Yeah, nothing beats an analog setup with old-school vibes and sounds BUT... it's 2024... and let's face it, the simplicity this digital brings is beyond awesome.
I have so many guitars and amplifiers and speaker cabinets that my dog and me can't get by each other walking around the house, single file only! Freaking absurd it is, and I'm just a home noodler! I'm not usually into rock guitar anymore (getting old), but your playing ROCKS my soul JJ.............cheers!
Great point you raised here! A digital setup such as this would be one's 'daily driver" and a cab-head/combo would be the sports car you'd drive once in a while to 'blow out the cobwebs'. You still need both 😏
I agree with the easy set up i have a kemper and i have valve amps for wet dry but when i just want to try new ideas i just plug into the kemper set up stereo and into Luna and bang no waiting for the valves to warm up no mic’s needed so for studio use its pretty awesome.
As an older rocker, I recently bought a modern pedal amp to drive speaker cabs I've owned since the 1980s. Best of both worlds! Btw, your guitar tones sound great through my hearing aids!
Yes the Kemper has USB Audio but guys who already own an Interface just carry on using it. But if you don't have an Interface you can just use the Kemper.
Does audio interface have an effect on sound quality? I have a scarlett solo but thinking about upgrading to a 2 input for stereo. Will the Apollo twin sound alot better?
In my opinion, the quality of the preamps makes a difference, but the difference is rather small. I wouldn’t expect a significant difference in sound. Choosing a UA interface had more to do with the plugins, since I track and mix a lot. So I don’t think upgrading is worth it if all you want to do is upgrade the sound. There a bigger levers to do so, e.g. pedals, better amp/modeler/plugin, etc…
The baby Kemper is like $600. There are tons of great plug ins free to cheap. If you don’t need a bunch of different amps, the UA Lion pedal is every great Marshall tone, UA Ruby is every great Vox, and 65 Dream is blackface Fender - each in one pedal for $400 a piece.
I'm using a similar setup. But instead of a Kimper I have a Boss Katana MKll 100 head and I use headphones. So I'm totally silent and don't bother anyone and I'm happy with the sounds I get.
Joey, I have a Tonex and want to amplify it. I have a small media room and try to keep the db level no higher than 90 to 95 . I have $500 for powered monitors or a powered cab. Leaning toward Yamaha HS 8 or Line 6 112 Thoughts?
Hey! With that budget I’d definitely go with used ones, you get far more for your money and these things are usually built like tanks so they don’t break. For 500$, you might be in the sphere of some Adam A5X which are (in my opinion) far better speakers than the Yamahas. Used Focals might be an option too. I used the A5X for 8 years until I recently bought these new ones and achieves awesome results. ☺️ If you 100% want either yamahas or line6s, I'd go with the yamahas.
Ok Joey, recommendation time. better choice: Universal Audio Apollo Twin X w/ DUO Processing - Heritage Edition -OR- Universal Audio Apollo Twin X Quad Heritage - Thunderbolt Audio Interface 10X6? You reppin? Im buyin. lol
depends on how much mixing you want to do with the UAD plugins. If it's little to no mixing, take the DUO and be fine. If you're into production and mixing, editing drums, guitars and basses etc., take a quad.
@@joeyjooones I can get either for about the same price. I don't know enough about the mixing part to decide. been watching many videos of folks using those plugins. almost too hard to hear the differences in some of those plugins. Im not gonna be doing any drum mixing im sure. Its easier to take the lazy way out. :) Where are you doing most of your mixing?
Great video Joey...I learned a lot in just a few minutes...thank you. I'm not spending the money on the Kemper (just being honest) do you have any less expensive suggestions for someone who is just beginning to explore digital options?
It is more of a question rather than a comment. If am not mistaken, a Kemper is also a sound card. Why do you need to send it through another sound card?
Thanks a lot for your answer. So it is a matter of the number of inputs and outputs that are available? Oh you also said vocals . Ok I get that because otherwise I think that a Kemper stage has 4 of each. Thanks again. Much appreciated. U am very new to this and trying to make sense of it.
