Using main outputs for FOH

Ok you’ve got me a little confused. Your input is too hot from your kpa into your desk but you aren’t getting a loud enough signal?

Ok, too hot a signal from main outs is common. If you search you’ll see lots of advice on the forum about engaging the -12db on outputs. (Think it’s -12 but not got kpa in front of me). Otherwise turn your outs down in your output section.

You say you turn up your kpa to max, 600 Watts, in your op. Are you confusing the power amp version or controls with main out? If you’re going to foh via main outs, you aren’t sending a power watt rating.

Does the sound come across bad simply cos you’re clipping your desk? Sounds likely here.

Or I’ve got completely confused by your post

what volume are your monitors set at? They’re powered you say

I agree: with the Main Outputs that high, you're getting an insanely strong signal into the desk, which explains the clipping (yellow/red meter), so you must be losing volume somewhere downstream from the mixer.

I have no specific advice but just want to say: be very careful while troubleshooting. If you "accidentally" correct the problem with the Kemper's full signal going into 1000W powered speakers, you'll break your equipment, your ears and possibly your neighborhood. You should probably start by turning the main outputs way down (or at least engaging the -12dB setting).

I will also be important, if you 're using a digitial FOH mixer, which cannot not deal with too much gain vs an analog mixer.
I would recommend to set your Main out e.g. to -20dB and than get the inout gain level adjusted (carefully) at the Mixer.

Well your 600 Watt have nothing to do with your mixer Allan&Heath if you use the Main Outs.
(or am I wrong?)

Just a rule something out idea. Try the Main outs of KPA directly to the 2 QSCs' and see how it sounds. The 600W thing kinda has me confused cause your using powered PA speakers with 1000W max.

Quote from theplayer

In the output section of my kpa the level of pwr amp boost is increased to 5 dB.
(...)
Where are my 600 W to have at least a decent volume reserve when needed?

I assume you have the Kemper model with power amp. But that has nothing to do with the Main Output (the stereo one, that has both XLR and TS outputs). The power amp in the Kemper only affects the dedicated power amp output, which is meant for use with passive cabinets. The power amp boost and the 600 W spec all apply there, not to the Main Output.

In your case, going into a mixing desk, you should be using the Main Output, which I assume you are. In that case, make sure that the volume you're raising in the Kemper is indeed the Main Output volume. Press the Output button, then use the Page buttons to find the second page (starting from the leftmost page). There, you can see the individual volumes for each physical output. The one on the left (Main Volume) is the one you need. (You may know this already but I just want to make sure you're turning the correct knob.)

So to sum up:

* 600 W power amp / power amp boost setting:
=> These apply to the Power Amp output (the one with the red ring), meant for passive cabinets
=> Do NOT use it into your mixing desk or active speakers!

* Use the unpowered Main Output (either XLR or TS)
=> Adjust its volume individually in output settings
=> Definitely start troubleshooting with lower volume settings, both in the Kemper and on your other gear, to avoid cataclysmic volumes.

The mention of 600w is just confusing me tbh. You are using main outs to desk. The desk is going to powered pa speakers. That means ALL amplification is coming from the powered speakers, not the kpa. All I can tell you i that I use main out set to mono; xlr to desk; desk to powered monitors and I have no problem playing with drums etc. So it's not the KPA in general that's the issue.

You've written above "The two outs from my kpa go into the output of the mixer". I assume you've just made a mistake when writing that?

As above, hope youre not using your 'speaker output' of a powered version and are using main outs

If you're using the speaker out then then 'Toaster' is an appropriate name for the KPA in this case!

Check if the -12dB option in output menu is enabled. If yes, disable it to get more volume out of the main outs. Also keep in mind that some desks automatically are engaging mic preamps when XLR's are plugged in (this should be no problem in your case as you're using jack-cables). On your desk check if there's an input-option to choose between mic and line level. If yes, choose line level.

Mainout -12 dB funktion in output menue on!
Output mainout master stereo. Prox. - 18 dB main output volume.

Xlr left and xlr Rigs right from kpa xlr mainouts to xlr mixer input.

Check the meter range ( input sensity mixer).With your 1000 watt qsc you get a lot power and a cool sound to foh, if you use the right rigs.

ok, I questioned your information about output of kpa into output of desk as this is just wrong. You’d never put an output into an output, so not sure what’s going on there

Quote from Netheravon

ok, I questioned your information about output of kpa into output of desk as this is just wrong. You’d never put an output into an output, so not sure what’s going on there

This! As have written: Kpa main outs left /right xlr to xlr mixer in.

Take the poweramp out of the equation, as it has no bearing on the main output signal. Make sure the volumes are unlinked!

It should be easy to set the main output to around -18 db and get a good signal on the desk as described below. Use XLR's to the desk, make sure phantom power is not on...

If you get a good signal then its really about the desk to the powered speakers...