Kemper for Tubes #1 - You are using your Kemper Wrong!

Just a Quick Video i made to explain a common question i see or get asked about how to set up kemper for live use.
Signal Chain: Mayones Duvell Elite - Kemper - Scarlett 2i4 - Reaper.
Intro Music : Neshiima - Livid
Produced, Mixed & Mastered by Liam Hesslewood.
Specs & Links:
Facebook : / cloughleyarm16
Instagram : cloughleyarm16
My Bands :
Not The Messiah : / notthemessiah
Neshiima : / neshiima

[@RiverSongMusic]

Took my brain a second to profile your accent. Thanks for a great video! Nicely done.

[@Cloughley22]

Glad to help!🤘🏼

[@theartfuldodger935]

I got my Kemper last Christmas and so far I haven't been able to make one single goddamn piece of toast with it yet.

[@jASquirrel5886]

Did you turn the cabinet simulator off?

[@ljr8819]

I just sold mine and used TH3. Simple and exactly what I set out to hear.

[@lukecho3171]

Lol! Trunk I totally understand where you’re coming from. By the time I figure out how to use my kemper it will be outdated. It’s already starting to happen with the new Mooer and atomic pedal board amps. The point is to rock not blocked.

[@CLaw-tb5gg]

@Trunk McEight also if you think the Kemper is complicated, I'm guessing you've never had to mic up a cab.

[@ScotianBlooded]

The rackmount is the way to go

[@ThomasCalvi]

MAN. the other day I was looking on google to see if it was possible to do that and couldn't find an answer. your video helped A LOT. Thanks :)

[@Cloughley22]

cheers bud.

[@drmarcusnascimento]

Thank you so much, that's the answers I was looking for. Tons of people saying to turn off the cab simulation but it sounded terrible on my orange cab.

[@uriteimwrong7317]

Marcus Vinicius Nascimento not on mine. Atomic amplifier yes for some reason but kemper no for me at least.

[@davehanna368]

nice3 video thanks. Question - OK Ive a powered profiler.. Im sending signal to FoH desk engineer or studio recording engineer. I want to send them a signal with the cab included so they are getting exactly the final sound. AM I using the main output? also is the main left output a mono signal if Im only send a single signal? (Im separately using the speaker output for powered signal to my backline cab on stage)? what do you think?

[@johnbfromep]

Dude thank you so much for this. Whenever I have a first born child you may have him/her for this very very helpful video. All jokes aside thank.

[@woocifer]

... so essentially there is an internal on/off for the cab emulator FOR the power amp or direct to monitor(actual real cabinet/speakers) that is INDEPENDENT of the Master output, therefor making the cab button a distraction for those hung up on not understanding the outputs. I'm getting one of these hopefully within the next two weeks...I don't see why people think this is complicated. It makes me feel better about my purchase when listening to the noise around the internet...seems like a very straight forward piece of tech that offers engineered settings that sound great. Reminds me of EZ Mix but REALLY good and varied. I've kept my Peavey XXX to try as a power amp since I dig the XXX a lot. I was going to trade it in, but the store wouldn't take it so...I think they may have done me a major favor in that haha Cheers bud!

[@AuroraTone]

Hey man great video! I recently got a kemper and I'm completely new to this..I'm curious..am I able to go straight to a powered PA monitor with XLR for home practise..if so would it sound good In that format

[@Cloughley22]

Yeah man ! Use the main outputs for that ! You'll be sorted. !

[@AuroraTone]

Awesome thanks so much..mine is the non powered head. So just 1 XLR to powered PA Monitor, and set the output to master mono?

[@VANDAD]

Really good video man, I witnessed that on a tour I was on guy didn't have a clue. I might link him this one!

[@ZillaYT]

Thanks! I have the powered one. It has a “Speaker Out” and a “Monitor Out” I assume I use the Speaker Out to connect to my Cab. How is that affected by the “Monitor Cab Off” soft button? Or is it just bypassed on that outpost by default?

[@michaeljensen1625]

I asked Kemper about this and they didn't answer. Hopefuly you can? Generally with an amplifier, you should never turn it on without having it run to a cabinet. However with a Kemper Power Rack, can I record directly from the Kemper to my Interface, while not sending any signal to the cabinet? And if so, will doing so damage it? I want to be able to silently record with my kemper 90% of the time, but have the power available for occasional gigs. And before I pull the trigger and buy one, I just wanted to make sure that doing so will not damage the kemper. Can you comment?

