I might have to sell my new Kemper profiling Amp.....

  • Thread starter Thread starter VESmedic
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i'm kind of a laggard when it comes to high-tech amp/recording stuff, but with all the good things i'm hearing about the kemper being so user friendly, i am strongly considering picking one up. just a few quick kemper questions for anyone who can answer.

1 - does it have on-board effects? and if so, how do they sound?
2 - how's the feature where you can sample tones from an album? easy to use? work well?
3 - exactly when will the rackmount version be available (if it has been announced)? or is it just a rumor?

and finally, just a curiosity question/opinion, but how do amp companies/manufacturers feel about what kemper is doing? with all the complaints the music business has about how file sharing has destroyed the industry, doesn't this pretty much equate to internet piracy of their product as well? i have to imagine boutique amp companies especially are fuming.
 
JimmyDoomsday":gx6t9xwo said:
i'm kind of a laggard when it comes to high-tech amp/recording stuff, but with all the good things i'm hearing about the kemper being so user friendly, i am strongly considering picking one up. just a few quick kemper questions for anyone who can answer.

1 - does it have on-board effects? and if so, how do they sound?
2 - how's the feature where you can sample tones from an album? easy to use? work well?
3 - exactly when will the rackmount version be available (if it has been announced)? or is it just a rumor?

and finally, just a curiosity question/opinion, but how do amp companies/manufacturers feel about what kemper is doing? with all the complaints the music business has about how file sharing has destroyed the industry, doesn't this pretty much equate to internet piracy of their product as well? i have to imagine boutique amp companies especially are fuming.


1. Yes, tons of effects, more than I would EVER need, including all the overdrives you could possibly want. For ME, it is absolute perfect, I dial in any perfect effect sound in literally 15 seconds. There is of course not nearly the parameters as the axe fx effects blocks, however, to me, this is a good thing, and is definitely not needed for the kemper, they sound better than anything I have EVER dialed in with my g major 2 :)


2- the sampling feature I have not done yet, However I have downloaded quite a few off the rig exchange. I do not know how to use the program required ( ozone) and am not prepared to dive into that, not realy my thing either. HOWEVER, the tones REALLY are spot on, especially the metallica black album tone, and the dimebag darrell patch, as well as the anthrax one (that one REALLY blew my mind)...the black album patch, with an EMG loaded guitar will have you smiling for years. It is the coolest thing on teh planet, be cause EVERYONE loves the sad but true tone. I used it today through my VHT's power amp and 4x12 and OMG.....Just complete bliss :) Very cool if you want to use it for a cover band etc. Oh, and the petrucci pull me under clean patch is Dead....Fucking....On...Period, end of story, completely awesome.


3- no release on the rackmount yet, however I will also be buying it when it comes out :)

The thing is the coolest thing I've ever bought. Going from a vintage marshall JMP to a fortin patch is unlike anything Ive ever experienced, because the kemper actually FEELS and plays like the 1972 Marshall JMP, i mean it really does, I can't describe how cool it is. The tones and feel that is coming out of my VHT cab and head (with the kemper in the effects loop as my preamp obviously) could never ever come out of my VHT head and cab alone. Its a complete mindfuck for lack of a better term to hear what is coming out of that setup...It SOUNDS vintage, woody, and feels just like a marshall...ANd htat is just one patch. The bogner shiva cleans are to die for, The new dr z patches are phenominal, I just can't say enough about it... And again, the FEEL is spot on, it FEELS and sounds and fills the room like you are using that amp in that very room next to you.

I used it last night at practice to throw down some riff ideas, used a Diezel Herbert patch, boosted with a green screamer (808), and it was better than ANY tone I ever got out of my Herbert Recorded...It was dead on, feel and everything, exactly like my herbert.... My singer almost had a stroke he was so happy. It took the weakest link out of every recordign situation (micing, in my opinion) and sped up everything. The tone I had last night was better than anything my band put out on our last album, mixed, mastered etc. With no Eqing, no high/low filters, no tweaking parameters, no graphic/parametric EQ's, no NOTHING, and it was the best tone I've had to date....BLISS.....Atleast, good enough for me, to the point that I would never be able to tell the difference, not a chance in hell. Having one patch that is THAT spot on (especially an amp that is 4k new), and then be able to replicate it with a different cab setting, and then make another patch with different settings to make it sound like something that the original herbert could never do, and add great effects, is worth the price alone....Okay, off my soap box :D
 
interesting. now does the kemper REQUIRE a power amp/high-power source to operate? or does it just make it sound that much better? also, does it come with/require a floorboard to navigate through amps/effects?
 
