Axe-FX II or Kemper?

[thiswaythatway]

fluff's Kemper - Uberschall video sounds killer.

Listen to this clip. But you know, Neal Schon thinks the Kemper is a toy so it must be true!

 

[Mailman1971]

Listen to this clip. But you know, Neal Schon thinks the Kemper is a toy so it must be true!

Well we all know Neal.....crazy bastard is walking the Razor edge all the time.

 

[LP Freak]

Why, why.....

 

[Splinterhead]

oompah loompah...?
I tried the Kemper bought the AXEII. But I play 8 string guitar so what do I know.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

That makes your opinion worth a little extra: +1 2/8

 

[the rossness]

I haven't played either. Wouldn't it be great if there was a definitive answer as which on was actually better? I've come close to buying them but can't pull the trigger on either. I think the kemper is easier to use, but judging by clips, I think the Axe sounds superior. I'm still stuck in MTS land.

 

[roodboy]

You have to buy both take a couple days off, and return the loser.

FWIW the new OH ultrares IR's on FW13 of the axefx sound really good.

 

[Bob Savage]

Alright, I'm leaning towards the Kemper now, primarily because of the simplicity of it and also because I've now heard some really good clips of it. I know the Axe can do it too, but there's a quality I really like that I'm hearing in some of the better clips in that you can retain much of the string twang even on higher gain settings.

Any other input before I go for it?

How great would the Kemper rack unit look with a Fryette power amp in a flamed maple rack? Giddy up!

 

[Shawn Lutz]

How great would the Kemper rack unit look with a Fryette power amp in a flamed maple rack? Giddy up!

it probably would look as good or better than it sounds

I'm equally impressed with both units clips I heard. I like the interface and simplicity of the Kemper unit. I know I could make both work but I think I'd spend way to much deep editing AxeFX and I don't want to do much tweaking...I just want to play guitar these days

 

[Bob Savage]

it probably would look as good or better than it sounds

I'm equally impressed with both units clips I heard. I like the interface and simplicity of the Kemper unit. I know I could make both work but I think I'd spend way to much deep editing AxeFX and I don't want to do much tweaking...I just want to play guitar these days

LOL

Yeah, I don't know that I'd get stuck in the endless tweaking because it's just not my MO, but like you said I just want to create and play. Like you said, I think either would work for me and there are aspects of the Axe that I really like, but in the end I think the Kemper might be just what the doctor ordered to quickly get me back to writing and recording.

 

[smdb]

Kemper...........

 

[Bob Savage]

Kemper...........

Yep, I'm 99% certain now that it's what I'm getting.

So the next question is, should I just get the powered version? I'm going with the rack and am now thinking going with their power section, which is probably very neutral, would be a good idea to take the power amp coloration out of the equation when/if I decide to use it for live purposes.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

The Kemper powered head is fantastic. It adds very little weight- I can't even tell the difference.
There is an awesome simplicity about this version. Lie used to go into the fx return of my mesa. Every profile had that Mesa flavor- which was good, but the extra amp head was a pain to lug around
The Kemper powered head has huge amounts of clean headroom that leaves my band mates begging for mercy if need be, lol

The only drawback is that the powered version only outputs mono. If stereo is your thing, check out 3rd party campifier...but that will also mean an extra power cord

 

[Bob Savage]

The Kemper powered head is fantastic. It adds very little weight- I can't even tell the difference.
There is an awesome simplicity about this version. Lie used to go into the fx return of my mesa. Every profile had that Mesa flavor- which was good, but the extra amp head was a pain to lug around
The Kemper powered head has huge amounts of clean headroom that leaves my band mates begging for mercy if need be, lol

The only drawback is that the powered version only outputs mono. If stereo is your thing, check out 3rd party campifier...but that will also mean an extra power cord

I was initially concerned about the power amp being mono but really if the goal is to have great direct sounds, the guitar cabinet on stage or even for just doing some jams really doesn't need to be stereo because a stereo mix could go straight to the board in the event I ever regained the patience to play in a band.

Think I may go with the powered rack version.

Edit: This is interesting for a cost effective foot controller solution. http://www.uno4kemper.com/uno4kemper_firmware.php

 

[jlbaxe]

Save your money. Line6 Pro HD X.

Also Yamaha just bought line6 and I am sure they are going to come out with something better than Fractal,Kemper and upgraded Line 6 at a better price point

 

[LP Freak]

The Kemper powered head is fantastic. It adds very little weight- I can't even tell the difference.
There is an awesome simplicity about this version. Lie used to go into the fx return of my mesa. Every profile had that Mesa flavor- which was good, but the extra amp head was a pain to lug around
The Kemper powered head has huge amounts of clean headroom that leaves my band mates begging for mercy if need be, lol

The only drawback is that the powered version only outputs mono. If stereo is your thing, check out 3rd party campifier...but that will also mean an extra power cord

I was initially concerned about the power amp being mono but really if the goal is to have great direct sounds, the guitar cabinet on stage or even for just doing some jams really doesn't need to be stereo because a stereo mix could go straight to the board in the event I ever regained the patience to play in a band.

Think I may go with the powered rack version.

Edit: This is interesting for a cost effective foot controller solution. http://www.uno4kemper.com/uno4kemper_firmware.php

You're making the right choice Bob

 

[gibson5413]

Edit: This is interesting for a cost effective foot controller solution. http://www.uno4kemper.com/uno4kemper_firmware.php

For you, I think the powered version is right for you. It is a super clean sounding power amp that I believe is made by Bang & Olufsen. I love my KPA but would love to have the powered version someday. I use it with an Atomic CLR powered wedge but it would be nice to use it with my Bogner 2x12 once in a while.

BTW, I have the FCB 1010 with the Uno4Kemper and it works flawlessly. It was literally plug & play. Two midi cables, Atomic CLR and my guitars and I am good to go! Let me know if you want any profiles and I would be happy to share some of my favorites with you.

 

[Bob Savage]

For you, I think the powered version is right for you. It is a super clean sounding power amp that I believe is made by Bang & Olufsen. I love my KPA but would love to have the powered version someday. I use it with an Atomic CLR powered wedge but it would be nice to use it with my Bogner 2x12 once in a while.

BTW, I have the FCB 1010 with the Uno4Kemper and it works flawlessly. It was literally plug & play. Two midi cables, Atomic CLR and my guitars and I am good to go! Let me know if you want any profiles and I would be happy to share some of my favorites with you.

Thanks dewd and thanks for the info on the FCB with Uno4Kemper.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

The fcb works well
The bottom row presents 5 patches
The top row has virtual pedals to toggle on off
Mine does get confused once in awhile if I hit it too fast
Curious for the upcoming Kemper foot switch, but this is fine

 

[the rossness]

Save your money. Line6 Pro HD X.

Also Yamaha just bought line6 and I am sure they are going to come out with something better than Fractal,Kemper and upgraded Line 6 at a better price point

did they really?