Is The Kemper Still Worth It In 2022?

[@allstopblue5717]

No way I see myself selling my Kemper. Still sounds phenomenal. I don’t use the built in drives or fuzzes. I use my own pedals in front of it. The fact I still have my unit for however many years and they continue to offer free updates is really incredible. It seems every other company especially Fractal is constantly selling you on the latest greatest version. It’s a money racket at this point with fractal with how many units they’ve released. Axe fx 3 sounds great but in a year or 2 they’ll be pushing the axe fx 3XL then the axe fx 4 will come 6 months later. Its the Apple iPhone model of business.

[@therangersinger]

helix is supported in the same fashion. that's one of the many reasons I love owning it.

[@navigator8222]

You must have buyers remorse if all you can do is let Fractal live in your head rent free.

[@mcmillanalex]

@@navigator8222 right? I never understand why people who already own the gear and claim to love it always watch and comment on the KZbin videos that explore the gear's modern day value. They clearly still want their purchasing decisions validated.

[@allstopblue5717]

@@mcmillanalex you don’t have to agree with me but don’t play psychiatrist. Lol gimme a break. It’s not that serious just my personal opinion.

[@mcmillanalex]

@@allstopblue5717 It was really a response to a phenomenon one observes in watching KZbin videos and reading comment sections, and not intended as a critique of your decision to purchase a Kemper. I don't own a Kemper, I've never tried a Kemper, but I'm intrigued by the product and therefore this video appealed to me. It's a bit less clear why the video would appeal to a long-time Kemper owner unless, as Navigator suggests, you have buyer's remorse. My inner psychologist can't help but make these kinds of observations and judgments because I'm interested in people and what motivates people's actions.

[@BadSensation]

I have my Kemper since 2013 and I have never looked back. Best gear pruchase I've ever made. The amount of tones both free and commercial you can get is mind blowing. I would never sell this thing and I would always buy another one if this thing should ever give up.

[@seanchristopher740]

Hey Rhett, just wanted to give you a tip regarding the gain discrepancy you have with turning up the gain on profiles. The Kemper manual states that if you profile an amp at a higher gain level, the amp doesn't then have to guess how the gain sounds at any gain settings. So in other words, if you profile at a higher gain level that's closer to where you'd max out the gain, then you have a better picture of the full gain structure and taper, and can still get the same accuracy at lower gain settings. Just a tip I thought I'd share because it changes the game for people who aren't happy with turning up the gain settings on a low gain or mid gain profile. Instead just take a profile at the highest gain setting you would use and then you can turn the gain down and have full access to the whole spectrum of gain for that profile with extremely accuracy😁😁🤘🏽🤘🏽

[@realtruenorth]

Yep, and mine with my profiles sounds absolutely amazing. Holds it own against my real Mesa DR , TA30 and ED, my Fryette Sig X, my Swart STR, my Marshall DSL and JVM.

[@philipplanz7163]

A free hint for modifying your settings: attach it with an USB cable to your Computer and you can operate all your changes directly through Rig Manager from Kemper. So you dont have to scroll through the FXs directly on the Kemper

[@acidbran]

Rig Manager is a game changer for sure.

[@andrezcabara2774]

If you have the Kemper Stage, you can skip the cable and connect with Wi-Fi

[@VibhasPatil]

I know someone who has a Kemper. The one bit that made the unit better to use was buying profiles from Michael Britt. Those are some amazing profiles he's created.

[@holgermarx2724]

There is hardly any better option for playing Metal live than the Kemper (especially on festivals). It sounds great, is very easy to use on stage and reliable.

[@nasticanasta]

Judas Priest would disagree

[@holgermarx2724]

@@nasticanasta Andy Sneap has been using the Kemper a lot in the studio. I would be surprised if he has never used it live.

[@enuxs]

Depends on, what you personally like, for me Axe, then Kemper, but if it's possible one of my Engl amps with guitar cab(s) and the pedalboard. But for sure, the Kemper still is great. 👍

[@Hi-levels]

Would the stage version be enough

[@holgermarx2724]

@@Hi-levels I have the powered version and use it with a 4x12 for monitoring to be independant from the stage monitors, but if you need to travel light, the Kemper Stage is surely a good option, too

[@johanrautenbach]

Rig manager is a game changer if you’re a Kemper owner. Thanks for the shows Rhett.

[@laivasimo8427]

Kemper is most likely the best purchase i have made. I live in a flat and i cannot use high volumes so i just have to use headphones. Also i wanted to be able to record guitar at home. Kemper was easily the best solution for me and fixed so many problems for me 😎

[@bpittman440]

Related to the discussion just before 6:46 in the vid, profiling - it sounds like there needs to be a change in the way they go about getting the data for the model - meaning that if you take say, 3 separate "snapshots" of the amp - 1st in a clean mode, the second in a edge of break up mode, and the 3rd in a "dimed" mode, combine those and basically "fill in" the missing data between the 3 different models to create a more amp like response. This, in theory, would allow you to adjust the volume or gain and get a more "amp like" response to their front panel controls. For the amp's eq, you would need to do repeat this for different settings of the eq - meaning take models of the amp with the EQ in different positions. If you want to get really fancy, then we could attach a bunch of rotary servos to the controls on the amp and have them sweep through every pot on the front of the amp from 0-10 while taking a model. However, now we are talking about things that are cost prohibitive and time consuming - which is probably why Kemper takes their models the way they currently do. Not every end user is an engineer or independently wealthy.

