Comparison

THR Remote vs Katana Librarian

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

THR Remote

Wirelessly sculpt guitar tones with this app, offering deep editing for effects, compression, and noise gate. Control amplifier settings and assign footswitches for hands-free operation.

Highlights
  • Wireless Bluetooth tone sculpting
  • Deep editing for effects
  • Access compressor and noise gate
  • Assign Bluetooth footswitch
  • Adjust EQ for music playback
  • Control line out and USB out levels
Features
Read full description

Description The THR Remote editor lets THR-II players sculpt their guitar tones wirelessly via Bluetooth, with additional parameters for deep editing. Remote Control THR-II is built around wireless freedom. With THR Remote on your mobile device, dialing in your favorite sound is just as easy and familiar as streaming your favorite song. Deep Editing THR-II amplifiers have simple one-knob controls for the modulation, echo, and reverb effects. With THR Remote, players can access multiple parameters per effect for fine tuning, and access a compressor and noise gate. Footswitch Support Easily assign a compatible 3rd party Bluetooth footswitch for control that is both hands-free and cable-free. Advanced Settings Change the EQ for music playback, adjust the line out and USB out levels, check the battery charge level, and more.

About

Katana Librarian

Unlock the full potential of your BOSS Katana amplifier by connecting wirelessly via Bluetooth. Manage, edit, and organize your amp's patches, effects, and settings. Access advanced features and emulate pedal functionality for a seamless playing experience.

Highlights
  • Download and manage amp patches
  • Edit patch parameters and effects
  • Organize patches into groups and setlists
  • Import/export TSL files
  • Emulate GA-FC pedal functionality
  • Access undocumented amp features
  • Hands-free switching with MIDI/HID footswitch
Features
Read full description

Katana Librarian allows you to connect your phone or tablet to your BOSS Katana amplifier via a Bluetooth adapter (sold separately), unlocking your amp’s full potential! The free version of the app allows you to test your connection and load the built-in demo patches. A one-time in-app purchase is offered if you wish to unlock the full feature set, which will allow you to: - Download patches from your amplifier. - Modify the patch parameters; includes support for all effect types; the editor also changes in real-time as you adjust the parameters on your amp. - Organize your patches into groups. Tag your favorite patches, or create a set list for a live performance. - Import and export MkI, MkII, Gen3 and GO .TSL files. - Rename and delete patches. - Write patches to the amplifier's channels - Emulate the functionality of a GA-FC pedal (even on a KATANA-50 or KATANA:GO) - Use the hotkey feature in combination with a MIDI or HID foot switch for hands-free patch and effect switching. - Access undocumented Katana features like hidden amps and multiple simultaneous effects (where supported). What you need: - An iPhone or iPad running iOS/iPadOS 15.0 or later - A supported Bluetooth adapter* - One of the following amplifiers: • KATANA-50 • KATANA-50 MkII • KATANA-50 Gen3 • KATANA-50 MkII EX • KATANA-50 EX Gen3 • KATANA-100 • KATANA-100 MkII • KATANA-100 Gen3 • KATANA-100/212 • KATANA-100/212 MkII • KATANA-100/212 Gen3 • KATANA-HEAD • KATANA-HEAD MkII • KATANA-HEAD Gen3 • KATANA-Artist • KATANA-Artist MkII • KATANA-Artist Gen3 • KATANA-Artist MkII HEAD • KATANA-Artist HEAD Gen3 • KATANA:GO * Currently supported Bluetooth adapters: MkI and MkII amps: - CME WIDI Uhost (https://amzn.to/3RKnXdy) - XSONIC AIRSTEP (https://amzn.to/3QCzJoO) - XSONIC AIRSTEP Kat Edition (https://amzn.to/3RZaUV2) - XSONIC AIRSTEP Kat EX Edition (https://amzn.to/3T1Rly2) Gen3 amps: - BOSS BT-DUAL (https://amzn.to/3AxrHLB) - XSONIC AIRSTEP Kat EX Edition (https://amzn.to/3T1Rly2) See our Frequently Asked Questions here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19G4j_bk8c8OZ3vBvZKWHnuXg9ZEpKbkx/view Note: This app is not affiliated with or endorsed by Roland Corporation in any way. BOSS is a registered trademark of Roland Corporation. We may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this listing.

