#1 · Jan 22, 2012 17:40 UTC
I know you bought one and bring in the clips! :D
#2 · Jan 22, 2012 19:43 UTC
Hey! You're not supposed to spill his secrets! ;)
#3 · Jan 22, 2012 20:59 UTC
Zonta — Jan 22, 2012I know you bought one and bring in the clips! :D
Damn, the cats out of the bag ;D
I will post some clips this week. First impressions "it's very good actually". It does feel like you are playing an amp, until of course you go back and play your real amp and then you do notice a difference, no matter what Lance says :) My favourite way of profiling is to profile the sound of the amp direct through THD Hotplate line-out and then add one of another profiles cab to it. This gives very good results. The raw amp sound is indistinguishable from the Kemper cloned sound, quite remarkable really. My main criticism of the profiles that ship with the unit is that they all sound like they have a blanket thrown over the cab, but fortunately there are some guys on the kemper forum who have created some profiles of their amps where the cabinet is very good, so it is easy to substitute their cabinet for yours etc. As ever with this type of gear there are a couple of users on the Kemper forum who have made this their religion and they won't hear a word of criticism against it. That mentality really pisses me off as I look at this objectively, either it sounds good or it doesn't....I won't make excuses for it.
So, I will post some clips in a day or so once I have restrung the guitar (still using 2 months old strings at the moment and they sound like shit)
On a final note (C#), I've been so busy lately that I have not played guitar since October and it has taken me the last few days to build up the pads on my fingers again as everything had gone soft !
#4 · Jan 23, 2012 00:31 UTC
I listened the "JonG_kemper_1st_test_out_of_the_box" clip that was post on TGP and I liked it. The link is down atm tho.
BTW, if you plan to sell it, please let me know. :)
BTW, if you plan to sell it, please let me know. :)
#5 · Jan 23, 2012 07:30 UTC
Zonta — Jan 23, 2012I listened the "JonG_kemper_1st_test_out_of_the_box" clip that was post on TGP and I liked it. The link is down atm tho.
BTW, if you plan to sell it, please let me know. :)
;D No, this is a keeper. One thing that is really good about it is that I can use it as a speaker sim which works really well. Real amp into THD hotplate, line out from hotplate into Kemper and switch off the kemper amp and use just the cab.
I took down the mp3's as I was doing some reorganisation on my server and deleted the folder they were in, new clips in a day or so.
#6 · Jan 23, 2012 10:10 UTC
Wow Jon, congrats for the new toy ! :)
+1 for the clips !!
@ Zonta: Take tour time...it will be available in 15-20 days ! ;D ;D
Ciao!
Marco
+1 for the clips !!
@ Zonta: Take tour time...it will be available in 15-20 days ! ;D ;D
Ciao!
Marco
#7 · Jan 23, 2012 10:39 UTC
I'll just keep quite. :-X
#8 · Jan 23, 2012 12:22 UTC
Lwb — Jan 23, 2012@ Zonta: Take tour time...it will be available in 15-20 days ! ;D ;D
LMAO!! ;)
Congrats on the new piece, Jon.
#9 · Jan 23, 2012 14:50 UTC
Lwb — Jan 23, 2012Wow Jon, congrats for the new toy ! :)
+1 for the clips !!
@ Zonta: Take tour time...it will be available in 15-20 days ! ;D ;D
Ciao!
Marco
#10 · Jan 23, 2012 17:06 UTC
by the way, I still think this thing is fucking ugly.... My son says it looks like a piece of ships navigation equipment ;D
#11 · Jan 23, 2012 18:11 UTC
Yep. Sell it.
#12 · Jan 23, 2012 19:33 UTC
Zonta — Jan 23, 2012Yep. Sell it.
OK, it's yours for $3,000 ;D
#13 · Jan 23, 2012 19:43 UTC
it has taken me the last few days to build up again - everything had gone soft !
Sorry to hear that Jon - it's your age mate....but this might help...
