You’re %100 spot on. The Kemper is a replication of a recorded amp. The ease of perfect tone and feel every time you plug in is the number one reason to have one.
Great video! After 4 years with the rack version and the remote, I’ve sold it for the Kemper stage and I love it so far! I’ve also discovered the Direct profiles which sound a lot better when I plug the Kemper in a power amp through a cab!! Keep up!
@@ZachBrobstMusic That was the main reason why I've made that move in the first place. I bought a portable power amp (Orange pedal baby) and a Helix bag to carry everything around. I love it!
@@ZachBrobstMusic I understand, I hesitated a lot because of that same reason, loosing the power amp. If I could afford it, I would have both but have the powered head instead of the powered rack :)... I found that the Orange pedal baby power amp does a pretty good job though.
For what it is worth: An Ethercon cable is simply an RJ45 (ethernet) with an XLR style barrel adapter over it. So if one breaks on a gig, and you don't have a spare, it is incredibly convenient to replace as almost every big box store carries ethernet, which will get you through the gig. Chances are there is a Target, Walmart, or home improvement store closer than Guitar Center. I live on the other side of the snake (FOH engineer), but I am big fan of "buy once, cry once." All of my Ethercon cables are tactical grade made by BTPA (usually a custom order), they are not inexpensive, but I have yet to have one break. From my experience if you purchase a high quality cable, and you treat it right (always wrap it over-under, don't kink it, or drive over it with a lift) they will last decades.
I should add the sheer number of top quality professional profiles created by top players like M.Britt, Top Jimi, Tone Junkie, etc... This makes a huge difference for me being a Kemper head user since 3 years as compared to other modellers and profilers.
Thanx for your video Zach-totally agree on all those main points. The Kemper is awesome. I use the stage which I love but do get worried with some of the full-on punters dropping glass & falling on our gear sometimes. I have just ordered a screen protector so hoping that helps. I run through a 30watt valve combo through the FX return & get a great sound on stage as well as through the PA in stereo.
Definitely a bit scary! That's one perk to the remote is if it gets beer all over it it's only a $400 replacement over a $1500 replacement. Thanks for watching!
I think you said you need a fancy Ethernet cable, but that's optional. I gig with a short 3ft regular one because I keep my head close to the board. The heavy duty connector is cool, but not a requirement.
Number one (or maybe two reasons) I migrated to the Kemper? Performance mode...latency free switching between killer tones without having to learn how to tap dance turning effects on and off. As a singer/guitar player there is no way I have the dexterity to sing, play and turn on off effects every time I solo or change from clean to dirt. Until I purchased this the closest thing I could find was a H and K Switchblade which has been great but doesn't offer the variety of tones the Kemper does. Great video BTW,
Been thinking of pulling the trigger on a Kemper. Everything video I watch makes it more and more easier to make up my mind. I’m sold. Helix user but most likely changing to Kemper
@@ZachBrobstMusic that’s what I keep hearing. The Kemper “feel” is the reason I’m thinking of changing. Helix is awesome but I’m so tired of “tweeking” the helix for a “ realistic tone” I’ve always been a set and forget it kinda musician.
@@Json-mo6ny You won't be disappointed. I used to have both, but sold the Helix for a second Kemper (as a backup). The trick is to find the right profiles. That is the key. Instant gratification, you stop messing with settings so much, and just play a lot more. What's shipped as stock is good but a little spending on top-notch profile makers is SOOO worth it. I use mostly Bert Meulendijk.
@@iansimmons735 yeah I got a Kemper powered rack and I’m in 🥰 I’m also tryin to sell my helix for a second Kemper as a back up lol. Or let my other guitarist use it? The goal is to have guitars and bass on kempers soon. Lmao
Kemper captures have been surpassed by Tonex. Just wait until the IK puts out the hardware version. The Kemper is still great. I certainly wouldn't sell it to get the new thing but for those shopping, I wouldn't even put it on my list.
