Who's NOT jumping on the Kemper wagon?

[Jeremy]

I'm not either. Cool piece of gear for sure and I wouldn't mind trying one out but everytime I jam on my Rivera it always reminds me how much I love my setup. I had an Axe-FX Ultra and got pretty frustrated with myself as it just became a box of tweaking and tinkering which just took away time from actually jam'n. That left a pretty sour taste for digital modellers for me.

 

[gibson5413]

I don't get the whole "tinkering" thing. With the Axe...definitely. But the Kemper? It's the reason I bought it...you turn it on and play.

+1

I don' tweak at all. I guarantee, if this was a tweakers delight it would have been gone within the first couple of days. I don't have the patience. I pick the profile I want and play. If I want to make EQ changes (Treble, Mids, Bass, Presence) the knobs are right on the front and is done on the fly. I don't touch a thing other than turning on basic effects. I am inspired to play like I would be on a killer tube amp.

This thread reminds me of another I read recently where someone posted asking for us to talk them in or out of the Kemper. I didn't post on purpose (see my last sentence in this paragraph). For the most part, this thread is doing the same thing, just reversed. I didn't purchase the Kemper as a replacement for tubes. I bought it because I play and record at home. I don't play out and haven't played in a band in years. For home use it just makes sense in my world. I love tube amps and wish I could still own the 20th Anniv XTC and the Henning Cherry Bomb. They sound amazing. For late night playing and recording the KPA fits perfectly. I have the Matrix power amp that gives me the ability to still hook up through a cab and play rockstar from time to time. I still don't get why this has to be a replacement discussion. If you love what you have stick with it. I loved my tube amps but for what I am doing at this point in my life the simplicity made sense. If you are looking to be talked into a purchase my advise is to steer clear.

To my ears and hands the Kemper has given me what I need and I haven't sacrificed a thing. Would I still like to have the XTC back? Yes. Would I like to own a Cherry Bomb (which I still intend)? Yes. Maybe someday. For now, the KPA is the real deal.

 

[Shark Diver]

What I think is interesting is that keyboards have been digital for years and I rarely see posts on keyboard forums that a keyboard is too hard to use or dial in.

Um, keyboardist are waaay smarter than us guitarist, sheeesh.

 

[splatter]

I've been tempted but just like all of the previous moddlers I'm sticking with my amps. I really only need two solid sounds, rythmn and lead. All of these other options just do my head in. Meh call me old fasioned. Anyone else think the same way?

That pretty much sums it up for me

 

[stratotone]

Regarding the tweaking thing - I'm probably in the minority as I not only already have several tube amps, most of the profiles I use are ones that I made. All of the 'tweaking' that I do is when I'm profiling, and it's 99% tweaking the tube amp I'm profiling or moving a mic, not changing stuff on the kemper. After that, I'm done. Last gig I played, 99% of the gig was done with four amp tones - a modeled acoustic guitar sound someone captured from a roland VG (which sounds GREAT live), my 70s Fender Twin, my '72 Marshall, and my 50 watt Cameron Marshall. Of those four, I used acoustic and clean very seldom, the 72 was my main rhythm and the cameron was used for leads and a few rhythm parts on dirtier tunes.

I have my Kemper set up so the master volume on the front is linked to my FRFR monitor only, so I can twist a knob if I need to get louder, but I don't go to any submenus, it's just like turning up a real amp. I will sometimes have to adjust that during the night as stage volume can creep up. I guess that counts as tweaking. I'm never busting into submenus though.

 

[polaris20]

I don't get the whole "tinkering" thing. With the Axe...definitely. But the Kemper? It's the reason I bought it...you turn it on and play.

+1

I don' tweak at all. I guarantee, if this was a tweakers delight it would have been gone within the first couple of days. I don't have the patience. I pick the profile I want and play. If I want to make EQ changes (Treble, Mids, Bass, Presence) the knobs are right on the front and is done on the fly. I don't touch a thing other than turning on basic effects. I am inspired to play like I would be on a killer tube amp.

This thread reminds me of another I read recently where someone posted asking for us to talk them in or out of the Kemper. I didn't post on purpose (see my last sentence in this paragraph). For the most part, this thread is doing the same thing, just reversed. I didn't purchase the Kemper as a replacement for tubes. I bought it because I play and record at home. I don't play out and haven't played in a band in years. For home use it just makes sense in my world. I love tube amps and wish I could still own the 20th Anniv XTC and the Henning Cherry Bomb. They sound amazing. For late night playing and recording the KPA fits perfectly. I have the Matrix power amp that gives me the ability to still hook up through a cab and play rockstar from time to time. I still don't get why this has to be a replacement discussion. If you love what you have stick with it. I loved my tube amps but for what I am doing at this point in my life the simplicity made sense. If you are looking to be talked into a purchase my advise is to steer clear.