Rich ;D ;D
#14 · Jan 23, 2012 19:45 UTC
No problem down there Rich, nearly took my eye out this morning ;D
#15 · Jan 23, 2012 19:47 UTC
nearly took my eye out this morning
Wot - You've got a glass eye as well?? :o
And what were you doing with your head between your legs anyway?! ;D
#16 · Jan 23, 2012 20:33 UTC
voxman — Jan 23, 2012nearly took my eye out this morning
Wot - You've got a glass eye as well?? :o
And what were you doing with your head between your legs anyway?! ;D
I just woke up with morning glory and it tapped me on the forehead....damn thing is like a third leg ;D
#17 · Jan 23, 2012 20:58 UTC
Jon — Jan 23, 2012by the way, I still think this thing is fucking ugly.... My son says it looks like a piece of ships navigation equipment ;D
I think I remember a video of your son playing a Tele...correct...excellent?
lol, he's a better guitarist than you, ask him to post some Kemper clips. ;)
#18 · Jan 23, 2012 23:40 UTC
Lance — Jan 23, 2012
I think I remember a video of your son playing a Tele...correct...excellent?
lol, he's a better guitarist than you, ask him to post some Kemper clips. ;)
Ouch...harsh but fair though I think Lance! ;D
#19 · Jan 24, 2012 00:21 UTC
TWATS ;D
#20 · Jan 24, 2012 16:43 UTC
Let's not forget what normally happens when a new "modeller" is released, remember the Pod XT days, or first Axe-FX days?
You see a few dozen threads about the, "fizz".
Then a few dozen threads about how to tame the fizz, stop the fizz, cure the fizz, remove the fizz, hide the fizz, EQ out the fizz, etc, etc.
Then we wait months hoping that every firmware upgrade will get rid of the fizz, but they never do.
The Kemper, out the box, has no fizz, the distortion is real.
I don't know how Mr Kemper achieved that, but he did.
Some people are calling it an "engineering hammerblow" to the opposition. 8-)
You see a few dozen threads about the, "fizz".
Then a few dozen threads about how to tame the fizz, stop the fizz, cure the fizz, remove the fizz, hide the fizz, EQ out the fizz, etc, etc.
Then we wait months hoping that every firmware upgrade will get rid of the fizz, but they never do.
The Kemper, out the box, has no fizz, the distortion is real.
I don't know how Mr Kemper achieved that, but he did.
Some people are calling it an "engineering hammerblow" to the opposition. 8-)
#21 · Jan 24, 2012 18:38 UTC
Re fizz - sounds like the Fender Mustang III/IV/V amps. I had no probs with the MIII I had on approval, but theres over 60 pages on this over at the Fender forum!
#22 · Jan 24, 2012 19:30 UTC
BTW, I'm pretty excited to compare my latest "modeling" amp, a $200 Fender Super Champ XD, to this thing, at ~10x the price.
Oh and yeah, the Fender is actually a 15 watt tube *amp*. I am totally in love with the sound of it.
Oh and yeah, the Fender is actually a 15 watt tube *amp*. I am totally in love with the sound of it.
#23 · Jan 24, 2012 21:11 UTC
charger — Jan 24, 2012BTW, I'm pretty excited to compare my latest "modeling" amp, a $200 Fender Super Champ XD, to this thing, at ~10x the price.
Oh and yeah, the Fender is actually a 15 watt tube *amp*. I am totally in love with the sound of it.
If that Super Champ XD can do this, I'll buy one:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/13143797/Killswitch%20Engage%20Reamp%20with%20Kemper%20KPA%20EQ.mp3
#24 · Jan 24, 2012 22:00 UTC
Zonta — Jan 24, 2012[quote author=charger link=1327254016/0#21 date=1327433455]BTW, I'm pretty excited to compare my latest "modeling" amp, a $200 Fender Super Champ XD, to this thing, at ~10x the price.
Oh and yeah, the Fender is actually a 15 watt tube *amp*. I am totally in love with the sound of it.
If that Super Champ XD can do this, I'll buy one:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/13143797/Killswitch%20Engage%20Reamp%20with%20Kemper%20KPA%20EQ.mp3
It can't... but honestly I've never heard you do anything but mildly distorted bluesy stuff... it's godlike at cleans and warm breakup. And it's a tube amp, that costs $200...
