Kemper/AxeFX/etc. VS. purely software based amp plulgin

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amiller

amiller

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From JUST a recording standpoint:

My understanding of the Kemper is that it's basically an amp sim (software) running on it's own dedicated hardware platform, i.e., processor/memory and IO. If that's the case, how long before the PC platform has enough power to run an amp sim/plugin that rivals the Kemper type solutions?

Also, I just picked up Overloud's TH2 amp sim plugin. It sounds better than any other sim I've tried, however, my Lonestar with the Suhr Koko Boost in front kills it.

Has anyone compared the Kemper to a "top of the line" PC based amp plugin?
 
IDK if 11R hardware counts...cool unit, but nowhere close to KPA quality
 
crankyrayhanky":23y4r5e0 said:
IDK if 11R hardware counts...cool unit, but nowhere close to KPA quality
Click to expand...

Sure ... it counts. How does it compare to a strickly PC software amp sim?
 
I downloaded the Scuffman S-gear plug-in. The high gain amp wasn't great, but the clean and med gain was pretty nice. It still didn't feel quite right and that is the problem with modelers/sims. The hardware sims are probably going to feel a bit better than software because you are using hardward dedicated to that function whereas the software you are limited to the abilities of the computer.
 
amiller":32fyomjz said:
From JUST a recording standpoint:

My understanding of the Kemper is that it's basically an amp sim (software) running on it's own dedicated hardware platform, i.e., processor/memory and IO. If that's the case, how long before the PC platform has enough power to run an amp sim/plugin that rivals the Kemper type solutions?

Also, I just picked up Overloud's TH2 amp sim plugin. It sounds better than any other sim I've tried, however, my Lonestar with the Suhr Koko Boost in front kills it.

Has anyone compared the Kemper to a "top of the line" PC based amp plugin?
Click to expand...

The AxeFX and Kemper people probably want you to think that even a modern PC couldn't handle those algorithms. While it's true that a standard operating system has too much going on to ensure no hiccups occur, a suitable RT kernel on a minimal purpose-built OS could do the job just as well. Point in case is all the DAW software around for Windows, Mac OSX and Linux.

The issue is this: software gets pirated. If you keep your algorithms in a black box such as the AxeFX or Kemper, you virtually guarantee people will have to buy your software because it's tightly integrated into the hardware. It also makes it easier to charge a lot of money, since people actually receive a tangible product and not just virtual bits – few want to pay a lot of money for "mere" software. And the manufacturer doesn't have to debug people's crappy computer bugs and compatibility problems, because they control the hardware/platform (a bit like Apple does).

It really has more to do with business sense than that ARM/RISC/... platform performance is somehow magically way beyond that of more competitive x32/x64-based architectures.

And well, it's probably easier to show up with an AxeFX or Kemper box than to drag your desktop around...

So yes, in my opinion, a decent PC with flash storage and Real Time extensions could serve just as well. I'd be interested to see how Linux with RT patches would perform as a simulator/effects processor. Or QNX...
 
amiller":1hz35m37 said:
I just picked up Overloud's TH2 amp sim plugin. It sounds better than any other sim I've tried, however, my Lonestar with the Suhr Koko Boost in front kills it.

Has anyone compared the Kemper to a "top of the line" PC based amp plugin?
Click to expand...


Ditto - I luv TH2 - GR5 - ABG - LePoulin - GuitarSuite etc

koko boost in front sux ??

maybe its your interface and not TH2 ?

I use old jackson medium hot pickups (ie 12K) with a
danelectro timmy clone set for boost and it works very well
with TH2 (as does my wah and phase 90)

I'm using a line 6 UX1 and monitoring it thru 50 tube power amp &
4x12


my buddy put together a similiar rig and he used cheap raven
60W combo - I was really surprised how good it sounded
on both the clean & gain channels

if your looking for more sustain from TH2 try plugging the
monitor out into a solidstate overdrive - I've used a rocktron
chamelon that way and it definitely :rock: kicked it up a notch
in terms of gain and "feeling"

I need to get GR5 ~ !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFWdE-c-Zqo

I use VLC player and set the VLC Eq with the 3 bass bans boosted
and the 3 mid bands scooped out - it sounds damn close IMHO
 
duodecim":39e9ongk said:
The AxeFX and Kemper people probably want you to think that even a modern PC couldn't handle those algorithms. While it's true that a standard operating system has too much going on to ensure no hiccups occur, a suitable RT kernel on a minimal purpose-built OS could do the job just as well. Point in case is all the DAW software around for Windows, Mac OSX and Linux.

The issue is this: software gets pirated. If you keep your algorithms in a black box such as the AxeFX or Kemper, you virtually guarantee people will have to buy your software because it's tightly integrated into the hardware. It also makes it easier to charge a lot of money, since people actually receive a tangible product and not just virtual bits – few want to pay a lot of money for "mere" software. And the manufacturer doesn't have to debug people's crappy computer bugs and compatibility problems, because they control the hardware/platform (a bit like Apple does).

It really has more to do with business sense than that ARM/RISC/... platform performance is somehow magically way beyond that of more competitive x32/x64-based architectures.

And well, it's probably easier to show up with an AxeFX or Kemper box than to drag your desktop around...

So yes, in my opinion, a decent PC with flash storage and Real Time extensions could serve just as well. I'd be interested to see how Linux with RT patches would perform as a simulator/effects processor. Or QNX...
Click to expand...

You make some good points. I would add that, at some point, software engineers will write the PC software amp sim that rivals the Kemper.
 
It uses dynamic convolution which is not a modeler at all in any sense. The special bits in the Kemper are the algorithmic routines Cristoph Kemper created to convolve the guitar input signal to the thing you hear. This technology is absolutely not new but IS new as applied to the guitar amp chain. What I am getting at is Kemper Amps deserve the money they are charging for the box. I have no idea some other company will be able to replicate this tech without resorting to dirty tricks.
 
For simulations I think Kemper is the best, for live setup go for Axe FX. For studio only I will go for Kemper
 
redrol":uawnujcs said:
some other company will be able to replicate this tech without resorting to dirty tricks.
Click to expand...

the ups and downs of free trade agreements :doh:
 
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