Kemper Profiling Amplifier

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jerrydyer
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Re: Kemper Profiling Amplifier

Post by jerrydyer » Tue Aug 13, 2013 12:50 pm

it will be here pretty quick. then in two years ill get an ugly robot current version dirt cheap from some angry guy who swore they would never have it on a cd etc. AAAHH, youth is truly wasted on the young. ( not my quote of course, but brilliant)
vids.
http://www.youtube.com/user/jerrydyer?feature=mhw4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.dui-specialist.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

67Mopar
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Re: Kemper Profiling Amplifier

Post by 67Mopar » Sat Sep 07, 2013 9:07 pm

jerrydyer wrote:why buy it at all, in a couple years it will be on a CD and you can run the program from your laptop to the club sound system or whatever. that ugly little robot will be obsolete in 2 years. aside from the solid state power section it is not an amp at. its a modelor they are just calling it by a different name. its a computer program. IT WILL DEFINATELY BE ON A CD SOON. or whatever medium we are using then.
:palm:

Fact: The Kemper algorithm is patented, so no, it won't be found on a CD - ever.
Fact: The Powerhead and Power-Rack models are 600 watt Class D amplifiers.
Fact: It is not a modeler.
Fact: Tube amp builders are 'sweating-bullets' over the release of the Kemper Profiling Amplifier. :lol:

You want VH tone from the Kemper, you go it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVRaa_vNayQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

fgurdian
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Re: Kemper Profiling Amplifier

Post by fgurdian » Sun Sep 08, 2013 1:18 pm

This Kemper profiler seems to be making some waves and gaining the attention of some big name engineers. Here is and interesting post by Michael Wagoner from the gearslutz forum
"I have been doing guitar based records for almost 40 years and I have worked with a ton of excellent guitar players (Zakk, Steve Stevens, George Lynch, Nuno, Vito Bratta, Wolf Hoffmann, Mick Mars, James Hetfield, Kane Roberts, Scottie and Snake from Skid Row, Chris Impelliteri, Dimebag, Ty Tabor etc.) and just as many great amps. The Kemper is a game changer and is hands down THE best piece of gear that walked though my studio door in the last 20 years.

I am a stickler for guitar tone and I don't take guitar tone lightly. I've tried all the simulators more than once with a bunch of different players and I didn't like ANY of them (still don't). They don't do your right hand justice, so they make you play different. The Kemper is different, it is not a simulator it is a profiler, to me that makes a big difference.

I have about 50 different guitar amps, guitar pre-amps, and lots of cabinets, microphones and mic pres. They all sound great for something, all great in their own way. Rarely do I just use one single amp/cab/mic, most of the time I use combinations.

I re-amped a DI guitar track through my Splawn together with a Bogner module, via two 4x12 cabs with 3 different speakers and 4 different mics via the Chandler TG-2 mic pre and the Trident A-range mic pre, mixed together to one track by the CraneSong Spider, and the sound was killer. Recorded the live amp track into Nuendo, I then profiled that exact setup, straight out of the Spider and re-amped the same DI track through the Kemper profile of that setup and punched it in and out of the original amp track: I could not hear a difference, I could not tell where the amp track ended and the Kemper track started and vice versa. That is close enough for me. If I can not tell a difference with the track in solo, nobody will be able to hear a difference when I'm done with the mix!

The secret is in getting a great profile and there are a bunch of things to be paid attention to, like the actual return level, the level going into the Kemper, refining the profile the correct way etc. If done right, I can not tell the profile from the original, if NOT done right, there will be a noticeable difference.

Am I going to sell all my amps? Of course not, there are a million combinations that sound good and are special to a particular track or song. Will I profile that combination used on that particular track? Yes, of course. Do I like other peoples profiles, yes, some of them are very good and are very inspiring, some others don't fit my style, so I won't use them.

I love being able to give the guys the exact sound they got in the studio on their album to take on the road.

I think the Kemper KPA is an amazing piece of gear and it does make my job easier.

my 2 cents - now back to making music...
"

I think it might be worth a try...

stef
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Re: Kemper Profiling Amplifier

Post by stef » Sun Sep 08, 2013 8:04 pm

I think not!

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efraser68
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Re: Kemper Profiling Amplifier

Post by efraser68 » Mon Sep 09, 2013 5:15 pm

67Mopar wrote:
You want VH tone from the Kemper, you go it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVRaa_vNayQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Not trying to be a dick, but the devil is always in the details. Just hearing the mids on the YT video and how the Kemper deals with pinched harmonics sounds artificial and POD-esque. Don't know if I can blame the guys pup or technique, but it sounds like an decent estimation and not like a dimed 12 series with tubes cyring for mercy.
Remember Ben Wise (aka Stunt Double) & Mark Abrahamian
http://www.soundclick.com/EricFraser" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

stef
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Re: Kemper Profiling Amplifier

Post by stef » Mon Sep 09, 2013 8:11 pm

Yep, it sounds like a good guitar emulator (POD), but way overpriced

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Tone Slinger
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Re: Kemper Profiling Amplifier

Post by Tone Slinger » Mon Sep 09, 2013 8:28 pm

I always ask myself something regarding certain claims ( whether it be getting swallowed by a whale or a transistor sounding like a tube, etc) I ask myself "Now does that make sense".
Rip Ben Wise (StuntDouble) & Mark Abrahamian (Rockstah)

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Re: Kemper Profiling Amplifier

Post by vanhalen5150 » Tue Sep 10, 2013 7:35 am

I think it sounds ok. I understand why engineers like as well as studio owners. It replaces a lot of expensive gear that's difficult to record if your not old school savy. Having all those amp tones makes economical sense.