JimmyDoomsday":331t2027 said:
interesting. now does the kemper REQUIRE a power amp/high-power source to operate? or does it just make it sound that much better? also, does it come with/require a floorboard to navigate through amps/effects?


Yes, it is A midi device like any other midi piece of gear . It is a preamp, so treat it as such, I'd thAt answers ur question, so yes it needs something to amplify it.
 
Yup, I've had mine since February and it's the best gear I've bought in a LOOONNNG time.
 
Hmmm... now I'm startin' to get some GAS here! I think I know what my next "amp" is gonna be...
 
rocknrolla":6ewt84ge said:
I have 2 questions.
1. Anyone compare it to the Fractal unit?
2. Does it only recreate recorded amp tone (amp-cab-mic)?

I have had the KPA, Standard and the Axe 2 side by side for over a week. Mono direct the KPA can easily mirror the Axe 2. Through a power amp and cabs the Axe 2 has more stereo ability and sounds good. The KPA is more of a mono unit but still sounds good thru cabs albeit different than the Axe 2......If I had to choose one right now I currently (and this has changed over the past week for me) I gotta go with the KPA. It's just more addicting right now. I just shipped off and sold my Standard (had it for 3 years) never thought I would sell it. Planned on using the funds for an Axe 2.......but after much hair splitting between the KPA and the Axe 2....starting to wonder if I really need it......both great units though.....I'm still a HUGE Fractal fan......the KPA is amazing though....
 
shred-o-holic":2iwvvov2 said:
rocknrolla":2iwvvov2 said:
I have 2 questions.
1. Anyone compare it to the Fractal unit?
2. Does it only recreate recorded amp tone (amp-cab-mic)?

I have had the KPA, Standard and the Axe 2 side by side for over a week. Mono direct the KPA can easily mirror the Axe 2. Through a power amp and cabs the Axe 2 has more stereo ability and sounds good. The KPA is more of a mono unit but still sounds good thru cabs albeit different than the Axe 2......If I had to choose one right now I currently (and this has changed over the past week for me) I gotta go with the KPA. It's just more addicting right now. I just shipped off and sold my Standard (had it for 3 years) never thought I would sell it. Planned on using the funds for an Axe 2.......but after much hair splitting between the KPA and the Axe 2....starting to wonder if I really need it......both great units though.....I'm still a HUGE Fractal fan......the KPA is amazing though....
OMG...objectivity! :) Would love both and when they rack that puppy, I'm all over it. Axe FX with Kemper in loop for amps. Still use some Axe amps probably but what choices there will be.
 
zentman":uv9fqiu9 said:
shred-o-holic":uv9fqiu9 said:
rocknrolla":uv9fqiu9 said:
I have 2 questions.
1. Anyone compare it to the Fractal unit?
2. Does it only recreate recorded amp tone (amp-cab-mic)?

I have had the KPA, Standard and the Axe 2 side by side for over a week. Mono direct the KPA can easily mirror the Axe 2. Through a power amp and cabs the Axe 2 has more stereo ability and sounds good. The KPA is more of a mono unit but still sounds good thru cabs albeit different than the Axe 2......If I had to choose one right now I currently (and this has changed over the past week for me) I gotta go with the KPA. It's just more addicting right now. I just shipped off and sold my Standard (had it for 3 years) never thought I would sell it. Planned on using the funds for an Axe 2.......but after much hair splitting between the KPA and the Axe 2....starting to wonder if I really need it......both great units though.....I'm still a HUGE Fractal fan......the KPA is amazing though....
OMG...objectivity! :) Would love both and when they rack that puppy, I'm all over it. Axe FX with Kemper in loop for amps. Still use some Axe amps probably but what choices there will be.

Having both would be sweet for sure.....I need to get with this Axe 2 for the last few days I have it..it's on loan from a friend..but I can't stop playing the KPA right now lol......
 
