The Kemper thread

Jonathanthomas83 · June 2018

In the spirit of the other big players in the digital hardware domain, thought it good to start a thread for Kemper owners.

We have something new to play with today, finally, Spring reverb, and it sounds fantastic! More new reverbs on the way, apparently, great stuff!

Figured that this would be better suited in FX considering major updates only really affect FX and features, not amps.

Jonathanthomas83 · June 2018

5.6.2.13481 Spring Reverb Preview

This is a new public beta including our new Spring Reverb, which is one element of a bigger revision of the reverb effects! We are preparing a whole bunch of new reverb effects and the flexibilization of the REV Module. At the end of this process reverb effects will be available in all Modules and all effect types will be available for selection in the REV Module.

And here some explanations:

Spring Reverb Preview

The Spring Reverb is inspired by the most sought-after spring reverb for guitarists: the Fender (TM) Reverb Tank from 1963. There are two prominent characteristics that define this legendary reverb sound: one is the lack of low frequencies - this was due to a steep lowcut filter used in the original design to avoid acoustic feedback between the speaker and the reverb tank, that were both housed in the same combo amplifier. The other is the haunting sound quality that resembles water dripping in a cave. We have gone to great lengths to faithfully recreate this effect, for which we have provided a dedicated intensity parameter called “Dripstone”.

Vintage combo amps do not feature a preamp distortion, meaning that the power amp needs to be clipped to achieve a gritty sound. Due to the placement of the reverb tank before the power amp, its output will be distorted along with the dry guitar. To authentically recreate this effect in the Profiler, you should place the Spring Reverb before the Amplifier. However, if you place the Spring Reverb after the Amplifier, you can then enjoy it in stereo.

☞ Please find the effect type "Spring Reverb" at the end of the list of effect types - turn the TYPE knob in any of the Modules between A and DLY. Spring Reverb is not available in the REV Module yet!

☞ We suggest you start with the new preset “REV Spring Fan” - turn the BROWSE knob to select it, and then play with the parameters.

Here is a description of the new parameters introduced with Spring Reverb:

Decay Time

Determines how fast the reverb decays. In a way, the Decay Time sets the size of the room, as small rooms decay more quickly, and large rooms more slowly.
Decay Time is analogous to the Feedback parameter of the delay effects. It is measured in seconds (s) and reflects the time the reverb will take to decay by 60dB - well below the hearing threshold.

Dripstone

Controls the intensity of the “Dripstone” sound.

Spring Size

Varies the size of the springs and, consequently, the density of the “Dripstone” sound.

High Damp

Controls the high frequency degradation over time. The further you turn to the left, the more high frequency content is lost as the reverb decays.

Low Damp

Controls the low frequency degradation over time. The further you turn to the right, the more low frequency content is lost as the reverb decays

Spectral Balance

The Spring Reverb is originally processed by a strong lowcut filter. By moving Spectral Balance away from the (default) middle setting you can balance the sound of the wet reverb signal more towards low or high frequencies.

TeleMaster · June 2018

Finally. And with the confirmation of an editor on the horizon it's looking good for Kemper owners!

mistercharlie · June 2018

Wait, there was no spring reverb until now?!

Wazmeister · June 2018

I welcome this thread, as Ive second time around with my Kemper... and to be honest, it has been an absolute revelation.

I rehearsed with just the Kemper on Thursday night, into a small Zilla Dinky 1x12 Neo Creamback, and the result was astonishing. I couldnt get the Master Volume to work, but then realised today that I hadnt set it up right !

Anyway, at one point I had a Helix and the Kemper together with a DXR10 for a/b. Amp wise, there was no comparison as the Kemper absolutely destroyed the Helix. Literally, the difference was incredible. Remember, Im talking amp models here, as I like/nearly love the Helix...

Anyway, a full review and thoughts to follow.

PS - the Kemper Remote is superb.

guitargeek62 · June 2018

What the hell is “Dripstone”?!

Jonathanthomas83 · June 2018

guitargeek62 said:

What the hell is “Dripstone”?!

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=What+is+a+dripstone?

Jonathanthomas83 · June 2018

Wazmeister said:

I welcome this thread, as Ive second time around with my Kemper... and to be honest, it has been an absolute revelation.

I rehearsed with just the Kemper on Thursday night, into a small Zilla Dinky 1x12 Neo Creamback, and the result was astonishing. I couldnt get the Master Volume to work, but then realised today that I hadnt set it up right !

Anyway, at one point I had a Helix and the Kemper together with a DXR10 for a/b. Amp wise, there was no comparison as the Kemper absolutely destroyed the Helix. Literally, the difference was incredible. Remember, Im talking amp models here, as I like/nearly love the Helix...

