Axe vs Kemper 2016?

[maddnotez]

Im getting something soon and it will most likely be the AX8.

I really wanted the Kemper when it came out but with the portability of the AX8 I think Fractal is the way to go.

I do like to tweak but do not use tons of effects. I know the Kemper FX will be plenty and while I like to tweak I do not mind plug and play.

I have never played either but the Kemper seems limited in comparison. Not sure what to get but the Portability of the AX8 has me leaning.

What would you get? Anyone play both units?

Just looking for some last minute opinions. Signed up for the AX8 waiting list today and will buy something soon.

 

[JerEvil]

Im getting something soon and it will most likely be the AX8.

I really wanted the Kemper when it came out but with the portability of the AX8 I think Fractal is the way to go.

I do like to tweak but do not use tons of effects. I know the Kemper FX will be plenty and while I like to tweak I do not mind plug and play.

I have never played either but the Kemper seems limited in comparison. Not sure what to get but the Portability of the AX8 has me leaning.

What would you get? Anyone play both units?

Just looking for some last minute opinions. Signed up for the AX8 waiting list today and will buy something soon.

I own a Kemper and will also likely buy an AX8. They are both fantastic units and can't go wrong with either. It's like deciding between a NY Strip and Ribeye...

 

[maddnotez]

Im getting something soon and it will most likely be the AX8.

I really wanted the Kemper when it came out but with the portability of the AX8 I think Fractal is the way to go.

I do like to tweak but do not use tons of effects. I know the Kemper FX will be plenty and while I like to tweak I do not mind plug and play.

I have never played either but the Kemper seems limited in comparison. Not sure what to get but the Portability of the AX8 has me leaning.

What would you get? Anyone play both units?

Just looking for some last minute opinions. Signed up for the AX8 waiting list today and will buy something soon.

I own a Kemper and will also likely buy an AX8. They are both fantastic units and can't go wrong with either. It's like deciding between a NY Strip and Ribeye...

Yeah, tough call for sure. I can't have them both so idk. I have heard an Axe FX live and it slayed. It was however in a 6505 power amp with a 4x12 cab. Idk if it was miked or FOH but it killed. Sounded really really good.

Both units would work for sure but I guess unless someone can talk me out of it with some good points that I overlooked it will be the AX8.

 

[SkyhighRocks]

I love both but I think I'm realizing what I don't like about either....

FRFR

I'm finding I like the sound of a real cab and power amp as compared to my CLR. I've been fighting it for a few weeks now and trying to figure out what I want to do. Both units are amazing and will make most happy just from their tone....it's what the tone comes through that is fighting me right now.

 

[maddnotez]

I love both but I think I'm realizing what I don't like about either....

FRFR

I'm finding I like the sound of a real cab and power amp as compared to my CLR. I've been fighting it for a few weeks now and trying to figure out what I want to do. Both units are amazing and will make most happy just from their tone....it's what the tone comes through that is fighting me right now.

Hey man this isn't the talk me out of getting a modeler thread

jkjk I will get a cheap monitor for now like the Alto or something, I am researching into that as well. I do also have a killer amp/cab if needed but the big idea of this for me is not having to use the stack.

 

[thawn5150]

I had both . The kemper was nice I ran it through a 2 12 mesa cab sounded good later I tried an axe fx 2 going through a Atomic clr once again also very nice but...something was missing. Went back to tube amps in the end. I found at home or studio work both units are great but for live work nothing beats a tube amp for guitar, at least to my ears. I presently own a Amp1 unit ( amazing) and a EVH 50 watt head and also a 100 watt Wizard monster..

 

[Vrad]

I've owned a Kemper for 2 years now. Played an Axe FX II for a couple hours. Can't go wrong with either.

 

[thiswaythatway]

I love both but I think I'm realizing what I don't like about either....

FRFR

I'm finding I like the sound of a real cab and power amp as compared to my CLR. I've been fighting it for a few weeks now and trying to figure out what I want to do. Both units are amazing and will make most happy just from their tone....it's what the tone comes through that is fighting me right now.

FRFR isn't my choice way to play either, but it's nice to have the option if needed. I'm mostly using my AX8 right now as my entire pedal board. It's works perfect in 4CM setup with my Mark IV.

 

[dead-pan]

I have both and both are great.

Kemper it depends on the Profile, for the AX8 it depends on the IR.

If I could hear an example of the sound you are going for I could give you more specific advise.

I have been able to get the Axe to mimic what I get out of the Kemper but not without effort. There is something to the way the Kemper captures the cab sound that just sits better for me. That said you can shoot IRs of the Kemper and load them in the AX8. Levels the ground. Of course you can tweak till the cows come home to get there too...

 

[vultures]

I've been wondering the same thing for quite some time now. I have a Kemper Powered Rack and it sounds phenomenal. A lot of free options sound good, but the really GREAT profiles you have to pay for or find someone willing to share/trade (which some folks don't like to do). I imagine it's the same with Axe FX? I'd really like to get them side-by-side, but I can't justify buying an Axe-FX and power amp alongside my Kemper

Needs to be another NJ H.O.M.

 

[audiomidijace]

I was really impressed with the Atomic AmpliFIRE 12 at the LA Amp Show.
http://atomicamps.com/amplifire-12/
$799 and it sounded amazing. Super light weight and completely programable
foot switching.

