Kemper Player vs ToneX

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Should you buy a Kemper Player or a ToneX? Both very popular platforms with their own sets of features. Let's talk about it....
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[@lowercase3635]

Man. There’s a lot of geartubers reviewing the kemper player without actually having the damn thing yet.

[@FastRedPonyCar]

Every KZbin gear channel conveniently overlooking the Fractal FM3 which is only a couple hundred more than this new Kemper, has significantly better IO/routing options, MIDI, a screen, easily able to add the 6 or 12 button controller if you need that, etc. Hell even the HX stomp has a screen, midi and better routing options than the Kemper. Who asked for this? I have no idea who this is for other than people who have already spent a lot of money or time on Kemper profiles to which I would say they aren’t looking at this anyways. What Kemper should have done is just cut the Kemper stage in half, keep the screen, gave us 2 main outs and a loop, whatever on capturing profiles and MIDI and put a $999 price tag on it. It would have buried the helix units, given the guys thinking about the FM3 another option and certainly a better option vs the fractal FM9 if space was a requirement or not needing tons of switches and it would have also given the guys who don’t want the full size Kemper stage unit a more compact but not stripped down option. They could’ve done that, but they didn’t and I’m really not sure how this unit is going to do for them. I suspect we’ll hear the typical KZbin gear review noise for a few weeks and then everyone will just go back to using their helix, fractal or full-sized Kemper units.

[@vicjames2743]

I was hoping for an A/B comparison

[@guitartoneSA]

You can make all the digital boxes sound the same. All these A/B comparisons you see on KZbin are Profiles/Captures that haven't been tweaked...once you tweak them they'll pretty much sound the same.

[@jasonnaranjo4622]

very good explanation and attention to details, for me Kemper player is my option over Tonex; first more than 10 years of pro modeling! Second Kemper has incredible support on all their products, I say this because I own a Gigboard and I love it, but with the release of Prime and Core, I feel that HR will give priority to these units. Second, ToneX does not work alone, you need other pedals for its correct use, both at home and much more on stage, Tonex sounds great but for me it comes very short, in both units I do not understand why not include an effects loop.. .if QC releases a small version of its modeler it would be interesting! thanks for the information, good job

[@MrMarcburger]

not sure why people miss an FX loop. it does not contain a poweramp? so you stick your wet fx between Tonex and poweramp? or am I the one who doesn't understand what an FX loop is?

[@KenithCopeland]

the back catalogue of kemper profiles thats now available to a lot more people is what will sell the product. yeah toneX is good and well priced, but its just amps and there isnt the amount of "amps" available (even though nearly everyone would be alright with 4 amps since thats really all there is)

[@davidjoel111]

I would buy this unit just to play all my TJ profiles again 🤣

[@wesleyfletcher7654]

That’s the reason I’m getting one

[@sixstringoverdrive6837]

For me it’s not enough to stand alone and it’s too much for a pedalboard. Turning things on and off is a bit of a hassle, no display, no stereo Xlr out, no kemper drive, no effects loop…At the same time, extra effects and 50 slots for rigs is great but you can’t tell what’s what without the phone or tablet app. For me the Stage is still a way better option.

[@dannyrod3954]

Kemper is always #1

[@vedder10]

The ToneX is an absolute incredible value. Price, quality, ease of use, form factor, and sound make this a no brainer for people who just want a wealth of choices and don't want to spend a ton of money or spend a day learning a UI like the more expensive units. Other units maybe prettier but for the practical HOME musician this just makes sense.

[@safedangerband]

Do you actually own a ToneX? I’m asking bc trying to learn the ToneX’s UI…..is something else lol and I am a Fractal guy so I’m very used to tough UI learning curves. I sold my ToneX bc of that.

[@1717jaydog]

@@safedangerband I agree

[@vedder10]

@@safedangerband Not sure why my other reply was removed but I think that speaks volumes. I do own the ToneX and it was meant to be used with the Desktop apps bundled with it. ToneX and Amplitude software is pretty easy to install and use and you get a TON of amps and sounds to play with for FREE from the cloud. I just think at the price, under $400, and with all the features (display on the actual unit) it's a no brainer.