I have a love/hate relationship with my Kemper, the price of the unit then the very expensive remote pedal is a big negative for me. I go through periods of wanting to sell it, then find I'm glad I didn't. There are way too many options that make it a hard learning curve, but I like a challenge... I've just got a Boss Nextone Special, this amp is damn good!! Between the two I get everything I need and it's great to compare them.
Just saying - 4 out of the 5 are correct for any of the elite modelers today, and at least one (size) that the big Kemper units sucks (it is better than a tube amp, I'll give you that), I obviously use other (kind of) modler. 5-6 years ago I would probably agree with you, but today there are much better options IMO. The lake of responsiveness (comparing with other molders) is a disadvantage, defiantly not an advantage - a "turn off responsiveness" would be. And from the point of view of a Bass (electric and upright) player mainly, all the newer molders respond much better, the Kemper on bass sounds dull, that is the main reason I didn't buy one, while it was still the leader. I actually settled on GTCore (which is not strictly a modeler), but it has what I need, I like their bass amp (coupled with custom IRs or not depends on what I seek) , and the FX is on another space from must of them (unless you hate the Boss :) ), from pure modeling POV, Neural is the best model for bass, and probably for guitar as well (but I'm much less sure on that).
Clarifying - I'm NOT saying it's worthless today, and if you have it, use to it, happy with it and have the 50-5000 profiles you need, sure keep using it until it's dead, but it's not a good BUY TODAY.
Great video. Do you have one like this for Fractal? I do have the FM9 Turbo and it sounds fantastic (both amps and efx). Kemper floor board was also on my list, but as second option. For me, good amp tones plus good efx are very important (plus portability). Less important for me is capturing / profiling my amp tones. Where I play, we use IEM to keep stage volume low. So I don't use guitar amps that much anymore.
Kemper sounds best with pedals imo. While the kemper amps are beyond great, the fx aren't great at all imo. But I know lots of people that use the kemper for everything and they're happy with it!
I owned and giged a kemper for 5 years before the pandemic and loved that unit more than most gear! But it has some serious disadvantages, the main one for me was that the unit is as good as the profiles you buy for it, you can get some good free ones but you will stumble with 100 bad ones before you find a good one. One thing that I liked was that I played more and tweaked for tones less, because once you find a profile that works for you there’s no more tweaking needed. I bought an HX Stomp to complement the effect section on the kemper, after a while started playing with the line 6 amp models, it took me months to get a decent tone but at the end of the day I started enjoying the line 6 stuff more because I have more control over my tone and how I want to shape it. Not to mention the HX stomp’s form factor is unbeatable and effects are superior to kemper. The thing I miss about the kemper was being able to power a cab, but since life has changed and I can’t use a cab in my house anymore the kemper fell in disuse over the HX stomp, I sold it, but I miss it.
I could spend 1400.00 on 1 "good" tube amp .....and hopefully I will be happy with it for years.......or I could spend the same 1400.00 and get ALL THE GREAT AMPS ...
You’re %100 spot on. The Kemper is a replication of a recorded amp. The ease of perfect tone and feel every time you plug in is the number one reason to have one.
Love the Kempers amp tone and feel! Thanks Jake!
Great video! After 4 years with the rack version and the remote, I’ve sold it for the Kemper stage and I love it so far! I’ve also discovered the Direct profiles which sound a lot better when I plug the Kemper in a power amp through a cab!! Keep up!
I really have wanted to sell my head for the Stage too just so I can more easily haul it around!
@@ZachBrobstMusic That was the main reason why I've made that move in the first place. I bought a portable power amp (Orange pedal baby) and a Helix bag to carry everything around. I love it!
@@JayNinja1 Thats super killer! Part of the big reason I haven't moved is because I like having the amp option with the powered head.
@@ZachBrobstMusic I understand, I hesitated a lot because of that same reason, loosing the power amp. If I could afford it, I would have both but have the powered head instead of the powered rack :)... I found that the Orange pedal baby power amp does a pretty good job though.
@@JayNinja1 Good to know! I'll keep that in mind for myself!