[@Cloughley22]

Just hold output, and go to the power amp stage and turn it off. I've never had any issues with it either way. But to be safe you can turn the power amp off.

[@michaeljensen1625]

@@Cloughley22 This was so helpful thank you. Weird that the folks at Kemper couldn't answer that question and you did it in 30 seconds. Thank you. I'm buying one this weekend now.

[@Cloughley22]

@@michaeljensen1625 not a worry man. I just leave it on all the time, had it since 2014. Never had an issue. But I would definitely turn it off when you can, as it can only help.

[@fuzzingaround]

Hi, I just did an update today and now there is no volume from the power amp at all.....no sound?? Do you you know what could it be? thx

[@michaeltrees6872]

Great stuff! Thank you! Exactly the info I wanted!

[@dennuzbos4879]

Got a question Ross (maybe it has been asked before, then I'm sorry), buy why wouldn't you send the monitor output to the front of house set to STEREO?

[@Cloughley22]

If you turn the cab off in monitor output then it'll sound terrible. So that's why I send main outputs to FOH.

[@jimsmith4611]

I am sure I keep reading the cabinet should be off when using it with DAW.?

[@Cloughley22]

Unless you are using IRs in your Daw that would be horrific to listen to.

[@01left]

HI ..which Drums did you use for the Intro? Thx

[@jfoquendo]

Excellent advice sir thank you just what I was looking for !

[@hookahdad]

Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.

[@mikebeaulieu3393]

I understand your method but I use a stereo tube power amp. The monitor out is not stereo. How can i use a tube stereo power amp with cab sim off and front of house together?

[@fastmax19]

New kemper owner here, thank you for this.

[@mikebeaulieu3393]

So how would you run the Kemper with an ENGL Stereo Power Amp. I would think that if you are not running anything to the front of the house then you can just use the Main outs into the Stereo Tube Power Amp then shut the cab sim off on the front. If you are recommending not using the Main outputs to drive the Stereo Power Amp then what two Stereo outputs should be used?

[@mikebeaulieu3393]

So my point is there is a mono monitor output but not stereo which is fine if your using mono. What about stereo??

[@JosephPerkinsMusic]

Thanks man, I've been looking how to do this for a while! Cheers

[@mick6084]

I have noticed that when connecting to a poweramp it does not sound the same with Main Output as with Monitor Output (Cab Off Emulation for both cases). I have checked the configuration of the Output Sources for the two outputs and it is exactly the same configuration for both. You know why? In theory, it should be the same.

[@ledooni]

Thanks so much for the video! I am currently thinking about owning a Kemper or Axe FX III and I wasn‘t sure if the Kemper was able to send the signal with the Cabsim to the FOH and at the same time the one without to the cab on stage and mostly I like the sounds of the Kemper better so if this doesn‘t stop me from buying the Kemper anymore, I think I‘m gonna go for it in the poweramp version! 🤘🏻

[@Liam_Doherty_UK]

Dominik, I have owned an Axe FX11. It was a great box of tricks, but I never loved it, so sold it. I have a Helix, which I really like, and a Kemper. I have the best of both, 'modelling & profiling'. I was able to sell all my great valve amps & 4x 12's, get more house space, and using the Kemper, I still have those great amp sounds at my disposal, extremely accurately represented. Get the Kemper, you'll love it!

[@CROiga]

there is also a situation when you want to go stereo to external poweramp and to stereo cab.... so in that case you have to turn the cab sim off, and in output section make your monitor left mono, and direct output right mono,.... of course, you cannot use the main outputs now to go to FOH ( if you don't have some kind of ext CAB sim like torpedo) so in that case you have to mike your cab as you would do with a real amp and cab.

[@asw4444]

Great vid and thanks!

[@prrolls]

Ross. Do you recommend any particular settings when connecting a monitor for stage use. In my case a Yamaha DXR10. When I have tried this before it is massively loud and shook the room. Not sure which is the best output for this (I would guess I was using monitor out at the time with this being a monitor but I have learned from your video that I should use this to connect power cab to rack). I am thinking that direct out is the way to go but not sure how to command all of the levels out. Finally , I see you don't check the -12db on the main out. Any particular reason? Thanks. Great tutorial as well.

love it

[@cast390]

What if you're running a stereo rig with 2 4x12's? I have a camplifier 360(stereo) I have no choice but to use the mains.

[@Cloughley22]

This is a good question I have yet to find a proper solution to this, the only way i can think of is if you use 2 x FRFR cabs instead of the Camplifier.

