Posts by lbieber

So, I guess it depends on how we choose to define time keeping. And it seems there is a distinction between time keeping and tempo setting. Everyone is responsible for time keeping, IMO. I haven't been involved with any band that assigned the drummer as the tempo setter. In my experience, the tempo is set by whoever is most capable of getting it right. That's not always the drummer.

The drummer guitar solo comment seems odd to me. In your analogy, it seems the drummer should responsible and the conductor shouldn't be needed to set time.

I have a powered Kemper and have used guitar cabs and PA type monitors for the stage. I have come to prefer the monitors so that I can leave the Kemper cab switched on. To me, this allows me to hear a closer version of what is coming out of the PA quality wise. I dislike tweaking for the Kemper cab/PA AND some other cab(guitar cab for instance). It is always a compromise in that situation. Doesn't the Kabinet(Kone) present a similar problem?

I think it is a mistake to think the drummer is the time keeper. Everyone is the time keeper. All good music has a common pulse that every musician must feel and play. Labelling someone the time keeper somehow lessens the responsibility of keeping time. Everyone must keep time and share a common pulse.

For live performance, I am not that concerned about small tempo differences. Not worth worrying about IMO. I find the best method to get it right is to sing the words or melody silently in my head. Then I count off the tempo to the others. My $0.02.

The 'soundcheck' wasn't really a soundcheck since it was not done in the final configuration of the room. There might be other functional issues related to the Kemper config and expression pedal, but the timing of the soundcheck should be the big lesson learned.

My guess is EMI interferance as well.

To be clear, you are looking for a Tweed Twin, correct? I have tried the mbritt, Tone Junkie, and TopJimi tweeds. I used britt's Deluxe for Keef smoky tones. I choose different gain Deluxe profiles to cover the range of tones. I use the Tweed Deluxe because the Tweed Twin tones aren't thick enough and don't have the right feel to me. YMMV

BTW, I use the mbritt Plexi profiles. My only complaint is none of those profiles have quite enough clean to dirty range when controlling volume from the guitar only.

Quote from theplayer

Hi Alan, Thanks for clearing this up. But now I've got really good clean rigs

I'm glad you are enjoying the Evans clean rigs. I am too!

Nail the sound? Lol, with a Les Paul? You can't Wrong guitar for the song...period.

As mentioned(kind of), octave fuzz is all over that song. Not just during the obvious solo and octaves at the end. The dirty rhythm is full of it.

BayouTexan - you should request a new Kemper feature to shorten and/or lengthen the strings. It will make all the difference Might as well include an option for scale length as well.

Quote from dutch99

... It’s just a function of having direct sound pumped directly into each year(sic) I think as you hear the details of the sound and the nuance more clearly like this without things bouncing off walls that you normally get in a room.

This is why I prefer to avoid IEMs and headphones. Sound is not generally meant to be pumped directly into the human ear canal. That thing that van Gogh cut off serves a purpose.

I also find that many profile, that I think should be clean, have a touch of breakup as well. Low gain BF profiles as an example. I use the Evans profiles on the RE for pristine cleans. But, perhaps I don't understand clean sens well enough.

Quote from MuddySludge

A full range PA cab would get you closer to what FOH is working with. I think your cab is the problem.

+1

I hear that Kemper Kat is in the works for the multitude of guitarists that just can't get control their cat.

No suggestions for a solution. Just confirming that I have had similar experiences. but with much earlier and different OS. Kemper sound goes away in the middle of a song for no apparent reason. Requires a reboot to recover. Not a great experience when it happens. This situation is anger inducing.

Quote from Withanell

As it is not modifying the ICEpower amplifier in anyway other than switching it back to stereo, no compliance is lost. It operates within the OEM spec of the amp. The only actual modification is the drilling of the holes in the chassis.

-Les

High voltage isn't the only concern here. Putting holes in the unit and adding wires(soldered or not) could alter the compliance of the device in terms of radiation and/or reception of external radiation. In general, mods like this are not valid from a certification point of view. One cannot legally claim that compliance is lost, gained or unchanged. This is not for any individual to claim. By definition. only a licensed certification house can make these types of statements.

Ignoring strict compliance and certification - is it safe? Definitely maybe. Let the buyer/modifier beware. And it seems the OP is making his customers aware. However, the statement by the OP, quoted above re:no compliance is lost, is not accurate and is deceptive at best. The OEM spec of the amp is part of the full certification of the Kemper unit and is not itself what the Kemper certification is based on.

Quote from Boardn14

I don't care about tweaking on a computer, I just want to be able to update the Stage. Do I need an Apple product to do updates? Why would they make it so limited? It should be capable of updates with any USB or Bluetooth device - I would think.

Interfacing with the Kemper without Rig Manager would be a deal breaker for me.

I mute with the tuner and manually swap when using cables.

I have multiple, strap mounted transmitters when using wireless. They have on/off switches.

What kind of bass tones are you looking for? For live bass gigs, I always plug my powered head into a bass cab. I need the lows on stage and no other cabinet alternative gives be what I want. Monitors, side fills, etc... don't do the bass justice on stage IME. I also use the hi and lo cut around 120Hz and 5kHz. I don't want to compete with the kick and I don't like much finger noise. I go for a more traditional clean sound with Fender Jazz and Precisions. I prefer the B15 and SVT clean profiles that are in the Kemper bass rig pack.

And where did you find it for future reference?

I've built many different tube amplifiers over the years (my designs and clones). I have owned most of the well-known amps as well. I cannot tell the difference between the real amps and the profiles. The profiling is so good that it does not need improvement IMO. I am not aware of any compelling reasons to change the profile quality.

The Kemper has A LOT of functionality and requires that the user learn how to use and configure it. This can be relatively easy or more difficult depending on the user. It took some time (a few months) for me to learn how it is designed and how to best use it for my purposes. It is not plug and play as far as I am concerned. Not at all like the majority of tube amps that you simply plug into and turn a couple knobs before you are off and running. There are many configuration options and most are buried in digital menus. Rig Manager helps visualize the great majority of these parameters and was a big benefit to me. RM is the best place to start understanding what is possible. I also have quite a few cabs and a high-end PA in my house so monitoring was not part of the learning curve for me, but it may be for you.

I had moments where I thought that I may have made a bad purchase mostly because I didn't like how much time I needed to invest to gain a firm understanding of the unit. Only after spending the time to learn did I realize how good the Kemper really is.

Also, I believe a midi foot controller is mandatory for live performance with the Kemper, which requires an additional purchase For me the controller is necessary because I need/want to use much of what is offered and running the Kemper from the front panel is not realistic for me in practice. Learning about midi could be an additional learning curve for some.

I would stick with it.

Backing up a step. Do you really need IEMs? Is it worth re-evaluating whether you actually need them? I only use IEMs when the excessive volume forces me into it. Not trying to open a can of worms, just asking...

Quote from Ruefus

I like to find a Profile that requires little in the way of EQ for the sound I’m after. I’ll twiddle with the Bass, Middle, Treble and Presence. But not much.

I spend more time with Definition, Clarity (for dirty sounds) and Direct Mix.

I almost never use an EQ stomp. For guitar, I look at them as problem solvers. Or a way to make an amp sound like something it isn’t.

This is close to my approach.

Although I find most profiles need the presence reduced no matter the cab and I don't get along with the clarity knob. It sounds artificial to my ear.

I also use global hi and lo cut for all live performances.