Posts by Serendipity

    Honestly, I've come around to this way of thinking too. Haven't tried a Helix but I did get an AX-8 thinking it might be a substitute for the Kemper, or at least the FX engine would (in which case I might return it in exchange for an FX-8) but actually there was nothing in the Fractal I couldn't do without. I think maybe the reverbs were better, but in all other FX departments I felt the Kemper was at least as good if not better. The difference in the amp side of things was night & day. I would never replace my Kemper now.

    I run an FX8 in front of my Kemper purely for it's software editor control while doing sound design work. It saves me a lot of time and makes the process enjoyable.

    I'm honestly considering slapping my M13 in in front of the Kemper and calling it a day. It will increase my floorspace requirements and up my foot stomping but I did buy the Kemper to give me access to the amps - not the effects, and if it makes it easier for me to just set up performances with different amps and have the M13 in front (or loop or even 4CM), I may have to do it. That right there would pretty much solve my perceived editor requirements since most of them revolve around preset management.

    I'm using an FX8 and I can't complain, but it does seem a bit odd having to get a separate unit just to make it do what I want. Although on the plus side, I do get to use both the Kemper FX and Fractal FX together using the 4CM.

    I'm thinking about this in a pragmatic manner, not an emotional one. The difference with the Axe-Fx is that they already have an editor, and the interface is no where near as intuitive as the Kemper. My point was that instead of people incessantly saying they can't get things done without an editor, it's simply not true. There are currently 2 choices, learn the interface, and start creating the sounds you're looking for now, and switch to an editor when it comes out, or just wait for an editor. If you just wait, who are you hurting? Kemper or yourself?


    Since the options in an editor will correspond to the options on the unit, those people you spoke about will be overwhelmed with a PC editor also.

    Don't forget the 3rd choice .. use the Kemper for the amp sounds and a Fractal FX8 for the FX using the 4CM. It works great, and you have a very good editor too! ;)

    It's just that now the need for editor has been maximized by a wide margin for me personally, even though I haven't really "pushed" for that matter really. But before too if it wasn't suprising as many wanted it as much.

    You either need an editor of you don't. It's not for anybody else to say you don't need an editor just because they don't need one :)

    Actually an editor may even draw in more customers, i.e. those who are used to using editors, or just plain have an outright need for one. For some the increased productivity could offset the high price. Not everybody is looking for a replica valve amp in digital format with a focus on playing live, some people need to regularly tweak their sounds on the fly.


    A major advantage of digital over analogue is the fine control it gives the user over all parameters, so surely it makes sense to utilize this benefit by implementing a software control interface (editor)?

    All technology starts off as a niche product for a specialist market before filtering down to the masses. Take computers for example. They used be huge mainframes and cost millions, and were only used by governments and big business. Then with the PC revolution in Silicon Valley they were used by early adopters in the DIY enthusiast community, although they still commanded premium prices as they were not yet commodity items. Fast forward to today and now every home has multiple computing devices, desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, TV, fridge, car, watch, etc.

    Looking at other technology, most homes have a few cars these days, travel by aircraft is common place, and even quality guitars can now be had for very little money.


    Therefore it is my opinion that the market I described previously will receive the new digital amp technology at some point in time, either through Kemper or a 3rd party when patents lapse. As a member of other music forums, I know that most users of VST amp Sims would like to have a Kemper or Fractal like device, but many are currently priced out of the market.

    How you know this - can you proof such a statement. :?: Maybe kemper see its future at other places. Who can say ?

    It's an untapped market. There is a lot of interest amongst this group, and they only really know digital amps. I'm guessing that the existing Kemper user base are predominantly former/current valve amp owners?


    At the moment Kemper is focussed on replacing real amps, but in the future when the technology is more widely available they will also be taking on the PC based amp sim market.

    As a business owner I have to object.
    Being open about what to expect and when creates negativity when you cannot hold up to your earlier announcements - no matter what the reason is.
    Make announcements when you know it is really going to happen - everything else is a shot in the foot.


