit of knowledge.

This was a really well thought out review. Absolutely gotta give you credit for your honesty.

I love mine! I purchased it a few weeks ago after watching one of your previous demos. I’ve recorded multiple times on the road into my MacBook Pro...all wireless!😎👍🏼

Honestly this is a travelling musician's dream. I played one this afternoon and I'm sold.

Just got a katana-air without the plug in device that allows the wireless usability. It is a great little Amp system and I am learning new things and ways to get this tiny monster to bite. Your video was a great assistant to the task at hand. Thank you

Excellent explanation of this amp. Not rushed and easy to understand. Thank you!

". . . I would go as far as saying, I don't even enjoy it." lol, THE nicest guy around! Great review. Thanks for introducing me to this amp. Looks/sounds really good.

"Sometimes all I need is the katana air that I breathe." I got one of these last year and I love it. I'm in a similar situation - small kids/no space/no time, and the convenience factor of the wireless and general "living-room-friendliness" of the Air makes it ideal for me. All your criticisms are valid though. I'd add lack of dedicated EQ for the bluetooth/line-in as another small grump given how suitable it is as a general bluetooth speaker. A looper would've been really nice too and feels like something that would be straight-forward to include given it's all digital. The app does work well though I'd have preferred an lcd panel on the amp itself, something like the Boss GT interface, and given the price that doesn't feel like a big ask. I worry what will happen in 5-10 years time if the app stops being updated to work with newer phones. A dedicated PC/Mac version of the app would help here and it feels like an odd omission given the USB out features. Worst case, the factory defaults alone cover a good range of tones.

Well I bought one and it's great! Thanks (in part) to your review, which is also great. Good blend of humour and knowledge. Nice!

I was 8 minutes in when I finally noticed that sweet Picard shirt. Great point about the app not looking like other Boss products. Would be really cool if it looked like a pedal in the app. I do own a Katana 50, it's my first "real" amp. (Crate 10w from early 2003!) The difference is amazing, it's no wonder I kept putting the guitar down with that old beginner amp. It's so much more fun to play on my Katana. Same goes for the guitar, but these days even the cheapest guitars are really good compared to back then. Sometimes all I need is the Katana Air I breathe PS I looked into the Air before buying the 50 and yeah, it's way to expensive for me. Someday I'd love one though.

nice review! love this product. I haven’t bought it yet but its on my wish list now.

I've got mine a year, and i love it simply because I live in an apartment, and it's connected to my home pc.. i also have the katana 50w which i think is a great amp..

Have had mine for at least a couple of years. I LOOOOOVE it!!! I use it every day all day. When I'm not playing, I use for RU-vid and xm radio. Has worked flawlessly...

Another cool video Andy. Thanks bro.

Something that doesn't seem to be covered a lot, is how well this thing works as an audio interface. I've been using it with my laptop to record, works great, and with some ASIO magic I've gotten it to work with Rocksmith. Think about that for a second. Completely wireless rocksmith with Katana tones and real speaker. Love it.

Awesome video as always. Lovely bits of playing too. Sometimes all I need is the Katana air that I breathe and a nice sandwich made with fresh wholemeal bread, some good vegan not-cheese and a huge blob of onion chutney. Thinking about it. I have a feeling that breathing an amp might be tricky so I'll settle for a sandwich and will try breathing my Katana 50 later on. I love using the Librarian app on my android tablet to control the setting for my Katana. I find it easier to use than tone studio. All the settings are just so much more accessible.

Great review! I currently own the Katana 100 1x12 and the Mini. I really love them both. Just ordered the Air, can't wait to get for it to get here! Really excited about the app interface, I'm really going to enjoy accessing all the pedals and features via my phone. I'll drop an update once I've had time to acclimate to it.

Thank you I getting one ordered I like the fact you can play backing tracks as well.

That amp sounds a lot better in the video than you would think by just looking at it! I tried out a wireless system that was very similar in it's bulky construction and I completely agree with you. It did have a hinged assembly so you could fold it back but it still just felt too bulky. If I were to use one I would go for old school strap mounted too!

Watched it to the end Andy:) great honest review, thanks for that. Price is a killer but even Kirk Hammet own one so it must be cool:)

You played the riff to "sweet child feels fine" really well

this would be a perfect grab and go amp to use with my Kiesel Vader guitar on the road. I love the wireless feature. No cables needed.

Best video on the Katana Air hands down.

I wish they’d grab the katana 50 in one hand, the katana air in the other and smoosh them together so the katana 50 gets some of the cool features of the air. The app in particular would be useful since I rarely have my laptop in the same place as my amp and connecting them is a bit of a pain. All I need is the katana air I breathe and the katana 50 I eat for dinner.

