Kemper Amps Forum

The preamp and power amp are the 2 distinct sections of amplifiers.
The preamp traditionally is used to shape and eq the sound, the power amp to amplify it to performance levels.
Back in the 60s guitarists realised that by turning their amps up very loud, the preamp and power amp distorted, giving that traditional late 60s and early 70s rock guitar sound. This was often augmented by the new fangled fuzz boxes, but thats a different type of distortion altogether.
Anyway the only problem with this overdriven power amp rock sound was the really loud volumes required to achieve it.
Cunning amp designers realised that a similar effect could be achieved at much lower volume by overdriving the preamp only. Thus the 'master volume' amp was born. In effect the master volume turns down the power amp while maintaining the 'wound up' preamp giving part of the traditional rock sound at much more manageable levels. Problem is, preamp distortion is only part of the equation and tends to be fizzy mushed and a bit thin. The amp needs the power amp contribution to round off the edges and 'bolden' the sound.
As amp design has progressed, and indeed as new generations of guitarists have been brought up with these newer designs, more modern amps have been developed to obtain more of their signature sound from the preamp, but even now most amps need to be turned up to a particular volume before they start to sound good. This is because the effect of the power amp on the sound still makes such a huge contribution to the overall sound of the amp.
Anyway, sorry about the storytelling style,(are you sitting comfortably) don't know what came over me, but hope that gives you an idea of the differences.
Preamp only profiles are fine for instances where you intend to use a valve guitar power amp (which effectively takes over from the power amp section of the profiled amp) or for very aggressive metal style tones where that more fizzy edgy sound is desired. (Don't mean that to sound offensive, just descriptive for the uninitiated), although modern preamps have such comprehensively efficient tone networks on them they can smooth off a lot of those edges, and produce many sounds that people have grown to love.

The power amp of a guitar amp is everything but transparent. The KPA gives you the possibility to combine a preamp with a cab, but I would not be so confident about the results. At best try it.
Good luck and welcome on this forum!

Quoted from "jeddie"

"The three profiles are as follows?
preamp
preamp+power amp no cab
Preamp power amp cabinet?"



Hello fellow Kempers!
Ok, so if I got this right, there are 3 types of profiling methods.

amp + mic/cab = best for PA/direct.
Preamp only (Di, from amp fx send) = best for poweramp + guitar cab.
Preamp + poweramp (Di, with loadbox) = best for ??

When should I use preamp + poweramp profiles?
Is preamp profiles best for a solid state poweramp (like SLA or Matrix) + guitar cab?

Cheers!

Quoted from "HappyKemper"

Quoted from "jeddie"

Preamp + poweramp (Di, with loadbox) = best for ??

Best for profiling silently (no loud noise, no need for an isolation room for the amp...) and you can add the cab later from the ones available in the Kemper...

Thanks!
I guess more users are making Di profiles now.
Very important for those using a poweramp + cab.