[@jakelong-hx1ue]

I’m so sorry you have to make videos like this, but thank you from all gig attending punters.

[@glennmccullough2842]

Is this the same for the stage? Thanks

[@Cloughley22]

Hi Glenn, I doubt it would be much different but I've not had the pleasure of messing around with a stage yet.

[@GalacticForceMedia]

Just got my Kemper yesterday and was setting it up for rehearsal. Running it through a 1960a, and although amazing sound, I feel it didn’t push enough to be heard over my lunatic drummer who only has 1 volume - loud. Are the settings you just showed in this video what I should be setting up for rehearsal and live performances (it’s rare that I would run FOH because of playing small clubs and venues without a large sound system) Genre: thrash metal

[@Cloughley22]

Hey man, yes the settings I use in this video will work in your case. As I run through a cab at practice but through monitors at home and I don't have to change any settings.

[@darkerium75]

okay so in the kemper power theres an output thats specifically for real cab connection, lets say i turn of the monitor cab off option on my setting on my kemper , would i have to plugin the real to the monitor output out on my kemper or on the output made specifcally for real cabs?

[@Respecttheriff]

I have the non powered Kemper, therefore my “monitor output cab off” button should be unchecked, correct? in order to use cab simulation into my monitor cab.

[@BrandonsVFX]

Only just got my Kemper so i'm new to all of this. I have a powered kemper, to run that through to FOH is it just using the 2 outputs on the back? (I can't find this answer anywhere so i hope you could help ahah)

[@Cloughley22]

Main output is your best option.

[@gerritkusenberg3600]

I do understand the cab simulation part. It´s pretty straight forward. But no matter which output I use to go into my tube poweramp, unless I use a direct/preamp only profile, I will always have kinda two poweramps stacked in my sound, right? One that was in the orginal amp that was profiled (if it was profiled as a full amp, not preamp only) and then my actual poweramp that I use to drive my guitar cab. If that´s correct, did any of you notice a big difference or coloration of the sound with his setup? Or do you only use direct/preamp profiles? Or can you in fact take the poweramp part in the profile out of the equation somehow? Curious for answers guys :)

[@417altavista]

I have hooked up my Stage (or unpowered Kemper) from the Main Out into my real amp’s Effects Loop Return only! So Guitar into Kemper, Jemper Main Out into real amp Return. So no loop. This bypasses your real amp’s preamp so you’re then using the Profiled preamps instead plus any effects. Sometimes I also have to turn off the Cab sim. But this video is suggesting to try the Monitor Out so you can try the cabs that way.

[@HeyItsAsmus]

What if I have the powered kemper, I want cab sim off for the powered going to a 2x12, and I want the cab sim on for a FRFR?

[@Cloughley22]

Hey man, That's a weird one, honestly not sure? Not had a frfr to try that. First I'd try main output to frfr. See how that is.

[@ManuGonzalezE]

And the Speaker Output from the Kemper PowerHead it's the same? Always ON the CAB emulation? Or OFF? Help me bro!

[@cullysb6788]

So can I do dry wet with monitor to 4x12 cab out dry and stereo main out to pa wet?

[@Cloughley22]

Correct

[@beastgaming5508]

Hi hi have a kemper with a powered stage monitor what settings is best for this setup ?

[@Informal1968]

Is that your own profile? Would love to try it if you could steer me to it!

[@Cloughley22]

Hey man, it's a sinmix profile I've tweaked. Framus Dragon S04.

[@SonOfVipers]

Could I run the monitor out into a effects loop and bypass that amps preamp section? I essentially wanna use my dual rectifier as the power amp

[@themusketeer9458]

Jup, just plug kemper output (for example monitor out) to effect return channel on your amp

[@paulreuter3284]

Do I understand it correctly that I should turn off the monitor cab in the settings but should not turn off the cab button? :)

[@Cloughley22]

correct ! Monitor Cab Off setting should be ticked.

[@andreaslion5877]

I don't use my kemper rack for metal, so I might not have a valid opinion on this (I use it more with plexi and fender clean sounds) but it sounds like absolute shit when the cab simulation is on! When it is off, it really sounds 10 times better, don't know why though. Setup: Kemper Rack Palmer Macht 402 Marshall 1960tv Cab

[@marc_leblanc]

I feel exactly the same way. Thought it was just me.

