I am trying to install Tone Studio, I tried probably a couple of years ago and never figured it out. I seem to have the software and drivers installed but when I open the program I get a message to update my Katana amp with the latest system program.
When I click on Download file it takes me to the Katana-50 Updates & Drivers page. When I click on Katana System Program (which I have done 8 times now according to the files in my Downloads directory) the katanarm BIN file looks like a pdf file, and of course it wonât open. In one of the first of the 8 downloads it didnât have a pdf picture associated with it but my computer didnât know how to open it so I stupidly left the box ticked for âopen all files of this type with thisâ and then it selected adobe, and of course Adobe wonât open it. However, there was no associated software that would open the BIN file anyway so that I could try to update the system program.
Hi Mari the bin file needs to be sort of uploaded into your Katana amp via printer like usb cable, instruction how to do it can be found in the link below. Donât worry about associating PDF reader with BIN files you wonât be using many of those anymore most probably. If you struggle give me a shout.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO UPDATE YOUR KATANA Mk II
KATANA Mk IIUSB cable
The update is carried out with the unit and the computer connected via USB.
Provide a cable suitable for connection to the computer youâre using.Computer (Windows or Mac) equipped with a USB port compliant with USB 2.0 or USB 3.0CAUTION WHEN PERFORMING THE UPDATE
Never apply this update data to any product other than the KATANA Mk II. This update data may destroy the data or system program of other products.Never power-off your KATANA Mk II while the update is in progress!
If a power failure or similar accident occurs during the update process, the KATANA Mk II wonât be able to start up in normal operating mode. This will require servicing, so you will need to contact Roland service center near you if this occurs.We regret that we are unable to answer questions regarding the update procedure using this system program. Please perform the update responsibly, following the directions given in this document.DOWNLOAD AND EXPAND THE ARCHIVE FILE
Download the file named âkatana2_sys_v110.zipâ.
The downloaded file is an archive file in zip format.
Right-click to select Extract All, and then follow the instructions.
PROCEDURE FOR THE UPDATE
Caution
You must not rename the extracted files.Never turn off the KATANA Mk IIâs power while the update is in progress. Otherwise the system program or the KATANA Mk II itself may be destroyed.Please install the extracted system program files into your KATANA Mk II according to the following procedure.
Adjust the [ MASTER ] knob to minimum.
Do not connect the KATANA Mk II and the computer yet.Turn the POWER switch on while holding down both the [ CH1 ] and [ PANEL ] Tone Setting buttons.
The indicators for the [CH1] ~ [CH4] buttons flash.Connect the computer to the KATANA Mk IIâs USB port by a USB cable.
The indicators for the [CH1] through [CH2]/[CH4] buttons stop flashing and stay lighted, and a âBOSS_KTNMK2â drive appears on the computer screen.Open the BOSS_KTNMK2 icon.
âRemovable Disk (*:)â may appear instead of the BOSS_KTNMK2 icon.Copy (drag and drop) all the files included in the âkatana2_sys_v110â folder into the âBOSS_KTNMK2â icon.
Do not copy the âkatana2_sys_v110â folder.Disconnect the BOSS_KTNMK2 from the computer.
With Windows
Right-click on the âBOSS_KTNMK2â icon in My Computer (or the âRemovable Disk (*:)â icon) and execute âEject.â
With macOS
Drag the âBOSS_KTNMK2â icon to the Trush icon in the Dock.
Disconnect the USB cable.
The [PANEL] button flashes.Press [ PANEL ] button to start the update process.
While the update is in progress, the âEFFECTSâ indicators light up.When the update has finished, the âEFFECTSâ indicators slowly flash simultaneously.Turn the KATANA Mk II power off.
This completes the update operation. The new system program runs at the next startup.
Follow the procedure for verifying the version to verify that the version has been updated.
omg thank you Adrian. I have a Katana 50 not the 50 MkII but I followed the directions which are similar and got it installed in 5 minutes. I have meetings from 6-9 (itâs 5:25 here now) so I probably wonât be trying it out until tomorrow. Stay tuned, if using the software is anything like installing it (for me!) there may be a few more curses tomorrow âŚ
Well this is great software. I figured out how to import patches so I have Justinâs Kleen Start imported, and 1 of the groups of patches from the Boss website. I need to play around and get and/or modify some that I like, and then figure out how to leave my faves on the channels so I donât have to have the amp plugged into my computer. Itâs looking promising though!
I have been using an android app called âKatana Librarianâ. I find it easier to use. If you have an android device, it is worth checking out. You can import presets to that as well.
I have some nice clean ones I have made. One using the clean channel, one using compression and one using crunch. I can send them out by email, but I have the mkii and am not sure if they would work.
I can also just tell you the settings if you are interested. They a really just starting points anyway.
Justinâs âClean Startâ has a lot of reverb which he loves, but I donât.
@Jamolay that would be great, sure, I am more looking for faves than trying to create faves! Try sending the tsl files and I will let you know if I can open them. I will PM my email
It is a fun toy!
I tend to like cleaner tones and find that many of the downloadable patches (and there are lots online) including the ones Justin provides, all are about too much for me in some department.
For clean tones, lower gain (less than 20) helps and really dialing down the mods and fx is really nice. Then if you like more, it is easy to add.
I would say itâs always best, when trying to create a sound you like with these sort of systems, to turn off the effects completely to start with.
Then mess with the amp type, gain, and EQ to get a basic foundation tone.
You may also want to explore gain pedals of various types. These can be applied to any of the amp settings, but I would suggest using them on the Clean amp setting to start with.
You can use clean amp with a gain pedal instead of the Crunch or Lead amp settings if you want. This will give you a different flavour of tone (and thereâs lots of options to choose from). For instance, try a clean amp with a GUVNR to get a more marshally sound.
When you are happy with that, then I would suggest adding reverb next as itâs one of the most useful, and used, effect. Experiment with the different options and settings until you find something you like.
That may be as far as you want to go, but if you want some compression, thatâs where I would explore next (it might be best to explore this without reverb turned on to start with).
In general, aim to start with a known baseline sound and then explore effects one at a time.
Thanks for the input, Keith. I was just been having fun playing around on my amp, searching for the perfect tone for something. All was going well until I switched from 1 setting to another and just about blew my eardrums out. Lesson learned I hope. I will start trying to build up something from scratch next time (or from Justinâs KleenStart patch).
Re: @Mari63 ââŚjust about blew my eardrums out.â. Yup, been there with the factory presets.
Initially I just turned down the volume on all 4 presets. Over time Iâve changed them to the things I use.
I find so many of the presets are really so loud with high gain and distorting mods and fx that I have no interest in them. Even Justinâs clean patch is so heavy in reverb I find it unusable.
I have made my own clean patches. So far I have used the clean, acoustic and crunch with very low gain, as low as I can get and have a enough volume, like 15-20. Then I am experimenting with just light mods and fx, like Blues boost, reverb and so on, in relative isolation. I can get fancy in the future if I want, but my goal isnât hard rock or metal.
A reminder that, if you have a K100 you can get the GA-FC which lets you turn on/off individual effects with foot switches. This means you can often reduce the number of different patches needed.
But if you have a K50, you canât use the GA-FC, which means you could only get a simple footswitch to switch between patches.
That was the case until recently. Now you can get an Airstep Kat edition:
I have a foot switch that switches between channels, I will have to check out this Airstep Kat edition. Iâm slow on technology, but Iâll get there.
