Kemper or Axe II - Owners input please

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JerEvil

JerEvil

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So by the end of February I should be pulling the trigger on one of these guys. Just can not make my mind up though.

I play in 2 bands where this would be utilized. One is a band doing corporate gigs covering anything from Beatles and Maroon 5 to Journey and Kansas. The other is a metal cover band going Pantera, Sepultura, Slipknot.

The Kemper, imho really nails the amps it models to the damn T. but the effects are a bit more streamlined than the Axe.

The Axe has brilliant effects and with the MFC and scenes has 100% zero lag time in patch changes. This is actually very important to me.

With the amp models I feel the Axe does really well too. I'd say they are the closest "approximation" of the amps but the Kemper sounds more like the amps have been shrunken down and stuffed in there.

I am NOTlooking for folks to argue about which is better. Just share your experience.
 
I have used a Kemper for 2 plus years now and it's great.. There is not really a lag issue when switching via midi.. I had a small problem for a little bit, but it ended up being an issue between the two profiles I was switching between.
With the Kemper it's ALL about the profiles you use. There are a ton of lame profiles that might turn you off to the Kemper if you don't find the ones you like. I have found the commercial ones for the most part are the ones to go with. You just have to find the ones that work for you, or profile your amps yourself.

It is also very much a plug and play type of rig. Small eq tweaks go a long way for fine tuning. The effects are plenty for me.. The wha models are surprisingly good. Delay, verb , chorus,flange and a decent rotary are in there also.
 
I have an Axe-FX II.

I feel like the people who are happiest with the Kemper are people that have access to great amps in the studio and they want a version that they can copy and take with them. They are really not looking to create their own tone, they are just looking for a convenient way to bring their tone with them.

The Axe-FX II is all about being able to create your own tone. It is not about copying something exactly. It is the largest tool box of toys for the guitar that exists. It is easy to create about anything you want with about as much flexibility and connectivity that exists.

I chose the Axe-FX II a few years ago because I felt like it matched my work flow. I prefer to try to create my tones using all the tools at my disposal. I felt like with the Kemper I would spend countless hours sorting through the internet to only find things that are close to what I want, but not exact. It is easy for me to start with a Marshall tone, oh, but then run an EQ in front to boost 750hz, but then put an eq after the amp to scoop 1000 hz, etc.... I would have to have a floor full of pedals to do the same thing.

That being said, I have never tried the Kemper. I am sure it sounds good. I just didn't think the work flow would jive with me. One good thing is the Axe-FX II gets updates about every 2-3 weeks and it gets better and better all the time. They recently reached over 200 amp models, and have re-written the reverb, chorus, and flanger. They are always improving the smallest little things to achieve realism. Sometimes I will get option paralysis because there are so many controls. The amp models probably have 50 controls now, but sometimes I just have to turn it on with no laptop, eyes away from the display, and just play.
 
I started off with a Axe standard which I used live for 4 years then upgraded to the Axe II. The Axe system is very nice but I was looking for fast editing and really didn't use all the effects that were in Axe so I decided to get a Kemper and I have to say I have no regrets it sounds killer and has all the effects I need and more! If you don't need all the effects and crazy routing options the KPA is the way to go. I personally think it sounds better. There are some killer profiles out there!!
 
A few years ago I chose KPA (and still love it) for 2 reasons:
The Kemper interface was much more "amp" like and and intuitive, as opposed to Fractal which looks like a dizzying parameter nightmare
Tone is #1: FX are fun but I could be happy with line 6 delays/verbs if needed, not that important to me. It seemed KPA had a slightly better amp tone for hi gain stuff while Fractal clearly presented better FX. After all the years and updates, the Kemper FX is way better than I expected and the Fractal Amps sound better too, but overall that's been my general perception
 
Posted this over at GAB.

I haven't owned the Axe II (did have the first version, Standard though) but have the Kemper. I really stick to just a few sounds and quite frankly, I need to spend the time to go through and axe (no pun intended) everything but what I like/use because I like simple.

I bought the powered rack version though i haven't used it with a cab, but for direct recording it's awesome. Being able to lay down scratch ideas and have a good guitar tone is great.

Gratuitous track posting: Did this yesterday with the Kemper for bass and Guitar.

https://soundcloud.com/sixstring-savage/onward-2015
 
I've had both. I own a Kemper now. To me, it sounds better, especially direct. If you're an effects nut, get the Axe FX. The effects are great. The effects in the Kemper are great too but there's just less emphasis on it on that platform. Still for the average guitar player, the effects in the Kemper are all you'll need.

Updates don't come out every 14 minutes with the Kemper so it doesn't keep getting "more and more realler" all the time. :jerkit: :loco:
 
One difference to consider is Kemper appears to be a more professional company. The guy behind the Axe FX has had a number of online tantrums and meltdowns. That is hardly the type of behavior one would expect from a company that produces high-end electronics.

