To Kemper or wait?

[JerEvil]

Even if a new Kemper comes out, it's not like the current version isn't going to sound just as good as it does today. From a hardware perspective, all they can really improve is maybe make it stereo and add interface functionality. It really doesn't need to be updated I don't think.

 

[aftec]

The manufacture of the Motorola DSP chip will cease in 2021 so in a 3-4 years they will need to switch platform, when the supplies dry up.
Still it is an amazing tool for studio or live. It was released 8 Iphones ago and still not slowing down from OS releases or artificially decreasing speed. Free enhanced delays, reverbs etc. Maybe we get an editor this year. (LOL)
No "B-Stock sale" before a new release, like the Fractal Guys getting rid of the old stuff and releasing new, out of the blue, ripping off customers.
They do the Virus Ti synths which are a studio standard for years too. It uses the same DSP, so it will change too.
Just dive into it, get some Sinmix profiles for metal, Mbritt for pop/rock, Tone Junke for vintage and modern styles. I profiled my own amps with my own settings, and it was not a super complicated process. I love my tube amps, but I reach for the kemper more and more just for convenience. It sounds good enough.

 

[Monkey Man]

They bought up a crapload of chips years ago so the 2021 date is irrelevant in this regard, aftec.

Just to add to your Profilers list, I'd put Bert Meulendijk in there for mix-ready clean through to overdrive with plenty of mojo.

 

[aftec]

They bought up a crapload of chips years ago so the 2021 date is irrelevant in this regard, aftec.

Just to add to your Profilers list, I'd put Bert Meulendijk in there for mix-ready clean through to overdrive with plenty of mojo.

Yep, Bert makes amazing profiles too. His BE100 and CAE 3+ profiles I have are really good.

 

[Spaceboy]

I preferred the Axe FX II to the Kemper. I haven’t owned the III yet. I probably wouldn’t get into the Kemper at this point for similar reasons you mentioned about it’s age, and the failed promises of an editor that could potentially unlock so much with the unit. I quickly got tired of the Kemper social aspect of hunting down “more perfect” profiles. The II left little to be desired. In fact, the only reason I left it behind was because it offered too much, and I would get lost in tone chasing instead of playing. So my issue with both units was similar, but with the Axe FX, everything was available to me from the initial purpose.

 

[Norton666]

LOVE mine. Unbelievably handy to just be able to grab my Kemper bag and go.

 

[Monkey Man]

I probably wouldn’t get into the Kemper at this point for similar reasons you mentioned about it’s age...

I thought its age was a good thing. You don't get to be that old in the tech world unless you're doing a whole lot right.

... and the failed promises of an editor that could potentially unlock so much with the unit.

An editor was never promised. Requested ad infinitum by the user base, yes, but never promised.

At any rate, it's being refined and will drop soon. I agree that it'll make things so much easier for many peeps, not that the UI on the unit and its ergonomic layout are bad; it's just that software can be so much more elegant.

 

[Monkey Man]

I see Mark Knopfler's using Kemper for touring now.

See, this thing's a serious unit. I mean, and not to devalue anyone else's product, if it was announced that Mark was switching to Helix for all his live shows would that not have seemed odd / ridiculous / indicated that he'd lost his "tone marbles" somewhat?

And yet, this news is no surprise to those who've been in-the-know for a long time:

 

[Monkey Man]

Well, this "obsolete bit of old tech" just had 2 new 'verbs added to it today, enhancing the recently-overhauled (and hugely-improved) 'verb engine:

Formant Reverb and Ionosphere Reverb.

The v6 OS users have been waiting for, which will include numerous enhancements, has been pushed out to v7 (no practical delay; it's simply a matter of nomenclature), so that these new 'verbs can be made available in the interim in "clear air", so to speak (see what I did there?).

 

[Spaceboy]

Do you work for Kemper or something?

 

[Monkey Man]

Of course not, man. From my perspective it's just the best damned pro-audio product I've bought over a period of 35+ years, so I'd say it's understandable that I'm enthusiastic about it, don't you think?

The OP said he was concerned about the age of the product, so as a more-than-satisfied, blown-away user I've tried to allay his fears. It just so happens that there's been a bit of movement on the firmware today, so I shared it, and that the Mark Knopfler news came through to the Kemper community last week, so I chose to share this information.

