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Post by GuitarAttack Forum on Aug 1, 2018 8:31:22 GMT -6
I admit that I have no experience of this technology, but it does sound very intriguing. Has anyone had the opportunity to make a comparison with the Fractal Audio Systems "Axe-FX 111"? e&oe...I have never used an Axe FX, but they were very popular around Nashville until everybody jumped on the Kemper train and Line 6 released the very capable Helix for much less money. The Axe FX had a great reputation and we heard them on a lot of recordings over the years. The new FX III is more like an interface for your computer...very capable but more than just a guitar amp emulator. I believe the fact that Guitar Center sells Line6 and Kemper makes them very accessible, particularly since you can charge one on your gear card and return it if you don't like it. My opinion only, John |
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Post by antares on Aug 1, 2018 13:48:08 GMT -6
I think you're spot-on John.
There's also the not so insignificant consideration that it costs about 2.5 times what the Kemper sets you back. Given that the latter is so highly recommended, it's quite difficult to envisage how different the AxeFX is from the Kemper, let alone actually better in any way?
I'm afraid it will only ever be a dream for me, but most software derived technology seems to reduce in investment level over time. (W. Gates' and S. Jobs' creations excepted of course...)
e&oe...
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Post by GuitarAttack Forum on Aug 3, 2018 7:53:36 GMT -6
I'm afraid it will only ever be a dream for me, but most software derived technology seems to reduce in investment level over time. (W. Gates' and S. Jobs' creations excepted of course...) e&oe...You are so correct, sir! I have a rack full of "old technology" 1980s/90s guitar processors I would have a hard time giving away, much less sell. I can't help but think sometime in the not-to-distant future there will be a poor fellow trying to sell his old Kemper on the guitar forums and struggling to explain why his old, "steam powered" guitar processor is actually better than the "new ones"! My opinion only! John |
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Post by chezvoz on Sept 30, 2018 22:19:10 GMT -6
Instead of working on my strat today, I went to the Amp Show in Van Nuys, Ca. While there I saw something that may be a viable alternative to a Kemper and is much less expensive.
It's the HEADRUSH PEDALBOARD. headrushfx.com/
It has most of the features that I would use on a Kemper. What it does not have is the ability to model an amp. But if you are happy with getting some sounds from a bunch of very popular amps, this will do the trick. It also has effects, speaker cabinets and even mic preferences. These mic prefs are based on the different way the mics record an amp. I went from something like a Shure SM 57 to a Royer 121 and boy, did the tone change!
They have 2 versions, one with lots of controls which is probably better for working in the studio, and a new one that is streamlined and has less controls. The original larger version is about $1k, and the one more designed for gigs is $700. They offer a powered speaker cab which is supposed to be transparent for, I think it was $300. They claim it’s a “2000-watt full-range, flat-response powered cabinet that perfectly complements your HeadRush Pedalboard”
I also saw an amp that was interesting from Simple Amps based in Orange County. The entry level amp uses a single 6V6, but supposedly is rated at 15 watts because they run the voltage so high. I asked about wearing out the tubes, but he said that was somewhat mitigated by changing the bias.
This thing sounded exactly like you imagine a great old fender sounds. Great touch response. Hit it hard and it roars, play lightly and it chimes. Expensive, like most boutique amps. Perhaps it would be worth the $1300 or $1400 dollars?
And while we are on the subject of interesting amps, I was at Aspen Pittman’s studio about 2 months ago, and he showed me his Center Point Stereo system.
aspenpittmandesigns.com/spacestation-xl/
The idea is that you can get a sound that is perceived as wide and present but is not really that loud. He was playing music through the system while talking to me and even though the music seemed loud and close, we were talking at normal volume levels. All the signals would run through a mixer to this single cabinet. I think it could be very useful in small cluds, especially supper clubs. I was fantasizing about using it for rehearsals (if I could put together the cash). A bit pricey, but he licensed the technology to Fender for an Acoustosonic amp. It’s the one that has a speaker port on the side of the amp as well as the normal front-facing one.
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Post by GuitarAttack Forum on Oct 1, 2018 14:40:44 GMT -6
Good post. I tried the Headrush and that "really, really loud" FRFR Headrush powered speaker at the NAMM show back in July. I thought the Headrush sounded really great. It is essentially an 11 Rack in a pedal/floor format. I have an 11 Rack and it does sound great. That speaker is on my wish list.
That Spacestation looks very cool. Anything that Mr. Pittman does is generally awesome. Will check it out.
John
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Post by chezvoz on Oct 1, 2018 19:38:01 GMT -6
John,
You are obviously the most knowledgeable one here about these type of products. So if you have any insights into these, I’d love to hear them. What I am looking for mostly is good amp sounds. I’ve only seen the Kemper and the Headrush in person. But in doing research, here is what I have found.
Q quick comparison:
Atomic AmpliFIRE 12 $800 new
atomicamps.com
Small, 2 line screen for all readouts, need to use your computer to edit. However, I could not find the system requirements for this. Finding out that software is not compatible with my particular Mac is often a problem. Looks like this could be very useful in a live situation because of the 12 foot switches.
Fractal $750-1500 used depending on model
www.fractalaudio.com/
Can’t tell if these are still in production. No one seems to be selling these new.
HeadRush Pedalboard $1000 new
headrushfx.com/
better amp modeling than the Line 6 acording to Music Radar.com in a comparison.
