NAMM 2018: Roland/Boss Guitar
Roland/Boss might have indulged in two major online international product launches in the last 12 months but the company still has new products aplenty for the show, kicking off with the Boss GT-1000. The GT-1000 is the first-ever guitar multi-effects processor with 32-bit AD/DA and 32-bit/96 kHz internal processing and includes a wide range of expressive amplifier types, newly built with the comprehensive Tube Logic design approach behind the Katana, Waza, and Blues Cube amplifiers. Also featured is Augmented Impulse Response Dynamics (AIRD) technology, realised with Boss’s extensive research into the complex component interactions in classic guitar amplifiers. Roland says AIRD provides new levels of performance when using the GT-1000’s pre-amps with guitar amps and power amps, and previously unattainable realism in direct recording and full-range monitoring applications.
Inside the GT-1000 is an impressive selection of effects, with Boss’s Multi-Dimensional Processing (MDP) on board along with advanced modulation, delay, and reverb algorithms from the 500-series pedals. Users can configure amps and effects with numerous routing options and enjoy mute-free patch switching and delay/reverb carryover thanks to the ultra-speedy DSP engine.
The GT-1000 offers intuitive editing and powerful control with a large display, 10 assignable footswitches, and an onboard expression pedal with toe switch. Via built-in Bluetooth, users can edit and organize GT-1000 sounds wirelessly using dedicated apps for iOS and Android devices.
Also new is the Katana-Artist, the new flagship model in the Katana guitar amplifier series. Built for live performance, the 100 Watt Katana-Artist combo features a newly developed cabinet design with front-facing controls and a Waza 12-inch speaker. The semi-closed back is ideal for rock tones, and the amp’s five channels have been tuned to provide: ‘…highly expressive response that works in complete harmony with the Waza speaker and new cabinet design’.
Finally, Boss is introducing the Katana-Air, claimed to be the world’s first totally wireless guitar amplifier. Compact and battery-powered, the Katana-Air features new low-latency wireless guitar technology and a custom wireless transmitter that plugs into any electric guitar. This gives players the freedom to jam and practice anywhere without fussing with guitar leads or mains connections. It’s also possible to play along with audio streamed via Bluetooth from an iOS or Android smartphone, and remotely edit tones and effects from the dedicated Boss Tone Studio app.
Equipped with the same sound-shaping features found in the Katana Version 2 amplifiers, five channels provide a wide range of sounds, from clean to Boss’s custom high-gain Brown sound. There’s also integrated access to over 50 BOSS effects, plus six memories for storing favourite amp and effects set-ups.
The Katana-Air is a true stereo amplifier with two custom-tuned speakers and up to 30 Watts output. A convenient docking port in the amp charges the battery in the included wireless transmitter, providing up to 12 hours of continuous playing time per charge.
Info: Boss.info
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Source: musicinstrumentnews.co.uk
