Recording with unpowered Kemper

    Hi Kemper people
    two questions: Can I go direct into my focusrite 2i2 using an unpowered Kemper to record to DAW ( do I loose any quality not having a power amp?
    does the Kemper have aux input so I can practice against backing tracks from another source?



    Thanks in advance


    Mark

    There's an aux input which you'd use for re-amping or perhaps as an FX return, so I s'pose technically it's possible, but IMHO you might be better off playing the backing tracks from your DAW and jamming along with the Kemper.


    On the first question, if anything, you'd have a cleaner signal going directly from the Kemper. Placing a power amp in the chain would not only add noise, but would also mean you'd have to use a specialised DI or power-soak in order to be able to feed the Focusrite without blowing it up.

    Quote from markyboy

    Sorry to sound ignorant on this but how would you get on with a powered Kemper in that case?


    Mark

    If you ever attempt to connect a power amp (incl. the one in the profiler) directly to your DAW you will damage your interface.
    A poweramp is only required for connecting to passive cabs.

    The KPA is great for direct recording-that's why I bought mine. No amps, cabs, or mics to mess with, and no volume issues when tracking at odd hours. And with most of the better profiles you're going to generally get better, more consistent results than if you were trying to mic a cab in a smaller, untreated room (which is what most of us who do this for fun are dealing with).

    The KPA is great for direct recording-that's why I bought mine. No amps, cabs, or mics to mess with, and no volume issues when tracking at odd hours. And with most of the better profiles you're going to generally get better, more consistent results than if you were trying to mic a cab in a smaller, untreated room (which is what most of us who do this for fun are dealing with).


    when you say better profiles, do you mean the the presets that come in the Kemper are not as good as what you can purchase seperately?

    With a few exceptions, the answer is "generally, yes".


    That said, there are squillions of usable profiles (rigs) on the Rig Exchange, and the editability on offer is extensive, despite implications by competitors that one's stuck with the sound of whichever profile one chooses. IOW, you can make even what might appear to be sub-par profiles quite usable with a little tweaking.


    Even the stack's tone controls (like the ones on an amp) cut like a knife through butter, and can be as drastic or subtle as you might like. Turn a knob slowly, and you're cutting or boosting in 0.1dB increments. Turn it quickly and things get drastic very quickly. Even poofteenth-of-a-dB adjustments will surprise you in how effective they can be.

    That's really interesting thank you. I had a listen to some of the profiles in the Kemper store, I particularly liked the V or victory amp, does anyone own this profile and if so does it sound as good in real life as on the sample.


    Mark

    Quote from markyboy

    I particularly liked the V or victory amp, does anyone own this profile and if so does it sound as good in real life as on the sample.
    Mark


    Profiles sound as their real life counterparts, that's the beauty of the profiler.
    Samples additionally contain
    1. The player
    2. The guitar used
    which may induce differences as to how a profile is perceived when played by myself and note by some other player.

    Thanks ingolf


    i get what you mean, just wondered if the came close to the real thing, I know some players can make a zoom pedal sound great!


    Im officially a kemper owner as of this morning, only using it as a recording tool so I'm expecting great things from this wee beast!!


    Cheers


    mark


    Ha, so you'll see and hear for yourself. ;)
    Welcome to tone heaven.