Using the Kemper with a Talk Box

Stringtheorist · Dec 23rd 2014

One of my all time favourite guitar FX is the Talk Box. (The real thing, not a vocoder, wah, formant filter or similar.) I bought one nine years ago but never had the chance to use it so it remained in storage. Now I am finally in a band where I have the opportunity to break it out only to discover that since I am now using an Axe-FX with an FRFR setup, I am unable to rig this thing, since it needs a stand-alone power amp, and it isn't worth me changing my entire rig just to use this one effect.

So my question is, would it be possible to route a talk-box to the speaker output on a Kemper Power Rack, and the line outs to my usual monitor? Anyone already using a talk-box with a Kemper? If so, please describe your setup.

paults · Dec 23rd 2014

Yes. The amp in the Kemper can be used with a talkbox instead of a speaker.

BUT, you would need to figure out how to switch off the monitor sound separately from the talkbox sound,

I use a Rocktron Banshee, instead, It has a small power amp built into it, and a bypass switch.

Stringtheorist · Dec 23rd 2014

Thanks Paul. Mine is a Supertalker. It has a bypass switch and two jacks, one labelled "speaker" and one labelled "amp". Presumably the speaker goes to the Kemper speaker out, but where should the "amp" be connected? Should this jack connect directly to my CLR?

http://supertalker.com/setup/stalker_setup.html

paults · Dec 23rd 2014

If you have a passive CLR, yes.

If you have an active CLR, no. An active CLR is designed for a line level signal, not a power amp output.

Stringtheorist · Dec 23rd 2014

Mine's an active CLR. Does this mean there's no way of me using this? Would a Banshee work instead?

paults · Dec 23rd 2014

A Banshee would be MUCH simpler to use.

It goes between the guitar and the amp/AxeFX/Kemper.

Stringtheorist · Dec 23rd 2014

Great, I'll look into it. Thanks.

Deny · Dec 24th 2014

I use a banshee in the kpa fx loop, works flawlessly plus it's less connections to fuss around with
The initial setup isn't very trivial so let me know if you get one and i'll walk you through it.

burningyen · Dec 24th 2014

guitar->Banshee->KPA
vs.
guitar->KPA->Banshee->KPA

Unless I'm missing something that's more connections, not fewer.

Stringtheorist · Dec 24th 2014

Many thanks Deny. I'll post back here if/when I get one.

Deny · Dec 25th 2014

Quote from burningyen

guitar->Banshee->KPA
vs.
guitar->KPA->Banshee->KPA

Unless I'm missing something that's more connections, not fewer.

I was talking about the connections with a talk box that requires a power amp and speaker.

Actually my setup is guitar -> KPA -[FX out]-> Banshee / SM57-> Preamp -[FX in]-> KPA

The advantages are: (1) you hear exactly what's going to the FOH from your own monitor; (2) just one (if mono) cable to FOH and no worries about mic levels, monitoring, etc; (3) you can enable and disable the talkbox on a per-patch basis using just your MIDI footswitch, no tap dancing required.

paults · Dec 25th 2014

I use my vocal mic to send the talkbox sound to the PA. It has similar, if different, advantages:

1) my vocal monitor is already there, and it also lets me hear exactly what is being sent to FOH.

2) no extra mic, no extra mic cable or stand is needed.

3) The same number of taps are needed - one for On, one for Off.

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