[@RyanAmplification]

I just bought a stage. What I love is that if you have the right profiles you don't need to touch anything and it sounds great. I had a boss gt1000 and couldn't stand how fiddly it was and still didn't sound as good as the Kemper. I love some of the helix sounds and fas sounds but I don't like how much you have to work to make those sounds. One of my favorite things about Kemper is the showroom! If you can get to Chicago or live in the area go to the showroom! It is the coolest music store/jam room I have ever been to.

[@timolonnberg3205]

I bought my first Kemper two weeks ago and I am thrilled - the sound is phenomenal and for a relatively fresh guitar hobbyist it seems a perfect solution for a home rig. I got it used half of the price of new one and it was a steal. I rarely see them under 900€ and actually under 1000€ and it indicates also something. I play "Rhettish" music - bluesy tunes with fuzzy overdrive, like Black Keys and stuff...and for that kind of music the Kemper is amazingly good.

[@karterestill]

Still the best musical purchase I've ever made, other than my first guitar! I Will never go back! Kemper for life.

[@robinfolcher9903]

I have my kemper since 2015, i was buying/selling tube amps all the Time. Since i have bought the kemper, never bought a new amp. This thing is perfect

[@AJMichaud1]

Great video. Still love mine for so many reasons, especially recording and for putting tons of amp options in my lap all the time

[@swampscott2670]

It’s been my go to for practice, live and home studio for a few years now. Once you understand how to use it correctly it’s hard to beat. Much easier to carry than my beloved tube amps and racks and cabs. Always reliable, the sound guy loves you, great layout on the remote and for quick adjustments (that’s why I passed on the Fractal devices with the for me useless foot controller). I have profiles of my own amps and some other favorites (funny how preferences for “real” amps and profiles match up with this thing). And the effects are so good after various upgrades that I don’t even use my pedalboard or effects rack any longer - with the exception of my wah pedals. For recording I always have reliable patches that will be the same the next day and at any level. Bonus: I use it also with my acoustics. One stereo output going to FOH, done.

[@rafsnchz]

Yes it is! Kemper is freaking amazing. I sold my Kemper Stage only because it was a bit of overkill for me as a bass player and it’s also too heavy for me. Otherwise it’s the best sound i’ve ever had, this thing is killer.

[@rafbass]

It’s excellent for bass too. I got Geddy Lee’s presets!

[@patrickbrown73]

The Kemper Stage has an upgrade on the input hardware which allows you to select True Impedance on the fuzz stomps and that lets you do the guitar vol back off thing. For me it was worth selling toaster to get stage. I have some top shelf fuzz pedals (Cornell, Fox, Trombetta, Basic Audio, BK Harding, etc) and the fuzzes on the Kemper are fantastic.

[@jierdy]

IMO kemper still worth, need interface improvements though. Otherwise sounds better than any modeler, i feel more natural tone and dynamics.

[@markinthemix6055]

I actually appreciate Rhett’s honesty and straight talk about the editing circus on an AXFX. I absolutely believe other KZbin pages will not be that honest. It’s like they mention it and roll their eyes but Rhett was straight up and honest

[@shorerocks]

I just got the Synergy VAI module, and thought, why not profile it (and the Bogner modules through an ENGL poweramp) with the Kemper? Hadn't done that in a while. And honestly, that IS the recorded amp / cab / mic tone. This is so amazing. I guess in this day and age we expect development updates every 3 months, so how dare a digital unit be years old? Then again, they set a standard. And updates via firmware etc. are steadily coming. Works for me.

[@BorostateBlues]

Congratulations on moving the studio forward and finding someone to go outside the box, looks like you are doing it right

[@dwaynedelario]

I've got KT77's in my Blankenship JTM45 and they sound absolutely phenomenal. Matched with the proper transformer and biased to the ideal plate current for the tube (not to the 70% SDW that most internet sources will point to), KT77s will perform beautifully!

[@DennyBob521]

I bought a Kemper Stage two days after they came out and never looked back. I sold all but my volume pedal and two clean tube amps (Fender & Suhr).

[@jaspermuziek2150]

Hi Rhett, thanks! I have a Kemper and a QC and by far prefer the Kemper. QC still sounds artificial to me, Kemper isn’t perfect but as you say has its own thing (you can hear it’s a Kemper) and for rehearsing and live is just great, close enough to real amps. By the way, Kemper’s site has a nice story on Rammstein’s live setup!

[@bartlettpsj]

Ditto. I have both and agree. Also QC into FRFR is boxy whereas Kemper into Kone or FRFR is awesome.

[@timboland7767]

I have to disagree. Had a Kemper with profiles of my own amps… never got real happy over 4 years or so… Then I got a QC: much bettet for my taste. Kemper added more gain and lacked a certain amount of presence and clarity… I use headphones while playing. Just my 2 cents…I am no metal guy, just Blues and Classic Roch with medium gain…

[@jconner3891]

I was just asking about this. Insane. 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@jeffmazzei8520]

The Kemper is great ! Steve Lukather says for recording he uses the Kemper and I agree there is no point in bringing a Tube Amp for Recording, live it’s a Toss up !

[@howebones]

Everything I use is tubed. I did recently pick up the iridium and absolutely love it for practice when it’s late at night. I’m a huge tactile person when it comes to knobs and what not. Like everything it all comes down your personal preference what you use on stage, in the studio, and for practice.

