Any Kemper users here??

[ventura]

I've owned the KPA for over 6 months, already had the Axe II, I was familiar with what CK had created (the Virus synths) so I thought I'd give the KPA a try, but it didn't work out for me, never even used it at a gig, CK is a smart guy and when they really get the software more reliable, and finish some features like performance mode etc, and if they release a rack version I'll probably give it another try, but I must say while it's quick to get realistic sounds, I didn't need anything the KPA does, with the Axe II I get all the sounds and effects I'll ever need, and I preferred the AXE II running FOH, KPA started acting a bit flakey, so I got rid of the it.

Solid testimony here, thank you!!

[NiceChris]

I use one every morning...

Please may I use this pic? Someone on MR is after a toaster.

[csgband]

I had both, the Kemper really does sound good, very good.
I gave it up because I think there will be improvements over time and I did not feel like owning the first gen.
Rig management was a nightmare for me.
The Ax 2 suits my non tube amp need better.
With all the new firmware update the sound really works for me now.
I really love how with the mfc101 I have a complete system.
The thing I like about the axe is that I am creating my own sounds, not really trying to nail any amp to a T.
I am pleased with my choice to keep the Axe, that said the Kemper is really a very good machine.

[drawnacrol]

I own both. Not going to go into detail because this is the fractal forum but up until recently I preferred the Kemper because for hi-gain the palm mutes were much chunkier and responsive. With FM 9 Cliff seems to have fixed this but I wish Axe-Edit would come out so I can use my Axe again and do some direct comparisons.

The Kemper is still very buggy though and is technically still a "Beta" product. No editor and the perform/undo/redo buttons still haven't been implemented. Once the new Axe-edit is out I plan to tone-match all my Kemper tones and sell it on.

They are two very different units. They are compared a lot but the way they work makes them two very different products IMO Its hard to describe but think of the Kemper as a camera that takes a picture and then offers some limited photoshop tools. While the Axe-Fx is able to paint a picture and offers near unlimited photoshop tools to shape it your liking. You can look at each option as a bad or a good thing. I think its a great time to be a guitarist with the amount of advanced equipment easily available.

[AZG]

I have another Kemper arriving on Monday because I couldn't pass up a brand new one for $1532.60 that I got from zZounds. I got them to price match JRRshop's 20% off deal, and then they took off another $47.40!!

I gave into the need to know for myself if one really sounds better than the other amp tone wise. Plus the $1532 deal from zZounds and 30 day return policy made it a little easier to try. Personally I hope the tone quality is close enough that I can return the Kemper without regret because the Axe does so much more and it's a mature system.

However, I'm thinking without playing it yet that the one area the Kemper really excels at is the ease of getting really great tones without tweaking or knowing what you're doing. Buy or find a few great profiles and your 99% of the way there. I wish fractal offered a few finely tweaked presets (1 for single coil, 1 for humbucker, etc.) for each amp in the system to give users a great starting point for each amp. Kind of duplicating what The Amp Factory does for the kemper, but without the extra charge.

[burgher79]

Well I wasnt too fussed about the Kemper until I found out Michael Wagener absolutely loves it - and he knows guitar tone better than anyone. With his history of great guitar recordings I might just try it. Probably the greatest free endorsment of the Kemper you could get!

Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - Kemper?

[clarky]

I've never even seen a real Kemper in the flesh so to speak...
but no matter how it sounds, I'd not even consider using something that wasn't 19" rack mountable..

I think this small detail is actually a major design oversight..
I almost didn't buy the VG-99 because it is essentially a 'desktop' unit..
however, at least Roland had the sense to create a rack mounting kit for it [albeit a huge real estate consuming 5U]

judging by the pic of it, there are a large number of front panel controls..
they should have at least considered trying to squeeze it into a 3U or 4U format..

when you're a touring / gigging muso, the last thing you need is extra stuff to travel with or ship..
a single bigger rack case is better than several small ones by far..

[Cover'd]

I have to admit that I hadn't actually seen what one looks like until last night - and even then that was only on the net!

As clarky talks about above, I was surprised to see that it wasn't in a rack and that for me would be a non-starter

I wouldn't dare knock it though (because I have no first hand experience for a start), but I support the views previously expressed in that we should all be able to rationally discuss all kinds of kit without getting all tribal about it

[Webb]

I have a Kemper and an Axe II. I try to avoid the "my penis is bigger than yours" debates, but you can't go wrong with either. The KPA was my best gear purchase of 2012 and the Axe II was my best gear purchase of 2011. Try one and decide what's right for you...or if you're like me and can't decide, keep 'em both.