 

[thiswaythatway]

I've been wondering the same thing for quite some time now. I have a Kemper Powered Rack and it sounds phenomenal. A lot of free options sound good, but the really GREAT profiles you have to pay for or find someone willing to share/trade (which some folks don't like to do). I imagine it's the same with Axe FX? I'd really like to get them side-by-side, but I can't justify buying an Axe-FX and power amp alongside my Kemper

Needs to be another NJ H.O.M.

You're in Basking Ridge now? I moved 2 years ago, I'm in Warren Township now.

 

[Chris6870]

I love both but I think I'm realizing what I don't like about either....

FRFR

I'm finding I like the sound of a real cab and power amp as compared to my CLR. I've been fighting it for a few weeks now and trying to figure out what I want to do. Both units are amazing and will make most happy just from their tone....it's what the tone comes through that is fighting me right now.

FRFR isn't my choice way to play either, but it's nice to have the option if needed. I'm mostly using my AX8 right now as my entire pedal board. It's works perfect in 4CM setup with my Mark IV.

Are you able to switch between AX8 amp models and the Mark IV preamp or do you just use the effects?

 

[311boogieman]

I was really impressed with the Atomic AmpliFIRE 12 at the LA Amp Show.
http://atomicamps.com/amplifire-12/
$799 and it sounded amazing. Super light weight and completely programable
foot switching.

The guys over at Ultimate-Guitar are really impressed with this unit. Worth a look. They are saying it will do everything except that Fender bell/chime.

 

[maddnotez]

I was really impressed with the Atomic AmpliFIRE 12 at the LA Amp Show.
http://atomicamps.com/amplifire-12/
$799 and it sounded amazing. Super light weight and completely programable
foot switching.

The guys over at Ultimate-Guitar are really impressed with this unit. Worth a look. They are saying it will do everything except that Fender bell/chime.

May need to wait until some clips and info surfaces. The price is really great, just can't find any clips anywhere.

If I could hear an example of the sound you are going for I could give you more specific advise.

I play metal and like brutal tones. I love my Rev. 2 but also like the tighter TJ. I do miss the 100CL Pitbull a lot and would love a Rhodes Gemini as well.

I can't afford 5 amps but those are the types of tones I really like. I figured with the AX8 I could find whatever I wanted. Maybe the same with the Kemper but without playing both the Kemper seems like it would be more limited.

Endless options, portability and great tone is what I'm after ideally.

I know the topic has been beaten to death, I've never really done any serious research because I was never going to try digital until now.

I wanted the Kemper when it came out but the AX8 has really caught my eye.

 

[dead-pan]

With that in mind if you are playing live the Ax8 might be a better option and cheaper. But those type of tones are easier to get with the Kemper, f course you would need a midi pedal of some sort. I have a difficult time with the boost in both units and use external drive pedals. I would give the edge maybe to the Fractal drives for options though. The AX8 is maybe easier to get super tight Fear Factory type tone but for down tune brutal metal the Kemper is better for me. Of course they both can get there with effort.

For recording, Kemper with real pedals no contest.

 

[xzacx]

I can't afford 5 amps but those are the types of tones I really like. I figured with the AX8 I could find whatever I wanted. Maybe the same with the Kemper but without playing both the Kemper seems like it would be more limited.

What makes you say that? You can profile literally any amp - I've never heard someone say the Kemper was limiting in terms of attainable tones. (For the record, I hated my Kemper. I'm not trying to sway your decision. But it certainly wasn't because it was too limiting. It was because it didn't sound or feel like a real amp to me, but that's a different discussion for a different thread.)

 

[maddnotez]

I can't afford 5 amps but those are the types of tones I really like. I figured with the AX8 I could find whatever I wanted. Maybe the same with the Kemper but without playing both the Kemper seems like it would be more limited.

What makes you say that? You can profile literally any amp - I've never heard someone say the Kemper was limiting in terms of attainable tones. (For the record, I hated my Kemper. I'm not trying to sway your decision. But it certainly wasn't because it was too limiting. It was because it didn't sound or feel like a real amp to me, but that's a different discussion for a different thread.)

Because I am at the mercy of the profiler. Their guitar, their settings, tube choice, their sound. To be honest most of the higher end amps I have heard profiled sounded pretty bad.

Up until recently I heard a very awesome Uberschall profile by Origin Audio. I have yet to hear a VHT clip that actually sounds like a VHT. So I feel like it would be limited to those things, you capture one sound and can tweak it.

While the AX8 is not capturing a specific amp's sound waves, I feel I could tweak it a lot better to my liking. I can't get both I guess I could sell my Bogner and get both haha but that sounds like a bad idea.

Also it seems the "good" profilers are charging for their profiles. Ok that is cool and fair but another point of going this route for me is to tame the GAS a bit and stop buying gear

 

[vultures]

I've been wondering the same thing for quite some time now. I have a Kemper Powered Rack and it sounds phenomenal. A lot of free options sound good, but the really GREAT profiles you have to pay for or find someone willing to share/trade (which some folks don't like to do). I imagine it's the same with Axe FX? I'd really like to get them side-by-side, but I can't justify buying an Axe-FX and power amp alongside my Kemper

Needs to be another NJ H.O.M.

You're in Basking Ridge now? I moved 2 years ago, I'm in Warren Township now.

I moved to Basking Ridge about 4 years ago. Where's all the other guys? Lot of them dropped off the forums.

 

[Chris O]

If you're a tweaker, AX8 is the way to go.