Going digital Axe Fx/Kemper
- Thread starter DeadandBuried
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devastone
New member
Re: Going digital Axe Fx/Kemper
Not exactly, my understanding is that the Kemper captures the amp/speaker/mic (or subset) of the signal chain, there's a reason that (most) guys using them are still using nice guitars too. A Squire with microphonic pickups will still ruin your tone, even with modeling.*
*not saying that all Squire pickups are microphonic or sound bad
Not exactly, my understanding is that the Kemper captures the amp/speaker/mic (or subset) of the signal chain, there's a reason that (most) guys using them are still using nice guitars too. A Squire with microphonic pickups will still ruin your tone, even with modeling.*
*not saying that all Squire pickups are microphonic or sound bad
justFred
Well-known member
Re: Going digital Axe Fx/Kemper
What if the Kemper player has never had first hand experience with a tube amp?
A 5E3 Tweed Deluxe is my reference standard so this player:
never has plugged his strat in to the 5E3 and rolled the volume up to 2 or 3 and heard the warm full tone;
never went through the 5 switch selections here and at each step and really heard a strat played through the amp it was designed for;
never rolled the volume up to 6 and heard the creamy overdrive begin;
never took it to 8 and heard the natural complex distortion;
never taken it to 12 and heard the harmonics of the totally saturated tube amp;
never played with the many facets of controlled feedback that can be achieved in this 8 to 12 range?
This player sits in front of the knobs and buttons that offer 50,000 sounds. What is his point of reference, the starting point for finding his sound? Going through 50,000 options one by one?
It seems that before the Kemper the player needs to spend a little time as an apprentice, working with a tube amp.
What if the Kemper player has never had first hand experience with a tube amp?
A 5E3 Tweed Deluxe is my reference standard so this player:
never has plugged his strat in to the 5E3 and rolled the volume up to 2 or 3 and heard the warm full tone;
never went through the 5 switch selections here and at each step and really heard a strat played through the amp it was designed for;
never rolled the volume up to 6 and heard the creamy overdrive begin;
never took it to 8 and heard the natural complex distortion;
never taken it to 12 and heard the harmonics of the totally saturated tube amp;
never played with the many facets of controlled feedback that can be achieved in this 8 to 12 range?
This player sits in front of the knobs and buttons that offer 50,000 sounds. What is his point of reference, the starting point for finding his sound? Going through 50,000 options one by one?
It seems that before the Kemper the player needs to spend a little time as an apprentice, working with a tube amp.
justFred
Well-known member
Re: Going digital Axe Fx/Kemper
Read quite a few threads on this before I posted. It is currently a topic with a lot of strong feelings both ways. However, it was my impression that the people who had the most actual experience using the Kemper were of the opinion that the actual tone from the guitar is not very critical. Like I said there is a whole lotta talk about this out there if your interested. I am leaning strongly towards buying a Kemper to find out for myself....they seem to hold there valued extremely well at this point so it is a low risk proposition.
Read quite a few threads on this before I posted. It is currently a topic with a lot of strong feelings both ways. However, it was my impression that the people who had the most actual experience using the Kemper were of the opinion that the actual tone from the guitar is not very critical. Like I said there is a whole lotta talk about this out there if your interested. I am leaning strongly towards buying a Kemper to find out for myself....they seem to hold there valued extremely well at this point so it is a low risk proposition.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: Going digital Axe Fx/Kemper
Anybody using a Kemper would’ve probably had a crappy acoustic tone even if they used a real one, so no big deal. Also, anybody who would be satisfied with a modeled acoustic tone from an electric guitar shouldn’t be touching grandad’s D28.
Anybody using a Kemper would’ve probably had a crappy acoustic tone even if they used a real one, so no big deal. Also, anybody who would be satisfied with a modeled acoustic tone from an electric guitar shouldn’t be touching grandad’s D28.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
justFred
Well-known member
Re: Going digital Axe Fx/Kemper
The Kemper even has a perfect Hammond B3 model. The B3 won't fit in a curio cabinet so I guess it gets carted off to the garage.