[barhrecords]

I have a Kemper and an Axe II. I try to avoid the "my penis is bigger than yours" debates, but you can't go wrong with either. The KPA was my best gear purchase of 2012 and the Axe II was my best gear purchase of 2011. Try one and decide what's right for you...or if you're like me and can't decide, keep 'em both.

I'm hung like a horse, but I only own the AxeFx.

Richard

[shasha]

I'm hung like a horse, but I only own the AxeFx.

Richard

I'm not hung like a horse, horses are hung like me, but I haven't tried a KPA yet.

[Doubleneck]

BAM!!!! That's what I'm talking about

Would like to hear your review as well.

[GuitarDojo]

Well I wasnt too fussed about the Kemper until I found out Michael Wagener absolutely loves it - and he knows guitar tone better than anyone. With his history of great guitar recordings I might just try it. Probably the greatest free endorsment of the Kemper you could get!

Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - Kemper?

Not really a big deal in my book. Although MW is partially responsible for a lot of my fav 80's guitar god tracks, he hasnt done anything worth while in 20 years. You KPA guys got a hold of one thing and run amuck with it. Let's see....german producer/engineer....german product. hmmmmmm.....

Lets reserve this thread for solid comparisons or non-comparisons and honest reviews. Keep the KPA fanboy' crap out of it.

[barhrecords]

I'm not hung like a horse, horses are hung like me, but I haven't tried a KPA yet.

well played sir

[barhrecords]

Well I wasnt too fussed about the Kemper until I found out Michael Wagener absolutely loves it - and he knows guitar tone better than anyone. With his history of great guitar recordings I might just try it. Probably the greatest free endorsment of the Kemper you could get!

Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - Kemper?

I could see where someone with his skill could really capture some great tones.

I would love to see what IR's he could capture for the AxeFx.

Richard

[henryrobinett]

To me MWs excitement and endorsement of the Kemper is interesting but doesn't mean that much. The two devices are entirely different animals. For what he's doing with it it makes total sense. That wouldn't be what I need and want. He wants to capture the amps he's recording for ease of use in recording. I want to create new sounds for live and recording. One is molded in the past and the other is built for the future.

[drawnacrol]

The thing people don't realize is you can't say "the Kemper sounds better than the Axe" or visa versa because its not a modeler where you select an amp and cab and then dial in a tone. The Kemper is tone-matching a physical rig Amp + Cab + Mics.

[Clark Kent]

The thing people don't realize is you can't say "the Kemper sounds better than the Axe" or visa versa because its not a modeler where you select an amp and cab and then dial in a tone. The Kemper is tone-matching a physical rig Amp + Cab + Mics.

What you're saying is true. However I must honestly say that I got my Axe-Fx + Ozone Match EQ to sound closer than the Kemper was able to profile my real life amps. We compared them side to side... and I'm using Axe-Fx Ultra.

There's just something in the high end of the Kemper that I can't explain. I just have honestly never heard a tone that I was very impressed by and then I've found out that it's the Kemper. That has never happened. It has happened several times with the Axe-Fx that I assume it's a real amp being recorded in a high end studio and then I hear that it's an Axe-Fx. Ofcourse not every Axe-Fx tone is good. You can make it sound bad if you want to... That goes without saying.

[burgher79]

Not really a big deal in my book. Although MW is partially responsible for a lot of my fav 80's guitar god tracks, he hasnt done anything worth while in 20 years. You KPA guys got a hold of one thing and run amuck with it. Let's see....german producer/engineer....german product. hmmmmmm.....

Lets reserve this thread for solid comparisons or non-comparisons and honest reviews. Keep the KPA fanboy' crap out of it.

First time ive been called a KPA fanboy.......haha.....if anything im an AE2 fanboy, but do love to try other gear now and again.

[GuitarDojo]

First time ive been called a KPA fanboy.......haha.....if anything im an AE2 fanboy, but do love to try other gear now and again.

I really was not calling You a fanboy.

The big debate has been the kpa profile amp tone vs. Axe modeling technology tone (bonus axe tonematching).
No one will ever win a debate on personal preference on tone. It's impossible. But some think they can convince you what to hear. The best method is to try both for a solid period of time and make up your own mind.

For me it all about the tools for use: Axe II

*I got the best amp tones I could ever want
*Incredible Effects with incredible Routing capbilities
* Road worthy and Fits in my 2 space Gig Bag
* The MFC 101.......