@@photoxposition it's not only about vocals it's also about the fact that some sound sources shouldn't go through a Kemper - pretty much everything except electric guitars.
Think I saw a mac mini on your desk in a video. are you still using the macbook air? Also what recording software are you using? is it tied to the apollo twin? and lastly how do you like the kemper rack vs. the standard?
Good eye! Bought a Mac mini last week, mainly to future proof and needed a bigger hard drive (my MacBook Air only has 256GB which is nothing when you do video and audio). That said the MacBook Air never gave me any problems. Would still recommend that if your budget is tight. I am using logic. Kemper rack vs standard, there is no difference except the portability.
@@joeyjooones I get it, I filled up TWO macbook airs in my time. Ive used protools for a longtime. my old G5 died so looking for new options. Logic isn't something Ive used or researched. I do have a shopping list after watching your video. Thats a lot for that. haha :)
@@gitrdanny1 the new Apple M-chips are so powerful that you can literally go with the base models and a big hard drive, unless you're doing huge projects... for audio, base configuration Macbook Air is juuust fine.
I've a marshall DSL20 HR into a 2x12 loaded with celestion greenbacks with pulsonic cones. I mic it with a SM57 and feed it into a cheap scarlett USB device. Always have great tone back through the monitors. Tried the whole digital thing and wouldn't be for me at all. Some folks swear by them though.
Plugins are getting better and better, it depends what u want I think. I usually play of a nighttime, my apartment is on the middle floor.. They hardly ever complained but playing a 100w amp at 3 am in the morning is a concern 😂 This is good for home use Obviously in a practice / Gigging setting you would prefer the tube 😊
Great minimal setup! The Kemper is definitely a great option - especially if you're also gigging regularly. I don't gig as much any more and mostly record in my home studio. I like using amp sim plugins (I have a few that are really good) as well as my tube amp. It's all about using the right tool for the right job and these days, we have so many options to cover just about any situation.
As a German with not the best english, i understand everything … thank you 👍🤘
Which Kemper amp profile do you use the most for overdriven sounds?
Please reply 😊
Minimal setup but really expensive
Yeah, nothing beats an analog setup with old-school vibes and sounds BUT... it's 2024... and let's face it, the simplicity this digital brings is beyond awesome.
Congrats on 1k subs bro! Spreading the word
Appreciate it!!
Not a video for the tight budget Jesus. Look up the prices on this shit. Really? Must be nice.
I have so many guitars and amplifiers and speaker cabinets that my dog and me can't get by each other walking around the house, single file only! Freaking absurd it is, and I'm just a home noodler! I'm not usually into rock guitar anymore (getting old), but your playing ROCKS my soul JJ.............cheers!
You look like Mark Zuckerberg if he was a Guitarist
Glad someone finally said it. The feel is not there with an all digital rig. That said, it’s a HELL OF A LOT easier! Great video.
high as a kite
I love my Kemper!
Thanks for the info! I really want a Kemper now lol
Great point you raised here! A digital setup such as this would be one's 'daily driver" and a cab-head/combo would be the sports car you'd drive once in a while to 'blow out the cobwebs'. You still need both 😏
I’m doing the same but with a Boss GX 100 and sometimes a Katana, a lot easier and convenient and I don’t have a lot of space either
Moin Joey, welche sind denn deine Ready-to-Play Profile?
LG
No subwoofer?
And now in 2024 you can throw your Kemper and use Tonex vst stright in uad and its - 1 item on desk
I agree with the easy set up i have a kemper and i have valve amps for wet dry but when i just want to try new ideas i just plug into the kemper set up stereo and into Luna and bang no waiting for the valves to warm up no mic’s needed so for studio use its pretty awesome.
Nothing on your desk is cheap, including the desk. Oh, maybe the books 📚 with the expensive speakers on top. You play great.
Ok I have to ask. What are the best books to use to sit your speakers on?
Just kidding man! I had to rag on you a bit. You have a nice little setup.
As an older rocker, I recently bought a modern pedal amp to drive speaker cabs I've owned since the 1980s. Best of both worlds! Btw, your guitar tones sound great through my hearing aids!