To my ears and hands the Kemper has given me what I need and I haven't sacrificed a thing. Would I still like to have the XTC back? Yes. Would I like to own a Cherry Bomb (which I still intend)? Yes. Maybe someday. For now, the KPA is the real deal.

this is helpful information. I played with the AxeII, and it's a tremendous machine; sounds wonderful. But I detest the interface. Coming from a POD HD, it's just not user friendly. I'm not adverse to complexity (I'm a sysadmin, for crissakes), but when it comes to guitar stuff, I actually prefer simplicity.

I think the Kemper is in my future, once I sell my DC.

 

[Badronald]

What I think is interesting is that keyboards have been digital for years and I rarely see posts on keyboard forums that a keyboard is too hard to use or dial in.

Um, keyboardist are waaay smarter than us guitarist, sheeesh.

Agreed. Don't start comparing us guitarists to musicians like keyboard players. We'll start looking really bad.

You can throw any sheet of music in front of the keyboard players I know and they'll play it. Do that to a guitar player and he'll start fiddling with his tone knobs.

 

[jerrydyer]

I will buy when its on a CD for your computer someday.

it won't be on a CD haha

yes it will.

 

[Valtyr]

If I were starting over I'd probably go the modern digital route (Kemper or Axefx), but I already have my amp based rig and it does everything I need. No need to fix what isn't broke.

 

[IntenseJim]

Plus,caeteris paribus (all things being equal)

Shark with the educated trump card FTW.

 

[Lance-a-not]

-

 

[Heritage Softail]

What I think is interesting is that keyboards have been digital for years and I rarely see posts on keyboard forums that a keyboard is too hard to use or dial in.

Um, keyboardist are waaay smarter than us guitarist, sheeesh.

They also get much less whisker biscuit....

 

[Devin]

I'd love to check a Kemper out, but something like that would never replace my tube rigs because I pretty much only use two sounds myself, rhythm and lead. One channel with a crapload of gain available is all I need.

Honestly, my little Yamaha THR10 does everything I could ever ask for when it comes to modeling/practicing/recording. Love that little box so much

 

[Shark Diver]

Plus,caeteris paribus (all things being equal)

Shark with the educated trump card FTW.

Sometimes the wife hijacks my account and this is the result,

 

[Man With Gas]

First up the following is for the live playing guitarist.

The kemper is as easy to tweak as an amp because it has the same knobs.
The Kemper is easy on the back.
The Kemper sounds and feels like you're playing a real amp
The kemper takes up less stage and less space in your car.
The Kemper using an FRFR represents exactly what's going out front (A cheap Mackie SRM450 provides outstanding results)
The Kemper lowers your stage volume and gets people off your back about volume
The Kemper turned down retains the thump of a live cranked tube amp.

I certainly appreciate how some need the security of using what they always have and this is why the Kemper doesn't interest them.

I've been playing highend tube amps since 1938 and I too didn't want one but once you play and use the Kemper along with putting in a little effort to understand
it you soon come around.

I'll go out on a limb here and say that the Kemper and its technology IS the future. For those who aren't interested you'll be left behind as times HAVE changed for the live gigging guitarist.

Now before you all want to lynch me I WON'T be selling off my stash of tube amps as I too am still a big fan but ignoring the Kemper is a bad move if you're part of a live gigging band that wants to be the best it can be onstage and out front. And again it also shuts up people on your case about volume.

I’m talking up the Kemper and not, other modellers as I believe the Kemper to be the best of its kind as of today.

 

[glpg80]

First up the following is for the live playing guitarist.

The kemper is as easy to tweak as an amp because it has the same knobs.
The Kemper is easy on the back.
The Kemper sounds and feels like you're playing a real amp
The kemper takes up less stage and less space in your car.
The Kemper using an FRFR represents exactly what's going out front (A cheap Mackie SRM450 provides outstanding results)
The Kemper lowers your stage volume and gets people off your back about volume
The Kemper turned down retains the thump of a live cranked tube amp.

I certainly appreciate how some need the security of using what they always have and this is why the Kemper doesn't interest them.

I've been playing highend tube amps since 1938 and I too didn't want one but once you play and use the Kemper along with putting in a little effort to understand
it you soon come around.

I'll go out on a limb here and say that the Kemper and its technology IS the future. For those who aren't interested you'll be left behind as times HAVE changed for the live gigging guitarist.

Now before you all want to lynch me I WON'T be selling off my stash of tube amps as I too am still a big fan but ignoring the Kemper is a bad move if you're part of a live gigging band that wants to be the best it can be onstage and out front. And again it also shuts up people on your case about volume.