Certainly, that does not affect the quality of the unit. However, I have learned that small companies are much like women. In other words, avoid the one's attracted to drama. If purchasing an Axe FX represents a major expenditure for you, then you may want to consider the behavior of the unit's designer. I'm not sure you can trust a company to stick around or provide needed support and service when the person in charge behaves in such an erratic manner.

The constant updates and the issue with having to rebuild presets each time could become annoying.

Additionally, many users report noise issues with the Axe FX II when they use it in a 4CM configuration. That was the deal breaker for me. Even the Digitech GSP-1101 integrates quietly into 4CM settings based around high gain amps. Why does the Fractal unit require using "humbuster" cables and/or sending the unit back for modifications that will reduce its noise level?
 
I use the Kemper live so I do allot of switching rigs throughout the night. On the latest updates they've really got the lag time down to a minimum. It really bothered me early on but it's all good now. As far as the tone, it's great to have consistent tone night after night. I'm not a big fx guy so a little reverb, delay and chorus go a long way with me.

New Years Eve with the Kemper

 
LP Freak":7e3lu1lu said:
I use the Kemper live so I do allot of switching rigs throughout the night. On the latest updates they've really got the lag time down to a minimum. It really bothered me early on but it's all good now. As far as the tone, it's great to have consistent tone night after night. I'm not a big fx guy so a little reverb, delay and chorus go a long way with me.

New Years Eve with the Kemper
Click to expand...

That Kemper looks ugly man. You need a decent cabinet for it. Yeah, you do.

If you're interested it's yours for a stupid deal. I want it out of my way.

http://www.savagewoodworks.com/product/ ... t-cabinet/
 
Owned an axe standard and ultra. Cool devices but I spent the majority of the time turning knobs and getting aggravated with it.

Bought an unpowered kemper when I was recording my album last year and it was probably the best gear purchase I've ever made. Now I did sell it, only because I wasn't planning on doing any more recording for the foreseeable future but I always said I'd own another some day. That day came much sooner than I thought as I have a powered head coming this week. I plan on using with a traditional guitar cab because I prefer feeling that air move behind me. I tried an alto 112 and it was pretty uninspiring but direct it sounds amazing.
 
Bob Savage":226nqjdt said:
LP Freak":226nqjdt said:
I use the Kemper live so I do allot of switching rigs throughout the night. On the latest updates they've really got the lag time down to a minimum. It really bothered me early on but it's all good now. As far as the tone, it's great to have consistent tone night after night. I'm not a big fx guy so a little reverb, delay and chorus go a long way with me.

New Years Eve with the Kemper
Click to expand...

That Kemper looks ugly man. You need a decent cabinet for it. Yeah, you do.

If you're interested it's yours for a stupid deal. I want it out of my way.

http://www.savagewoodworks.com/product/ ... t-cabinet/
Click to expand...
Bob, my shabby playing wouldn't justify owning such a fine piece if furniture. :doh: :lol: :LOL:
 
LP Freak":2t0ffsyv said:
Bob, my shabby playing wouldn't justify owning such a fine piece if furniture. :doh: :lol: :LOL:
Click to expand...

LOL! You've fallen for the myth that great gear somehow requires justification beyond having the available cash. It doesn't.
 
scgtr":3f3vu5xm said:
One difference to consider is Kemper appears to be a more professional company. The guy behind the Axe FX has had a number of online tantrums and meltdowns. That is hardly the type of behavior one would expect from a company that produces high-end electronics.

Certainly, that does not affect the quality of the unit. However, I have learned that small companies are much like women. In other words, avoid the one's attracted to drama. If purchasing an Axe FX represents a major expenditure for you, then you may want to consider the behavior of the unit's designer. I'm not sure you can trust a company to stick around or provide needed support and service when the person in charge behaves in such an erratic manner.

The constant updates and the issue with having to rebuild presets each time could become annoying.

Additionally, many users report noise issues with the Axe FX II when they use it in a 4CM configuration. That was the deal breaker for me. Even the Digitech GSP-1101 integrates quietly into 4CM settings based around high gain amps. Why does the Fractal unit require using "humbuster" cables and/or sending the unit back for modifications that will reduce its noise level?
Click to expand...

Funny but I think Digitech is the only company to get the 4CM thing right. The RP1000 while limited, works in 4CM without the noise and endless tweaking to get it right.
 
I'll never be without a Kemper, and I've been through a slew of tube amps. I've had my Kemper for a few years now. I wish I had the rack version, so I'll probably unload my white lunchbox when I see a reasonably priced rack version pop up :) feel free to check out my soundcloud, tons of Kemper recordings.

Soundcloud.com/keith-labell-1

PM if you have any questions, as I'm not on here much.
 
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