Anyway, a full review and thoughts to follow.

PS - the Kemper Remote is superb.

Pleased to hear all went well in rehearsal, mate, great news!

Yep, the remote is really well designed and ticks a lot of boxes for me too, it's a really nice package. This new update sounds great too, am really looking forward to the rest of it.

Looking forward to a full review soon, Warren, I'll try and put something together too, as it's long over due for me :-)

guitargeek62 · June 2018

Jonathanthomas83 said:

guitargeek62 said:

What the hell is “Dripstone”?!

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=What+is+a+dripstone?

Very droll, however “an architectural feature for handling rain water” doesn’t really clear up anything.

Seriously though, what is it meant to refer to? I’ve never heard it used when describing effects or instruments before.

Jonathanthomas83 · June 2018

guitargeek62 said:

Jonathanthomas83 said:

guitargeek62 said:

What the hell is “Dripstone”?!

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=What+is+a+dripstone?

Very droll, however “an architectural feature for handling rain water” doesn’t really clear up anything.

Seriously though, what is it meant to refer to? I’ve never heard it used when describing effects or instruments before.

I think it's a way of trying to describe the 'drip' like nature of a spring reverb. Perhaps not the best way to describe it, but could it just be that as a German company, that was the word that made most sense...I'm not sure...clutching at straws here.

Wazmeister · June 2018

It will be rehearsal 2 for the Kemper tonight for me... I may even a/b it alongside the Redplate

Jonathanthomas83 · June 2018

Wazmeister said:

It will be rehearsal 2 for the Kemper tonight for me... I may even a/b it alongside the Redplate

Awesome stuff! Good luck. What went wrong with the Master Vol last time, do you think? What are your thoughts on the Zilla cab, worth looking at?

Wazmeister · June 2018

Jonathanthomas83 said:

Wazmeister said:

It will be rehearsal 2 for the Kemper tonight for me... I may even a/b it alongside the Redplate

Awesome stuff! Good luck. What went wrong with the Master Vol last time, do you think? What are your thoughts on the Zilla cab, worth looking at?

One of the valves had gone down on the Redplate, but all working fine now thankfully.

Ive had a few Zillas made for me; awesome build and service, I must say. Ive now gone one of the small Dinky 1x12, which is super light and sounds awesome.

Ive been wondering whether a L6 Powercab might be a good investment though ? Im still unsure (or uneducated) about the true sonic benefits of a FRFR vs real cab. Most say a ‘real’ cab limits the Kemper’s full range...

I dunno !

Jonathanthomas83 · June 2018

Wazmeister said:

Jonathanthomas83 said:

Wazmeister said:

It will be rehearsal 2 for the Kemper tonight for me... I may even a/b it alongside the Redplate

Awesome stuff! Good luck. What went wrong with the Master Vol last time, do you think? What are your thoughts on the Zilla cab, worth looking at?

One of the valves had gone down on the Redplate, but all working fine now thankfully.

Ive had a few Zillas made for me; awesome build and service, I must say. Ive now gone one of the small Dinky 1x12, which is super light and sounds awesome.

Ive been wondering whether a L6 Powercab might be a good investment though ? Im still unsure (or uneducated) about the true sonic benefits of a FRFR vs real cab. Most say a ‘real’ cab limits the Kemper’s full range...

I dunno !

Luckily you've got best of both worlds and the ability to run FRFR and/or a Cab with your powered head.

Personally, I bought the powered head in order to be more flexible when all that was at a venue was a guitar cab and I didn't have the room to carry my DXR10(s) with me. I've not tried mine with a cab yet, but am intigued to do so and am looking forward to trying it. The DXR's sound great though.

The Power Cab is a bit of a different beast, in that it doesn't take into consideration the Mic emulation, to my knowledge. So it'll be a bit different to your regular FRFR where you've been used to accounting for the Mic in the mix.

Be interested to hear how you get on with it and which you end up preferring.

simonk · June 2018

Jonathanthomas83 said:

Wazmeister said:

Jonathanthomas83 said:

Wazmeister said:

It will be rehearsal 2 for the Kemper tonight for me... I may even a/b it alongside the Redplate

Awesome stuff! Good luck. What went wrong with the Master Vol last time, do you think? What are your thoughts on the Zilla cab, worth looking at?

One of the valves had gone down on the Redplate, but all working fine now thankfully.

Ive had a few Zillas made for me; awesome build and service, I must say. Ive now gone one of the small Dinky 1x12, which is super light and sounds awesome.