I have the BOSS KATANA HEAD and it is incredible. I bought it for the smallest size and after a year of using it a lot I still love it. Now I'm going to buy the Air because it has more options for the app

I appreciate the video! I’m currently switching up my gear after about 13 years of using a Line 6 Spider IV for a practice amp. My wife and I are going to remodel one of our rooms in our home to be a dedicated music/photography room and I just feel it’s time to switch things up practice amp-wise. The Line 6, though very cool for its time in 2010, has become a bit dated to me and want to use different tech now. This Katana Air, despite what it isn’t, seems great for what I’d like to have in a small, unobtrusive practice amp. I have my old gigging rig with my Soldano head run through my Mesa cab, but since I haven’t gigged in like a decade, I don’t really use it at home. Honestly thinking of getting rid of that as well but for now, think I’ll cut loose from the Line 6 Spider IV and grab one of these little guys. I’ve researched like models with the Spark Go, Yamaha and such, but I’ve settled on liking enough of what the Katana are IS and willing to accept what it IS NOT. I love the compactness, the wireless capabilities, the massive amount of pedal effects, the sound quality…there’s a lot to like about this even with that price. Im also excited to grab the wireless foot switch compatible with this too and possibly the expression pedal. It would just increase its potential with those items as well. In any case, I’m excited to order one and get my hands dirty! Yeah the line out for a speaker cab would be great but looks like there are ways to mod it for that. Love the video!

Bought this two days ago. It's awesome for my needs.

Well, my excuse to be able to buy a Katana 100 was that it could be used as a family entertainment system. Glad I'm not the only one who uses a Katana in that way!

Just found your channel, great content, subbed.

Love the Katana mini, and would like to get the Air. That price tag is a bit, but looks like there's a lot of value built in. Love that Picard shirt Btw!!🖖🏼🤘🏼

Great video. Just bought one for myself. Great amp. 🤙🏻

All I need is the Katana Air I breathe. Great video. Can't wait to see if and how you get the speaker out put on it. I have to agree the price is NOT right. However if you can get it to speaker out play it out of a 2x12 cab then maybe it could be a very portable gigging unit. BOSS LISTEN UP SPEAKER OUT PLUGS PLEASE!

I find it funny that the boss solution is a cable extension. A few years back I'd bought a line 6 spider and the wireless system but I only had an Ibanez s series and the transmitter wouldn't fit the jack recess. Ordered a custom 6 inch cable with a locking female end for the dongle, could slip it in my pocket or over the strap lock. Always felt better using the cable with regular guitars than just sticking out as well.

GREAT review--- From a Pawn Shop, I decided to buy my Kitana Air (used, $180!) after a minute of skipping through your comments. THANKS for your biased AND YET HONEST opinions on this amp. I'll let you know if it has no issues...Servus und vielen dank!

I’m a big katana fan, I own the 100W 1x12 and the Mk1 artist. About two months ago I sold my katana air & bought the Vox Adio Air gt, Why ??? Because of its better sound quality, better sounding affects and just overall tone, it’s absolutely amazing and blows the katana air clean out of the water. Seriously I can’t recommend them highly enough and can’t understand why they’re not more popular in the desktop amp category.

Love mine.. I keep a strat and K-air next to my lazy boy in the living room. Set the strat down and it turns off by itself...pick it up and it's ready to jam again, magic!! I play more now than ever thanks to the convenience of this amp. So it was worth the price for me.

Sometimes all I need is the Katana Air that I breathe, and mine arrives Wednesday! I’m glad to know it sounds good as a Bluetooth speaker because I had heard otherwise.

Sometimes all I need is the katana Air I Breathe. Great review!

"Sometimes all I need is the Katana Air that I breathe"...oh my! Great video Andy!! I am drawn to the Katana 50 for price and overall feature set. However, I am strongly leaning towards the Katana Artist (1x12) for the speaker and the effects loop (primarily because I want to run a looper and a de-tuner pedal). Aside from the difference in speaker(s), do you think I could achieve a similar result of functionality/sound by running those types of pedals with the 50?

Do pedals work well with the Katana Air? I wanted to use a Digitech Drop with it? Would like to know how pedals perform with it before purchasing.

It's a great travel practice amp for so many reasons.

Give that explorer some love man! Dayuuummmmm!

I tottally understand why you'd play that small amp the most, even while having other amazing and better sounding amps... For the past 4 months I've played my katana mini every single day. And my Laney tube amp, maybe twice. It's the convenience to be able to pick up the guitar and play for 10-15 minutes and leave it.

I wasn't sure about some of the tech terms so I googled big muff......didn't see much about amp sounds..

That is the mother of all cliffhangers. My most urgently wanted notification is that speaker out video. This video just sold another Katana Air.