#25 · Jan 25, 2012 01:40 UTC
charger — Jan 24, 2012 but honestly I've never heard you do anything but mildly distorted bluesy stuff...
Because that is all my Peavey Delta Blues can do! ;D
Well it is true that you can't go wrong with it for 200 bucks. I never thought they were that cheap.
#26 · Jan 25, 2012 06:18 UTC
listen to this Cornford Harlequin Profile, the guy made this Profile the day after getting his KPA.
Lives in an apartment, did this at night with the amp at low volume.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3645952/Harlequin%20v2.mp3
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3645952/Harlequin%20v2%20crazy%20test.mp3
Lives in an apartment, did this at night with the amp at low volume.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3645952/Harlequin%20v2.mp3
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3645952/Harlequin%20v2%20crazy%20test.mp3
#27 · Jan 25, 2012 08:10 UTC
This is the best hi gain profile ever I guess. It is better than the stock ones and totally enough for me.
I don't need any more realism and air and tubeness and depth and whatsoever. This does cut it all.
With those latest profiles, now I agree it is there Lance.
I don't need any more realism and air and tubeness and depth and whatsoever. This does cut it all.
With those latest profiles, now I agree it is there Lance.
#28 · Jan 25, 2012 10:06 UTC
Lance — Jan 25, 2012listen to this Cornford Harlequin Profile, the guy made this Profile the day after getting his KPA.
Lives in an apartment, did this at night with the amp at low volume.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3645952/Harlequin%20v2.mp3
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3645952/Harlequin%20v2%20crazy%20test.mp3
The amp at low volume? Don't you mean, silent? It's not really an amp... it's a preamp or DI, right?
#29 · Jan 25, 2012 10:17 UTC
Nope not right. It is a combo.
http://www.cornfordamps.com/harlequin.htm
http://www.cornfordamps.com/harlequin.htm
#30 · Jan 25, 2012 14:01 UTC
charger — Jan 25, 2012[quote author=Lance link=1327254016/25#25 date=1327472281]listen to this Cornford Harlequin Profile, the guy made this Profile the day after getting his KPA.
Lives in an apartment, did this at night with the amp at low volume.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3645952/Harlequin%20v2.mp3
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3645952/Harlequin%20v2%20crazy%20test.mp3
The amp at low volume? Don't you mean, silent? It's not really an amp... it's a preamp or DI, right?
By "did this" I mean he mic'd the amp/cab with an SM57, the amp volume was low enough for the neighbours not to complain whilst he made the Profile.
Actually.
IMO, it's more realistic to consider the Kemper an amp, not a modeller...when you hear it and play it you think, amp, not modeller.
I know that's hard to grasp, it doesn't make sense, an amp that doesn't have a poweramp? :-?
#31 · Jan 25, 2012 18:35 UTC
Lance — Jan 25, 2012
I know that's hard to grasp, it doesn't make sense, an amp that doesn't have a poweramp? :-?
It is using Dynamic Convolution technology that is why. Sintefex owns the patent of this technology. Focusrite uses the same technology in their Liquid Channel product and they buy licence from Sintefex.
Kemper however doesn't buy any licence from Sintefex because he invented his own. Just like Nebula VST plugin.
Dynamic Convolution Technology is actually beyond crazy yet Sintefex holding the patent, companies who want to use it have no chance but inventing their own unique patterns and that takes some genius programming.
Check out Nebula VST plugin. There is a free version of it as well with sort of limited equipment.
Actually Convolution is a different name for Impulse Response technology and most of us use IR VST plugins. Yet, the IR VST plugins we use are not dynamic of course. They are static.
The difference between dynamic and static convolution is like the difference between a keyboard that is velocity sensitive one that is not. :o
That is why KPA acts like a real amp. Yet, I don't claim it acts identical to the original amp that was profiled. But it must be real close.
#32 · Jan 25, 2012 20:03 UTC
Zonta — Jan 25, 2012Nope not right. It is a combo.
http://www.cornfordamps.com/harlequin.htm
Yeah, I know what a Harlequin is. I was talking about the Kemper.
#33 · Jan 25, 2012 20:04 UTC
Lance — Jan 25, 2012
Actually.