Ive been wondering whether a L6 Powercab might be a good investment though ? Im still unsure (or uneducated) about the true sonic benefits of a FRFR vs real cab. Most say a ‘real’ cab limits the Kemper’s full range...

I dunno !

Luckily you've got best of both worlds and the ability to run FRFR and/or a Cab with your powered head.

Personally, I bought the powered head in order to be more flexible when all that was at a venue was a guitar cab and I didn't have the room to carry my DXR10(s) with me. I've not tried mine with a cab yet, but am intigued to do so and am looking forward to trying it. The DXR's sound great though.

The Power Cab is a bit of a different beast, in that it doesn't take into consideration the Mic emulation, to my knowledge. So it'll be a bit different to your regular FRFR where you've been used to accounting for the Mic in the mix.

Be interested to hear how you get on with it and which you end up preferring.

The bit in bold isn’t so...

From Line6 here:

‘User-selectable mic modeling and distance on the XLR output (Powercab 112’s output uses an SM58 model only)’

@Wazmeister I’m still of the opinion the PowerCab isn’t loud enough for use (unreinforced) in a band environment. Not that I’ve tried using mine with the band. Why don’t you buy one and give it a go though... I’d welcome a second opinion.

Jonathanthomas83 · June 2018

Apologies, fucking idiots on here handing out incorrect information!

Thanks for correcting! :-)

Actually, thinking about it, think I got that info from the Guitar Nerds podcast! That'll learn me!

simonk · June 2018

Jonathanthomas83 said:

Apologies, fucking idiots on here handing out incorrect information!
Thanks for correcting! :-)

Sorry JT, I really tried to word it so it didn’t sound like a rebuke... certainly didn’t mean it to

Jonathanthomas83 · June 2018

simonk said:

Jonathanthomas83 said:

Apologies, fucking idiots on here handing out incorrect information!
Thanks for correcting! :-)

Sorry JT, I really tried to word it so it didn’t sound like a rebuke... certainly didn’t mean it to

Absolutely, mate. Not a problem at all! I'm glad to learn this stuff! :-) actually makes the Power Cab a bit more interesting for my needs.

joeyowen · June 2018

Any timescale on the editor? it's about bloody time.

Looking forward to the reverbs now too, I've always wanted two verbs to switch between and the lack of options has been a (very small) bugbear

Kemper still holds place for best guitar purchase ever made (other than guitars themselves)

dangriffiths · June 2018

joeyowen said:

Any timescale on the editor? it's about bloody time.

Looking forward to the reverbs now too, I've always wanted two verbs to switch between and the lack of options has been a (very small) bugbear

Kemper still holds place for best guitar purchase ever made (other than guitars themselves)

Totally agree on the last point. As people know from my classifieds I have tried out a lot of stuff!

I have never once thought about selling the Kemper.

Editor, better wah and better univibe/rotary I would love

Jonathanthomas83 · June 2018

Yep, me too. Kemper is right up there for me, lovely unit and delivers on so many levels.

I am a massive delay fanatic and it's perhaps testament to the Kemper that I've not rushed out to buy an old favourite delay pedal, such is the gas, but I dont need to, the delays are incredible.

Regards to timescale on the editor, there's no ETA yet. Think that's a common trend with Kemper and the others.

sgosden · June 2018

Jonathanthomas83 said:

Yep, me too. Kemper is right up there for me, lovely unit and delivers on so many levels.

I am a massive delay fanatic and it's perhaps testament to the Kemper that I've not rushed out to buy an old favourite delay pedal, such is the gas, but I dont need to, the delays are incredible.

Regards to timescale on the editor, there's no ETA yet. Think that's a common trend with Kemper and the others.

How does the kemper deal with tape delays ?

I know you're a fan of the el cap, which is my new love!

Jonathanthomas83 · June 2018

sgosden said:

Jonathanthomas83 said:

Yep, me too. Kemper is right up there for me, lovely unit and delivers on so many levels.

I am a massive delay fanatic and it's perhaps testament to the Kemper that I've not rushed out to buy an old favourite delay pedal, such is the gas, but I dont need to, the delays are incredible.

Regards to timescale on the editor, there's no ETA yet. Think that's a common trend with Kemper and the others.

How does the kemper deal with tape delays ?

I know you're a fan of the el cap, which is my new love!

Honestly, nothing beats the El Cap, for me. And ive not yet got my head around how to set the high and low pass filters to get the tape sound, on the Kemper. Analog and Tape emulations are definitely in there for the taking, though.

I find myself using digital delay more than anything else and always have done, even when I had the El Cap.

