Tell me about the Kemper

[peterc52]

I'm very close to ordering a KPA and just have a few questions.

Does the sharing community work well?

Will I be happier with the KPA than the Axe-FX II? I know it's a difficult question, it will mostly be used a tool for practicing at home and for recording. And maybe for some gigs.

Can it be used with a cab? With a poweramp?

Does it feel right when you play it?

I will still have my tube amps (Hagen, SL '77 and 2 modded amps from Emaushenric), but I need a good sound at home, so I will enjoy practicing even more.

 

[redrol]

answering a few q's:

Kemper is far better for amp models, AXE FX is better for effects, for practicing and home recording Kemper wins easily for ease of use. For live use depends on what you like, AxeFX for using tube power amps/cabs. Kemper for direct into PA or full freq flat speakers.

The kemper as of right now cannot use a tube power amp and a cab and properly reproduce the amp profiles. This is because the cab itself imparts something like 60-70% of the amp tone. Cristopher Kemper said he is coming up with a solution for this but it will take time.

I use mine with studio monitors and a subwoofer and it kicks ass majorly. Sounds exactly like a real amp and cab.

The feel is dead on for me..

I do practice a lot more with the Kemper because its much easier to just plop down and hit record on my DAW.

 

[Audioholic]

I believe if you use a profile that was profiled directly from the Pre out, with no cab, it will work much better going into a power amp and cab. There are a few profiles taken directly this way, u can disable the cab but some feel it does not totally bypass the cab which effects how good it sounds using strictly as a Pre. But like I said search out Pre amp profiles only and u should get much better results this way

 

[peterc52]

I just need to sell a guitar to fund it (Gibson SG VOS Maestro).

I'm really looking forward to practicing!!!

 

[King Guitar]

I just need to sell a guitar to fund it (Gibson SG VOS Maestro).

I'm really looking forward to practicing!!!

PM Sent

 

[Audioholic]

The Kemper to me, and based off clips, is THE best and most realistic modeller out there. Some will prefer the axe fx for its features, and that can sound very good to, just still I hear the Axe FX sound in pretty much everything it does and it still sounds like a moddeller.

specially if you like the sound of your amp micd up, you can replicate this and take it wherever, and practice. I have been playing so much more guitar now because I just love how some of these profiles sound, and it has made my recording life soo much easier.

 

[peterc52]

Which clip do you think demonstrates the Kemper best in higher gain to medium gain setting?

 

[Audioholic]

Which clip do you think demonstrates the Kemper best in higher gain to medium gain setting?

oh I don't know, I haven't kept track of all the kemper clips, there are some on their website.

here are my personal videos using all kemper

keep in mind that youtube compresses the audio, and these sound better in non compressed form

 

[Mizati20]

answering a few q's:

Kemper is far better for amp models, AXE FX is better for effects, for practicing and home recording Kemper wins easily for ease of use. For live use depends on what you like, AxeFX for using tube power amps/cabs. Kemper for direct into PA or full freq flat speakers.

The kemper as of right now cannot use a tube power amp and a cab and properly reproduce the amp profiles. This is because the cab itself imparts something like 60-70% of the amp tone. Cristopher Kemper said he is coming up with a solution for this but it will take time.

I use mine with studio monitors and a subwoofer and it kicks ass majorly. Sounds exactly like a real amp and cab.

The feel is dead on for me..

I do practice a lot more with the Kemper because its much easier to just plop down and hit record on my DAW.

This review is DEFINITELY what you should base your decision on... it is perfectly spot on, and tells you EXACTLY what the Kemper can and can't do...

For direct tones, the Kemper wins hands down... for effects, and live use with a poweramp/cab... the Axe is better... everything else is covered in the above post... couldn't have said it better myself...

 

[peterc52]

Well, i ordered one!

Within a week!!

STOKED!!!

 

[redrol]

Here is a clip I did with a full song mix. It was using my Jackson RR1 with a Seymour Duncan Distortion in the bridge. Used the Kemper JMP profile straight up and used my TC Electronic Booster/Line driver into the front of the Kemper.

Here is a high gain clip I did:

Full song mix with guitar louder so you can hear:

Just guitar track:

Well, i ordered one!

Within a week!!

STOKED!!!

Awesome man, hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine!

 

[crankyrayhanky]

awesome tone^
I was just about to ask if anyone had a hi gain clip that was more in your face
What amp profile did you use on that one? Have you tried profiling any of your own amps yet?
I'd love to hear some more thoughts on this...I'm low on cash but zzounds will split those payments up

 

[redrol]

awesome tone^
I was just about to ask if anyone had a hi gain clip that was more in your face
What amp profile did you use on that one? Have you tried profiling any of your own amps yet?
I'd love to hear some more thoughts on this...I'm low on cash but zzounds will split those payments up

Hey thanks. I used a built in profile which was a Marshall 77 JMP. Kemper did that profile. It is one of my favorites and also the cab profile is great to mix n match with other profiles. I do actually own a 78 Marshall JMP modded by voodoo amps AND I was/am going to profile it.. however the Kemper profile is so good that I haven't really felt the urge to get my amp out of storage and hook it up for profiling. Its really that good!

I mean.. the Kemper excels at high gain no doubt. The Marshall and Mesa profiles are off the hook. I love the Diezel and VHT pitbull profiles as well. So much to like in this box honestly.

 

[tfridgen]

I am absolutely floored at the sounds I was getting last night into my computer. What would've taken me a full day of trying to mic and get a couple tracks down took me about 5 minutes(half of which was load up time ).

 

[Audioholic]

I am absolutely floored at the sounds I was getting last night into my computer. What would've taken me a full day of trying to mic and get a couple tracks down took me about 5 minutes(half of which was load up time ).

yeah seriously, there are some serious good sounds to be had. such a variety too, I really am having a hard time getting rid of stuff, my kemper profiles are numerous..

 

[mniel8195]

Can you use outboard gear like pedals or other rack gear with it?

 

[redrol]

Can you use outboard gear like pedals or other rack gear with it?

Yes you can, pedals into the front or in the loop or other gear.

 

[Ampaddict]

I'd like one but really want a rack version. I keep hearing rumors but not really certain its going to happen.

 

[shred-o-holic]

answering a few q's:

Kemper is far better for amp models, AXE FX is better for effects, for practicing and home recording Kemper wins easily for ease of use. For live use depends on what you like, AxeFX for using tube power amps/cabs. Kemper for direct into PA or full freq flat speakers.

The kemper as of right now cannot use a tube power amp and a cab and properly reproduce the amp profiles. This is because the cab itself imparts something like 60-70% of the amp tone. Cristopher Kemper said he is coming up with a solution for this but it will take time.

I use mine with studio monitors and a subwoofer and it kicks ass majorly. Sounds exactly like a real amp and cab.

The feel is dead on for me..

I do practice a lot more with the Kemper because its much easier to just plop down and hit record on my DAW.

So it doesn't sound good thru a tube power amp and cabs?

 

[Audioholic]

I havnt tied it yet but a good guess would be it would sound fantastic, IF you are using a profile taken from a preamp out only for best results. There are several profiles floating around for power amp users. But the majority were made for direct recording I will need to try and just disable cab through power amp and see how it works myself