IMO, it's more realistic to consider the Kemper an amp, not a modeller...when you hear it and play it you think, amp, not modeller.
I know that's hard to grasp, it doesn't make sense, an amp that doesn't have a poweramp? :-?
Yeah, that's gonna be super hard to grasp when I plug into it in front of a drum set and hear nothing.
Dude. It's not an amp.
#34 · Jan 25, 2012 20:57 UTC
charger — Jan 25, 2012[quote author=Lance link=1327254016/25#29 date=1327500090]
Actually.
IMO, it's more realistic to consider the Kemper an amp, not a modeller...when you hear it and play it you think, amp, not modeller.
I know that's hard to grasp, it doesn't make sense, an amp that doesn't have a poweramp? :-?
Yeah, that's gonna be super hard to grasp when I plug into it in front of a drum set and hear nothing.
Dude. It's not an amp.
But a Roland Cube and a Line 6 Spider are considered amps even though they're crap modellers that have a built in poweramp.
Agreed, technically the KPA can't be classified as an amp, but plug a KPA into one of those EH44 Magnum poweramp pedals, drop it into the 'hole' in the back of the Kemper, plug it into a cab and the Kemper is now an amp.
If as promised Kemper builds the poweramp to slot into the 'hole', then the Kemper becomes an amp.
The KPA form factor allows you to carry it around like a little head...check the cool Namba bag.
#35 · Jan 25, 2012 22:07 UTC
To me, an amp amplifies volume... that's pretty much the definition... "amp" is short for amplifier, ya know.
And some of those little crappy modeling amps are pretty rad--I've done bass gigs with the Roland Cube bass amp, which is actually stellar... And I am loving my latest amp, the Fender Super Champ XD... which has a 15w tube power amp...
Yes, you can add a power amp. But then you start getting into how the amp colors the tone, what kind of power amp to buy, what kind of speaker to buy,etc. Isn't the KPA output pre-modeled with a cabinet? So--what kind of speaker do you add? We all know from experience that the Line6 modelers sound like crap when you run them through guitar speakers. Try to use this thing as a guitar amp in a band setting, and then we'll see what happens.
The Cornford Harlequin costs $1500 new--and includes a nice cabinet, speaker, and a 6w tube amp. Just sayin'.
And some of those little crappy modeling amps are pretty rad--I've done bass gigs with the Roland Cube bass amp, which is actually stellar... And I am loving my latest amp, the Fender Super Champ XD... which has a 15w tube power amp...
Yes, you can add a power amp. But then you start getting into how the amp colors the tone, what kind of power amp to buy, what kind of speaker to buy,etc. Isn't the KPA output pre-modeled with a cabinet? So--what kind of speaker do you add? We all know from experience that the Line6 modelers sound like crap when you run them through guitar speakers. Try to use this thing as a guitar amp in a band setting, and then we'll see what happens.
The Cornford Harlequin costs $1500 new--and includes a nice cabinet, speaker, and a 6w tube amp. Just sayin'.
#36 · Jan 25, 2012 22:46 UTC
Technically the Kemper is an amp because it takes an input signal and amplifies it. OK, it doesn't amplify it very much, but it does indeed amplify the input signal. Amplification is nothing to do with volume, it is the amplification of an electrical signal.
#37 · Jan 26, 2012 01:30 UTC
charger — Jan 25, 2012 Try to use this thing as a guitar amp in a band setting, and then we'll see what happens.
Axe FX and KPA are reported to work very well in that situation. With cabinet simulation off. They are not like L6 products.
axe or kpa (cab sim off) > power amp > speaker > mic > desk
#38 · Jan 26, 2012 06:16 UTC
charger — Jan 25, 2012 Isn't the KPA output pre-modeled with a cabinet? .
You can turn off the cab simulation.
Many have tried to figure out how Kemper created/invented a method of separating the mic'd cab sim from the amp Profile.
They say it's impossible, well, once you listen to the individual cabs on the Kemper you quickly realize whatever he did worked, VERY WELL.
With my Pods/Tonelab I remember browsing through the cab sims trying to find "the one".
