Looper with Katana amp HELP please

[Thommo310]

Hi, I’m a newbie to the forum having started to learn guitar at 67
I am on module 13 and I am thinking of getting a Katana amp as it has good recommendations. Justin also suggests that a looper is a good tool to assist learning. However reviews on the internet say that the Katana 50 has no fx loop. Does this mean that I would need to buy the katana 100 to be able to loop successfully. Thanks
Pete

[mattswain]

The Katana 50 is certainly less flexible in terms of looping than the 100. You can put a looper in front of the amp but there’s limitations once you start applying effects. Boss cut other corners on the 50 as well where it lacks features the 100 has for no good reason other than they’re trying to upsell. If you are dead set on a Katana, get a 100 would be my advice. It’s not an amp that you’ll outgrow.

If you want a 50W amp that is full featured then the Fender Mustang GTX50 is worth a look. That said, it has an optional foot switch that isn’t included in the price but once added is almost the same money as the GTX100 that does have the foot switch bundled… but at least the amp is full featured. The Mustang has Bluetooth built-in as well, it’s not an upsell

[roger_holland]

Hi Peter,

Welcome here and I wish you a lot of fun
An FX Loop is essential an insert point in your amplifier circuit that allows you to insert a piece of gear after the preamp circuit, but before the power amp circuit…
A lot has been written about it here and for a clear explanation you will have to wait for someone else, but you can simply connect a looper to the 50… I have 2 amplifiers here and the one I use does not have an FX loop and the looper works fine for how I use it… but you have to separate those almost identical names…

Maybe this topic helps to clear something to see the different?

Yamaha THR range but with fx loop!

I really fancy one of the Yamaha THR amps. but they don’t have an FX loop. I know there are work arounds but I already have a Boss Katana 50 and I’m fed up with the work around for that. I fancy the Bluetooth that the Yamaha has for playing backing tracks etc. and the small ‘lounge friendly’ size. Is there an alternative with all the functions of the Yamaha but which also has an FX loop?

How to use a LOOPER pedal with your BOSS Katana 50 or 100 (and other amps)

Greetings ,Rogier

[Majik]

@Thommo310

Does this mean that I would need to buy the katana 100 to be able to loop successfully

In general, yes. However, the Xsonic Ulooper can be used on the Katana 50:

ULooper | The Ultimate Looper Pedal for KATANA 50 | Quick Demo

I will note that the Katana 100 is, basically, the same price as the Fender GTX50

Cheers,

Keith

[CD02]

Hi Peter,

I’m an older learner and still beginner. I have had a Katana Mk2 50 for a couple of years and also run a Boss RC1 basic looper. I would say if you can afford to go to the 100 then for sure it’ll last you forever but I imagine you will still get a lot of mileage out of a 50. And to answer your question no, you do not have to buy a 100 to loop.

[Thommo310]

Thanks guys, it sounds like the 50 might be a bit limiting, I will keep looking or go for the 100 but it seems like overkill for practicing at home.

[artax_2]

I just got the ULooper from XSonic mentioned above. I haven’t used it yet though. I figure if I’m going to stick with the Katana 50 MarkII, and if Katana is going to be putting out newer models with improved features, then people are going to be offloading their Mark II’s and then XSonic might stop making these components. So, though I can’t technically use them yet I purchased both the ULooper and the Airstep Kat from them.
Edit to add - I did realize the ULooper and the Airstep cannot be used together at the same time, as they both use USB and the Katana 50 only has one USB plug. But oh well maybe I won’t ever need to do that.

[CD02]

@Majik

In general, yes. However, the Xsonic Ulooper can be used on the Katana 50

Hi Keith, I bow to your superior knowledge mate, but wondering why we need this setup. My Boss RC1 works fine with the 50, DAW and AI etc.

[Majik]

@CD02

My Boss RC1 works fine with the 50

So, you can record a clean loop on your RC1 through the Katana, and then switch to a lead tone and solo over the top of your RC1 loop and the loop sounds clean?

That is standard looping. If you are involving a PC and a DAW to make it work, then that’s not really standard looping.

Cheers,

Keith

[CD02]

Nice, thanks for the clarification. Mostly I’ve involved the AI and DAW but on occasions I have created a loop and played over the top of it all just via the RC 1 and amp

[Thommo310]

Thanks Keith,
That looks like my answer.

[Gregba]

@Thommo310 Yes the ulooper is great, I use it on my Katana air and it works great. One issue is it can only save the current loop, you can overdub as many times sas you want, however originally you couldn’t undue overdubs, mess one up and you had to delete the whole loop and start again, they’ve improved that a little with an update so you delete ALL overdubs but keep the initial loop. It will defo work with the katana 50, make sure you get the right one. Also consider buying direct from XSONIC, they are much cheaper but take 2-3 weeks from China.

Also note you need an extra TRS cable for the katana 50

ULooper | Dedicated Looper for Guitar Amps | XSONIC

[Thommo310]

Cheers Greg

[BBiduke]

Another option is to buy the new Positive Grid Spark2 which has a built in looper and Bluetooth