Kemper Amps Forum

Ok...here's something new and potentially very exciting:

Apparently, the KPA has undiscovered potential. Kemper's design has provisions in place for accessing parameters via MIDI....right now in fw 1.08. This will "open up" the possibilities for iPad and computer apps, better foot controllers....we just need the documentation.

"Timo", a Kemper employee on this forum, indicated ALL parameters in the KPA are MIDI accessible via NRPN which is a vender-defined method of messaging data through midi that is very flexible. Unfortunately, few MIDI hardware controllers can send NRPN but software can....but keep reading.

From Timo:
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All parameters are 14bit NRPNs.

Delay Mix: #9475
Reverb Mix: #9603
Modulation Rate (Slots 1-4, X, MOD): #6420, #6548, #6676, #6804, #7188, #7444

I will try to create a complete document. If you need something urgent, let me know or better, address Kemper Support.

Timo
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Notice he has offered to make a "complete document". This is the ticket to integrating the KPA into all manner of hardware and software.....even possibly allowing users to create some cool utilities. Awesome!

The key to "Jailbreaking" the KPA is here...so chime in and lets support Timo in getting this document released! We are NOT wanting to HACK the KPA, just utilize it to its fullest ability.

As far as a hardware (foot controller) here's something I found.... MIDI Solutions makes an event translator box that can map regular CC events to NRPN. This device is the size of a pack of cigarettes and uses a software package to map up to 32 events...so that's 32 parameters of your choice accesible in real-time from your favorite midi floor controller "translated" to the KPA by this device. It is powered by MIDI so *if* the KPA supplies MIDI power, you can velcro this inside the rear cavity and proceed to fully integrate the KPA into your live rig. No, I am not affiliated, no interest, don't own one....just found them mentioned on another forum. Other solutions are out there.

http://www.midisolutions.com/prodepp.htm

The point of all this is having an open interface where EVERYONE benefits as the market and users begins supporting the KPA.

Anybody else excited by this development? Reply and lets let Timo know!

bd

Quoted from "DocLine6forum"

What I simply don't get OTOH is the Kemper paradigm to keep it simple and basic and not offering a simple Midi CC feature set at the same time where any Midi Controller in the world could be used ( in fact CK seemed in Fond of that possibility).

I agree 100%. A MIDI CC implementation for certain features is the best way to go for users. That MIDI event mapper device mentioned above is EXACTLY what needs to happen in the KPA's firmware....but in the mean time, without word from Kemper on future changes to the MIDI strategy, the full MIDI NRPN interface that we now know exist is the way forward.

My guess is that the KPA has more than 128 parameters internally which is the max for CC# control so a CC map would be a subset of all parameters just as you suggest. The cool thing about NRPN is that it supports 16383 parameters with 0-16383 resolution each. NRPN allows everything to be accessible so its a better interface for programmers. I hope Timo can get us a detailed map to see what is possible.

I know this is a lot of tech for the average guitarist to grasp but we will all benefit greatly if NRPN can be documented and utilized by programmers. I suspect there are many gifted software engineers on this forum ready to jump on this.

bd

The key to all these questions is a document that shows the NRPN mapping. We need Timo to understand we are interested in having this so he will work on getting it.

bd