In considering the price, take off $180 (or whatever) for the dongle (wireless transmitter) and the receiver when comparing amps that don't have this. That's 45% off (from $399) to get $219 final price. Doesn't feel so bad now (except, of course, you'd need to get a compatible receiver to use the wireless for other purposes, of course, so maybe it's value to you would not be quite that much). Great video. You know how to get to the point and have fun at the same time! Bravo! (Not to mention fabulous playing!) BY THE WAY, the documentation doesn't say if it's digital or UHF wireless. Do you know. So many people are having trouble with digital wireless. I've been very happy with UHF.

Very thorough review, but so disappointed there was no sanding involved. Sanding videos are indeed the future.

OMG . I gotta have that shirt!!!

I like that you back peddled and called it what it was. Theft lol. I used to do miniature war gaming (warhammer 40k and warmachine) and my wife would also "borrow" my tools on the regular for crafts. Most of it is just hers now because I bought my own tools.

“Sometimes all I need is the Katana Air that I breathe” Made it that far. Nice review.

Does the Katana Air charge rechargeable batteries while its plugged in? The new Yamaha THR30 comes with a rechargeable battery and it just makes things easier if you don’t have to constantly swap out batteries.

Great review. Katana Air looks like fun. I think I will get it. Does it connect wirelessly to headphones? if so, does it have BTooth low latency connection?

Nice! That stress Tele sounds great, Stock pups? I’ve got a build and don’t want anything too hot and liked the sound of yours. Appreciate a response - thanks Geekman!

Can you use it with 2 guitars at once? I’m assuming that I can play jam tracks over Bluetooth and jam to them at the same time?

Sometimes all I need is the Katana Air that I breathe. I had the Katana 50 and I loved it but traded it for a guitar that I no longer own. So I’m dumb. I do have the Katana mini and it’s cool for playing away from my guitar room

Sometimes all I need is the katana air that I breath but unfortunately not at that price . If it was half the price though I absolutely would . Great review as usual Andy thanks 👍👍

Did you install the speaker out? That would be awesome 🤘

Hey mate, how did you go sorting a "speaker out" to run a 4 x 12?? You should be able to install a jack in series with its own internal speaker feeds, and use a switched socket so it turns off the internal speakers when an external cab is connected, so it doesn't screw with the impedance, if the amp can handle it. Be curious to know. Loved the review, thanks.

I was thinking about the same....it's kinda expensive for the little thing. I thought should I buy Katana50 or Katana air? I like the convenience that you can take it everywhere. So I decided that I will get the Katana air instead of Katana 50. I already have the Katana mini but my wife is taking over this one because she wants to play on the couch instead of the bedroom. 😉👍

Nice review bub-ba 🎸🤓🎸

Oh man that Sweet child into type thing really threw me off! Haha, Great little thing, Need to try one out! - Damon

Sometimes all I need is the Katana Air that I breathe and a guitar with an Evertune bridge.

Perfect description: LIFESTYLE AMP. And that’s pretty much how I use it.

Did you ever figure out how to put a line out on the katana air? I’ve been thinking about it, myself, but there’s NO WAY I’m tearing mine apart

08/03/2022 Thank you, yes the Katana sounds amazing! And if you are looking for a Bluetooth pedal that can control the Katana Air, here is something to clarify: When switching the sounds, the Xsonic Airstep BW needs up to 1 second to switch from clean to lead sound, that's too long for me personally! The Airstep Update App does not work stably on Android either! The update keeps failing!!! I can only recommend the Airstep BW if you accept that the switching time is 1 second until the Katana Air is switched! The problem is not with the amp but with the Xsonic Airstep BW Bluetooth controller pedal. And the Boss Katana Librarian App doesn't support the Katana Air!!! Question for you musicians: Have any of you tested the Boss EV-1-WL with Boss FS6 or FS-7 and what is the switching time until the Katana Air is switched? Thank you for your willingness to help. (guitar teacher and repair service)

Love the t shirt ☺Also would be great when they build a wireless system into the guitar.

If I'm using the bluetooth guitar connection can I still use bluetooth headphones? And can I connect my iTunes to play along with as well? The THR10 has an aux in port. This seems only to have bluetooth.

Does the amp charge the rechargeable AA batteries when plugged in? Or is a separate charger required?

Nice review! Tnx

Great, now I gotta get a orange cab to set it on.

Sometimes all I need is the air that I breathe...but it's usually money that I need more. Great review...wish it were priced lower, too, like the Yamaha THR10ii. I'm sure they'll respond to the competition.

Awesome, mics plugged into camera only? or mixer, then camera?

For the family entertainment aspect, how do you connect your TV/record player etc?

