Matrix power amps < mesa 50/50 for kemper.

[JimAnsell]

I don't know who put out the notion that tube power amps shouldn't be used with stuff like Kempers.
I ditched my unreliable matrix power amp for a good old fashioned, 80's, mesa 50/50. even with old tubes, the mesa blows this matrix out of the water. So much more detailed, open, and dynamic.
For being in the 400-500 range pretty much all the time, nothing tops it.

 

[thiswaythatway]

I tried a Mesa 2:90 with an Axe-Fx standard and I thought it sounded pretty good. And I must say, IMHO the sound I got from that with a 4x12 blew the doors off the sound the Fractal guys were getting with the Axe Ultra or Axe-2 with the full FRFR setup at the New York amp shows. I guess it's just my preference. Of course, it does shrink the amp sims down and makes a LOT of them sound kinda similar since it's using the same poweramp and through whatever speakers your using, a real Greenback or V30 always sounds like what they are.

 

[Drew]

I don't have a Kemper but I agree with the Boogie 50/50 over the Matrix. I've been using a very old Boogie 50/50 with a GSP1101. I tried a Matrix 800 in hopes of reducing the weight of the rack by 20+lbs. However, the Boogie killed the Matrix in terms of punch and clarity. It was not even close.

 

[BMoore77]

I heard some amazing clips of the Kemper (68 Marshall, Laney AOR) on Youtube. Does this thing really do what is advertised? Does it react like a tube amp? When you turn the volume down, are the dynamics similar to a real amp? I would appreciate any info you have on this. Thanks !

 

[zuel69]

All you do is slam this place, and now you want help?? Interesting.

I heard some amazing clips of the Kemper (68 Marshall, Laney AOR) on Youtube. Does this thing really do what is advertised? Does it react like a tube amp? When you turn the volume down, are the dynamics similar to a real amp? I would appreciate any info you have on this. Thanks !

 

[moltenmetalburn]

i use my axe fx as a preamp only into a vht 2150 and a cab.

the only way AFAIC.

i also use a valvulator up front for real tube feel.

 

[BMoore77]

All you do is slam this place, and now you want help?? Interesting.

I heard some amazing clips of the Kemper (68 Marshall, Laney AOR) on Youtube. Does this thing really do what is advertised? Does it react like a tube amp? When you turn the volume down, are the dynamics similar to a real amp? I would appreciate any info you have on this. Thanks !

Hello,
You must be one of the guys who saw the Zakk Wylde post. The one where I called out guys who make weak, sloppy clips with over expensive amps in their basements. You know...make really bad clips...with really expensive equipment....that the amp builders would be embarrassed to be associated with....really bad clips...you know, right? I know you do...And for the record, Rigtalk rules...and the reason it rules is because of guys like you. And the "this amp builder rules guy", and the clones who follow the "this amp builder rules" guy, and the bad clip guy, and the "I just bought the most expensive amp, but I cant dial it in right..should I buy an OD pedal guy", and the "This 80's shredder still rules guy, and the "This 80's shredder used to rule, but now his tone sucks" guy. And, let's not forget, the "vintage gear snob" guy. Or "Blues purist" guy. You all make this Rigtalk world go round and round, just like Pearcy said. You guys keep rockin' like Dokken and I hope you have nothin' but a good time.

 

[Shark Diver]

i use my axe fx as a preamp only into a vht 2150 and a cab.

the only way AFAIC.

i also use a valvulator up front for real tube feel.

I always thought that unless you need a whole bunch of amps, that a good tube preamp would make more sense in this type of set up. I bet you'd like a Fish, CAE, or X88 better into that VHT. Ditch the Valvulator and add a decent fx unit. Basically the same $

 

[zuel69]

haha, ok I get it. I had two Kemper rack's...why two? Because they both had a glitchy potentiometer at bottom row where you have the tone controls but that's a different story. I also bought a new QSC K12 powered monitor to go with the Kemper, low volumes o.k. sound, took the rig to jam with a 3 piece group, horrible. A guy actually went home to get his bogner alchemist 1x12 for me, I was out of town and that rig was that bad. I guess I'd have to blame the QSC K12, because when I plugged the Kemper back home into any of my tube amps fx return in sounded great, dynamic, alive all that stuff. I also had a new AxeFxII with a VHT 50/50, awesome! Some I'm 100% with these guys when it comes to tube power amps, guitar cabs with the new technology loud and live. Of course the benefits for recording are just incredible...that's where I wish I still had the Kemper.

All you do is slam this place, and now you want help?? Interesting.

I heard some amazing clips of the Kemper (68 Marshall, Laney AOR) on Youtube. Does this thing really do what is advertised? Does it react like a tube amp? When you turn the volume down, are the dynamics similar to a real amp? I would appreciate any info you have on this. Thanks !

Hello,
You must be one of the guys who saw the Zakk Wylde post. The one where I called out guys who make weak, sloppy clips with over expensive amps in their basements. You know...make really bad clips...with really expensive equipment....that the amp builders would be embarrassed to be associated with....really bad clips...you know, right? I know you do...And for the record, Rigtalk rules...and the reason it rules is because of guys like you. And the "this amp builder rules guy", and the clones who follow the "this amp builder rules" guy, and the bad clip guy, and the "I just bought the most expensive amp, but I cant dial it in right..should I buy an OD pedal guy", and the "This 80's shredder still rules guy, and the "This 80's shredder used to rule, but now his tone sucks" guy. And, let's not forget, the "vintage gear snob" guy. Or "Blues purist" guy. You all make this Rigtalk world go round and round, just like Pearcy said. You guys keep rockin' like Dokken and I hope you have nothin' but a good time.