I wonder if part of the problem is playing traditional 4x12 cabs? I would like to do this but wonder if that may be the root, or one of the roots to the problems we are discussing..??
Powering a Kemper - What are you using?
- Thread starter RockyStar
- Start date
SQUAREHEAD
Well-known member
Yes, I definitely agree, it for sure has something to do with the on board power amplifier in the powered Kemper units. Like I said before, when I run either a kemper direct profile or a pre-amplifier profile through the return of one of my tube amplifiers, it gets much better… But still not quite there.
Some guys love them (powered Kpr’s) and are completely happy with them, I think that’s great!
I am totally happy with the unit for live gigs pumped through a PA system, nothing beats the Kemper! The powered unit through 4X12 cabinets (IMO) is a fail.
I would bet anybody $100,000 that I could sit blindfolded and tell the difference 100% of the time if they A/B an amplifier with the real thing, anytime I will take the challenge. Easy money
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Just use the Boss WAZA TAE. I have one and use it with my AXE FX 3 powering 2 412 cabinets with stellar results. I can get my rig to sound identical to my real Friedman BE100 DLX.. What is nice is that with the Boss TAE is that I can have my real Friedman and my AXE FX 3 connected at the same time and with just switching the input cable or with an A/B box I can toggle between the Friedman (or any tube head) and AXE 3 to do quick A/B comparisons. To me the Boss WAZA is the best investment gear-wise I have made in years.
SQUAREHEAD
Well-known member
Wow, never heard of that Boss WAZA TAE... Sounds very very cool. Very expensive though, does the Built-in 100-watt Class AB power amplifier with discrete analog design Have enough power? I mean, it’s not tube, it’s solid state, so 100 W is not a lot, But I like that it’s class AB and not class D
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my buddy Erik, (ErikT) he blew his output transformer in his wizard MTL using this thing.
EDIT:
my buddy Erik, (ErikT) he blew his output transformer in his wizard MTL using this thing.
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SQUAREHEAD
Well-known member
Hey Cuda, I like the Fryette also
4406cuda
Well-known member
I had the Powerstation before. I changed to the LX II because it takes a single space in my rack and has more power.
GOHOINC
Well-known member
Not a Kemper but I've been running my fractal fm3 through a ua interface and outputting through my jbl monitors and think it sounds great, better than into the return jack of any of my amps. At least its good enough that now I want a full axe fx iii so I can blend in another amp block and also to have more outputs so I can build a different chain to use direct, thru an effects return or in front of an amp for effects only... the best of all worlds
Markmetalguitar
Member
I have the Kemper Stage running through a Matrix GT-1000. It's an amazing Power Amp and it was designed for modelers in mind. I have had it about 2 and 1/2 years. It's been on 2 US and a Canadian tour and never failed once. Very consistent, and very reliable.
crankyrayhanky
Well-known member
It works fine in a live situation as a 4x12 is just a monitor for the player; the audience hears the di and it is fantastic.
This player<>amp in the room experience is not the strength of Kemper, but this is also the reason why they invented the Kemper Kab. Special speakers that interact with the profile and really improve this area. if you have a Kemper you need to get some of these speakers, they are a super upgrade.
Monkey Man
Super Moderator
Indeed Brother Ray. By all accounts the Kab and Kone are roaring successes.
You can run 'em in FRFR mode, as your favourite vintage cones from a decent selection, pop Kones into any cab you like and even control directivity (width of dispersion beam) from the Kemper.
You can run 'em in FRFR mode, as your favourite vintage cones from a decent selection, pop Kones into any cab you like and even control directivity (width of dispersion beam) from the Kemper.