It was a waste of time, they all sounded like the same cab with different EQ settings.
With the Kemper when you browse through the cabs you end up saving a bunch of different rigs/patches because each cab is so alive and 'different' that you have a bunch of favourites for each amp Profile.
Bullshit aside, the Kemper cabs have that "Air" feeling for real...when you change cabs you're really changing cabs, not EQs.
#39 · Jan 26, 2012 06:41 UTC
I can confirm that it does sound really very good when you turn off the kemper cabs and go into a power amp and then into a guitar cab....quite amazing actually. It's not like the POD where you have a very thin brittle sound when the cabs are off. The "cabs off" sound of the kemper is exactly the same as the sound that comes from a guitar amp before it hits the speaker, really quite incredible.
Once I get over my "cold" I will do some clips....feel like shit at the moment.
edit: One thing I particularly like is the ability to output sound from the kemper in the following manner all simultaneously
1) Kemper Cab "on" to PA (stereo outputs)
2) Kemper Cab "off" to power amp and real guitar cab (with it's own independent eq) (mono output)
3) Clean direct guitar output for later use (reamping etc).
All of that all at the same time, brilliant.
and one more thing, if you take a line out from a THD hotplate (or similar) from a real amp, then you can use just the cabs and effects in the kemper....and that works really well too . I was very sceptical at first, but it does deliver....with one exception, the amount of bugs that are in the software operating system. OK, they fix them every few days or so, but I do think it was released to market too soon, they should have sorted out the bugs first, some of which were/are quite major and support is unbelievably slow, and some of my questions just haven't been answered at all....not really the correct way to behave toward your customers.
Once I get over my "cold" I will do some clips....feel like shit at the moment.
edit: One thing I particularly like is the ability to output sound from the kemper in the following manner all simultaneously
1) Kemper Cab "on" to PA (stereo outputs)
2) Kemper Cab "off" to power amp and real guitar cab (with it's own independent eq) (mono output)
3) Clean direct guitar output for later use (reamping etc).
All of that all at the same time, brilliant.
and one more thing, if you take a line out from a THD hotplate (or similar) from a real amp, then you can use just the cabs and effects in the kemper....and that works really well too . I was very sceptical at first, but it does deliver....with one exception, the amount of bugs that are in the software operating system. OK, they fix them every few days or so, but I do think it was released to market too soon, they should have sorted out the bugs first, some of which were/are quite major and support is unbelievably slow, and some of my questions just haven't been answered at all....not really the correct way to behave toward your customers.
#40 · Jan 26, 2012 19:08 UTC
Lance — Jan 26, 2012[quote author=charger link=1327254016/25#34 date=1327529226] Isn't the KPA output pre-modeled with a cabinet? .
You can turn off the cab simulation.
Many have tried to figure out how Kemper created/invented a method of separating the mic'd cab sim from the amp Profile.
They say it's impossible, well, once you listen to the individual cabs on the Kemper you quickly realize whatever he did worked, VERY WELL.
With my Pods/Tonelab I remember browsing through the cab sims trying to find "the one".
It was a waste of time, they all sounded like the same cab with different EQ settings.
With the Kemper when you browse through the cabs you end up saving a bunch of different rigs/patches because each cab is so alive and 'different' that you have a bunch of favourites for each amp Profile.
Bullshit aside, the Kemper cabs have that "Air" feeling for real...when you change cabs you're really changing cabs, not EQs.
It may sound good, but it is still impossible.
#41 · Jan 26, 2012 19:09 UTC
Jon — Jan 25, 2012Technically the Kemper is an amp because it takes an input signal and amplifies it. OK, it doesn't amplify it very much, but it does indeed amplify the input signal. Amplification is nothing to do with volume, it is the amplification of an electrical signal.
So you can plug a cab into one of the outputs?
#42 · Jan 26, 2012 19:56 UTC
charger — Jan 26, 2012[quote author=Lance link=1327254016/25#37 date=1327558596][quote author=charger link=1327254016/25#34 date=1327529226] Isn't the KPA output pre-modeled with a cabinet? .
You can turn off the cab simulation.
Many have tried to figure out how Kemper created/invented a method of separating the mic'd cab sim from the amp Profile.