Kemper $1700 new
www.kemper-amps.com/
Line 6 Helix LT $1000 new
line6.com/helix/
better effects than the HeadRush acording to Music Radar.com in a comparison.
“Lag between presets is awful” the thegearpage forum
tranqb wrote this comparrison on Kemper-amps.com/forum
Kemper
1. Very easy to build a rig and optimize each component in the series.
2. lot of control knobs for each of the critical adjusts on the fly
3. Sounds you hear are real time profiles (recordings of your or someone elses amp run through algorithms) of the amp you want to capture.
4. Infinite number of available free amps to load into Kemper....many impossible to purchase or find.
5. Sound quality is superb and clarity of discreet notes jumps you into a real amp response environment
6. IR’s are great and many more can be added via 3rd party
7 very very good amp response to modulated playing soft to loud just like the amp,you profiled
8 extremely honest and pro level effects in all categories
9. The toaster version is light and complete to take to a gig no need for rack space
10. No mutations or exogenous sound fragments for optimal recording
Fractal Axe
1 very difficult to program with the software and dam near impossible with the unit only
2 accepts 3 rd party IR
3. Multiple ims and outs for adding stomp boxes
4. Great sound quality after 10 billion hours dialing in your sound
5. Worlds smallest screen to read
6 FW upgrades every 10 seconds with claims of better replication of models
7. Hard to buy because of poor inventory management
8. The most expensive rig out of the pack
9 rack mountable
10 sound on par with Kemper in most categories
Line 6 Helix
1 floor model delivers multiple stomp buttons and expression pedal plus 2 more external pedals
2 the most ins and outs of the 3
3 front headphone jack and volume.
4 stupid simple to program
5 GI is the best with capacity to create 4 separate rigs simultaneously and connect them to 4 separate amps
6 capacitance touch switches to call up screen editing
7 scribble strips for each switch which will label that switches effect or you can type anything for personalization
8 light years ahead on sound quality and simplicity of editing or building you own rig
9. Over 1000 slots for your created rigs
10 snapshot mode yields multiple rig setups within an individual patch
11. Phenomenal 3D sonic pleasure
12. Built very sturdy from aluminum
13 fast startup and shut down
14 hands down the least expensive, easiest to program that delivers quality dual processor sound that is perfect for both
Studio and live performance .
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Post by GuitarAttack Forum on Oct 3, 2018 19:12:24 GMT -6
I'm not sure I'm the most knowledgeable but I have spent a lot of time looking at this stuff!
The comparison notes you posted are good and are accurate based on my assessments. After playing all of these, and a lot more, the one thing I have to say about the Kemper is that it reacts to the volume knob on the guitar like a real amp. My experience with the Line 6 stuff, which I love and use live, tends to not react like a real amp in this regard.
Also, the Kemper has the best pick attack response of anything I've tried. Digging into the guitar during a solo is translated, and it does sound like a real amp.
Much, much more to follow.
John
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Post by chezvoz on Oct 3, 2018 20:14:57 GMT -6
I went to Guitar Center to look at the HeadRush again today. It was run through a Fender Twin RI and DID NOT sound like the one I demoed at the amp show. All the amps seemed to really take on the color of the Twin. So it ended up sounding no better to me like than the similar stuff in my DAW.
I also really noticed the noise gate closing. The signal did not decay like with an actual amplifier.
Although I don't think it would be hard to operate once I got the hang of it, it wasn't as easy as it seemed when someone was showing me.
I think I'll be holding off, seeing how this technology will only become more widespread and probably cheaper.
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Post by chezvoz on Oct 9, 2018 21:18:25 GMT -6
Another Kemper has just come up on Craig's List in the LA area today. Asking price: $999.
The one I looked at last month was offered for $1500.
Computer related equipment seems to loose value fast!
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Post by GuitarAttack Forum on Oct 10, 2018 6:18:51 GMT -6
Another Kemper has just come up on Craig's List in the LA area today. Asking price: $999.
The one I looked at last month was offered for $1500.
Computer related equipment seems to loose value fast! Kind of like electronic keyboards, too. I wouldn't say they lose value; rather, their resale price goes down as the technology changes. For example, I still have a Pentium computer with Windows 95 I use for one of the CNC rigs. It has a copy of Office from that era on it, and I can honestly say I like it better than the new one. I never liked it when Microsoft adopted the "ribbon" menu system on the Office apps because I thought the older system was more intuitive. Another example would be my undying devotion to the original red POD, version 2.0. I still think it may be the best sounding Line6 product ever! That being said, you rarely see a used Kemper for sale in the Nashville area. One thing that is good about the Kemper is that it's software can be continually updated. The new update will have new spring reverbs previewed at NAMM this past summer. John |
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Post by GuitarAttack Forum on Feb 4, 2024 8:05:59 GMT -6
Since I got my Kemper the software updates have been mesmerizing and overwhelming. Just when I figure out the latest update there is a new one. The Kemper Klon and TS distortions are really, really good as are the new reverbs. My friend Rob bought one of the floor models when they first came out, and I thought that somehow that would be the best format. Recently Kemper came out with a "Player" - a modeler that doesn't do the profiling and will fit in a gig bag. Here is the link: www.kemper-amps.com/products/us/profiler-player.htmlI always liked the Line6 Firehawks because you can adjust them with an app on your iPhone. Looks like a similar setup here. The technique is to transfer your profiles to the player and hit the road. What will they think of next1 More to follow, John |
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