[@music.corner]

Sold my tonex since there is a switching lag, which makes having 3 switches on the unit useless. I hope the kemper p.player doesn't have the same problem.

[@mynameismudd1518]

@@safedangerbandI own the Tonex pedal and I love it. I’ve used every other unit and the Tonex just has everything I want. I use my effects after the Tonex and it sounds incredible.

[@lmangeon]

what a shame Kemper didn’t send these guys a Player unit this is simply the best Kemper channel on youtube

[@redneckrosey8221]

I use the Tonex for gigging, Kemper in the studio.

[@Respecttheriff]

Yes, HW 5:30 you could step 10 years backwards and use the Player. But, that just seems a little silly. My take is, this unit is not for the current Kemper user who has built their performances up and their sound revolves around such. The Player is fine, if you only need a handful of select effects (well 2 post amp) and don't mind no stereo, no loop and no screen. It's still too little too late from Kemper. By this stage in Kemper's game they should be giving us Stomp sized, touch screen units with reliable software. IDK why...There is no doubt Kemper has a great sounding platform, but the Player is a bandaid on a bigger need.

[@Krystof.Veritae]

IMHO this should be $400-$500 amps only Player rather then striped version of KEMPER ( No profiling/no loop/limited effects / No Morphing mentioned in manual) .....so if this suports Liquid function then lets make Amp only with Liquid and price it correctly let ppl use their own effects instead selling for higher price something already limmited ....IMHO of course.

[@veciroker]

I have tonex and i'm very happy with it. Always wanted Kemper but it was too expensive for me. Player is at reasonable price, and if there is not tonex I would probably go with it but now i don't need it. I had helix and wasn't totally satisfied with sounds so if compare Player and HX Stomp i think Player is clear winner.

[@Brutuscomedy]

Kemper sounds better

[@allanbilka6184]

I'd love to see a vid on tonex vs kemper player for recording purposes, and also using a these units with a recording monitor system only for playback/practice. And if you wanted to go stereo for these purposes, would that lead you to the HX stomp?

[@BillySoundFarm]

I feel like you're going to have to make the versus hx stomp video... Maybe for no other reason than that I just can't imagine why you would want to use this camper player instead of a stomp. It looks like it's designed to be competing with the stomp but it just doesn't do anywhere near as much as what the stomp can do. Could you enlighten us please?

[@kempman9811]

The thing is, no unit in this ballpark sounds as good as the Kemper but the player is way too expensive. No additional unit for kemperplayers. For 700€ you can’t use your profiles with more than 2and2 fx, no display, you can’t use your performances and there are much more things to miss for the price. No morphing, not all the new fx an and and. For me, as a kemper player it would be interesting to use my remote with it, but you can’t. Crap for me, sorry to say that…..

[@rafyolmeda]

Little Kempito has a Biggie Pricito of $700??? NOT! as any of us who owns a kemper it doesnt need to be sold on it... We know its a great unit. However for Kemper to come out with this small unit with limitations that Price cant be justified. It is a totally go with the FM3... I love my kemper but the price it just doesnt work for me.. I can see my self getting one used for $500... I will wait..

[@TheChicagoTodd]

Such a small thing that irks me....ToneX has no tuner.....I know...dumb thing....but for some reason that bothers me....

[@uffe.damgaard.pedersen]

I thought this video would be a comparison of the two products :/

[@bluzzjazz]

Hmm…..a Tone channel without any Tone samples about the subject matter, seems an odd thing to do.

[@adelloid]

A little less conversation, a little more playing...

[@GStunna6]

Right 😂

[@ReVamp_Band]

Mannn some people know the tones and just wanna hear the opinions, ask for a tone comparison video

[@slickcross]

I have a Kemper Stage....but this Player is a huge fail. Kemper got in too late. The Player doesn't know what it wants to be. You don't have all 8 effects blocks like you do with the other kempers, you can't capture, you don't have true stereo ins and outs, no expression input, no screen, you have to use an app for deep dive edits, no effects loops, no standard midi ports..... All other options are better than this (Stomp, ToneX,)

[@toledojavier3619]

Oh but it has a usb port to charge stuff like it's 2015

[@MrMarcburger]

came here to hear Tonex. heard two guys talk too much.