The Kemper even has a perfect Hammond B3 model. The B3 won't fit in a curio cabinet so I guess it gets carted off to the garage.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
justFred
Well-known member
Re: Going digital Axe Fx/Kemper
Whoa.....there goes a Klon pedal out the window, Kemper does it again. Now if I can only figure out what these little chrome knobs at the skinny end of the guitar do...
Whoa.....there goes a Klon pedal out the window, Kemper does it again. Now if I can only figure out what these little chrome knobs at the skinny end of the guitar do...
Re: Going digital Axe Fx/Kemper
The Kemper is a cool piece, but I just don't need dozens different tones. It was difficult enough finding a sound that works for me. If I purchased another Kemper, I suppose it would be for ease of transport. I wouldn't let anyone see it though... I'd hide the Kemper, and use a combo prop.
The Kemper is a cool piece, but I just don't need dozens different tones. It was difficult enough finding a sound that works for me. If I purchased another Kemper, I suppose it would be for ease of transport. I wouldn't let anyone see it though... I'd hide the Kemper, and use a combo prop.
Re: Going digital Axe Fx/Kemper
If the Kemper can profile the exact tone and response of my Ampeg GVT15 and GVT5, I would definitely consider getting another. A friend sold all of his cherished amplifiers after purchasing a Kemper. What happens when/if Kemper closes its doors? A Kemper is nothing more than a glorified computer system with proprietary components. Same goes with AxeFx. It's a cool toy, but hardly something that should be considered as a replacement for real tube amplification.
If the Kemper can profile the exact tone and response of my Ampeg GVT15 and GVT5, I would definitely consider getting another. A friend sold all of his cherished amplifiers after purchasing a Kemper. What happens when/if Kemper closes its doors? A Kemper is nothing more than a glorified computer system with proprietary components. Same goes with AxeFx. It's a cool toy, but hardly something that should be considered as a replacement for real tube amplification.
Last edited:
ibanezrocks
HardtailPisser
Re: Going digital Axe Fx/Kemper
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Or just aim for the sound you have in mind? You know, use some creativity. I don't need to play every vintage amp to appreciate a great modeler.
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Gone_Shootin
New member
Re: Going digital Axe Fx/Kemper
I've had a Helix for a couple years. And when I started playing in a band again about a month ago, it's what I ended up using.
And my amp collection has been dwindling. Sold the Splawn last weekend, traded in the Supersonic today, and I'm loaning my Triple Rec to the other guitarist in my band while his Peavey XXX is on the fritz...and I'd just as soon sell it to him. I'll keep my JVM because it's the first amp I modded and my VTM120 because it was my very first amp.
But I don't run my Helix the way some do. I still run through real guitar cabs and I use a tube poweramp. They add the little something that I feel that my Helix needs.
I've had a Helix for a couple years. And when I started playing in a band again about a month ago, it's what I ended up using.
And my amp collection has been dwindling. Sold the Splawn last weekend, traded in the Supersonic today, and I'm loaning my Triple Rec to the other guitarist in my band while his Peavey XXX is on the fritz...and I'd just as soon sell it to him. I'll keep my JVM because it's the first amp I modded and my VTM120 because it was my very first amp.
But I don't run my Helix the way some do. I still run through real guitar cabs and I use a tube poweramp. They add the little something that I feel that my Helix needs.
Gone_Shootin
New member
Re: Going digital Axe Fx/Kemper
Yeah, I tried the stock cabs and IRs. Even bought a pair of PA speakers to run through. And they sound good for what they are, but real cabs still do it for me. And I do want to go with lighter options. The tube poweramp I'm using is a heavy mofo. So something like a Matrix or a Powerstage 700 is in my future, and I plan on switching over to neo speakers eventually as well.
Yeah, I tried the stock cabs and IRs. Even bought a pair of PA speakers to run through. And they sound good for what they are, but real cabs still do it for me. And I do want to go with lighter options. The tube poweramp I'm using is a heavy mofo. So something like a Matrix or a Powerstage 700 is in my future, and I plan on switching over to neo speakers eventually as well.