If you haven't see Dave Grohls "Sound City", I really suggest you do. I thought it was about the recording studio. It's not. It's about him buying the old Neve board. It's about how digital pretty much ruined music. It's an eye opening reminder. Great film.

It would be cool to have the rack version of this, but I know the next best thing is just around the corner, and I'd be stuck with that odd looking Aztec SUV nobody wants. I have an 11 Rack that makes cool spacey sounds. I get very skeptical with a lot of new gear like this stuff. You pay a premium dollar while they are working on version 2 and 3. Look what happened to the first version of AxeFX.

Nobody is defending tube amps against a profiler/modeler etc. I would sooner converse over NOS resistors/caps vs. new stock. Or why pink wire sounds different. But we are where we are here on an amp building forum. :)

Is it a about being an old diehard that just likes tube amps?

Yes. It's that simple.
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Tone Slinger
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Re: Kemper Profiling Amplifier

Post by Tone Slinger » Tue Sep 10, 2013 7:46 am

Agreed, and to bring up something MightyMike said, regardless of whether these 'new school technolgy' systems can fool a person on a recorded playback, etc, its the way they feel and respond in the players hands that make them second rate, as compared to tube amps. Like mentioned, these digital modelers just dont cut it in LIVE situations. I'm inspired by the sheer power and dynamic of tube amps.
A tube amp is ALIVE whereas a digital solid state amp is like the GHOST of something previously alive.
Rip Ben Wise (StuntDouble) & Mark Abrahamian (Rockstah)

EddyInChicago
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Re: Kemper Profiling Amplifier

Post by EddyInChicago » Tue Sep 10, 2013 7:56 pm

mightymike wrote:It could be a good recording amp and fun to play around with. It's hard to imagine anything SS cutting through the mix in a live scenario without a lot of PA to help, or capturing the dynamics that a spectrum analysis won't translate. I hope it's all it's cracked up to be at that price. You could buy/build a nice tube amp for 2k. Forgive my cynicism; I'll try to keep an open mind, but I've spent a lot of money In the past chasing things like this before finally getting my first plexi.
I AGREE!!

motrock
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Re: Kemper Profiling Amplifier

Post by motrock » Sun Sep 15, 2013 10:43 am

Hey guys, I have had one for several months. This thing does the job! It has the feel and its amazing. Most stuff that you hear out there sucks because NO ONE knows how to mic the amp correctly and get the input levels correct. I will try to post something as soon as I can. Took me forever to get a mixer. I have not done my plexi yet... however the Friedman Brown turned out amazing!

All I can really say is that through the board, the Kemper and original reference amp sounded and felt exactly the same. No difference.

Be on the look out here in this thread for a VH clip!

And yes... this is a recording tool. I would never play live with it. This is to help someone get a great recorded tone to use over again... at low volumes!

Another thing... quit calling it a damn modeler. Its not, or never will be a modeler. Its a SAMPLER. Not even in the same category!
Last edited by motrock on Sun Sep 15, 2013 10:55 am, edited 1 time in total.

motrock
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Re: Kemper Profiling Amplifier

Post by motrock » Sun Sep 15, 2013 10:53 am

Ok, here is a really quick clip.

Friedman Brown, Celestion Blackbacks 1978, Franky Clone, EVH Wolfgang Pickup, Audix i5 pluged straight in to Kemper. I used a Mackie Board and Peavey Floor Monitors to mix.

http://soundcloud.com/motrock/kemper-fools-test" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Like I said this was a really quick profiling session. I just wanted to see what it could do! Notice the clipping? I am still getting the levels correct. I need to use my SOLO/610 with another mic pre, and get another really good mic in there like a Seinheiser 421 or a Ribbon Mic. This thing is only as good as you are with micing an amp.

Here is the same setup with my WCR Les Paul doing to Michael Schenker

http://soundcloud.com/motrock/kemper-let-it-roll-test" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Re: Kemper Profiling Amplifier

Post by jape88 » Sun Sep 15, 2013 11:26 am

That Fools clip sounded great, really live and hairy :lol: It's a shame you couldn't record the friedman conventionally as a comparison but I coming round to this kemper thing after that clip especially as it's also a dry mix.

Nice playing too.

motrock
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Re: Kemper Profiling Amplifier

Post by motrock » Sun Sep 15, 2013 12:09 pm

jape88 wrote:That Fools clip sounded great, really live and hairy :lol: It's a shame you couldn't record the friedman conventionally as a comparison but I coming round to this kemper thing after that clip especially as it's also a dry mix.

Nice playing too.
Thanks man! What I really need to stress is that the Kemper is only as good as you are with recording and micing an amp. If it sucks and sounds fake; it means you sucked at doing the job! LOL

I can't wait to do my Plexi. I have to get another mixer and another mic pre from a guy that I know. And of course another mic. I am thinking an SM57 and 421. Possibly might get a good Ribbon mic... however; it doesn't matter much. I want to get the best of the highs and lows; which the 421 will do. The SM57 or i5 are great for the mids.

The problem with Profiling the Plexi will be the volume levels. So it will take some work! Lots of experimentation; trial and error.

All in all this is a blast. Its FUN! Thats what this is all about... right?

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Tone Slinger
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Re: Kemper Profiling Amplifier

Post by Tone Slinger » Sun Sep 15, 2013 1:14 pm

Pretty darn good.I wouldnt say that they are the same as the real deal though. Gotta a/b this thing with the actual amps.
Rip Ben Wise (StuntDouble) & Mark Abrahamian (Rockstah)

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