[@Deuterium2H]

Andreas, are you connecting your KPA to a traditional guitar cabinet, or to an FRFR monitor? If you are connecting to a traditional guitar cabinet, then YES, you of course want to have the Cabinet Module (Simulation) OFF. However, If you are connecting to an FRFR monitor, than you will need to have it ON. My guess is that you are playing through a traditional guitar cabinet. Furthermore, due to the confusion inherent in your question, I get the impression you are not familiar or do not understand the difference between a traditional guitar cabinet and an FRFR (Full Range, Flat Response) System. The reason Ross leaves the Cabinet Module activated (light on) on the front of the KPA control panel, is that he is setting up his KPA for a live gig, whereas he uses Main Outputs to send the audio signal to the FOH (Front of House), and the Monitor Output to send the audio signal to his traditional guitar cabinet, used on stage. That is why he goes into the OUTPUT Menu, and physically selects the option "Monitor Cab OFF". This disables the Cabinet module only on the Monitor Output signal, yet leaves it enabled and active on the Main Output.

[@Deuterium2H]

You never want to run a CABINET Simulation through a regular, traditional Guitar Cabinet. That is because a CABINET simulation emulates the normal, high frequency roll-off which is typical off a guitar cabinet. The Cabinet Simulation in the KPA (similar to Axe-FX and Helix) accurately simulates the frequency response of individual, specific guitar speaker models. Anyway, the point being, a guitar speaker acts as an EQ filter, with a characteristic frequency response curve that typically have a significant HF roll-off around 5-6 kHz. The Cabinet Simulation is doing the same thing. So, if you run a Cabinet Simulation (one stage of EQ filtering) through a guitar speaker/cabinet (second stage of EQ filtering), you have two serial stages of EQ filtering, and the result will sound like absolute mud. Conversely, this is exactly why Cabinet Simulation is important for direct recording, or for connecting to a FRFR monitor (also used by FOH PA systems). The FRFR monitor's "full range, flat response" speaker system is completely different than a traditional guitar speaker. An FRFR system will accurately reproduce the audio signal without imparting any "color" or EQ filtering. That is why they have a "flat response" (no peaks or dips in the frequency response) through the "full range" of human hearing, which is defined as 20 Hz through 20 kHz. If you played your KPA into an FRFR system with the Cabinet OFF, it will sound like a shrill can of angry bees. But once you turn on the Cabinet Module, the digital processing of the Cabinet Simulation accurately recreates the frequency response of a traditional guitar speaker, with it's natural, built-in high frequency roll-off.

[@garlandgreene4038]

Hello! What do I do if I just want to use my 4x12 cab but no front of house? Do I still leave the cab button on? Or do I turn that off cause i'm only using the Kemper and cab not monitors also. Thanks

[@Cloughley22]

if you are using either the monitor output or the powered output, and your cab monitor off setting is ticked then i would leave it on. as i have done.

[@w0mbatina]

Why would you do that tho?

[@Cloughley22]

why would you leave it on...... it's pointless turning it off every time.

[@jayjackson9014]

Garland Greene of ur using ur own cab turn the cab off on the kemper.

[@paulsdino]

Honestly , the best thing to do with a Kemper is plug into your cabinet and then simply try playing with the cab section on and then off .Then decide which one you like better . You don't necessarily have to turn the cab section off in this application although some people do.

[@Johnmannish]

But why on the back of the Kemper, the output that goes into de cab is called "Speaker Output", and there is another output called "monitor output" that i supposed it would go into PA, and in the led panel is called "monitor output" the one that goes into a cab and the one we have to turn off?

[@Cloughley22]

Both Monitor output and Speaker output are in the same signal chain, the speaker is powered that's the only difference. so when you turn the cab off in the monitor output you turn it off for the speaker output also.

[@nedjankovic8161]

So both the monitor output and output power both are connected to the powered amp so you could choose either to connect to your cab?

[@Cloughley22]

No, the chain goes >Monitor Output > Power Amp > Powered output. so basically the Monitor output is the unpowered sound of the powered output.

[@nedjankovic8161]

Great! just as i thought but was just making sure. cheers!

[@mariosoldano1]

Read the Manual.......

[@56335130]

the cab section on kemper is a trick.its not a simulation. the profile is a capture of the whole system with cab's impulse.so its not a good idea to use the "deimpulsed image"of the rig capture.you turn the cab off ,they(kemper's maker somewhere said so,maybe on manual) just use a "deimpulsed impulse response" of your rig.its kind of a trick.if you really want an capture of your amp without a cab.I think one should capture an amp with a load box and without a cab.thats really the "kind" of image of your amp without the cab .