I actually really like the modulation and wow and flutter on the Kemper, and those were the controls I used and liked most on the El Cap, I've got as close as I can remember it sounding and im really happy with it.

If you end up moving toward an all in one unit like the Kemper, it's sometimes worth adjusting your thinking and mindset so that you don't compare the minutiae between it and pedals. That'll give you a fresh perspective and will allow you to find new sounds and appreciate it for what it is.

I presonally prefer the Kemper delays to anything I've tried in the past...pedals and Axe FX included.

Here's a video that may help...the sounds ARE in there...

sgosden · June 2018

Jonathanthomas83 said:

sgosden said:

Jonathanthomas83 said:

Yep, me too. Kemper is right up there for me, lovely unit and delivers on so many levels.

I am a massive delay fanatic and it's perhaps testament to the Kemper that I've not rushed out to buy an old favourite delay pedal, such is the gas, but I dont need to, the delays are incredible.

Regards to timescale on the editor, there's no ETA yet. Think that's a common trend with Kemper and the others.

How does the kemper deal with tape delays ?

I know you're a fan of the el cap, which is my new love!

Honestly, nothing beats the El Cap, for me. And ive not yet got my head around how to set the high and low pass filters to get the tape sound, on the Kemper. Analog and Tape emulations are definitely in there for the taking, though.

I find myself using digital delay more than anything else and always have done, even when I had the El Cap.

I actually really like the modulation and wow and flutter on the Kemper, and those were the controls I used and liked most on the El Cap, I've got as close as I can remember it sounding and im really happy with it.

If you end up moving toward an all in one unit like the Kemper, it's sometimes worth adjusting your thinking and mindset so that you don't compare the minutiae between it and pedals. That'll give you a fresh perspective and will allow you to find new sounds and appreciate it for what it is.

I presonally prefer the Kemper delays to anything I've tried in the past...pedals and Axe FX included.

Here's a video that may help...the sounds ARE in there...

An interesting video, I hadn't realised there wasn't dedicated delays as such. Looks like the hi/lo pass and grit can be used to manipulate the crinkle/tape age eqs sounds.

I've been a helix user for the last 18 months, but an ex band mate is letting me borrow his kemper for a few week or two to compare, so whilst I'm used to modellers, its still 'individual effects'.

sgosden · June 2018

Who got experience of some good Friedman, splawn, any hot-rod marshall profiles?

when I get a chance to do a comparison between helix and kemper, I'll be spending majority of time on these style amps against.

Jonathanthomas83 · June 2018

sgosden said:

Who got experience of some good Friedman, splawn, any hot-rod marshall profiles?
when I get a chance to do a comparison between helix and kemper, I'll be spending majority of time on these style amps against.

I spend a lot of time with the Friedman Lil Box profile from Choptones. Superb. Also use the Marshall Zack Wylde Choptones profile too. Both superb.

dangriffiths · June 2018

The Amp Factory's Friedman Dirty Shirley profile is one of my favourites

Fiftyshadesofjay · June 2018

M Britt Dirty Shirley is fantastic, might be in pack 3 I think but there's a free one in his pack on Rig Manager. There's also some great free Dirty Shirley and BE profiles by Tim Owens

dangriffiths · June 2018

Yeh I think it is just a good amp regardless of profile!

sgosden · June 2018

Is Tim Owens just a bloke that uploads profiles then?

as opposed to the likes of MBritt who sells them?

Any recommendations on where to head for a JJ or butterslax profile?

Borrowing Kemper off a mate, in august when he's finished a run of gigs. Gonna get as much as I can lined up and lock myself away with it

Jonathanthomas83 · June 2018

sgosden said:

Is Tim Owens just a bloke that uploads profiles then?
as opposed to the likes of MBritt who sells them?

Any recommendations on where to head for a JJ or butterslax profile?

Borrowing Kemper off a mate, in august when he's finished a run of gigs. Gonna get as much as I can lined up and lock myself away with it

There's the 'Rig Exchange' where all owners can contribute profiles, to anyone, for free. He's probably on there.

Butterslax here, though I've not tried it...https://cililabkpaprofiles.bigcartel.com/product/buttersex

Dunno about a JJ, sorry.

My advice:

Install 'Rig Manager'
grab the latest Beta firmware
Reset the Kemper to factory settings - Warren recently said that his newest Kemper was far and above better than his last, so I reckon a lot of that is down to FW changes made since his last one...so it's worth being up to date.
Explore your profile library by gain rating

@freebird has some good advice on this, he has a good way of managing his profiles in order to get the most of quite a large library and to really pinpoint what you're looking for.

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5.6.2.13481 Spring Reverb Preview