    I also do not believe that the active users in this particular thread represent the average Kemper user. That doesn't mean, that the request for an editor isn't valid, but it could mean that the business reality forces Kemper to focus on other topics first and with bigger emphasis.


    I expect more reverbs before anything else.

    I represent the future users of Kemper, I am one of the millions of long-term VST amp users, well versed in the digital amp domain and looking to upgrade to something a bit better. There are many more like me. We live in our DAW's, we float freely between hardware and software, choosing the best tools for the job. We don't mind where our FX come from as long as they sound good.

    For me no question about. For a studio job an editor would be a great help.

    I have lots of different parts and multiple takes which I edit together, so I am always trying to find variations to keep things interesting. At the moment I'm not using any Kemper FX as I try to limit my interaction, but I would like to use them at some point. It's just so much easier to dial in the FX8 using FX8-Edit. I think the workflow on the Helix is even better, maybe not soundwise, but I can understand it's popularity due to the ease of use.

    Now ...... if someone spends lots of time attempting to get specific sounds that require much more detailed editing to achieve on an on-going basis (not just one time to setup their sound), an editor would become a tool that would bring the ease of use up near the sound quality enough that some would jump ship just to have that feature.



    I don't think that anyone that plays live would feel this way, but some who record mostly very well may (not my bag).

    I record and I reamp, so an editor would be a godsend for me. I can fine-tune my FX8 via my computer screen using a second monitor, and I would like to have deep access to my Kemper too. It's really helpful when trying to get guitar tracks to sit well in a mix. I also don't like my Kemper sitting on my computer desk due to space issues, but I am forced to do that.

    I'm sorry I didn't carefully read what you're trying to do. I would say you really don't necessarily need SPDIF for this. All you do is insert the 1/4" output of the audio interface into the input of the Kemper.
    If you're expecting to record the Kemper back into the DAW, this would require a little extra routing inside the DAW.


    The basic idea for all DAWs is to create the equivalent of an independent bus to output the Helix into Kemper. Kemper outputs need to go into a separate bus in the DAW. TO be able to do this utilizing stereo signal, you need to have roughly 4 physical outputs. In the audio interface the inputs where you plug the Kemper need to be assigned to a bus different than the one outputting the Helix to avoid feedback loops,

    OK thanks. I was thinking to use SPDIF in order to keep the signal flow digital, and I don't need stereo as I'm only looking to use FX before the Kemper amps. I also add reverb and delay after the fact from within the DAW using software plugins (Soundtoys, Valhalla).


    It's a new adventure for me, so I am just trying to work out what all of my creative options look like.

    Sure, that can be done, in other words you can place the HELIX VST in the FX loop of the kemper, If you're audio interface has more than two physical outputs, you can connect in the FX loop of he Kemper and use the HELIX plugin as as you would the Helix hardware in the loop of the Kemper. The routing can be done inside the DAW,

    Hi, couldn't I just add an instance of the Helix Native plugin to the DI track in the DAW, and then reamp it through the Kemper as normal, thus remaining in the digital realm? My idea is to test a few Helix drive, fuzz & mod FX options in front of the Kemper amps.


    PC DAW > DI guitar track > Helix VST > SPDIF > Kemper amp profile > SPDIF > PC DAW


    I wish I had a SPDIF cable to try it out :)


    PS I'm new at this, I've only had the Kemper a short while!

    You don't need to do that, and I don't think you can anyway unless you have SPDIF inputs on your computer, which I don't think you can get. You go in via the 1/4 inch input on your interface and record and then you can just click and change the preset and it instantly changes the patch and the recording.


    It's much, much easier than reamping.

    Thanks for the reply. I meant reamping through the Kemper while applying some Helix Native FX to the DI track within the DAW. I don't have a spdif cable at the moment, so I was just wondering if it is possible to use VST FX before the Kemper amps when reamping.


    Apologies if I didn't state my intentions clearly.