[@iansimmons735]

I worked hard with the Helix for years to get a convincing amp tone. I tweaked, bought patches, tweaked some more. It drove me nuts for the longest time. With the Kemper, I just had to find the right profiles, and boom - just add the effects I needed and I was done. I had the tones I'd always been looking for. I had them both (a powered Kemper head and a Helix LT). I eventually sold the Helix and got a Kemper Stage as a backup, now own a Kemper Powered Kabinet so I can use either live. But I am not a pro. I am just a guitar-and-amp guy who loves the feel of real amps and plays live regularly. And the Kemper just does it for me. I am curious about the QC and the Axe options, but I think I've spent enough money for the moment! And I am super happy with my setup.

[@johnkaplun9619]

Sorry, I just don't get it. To spend hours getting frustrated trying to model an amp... I mean I just can't think of a less fun, less creative way to spend time. I'm glad the Kemper works better for you but just I would just rather roll with a small combo amp. If there's no option to change the amp profile then I'll just play guitar.

[@iansimmons735]

@@johnkaplun9619 My point exactly... play more, tweak less. Plug and play. That's the Kemper for me. I'm a guitar-and-amp guy with a passing interest in effects. Give me something that sounds amazing, every time, regardless of venue - home or in a pub/club. That's what it is for me (and the Helix was not) - but I had to find the right profiles - or should I say, the right profile maker.

[@MrKrueger734]

Enjoy your show ! i had went to see Tears for Fears this year and if you pull up some shows they used Kemper this tour. sounded great . Appreciate the work you put into it!

[@nikdrown]

That doesn’t surprise me. Those dudes are especially keen to making things easier to get to the bottom line. That era was doing that at a time that is now looked at as now still pioneering

[@iwiggs6870]

This is the problem with digital vs real. Every few years...people will ask if is still Whereas the real amp...is the thing. What it is, is what it always will be. Won't have to update firmware, won't have to worry about a competitor releasing a newfangled version, it's the thing.

[@Paul-D]

Agreed.

[@trishabreit991]

The Pure Cab control in the output section of the Kemper is very important in terms of playing dynamics. I initially struggled with the Kemper in terms of it feeling compressed/lacking in dynamics until I read about the Pure Cab setting located in the output section of the Kemper. If you turn the Pure Cab setting to off, it greatly restores the dynamics of your playing. This is especially true for clean to mid gain profiles.

[@mbreit2472]

Amen, Trisha!

[@allstopblue5717]

Interesting. I love my Kemper for many years. I’ve never messed with pure cab. What actually happens from on vs off? (I mostly use profiles I’ve purchased from other sites such as Michael Britt.

[@trishabreit991]

@@allstopblue5717 Sorry this reply is so late. I mostly use Michael Britt profiles as well. In an interview with Michael Britt (Sorry I don’t remember who did the interview)he mentioned that he hardly ever used pure cab when using his Kemper. I had never heard the term prior to this. I did research and found it was a setting in the global output of the Kemper. When I went to check the setting in my Kemper it was on over half way (Probably set up that way from the Kemper factory) I turned pure cab off and immediately the “feel” when playing the Kemper improved in terms of touch and dynamics, especial with cleaner profiles. I have read that some like the pure cab setting turned on for heavier rock or metal tones, but I usually don’t go too far into that sonic territory

[@DavisDodds]

Just sold the two rack Kempers I've been using for a good while. The Dream and Ruby blew them away. They feel so much more alive and open than I could ever get the Kempers to!!

[@monmixer]

Are you speaking of the Universal Audio product?

[@DavisDodds]

@@monmixer yes! The Dream and Ruby are the UA Deluxe Reverb and AC30 sims, respectively.

[@meer_kaaat]

I want UAFX Marshall🔥with JTM45 , Jubilie , JCM800..!!!

[@TeleCathster]

Glad you said that I’ve just bought a Ruby although waiting for it in the post! But was debating the kemper, but I only ever use one amp model so Ruby makes more sense to me.

[@TeleCathster]

@@monmixer yes

i still love my kemper, i bought mine pretty close to the release and there is nothing else in my studio i had longer i think. it is simply good enough but what keeps me at this system is, the button layout, no menu diving for simple changes, a poweramp and there is no kemper 2, it holds value and there are so many free updates ... it is my best purchase ever

[@jamisonmp]

As someone who’s owned a Kemper since 2016 and have used it for hours a day since I couldn’t imagine being without it. The Bukovak Hitmaker profiles are the best I’ve heard. The realism with them is unmatched. I will say that changing any EQ or gain settings in the amp settings is useless. The best thing to do is add EQ and compression before/after in the slots and tweak the dynamics controls for the amps to get them where you want them to go. As always, anyone with a Kemper knows, profiles are the most important thing in the chain. ✌🏻

[@allstopblue5717]

100%. The gain and eq don’t sound great. But the profiles themselves are unmatched. I typically do eq and even effects with plugins when mixing as opposed to messing with the Kemper eq. I also run my own pedals into the Kemper, rarely using the built in effects. The base tones from the unit are just so good I see no reason to buy the new stuff that’s come out. I’m also not a live performing musician so I can’t speak for that side of things, but in terms of studio use Kemper still serves me well

[@tpap6827]

When I see people using the kemper to profile an amp using a specific EQ setting particular guitar and so forth I always hear the same reply that it’s still accurately replicates the amp as well as anything and the guitar and the EQ play no part in the profiling also that sounds almost like an impossibility. I guess the question is if one person is playing a Particular amp set dry and using a Les Paul and the other person is playing the same and using lots of reverb With mid range scoop using a strat, is the temperature going to profile that same Amphlett suppose it’s a 65 black face Fender twin reverb, Will both profiles sound the same or extremely similar given the fact that they were both profiled under radically different circumstances. I’m not saying the camper isn’t amazing and cannot pull it off but it seems counterintuitive to a non-Kemper User who has never seen one played in person or played one in person much less used it to profile any Amps that have very distinct and well-known tones.