I can’t do the digital drive tones. I can’t always tell by just hearing. But when I play them….until then.
Thx for describing ur set up. Suggestion: lose the background track
Cool video! Isn’t it better to use the kemper as an audio interface? In order to avoid another signal conversion from analog to digital?
Might be, but I need an Apollo for other sound sources as well, like vocals, acoustic guitars, keyboards…
Thanks for answering! I totally understand. Congrats for your studio!@@joeyjooones
Got a sub from this fellow lefty and Kemper guy! What profiles do you use most? Just recently got Tone Junkies "newest" Purple Plexi and it's a beast.
Something else you might want to mention that is not present is a MIDI controller of some kind.
Ok ok now I get it. Thanks a lot. Really helpful. Thanks very much
Bro what’s your video recording setup?
Cool video Joey, I have a pretty similar setup myself. Maybe you can do an episode on your favourite profiles you use? Thanks from U.K.
new subscriber here, wow perfect setup !!, tell us more about your telecaster, what model is it exactly and what specs does it have, regards.
Why do you need the Apollo can’t you just come out of the kemper into your monitors and USB to your computer and still get the same sound and stereo?
Yes the Kemper has USB Audio but guys who already own an Interface just carry on using it.
But if you don't have an Interface you can just use the Kemper.
Great video.
Can you run two signal at the time throw the monitors? The guitar and some backing track?
you could run 20 signals through it at the same time, no problem...
Do you need a kemper?
No. I just happen to have one. Since this video came out a lot of other cool products came out that can basically do the same thing.
This basically what I rock with. Sub the Apollo for the Evo 4, sub the Kemper for a Fender GTX100 and a PodGo Wireless. Works really well!
Doesn't the kemper support USB stereo into the computer? Why do you need the interface?
Because guitar is not the only source I record.
Does audio interface have an effect on sound quality? I have a scarlett solo but thinking about upgrading to a 2 input for stereo. Will the Apollo twin sound alot better?
In my opinion, the quality of the preamps makes a difference, but the difference is rather small. I wouldn’t expect a significant difference in sound. Choosing a UA interface had more to do with the plugins, since I track and mix a lot.
So I don’t think upgrading is worth it if all you want to do is upgrade the sound. There a bigger levers to do so, e.g. pedals, better amp/modeler/plugin, etc…
I cannot afford Kemper, can you suggest me a budget friendly guitar effects like LIne 6 or Boss, etc..??? thanks a lot
The baby Kemper is like $600. There are tons of great plug ins free to cheap. If you don’t need a bunch of different amps, the UA Lion pedal is every great Marshall tone, UA Ruby is every great Vox, and 65 Dream is blackface Fender - each in one pedal for $400 a piece.
@@aronbaumel thank you sir! suggest me a free great plugin please, thank you so much!
thanks for sharing, I also have a minimalist set up
When the USB audio update comes, the external interface can also be saved.
Not really. I record a lot of other sources as well. :)
Not near enuff to make me happy. No way Man!
Haha, fair enough! ;-)
I want your telecaster
I'm using a similar setup. But instead of a Kimper I have a Boss Katana MKll 100 head and I use headphones. So I'm totally silent and don't bother anyone and I'm happy with the sounds I get.
Sounds perfect!
Joey, I have a Tonex and want to amplify it. I have a small media room and try to keep the db level no higher than 90 to 95 . I have $500 for powered monitors or a powered cab. Leaning toward Yamaha HS 8 or Line 6 112
Thoughts?
Hey! With that budget I’d definitely go with used ones, you get far more for your money and these things are usually built like tanks so they don’t break.
For 500$, you might be in the sphere of some Adam A5X which are (in my opinion) far better speakers than the Yamahas. Used Focals might be an option too. I used the A5X for 8 years until I recently bought these new ones and achieves awesome results. ☺️
If you 100% want either yamahas or line6s, I'd go with the yamahas.
