Blue Amps: Camper 212 Vs. 212FR-A

    Running a test...report follows. :P :P :P :P


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    "Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music" Serghei Rachmaninoff


    Edited once, last by guitarnet70 ().

    I think you would like it, report after band rehearsal this evening. This stuff is a monster.

    "Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music" Serghei Rachmaninoff


    Ok guys...for the Camper I confirm my opinion from the other test I did few months ago, what is different in the 212FR-A? It's bigger (like a 4x10 but deeper) but not heavier as the Camper: around 27Kg), definitely louder (a lot, enough to flap you pants) and you need almost no EQ adjustment (if the rigs are set for a PA at gig volume). The sound pressure and thickness are impressive, really on the level of a 4x12.: a big "Thump" in the guts. The sound is very open and defined at all frequencies, it really makes fun to swap the cabs around from the KPA because you can hear/feel the changes very well. Another difference to the Camper is that it sounds very good also at extremely low volume (like -60db from the KPA).


    For the Gearheads here: 2x12 plus Tweeter (looks like a horn one), mono, 250W RMS (and you feel it! I don't want to hear any BS that a class D Watt is not the same as a Tube Watt), 480 W Peak (I couldn't get to 0 db from the Kemper, my ears where hurting ;( ). Flat response from 55 Hz to 15 kHz. The Poweramp is active cooled with a fan, but extremely silent: when I first switched it on I was surprised to hear a standby hiss from a Class D cab....'till I realized that was the fan... :rolleyes:


    Band rehearsal went extremely well and on the Weekend we have a Casino gig, a pub one and a wedding (with the quartet). I'll report by Sunday evening. :thumbup:


    Doc: for fun we picked a Mustang IV (4x12) from the shop (the rehearsal room is on the back of it and the Keyboard player is the owner) and compared it (cab off) with the 212FR-A (Cab on): 2 Guitar players, the shop owner and a (pro) sound engineer agrees that you should give it a try. ;) :D


    ...to be followed....

    "Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music" Serghei Rachmaninoff


    Quote from guitarnet70

    Doc: for fun we picked a Mustang IV (4x12) from the shop (the rehearsal room is on the back of it and the Keyboard player is the owner) and compared it (cab off) with the 212FR-A (Cab on): 2 Guitar players, the shop owner and a (pro) sound engineer agrees that you should give it a try. ;) :D


    Thank you, Davide...


    What do you mean I should try: the 212FR-A or the Mustang IV with 4x12 ?
    Could the M keep up a bit?


    Personally I'm quite fond of the Mustang III as it's a no nonsense, affordable, portable, good sounding amplification solution.


    But of course I see the benefits of a real FRFR solution in terms of fidelity for the different cabs.


    I was not 100 % convinced of the Non FR- Camper, this might change with the 212FR-A.
    The best feeling I got out of FRFR yet is the Yamaha DXR 10 that I used at my recent gig.
    It was better than my old Atomic FR (which is sold), better than the Mustang, too.


    I'm on the list for an Atomic CLR as well because I'm curious if it surpasses the Yamaha.

    I mean you should try the 212FR-A. We've taken the M IV because of the 2x12 (with the M III it would have been unfair) and it sounds pretty good to be honest, but having to defeat the cab the differences between different profiles couldn't come out so well like with the 212FR-A. Another point of difference was the clarity at volume, the sound pressure and the overall volume, but that is pretty clear if you consider that the M IV is 2x75W and the 212FR-A is 250W RMS (480W Peak, though on the website is rated 300/600W, maybe Marco or Tilman can shed a bit of light here).
    Obviously no comment about the price gap: 2 different classes of products.

    "Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music" Serghei Rachmaninoff


    Yes, I would love to do another comparison in the near future (incl. the 212 FR-A).
    That should be fun and educating at the same time.
    And yes, there's quite a price difference between Mustang and Camper or CLR, so one can expect a little, but certain superiority here...

    Hi folks, finally a bit of time after the gigs, been quite busy this weekend.
    The 212FR-A rules! Big time! Been playing in 3 completely different situations, from big stage/high volume to no stage/background music. Got a fantastic sound at any moment and any volume. Just turned the reverb off (as I usually do Live) and the amps where phisically there behind me, every nuance was very well represented as well as the different Cab's profiles. All what I've liked in the Camper is still there but with more transparence, more "hump" and less eq necessary. Still better than a PA monitor, more warmth and amp feel.
    The only downside is that this box is big and heavy, forget about running up the stairs with it in one hand and the Kemper in the other, but definitely well worth the extra trip to get it on stage. It is definitely smaller/lighter than a 4x12 but on stage it feels the same :thumbup: .
    For me an absolute keeper! Worthwhile trying it if you play a lot live in different situations, but very good also at moderate volume.
    Thanks again to Marco and Tilman for the test drive. They are both staying here (my other guitarist just got Kemperized and bought the Camper 212, we never had so much compliments fo the sound like this weekend).


    Hope that Marco and Ingolf can get together for a new video, I'm sure that Doc is going to like this one. :D

    "Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music" Serghei Rachmaninoff