[@MatuskaMachine]

I think a Player and a H90 would be a super powerful little board.

[@LajosUti]

fx loop seriously? :) Just relax and think it over, what is the point, these things are playing captured profiles...

[@henrybroadbent691]

Kemper stage takes up a lot of luggage space when travelling around Europe on airlines that have restrictive luggage allowance eg Ryanair, Easy Jet etc...the Player is a game changer on size and functionality. I have a Tonex but get frustrated because additional effects pedals needed to get the right tone. The Player has it all!!!! Thankyou Christoff for hearing the cries of European musicians!!!

[@jlindsay0709]

I think it’s the two schools of thought, that was talked about here. People that like having multiple pedals and people that like all in one systems. For me personally I just want an amp and cab. All my drives, mods, and time effects are much better as a la carte pedals. Also having everything in one thing bothers me. You don’t have instant control and through digging menus. So to me the Kemper player is far too expensive for what it is and does. Doesn’t even have a LCD screen. So here comes the labeling tape. Also Kemper missed the pricing on this. For starters it’s priced weird. Should have been a flat 500-600. I just think Kemper missed the boat on this. Although I do think Kemper will sell quite a few of these. I am different animal though because I go from my ToneX into a Push 3 Standalone and I like having dedicated pedals.

[@tsachou]

YOU GUYS REALLY GONNA SPEND A WHILE DEFENDING THIS PRODUCT ! I know HW says he purchased two , but I know you know this thing is stupid the way they design it . even to use midi with this thing is complex man stop the bs . btw I did purchase one , and the more I see you guys talking about the unit I'm feeling stupid as I am using the tone and the stomp already .

[@williamrichardson7480]

10:40 It’s true that the eq section on the tonex is simple, though simple doesn’t mean ineffective, in addition it leaves room for one to purchase more gear without feeling like it will be a redundancy in regards to capabilities of what’s there. I probably use three maybe four different amps on the tonex and I feel 100 percent satisfied. And more shall be revealed when one begins to feel adventurous. IK was very smart in their approach. Human nature considered and catered to.

[@svenandresen6494]

Tone x + effects = St Rock Amperium live + you can make Profiles. Kemper Player with no stereo Xlr out and no effects loop is way to expansive

[@vonbleak101]

The question i have is if i put some pedals after the tonex will it still be line level out of the last pedal so i can still go direct?...

[@jounituunanen]

I have Kemper Player. And I’m super happy with it. You can make practically every metal genre sound you can imagine!

[@msturner79]

I wish the tonex had an iec connection and an xlr out. Then I would only use that.

[@nickg476]

My initial impulse was to buy it and finally rack up its big brother in the studio. But I do already have the tonex paired with the stomp on a board. Sometimes I take the Kemper out for gigs and sometimes it’s the pedalboard. The problem is trying to recreate on the pedalboard what I’ve already created on the Kemper. You can get close, but never exactly the same. I fear i would have the same problem with the Player, as i would still need a few extra effects. Do I want it? Yes, but I’ll probably wait for a good deal on reverb.

[@DexterDexter123]

can i put my amps with all the FX i have on them tweaked to perfection on it? if not then it’s a hard no.

[@vaughanmacegan4012]

I really feel like Kemper missed the boat on this. If you have FX sorted and you need an amp solution you would go ToneX, its been proven that the profiles on ToneX are closer to the original amp than a Kemper, no bias whatsoever, it's just a fact. It doesn't have liquid profiling but if you don't want/need that than it a no brainer buy a ToneX. You would in all likelihood be able to use your FX if the standard profile isn't 'liquidy' enough. If you are looking at an all-in-one then I'm sorry the Player just doesn't have enough slots - so, you need to look further afield and spend more money - its a pity but a *maximum* of four split in pre/post, nope can't do it. Even a HX Stomp gives you five if you use it as an amp solution.