@@joeyjooones thank you for responding. I will look into the Adam A5X. Thanks
I need what you got
Ok Joey, recommendation time. better choice: Universal Audio Apollo Twin X w/ DUO Processing - Heritage Edition -OR- Universal Audio Apollo Twin X Quad Heritage - Thunderbolt Audio Interface 10X6? You reppin? Im buyin. lol
depends on how much mixing you want to do with the UAD plugins. If it's little to no mixing, take the DUO and be fine. If you're into production and mixing, editing drums, guitars and basses etc., take a quad.
@@joeyjooones I can get either for about the same price. I don't know enough about the mixing part to decide. been watching many videos of folks using those plugins. almost too hard to hear the differences in some of those plugins. Im not gonna be doing any drum mixing im sure. Its easier to take the lazy way out. :) Where are you doing most of your mixing?
@@gitrdanny1 Logic/Pro Tools. I guess the DUO is just fine for your needs, unless you can have the quad for the same money.
You da man jooooones!
Great video Joey...I learned a lot in just a few minutes...thank you. I'm not spending the money on the Kemper (just being honest) do you have any less expensive suggestions for someone who is just beginning to explore digital options?
try the Tonex by IK Multimedia!
@@joeyjooones Thank you...I will check it out!
Promo'SM 🙈
It is more of a question rather than a comment. If am not mistaken, a Kemper is also a sound card. Why do you need to send it through another sound card?
Because I record more than just guitars in my studio. I will always need an interface for vocals, acoustic guitars, keys...
Thanks a lot for your answer. So it is a matter of the number of inputs and outputs that are available? Oh you also said vocals . Ok I get that because otherwise I think that a Kemper stage has 4 of each. Thanks again. Much appreciated. U am very new to this and trying to make sense of it.
@@photoxposition it's not only about vocals it's also about the fact that some sound sources shouldn't go through a Kemper - pretty much everything except electric guitars.
100% 👍
Think I saw a mac mini on your desk in a video. are you still using the macbook air? Also what recording software are you using? is it tied to the apollo twin? and lastly how do you like the kemper rack vs. the standard?
Good eye!
Bought a Mac mini last week, mainly to future proof and needed a bigger hard drive (my MacBook Air only has 256GB which is nothing when you do video and audio). That said the MacBook Air never gave me any problems. Would still recommend that if your budget is tight.
I am using logic.
Kemper rack vs standard, there is no difference except the portability.
@@joeyjooones I get it, I filled up TWO macbook airs in my time. Ive used protools for a longtime. my old G5 died so looking for new options. Logic isn't something Ive used or researched. I do have a shopping list after watching your video. Thats a lot for that. haha :)
@@gitrdanny1 the new Apple M-chips are so powerful that you can literally go with the base models and a big hard drive, unless you're doing huge projects... for audio, base configuration Macbook Air is juuust fine.
@@joeyjooones what you using for your drum tracks?
Have you used other DAWs like protools, cakewalk, cubase etc? what was the learning curve on logic like for you? @@joeyjooones
I’m old school, you just can’t beat a tube amp for quality sound. I’m also not a fan of perfect recordings; they lose feel.
I've a marshall DSL20 HR into a 2x12 loaded with celestion greenbacks with pulsonic cones. I mic it with a SM57 and feed it into a cheap scarlett USB device. Always have great tone back through the monitors. Tried the whole digital thing and wouldn't be for me at all. Some folks swear by them though.
Plugins are getting better and better, it depends what u want I think.
I usually play of a nighttime, my apartment is on the middle floor..
They hardly ever complained but playing a 100w amp at 3 am in the morning is a concern 😂
This is good for home use
Obviously in a practice / Gigging setting you would prefer the tube 😊
I do both, I got a 100w head into a 2x12 mic’d up and use Modelers in my DAW to Double track and hasn’t gave me any bad tones
I'll stick with my analog system,plug into a 5 watt tube amp and mic it up with 2 sm57s.
Don’t lead astray people who’s never played tube amps… you didn’t mention that they create a hum that most modular amp guys will hate
Great minimal setup! The Kemper is definitely a great option - especially if you're also gigging regularly. I don't gig as much any more and mostly record in my home studio. I like using amp sim plugins (I have a few that are really good) as well as my tube amp. It's all about using the right tool for the right job and these days, we have so many options to cover just about any situation.
Totally agree!