AxeFx vs Kemper vs real amplifier.

[Rogue]

 

[steve_k]

Kemper's statement about his tech was actually in this thread: https://www.thegearpage.net/board/showth ... st15283094

Did I have the link wrong? Thanks for that. Here is the statement I was paraphrasing from Kemper HQ:

"The internal developement of the Profiling algorithm was finished more than 3 years from now. We have no plans for improving it. There might be little room for minor improvements, but no room for a step to make the sound significantly realer, as there is no such significance left. The tube feel of the Profiler cannot be improved....."

Point was - Kemper isn't getting any better (at profiling) because there's nothing they can improve on. Whereas, Axe FX models improve each time they update the firmware.

 

[squank]

Whatever,

but to say that how you capture a profile can never get better makes no sense to me.

Why not? If he's talking about his own process.

I don't care, but I would imagine 5-10 years from now there will be much better ways to profile an amp.

Probably.

But maybe Herr Kemper is at the limit of his ability, and is just being blunt.

 

[jlbaxe]

The Torpedo Live made my amp sound more realer

 

[squank]

Kemper's statement about his tech was actually in this thread: https://www.thegearpage.net/board/showth ... st15283094

Did I have the link wrong? Thanks for that. Here is the statement I was paraphrasing from Kemper HQ:

"The internal developement of the Profiling algorithm was finished more than 3 years from now. We have no plans for improving it. There might be little room for minor improvements, but no room for a step to make the sound significantly realer, as there is no such significance left. The tube feel of the Profiler cannot be improved....."

Point was - Kemper isn't getting any better (at profiling) because there's nothing they can improve on. Whereas, Axe FX models improve each time they update the firmware.

I was agreeing with you on this. The profiling part of the amp is pretty much set where it was on the day it first shipped.

There's no doubt the Kemper sounded TONS better when it first shipped than the AxeFX did when it first shipped. They were MILES apart. I can't say that I really liked the amp models in my Axe until FW 6.0 at least. The Axe definitely got better with some of the FW upgrades. How much further it can improve is an open question.

 

[PBGas]

The Torpedo Live made my amp sound more realer

AMEN. So true. I like what I'm hearing with my setup far better than my Kemper.

 

[steve_k]

The Torpedo Live made my amp sound more realer

AMEN. So true. I like what I'm hearing with my setup far better than my Kemper.

Yep, shit just got real.....

It's the best solution, unless one needs a shit ton of amp profiles to get the job done.

Meet in the middle with a Two Notes Torpedo Live.

 

[jlbaxe]

The Torpedo Live made my amp sound more realer

AMEN. So true. I like what I'm hearing with my setup far better than my Kemper.

Yep, shit just got real.....

It's the best solution, unless one needs a shit ton of amp profiles to get the job done.

Meet in the middle with a Two Notes Torpedo Live.

If I had the torpedo live six years ago I'd Have one fat bank account. I'm back to using my Mesa Mk III that I bought back in 1995 and a few pedals. The 20th anniversary X gets me the rest of my tones. The fractal audio stuff is nice but unnecessary for me.

 

[squank]

The Torpedo Live made my amp sound more realer

AMEN. So true. I like what I'm hearing with my setup far better than my Kemper.

Yep, shit just got real.....

It's the best solution, unless one needs a shit ton of amp profiles to get the job done.

Meet in the middle with a Two Notes Torpedo Live.

Completely agree. The Two Notes Torpedo is impressive.

It all gets down to what you need for your situation.

 

[Rogue]

I've been using the Two Notes plugin for some time now. I think it is the best of the available IRs. Bought it, sold it, and bought it again. It is not a substitute for a well miced cab (neither is the Kemper or AxeFX), which is something I just had to come to terms with. A well miced cab isn't practical in a home with family...or neighbors....or someone living in the same county, without an expensive isolation setup. And I like my amp, so DAW IRs it is and the Two Notes stuff leads the pack.

I'm currently using an Alex attenuator and speaker box with a Countryman DI to get my amp signal to the DAW, but will pick up the Torpedo Reload (a nice attenuator on paper) when it is released. If I need a FOH solution, I'll pick up the Torpedo CAB.

Also on the slate for release by Two Notes is the BlendIR, which is a utility to blend, modify, and EQ tweak up to 8 IRs and kick that out as a single IR for use with other Two Notes products. This is really cool for those really trying to hone in their own sound, but I can see it turning into an AxeFX-like tweak fest.

So with the cab/mic sims already available, the two capture (which allows you to make an IR of your own stuff), BlendIR, and their hardware and software options, Two Notes is really defining that market.

They've been around for a while now, but didn't get a lot of attention until recently. Glad they are making stuff happen.