So......if the 4x12 traditional type cabs work fine live, then the Kemper Kab would be more for home use (in the room) or a smaller "monitor" than the 4x12 live....correct? Can the Kemper Kab handle the power of the various power amp options I could use with the non powered Kemper? I have heard fo the Kemper Kab and the Friedman stuff etc that is powered but I have no intelligence regarding any of that stuff. Sounds like I need to educate myself a bit. I just don't want to go buying stuff I don't need or that won't deliver what I am after in the Kemper. I can easily see it being a benefit for recording and or direct to FOH. Maybe I should just commit to using it that way and using all the amps and cabs I have for more traditional usage? Who knows...this is a process I guess I am going to have to figure out.
Look at you with all that fancy talk...lol.
Monkey Man
Super Moderator
Hey, that's pretty-much all I know about the subject, man.
No, it's a legit alternative for live too man.
Yup. The Kabinet and Kones can even be used for bass rigs, so that should allay your power-handling concerns.
Honestly man, in theory it should cover all the bases. No need to split things like that.
This was the introductory Q&A thread. Lots of info here, so you can edumacate yourself, brother:
Kone & Kabinet Q&A
crankyrayhanky
Well-known member
Kemper
For me, my powered Kemper it works great on stage/practice ripping through a traditional guitar cab
But going through the Kab is so much better...I'm going to grab a 2nd one.
You could just buy 2 or 4 Kemper Kones and put them in your own cab. They are rated at 200wrms:
https://www.kemper-amps.com/kabinet-kone
They sound amazing with Kemper but be warned it sounded awful with a traditional amp when I tried it.
The Kemper power section is a clean class D. Some will tell you to put it through a tube power amp, but the profile has all of that captured and I like it with the clean power >Kab. Plus it is super streamlined and easy to transport, so I would look at some class D ss power options or even get a 3rd party mod to put in a stereo power section into your rack.
excels at recording and FOH
For me, my powered Kemper it works great on stage/practice ripping through a traditional guitar cab
But going through the Kab is so much better...I'm going to grab a 2nd one.
You could just buy 2 or 4 Kemper Kones and put them in your own cab. They are rated at 200wrms:
https://www.kemper-amps.com/kabinet-kone
They sound amazing with Kemper but be warned it sounded awful with a traditional amp when I tried it.
The Kemper power section is a clean class D. Some will tell you to put it through a tube power amp, but the profile has all of that captured and I like it with the clean power >Kab. Plus it is super streamlined and easy to transport, so I would look at some class D ss power options or even get a 3rd party mod to put in a stereo power section into your rack.
harddriver
Well-known member
Love my Matrix GT1000FX as well...it authentically reproduces the inputed signal what ever it is. I use mine in a slaved W/D/W setup and enjoy it more than old Peavey 50/50 I used to run. It punches nicely and I feel does not color the tone much at all if any. Plus they are now Made in the USA, it's a quality product. I'm more than satisfied with my purchase.
Thank you my friend. I very much appreciate your help and feedback. Very kind of you!
Hey, that's pretty-much all I know about the subject, man.
No, it's a legit alternative for live too man.
Yup. The Kabinet and Kones can even be used for bass rigs, so that should allay your power-handling concerns.
Honestly man, in theory it should cover all the bases. No need to split things like that.
This was the introductory Q&A thread. Lots of info here, so you can edumacate yourself, brother:
Kone & Kabinet Q&A
Thanks for the info and help. I really appreciate it. Regarding the Kemper, I think would keep that rig isolated to the cluster of whatever the parts are to make it a rig. I have the non powered rack unit and foot controller as I read up and heard the frustrations with the powered version. I have the Fryette Power Station and the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander I was thinking I could use. I was hoping to use one of those. If I have to get another power source and a KAB or KONES and fill an empty can etc then my costs are jumping up. That is why the powering product I have and my various 4x12's were what my initial thought was. The KAB isn't too expensive so maybe I should start with that and see how it goes. I have always used two 4x12 cabs with my heads so using a single 1x12 KAB is going to be very odd for me. Can you even use two KABS with the Kemper Non Powered Rack?
Anyway, I will read up on these links you guys shared and learn more and hopefully get this sorted. Again, I really appreciate the help so far. Thank you!
I will look into that unit. Thanks for the heads up.