[@tpap6827]

Sorry video already answered the question. I jumped the gun and what I assumed to be true is true according to the video where his other videos made by Kemper have claimed that it makes no difference how you profile the same amp it’s gonna come out just like the amp. Apparently that’s not even close to being true. Doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a great tone it means it is not true to the amp being profiled outside of the particular specific setting with a particular signal. Having said that original modeling amps for the early versions sucked ass and we’re nowhere close to the amps they claim to sound like I should know because I bought a chance millennium which was the biggest waste of 1300 bucks I think I’ve ever spent in my life. It was 150 W early modeling amp with a hundred Models. Also the rig sounded OK lo volumes, I would sit on stage with 150 watts of modeling amp and a all tube Vox AC 15 or low wattage boogie or fender Princeton would overwhelm the 150 watt paper weight in the mix while sounding way louder with more headroom.

[@tpap6827]

The only thing I can say about real tape echoes is I played a real echoplex Years ago and we were using it and trying to dial-in and early Van Halen Browns sound and we had a 50 watt super lead, a real echoplex , An MXR phase 90, a studio plate reverb unit. We didn’t have a variac and the Marshall Cabinets weren’t equipped with Jbls and Celestion 25s we only had the selection. The head was not 100 watts, there is no fat cap and Eddie’s claim that the FrankenStrat was equipped with a 8.6 k bridge PAF is likely complete hogwash. Obviously the pick up was hotter than hell. There’s no way you can take a plexi that is not totally hot Rod def and get that sizzling tone Like the amp is about to blow upwith anything short of a Overwound pick up that’s putting out 13 or 14 K Similar to a DeMarzio super distortion. But I digress in any case I recently purchased one of those echoplex stamp boxes the tries to mimic the original tape echo and the thing is a major disappointment. In my opinion it’s not even one of the better tape echo sounds on the market. Frankly I prefer TC electronics flashback tape echo to the echoplex. That original echoplex That was beat to shit 22 years ago was the best tape delay Tone I’ve ever heard and all the pedals to try to mimic tape delay without real tape delay It’s like comparing a fender Princeton reverb model to a fender Princeton reverb that’s mint condition in vintage hand wired all tube including the rectifier. It’s just not even remotely close and I’m not talking necessarily only about the tone but I’m also talking about the field and responsiveness of the amp itself. With the tape delay however it was purely tone. Whenever I see those videos were people are comparing a solid-state clean sound to eat tube clean sound all I can say is I don’t care if a fender jazz chorus which I’ve owned sounds great. If you’re not playing jazz it’s the most boring app on the planet to play If you like a classic fender or Vox clean tone that does a lot more than just sounding sterile and clean. I guess the point is the amp test have character and also create a physical relationship between you the guitar and the amp inspiring you to play better. If an ant pizza great sound but doesn’t have that thing that anybody who’s owned That perfect tube combo or stack and cranked it to its sweet spot, knows exactly why does amps will always be so much more satisfying to Play assuming they’re not doing unpredictable things in giving you technical problems which obviously good two bands are notorious for and I’ve experienced the worst of the worst in terms of two Bapt disasters. Therefore I can understand why somebody would opt for a more reliable amplification system in the form of good modeling or good profiling. Having said that that experience will never put you in that zone that you strive to be in As often as possible. I’m not saying you can’t have a satisfying experience playing with you bandmates and really enjoy the interaction I’m talking about that special interaction between you the guitar the ant it as much physical as aural. I never having play the Kemper, I cannot see how they feel to play but I have played the fractal and helix both of which are awesome tools. If I’m playing live I know I won’t have a lot of technical problems and they’re great for recording. But let’s be honest When you see Joe Bonamassa, Josh Smith, Derek trucks Larry Carlton in Robben Ford Eric Johnson or other guys known for impeccable tone playing profiling or any modeling amps Live then I will concede that there’s Some advantage other than reliability. It’s just hard to think of any guitar purest to really plays with the most impeccable tone and I’m not talking about guys playing metal or other music where we are not hearing the tactile subtleties of individual players nearly as much.

[@billylindsay5712]

Your Marshall profile sounds great. I had a Kemper rack version and used Michael Britt profiles and my own. However it never really clicked with me despite using it for many casino gigs without any issues. It certainly is a fine sounding unit and none of the people at the shows noticed any difference from when I used tube amps. I sold my Kemper last year and bought a Quad Cortex and couldn't be happier. I do not think the Kemper is bad, just did not work for me, I felt it was missing something. MY friend swears by his. To each his own.

