Axe-FX II or Kemper?

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Bob Savage

Bob Savage

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Alright, the Shiva-Japan rig is sold. I'm a little sad already. The upside is that a good friend decided that he wanted it so it's still in the family, so to speak.

That means I'm modeler shopping. I really like the Fractal stuff, dug the Axe-Fx standard I had and have heard some seriously good recordings with the Axe II. I'm leaning heavily towards a used Axe II but I could possibly be swayed.

So what I'm looking for are opinions especially from those who have used both, but from either side of the spectrum. Comparisons between the FX in the Fractal vs. the Kemper would be very good to hear. Also, I know the Fractal has a lot of models and usable presets (or those that could be quickly modified to be usable) and I'm curious about what the Kemper comes with. Also, how about the software interface for configuring presets? Both have one? Either one "better?"

Anything you guys have got would be great to hear.

Now it's time to start reading up on both and listening to more demos.
 
depends on your particular use. the kemper does great in the studio were you want one or two exact rigs.

the axe-fx II flat out rocks live or in the studio. for live use, i would say get the axe-fx II.
 
The Kemper for sure is THE way to go. The effects are a lot better than people think and the amp models are plentiful and simply superior. Look man - you are not going to be routing insane effects-laden stuff. You need great basic effects and the Kemper has them in spades. Being able to model your own (or someone else's) amps and have them forever is another key benefit. The Amp Factory profiles are reasonably priced, sound incredible and cover EVERY amp you could ever want. For direct recording, it kills everything and I had the Axe-FX Ultra. The Axe-FX Ultra was great no doubt, and I'm sure the Axe-FX II is also amazing, but what the Kemper does for direct recording is simply unparalleled…

Steve
 
What I don't like about the Kemper, is that you're always playing 'profiles' of someone else's rig. The Axe is geared around constructing rigs from scratch, which I like. I had great success profiling my Marshall and Cornford rigs with the Kemper, but for some reason it would not capture the sound of my AC30?

From what I recall, your an intense player who is into doing originals... The Axe II XL would IMO serve you better.
 
If I was in your spot? It would be Kemper. :thumbsup:
Lot of good buds/players have them and SWEAR by them.. :yes:
but its all in the ear of the beholder right? :thumbsup:
 
Thanks guys, keep 'em coming.

Question: I believe the models in the Axe-Fx are setup so that theoretically at least, the EQ controls work the same way as the do on the actual amps. If the Kemper is effectively ignorant of the actual amp that it's modeling since it's effectively a profile of the amp at a specific setting, it doesn't work that same way as the Axe-Fx in that respect, correct?
 
One is not superior over the other. They are both great at what they do. Some guys like blondes and others like brunettes. Same thing applies here. To say the Axe is better in a live environment is opinion as well. I have been using my Kemper at home and live for a year and it kills. The sound man at my NYE gig said my tone was ripping compared to anyone he has worked with in the past year (his words, not mine). Honestly, you would probably be happy both ways. I'm sure I would too.

That being said I am super happy with the KPA. Some users use it strictly to profile their own rigs (like Pete - Stratotone). Others (like myself) use others profiles/rigs. I'm totally fine with it. I don't use them to mimic other player's tones. I use what inspires me to play. I play more now than I ever have. It has been great! Let me know if you have any specific questions.
 
I like the Axe II, you get really get into the nitty gritty and fine tune exactly what you want. Fx and routing are top notch too.
 
Bob Savage":37bsbsm2 said:
Thanks guys, keep 'em coming.

Question: I believe the models in the Axe-Fx are setup so that theoretically at least, the EQ controls work the same way as the do on the actual amps. If the Kemper is effectively ignorant of the actual amp that it's modeling since it's effectively a profile of the amp at a specific setting, it doesn't work that same way as the Axe-Fx in that respect, correct?
Click to expand...


Its marketing BS
I've compared numerous amps to the axe-fx II once the whole "mimic" thing came out and its not even close on the ones I've tried
There may some that are but not on the ones I've checked and you only have to check the forum and the revisions to see how quite a few have been "re-mimiced" after complaints

The Kempers eq won't be the same as the profiled amp but its VERY musical , I find with the kemper a few minor tweaks (some not at all) and I'm good to go where the axe-fx I'd have to pull out para-eqs/different IRS and don't even get me started on the advanced parameters lol

I've owned all the fractal gear and the kemper and to me its Kemper all the way
Unless I was doing some super crazy space effect type stuff only then would I consider the axe (and only as an fx unit!!!! Check out most of the endorsees ...see if they are still using amps with the axe as effects ;)

I'm not saying you can't get great results out of the axe-fx gear but try doing that and then having your patches killed revision after revision from the updates (not including jumping from the ultra to the II) ....no thanks

There are 3rd party editors also which I haven't used ...I haven't really needed to :S
Rig manager came out the other day and its great
The great thing about the kemper is if you use a profile or make one ....the sound doesn't change....where as you dl an axe-fx patch on an earlier FW its probably going to be red lights and clipping until you adjust a bunch of stuff and even then it probably won't sound as intended
 


I think you have a d60? Yeah the axe-II sounds better than the I blah blah. You can see how the first axe-fx (oh so real and...hmm "accurate" for many years) sounds not only with wooly top end but also not really true to the original (if this is what you care about). And that the kemper doesn't instantly sounds exactly like the original for example. And that it profiled the axe-fx exactly!

