I prefer a really great tube amp cranked to the Kemper.
Unfortunately, I am not Slash.
Being someone who primarily plays late at night at home with my son one room over, the Kemper is a lifesaver.
I've bounced around between digital gear, software, amps with headphone outs, etc. for many years and the Kemper is the only one that feels right to play.
The reality is that in my situation, the Kemper is the absolute best possible solution, and I've tried just about all options.
I've stumbled on your YouTube channel before. Excellent playing!
Welcome! Let us know if you share your profiles on the Rig Exchange. Love trying out stuff and I've always wanted a Cream Machine.
The journey continues. I had to return my Kemper for a while to pay off a couch and bed, but I have one coming my way again!
I think it's totally okay to rent an amp and profile it, but buying it to profile and return it is dishonest.
Make sure to dial up the Space setting when using headphones. Takes it way to the next level.
Prefer unpowered black toaster, might consider others.
I'm in Southern California.
Hoping to spend in the neighborhood of $1400.
Have one on the hook. Thanks!
Does anyone know of a pedal or VST equivalent to the headphone space setting on the Kemper?
It would be nice to have something similar when not using the Kemper. That setting makes headphone listening outstanding.
The biggest game changer for headphones is the Space setting.
Hold Output, go over a page or two, and increase Space to taste. I think mine is at 7.5.
Super quick tone demo I made of the Ethos Overdrive Texas profile I just uploaded. The usual disclaimers about playing like crap because I threw it together in a few minutes apply.
Fender Strat. Neck for the intro and end transition, Middle for the main rhythm. Currently using a Texas Special in Neck and DiMarzio Virtual Vintage 54 Pro in Middle.
And one more quick track. Mary Had a Little Lamb recorded in one pass. Same Strat using Neck/Middle combo, treble rolled down a bit.
Both clips recorded hastily and with no knowledge of how to even use the DAW I used to export them. The treble is a bit too hot for most Strats, but I just roll my Treble down because I control both Neck and Middle with my center knob. I failed to roll it down on the first track, but remembered on the second.
The Ethos Overdrive is pretty insane. So is the Kemper.
I have a fully loaded Ethos Clean-Fusion II on the way in a couple weeks.
The Effectrode Blackbird also mentioned in this thread is really incredible for clean Fender-like tones and some creamy crunch as well, but it's not along the same tonal lines as the Ethos (nor is it meant to be). I have dialed in a few nice sounds, but they tend to require a power amp in addition to a cab, so I'll probably stop making profiles of it.
Starting to zero in on good profiles with the Ethos Overdrive and will likely nuke the crappier ones from Rig Manager.
I've also started getting some profiles for the Effectrode Blackbird. This has no cab sim so it'll need cabs.
What kind of speakers are hooked up there? I've been looking for some inexpensive/small speakers.
On US Keyboards, the Z and Y are swapped in the new OS. Is this a place to report bugs or should I go elsewhere?
I had the same general thoughts on the Kemper for the first few days. Generally a bit dull sounding on a lot of profiles, thin on others, etc.
What fixed it for my ears since I'm using headphones most of the time is the Space setting in Output. It takes the Kemper from sounding super weaksauce in cans to quite incredible.
I also have an open box Kemper and it had some Global settings (EQ and Noise Gate in particular) that were screwing things up.
Basically, resetting everything to factory, setting the Noise Gate for my setup, and taking Space to about 7.5 made tremendous improvements.
Beyond that it was a logic game. A lot of profiles are less bright and sexy to listen to on their own, but that's because they were made to be part of a mix, not for noodling alone in a room. M. Britt profiles are gorgeous if you play along to music with them and a bit dark if you just play them alone.
Glad it looks like you're starting to figure out your Profiler.
Thanks! Will try it out. I uploaded Ethos Overdrive Blues NOCAB as well. This has no speaker sim and no cabinet attached (so it sounds terrible until you put a cab in there).
Anyone willing to help me a bit?
I am trying to find a great cab for bluesy SRV style tone to go with my merged Ethos profile.
If you're willing to provide Cab or impulse response recommendations, I'm all ears!
This profile to start from:
Ethos OD Blues Merged
I have a Rack (open box) unit and could trade it in +$200 for a Head unit.
Is the extra room worth it? It's a touch cramped on the Rack but it's hard to justify spending extra for the same sound.
I uploaded some profiles under my name. One of the best SRV sounds with my setup right now is the Ethos Overdrive SRV profile in Rig Exchange that I made.
I've started profiling my Ethos Overdrive. So far only 4 profiles uploaded to the Rig Manager, but I'll dial in some others. I'm currently always using the speaker/cab sim but might do some without it. Not sure how it will work out without it.
Anyway, just search for my name or "Ethos Overdrive" and you'll find them. If you have any requests for specific settings, let me know.
Update: I'm also profiling the Effectrode Blackbird slowly. You'll find those under my name also!
Have you tried this one:https://www.kemper-amps.com/fo…4-Bluesy-SRV-Hendrix-rig/
Can sound pretty SRV like at times...
/Einar
Thanks! I've been using my own copy of your SRV Steel String Singer profile and will try out that one.
I moved the Heavy Blues 2 pickup to the bridge. Much better there than neck. I'm swapping a Pro 54 for an Area 61 but have a Texas Special in the neck for now. It's helping get closer to SRV.