Screenshots

THR Remote4 screens
Katana Librarian3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Katana Librarian at 63% against THR Remote's 20%. Katana Librarian also leads on rating (4.1 vs 2.2) and update cadence (monthly vs every 5 months). THR Remote's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (163 vs 52). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Katana Librarian sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. THR Remote asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Katana Librarian holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 2.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 163 and 52 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 20% of THR Remote's written reviews are positive against 63% of Katana Librarian's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

THR Remote ships an update every 5 months, Katana Librarian monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
THR Remote versus Katana Librarian: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTHR RemoteKatana Librarian
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.2 (163 ratings)4.1 (52 ratings) — better
Positive reviews20.1% of reviews63.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings163 — better52
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYamaha Corporation1000452063 ONTARIO INC.

Customer experience

THR Remote

All ratings163 ratings
Positive24.5%
Neutral8.6%
Negative66.9%
Written reviews313 reviews
Positive20.1%
Neutral9.9%
Negative70.0%

Katana Librarian

All ratings52 ratings
Positive78.8%
Neutral3.8%
Negative17.3%
Written reviews41 reviews
Positive63.4%
Neutral12.2%
Negative24.4%

User reviews

THR Remote

From 163 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast Bluetooth connection
  • 👍 Intuitive app interface
  • 🎨 Expanded amp functionality
  • 💯 Great tones from the amp

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent Bluetooth disconnects
  • 🐛 App crashes when changing presets
  • 🐛 Buggy and unstable app
  • 🤯 Unusable app after updates

Katana Librarian

From 52 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great app for managing patches
  • 💡 Useful for editing on the go
  • 🚀 Fast and smooth operation (when working)
  • 👍 Intuitive UI and options
  • 💡 Opens up amp potential

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Unreliable and crashes often
  • 🐛 Freezes on library page
  • 🐛 Cannot connect to amp
  • 🐛 Cannot download tsl files
  • 🐛 Limited patch variety

Bugs and requests

THR Remote

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App freezes when switching between presets
  • Bluetooth connection issues after firmware updates
  • App crashes on startup or during use
  • Inability to control amp parameters through app

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to store and recall more presets
  • Preset sharing and exchange functionality
  • Ability to control amp from other apps
  • Improved preset management and organization

Katana Librarian

Reported bugs

18 issues
  • App stops working after iOS update
  • App freezes when accessing content or connecting to amp
  • Cannot download tsl files
  • App constantly hangs and needs restarting
  • App is highly unstable, crashing frequently
Show 13 more
  • Cannot change patch from within a group
  • Slow to change patches on USB connection
  • Cannot return to librarian when using Bluetooth connection
  • Unable to restore purchase/license
  • No USB connection, requires Bluetooth adapter purchase
  • Disconnects Bluetooth permanently while using Airstep (iOS 17)
  • Cannot use via cable (Lightning to USB)
  • Last update problematic, disconnects amp and Bluetooth
  • Cannot upgrade in-app
  • Doesn't work with older iPhones 8 and earlier
  • Doesn't save pedal settings
  • Not connecting with CME Widi uhost
  • Cannot access iPad Pro with USB C adapter

Requested features

10 requests
  • Support for Katana Go
  • Support for Bass Katana combos (KTN210B)
  • More rhythm patches and genre variety
  • Support for new devices (Bass, Go)
  • Improve VoiceOver compatibility
Show 5 more
  • Add Katana Go to Librarian App
  • Support for Bass Katana amps (110 or 210)
  • More cleanly organize patches
  • Edit patches without amp connected
  • Dark mode option

In-app purchases

None

THR Remote

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Katana Librarian

One-time1
  • Unlock All Features$15.95

Questions

Is THR Remote free?
THR Remote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Katana Librarian free?
Katana Librarian is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, THR Remote or Katana Librarian?
Katana Librarian is rated higher. THR Remote averages 2.2 out of 5 from 163 ratings, while Katana Librarian averages 4.1 from 52 ratings.
Do THR Remote or Katana Librarian have ads?
Neither THR Remote nor Katana Librarian shows ads.
Which is updated more often, THR Remote or Katana Librarian?
THR Remote ships an update every 5 months, and Katana Librarian monthly. Most recently, THR Remote was updated on November 3, 2026 and Katana Librarian on November 7, 2026.

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