For what it is worth:
An Ethercon cable is simply an RJ45 (ethernet) with an XLR style barrel adapter over it. So if one breaks on a gig, and you don't have a spare, it is incredibly convenient to replace as almost every big box store carries ethernet, which will get you through the gig. Chances are there is a Target, Walmart, or home improvement store closer than Guitar Center.
I live on the other side of the snake (FOH engineer), but I am big fan of "buy once, cry once." All of my Ethercon cables are tactical grade made by BTPA (usually a custom order), they are not inexpensive, but I have yet to have one break. From my experience if you purchase a high quality cable, and you treat it right (always wrap it over-under, don't kink it, or drive over it with a lift) they will last decades.
I should add the sheer number of top quality professional profiles created by top players like M.Britt, Top Jimi, Tone Junkie, etc... This makes a huge difference for me being a Kemper head user since 3 years as compared to other modellers and profilers.
Absolutely a solid point!
the Kemper is the best thing I found in 30 years of playing guitar. The best, no way, and I tried a lot of stuff...
live use?
@@huanton2many I love it live too, you'd just have to switch off the reverb, it depends on the venue
Just bought a kemper stage super excited
Honestly a little jealous! I want one too!
Thanx for your video Zach-totally agree on all those main points. The Kemper is awesome. I use the stage which I love but do get worried with some of the full-on punters dropping glass & falling on our gear sometimes. I have just ordered a screen protector so hoping that helps. I run through a 30watt valve combo through the FX return & get a great sound on stage as well as through the PA in stereo.
Definitely a bit scary! That's one perk to the remote is if it gets beer all over it it's only a $400 replacement over a $1500 replacement. Thanks for watching!
I think you said you need a fancy Ethernet cable, but that's optional. I gig with a short 3ft regular one because I keep my head close to the board. The heavy duty connector is cool, but not a requirement.
Number one (or maybe two reasons) I migrated to the Kemper? Performance mode...latency free switching between killer tones without having to learn how to tap dance turning effects on and off. As a singer/guitar player there is no way I have the dexterity to sing, play and turn on off effects every time I solo or change from clean to dirt. Until I purchased this the closest thing I could find was a H and K Switchblade which has been great but doesn't offer the variety of tones the Kemper does. Great video BTW,
Thanks for watching Mike!
Looking forward to the Kemper vs. Helix video
Been thinking of pulling the trigger on a Kemper. Everything video I watch makes it more and more easier to make up my mind. I’m sold. Helix user but most likely changing to Kemper
I have both and love them both for different reasons. The Kemper "feel" is my favorite that I've played so far from a "modeler" though!
@@ZachBrobstMusic that’s what I keep hearing. The Kemper “feel” is the reason I’m thinking of changing. Helix is awesome but I’m so tired of “tweeking” the helix for a “ realistic tone” I’ve always been a set and forget it kinda musician.
@@Json-mo6ny You won't be disappointed. I used to have both, but sold the Helix for a second Kemper (as a backup). The trick is to find the right profiles. That is the key. Instant gratification, you stop messing with settings so much, and just play a lot more. What's shipped as stock is good but a little spending on top-notch profile makers is SOOO worth it. I use mostly Bert Meulendijk.
@@iansimmons735 yeah I got a Kemper powered rack and I’m in 🥰
I’m also tryin to sell my helix for a second Kemper as a back up lol. Or let my other guitarist use it? The goal is to have guitars and bass on kempers soon. Lmao
@@Json-mo6nyif you are tired of “tweaking” do NOT get a kemper
Kemper captures have been surpassed by Tonex. Just wait until the IK puts out the hardware version. The Kemper is still great. I certainly wouldn't sell it to get the new thing but for those shopping, I wouldn't even put it on my list.
Yes please compare Kemper and Helix, maybe Quad Cortex too
Glad someone else wants this sort of content! I'll see what I can do!
I absolutely Love my Kemper. I use the Kemper Kone in a cabinet I built. The Kemper Kone emulates different speakers, WOW....
I definitely wish I had the Kemper Kab!
Kemper has a better ecosystem than QC....having the Kone/Kabinet, powered head variants, amazing profiles, and better effects.