Axe-fx synthesizes the tone from ground zero as many pointed out. You've got so many variables, it is 99% certain that it will omit some. Also, for some reason, many seem to be satisfied (with the axe) with almost any other amp model except their true desire. For example a friend with marshall "mania" was not particularly fond of the amp models on the axe-fx (1st edition) even recorded soundwise vs his real amps but dug everything else. For me it wasn't the same with my then mesa rigs etc but fender cleans, marshall etc? Wouldn't care in real life, seemed fine in the axe. It is also weird to see petrucci or devin townsend incorporate or use the thing but still keep their all time favourite stuff onboard (some pedals for petrucci and his amps, that roland delay for devin townsend) and so on. Even some hardcore users use the axe with a real amp onstage. You can always find something to nag about and it seems to be the variable that matters.

Kemper seems to do the reverse thing (synthesizes from the end be it mic or line out for example) and analyzes the dynamics. I'd get the kemper. You don't get bored as easily, it is limitless soundwise and you don't have to jump on the update bandwagon waiting for cliff to do this or that. It'll tonematch almost anything even a digitech grunge out pedal if need be! Every sample seems more real and punchy than the axe. It is cheaper. But even fractal owner (Cliff something) seems to try and add the kemper like feature IR capture or whatever it is called.

What these things don't do for me is justify the money in the long run? I mean ok, they were (are) groundbreaking but almost certainly lose value even though slower than other digital gear) because it is the nature of the beast> Remember the first pod/pod XT units? Everybody was crazy about them then etc, now...Bottom line, for me, never "as good" as the real amps always on a time limit until something new comes along. The new thing I think will be dynamic IR behaviour and higher end cab sims. Those now are "static" something like a, 32000 point eq for a good pc, 2000 point eq on the axe-fx II, 1000 on the axe-fx I, who knows what for the kemper. They don't/can't match how the cab reacts vs your dynamics or the way negative feedback or dampening reacts with your amp (they can't because it is a physical interaction, the speaker the power amp...both absent in those modellers by default). But hey, you only live once!


By the way, some of the last VST plugins sound very good, as good or so good that they are satisfactory vs the price. But of course, to gig them is another story. Peavey just got revalver 4 out and it can do the end capture thing up to an extent (i.e. simulating/matching the sound from the mic).

You'd be fine with any of the two of course, best of luck.
 
Depends on how you're going to run it:

For a power amp and cab: Axe-Fx II

For recording and direct to PA: Kemper

Overall, I'd go Kemper, especially now that people have started giving serious thought to "preamp only" profiles that work well with power amps and cabs.
 
I've had the Axe Standard and Ultra. I loved the way they sounded with a SS power amp and cab. The effects were great and I had a lot of fun playing that rig. I never loved the way it sounded direct to DAW or through headphones etc. I've heard other guys get great results that way though. I recently got a Kemper and have to say it sounds amazing however you use it. It sounds ridiculous even through headphones. For me, it's the best solution.

I don't care if I'm playing "someone else's rig" or how the Kemper does what it does versus how the Axe FX does it's thing. At the end of the day it sounds great and I have fun playing. As for how much time you spend "tweaking", I think that's always up to the user. I didn't spend a lot of time tweaking the Axe and I don't with the Kemper.

I never understand guys who claim they had to sell one of these devices because they spent too much time tweaking. Well, stop doing that.

Anyway, I don't think you can make a mistake with either. If it were me, and knowing what I know, I'd get another Kemper.

Dave
 
IMHO -

As I understand it, you really need to try both because the "user" interface ( ie; workflow ) that "feels" more intuitive to you will go a long way in coloring your opinion of what you think is the better unit !

After that ( as I see it ) ....

If you have access to a lot of great amps & cabinets, and are adept at mic'ing them up to achieve a great sound, then I believe the Kemper might have some serious advantages ....

OTOH - If you don't ( like me ), then the Axe- is better ( for me ) ....

Pete Thorn mentioned ( discussing the Two-Notes Torpedo ) that to get the most out of the unit you should rent some studio time and bring in a bunch of cabinets to be mic'ed up and shoot your own IR's .... Unfortunately ( for me personally ), I don't have the time, experience or inclination to do that .... So, I would have to rely on other's aftermarket products to get anywhere close ....

It's the same analogy for me when considering the Kemper .... The Fractal just offers me more opportunity to achieve the tones and results I'm after - since I don't have access to the gear or studios to do it myself ....

Hope that helps !
 
Kemper has the built in power amp option if an all in one solution is something that appeals to you.
 
Is this true?

Axe fx - tweakers dream

Kemper - plug in and gtg

Im not a tweaker. I don't want to take a long time to figure out the axe so I'd go with Kemper which seems very user friendly. But if my brain wasn't pee sized and I could jump into and axe and be ripping by the end of the day then maybe the axe.
 
Basically
People that have the Kemper will say get the Kemper
People that have the Axe II will say get the Axe II
I have neither, so I say get both ;)
 
Agreed. Probably the only way to go. Bobs got skills so I'm sure he could figure out which one worked best for him rather quickly.
 
I've heard some fantastic recordings with the AxeFX2. Never heard of one of the Kemper devices until this thread. What are some of the better recordings with a Kemper where I can hear how it sounds?
 
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