[@HVACRTECH-83]

I too like my qc better no regrets and just waiting for some promised updates and I think it will be pretty much unbeatable for quite some time

[@jeffs.3533]

Yes, the Kemper is still worth it. Tube amps are equally awesome, however both the Kemper & real tube amps have their place. Kemper pros: Awesome sound quality (obviously most especially amp sounds but certain effects are at or very near top-notch studio quality). Portable. Predictable sounds via saving rigs. Vibrant community & lots of excellent commercial profiler makers (Tone Junkie, Big Hairy Profiles, SinMix, etc) which is mainly why I use it instead of trying the quad cortex. Kemper cons: It took them a little while to update the Kemper computer editor (rig manager) to be less clunky, and it'd be nice if they had an Android app (no bluetooth so maybe a USB cable would need to used).

[@BeesWaxMinder]

Over the years, I’ve had three of these but I find myself and many people gravitate to a core of only 2 or 3 models & have no real use all the many others -it would be a good way of auditioning different amps to find which ones you want to buy ‘for real’ Plus there was often a delay or some kind of latency or some sorta feel issue with it that I just couldn’t put my finger on… Also ‘the SansAmp concept’ has come on leaps and bounds, these days, in that the analog alternatives tend to nail just a handful of models that I’d end up sticking with anyway Another problem(?) With the KEMPER is that it was SO complicated!! So much needed to be done, IMHO, using Rig Manager and the like that I felt I was firing up computers when I was used to intuitively just reaching out and tweaking unable to to get the thing to adjust so I was compromising my sound, somewhat, in that way. I think the fact that Rhett has to pull this out of the mothballs, so to speak, shows that, at the very least, there are alternatives out there? Maybe I’m in the minority but it just wasn’t for me🤷‍♂️

[@nikdrown]

I mean sure as personal tastes a few amps can add up to your signature sounds as I have found Mesa Boogie mk4 and Fender Twin Reverb and a Roland JC120 make up the bulk of my catalog over the years BUT I am finding with this Kemper the amps I have used or tried before that just didn’t make things (depending on situation and maybe traveled and didn’t have my own equipment which sucks to work sometimes) but nonetheless they would be tried and true things the world has done amazing things. The Vox AC30 being one I am getting along with where as in the past I just couldn’t make it work for me on a number of occasions. Or Orange amps I could dig on their own but when going for something never worked. Being able to run my normals but trying different cabs ect is really exciting and warrants experimenting without the hassle of doing a lot of work otherwise. Plus they are all there wherever I go and maintain the same sound no matter what. Besides lacking the nuances of the legit amps and something I think emulation plug like Amplitube does better at than Kemper. Specific sound it starts with and adding a legit tube pre can help that if need be.

[@BeesWaxMinder]

@@nikdrown thanks so much for taking the time to reply

[@le_superclub]

Wow! The guitar alone in the video really sounds amazing even for an "old piece of gear"(In the modelling world)! In the studio, bedroom jammin' or live (and even then, it depends on the venue) IMHO every situation is subject to specific tweaking depending on the situation the guitar player is in. I have a UAFX Ruby on my pedalboard and absolutely love it, especially for studio situations. Other than that I still have to use my 1x12 tube combo or an amp head for most of the live gigs because the stage sound/volume is an important part of the general feel of the gig for the public (two guitars n the band) so if I'm the only one coming only through the PA/monitors and no "stage amp", it doesn't work well for the people close to the stage and in small venues for everybody. (Kind of an underground band so I guess bigger stages would be less of a problem). The point is, none of any gear will be good for every situations. The more options you have, the best you can be ready to get the best setup for any situation.

[@davidlavin4774]

Ever thought of doing and "amp tour" video? I know you've made some videos with your amps, but it would be cool to just have one video where you run through each amps, what it is, what you like/dislike about each, etc.

[@heymrguitarman7637]

Good sound is good sound so on that basis the kemper should remain relevant for as long as the format is supported in the industry. Will something better come along? Yes, inevitably. Has it yet? Maybe, but so long a spice reflects it's place amongst the competition it'll always be a valid option

[@juddrizzo]

One of the absolute coolest things about the line 6 helix and helix LT is that you can also control the line 6 guitars with them. That is super cool!!! So, you can actually change the guitar models and the amp models and effects all with one button push. That is amazing! So, one day when I make the leap from tube amps and pedals to a amp modeling floor board I’m heavily leaning towards the helix. Or the smallest line 6 board that I can buy that controls the guitars. I have to admit when I geek out on my guitar stuff the idea of having two amp rigs at once, so I can hear a completely different rig out of the left and out of the right is really amazing. I think you have to have the full helix to do that.

[@_on_nicegram_DougHelvering]

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[@spillemusicstudios8515]

Always interesting to see how these videos (and the kemper itself) age and stand the test of time. For me, kemper is still king as far as digital amp tones go. I only use it as an amp though. I run pedals into it (wet effects in the effects loop, though the kemper delays and verbs are probably the best, most usable effect types in the kemper). Fractal and QC are pretty solid too. Not at all a fan of the helix amp modeling though, not even with the latest cab updates.

[@steverhinefrank5589]

Rhett, no offense to you or your fingers, but that guitar was the star of this video. sounded great with whatever style you played or package you ran it through. as usual, great job. thanks !