VESmedic":2jwfnm85 said:
JimmyDoomsday":2jwfnm85 said:
interesting. now does the kemper REQUIRE a power amp/high-power source to operate? or does it just make it sound that much better? also, does it come with/require a floorboard to navigate through amps/effects?


Yes, it is A midi device like any other midi piece of gear . It is a preamp, so treat it as such, I'd thAt answers ur question, so yes it needs something to amplify it.

So, the KPA profiles the power amp and the tone it contributes as well, correct? What power amp would you choose based on this, as far as getting the cleanest, most neutral power compliment to the Kemper preamp?
 
glassjaw7":2wrb9uhq said:
VESmedic":2wrb9uhq said:
JimmyDoomsday":2wrb9uhq said:
interesting. now does the kemper REQUIRE a power amp/high-power source to operate? or does it just make it sound that much better? also, does it come with/require a floorboard to navigate through amps/effects?


Yes, it is A midi device like any other midi piece of gear . It is a preamp, so treat it as such, I'd thAt answers ur question, so yes it needs something to amplify it.

So, the KPA profiles the power amp and the tone it contributes as well, correct? What power amp would you choose based on this, as far as getting the cleanest, most neutral power compliment to the Kemper preamp?


Not sure what youre askin here. You don't need a poweramp to do any profiling (sorry if that is how you took what I was saying!), just a power amp obviously if you plan on using a 4x12 cabinet. No poweramp needed if running direct to FOH, unless you want a monitor on stage. The More I like this thing, the more I might go FRFR, never thought I'd say it, but I'm researching that idea more and more...
 
If it profiles the whole recorded chain from preamp, poweramp, cabinet, and mic then how does it sound if you run it into a power amp and through a 4x12? Shouldn't this be ran exclusively through FRFR speakers?
 
rocknrolla":quy9fjxa said:
If it profiles the whole recorded chain from preamp, poweramp, cabinet, and mic then how does it sound if you run it into a power amp and through a 4x12? Shouldn't this be ran exclusively through FRFR speakers?

It sounds awesome thru my Randall RT2 50 and a pair of speakers and my guitar sub. It sounds awesome direct as well. You can shut the cabs off but honestly I leave them on and it still sounds great...I also have an Atomic powered cab but I prefer my guitar cabs right now...
 
Shred I posted this on the kemper forum, but I thought id ask here as well, since this forum has more traffic. When playing with the monitor out and using a power amp/4x12, the cabs still effect the sound immensely. This is not a bad thing, but just curious to see what all of you do? When you download a profile, say the titan preamp profile, do you mess with the cab block at all when playing with a power amp/4x12, or do you just leave it as is? I find I do like tills 066 cab alot, like alot of people, but I don't want to use THAT cab for everything, as it seems to color the sound obviously...just curious what everyone else does, thanks.

Chris
 
fluff191":348mrwm0 said:
Im buying my Kemper next week. :thumbsup:


Bro you are going to LOVE that thing....I have absolutely NO desire to buy another amp ever again. I've been comparing side by side my VHT utlralead into my deliverance cab, and then pluggin my Kemper into the effects return to see if it has the same feel/aliveness/3D of the VHT, and it is exactly the same. The punch, the 3d, the in your face sound, it is all right in that magical little toaster. I can't even describe how happy I am with this damn thing. Absolutely kicks ass, you won't be disappointed, especially from a recording aspect.
 
You guys are not helping my Kemper GAS, even though I am a long way away from being able to afford one. The Kemper replaced the Axe-Fx on my wish list.

I do have one question, has anyone run across any bass amp profiles?
 
blackba":3v9qk44o said:
You guys are not helping my Kemper GAS, even though I am a long way away from being able to afford one. The Kemper replaced the Axe-Fx on my wish list.

I do have one questions, has anyone run across any bass amp profiles?

there is a few on the rig exchange that I have downloaded, I have not tried them yet though. Plan on trying to use them at my band next recording session next week and see how we like it. But to answer your question (if you are asking one lol :D ) Yes, it is possible to profile bass amps, just hasn't been done very much yet. The Kemper is still quite new, especially compared to the axe fx...Just imagine where the kemper will be when it has been around as long as the axe fx, and the profiles that will probably exist at that point :D
 
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