Who doesn't like the kemper, and a few other questions?

  • Thread starter Thread starter the rossness
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I don't like the Kemper and I would appreciate no more talk about it.
 
having just moved into a new flat, can't really abuse those tube amps anymore, bought a kemper, with some small studio monitors and some good profiles (really dig the amp factory ones) , i'm really really liking it so far, absolute minimal tweaking (just EQ messing depending on what guitar i'm using) and for my usage , ie at home and for some recording it's great
 
Here is my story.....

I had purchased a Kemper when they were first released from Namm a couple of years back. I had a 5150III mini and cab. The head developed an issue that no one was able to fix and was sent back to Fender. The store gave me a credit and I used that for my Kemper lunchbox. I used it for almost a year and then sold it.

Why?
-I became frustrated with some of the updates causing more issues
-no performance mode
-had to use a separate power amp
-lunchbox format was inconvenient
-no real working footboard solution
-no whammy or harmonic pitch shifting
-not a lot of really good stock profiles in the unit at the time. Decent but nothing super.

I ended up getting a Marshall JVM410HJS with a Torpedo live. That served me well for the last little while and sounded great. However, I have become tired of pulling an amp head and the Live out with me along with too much pedalboard tap-dancing with my board. I wanted something in one box so I could either use the monitors in house and just connect up.

I noticed now the Kemper had the following:
-rack mount
-internal power amp
-harmonic pitch shifting
-working performance mode
-working FCB1010 footboard with Uno4Kemper chip.

This is the rig I run now. I however did not go into the whole FRFR solution for sound reinforcement. I just can't get comfortable with that. I simply cab off mine and it runs through my custom Mesa 2x12 and sound absolutely fabulous. If I even need to bring my cab for monitoring, I can run the internal power amp to it and the monitor out to the FOH with independent tone controls for each. Works perfectly for me. I hook up 2 midi cables and I am good to go.

The sound through headphones and in my monitors is absolutely fabulous.

A Toy? Absolutely not to someone who knows and takes the time to learn how to work the unit.
The new profiles out there are so convincing that you simply can't tell the difference, especially in a mix.

:)
 
Metlupass2":16kq1cla said:
I just got one last week and already sold my Axe FX II cause I like it so much.
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I'm in the process of selling my Axe 2, and the Kemper is staying. :thumbsup:
 
wait for a Musician's Friend Sale (or JRR Shop); you should be able to get a 15% off deal
Take that to zzounds- at first they'll say they can't do it, but tell them your friend got this deal (lol) and they will price match plus- making the savings like 18.5% off. They offer a 4 payment plan too. I did this twice, once on the original and again in December for the powerhead
 
Love love love my Kemper. I also have an Axe Fx II but these days the Kemper is getting the majority of play time. I've yet to even update my Axe Fx to the latest firmware because I can't stop playing the KPA long enough.

IMO, the Kemper had always done the mid-gain, slight breakup sound better than the Axe, but I was struggling to find a high gain tone that I really liked. However, there has been some KILLER high gain profiles coming out lately...Stymphalian Productions 5150 pack is top of the heap for me right now.
 
If you're expecting to hear something "digitally" in a modeler, you will and thus, don't buy one. If you're going to obsess over whether a modeler "feels" just like a tube amp, it won't and thus, don't buy one.
 
stratotone":2jij3e88 said:
moltenmetalburn":2jij3e88 said:
I cant stand the alias, once v2 comes iut and im hoping he upgrades the hardeare so its powerful enough to not alias, at that point i will try one again, until then its axe fx 2 for modelers for me.
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Aliasing hasn't been an issue for quite some time. Not sure how long it's been since you used one. Also I never noticed the aliasing in the first place, it wasn't until Cliff (Axe FX owner) started mentioning it that suddenly it was a huge issue. Then the Kemper updated and it went away.
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he has been corrected on this before but still keeps saying it lol



Webb":2jij3e88 said:
Love love love my Kemper. I also have an Axe Fx II but these days the Kemper is getting the majority of play time. I've yet to even update my Axe Fx to the latest firmware because I can't stop playing the KPA long enough.

IMO, the Kemper had always done the mid-gain, slight breakup sound better than the Axe, but I was struggling to find a high gain tone that I really liked. However, there has been some KILLER high gain profiles coming out lately...Stymphalian Productions 5150 pack is top of the heap for me right now.
Click to expand...

I should hurry up and sell my axe-fx II lol
I almost picked up a 2nd kemper....regretted missing that one
 
I'm probably the exception, but I enjoy going into my 4x12 for live tones, but di out into the house pa includes the cab part of the profile.
Playing through a FR speaker system feels a bit strange to me and I really like my cabs, so I roll with them live. If you have a monitor system in your home recording setup, that would work fine for low>medium volumes depending on your gear.
YMMV
 
Another interesting line is the Peavey Vypyr VIP series. They allow a lot of experimentation with amps and effects. It's a hybrid amp. Peavey's analog "TransTube" circuitry is used in the pre-amp. Then it goes digital for the effects. The list of effects is kind of surprising. Depending on the model, it can include TSC, Fuzz, Comp, Slap, Wah, Phaser, Flanger, Synth, Slice, Env, Filter, Pitch, shifter, Chorus, Octaver, Rotary, MOG, Tremolo, Reverse, Uvb, Ring, Mod, Vibrato and Boost. You can use it with headphones and it has a USB out to go to your computer. The kicker is the VIP line can be used with electric, acoustic and bass guitars. It's basically an integrated computer and sound system, using a form factor like a guitar amp. Personally, I use AmpKit for experimentation, but if you are in a cover band and have to do lots of different lineups, the VIP might be better for that.
 
crankyrayhanky":1ixev9v8 said:
I'm probably the exception, but I enjoy going into my 4x12 for live tones, but di out into the house pa includes the cab part of the profile.
Playing through a FR speaker system feels a bit strange to me and I really like my cabs, so I roll with them live. If you have a monitor system in your home recording setup, that would work fine for low>medium volumes depending on your gear.
YMMV
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Not at all the exception. I do the same thing. I already have a the powered rack version of the Kemper and a nice custom Mesa 2x12.

I keep my Slash combo around for the tube feel when my brain starts thinking that I am missing it but that isn't often these days.

:rock:
 
stratotone":3unoc6uz said:
moltenmetalburn":3unoc6uz said:
I cant stand the alias, once v2 comes iut and im hoping he upgrades the hardeare so its powerful enough to not alias, at that point i will try one again, until then its axe fx 2 for modelers for me.
Click to expand...

Aliasing hasn't been an issue for quite some time. Not sure how long it's been since you used one. Also I never noticed the aliasing in the first place, it wasn't until Cliff (Axe FX owner) started mentioning it that suddenly it was a huge issue. Then the Kemper updated and it went away.
Click to expand...


It has been a while , if the aliasing is gone now then I need to check one out again, it was my only gripe.

Aliasing bothers me with any product, i first noticed it with my line 6 pod. My ears have always been sensitive to it. I really dislike it.
 
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