[@christianboddum8783]

Programming the Helix is a never ending job. Had mine since start of 2017 and have spent wayyy too much time on it, but it's coming together nicely. I see it as electronic gardening now, there's always things to correct and improve, if I was married that wouldn't go over so well I suppose, but thankfully I'm not ;-)

[@_on_nicegram_DougHelvering]

Hey ☝️You've won a prize 🎉

[@michaelaugust3626]

Here's my opinion from a 30 year front of House guy.........ALL guitarist want ALL THESE DYNAMICS while playing their amps. That's all fine and good for HOME!! When you have been playing live for YEARS you know that front of house guys roll off your low end and USUALLY do compression. and NO they don't tell you that! :P I know...HAHAHAHAHHA. What kemper gives you is a mic'd up in the studio... record ready tone.... LIVE. So you can hear yourself live and you don't disappear in the mix. Just my 2 cents.

[@leswadley6792]

I still use my kemper live 90% of the time! For what my band does it’s still fine! Hey, I wish I could load up one of my many tube half stacks, but my female lead singer would kill me lol!

[@classicaxe1]

I love my my Kemper Rhett even through I have my new Headrush full pedal-board ! Thank-you Rhett for all the killer videos !

[@_on_nicegram_DougHelvering]

Hey ☝️You've won a prize 🎉

[@richmorpurgo5554]

The Kemper FEELS better and sounds great!

[@camerongibson6797]

Hi from Glasgow,Scotland Rhett! I’m big fan of the channel & fellow guitarist :)

[@BetterCallJamie]

This isn’t Rheet it’s a scam, reported

[@Bimmer2047]

so i dont know how they work in a studio setting but ive used a midas legend 3000 for years live and i was always VERY impressed with the sound of the preamps in that console. and if you want colorful it hits that mark for sure!!

[@guitartoneSA]

Keeping in mind. You can edit the Kemper Stage using the APP on your phone wirelessly because it has built in WiFi. Not sure you can do that with any other unit...so it's a perfect touch screen UI.

[@treabailey]

I've said for a while that with the Iridium, ACS1, and now the UAD pedals that modelers are going to become more and more like amps from different companies where we don't judge them based on how "real" they sound but rather your subjective tastes. We're not *quite* there, but we'll get there. I think in the same way that people debate whether a 60s this or a 70s that with whatever speakers and tubes sounds superior to something else, we'll do that with modelers... We'll all just await an 80yo Josh Scott doing a video on how great a Strymon Iridium can sound and how you buy one for $20 on Reverb...

[@crossover8634]

I found your comment about the kemper sounding like it has compression on all profiles no matter what. I never really noticed it with ear buds but I definitely do though the PA. I love my Kemper but that compression is certainly a downfall for me. Would be great to see Kemper fix that somehow but I doubt that will happen.

[@timfletchermusic]

Still loving my helix!

[@Robert_Charles]

Rhett, please do more studio stuff. i would love to see updates on the Home studio. Maybe an inside look at your work flow. I loved the Tiny song that you did with Phil Conrad( my Favorite bassist on KZbin Currently). More of that please. Thank you.

[@realtruenorth]

Im the guy that wanted to like Fractal stuff better because its an American product, but i ended up on team Kemper (somewhat reluctantly) because it just sounded more like real amps to me when i loaded professional profiles that were done in a studio. Also. Its almost like plug and play, i just started playing and did very little editing. It was like my hands were glued to the neck. Thats a good result.

[@jorgehuamanmusic]

I remember when Rhett used to say he wasn't really a Strat guy. I recently fell back in love with Strats too! 😅

[@blikketty77]

Oh man, that bit about the strat pickup sounding like a strat, but not sounding harsh or clinky or so bright it rips your face off, is so important. It's easy to make a neck pickup in a strat sound killer, but really nice tones from the bridge pickup, without re-EQing so that everything else sounds dull and dark when you switch to 2, 4 or neck? Not so common. The other thing I would say is, let a strat be a strat. It's one thing when you don't want that sound, but like the feel of a strat, but I've seen dudes with 10-50 guitars of all types, les pauls, superstrats, teles, and strats, take a great sounding strat across all pickups, and throw a humbucker or stacked humbucker in it, to make it sound like all their other guitars. Great sounding humbuckers are a dime a dozen, great sounding single coils in bridge position of Strats are magical and singular.

[@deanathan]

I think all modern modelers are pretty damn close at this point. I think, realistically- 1) if you’re recording; your guitar is going to be blended to fit the mix. So whatever minor frequencies only YOU can hear/feel - most likely no one else will. 2) If you’re playing live; no one in the crowd will be able to tell. No one is gonna be like “Oh man that kinda sounds like a plexi but it’s slightly off..” I think Rhett made a great point. What kind of workflow are u looking for? What kind of interface do u work better with? Best part - there aren’t any wrong answers. What a time to be a guitar player.

[@johnhuteson5627]

Oahu Hawaii here. I’m still using my old Rack Eleven. Would love to get his toys !!

[@marksc1929]

Great episode

[@Unknown-pl1eu]

I love my kemper, I play it weekly and it never let's me down.

[@huttone]

Perfect timing, looking at kemper versus fractal.

