Kemper Profiling Amp Thread

[USMarine75]

re: Power amps mentioned above

Hmmm... never thought of it before until I read the post above. I've been using the KPA built-in SS power amp, but I have a Fryette PS2 6L6 50w sitting next to the KPA not being used right now. I'm gonna have to try it with the KPA and see if there's a noticeable tone difference to my pedestrian ears.

 

[jerm]

Yes the Shuggah pack is great. I used their profiles here https://soundcloud.com/ezerathstudios/ezerath-studios-thy-art-is-murder-no-absolution

 

[protest]

Anyone have a Two Notes Captor? I sold my Live because I was just using it as a load box when I made profiles. I finally used the Captor as a load box tonight but kept getting an error on the Kemper saying no amp was connected or the volume was too low. Had the output up to like 3:00 and the amp master at noon.

 

[lewis]

still struggling with the Kemper really. I tend to prefer brighter twangier tones but then when I dial that in and start recording, they come out shrill and fizzy.

Got so many packs from people now too. Not sure where to go now or what to do. (using FIshman Moderns)

Like I thought the kemper was supposed to be a pick up and play soloution (not tone tweaking like my AX8) and instantly get the sound and feel of a tube amp?
Based on my 4 odd years with it, I wouldnt say thats true at all? Its a very very good digital soloution that in a mix could be identical to a tube amp, but isolated and raw it does not feel or sound like one imo.

Ive never got either my AX8 or Kemper to get close to the kind of thing my Ironheart 120 watt had before selling it. - I guess that IS what tubes are/do.
I go direct to FOH rather than into tube poweramps or anything too so sadly I cant do that.
Guess its a make do for convenience type setup.

If money was no object for me I would probably pick up the Ironheart studio to gig with instead in conjunction with my AX8 (for effects) and have midi control everything.

 

[USMarine75]

still struggling with the Kemper really. I tend to prefer brighter twangier tones but then when I dial that in and start recording, they come out shrill and fizzy.

Got so many packs from people now too. Not sure where to go now or what to do. (using FIshman Moderns)

Like I thought the kemper was supposed to be a pick up and play soloution (not tone tweaking like my AX8) and instantly get the sound and feel of a tube amp?
Based on my 4 odd years with it, I wouldnt say thats true at all? Its a very very good digital soloution that in a mix could be identical to a tube amp, but isolated and raw it does not feel or sound like one imo.

Ive never got either my AX8 or Kemper to get close to the kind of thing my Ironheart 120 watt had before selling it. - I guess that IS what tubes are/do.
I go direct to FOH rather than into tube poweramps or anything too so sadly I cant do that.
Guess its a make do for convenience type setup.

If money was no object for me I would probably pick up the Ironheart studio to gig with instead in conjunction with my AX8 (for effects) and have midi control everything.

Not sure but I wonder if you are having the whole amp-in-the-room vs recorded tone discrepancies/issues?

It's just like when you dime your fav metal amp, it sounds crushing in the room, but like shit recorded. Recording metal amps you need to always back the gain (and bass) off at least 1-2 more than where you think, especially for a mix.

If you ever listen to iso tracks they often sound meh alone but great in a mix. I remember forever ago learning this. I would have a guitar tone finally what I thought was perfect, especially with nice low end punch. Then someone told me that is what the bass guitar is for, and they rolled off most of my bass to where it sounded like shit. Then they added in the bass and drum tracks and boom it was awesome.

So what I'm wondering is, how does the guitar sound in a mix? 5150's often get described like you're saying, yet in a mix they sound aces. Otherwise, try looking through the ToneJunkie vids on youtube and see if there's any that might help. They helped me a lot in figuring out how to use the KPA as a pedal platform.

 

[lewis]

Not sure but I wonder if you are having the whole amp-in-the-room vs recorded tone discrepancies/issues?

It's just like when you dime your fav metal amp, it sounds crushing in the room, but like shit recorded. Recording metal amps you need to always back the gain (and bass) off at least 1-2 more than where you think, especially for a mix.

If you ever listen to iso tracks they often sound meh alone but great in a mix. I remember forever ago learning this. I would have a guitar tone finally what I thought was perfect, especially with nice low end punch. Then someone told me that is what the bass guitar is for, and they rolled off most of my bass to where it sounded like shit. Then they added in the bass and drum tracks and boom it was awesome.

So what I'm wondering is, how does the guitar sound in a mix? 5150's often get described like you're saying, yet in a mix they sound aces. Otherwise, try looking through the ToneJunkie vids on youtube and see if there's any that might help. They helped me a lot in figuring out how to use the KPA as a pedal platform.

I think thats exactly my issue - although I defo prefer the tonality and bass response of tones when the guitar isnt tuned so low too. I feel like Im getting tired of the tonal qualities of lower tunings and thicker strings aswell as the mix vs in the room stuff you are talking about and they are combining to frustrate me.