 

[hoss33]

So the perfect setup would be

Guitar -> Kemper -> Axe FX II (effects only, in the Kemper loop) -> Two Notes (Kemper Cab turned off) -> FRFR Speakers

 

[Rogue]

 

[steve_k]

So the perfect setup would be

Guitar -> Kemper -> Axe FX II (effects only, in the Kemper loop) -> Two Notes (Kemper Cab turned off) -> FRFR Speakers

DAMMIT!

 

[ejecta]

So the perfect setup would be

Guitar -> Kemper -> Axe FX II (effects only, in the Kemper loop) -> Two Notes (Kemper Cab turned off) -> FRFR Speakers

I think this would be perfect.

Guitar -> Tube Amp -> Full Pedal Board -> Kemper -> Axe FX II (effects only, in the Kemper loop) -> Two Notes (Kemper Cab turned off) -> PODHD 500 -> Zoom G3 -> RCF FRFR Speakers -> CLR FRFR Speakers -> Mic'd 4x12 -> Mic'd 2x12 - Mic'd 1x12

 

[Shark Diver]

"The internal developement of the Profiling algorithm was finished more than 3 years from now.

IDK what you guys are talking about? The Kemper isn't even finished for more than 3 years from now.

I've been using the Two-Notes stuff for about 3-4 years. I got to demo the 101 when it came out and loved it. It has been the only thing that pretty much I could dial in to exactly match my 12L Thieles. I did a lot of A/Bing.

I think if you read through the this thread there is a general consensus what the 3 digital players are best at individually.

 

[zepplin490]

Im kinda halfway in between Im heavily invested into randall mts gear i currently own 4 mts amps an RM100 head an RM50 head an RM50 Combo and an RM4 Preamp and 11 modules seems that i have to keep buying amps to store my modules but anyways MTS is an interesting take on modeling since the models are actual tube preamps that just happen to be modular and switchable and most do a damn fine job at emulating whatever amp they are designed after. Im not talking about the stock modules that came out with the head but instead about the amp modding companies such as Jaded Faith MOds, Salvation Mods and Voodoo Amps as well as a few smaller modders these are highly researched,engineered,tested and produced with the highest quality and they are constantly coming out with new models and upgrades for current modules. They change the faceplates to totally cool and custom designs add switches and potentiometers that change the tone in great ways add options that the original amps never had and can do custom orders of a module to emulate any amp you want (it just takes a comission fee and a couple of days of R&D). The best part I guess is that the modules and the amps that they plug into are all tube and sound great, there were a few stock modules that came out with the amps that were good like the SL+ (jcm800) and the Tweed (fender tweed) but the majority were just subpar its amazing what the mod companies have been able to do. Check out jadedfaithmods.com or salvationmods.com to check some of em out or join me and a bunch of other tone fiends at mtsforum.grailtone.com thanks for reading my BS
-mp-

 

[tonefinger]

Yes, It is hard to tell which is which when A/B. But when asked which one sound the best, 9 out of ten will pick the real amp.

 

[supersonic]

Im kinda halfway in between Im heavily invested into randall mts gear i currently own 4 mts amps an RM100 head an RM50 head an RM50 Combo and an RM4 Preamp and 11 modules seems that i have to keep buying amps to store my modules but anyways MTS is an interesting take on modeling since the models are actual tube preamps that just happen to be modular and switchable and most do a damn fine job at emulating whatever amp they are designed after. Im not talking about the stock modules that came out with the head but instead about the amp modding companies such as Jaded Faith MOds, Salvation Mods and Voodoo Amps as well as a few smaller modders these are highly researched,engineered,tested and produced with the highest quality and they are constantly coming out with new models and upgrades for current modules. They change the faceplates to totally cool and custom designs add switches and potentiometers that change the tone in great ways add options that the original amps never had and can do custom orders of a module to emulate any amp you want (it just takes a comission fee and a couple of days of R&D). The best part I guess is that the modules and the amps that they plug into are all tube and sound great, there were a few stock modules that came out with the amps that were good like the SL+ (jcm800) and the Tweed (fender tweed) but the majority were just subpar its amazing what the mod companies have been able to do. Check out jadedfaithmods.com or salvationmods.com to check some of em out or join me and a bunch of other tone fiends at mtsforum.grailtone.com thanks for reading my BS
-mp-

I ran out of breath reading that! Need a lie down now.

 

[Shiny_Surface]

So the perfect setup would be

Guitar -> Kemper -> Axe FX II (effects only, in the Kemper loop) -> Two Notes (Kemper Cab turned off) -> FRFR Speakers

I could actually see someone trying something like that.

 

[Ventura]

Yes, It is hard to tell which is which when A/B. But when asked which one sound the best, 9 out of ten will pick the real amp.

Except in the case where a well known boutique amp builder chose the Axe-II's tone over his real deal on a recording