[@jonathanplank2029]

I love my Helix

[@9th_note]

never really was a fan of the Kemper interface much. it's a decent sounding amplifier though, if you're not sure about them, pick one up used. I'm still using the positive grid bias head and it's also old but interface is easy to use and it inspires me to pick up my instruments and play them... I think we still have a little way to go before modeling is going to sound as good as a real amplifier but they are all really close and I think for most people anyways good enough to inspire playing music... anytime I find myself going into tone junkie mode I also find myself plugged into tubes... if you're looking for a modeling solution that is perfect well it doesn't exist yet but in my humble opinion they all get close enough for most folks... I think going with the solution that allows you to play more and fiddle with buttons less is the one for you...

[@mikedr1549]

I've gotta say - those tones sound pretty damn good coming over the U Tubes!

[@Incacal71]

Who else keeps hearing Saigons Kick’s “Love is on The Way”?? 😜😎

[@jaydeluco4006]

It'll be interesting to see how IK's Amplitube Tonex software compares (being released tomorrow), combining amp sims/models with profiling at a fraction of the price.

[@ruggie.74]

Never in all of my days has modeling software on a PC/Mac sounded as good to me as a Kemper! Not sure why, but it has never even be close.

[@nikdrown]

Bought the TONEX. Messed with it for a week and couldn’t get it with my pedals to work how I know I get even with Amplitube. Got a Kemper and it’s on like donkey Kong. I regret taking that statement to the TONEX group on facebook because I got degraded and vilified for speaking any criticism of it when I have always maintained that the unit in itself wasn’t bad by no means but the cost reflects in comparison. I hoped it wouldn’t and should have just did Kemper a long time ago and especially before I wasted that $400 on the TONEX. I will either trade it or keep it for maybe a moment it will get its shine. As of right now it’s brand new and collected dust for almost the last year lol

btw. in the mean time there are liquid profiles giving you the tonestacks etc. to many amps and you can mix how you want deluxe rever with the eq section of a vox ac30 all possible now

[@SoundFriendly]

If Rammstein uses it for all their shows. Sure it is still valid for 2022. And yes, to get the best profiles, you need a loadbox with IRs like an Ox or a Two Notes Torpedo

[@sweethands4328]

Shout out from Denver by way of Dallas! 👍

[@craigwillms61]

A buddy of mine plays with a Kemper on stage, into the house PA. It sounds OK but kinda of gets buried in the mix. It just doesn't have the body or spank you get from a stage amp. I was never sold on the Kemper, and now the UA Dream65 is in my sights and has taken all my attention. I know it's apples and oranges, but I likes what I likes...

[@mikepodorski4272]

I love my Dream 65!

[@karterestill]

Just like any other amp, it all depends on how it's dialed in! My other guitarist and I both go FOH with ours and never have an issue

[@cornstar1253]

The issue I had is the guy running the board ran me in stereo out front in a 2 guitar band. The other guitarist and bass player were using micd amps. I was way out front in the mix. If they'd run mono it would have been perfect. A 1 guitar player scenario would be great running stereo to front of the venue

[@swampscott2670]

Honestly, if it gets lost in the mix he’s doing something wrong. Yes, it’s not like paying through a real amp next to you. But it is exactly (or better) like playing through a mic’s amp on a large stage. It may not sound or feel great to you on stage first when you’re used to loud club gigs - but I guarantee you that in most cases it sounds better to the audience.

[@bobbyodell8676]

Man the tech is there, now the possibilities are blowing up! I've had a kemp for two years and it just keeps getting better. Profiles are getting better!

[@netzarim1277]

Rhett “is the kemper worth it in 2022? No” Then strums a few chords. - this sounds great! -I profiles this in 2017 - if it sounds good…that’s what matters Goes to another profile and strums again…Rhett we can tell every bit more you play the kemper it sounds amazing! If Kemper comes up with a Version 2 what would they need to do to move the kemper to the top of your list.

[@jaycareaga9929]

The Classic albums series began in 1992 it first aired in the US on PBS.

[@jloiben12]

It is still good and still useful but there are other products that have been able to do most, if not all, of what the Kemper does well

[@JimmyJoeJames]

Hi Rhett, what is that nice Strat you are playing in this video?

[@suedeface]

So many times in the first 4 mins I thought you were about to play Saigon Kick's "Love Is On The Way"

[@_on_nicegram_DougHelvering]

Hey ☝️You've won a prize 🎉

[@indivisibleman]

I've bought two Kemper PowerHeads and sold two! Every once in awhile I get curious about them again but you can't own EVERYTHING! At the moment, we've got a bunch of tube amps and a Fractal AXE FX III . . . that G.A.S. is always out there though . . . stalking our bank accounts and credit card balances. :)

[@mainsblanches8793]

All over the stage and set-up of Snarky Puppy!!...must be good!!...

[@christianfilouler]

You say XFX first, QC and Helix second. Do you also see the FM9 in first place? thk

[@MrStropparo]

I’ve always wanted one but the price hasn’t dropped like I thought it would.

[@johnf.r6658]

How much is it?

[@RaptorV1USA]

Bingo... And.... LOTS of competition any more.. in that $1750- $2k price range.. it's not the new kid on the block...

[@GuitarJeff]

Watch for sales and things. I got mine for about $1200 plus i traded in a bunch of pedals I didn't need anymore with kemper. I mean compressor built in.Flanders, eq, tuners. With trade in and sale maybe $500.

