Hi Guys,
This post is long and I apologize, but I'd love some guidance here. I've been following this forum for over a year trying to read as much as I can about the Kemper PA. I've been very hesitant about buying one because I've been EXTREMELY skeptical (and still am) that it can actually sound as good as a regular tube amp. I know that's all subjective, and I know that the Kemper is supposed to sound like the final recorded versions of a mic'd up amp, so I won't get too deep into my skepticism in this thread.
Anyway, I finally decided to take the plunge. I ordered the non-powered Kemper with the controller from Guitar Center and will have it in a few days. Before I ask my questions, here's some basic info. I play in a rock cover band (not metal). We do a lot of the typical top 40 rock stuff (Shinedown, Van Halen, STP, Alice In Chains, Bon Jovi, etc.). So the Kemper appeals to me because if it can do what it claims, I'd be able to start carrying a lot less equipment. Right now, I'm using a Mesa Roadster, two 1x12 Mesa Thiel cabs, a G-System and a PedalTrain Terra pedalboard that literally weighs 60+ lbs (and that's without a carrying case). Here are my questions:
- Which tube power amp would you recommend buying? I know many on this forum say that you should use SS power amps, but I have NEVER found a SS power amp that I've liked; which is exactly why I chose not to buy the powered version of the Kemper. I was looking at buying a Fryette Power Station, but can't find any available anywhere, new or used. So are there any tube power amps out there that'd you'd recommend, and why?
- My main use for the Kemper will be live gigs. I hardly ever record anything. So 95% of the time, it'll be for live gigs. And here's where my skepticism comes into play. I simply flat out don't believe that the Kemper can sound like a full kickass tube amp on stage. I know they're supposed to be used with FRFR monitors for ideal sounds. But any time I've ever heard a modeling amp through any kind of monitor (even DXR 10s), they sound so lifeless, harsh, brittle, stale, etc., that I wonder what people are thinking when they say it sounds good. I even went over to a friend's place yesterday and heard his Kemper being run through his Friedman ASM-12 and as soon as he hit one of his crunch rigs, I thought to myself "Yep, there's that classic 'modeler' tone that has no life, way too much low end and reminds me of the old Boss Metal-Zone stomp boxes". He said the patches were from when he profiled his Friedman BE100. So, MAYBE what I didn't like was the sound of his profiles. But the skeptic in me says it's more likely the digital sound of the Kemper. The Friedman ASM-12 had MORE than enough volume and actually did a great job of replicating the "amp in the room" feel. It was the sound I hated.
So, after that long-winded story, what would you guys recommend to use for speakers? Ideally, I'd like to play through something that would allow me to hear exactly (or really close) to what is coming through the PA out front. I know in order to do that, I'd have to use FRFR, correct? But that leads me back to the issue above with it sounding so lifeless. And even if I did find a FRFR monitor that I liked the sound of, and I sent the signal direct to FOH, I'm assuming even that setup isn't going to be all that easy to work with because the sound man would then have to constantly be trying to re-work my sound into the mix with each different rig (or amp) that I use. That becomes even more of an issue for the gigs where we run our own sound from the stage. I'm wondering if the better solution and better sound would be if I used a tube power amp (hence question #1 above) and run that through a 2x12 cab. It would be a more traditional route. If I were to go that route, which 2x12 cab would you recommend, or which speakers? I know if I go that route, whatever cab I use would color the sound of the profiles a bit, which kind of stinks. But if I can get a seriously kick-ass handful of basic tones (low gain, high gain, clean, clean Fender-ish tone, and a ripping solo tone) then I'd be happy with that and could adjust from there.
So that's where I'm at. I want to be able to hit the ground running with this thing as soon as I get it this weekend. I have a few options (buy my friend's Friedman ASM-12 for $650, buy a Yamaha DXR-10 for $600, or buy a tube power amp and use regular guitar cabs. I'll be open to trying the Mesa 1x12 Thiel cabs since I already have them, but I'm not expecting them to sound the way I want. For distorted stuff, they're fine. But I doubt I'd be able to get that really bluesy Fender clean tone from them.