I have a love/hate relationship with my Kemper, the price of the unit then the very expensive remote pedal is a big negative for me.
I go through periods of wanting to sell it, then find I'm glad I didn't.
There are way too many options that make it a hard learning curve, but I like a challenge...
I've just got a Boss Nextone Special, this amp is damn good!!
Between the two I get everything I need and it's great to compare them.
Nice man! Boss has really stepped up their amp game recently!
Fresh tent
It just works like an amp with my effect chain from the 90ies and 2000. so its just intuition to work with
Just saying - 4 out of the 5 are correct for any of the elite modelers today, and at least one (size) that the big Kemper units sucks (it is better than a tube amp, I'll give you that), I obviously use other (kind of) modler. 5-6 years ago I would probably agree with you, but today there are much better options IMO. The lake of responsiveness (comparing with other molders) is a disadvantage, defiantly not an advantage - a "turn off responsiveness" would be. And from the point of view of a Bass (electric and upright) player mainly, all the newer molders respond much better, the Kemper on bass sounds dull, that is the main reason I didn't buy one, while it was still the leader. I actually settled on GTCore (which is not strictly a modeler), but it has what I need, I like their bass amp (coupled with custom IRs or not depends on what I seek) , and the FX is on another space from must of them (unless you hate the Boss :) ), from pure modeling POV, Neural is the best model for bass, and probably for guitar as well (but I'm much less sure on that).
Clarifying - I'm NOT saying it's worthless today, and if you have it, use to it, happy with it and have the 50-5000 profiles you need, sure keep using it until it's dead, but it's not a good BUY TODAY.
Great video. Do you have one like this for Fractal? I do have the FM9 Turbo and it sounds fantastic (both amps and efx). Kemper floor board was also on my list, but as second option. For me, good amp tones plus good efx are very important (plus portability). Less important for me is capturing / profiling my amp tones. Where I play, we use IEM to keep stage volume low. So I don't use guitar amps that much anymore.
I don't have a video like this for the Fractal unfortunately! I've been wanting to pick one up for a few years now!
Infinite permutations with the Kemper without the volume necessary with the original amplifiers.
Kemper sounds best with pedals imo. While the kemper amps are beyond great, the fx aren't great at all imo. But I know lots of people that use the kemper for everything and they're happy with it!
I wish Kemper made something more like the HX Stomp or Iridium for a smaller amp sim/IR to be an easier amp unit for a pedalboard!
@@ZachBrobstMusic absolutely! I would ditch my UAFX amps if kemper made an hx stomp equivilant. I would totally buy that.
FX are still better than QC's
Hi I should be asking kemper but just wanted to know if it has Allan Holdsworth sound?
I think you can definitely can that sound with the Kemper!
Which FRFR cabinet from mission do you have?
I use their Gemini 1-P. Fairly certain they don't make it anymore!
Has anyone ever told you that you have good taste in profiles?
They have now! Thanks Jonathan!
Sooooo if your gonna give us regular Kemper content than l will subscribe.
Awesome! I've got 7 other Kemper videos on my page and more to come!
I owned and giged a kemper for 5 years before the pandemic and loved that unit more than most gear! But it has some serious disadvantages, the main one for me was that the unit is as good as the profiles you buy for it, you can get some good free ones but you will stumble with 100 bad ones before you find a good one. One thing that I liked was that I played more and tweaked for tones less, because once you find a profile that works for you there’s no more tweaking needed. I bought an HX Stomp to complement the effect section on the kemper, after a while started playing with the line 6 amp models, it took me months to get a decent tone but at the end of the day I started enjoying the line 6 stuff more because I have more control over my tone and how I want to shape it. Not to mention the HX stomp’s form factor is unbeatable and effects are superior to kemper. The thing I miss about the kemper was being able to power a cab, but since life has changed and I can’t use a cab in my house anymore the kemper fell in disuse over the HX stomp, I sold it, but I miss it.
I could spend 1400.00 on 1 "good" tube amp .....and hopefully I will be happy with it for years.......or I could spend the same 1400.00 and get ALL THE GREAT AMPS ...