Hi, looking for any suggestions for a specific power amp for the unpowered Kemper rack.

What would be your best choice or experience ?

Good topic... I was just wondering if I would still wait for the next update so beta version bugs would be fixed.

Let's not forget Nikki S.

Quote from BayouTexan

I believe there may be one popular redhead guitarist on here but she doesn't post much. Maybe too much testosterone in here?

Damn right...

I was thinking Gretchen Menn, (?) but it looks like she might be using real miced-up Laneys.

I'm thinking about waiting for the real thing to come out. For now, I don't see the advantage of the usb out option instead of my actual spif connection with a good interface. I will look up for creative ways or scenarios to use it and not going through any drivers issues.

Multi-instrumentist Anni has been a Kemper user for quite some time. Wondering if she's a member of this community.

link: I wanna take that journey deep right into your soul - YouTube

Hi there,

I know the subject might have been already discussed here but it seems many years ago.

I recently got an Antelope Zen Q interface with Discrete preamps and spdif connection, which I never had before.

So I gave it a test with the KPA, comparing the recording of incoming, amplified signal with spdif and with xlr.

My first test for high-gain sound shows me barely any differences between the two. I made sure I selected internal clock for spdif at 48 khz,

which is the same with the interface. Not sure to understand the importance by which one has to be the 'slave' yet.

If I made no wrong, and the difference of sound is minimal, are you still recording spdif for the sake of having more free inputs available?

Thanks for your insights

Hi there,

I was thinking that somebody some day might want to release a book like '50 ways to use the Kemper' or something.

Of course different versions exists, within various environnements, but how are you using it in your rig or studio?

As an amp? Direct? Complementary? Hybrid? Effets loop? Other crazy stuff?

Sharing my main setup that might be unusual for some, contextual for others, (or forbidden by purists) as I like to use kemper profiles in the fx loop of the Mesa TC-50, not only for effects but to add a 'gain no.2' (much alike dual gain on Marshalls or Fortin Cali) after each three channels set around mid-gain, which delivers an interesting variety of tones, from plexi to full-on metal. One fave is an ADA Mp1 preamp preset 45 combined with channel 2, or a JJCantrell 100W profile at various gain between clean or purple channel as a 'boost'. Sometimes it's just 'amp off' with a preamp or OD pedal in front but keeping the KPA EQ, fave cab and effets in the loop.

All that goes through the 2x12 cab and a Laney Frfr 112 alternatively or simultaneously.

Sha

Nice

I wish those units were more affordable or available,

I took a previous desk-mount for computer screen

and it's looping in my TC-50 at a desirable height,

Straight to the Kemper isnt enough for me, so I have at least three boost/preamp external options before the KPA, one delay pedal in a loop,

and sometimes 3 different s IRs blended together with the help of another 'processor' or IR loader.

1) a clean boost pedal - 2) a preamp pedal as a boost - 3) a Marshall-like tube preamp with low gain settings and a boost option when needed.

I often chose one of those boost options depending how well they match with certain profiles. Certain profiles dont need a boost, others might sound better with the gain dropped, to let one or the other external boosts options make them sound even more better and precise. That might sound expensive or silly, but it works. I also use a delay pedal in a the loop of the kpa in the effects section so after the 'amp' section these days.

so that looks like: guitar -> clean boost pedal -> rack tube preamp -> kemper -> power amp -> mesa 2x12 cab (or a 1x12 FRFR cab, or studio monitors).

Quote from paddyc

please profile that crate amp

Haha!

It has been gone nowhere a long time ago, but I think that was pretty much that model

[Blocked Image: https://thewalk.com/sites/musiciansite/images/crate/top.jpg]

It's been already a year last month since I got the unpowered KPA. It led me to some of the craziest experiences I couldnt imagine. I might have gone throught 6000 different profiles and 666 IRs (lol). Blending IRs, processors, boosts, preamps, before, in between or after the KPA, through monitors, real cab, and even a FRFR cab. Of course the relentless tone chasing affected the playing a bit, but recently I got the Laney LFR 112 cab and the principle of just playing for the pleasure got back, as opposed to just tweaking for the purpose of recording. I can't let go of make things complicated: i like to switch from various types of boosts pedals/preamps, and also jam with the Mesa 2 x 12

on one side and the FRFR 1 x 12 on the other side to create a 'comforting enveloppe'.

