The Katana-500 Bass Head raises professional bass amplification to the next level with advanced BOSS technology. Refined preamp circuity and the newly developed 500-watt Class D power amp support your touch and technique with deeply expressive tones. And with the innovative Cab Resonance feature, you can quickly calibrate the amplifier’s output voice to achieve the ideal response with any speaker cabinet. You also get a wide range of premium tools to shape your personal sound, plus expansive connectivity for every playing situation.
The compact Katana-500 Bass Head brings serious bassists a next-generation sound experience backed by decades of BOSS R&D. This amp is incredibly clear, punchy, and responsive, realised with 500 watts of carefully tuned Class D power. Cab Resonance takes things even further, using high-tech calibration to internally fine-tune the power output section for your preferred speaker cabinet.
Every speaker cabinet has its own characteristic impedance curve and frequency response, and these elements affect how the amplifier feeding it behaves. With a simple button press, the Cab Resonance feature in the Katana-500 Bass Head calibrates the amp’s reactive output stage circuitry to match the unique properties of the connected cabinet. Boss' proprietary process analyses numerous elements, including the lowest frequency that the cabinet can produce, high-end resonances, and many other factors. With this information, advanced processing dynamically enhances the output to provide superior feel and response, powerful lows, and high-definition overall sound.
The Katana-500 Bass Head offers a deep selection of controls to hone your sound. Boost or cut frequencies with the four-band active EQ and choose from three low-mid and high-mid frequency options to target specific ranges. Grab the Bottom knob to optimise the low end for different stages and toggle three Hi Cut settings to smooth the sound as needed. And with the Shape button, you can instantly revoice the amp with mid-scoop, bright, and wide-range curves.
Once you’ve set up your fundamental bass voice, refine it even more with sophisticated tone-shaping tools. Amp Feel offers two selectable options to enhance the core sound for different styles. Modern provides an extended frequency range and more dynamic sensitivity, while Vintage introduces the warmth and character of classic amps from the past. Comp and Drive types are available to control dynamics and introduce grit and aggression. And with the FX section, you can access three bass-tuned effects for colour and inspiration. There’s also a Blend knob to dial in some direct bass sound for additional clarity.
The Katana-500 Bass Head integrates a versatile range of connectivity into its compact design. Two locking-style speaker outputs support high-current operation, and the XLR line output can send a simultaneous signal to a house PA from direct, pre, or post locations in the amp’s signal path. You can further shape the line output voice from the front panel with three mic’d speaker emulation presets and three custom settings. There’s also a dual-function output for headphones practice or analog recording, plus USB for capturing mix-ready tracks in your favourite computer music software.
Using BOSS Tone Studio, you can view and edit all amp parameters on your computer and access over 60 BOSS effects to swap alternate types for the Comp, Drive, and FX sections. Plugging in a GA-FC or GA-FC EX foot controller provides remote operation of numerous amp functions, including the front-panel user memory and two additional memories. And with the optional Bluetooth® Audio MIDI Dual Adaptor, you can stream music from a mobile device and wirelessly shape tones using the BTS editor app for iOS and Android.
Features
- Compact 500-watt bass amplifier head with professional tone tools for serious players
- Next-level performance with a newly developed Class D power amp and innovative Cab Resonance calibration
- Enhance the core bass sound for different styles with two Amp Feel settings
- Wide-ranging four-band EQ, including low-mid and high-mid controls with three adjustable frequency settings
- Compressor and drive controls, each with three selectable types
- Shape switch with mid-scoop, bright, and wide-range options
- Bottom knob to tighten the sound and eliminate sub-bass rumble
- Hi Cut button with three selectable frequencies
- Blend knob to mix in the dry bass sound
- Pad switch to optimise the input for high-output active pickups
- Onboard memory for saving and recalling a custom setup with a touch
- Two high-current speaker outputs with robust locking connectors
- XLR line output and headphones/recording jack
- Edit tones and access over 60 effects with BOSS Tone Studio for Windows/macOS
- USB connector for communicating with BOSS Tone Studio and audio recording/playback with music production software
- Download and share Livesets at BOSS Tone Exchange
- Optional Bluetooth® Audio MIDI Dual Adaptor allows you to edit sounds and stream audio from an iOS or Android mobile device
- Optional GA-FC and GA-FC EX foot controllers for remote operation on stage
- Optional companion speaker cabinet: Katana Cabinet 112 Bass