[@GuitarJeff]

@@BeyondTigerMilk Read the whole thing. The comment was about the high price. Again I got mine on sale.for $1200. Then I also traded in pedals I had laying around. Total price around $500

[@enuxs]

I never found a FRFR solution which I really liked. Maybe I am too used to the amp in the room feeling and using tube amps and pedals for me is so much fun. I like the Axe-Fx III with a Matrix GT-1600FX with two Engl 2 x 12 Pro (Celestion Vintage 30). I will update and play my Kemper today - this video inspired me to do so. Thank you - very very interesting video. Greets from Germany 👍

[@kingjb99]

Try the Powered Kemper Kabinet

[@einaraarnes1378]

I don't care about all the VS videos and all that jazz. I bought the Kemper toster to have something that "looked" like a amp when i need to go the direct route. and i got a few nice bass amp profiles from STL and others. I'm happy with it. would like to have the QC and the fractal stuff too. But that's in a perfect world And i do like that i can just take a USB stick if there's a KPA at the venue and get my rig that way...

[@iamthejshep]

to my ears, the Kempers have a weird thing in the high end that makes them identifiable. it's a sort of sizzle that I don't find desirable in cleans/broken up tones, but is fairly unnoticeable the more gain comes into the picture.

[@Botamis]

Definitely true. I think Rhett had a video about it. Although once in a mix I'm not sure anyone could tell besides the guitarist

[@PMiller3425]

That sizzle is why I sold my kemper

[@xderpx6908]

I think there have been enough videos of kemper vs amp A and amp B to prove its pretty damn close. Enough to fool "most" ears But very cool if you able to tell the diff. I'm curious though,is there any other emulator you prefer or do you just get the actual amps you like?

[@iamthejshep]

@@xderpx6908 I'm use an HX Stomp on a pedalboard. kinda gives me the best of both. I use a regular helix floor for some gigs because the snapshots feature makes going between 2 very different sound quite easy. do I think it's the best sounding modeler? no. but, I think it is the best modeler as far as bang-for-buck goes and I've used it long enough to know how to make it sound good and feel alive. if I had it my way I'd have an AC30 and a JCM800 at every gig, but i can get close enough with the helix

[@PartyChicken407]

@@PMiller3425 - you sold it because of confirmation bias? Listen with your ears not your eyes.

[@SDisonYT]

It’s awesome, but I cannot justify the price. I never use profilers or modelers for overdrive or amps anyway, just modulation, so for that I’d rather go with something smaller and cheaper that fits on my board, such as a GT1000 core.

[@meer_kaaat]

I sold my kemper stage yesterday 😏 and i'll bulid a pedal board for the first time!

[@louaguado995]

Doesn't the Kemper have a built-in amp? I believe it connects directly to a speaker. Where as a Quad Cortex needs to go into an amp, then to a speaker. You can create a hybrid system of a digital modeling pedal into the effects return of a tube amp. I've done that for years with great results.

[@donmilland7606]

This reminds me of an Eleven Rack in terms of functionality except It does not provide direct amp modeling. But, Tt-ere is no reason for me to "take an amp picture." The Eleven Rack is overlooked these days. Also, I would be hesitant to take a modeling amp on the road without having 2 backups.

[@cmartinrel]

Willing to share your marshall kemper profiles in this vid? Sound great!

[@VaughnRipley]

Great video, Rhett! Thanks for the info! I recommend doing a (way) trimmed down five minute version for those of us with ADHD/ADD that sums this stuff up.

[@Joe-mz6dc]

As one of the older guitar players around LOL I will say this. Although there is clearly a quality difference between various pieces of gear, I would rather listen to a very well practiced and skilled guitar player on crappy equipment than a hack or even average guitar player on extremely good equipment. Always keep that in mind. You can use whatever gear you want... but if you're not practicing and working your craft then you're wasting your time and your playing won't fool anyone.

[@Violaodabossa]

Hi Rhett, no picture!

[@Marine_Ret]

Sounds awesome

[@MarkPritchardGuitar]

I bought a Kemper 2 months ago, came from the Axe-Fx III, i find it quicker to get a good sound with the kemper and I also think it does the mid gain thing better than the Axe-Fx.

[@palidiciovermingagurainia1760]

love yr strat

[@marcofioravanti4176]

Maybe the "personalisation", people playing their own profiles has tied them to this thing. And the saying goes: "Never change a running system!" Which is especially relevant for live situations, where you just can´t go back ..

[@unclefish]

If you have the option to record your own amp/gear in a studio environment that allows you to play your amps loud, then there is nothing that can beat the KPA. Nothing. But the KPA stands or falls with the quality of the profiles and creating your own, good quality profiles is not easy.

[@StringWh1z]

Dude… Rhett’s “viby” playing (as he calls it) is so out of this world. 35:40 is a great example! Dude I was INSTANTLY in another world. Just had to say 😅

[@nickforcillo]

OK… So I have an FM3.. and FC12.. i’ve had it for almost a year now… I’m using one of those mission engineering Gemini 2 cabs… I’ve been a tube amp guy my whole life… I really like this thing… It does everything I want it to do… but being a user of this thing I have to say Rhett is right… Trying to edit anything just using the user interface on the unit is almost impossible… Very tough at best… And I’m not even talking about being at a gig😬.. so yes, you’ve got to have some kind of a computer to edit the thing, and might I say, when you do have the edit software going and you’re tweaking… You can go in and really tweak these amps as if you were in a shop working on the amp itself… But he’s right about the editing software versus user interface on the unit… This being said… This is the most versatile set up I’ve ever had in my life… Couldn’t be happier