I'm sure that if I were a salesperson I'd have included the full breakdown I have at-hand of what the new 'verbs are capable of. I chose not to as my intent was simply to provide the most-obvious, relevant (because they're current - as recent as today) examples of the company's continued efforts to add value to the existing product rather than supersede the model 3 or 4 times, which it could easily have done since late 2011, thereby hitting us in the hip pocket unnecessarily.

I explained to the OP previously that the hardware hasn't been updated at all because it hasn't been necessary; the software development has brought a boatload of new features and functionality to the unit and logic would dictate that a hardware redesign wouldn't be required until such time as the growing feature set began to push the limits of the CPU grunt on hand.

Anyway, here's the sentiment I'm referring and responding to, as expressed by the OP. May I say that he's far from the first to have had such concerns; it's a "thing" that dates back many years, so I completely understand its foundation:

What’s holding me back for this long is that Kemper is what 2013? and it’s 2019. They seem to have not updated their hardware much.

 

[PBGas]

I have had a couple of Kemper units years ago. They are a great setup and there are many pro’s using them with great success.

Currently have had an Axe III for the past year and a bit. Really have not thought of anything else at this point. It works and sounds beautifully. I really like the amp models that are in the Axe and I feel when I compare what they have in the box to the amp that I have, it is literally spot on. The unit is far easier to use than the previous generation and the routing flexibility is amazing.

Great times we live in to play guitar. Imagine if we had this kind of technology 25 years ago? Reactive loads, IRs, amp models, very cool boutique amps. So much fun to be had!

 

[thrashinbatman]

The Axe III is a great piece of kit. Opened for Sacred Reich the other week and their lead guitarist uses one. His tone was stupid good! So crunchy, aggressive, yet smooth. Sold me on the III, TBH, but I doubt I'll ever actually get one, because between the Kemper and my tube amps I'm set.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

Well, this "obsolete bit of old tech" just had 2 new 'verbs added to it today, enhancing the recently-overhauled (and hugely-improved) 'verb engine:

Formant Reverb and Ionosphere Reverb.

The v6 OS users have been waiting for, which will include numerous enhancements, has been pushed out to v7 (no practical delay; it's simply a matter of nomenclature), so that these new 'verbs can be made available in the interim in "clear air", so to speak (see what I did there?).

new verb day?!! AWESOME!

 

[glassjaw7]

Good point by Monkey Man; if something is still hanging with/outperforming the competitors and hasn't needed yearly updates or new hardware then it must be doing something very right. Solid platform for sure.

 

[Monkey Man]

Hey, thanks GJ. Yeah, 7 years is friggin'-ridiculous these days, so IMHO it's kinda breaking new ground for a CPU/software-driven piece of music tech.

new verb day?!! AWESOME!

LOL Glad to be of service, Ray!

Currently have had an Axe III for the past year and a bit... The unit is far easier to use than the previous generation and the routing flexibility is amazing.

Hey, that must be something that's hugely-appreciated by Fractal customers, man.

I'm happy for them. Friggin' tweakin's been the death of many an inspired moment for so many of we poor ol' guitarists... especially the ol' ones.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

Yes, thanks for the heads up
I just spent a few hours tweaking and putting it into my performance mode for band practice tonight
I like to swell in lots of reverb and then freeze- at that point I can meander around the fretboard like a mellow Gilmore and/or it buys us time to switch guitars if needed
New Verbs are totally killer for this atmosphere stuff!

 

[Monkey Man]

Indeed, Ray.

I haven't heard the new factory presets, so there may already be something in this vein, but you might want to try creating a choir sound for beer and skittles using the formant 'verb, man. Could be interesting to solo over too.

 

[vultures]

Mark Knopfler and his other guitarist swapped to a Kemper. They're using Dumble profiles

 

[Monkey Man]

I have all social media blocked on my 'puter so I can't read or see anything you posted, vultures.

What I heard 'though, from Marcus Cliffe himself, was that he originally used Marcus' Dumble Profiles as something to fall back on in case the Profiles of his own amps didn't turn out as he'd hoped.

IIRC he experimented creating his own Profiles for quite a while (up to a year) and was happy-enough in the end to use them.

Either way, it's a great endorsement of the sort of organic tonal quality this thing can deliver.