I’m talking up the Kemper and not, other modellers as I believe the Kemper to be the best of its kind as of today.

You're entitled to your opinions. But i will be the first to point out perception in music is based on user experience not what is actual or factual. Your "plays like a real amp" is not my need for a tight as teen pussy guitar amplifier for the type of music that i play. Also kemper's lack the ability to track that tightly, and noisegates are not the correct manner to mimic it. Digital will always lack the ability to provide the feel needed for inspiration or execution on the end user side, and also perform in the same manner on the back end as well. Tube amps just win here. Always have, and always will. Unlimited design capabilities with class A designs.

Times have indeed changed for the live guitarist. They are getting to the point where they dont exist. DJ's, rap, hip-hop, and dubstep are what is hot. Anyone who cannot come to these terms is truly living inside a box.

For someone who runs 20 pedals, compression, boosts, effects, and more into a tube amplifier to the point it botches the original intended feel then yes i can see where there would be zero felt difference. But this is again based on user experience, not actual technological performance.

 

[thegame]

I've been playing highend tube amps since 1938 

I used to listen to your records on this :

 

[Zachman]

First up tne following is for the live playing guitarist.

The kemper is as easy to tweak as an amp because it has the same knobs.
The Kemper is easy on the back.
The Kemper sounds and feels like you're playing a real amp (Not according to everyone I've spoken to)
The kempet takes up less stage and less space in your car. Not a selling point for me, though I can appreciate that it is a consideration
The Kemper using an FRFR represents exactly what's going out front What if you like the tone from your cabs, not the mains?
The Kemper lowers your stage volume and gets people off your back about volum Again, not a problem I have

I certainly appreciate how some need the security of using what tney always have and this is why the Kemper doesn't interest them. I listed my main reasons below

I've been playing highend tube amps since 1938 and I too didn't want one but once you play and use it putting in a little effort you soon come around.

I'll go out on a limb here and say that the Kemper and its technology is the future. For those who aren't interested you'll be left behind as times HAVE changed for tne local gigging guitarist.

No before you all want to lynch me I WON'T be selling off my stash of tube amps ad I'm still a big fan but ignoring the Kemper is a bad move on your part if you're part of a live gigging band.

I agree with you, re: the future but for now...

Speaking for myself, the main reasons I don't have one are--

A. I don't need one (Live or in the studio, or in the bedroom, practice room, or rehearsal studio)

B. A highly respected tone specialist/guitarist friend of mine (Pat aka mentoneman), who knows EXACTLY what my tastes and standards are-- tried one, and he left with the impression that it wasn't what he'd hoped, based on the reviews, and based on his experience w/ the real amps. That's all I needed to know, to know the truth beyond the hype. That said, I know other guys who's opinions I also respect who rave about theirs, but Pat just knows me too well, and vice versa to ignore his opinion. His, is a VERY valued opinion, to me.

C. Unestablished reliability... If it dies, how do you continue playing the gig? By having a backup? Not in the budgets of most club gigging guys, if I were to venture a guess. Having to take a backup amp as well, sort of nullifies the easy on the back concept

 

[Heritage Softail]

First up the following is for the live playing guitarist.

The kemper is as easy to tweak as an amp because it has the same knobs.
The Kemper is easy on the back.
The Kemper sounds and feels like you're playing a real amp
The kemper takes up less stage and less space in your car.
The Kemper using an FRFR represents exactly what's going out front (A cheap Mackie SRM450 provides outstanding results)
The Kemper lowers your stage volume and gets people off your back about volume
The Kemper turned down retains the thump of a live cranked tube amp.

I certainly appreciate how some need the security of using what they always have and this is why the Kemper doesn't interest them.

I've been playing highend tube amps since 1938 and I too didn't want one but once you play and use the Kemper along with putting in a little effort to understand
it you soon come around.

I'll go out on a limb here and say that the Kemper and its technology IS the future. For those who aren't interested you'll be left behind as times HAVE changed for the live gigging guitarist.

Now before you all want to lynch me I WON'T be selling off my stash of tube amps as I too am still a big fan but ignoring the Kemper is a bad move if you're part of a live gigging band that wants to be the best it can be onstage and out front. And again it also shuts up people on your case about volume.

I’m talking up the Kemper and not, other modellers as I believe the Kemper to be the best of its kind as of today.

Who made that tube amp in 1938?

The Kemper is great indeed. But there will always be a desire for vintage gear.

 

[Man With Gas]

Guys the 1938 comment was obviously a joke.

I have Bogners,Marshalls,Elmwoods,SLO and a BE100 so I have an idea of what I'm talking about.

I urge you to try a Kemper yourself and if it isn't for you not an issue.
But until you try one your comments are mute.