I'm also learning of not feeling guilty of doing things some people said we shouldnt do. It's all about experimenting and the Kemper graciously provided me the inspiration to explore a multitude of possibilities.

I also appreciate the presence of this community. The 'kemper family' makes me believe we're all connected to something big in terms of technology and improvement.

I'll leave it with what I said last year: In 1987 I was trying to get a decent sound with the overdrive switch of a 10W Crate amp, now i'm somewhat dialing all

the best amps in the world

This earlier version does not include the Art power conditioner and the Lexicon Mx 300 which i added in loop thought the Helix LT

like the Kemper itself as an amp in the signal chain blocks. I switch often between the power amp/cab to the direct/studio monitors options.

The Solar is my main rhythm. I sold my Jackson Monarkh (the one I play on my profile pic), thinking about getting a Charvel Pro for further studio use.

Quote from ajbsmirnoff

I recently added a Kemper to my rack to get the/my 'dream rig' of a Helix and Kemper.

So far its pretty great - any amp, any effect - the two device co-exist very well together.

I'm of the opinion that you don't have to be in one camp or the other - you're allowed to have whatever gear you like and enjoy it. Definitely have both if you can

I feel the same way about that combination. The more I use them together, the more I'm glad with my decision of keeping the Helix

after i got the KPA. The signal chain options are crazy. Never thought I would see the Kemper as a 'small white block' on the screen

Interesting subject, i'm curious about other people's feedbacks as well. I've been experimenting similar issues with the quad method.

Some sounds are less difficult to work with, or blend together better. Id didnt even tried tracking with different guitars / pick ups yet since recording with the Kemper, various IRs and the quad thing are still all new for me.

I was wondering if other people like me have been somewhat inspired by good sounding profiles that makes you consider checking out one real amp in particular.

I know many of them are unnafordable, but based on your Kemper experience so far, which one has been/or would be a winner for you to have for real?

Reasonably, I would like to get an EVH 5153 50 W but, i must admit ive 'dreamed' of the Fryette Pitbull , or even the Friedman Be100., even though they're frightfully expensive and maybe unnecessary in my case.

I also use the Helix LT floor to manage and have a visual on the signal chain which includes the Kemper as a 'slave'

(or read: the 'amp block' in the chain), plugged in one of the effect loops of the Helix. I can altern from one processor

to the other for effects, mainly using the Helix for eqs, delays and modulations effects (or not) , as well as a few cabs and imported

IRs. The possibilities are quite insane.

Quote from Burkhard

Given your settings, it should work and it works here under OS 6.0. I tested Front INPUT as well as ALTERNATIVE INPUT.

Check Volume Pedal level.

The Remote is a remote control and not part of the audio signal chain.

Check, that you are really using the intended output and Output Source and no effect loop is engaged while no external equipment attached … the usual suspects.

Try other Rigs, change mode…. to narrow in.

I did retry with Front Input and for some reason it WORKED!

I thought it was something else but it was worth retrying. Thanks for the suggestion!

Quote from Wheresthedug

Have you checked the Looper Volume control incase it accidentally got turned to 0?

I think it is to 0 by default. Isnt 0 Db the highest setting on this control? I just checked and it only goes down to -12 Db on the negative side.

Quote from DamianGreda

1. You have to record new loop when you are switching pre/post

2. In post position sound is recorded after the stack so rig change will not have influence on the recorded loop

3. In "pre" position the rig will affect the loop sound

Hi Damian, thank you for taking the time,

I did retry to record a loop after switching back to pre (input) and still no sound on playback (which is still strange

due to the fact i was hearing the signal come across while recording the loop).

I see the playback bar running during that time.

The only thing I think i didnt try yet is to unplug the remote and plug it back.