21:53 Curious to have the disclosure so late in the video... but I enjoyed it. Thanks... I'm wondering about latency? Any issues? Apologies if you addressed that near the end, as I haven't had time to watch the full video. I have the Katana 50 and enjoy it a lot (though I struggle to get a 1980s metal tone that I like... I need to download some patches, I guess).

So how goood is the wireless on yours? Mine start popping and crackle just 1,5 meters away from the amp, with wireless signal inside the katana app showing 2 bars .. I got a second WiFi dongel, and it’s just as bad. Making it totally useless .

How does this compare to Katana Mk2 Head? Is the air more suitable as a bedroom low volume amp?

Big question then; did you manage to add a speaker out function to it??? Could this be run through a cab?

Nice review on the Katana air that I breathe. What's that creaking sound by the way? Almost compelled me to bite my phone

It is awsum to get these used,and they are like perfect condition,can't wait to get it I got 11 guitars it's about I buy a amp

As always fantastic video Andy . But ive a Huge N°1 question,( for me ) ive had a massive kick in balls recently and now left with a black n white 1987 /88 encore ( strat copy ) my first electric guitar would this still have a good tone/sound through the Boss Katana . P.s that gibson re-make looks awesome 🤘🤘🤘.

Stupid question here but can I connect my multiFX into a Katana air? I'm looking for an amp like this but I also want to use my multiFX

Hello how do I find katana air patches?

Sometimes all I need is the Katana Air I breathe and the Air is also my most used amp. I would love to see a speaker out on it and I can't wait to see how it's done!

What does it sound like without the miced up external amps?

LOVE Ur Presentation > Wd it Sound just as Great w/ a Kawai MP11 Keyboard?

Hahaha. Katana Air I breath. Thank you for the “real” review. I am new and I really want this amp. Thanks for helping me make up my mind.

a speaker has its gain increase by 3db with each surface it couples with , try putting the katana tightly into a corner on the floor , this will yield about 9 db gain as it couples with the floor and 2 walls. ...BTW ... have 2 Katana Air and a EB stereo /pan pedal ... spectacular. BTW Evertune ..awesome ...get one .....time spent tuning is time that could be spent playing . Thanks to Joseph Bernard for mentioning Evertune.

Nice. I have the Mini, the Artist and just ordered the Waza Air Headphones. Choice the headphones over the air for practice convince but both are crazy prices for what they are. Suppose I am an easy target for the BOSS marketing army.. 👍🇦🇺

@theguitargeek did u ever figure the quarter inch out mod?!?!?!

"Sometimes all I need is the Katana Air that I breathe"....Even with its flaws it is indeed a nice amplifier. However it is $459.88 US. The Boss Katana MK2 50w is half the price and almost twice the volume.

Thanks for the great video! I just dropped the $645 CAD 😱 for it on Amazon. Thank God for gift cards... I live in an apartment with limited space, so this is going to be perfect. Really looking forward to trying out all the awesome Boss patches while whirling around my space, cord-free!

I whent with the VOX rythym 5 ! Awesome sounding practice amp - and maybe the only one with a rythym -drum section !

Love your channel Andy. I got a Katana but now I find that you cant connect it to Boss Tone Studio on a mac. I got this from a Roland support person "The Katana Air is not compatible with Boss Tone Studio for Mac, it will only work with Tone Studio for iOS or Android." Whaaaaat?! Were you aware? I was all keen to go into the app on my mac and look at your tone tuesday tones but now i've got to send them to my phone? This is a major bummer. It would be great to know if there is a plan from Boss to have the Katana Air be compatible with Macs sometime soon.

Andy - if you want the app for your Artist - and you have an Android phone or tablet - there's an app on the Play Store called Katana Librarian. While it's not Bluetooth, you'll need a USB on-the-go cable. The app works great and it's easy to load patches from your phone/tablet or computer. Sometimes all I need is the Katana Air I breathe

I love mine. It's really a worth while amp of you can afford it. It's an awesome BT speaker. Take it outside when grilling. Only complaint is the dongle doesn't charge when plugged into the amp have to charge it via USB cable. Very disappointed how lo g it didn't last.

It costs a lot more than the NUX Mighty air. Is it worth the extra and is it loud enough?

Looks nice, you should try the SPARK, less exppensive and I believe it does everything the Air does, perhaps better. At least it looks better ;)

Sometimes all I need is the Katana Air that I breath and.... Well conflicted as I want a "lounge" amp (the Hughes & Kettner Stateman 60w 2x12 isn't suitable!). So this vs Yamaha THR10? 🤔🤔

I got one of these when they first came out, but I quickly returned it because it sounded like playing through a transistor radio.

How can I use the plug in a Fender Strat? Does it fit?