Used KPA loud for the first time...

    So after a few weeks I finally got to use my KPA PowerRack in a rehearsal environment last night at near-gig volume. I ran it through a regular 4x12 and not the PA on this occasion, but even so, I was absolutely blown away! The response to my playing was so authentic and the sound was best I've had since the days of using a valve amp. Prior to this I was using a POD HD and there was literally no contest. Even my bassist was blown away and is considering a KPA in favour of his Ampeg and Darkglass B7. So happy I bought this thing and can't wait to you use it live!


    One thing I just wanted to check, is it normal to have to crank the PowerRack fairly high to get it to sit with the drums? From memory I think I was running it on about 7.5ish. There weren't any problems like clipping or overheating or anything, it just seemed a bit higher than I was expecting,

    There is 12 dB of extra headroom when the master is maxed on the powered Kempers. There's an option in the output section called poweramp boost or something. There you can boost further by up to 12 dB, eating into the extra headroom.

    Quote from DAMZ88

    Prior to this I was using a POD HD and there was literally no contest.

    I had the same experience . . I dialed in a clean Fender on my KPA after using a POD for a couple of years and just stood there amazed at the difference that I heard. I still smile when I play it. I'm putting my KPA thru a pair of Friedman ASM 12s and love how it sounds. I hope you enjoy yours. And yes, it gets loud. :pinch:

    Quote from DAMZ88

    Thanks. The volume wasn't an issue, it was plenty loud, I just wondered if everyone has to turn up that loud to achieve gig volumes? <img src="https://www.kemper-amps.com/forum/wcf/images/smilies/smile.png" alt=":)" />


    I recently played an outdoor gig using my PowerHead through a 2x12" Mesa cab. Master Vol. set at 4.7 with the PowerBoost on. No problems cutting through the mix.

    Yeah, it was a great experience when I could play the Kemper in the band mix at GIG-level the first time.
    Unpowered Toaster and a 12" Mackie active PA-Box. That was rock'n roll :)


    Later I reduced the Monitor to a 10" active Box and connect the Kemper to FOH

    Quote from Sharry

    Yeah, it was a great experience when I could play the Kemper in the band mix at GIG-level the first time.
    Unpowered Toaster and a 12" Mackie active PA-Box. That was rock'n roll :)




    Later I reduced the Monitor to a 10" active Box and connect the Kemper to FOH


    Yeah, eventually I want to work towards running my 2x12 on stage as a monitor but feeding the main signal to FOH. I appreciate the onstage cab won't be a perfect representation of the true sound, but it would be more than sufficient for just monitoring.


    Love this thing!!

    I find I have to crank it to a similar volume through my 2x12, anywhere between 5.5 to around 8ish, where as my Orange cuts through really well at a much lower volume.


    What will be really interesting is when I get around to profiling the Orange - to see if those profiles cut through at a lower volume than other profiles do.


    A lot of commercial merged profiles, to me, sound too dense and full bodied as stock through my cab. I made an output preset for my cab for live use, which has a lot of the monitor bass rolled back and a little bit extra trebble and and good chunk more mids, and this helped me sit a lot better. You could just set and forget, but if I get a chance to play louder on my own I have another preset I call up to put the monitor EQ bass mids and trebble back again.