Going forward I think I might get bass and drums sorted for the mix first BEFORE I start dialing in tones (annoyingly I have no way of reamping properly just yet either as my interface doesnt have enough I/o to be able to monitor as Its done - defeating the point), so I cant really sit back and tone tweak as the riffs are automatically playing which really doesnt help either.

 

[DudeManBrother]

Low tuning on a 6 will typically cost you treble no matter how you dial an amp, digital or analog. You could always try pushing the mids, treble, and presence; and then using a studio EQ to notch out offending frequencies.

When I A/B my amps vs Kemper: I prefer my tube amps in the room. Even when I record with my tube amps, I love the tone; but when I compare the recording with the profile I capture of the session: I either can’t tell a difference (especially when I use the same IR) or prefer the track with the Kemper.

Live use is typically Kemper due to ease of use with our IEM setup, but I do still bring heads to certain venues on occasion; typically when I can actually turn them up enough to be worth it.

 

[nateispro]

I got my kemper on Wednesday and have been loving. Even though its still honeymoon phase I have to say its some of the best tones Ive ever had! I started recording with it a day or two ago and noticed one kind of issue. The output on it is INSANE when going into my usb interface. I have to really crank the volume back on the kemper as well as my input volume on my interface. Is that normal?

 

[DudeManBrother]

I got my kemper on Wednesday and have been loving. Even though its still honeymoon phase I have to say its some of the best tones Ive ever had! I started recording with it a day or two ago and noticed one kind of issue. The output on it is INSANE when going into my usb interface. I have to really crank the volume back on the kemper as well as my input volume on my interface. Is that normal?

Yeah it outputs at +22dB, which is incredible for versatility, but it’d be nice if it was labeled on the back or something as a warning. In the output menu you can press a “-12dB Main Out” soft button to help, and further reduce the Main Output if needed to avoid clipping.

 

[nateispro]

Yeah it outputs at +22dB, which is incredible for versatility, but it’d be nice if it was labeled on the back or something as a warning. In the output menu you can press a “-12dB Main Out” soft button to help, and further reduce the Main Output if needed to avoid clipping.

Oh good to know! Thank you so much! That -12db does help, it would be nice to know that it is such a high output piece of equipment! At least i didnt blow anything!!

 

[nateispro]

Hey guys! Im not wanting to spam the thread but I was wondering what studio monitors do you guys prefer to use with your kemper? Im not wanting to spend A LOT but I would like to have some so i dont always need headphones. I was looking at presonus eris or used event 20/20 BAS's or used Equator D5's

 

[Smoked Porter]

If you want some that sound pretty damn nice at under $100 for a set, some used M-Audio AV40s are a good option. Probably wouldn't use them for mixing, but they're really good for just jamming out.

 

[USMarine75]

Check out the rack of KPA heads to the left...

 

[USMarine75]

Is there a new KPA floor unit coming?

 

[lewis]

Is there a new KPA floor unit coming?

GOD DAMN IT! HAHA

I thought my AX8 would be the be all and end all of floor units for my needs to pair with my Kemper rack - but then this....
MUST RESIST

 

[cyb]

Has anyone ponied up $50 for the official Fortin Meshuggah profiles yet? I'm very tempted, but I'm a cheapass. (ironic, considering how much the Kemper itself cost )

 

[nateispro]

Has anyone ponied up $50 for the official Fortin Meshuggah profiles yet? I'm very tempted, but I'm a cheapass. (ironic, considering how much the Kemper itself cost )

I havent bought those but I did pick up the Titan pack from replicant audio, Zack from whitechapel did those ones and tbh theyre probably my favorite high gain profiles. They are super high quality

 

[USMarine75]

I havent bought those but I did pick up the Titan pack from replicant audio, Zack from whitechapel did those ones and tbh theyre probably my favorite high gain profiles. They are super high quality

Hmm I'll have to check out.

I bought the "all the gainz" GGD pack during the July 4th sale, but I'm traveling so I haven't been able to actually download and try. Anyone else have/try it? I wonder how it compares to that?

 

[lewis]

I tried the alex wade tonecrate ones and they are weird. Like over saturated and you cant dial it out. They all have gain characteristics i dislike.
Not tried the zak ones. My latest bit of a fun was a free powerball II of rig exhange heavily tweaked. Sounds killer with fishman moderns

 

[SenorDingDong]

Every time Kemper releases something really outdated and behind their competition, I just... don't know what to say.

I feel like, as a company, they are constantly trying to play catchup rather than capitalize on what makes them an alternative option for musicians.

If I wanted an Axe Fx or Pod floor unit, I'd buy it. Don't combine half of two of your products and expect me to get all pumped about it, deliver shit on time and with better quality testing and I'll be happy.


As it is, I constantly wonder if I made the wrong decision considering the obsession with catchup makes me feel like my $2.5k rig is constantly out of date...