Faulty Katana GO Headphone Amp???

[Useless Eustace]

I just bought a Katana GO Headphone jack from Amazon.  Using it for the first time today.

 

I connected a cheap old pair of Earbuds.  The sound was horrible, peaking & cutting out.   I thought they clearly can’t take Bass.    So I tried a pair of Sennheiser HD570 Headphones.   The volume is significantly lower (bit too low), like the GO is struggling to drive them and again, signs of crackling & cutting out.

 

So I connected the Bass to my Roland Cube20 & tried both Earphones.   Both loud & clear!   No comparison.

 

I’ve noticed the screen on the GO is blank with a dot moving round the edge.   Is that how it should be?

 

I absolutely love the idea of this thing.   Silent practice while streaming music & video lessons, I wish I’d had this 20 years ago!!!    But if I can’t sort this sound, it will have to go back ☹️

 

 

Thanks

[ped]

Check the amplifier settings in the settings. You have output levels there which influence the master volume. I leave my master volume on max and use the amp output setting on my clean patch to get the right level. 

 

Same goes for compressor and effects.

[Useless Eustace]

50 minutes ago, ped said:

Check the amplifier settings in the settings. You have output levels there which influence the master volume. I leave my master volume on max and use the amp output setting on my clean patch to get the right level. 

 

Same goes for compressor and effects.

Thanks ped 

 

I’ll be honest, I struggle with tech.

 

I don’t know how to get into settings.   There’s just a quick start card in the box, which is about the limit of my instructions reading ability.

 

Do I have to download an App?

 

[ped]

Yes there's an app. Once you fire it up you can access the patch settings and levels. It sounds strange that it should be crackling and cutting out, though. Check there's no debris in the headphone jack. It might be damaged, because it definitely shouldn't do that, volume issues aside. Also, I'm pretty sure the display function you describe is normal until you change something in the settings. After a while it'll revert back to the circular pattern presumably to save battery.

[Useless Eustace]

1 hour ago, ped said:

Yes there's an app. Once you fire it up you can access the patch settings and levels. It sounds strange that it should be crackling and cutting out, though. Check there's no debris in the headphone jack. It might be damaged, because it definitely shouldn't do that, volume issues aside. Also, I'm pretty sure the display function you describe is normal until you change something in the settings. After a while it'll revert back to the circular pattern presumably to save battery.

 

Thanks again ped

 

Well I downloaded the app & switched through the Bass Amps and found the problem is only on 5-A BASS SYNTH.

 

Now TBH, I can live without that setting & would probably never use it, but it’s a worry that it’s a fault.   Sounds like a Darlek & completely cuts out.

 

I messaged the Roland Store in London.  They said it sounds like a it’s faulty & to bring it in, but I’m up north.   They also said that the Amazon seller has nothing to do with Roland Boss UK.    I’m tempted to return this & buy from RB.

[tauzero]

That might be simply what that patch does. I'll try it myself in a bit and see what it does.

[ped]

Yeah it’ll be the patch. It’s probably gated and trying to track. 

[Useless Eustace]

It’s absolutely unplayable on 5-A&C.   5-A in particular.

 

As I say, I can easily live without them, but I want to be sure it’s not a faulty unit.

 

 

I absolutely love the thing!   Now I just need a Bass with a front mounted Jack.

Why oh why do my favourite Guitar (Tele) & Bass (Stingray) have the jack in such an awkward place?

[tauzero]

5A sounds like a cross between a foghorn and an organ. A bit like the spaceship in "Close Encounters". 5C is along the same lines but with several halls' worth of reverb added.

 

Is it switched into bass mode?

[ped]

Tbh all the presets are horrible. I just made my own clean patch and never touch the others! 

[Useless Eustace]

10 hours ago, tauzero said:

5A sounds like a cross between a foghorn and an organ. A bit like the spaceship in "Close Encounters". 5C is along the same lines but with several halls' worth of reverb added.

 

Is it switched into bass mode?

 

Yes, it’s in Bass Mode.    From what I can see it’s just 5-A&C.   5-A in particular.   Doesn’t sound like an effect, it literally cuts out completely.  Silent strings.

As I say, I’d be happy to never use those patches, but I’m a bit concerned after what Roland UK said.   I’m trying to wean myself off Amazon for several reasons.   I’m going to return this one & get one from Roland UK.

[ped]

2 hours ago, Useless Eustace said:

 

Yes, it’s in Bass Mode.    From what I can see it’s just 5-A&C.   5-A in particular.   Doesn’t sound like an effect, it literally cuts out completely.  Silent strings.

As I say, I’d be happy to never use those patches, but I’m a bit concerned after what Roland UK said.   I’m trying to wean myself off Amazon for several reasons.   I’m going to return this one & get one from Roland UK.

 

Tbh the Roland response sounds like they just agreed with you and don't actually know or really care if you can just exchange it. I think if the other patches are OK, the new one will be the same. I'll give mine a go on that patch later and see. Of course in a synth mode if the input isn't triggering the synth properly then it will cut out and sound rubbish, but even if it's dialled in perfectly the synths on it are borderline useless anyway, from memory.