They say it's impossible, well, once you listen to the individual cabs on the Kemper you quickly realize whatever he did worked, VERY WELL.
With my Pods/Tonelab I remember browsing through the cab sims trying to find "the one".
It was a waste of time, they all sounded like the same cab with different EQ settings.
With the Kemper when you browse through the cabs you end up saving a bunch of different rigs/patches because each cab is so alive and 'different' that you have a bunch of favourites for each amp Profile.
Bullshit aside, the Kemper cabs have that "Air" feeling for real...when you change cabs you're really changing cabs, not EQs.
It may sound good, but it is still impossible.
Well, he did it, so it's possible.
#43 · Jan 26, 2012 20:04 UTC
charger — Jan 26, 2012[quote author=Jon G link=1327254016/25#35 date=1327531589]Technically the Kemper is an amp because it takes an input signal and amplifies it. OK, it doesn't amplify it very much, but it does indeed amplify the input signal. Amplification is nothing to do with volume, it is the amplification of an electrical signal.
So you can plug a cab into one of the outputs?
You can plug headphones into it, so it is an amp driving headphones !
#44 · Jan 26, 2012 20:06 UTC
charger — Jan 26, 2012[quote author=Lance link=1327254016/25#37 date=1327558596][quote author=charger link=1327254016/25#34 date=1327529226] Isn't the KPA output pre-modeled with a cabinet? .
You can turn off the cab simulation.
Many have tried to figure out how Kemper created/invented a method of separating the mic'd cab sim from the amp Profile.
They say it's impossible, well, once you listen to the individual cabs on the Kemper you quickly realize whatever he did worked, VERY WELL.
With my Pods/Tonelab I remember browsing through the cab sims trying to find "the one".
It was a waste of time, they all sounded like the same cab with different EQ settings.
With the Kemper when you browse through the cabs you end up saving a bunch of different rigs/patches because each cab is so alive and 'different' that you have a bunch of favourites for each amp Profile.
Bullshit aside, the Kemper cabs have that "Air" feeling for real...when you change cabs you're really changing cabs, not EQs.
It may sound good, but it is still impossible.
The world is Flat ;D
#45 · Jan 26, 2012 20:09 UTC
Actually, when you listen to the entire profiling process it is fairly obvious what is going on. Not sure which way round this is but one half of the process is listening to how the amp responds to distortion etc and sets up the preamp/amp stage of KPA and then the 2nd half of different tones sets up the cabinet, so you have two separate and distinct parts which is why you can switch them on/off independently.
#46 · Jan 26, 2012 20:34 UTC
Jon — Jan 26, 2012Actually, when you listen to the entire profiling process it is fairly obvious what is going on. Not sure which way round this is but one half of the process is listening to how the amp responds to distortion etc and sets up the preamp/amp stage of KPA and then the 2nd half of different tones sets up the cabinet, so you have two separate and distinct parts which is why you can switch them on/off independently.
I would believe it if the KPA profiled the amp and the cab separately, but it doesn't.
The true scientific proof would be if you compared a negative sum of the amp's direct out with the KPA model, and got silence, and then did the same thing with the cab, and got silence. Neither of them is going to sum to silence, and I'd bet pretty much anything I have on that. The cab and amp models are not separable without actually modeling them separately. Think about it for two seconds and you'll know this too.
Which doesn't mean you can't be a fan of it, or say "it works". For one thing, you paid two thousand dollars for it, it better fucking slice bread and make tea! For another thing, lots of things work that aren't technically right... for example, Glyn Johns recording Led Zeppelin's drums through the talkback mic.
#47 · Jan 26, 2012 20:36 UTC
Jon — Jan 26, 2012[quote author=charger link=1327254016/25#40 date=1327604970][quote author=Jon G link=1327254016/25#35 date=1327531589]Technically the Kemper is an amp because it takes an input signal and amplifies it. OK, it doesn't amplify it very much, but it does indeed amplify the input signal. Amplification is nothing to do with volume, it is the amplification of an electrical signal.
So you can plug a cab into one of the outputs?
You can plug headphones into it, so it is an amp driving headphones !