[@gtrraider84]

Bro - You tried the new Kemper Kabinet yet?

[@GreenGenerationTV]

Its sick

[@gtrraider84]

@@GreenGenerationTV - how so?

[@Cloughley22]

Sorry man, have not. Although might have a chance to try the speaker in another cab.

[@kcussrebutuemos4815]

I haven’t. I’m done spending money on it but I know for me I’d end up using the same speaker. I always do but for some it’s pretty cool. My issue not that you asked is each time I turn the Kemper on the performance mode erases or switches the profiles around. Some I’ve lost permanently because they were not from a known author and I didn’t write it down. Just can’t find it. It was a clean profile so I can use real pedals. It’s acting weird. I wish someone knew it. It was called. VP 10 AClean. It has the ability to hold a thousand profiles. I’m not up to that. I don’t need that many but maybe it can’t handle what I do have in there. It’s probably hundreds. I know you didn’t ask but just Kindve trying to find help.

[@tomkaduk]

That tone is really nasty man! Really helpful video as well, cheers!

[@metalmauce]

Great tip! Very useful. Great tone too. Which Kemper Rig are you using here?

[@Cloughley22]

It started life as a Sinmix framus dragon but cab and eq etc. has been tweaked for my live sound.

[@rogerdat7807]

Super informative, thanks! Ps, thumbs down are from the deaf, dumb and jealous who we need to forgive because they just cant help it.

[@dumpsterdom89]

Shane Nicklaus 0 seconds ago I got the Kemper powered cab. It sounds barely "ok." Definitely not thrilled. Maybe it's not suited for high gain/metal tones. The deal breaker for me is that as soon as you turn on a flange, reverb, or delay it sounds like PURE GARBAGE. Anyone else notice that? I am thinking of getting a tube power section and a 212 revv cab.

[@dumpsterdom89]

I got the Kemper powered cab. It sounds barely "ok." Definitely not thrilled. Maybe it's not suited for high gain/metal tones. The deal breaker for me is that as soon as you turn on a flange, reverb, or delay it sounds like PURE GARBAGE. Anyone else notice that? I am thinking of getting a tube power section and a 212 revv cab. I was accidentally logged in with my friend's account

[@Cloughley22]

Hi perhaps try different profiles. I find that profiles that sound good through a cab aren't necessarily good through flat response speakers or monitors. Many major metal artists use the kemper it is suited to metal.

[@demandfreespeech2868]

If people read the book it would not be sn issue..lol

[@diemassa8622]

It’s true lol

[@Deuterium2H]

Excellent video and explanation...especially for the lazy ass, benighted hoopleheads who can't be bothered to lift their proverbial little finger, and open up the bloody User Manual. Sorry if I offend anyone, but really, there is NO EXCUSE for not putting aside a hour or so to read the Manual, before you turn on your multi-thousand dollar piece of gear for the first time. Nothing against Ross, who was nice enough to spend the time to explain this feature...but it is *_clear as day_* if you had read either the Basic or Reference Manual.

[@mustbewasabi]

never turn the „cabinet“ button off? you clearly have no idea what you are talking about. If you play kemper to FOH, turn it ON and if you play with a real cab, turn it OFF

[@Cloughley22]

Did you watch the video ? Have you read the manual ?

[@Ace96x10]

Lol!! If i wanted that sound, I'd get a $100 pod and an $60 effects unit. What a pos... what a stupid Generation....Lol!

[@RickMold]

Are you really comparing a kemper to a pod lol! You're loosing credibility man. I'm a tubes guy, but this thing is a great piece of gear.

[@Ace96x10]

@Rick kzbin.info/www/bejne/raTSlIuXl5iZgas Proof of what I said. But ya, go spend $2800 if it keeps ya safe, I'll stick with tubes that cost far far less and sound 1000000000x better. If i do what that kemper sound, I'll use a 100% pod and 60$ effects unit and sound only 1000x better. Lol)

[@RickMold]

Damn, the difference is huge, you should buy good speakers or headphones lol.

[@Ace96x10]

@rick Hehe Rick.... You're a funny guy indeed. It's far from just me who said the Pod sounded the best in that vid i gave you. Lemme know when you have any vids at all of you demonstrating your skills or equipment. I've got great gear and vids to prove it. Maybe someday you'll decide that reality is a better place to live then in delusional land)

[@RickMold]

I have a Mesa Mark V , Marshall JVM and Peavey 6505+ Eric Moisan channel