How many of you are using Axe FX/Kemper vs Tube amps??

[Lampshade1973]

I love tube amps and the feel of them but the Axe FX looks interesting, I cant seem to get a killer clean channel and a killer dirty channel in the same amp? I also play in a cover band now and Im looking for versatility in sounds but I feel like my Lunchbox amp and few pedals is possibly all I need to gig in 2016 as compared to spending a fe grand on an Axe of Kemper set up...thoughts??

 

[mniel8195]

revised comment below lol!

 

[bonedarrell]

killer clean and killer dirt +small box. Great effects loop as well. Takes pedals great. I own the combo and its awesome.

 

[thesockmonster]

I went from a slew of amps down to an Axe FX II + MFC101. The deciding factor was realizing no, it's not replacing my amps. No, it doesn't sound like an amp, it doesn't 100% feel like an amp. I just knew I could consistently get great SOUNDS out of the Axe, and I didn't have to lug a crapton of gear around. It really comes down to deciding if you're happy with making great recorded and house sounds, or if you like amp feel and in-the-room sound.

The best answer? Get both. Scratch both itches, it's the only way. I'll keep my Axe (probably going down to an AX8 soon for portability and recording), and eventually pick up a few amps once we move. Until then, I'm pretty happy.

 

[Badronald]

I've had plenty of great amps with killer clean and dirty. I'm not sure I understand the comment.

Friedman, Mesa, Diezel, Marshall, Splawn, Bogner......etc all make fantastic, versatile amps. Play a few.

 

[Lampshade1973]

I've had plenty of great amps with killer clean and dirty. I'm not sure I understand the comment.

Friedman, Mesa, Diezel, Marshall, Splawn, Bogner......etc all make fantastic, versatile amps. Play a few.

I was referring the the clean sound with al the EFX built in and the dirty channels, just the convenience of the modelers and such....Ive never played through the Kemper or Axe, was curious why people liked them better vs a good tube amp....

 

[RJF]

Friend of mine brought over a new AXE FX2 with a Mesa 2:90 and it sounded pretty good. Some of the patches are better then others. For example, his stock Herbert patch sounds pretty close to my Diezel Herbert, but his Uberschall patch was way off from my Uberschall. The effects sounded really good though, I can see why some people use them just for that.

The AXE or Kemper doesn't really appeal to me, but I'm a collector and stay at home player. If I played in a band, I would probably consider one.

 

[Stumplegriltskin]

I have a Kemper and FRFR speakers. I probably will not go back to tube amps. I don't play out though. I can perhaps see why folks want to stay with a tube amp for live and volume. But I don't play at volume. I sit and rot in my basement studio and the Kemper sounds amazing to me. Plus, I enjoy the tweaking aspect.

 

[Steinmetzify]

I love tube amps and the feel of them but the Axe FX looks interesting, I cant seem to get a killer clean channel and a killer dirty channel in the same amp? I also play in a cover band now and Im looking for versatility in sounds but I feel like my Lunchbox amp and few pedals is possibly all I need to gig in 2016 as compared to spending a fe grand on an Axe of Kemper set up...thoughts??

Comes down to what you want and need. I'm an Axe II user and dig it...expensive? Sort of, yeah. Worth every penny? I certainly think so. Do your research, check the newest vids, hit one of us in the thread with any questions.

 

[Stumplegriltskin]

I spent 5k on my Kemper rig with 2 FRFR speakers. Best G'damn thing I've ever owned. I kick myself because I could have saved a lot of cash if I listened to a buddy (who has endless amps, Peavey, Mesa, Bogner, etc...) who told me the Kemper is all he really needs. Told me this 2 years ago. But we're both cellar dwellers, not in bands.

 

[Badronald]

I have a Kemper and FRFR speakers. I probably will not go back to tube amps. I don't play out though. I can perhaps see why folks want to stay with a tube amp for live and volume. But I don't play at volume. I sit and rot in my basement studio and the Kemper sounds amazing to me. Plus, I enjoy the tweaking aspect.

I'd love to have a Kemper or Ax to record at home.

I love my tube amps, but it'd be much easier to use one of those units to record at home in silence. Or use a Torpedo I guess.

 

[mniel8195]

Just depends on what your needs are. I know that i want to hear an actual speaker cab and feel the air when i can. I also can live with out midi changes just a two ch amp with a bit of delay and reverb when needed. Its also a huge investment modeler, footswitch, fr fr speakers , and you may want a small laptop to control everything. I just got a small box combo and i can switch between two channels with a bit of delay on and get just about any gain level between using my volume pot and a koko boost. Personally i like the set the amp up and forget it approach. It also comes down to if you need a million different sounds. I doubt your audience would know better.

 

[Bishop5150]

I have both the Axe and Kemper but as of right now still prefer my tube amps for gigging.

 

[Mklane]

I have a few heads still but use my AxeII with a Matrix into cabs when playing live. It's just so portable and easy to set up at shows. Every effect I could ever want and my main Herbert patch sounds almost identical to my amp.

 

[wIsEbLooD]

i use the axe with two frfr speakers. still have neglected amps though.

 

[dead-pan]

If there was actually a market for selling amps in Iowa I wouldn't have any.

The Kemper is used daily as will the AX8 when it arrives.

Two Mesa's sit. Just sit. I love them but it's a pain to dial them in and move them.

Recording is perfect with the Kemper. This is what led to the ultimate demise of my amps.

 

[InFlames235]

I have always thought about trading in my tube amp for a Kemper but after trying the BIAS and JamUp apps on the iPad, which are highly touted for being pretty damn good for their price and almost as good as the Kemper/AxeFX I decided against it. I now get what everyone means by the "feel" not being there. It doesn't really adjust for how hard/soft your picking in a natural way and, I dunno, it's off. I have an amp with a Torpedo Live so I definitely know very well how an amp sounds recorded but that combo still maintains the feel of my Mark V. I dunno if I'll ever switch over - hell, I'm sure they'll get to a point where it WILL be indistinguishable from a tube amp both in sound and feel, but until that day I've decided to stick with tubes.

 

[Stumplegriltskin]

I have BIAS. I don't think it's anywhere near the Kemper. Matter of fact, I use the free amp plugins instead. Not a huge fan of Bias Desktop.