[@rcknrllmn4126]

I agree with sooze. If I were to get one or the other , I would go with the Tonex. I wish Kemper would have made a more stripped down version without the effect slots at a more reasonable price. I'm sticking with my stage for now.

[@drumbyte]

Love the video and interaction! Just 2 guys who know their shit telling it like it is in their honest opinion!

[@thesoozeTJ]

Glad you enjoyed it 👏

[@guitartoneSA]

For me on the Player, upfront, Compressor and Pure Boost, behind Delay & Reverb...done.

[@thesoozeTJ]

Which pedals?

[@caevizcarra]

Tonex all the way!

[@TheFrozenDesert]

Tonex + Hotone Stomp II (or any multi-effects that also does IRs) covers all the bases and offers extreme flexibility. The price for both is near to Kemper Player. I just don't see the advantage the Kemper Player offers. Your mileage may vary.

[@vinny2280]

When is this shit dropping I haven’t afforded an opportunity to get a kemper but now I’m excited! It seems we aren’t exactly sure of it’s capabilities.

[@lavadoraautomatica1]

I don’t think is better than other necessarily because they both don’t have stereo DI or FX loop. Which is what people really are looking for. For me the stuff that people complained about is not a big deal tbh, I’d rather use my quality separate stereo DIs and my Tonex is in an fx loop of my multi effects. So just get what makes you happy.

[@chrisfit]

Can you expand on the tilted comparison to the HX Stomp? Are the sounds that much better? Thanks!

[@insomniakidmonkey]

For real. Drives me nuts to see the disrespect for the HX Stomp when I’ve seen a lot of people jump ship from Kemper to it. I get that the feel may be a thing, but the Stomp actually allows you to alter the feel in many forms that works for anyone. I get that Line 6 is milking their line in different form factors, but I think they’re doing a much better job at it (listening to what people want), where Kemper at this point felt obligated to get something out there, releasing something that people asked for way back when. The other great thing about Stomp too, is how there are so many ways to work beyond the 8 block minimum.

[@Berk-tm5zx]

Is there a difference in sustain between the two and with the same amp modeling?

[@metalmover]

In a way…put enough effects in it and it’s a H90 killer as well…based on what you get for price. How long before they do something a little bigger with a screen like an xl? I’d use it for amp cab and effects and if I was using my tube amp, I’d still use it for effects. That’s where pedals are going in the next wave….combos.

[@HReadDavis]

“End of chain” solution is a helpful way to think about the Kemper here 🤔

[@Brutuscomedy]

The Tech 21 Boost RVB is a great sounding analog reverb pedal.

[@mikegroop7509]

Potential signal chain of Kemper Player: input settings including Transpose and noise gate, slot A overdrive, slot B mod effect, in amp section opt to use a higher setting of the compressor in the amp block instead using a compressor in the A or B slot. Then delay and reverb in the post amp slots. Manual says it has the same smooth transition and spillover between rigs, so just use the left and right footswitches to switch Rigs a lot and tap tempo/tuner in the middle.

[@martinmcvitty]

Will the power boost for Power Kabinet overload your outboard wet effects?

[@strocksociety]

You can use Kemper Player in stereo. Use TRS outputs for monitors to FOH or whatever and XLR for on stage monitor.

[@eyberbarrios4992]

🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪🇻🇪

[@danielrunyon8918]

ToneX and an hx effects solves a lot of the comparison

[@ironblast5]

I got both for under $500 thats pretty tough to compete with plus I think tone x sounds more accurate

[@martinmies80]

I got the Tonex two weeks ago. It is fantastic sounding with the right profiles. Perfect match with the HX Effects. I would need an effects unit with the Kemper Player, so for the price tag I would go for Kemper Stage to get the whole features in one package. If you don't need more, then the Player is great. For me, sorry Kemper... the Tonex is a keeper. And I get a cool Software to use it in the DAW.

[@donkeevney]

I would kill for that strat.