You can plug headphones into almost any preamp... they don't call themselves amps...
#48 · Jan 26, 2012 20:53 UTC
Why is this a big issue? Amp, preamp, profiler, ufo... Call it what you want. Who cares? 8-)
I do agree that it is NOT an amp. It is exactly what a POD or an Axe FX is. A preamp. But I have no problem with its being called amp. :)
Morever, it is going to become a Real Amp* soon with Kemper adding a power stage in the back hole of the unit. This is their future plan which is for real.
*Real Amp: An amplifier that can drive a 30 watt speaker. One of those you have in your combo amps or cabinets. Big round thing with a big magnet in its back. This guy:
I do agree that it is NOT an amp. It is exactly what a POD or an Axe FX is. A preamp. But I have no problem with its being called amp. :)
Morever, it is going to become a Real Amp* soon with Kemper adding a power stage in the back hole of the unit. This is their future plan which is for real.
*Real Amp: An amplifier that can drive a 30 watt speaker. One of those you have in your combo amps or cabinets. Big round thing with a big magnet in its back. This guy:
#49 · Jan 26, 2012 21:40 UTC
charger — Jan 26, 2012[quote author=Jon G link=1327254016/25#44 date=1327608594]Actually, when you listen to the entire profiling process it is fairly obvious what is going on. Not sure which way round this is but one half of the process is listening to how the amp responds to distortion etc and sets up the preamp/amp stage of KPA and then the 2nd half of different tones sets up the cabinet, so you have two separate and distinct parts which is why you can switch them on/off independently.
I would believe it if the KPA profiled the amp and the cab separately, but it doesn't.
The true scientific proof would be if you compared a negative sum of the amp's direct out with the KPA model, and got silence, and then did the same thing with the cab, and got silence. Neither of them is going to sum to silence, and I'd bet pretty much anything I have on that. The cab and amp models are not separable without actually modeling them separately. Think about it for two seconds and you'll know this too.
Which doesn't mean you can't be a fan of it, or say "it works". For one thing, you paid two thousand dollars for it, it better fucking slice bread and make tea! For another thing, lots of things work that aren't technically right... for example, Glyn Johns recording Led Zeppelin's drums through the talkback mic.
You seem to have a real negative vibe going on for something that you haven't even tried. I have no axe to grind one way or another. OK it was $2,000, well so what, doesn't bother me and if it didn't work then I could sell it for the same price that I paid for it (as I did with the Axe FX). I'm a great believer in pushing the envelope on all things.
By the way, if it amplifies a signal then it IS an amplifier, that's just the way it is !
An amplifier is an electronic device that increases the voltage, current, or power of a signal. Amplifiers are used in wireless communications and broadcasting, and in audio equipment of all kinds. They can be categorized as either weak-signal amplifiers or power amplifiers. Weak-signal amplifiers are used primarily in wireless receivers. They are also employed in acoustic pickups, audio tape players, and compact disc players. A weak-signal amplifier
#50 · Jan 26, 2012 22:06 UTC
Ok, it's an amp.
Also, my guitar has these cool electromagnets in the pickup, and when I strum the strings, the voltage that's put out through the guitar cable increases from 0 mv to about 20mv. So, my guitar is also an amp. Cool!
I have a lot of problems with the KPA, but I think it's pretty cool too--great for the home recordist who wants to have a really high end modeller. I just can't spend that much on a piece of solid-state gear that doesn't say "Neve" or "API" on it, and I'm not a fan of their marketing mumbo-jumbo, especially when it comes to the impossible. Other than that, seems like a very well-realized piece of digital technology.
Also, my guitar has these cool electromagnets in the pickup, and when I strum the strings, the voltage that's put out through the guitar cable increases from 0 mv to about 20mv. So, my guitar is also an amp. Cool!
I have a lot of problems with the KPA, but I think it's pretty cool too--great for the home recordist who wants to have a really high end modeller. I just can't spend that much on a piece of solid-state gear that doesn't say "Neve" or "API" on it, and I'm not a fan of their marketing mumbo-jumbo, especially when it comes to the impossible. Other than that, seems like a very well-realized piece of digital technology.