Ok , about to buy my Kemper....
I'm going for the Rack Unit - Non Power
It will not be used for gigging - only for home Practice running through my DAW & Recording in Logic - ( I have a list of songs to learn so soon ill be asking for some profiles soon - ie " Slow Dancing in a Burning Room " , " Sultans Of Swing " , " Wonderful Tonight "....
But..... now we have the editor is there any advantage with non over powered units ? or vice versa ?
Bearing in mind we have IR's ?
Just making sure...
Thank You so much for your info
Display MoreHey, Richard.
Everyone has different priorities but perhaps my journey will offer some additional data as you go through the decision making process.
I had lots of tube amps and cabs, so I initially bought a powered toaster (head) so I could use my existing Marshall 4x12, etc. And that sounded great. I didn't buy the remote, just the head. I experimented with MIDI pedals but ultimately decided that the custom tailored remote would probably be worthwhile, so I bought it. Another great purchase. Built like a tank and is obviously the perfect fit since it was designed specifically for the Kemper, so it's a better experience than a generic MIDI footswitch setup.
After hearing all the talk about FRFR speakers, I thought I should give one a try. I ended up buying the Yamaha DXR-10, one that gets a lot of love here. Again, very happy with the purchase. I like it enough that I prefer it to the Marshall or my single V30 cabs, and it's also smaller. However, it's a powered cabinet, which is of course a consideration.
I used to play in cover bands for a living, then part time, then not much at all. I'd been looking for a band with intentions of gigging again when I bought the Kemper. However, these days my contemporaries are too old to rock and roll (at least here in Atlanta), so I'm largely consigned to the studio. But I've already spent the money on purchases with live gigs in mind. So, here's my thoughts at this point, i.e. "if I had it to do over again."
Because my speaker of choice is the powered Yamaha, a powered Kemper isn't necessary. Even so, I'm glad I have it because I like options. Now I can run the Yamaha but still have the ability to plug into any passive cabinet that strikes my fancy. The remote isn't strictly necessary if I'm in the studio. For that matter, neither is the speaker. However, I have the remote cabled into the live room (the Ethernet cabling to carry both power and control is extremely convenient), which is where the speakers are. And I'm glad I have that setup, because sometimes you just need to feel the hair on your arms vibrate, to quote Eddie.
One thing I would have done differently is to purchase the head and remote as a package deal. I bought the Kemper from Sweetwater, which tends to be a good experience for me. However, the remote isn't offered for sale separately from them or any of the other retailers I buy from, so I had to buy it from the Kemper store. My Kemper purchase experience was fine, but I paid full retail for the remote. If I had bought them both together it would have been a discounted bundle, and Sweetwater would discount from that retail price. If I bought the remote from Sweetwater, again I wouldn't have paid full retail. So, if you think you might want the remote in the future, you'll save money buying them together.
I've been playing tube amps since the 70s. I've tried various Line 6 products over the years and they were versatile, but not quite there. When I bought the Kemper, I decided to buy some highly regarded commercial profiles so I could see the best that this rig could do. After one week, I sold every tube amp that I own. Really. I play classic rock so I can't speak to how it stacks up for other styles of music, but I don't miss my tube amps even a little.
So, the only thing I'd do differently, at least for my needs, has to do with bundling the remote. Otherwise, I have a great rig for studio or live use, or even those times when I just want to turn it up to 11 and rock out for a bit to get the adrenaline pumping.
The other thing I've noticed is that the Kemper forums are a bit of an oddity in the animal kingdom. Most Internet forums are soaked in snark, with lots of trolls and negativity. While there's no such thing as perfection when humans are involved, this has been the most overwhelmingly positive, friendly and helpful forum I've ever seen.
Even if some people do write exceedingly long posts.
Hope this helps!
Tuner - Please
I spent 2 hours with the Gemini 2 Studio
I play 99% clean tones - I was impressed
My 2 cents....
Winter NAMM
Thanks for the Info
Hi my name is Richard,
I’m getting back into guitar again after losing my wife to Cancer.
Been playing for over 40 years
I am a home player, play modern country, Rockabilly & record in logic.
still reviewing the profiler, Rack Mount, un powered......