[@thesoozeTJ]

It’s a 10/10

[@MrAcollett]

I don’t believe morph is available for the player.

[@mixomaxo79]

Lehle Parallel on the board and use both units ? Monster board ;-)

[@jeffallen3382]

Video keeps locking up.

[@erikhartley2494]

Biggest problem with the Player is that it’s only mono out making the onboard fx mono only. The monitor out isn’t meant for live play, only recording.

[@guitartoneSA]

The Player L/R Monitor Outs are Balanced TRS Stereo.

[@geovani1594]

Tone x loop fractal ax8. Fantastic.

[@simonrussell77]

ToneX uses a sine sweep to obtain the frequency reponse, where Kemper still only just uses pink (or white) noise, which ALWAYS creates ripple in the final result. So ToneX is technically more accurate. I have both and defiitely ToneX can emulate different distortion characteristics more like whatever the original is, over Kemper which if you listen closely, there is a similar DNA or sound in all profiles. This is why ToneX gets the edge for me. With both units you get 100% better results if you just capture the amp alone and capture the speaker IR independetly, using a colour-less power amp directly from a computer sound card. Sounds complicated, it is sort of, but worth it. You want to see the ripple Kemper creates? do a direct in/out profile capture on a clean setting then use an analyser (like Plugin Doctor using hardware running in and out of the Kemper) to see the resulting profile.. Ripple city.

[@gibson2623]

They are different things. But they have the same big big mistake: no FX loop. That s a no no. I didn t buy a ToneX because of this neither will get this. I don t understand what these people are thinking.

[@moonsama395]

Why would you need an fx loop? You can just put delay for instance after the toneX no?

[@gibson2623]

@@moonsama395No. I m not gonna put a delay on a line out. It works on intrument level

[@MrCgar18]

i use a tonex with a helix effects and it works well

[@HeavyReverb]

Just looked at selling my Kemper rack and it’s pretty much gonna fetch as much as a Player new. Am I just missing out on the DSP for the effects? I pretty much never use the Kemper effects.

[@kierenmoore3236]

All talking. No sounds.

[@luisrobles5743]

The introduction of the profiler player form factor was something I eagerly anticipated ever since I first acquired my Kemper head and remote several years back (which I still adore and have relied on exclusively for years). I had hoped for a Kemper stage unit that was smaller, akin to the Tone X or the HX Stomp form factors. However, I'm not particularly fond of the direction they've taken by omitting a screen and opting for the bank colors concept. Personally, I prefer not having to constantly recall which bank color corresponds to which rig. As far as I comprehend (though not entirely certain), it seems to lack a performance mode and morphing capabilities. As someone deeply accustomed to the morphing and Performance mode features as a long-time Kemper Profiler user, this unit doesn't align with what I seek. I envisioned, as a profiler player, the ability to effortlessly select any of my Profiler rigs, regardless of the number of effects, copy it over to the player and go. Should this unit be designed for pedalboard use, lowering the price to compete with the Tone X and naming it the Kemper Profile Player might better encapsulate its purpose. Furthermore, if limited to only 4 effects, they should be freely assignable anywhere in the signal chain, unlike the fixed positions in the Kemper Profiler - incidentally, my primary gripe about the Profiler. This flexibility alone could potentially sway me to reconsider a purchase. I suppose I'll continue to await the potential release of the Kemper Player MKII. Just my two cents.

[@stevenpetorne1073]

I heard you can only put 2 effects in the front and 2 in the effects loop....that's super limited!!!

[@luisrobles5743]

I agree. The fixed allocation of effects is a feature I find limiting in Kemper units. It appears that Kemper may have overlooked conducting sufficient market research before dedicating time and resources to this particular unit. My anticipation was for something groundbreaking, reminiscent of the innovative impact the original Kemper had upon its release.

