DI Box Profiling

    First off Happy Easter everyone! I just got my Kemper rack late this week and after getting used to navigating it (I've been used to my Axe FX II XL+) I'm running the Kemper through a pair of Atomic CLR active wedges, and primarily using a strat. I decided to try to use the DI Box this morning. I bought the Kemper DI Box and had 3 main amps I wanted to try and profile;


    Two Rock CRS v2 100w
    Two Rock CR 100w
    59 Bassman 4x10 clone


    I ran into a few problems and figured I'd share in case anyone else ran into the same thing.


    I also want to try and do my Samamp VAC 40 and a few others, but these were the main reason I bought the Kemper. So my first few DI attempts were unsuccessful. I got the message "error - no external amp connected or volume too low, please check and repeat profiling". By default, the return level was set to -32db. (I'm running the 3.30 software). After about 5 tries I finally upped the level to 0.0. The profiling worked, and I proceeded to run through some other amp settings and create new profiles. I noticed that the return level changed to about 15db at one point, then around 10db on another go, and one time around 5.5. After saving 5 new profiles, 3 of them were incredibly loud, like an overdrive channel. But the profiles were all set to be clean. So those must've been the 15db ones, because the output light was clipping and the last few around 5-10db turned out fantastic. I'm new to the unit, so I'm not too sure why it started out so low or how it decided to start changing the parameters. But with the output going into clipping on the higher db profiles, I anticipated some would need to be redone. The ones that turned out good though were enough to make me want to list some amps after profiling a few more amp knob settings. But so far I'm really impressed with the Kemper. The main difference I noticed compared to the Axe was that even though I could get close to a sound with the Axe, the Kemper actually captured the percussiveness of the Two Rock CRS. Each note and sensitivity was still there, and that was something I hadn't been able to dial in with the Axe (Not that I don't think the Axe is capable, but it would definitely require a lot more work to achieve the same sound if it can do it.. There are a lot of parameters I'm just uncomfortable messing with at this point) I've also read a few posts where people that had both units stated that the Kemper sounded more digital, while the Axe was more natural. I noticed the opposite. The Kemper sounds about as close to the amp as I've ever heard, while the Axe reminds me of my old Eventide pedals, but with a much higher studio quality sound. But the hifi is definitely more evident than with the Kemper. The Kemper fools me that I'm not plugged into my amps. And I'm extremely picky with my amps, tubes, cabs and pickups. This thing is definitely a keeper. The effects on the Axe are ridiculously good. And while the ones on the Kemper are pretty good as well, they are limited in comparison to the Axe. That said, I'd much rather play through the Kemper with the new profiles than the Axe with my previous settings for a clean channel with reverb. So far, my plan is to keep the Axe for some heavier things and also for any effects I can't get on the Kemper yet.


    One thing I've noticed so far that I can't make sense of... The Axe FX with the CLRs sounds best with the amp AND cab emulation on. When I first plugged in the Kemper, I thought it sounded terrible. I hit the cab button and once I turned off cab emulation it was unbelievably good. So good that I turned the cab off on every single patch. It was like lifting a veil off of the speakers. But everything I read says I should only be disabling cab emulation when using a power amp/guitar cab setup. I'm content with it as long as it sounds good, but I'd definitely like to know if I'm doing it all wrong.. Maybe some of you seasoned vets can shed some light on this. All in all I'm incredibly happy with the Kemper, and can't wait to put more time into dialing everything in. I have the remote already but haven't even plugged it up yet, and two Mission/Kemper expression pedals on the way. I'm definitely happy with my purchase so far, and looking forward to making this my main rig!


    Thanks,
    Chris

    To set the return level in the profiling process toggle between the reference amp and the current rig and dial them in to the same volume. Sometimes it helps to connect the main out of the Kemper to a mixer with a VU meter, so you can precisely set current rig and reference rig to the same volume ;)


    The Atomic CLR is not a guitar speaker, therefore one should - in theory - use the cab emulation from the Kemper. On cleaner profiles you won't notice too much of a difference and so some profiles can sound better without cab emulation. But any higher gain profile should sound really harsh and fizzy if you turn the cab emulation off and use the CLR. But in the end use the sound that pleases your ears most :)
    Have you set the CLR to its correct mode (FF, Tilt, BL)? That can result in some bass-heavy or thin tones if it's set not correctly. To cite the CLR manual:

    Quote

    Active CLRs provide user-selectable presets for three common acoustic boundary conditions: free-field, tilt, and backline. The free-field setting is optimized for use when the speaker is elevated off the floor on a pole or stand; the tilt setting is optimized for use as a floor wedge, with the speaker on the floor aimed up at the player; and the backline setting is optimized for placement of the speaker on the floor and aimed horizontally, as is common for guitar amp usage.

    My biggest fear is when I die my wife will sell my guitars for what I told her they cost.

    Yeah I did that and didn't notice a difference I'm guessing I should've had a CLR hooked up rather than just the amp + cab. I went through the settings on the CLR when I first purchased them with the Axe rig. I think if the CLRs were set incorrectly it would reveal itself with both units but I hear ya.. They definitely have more bottom end in one setting than the other. The difference in sound between the cab on and cab off on the Kemper is night and day. It's almost like there's an incorrect setting I'm missing. That's why I mentioned it. It's a drastic change and sounds fantastic with the cab off. But not even usable with the cab on. I appreciate the reply.
    Thanks,
    Chris

    Maybe it would a good idea if you try some profiles at first and become familiar with the Kemper and the facilities for tweaking..
    Profiling should be the next stage when you understand your Kemper.


    The way to learn with positive experiences is easier than the way of frustration. :saint:
    But both can work at a longer run. ;)