[@joejohnson8966]

14:20 same

[@HenryCantarero-l7s]

This guy sounds liek he works for kemper his opinion doesnt count at this point

[@danielbrewer878]

I used to have a Kemper stage. I sold it because I wanted to run stereo. Now I use 2 Tonex pedals with 2 H90s for effects, and some drive pedals. If this player had been amp only at a lower price point, I might have purchased it. If it’s going to have fx, I would expect 8 blocks and morphing. I don’t understand the negativity about the stomp. I’ve owned it as well. When you factor in that a stomp can run stereo amps while taking up one spot, and that the recent updates have dramatically improved the amp sounds, I think it could be a better option. I’d love to be able to use the thousands of Kemper profiles that I own with a player, putting it on a nano board, maybe, but at that price point, I’ll wait until a used market develops.

[@rogerdat7807]

Less talk, more guitar.

[@iloveitall]

How awful is that to call a video "something vs something" when you don't even have both units? I can read specs myself and I can speculate myself. Really p**** me off.

[@andyholley6127]

My attraction to this is unit is solely as a back up to my Kemper Stage should an issue arise live. No it’s not as feature filled as the stage but neither is anything else out there that I’ve tried or considered as a backup unit in my bag. Not interested in building a board with a Friedman IRx and UAD OX STOMP, etc. or toneX again on a board with pedals due to size and complexity. The player is going to be as close as anything else out there to my current live tone in a pinch in case of emergency. It’s cheaper and more convenient than having an extra Kemper Stage, it’s the same platform rather than adopting something like helix stomp. And it’s got some nice features that would come in handy for compact travel with headphones with the mp3 thing, to use for desktop recording etc. I don’t understand all the hate

[@truthfactreality6814]

What needs to come out is a quad cortex with just amps and post effects. All the switching and capture capability. But here’s the twist. A built in load box. Usb c. 9v. Midi Trs. Effects loop. All in the size of a say tone x. £500. This would slay.

[@yikelu]

I have same mindset as HW as far as one-touch preset switching for bread and butter sounds. It's very hard to beat Helix snapshots for that. That's actually one annoying thing about ToneX, that there is no "bank preset A B C" MIDI control, it's only program changes. What if I want to select my bank independently and only switch between presets A/B/C? Right now, if I were to use e.g. HX snapshot switching with a ToneX, I'd have to setup a separate HX preset *per bank*. Personally, despite this, I'm more inclined to buy ToneX, as profiling my pedals is a very attractive idea, and the software allows for it.

[@dixonstudios]

You don't have one, and you've never used one. This video is just a display of how ignorant pure speculation can make a person look.

[@jamesbennettmusic2154]

It’s a Kemper stage with less features / routing. It’s nothing new sonically - sounds are the same and it’s just missing a few effects / routing options.

[@MrMishagui]

Tonex is essentially a brick in the used market, the software is NOT transferable.

[@David-ry9ly]

That's not true. "There is a button that says “Unregister”, you click it and your TONEX Pedal and TONEX Max and Amplitube 5 software are unregistered from your account and an email is sent to you with the registration codes for all three. Give these to the buyer and they are good to go."

[@kevinlong4657]

I think this was true at launch, but has since been rectified. I bought a seconhand tonex for $300 recently and the software was transferred to me without issue.

[@andyzpam5441]

​@@kevinlong4657 same here I pay $279 with all the software complete Amazon

[@andyzpam5441]

I pay $279 with all the software complete with 10 installations on each Amazon, you just need only give the code under the tonex and done they give you a new activation code for all included software , like if you get new, the brick is in your head

[@tacdoc8736]

This is a tremendous amount of time and energy dedicated to a less capable, more expensive, device, compared to established competition that beat them to market. I get that Kemper sent this out for free, and that profiles are one of your niches, but there's no objective analysis of this that suggests this isn't behind the times, doesn't have the I/O that people would need and want, or that it's a good value.

[@Caitorine]

So don’t buy it

[@ToneJunkieTV]

They didn't send me one...or I'd have it in the video. I bought two t full price and am hoping they show up soon.

[@thomaskihr329]

@tacdoc: I would like to know what alternatives could you offer, because you said "...less capable, more expensive...compared to established devices on the market". Really would love to hear your advice, cause there are a lot of units out there. Many thanks!