The Kemper sounded like a real amp in 2011... It still sounds like a real amp in 2024, with some improvements in operating and effects. There is no real need to buy something else... With the Kemper you basically own every piece of gear you could ever need... Nice video Zach! 🤘
Kemper is just wonderful, almost as good as my tube amps, had Tonex in the loop on my Helix, it’s a great solution but my kemper just feels better to me, the only thing I miss is a wireless connection to my ipad for editing and import of profiles.. Even if it is old it’s all about the digital coding, and kemper are (imo) still among the best…
I’ve had em all and love the Kemper. Very simple to use and so easy to get good sounds from. Other modelers i spent way more time programming than playing
I'm a big fan of "The Warning" rock band from Mexico, and the guitarist "Dany" uses a Kemper. What is interesting is that she used to use a Helix, but switched. I wonder why? but I digress.. the thing that I really like about Dany's sound is that she can change a bajillion settings with a single tap of her foot. Being able to dial in a completely different reverb, delay, add or remove flange, change the distortion level, volume level, etc... just a single tap of the foot and everything is different. Thanks to this video, I will be buying a Kemper.
I own the Kemper Stage for a couple of years now and its the most important part of my makeshift studio. I'm not sold on the effects either but for the convenience this thing provides they are just fine. Sadly I don't use any of my real guitar amps anymore and they are not getting any love. I feel like a bad parent. Nice Video Mr. Brobst I share your sentiments on the subject.
Sold my Kemper stage for the quad cortex and never looked back. Better UI, flexibility of models in addition to profiles and the added plugin support is actually mind blowing in functionality and usability. Kemper still sounds awesome sure, but having to menus dive constantly got old really fast for me personally.
If you want more effects options, or just want some different reverbs, delays, chorus, etc... you could use a few of your favorite guitar pedals via the "SEND" and "RETURN" jacks. The Kemper Profiler's send and return sockets allow you to connect external effect devices (such as a Lexicon MPX G2 24-Bit Multi-Effect Guitar Processor), or 1 or 2 guitar pedals, or a whole additional pedal board - if you wanted to. The profiler has two effect loops with stereo returns, so you can use stereo effect devices. You can position loops anywhere in the signal path. As yet another way of adding more "difficult to re-create" effects to the Kemper, you could also plug your guitar directly into several different guitar FX pedals, such as distortion, overdrive, EQ, a wah pedal, (front-end effects) and then plug those pedals output into the front input jack of the Kemper. That would decrease the all-in-1 portability factor, but it would for the most part, still be easy to haul around if you keep it limited to just a few favorite external guitar pedals. For example, let's say you really wanted the addition of a Keeley 30 ms Double Tracker, the Electro-Harmonix Oceans 11 reverb pedal, the MXR Uni-vibe, the Ibanez Tube screamer, the MXR Phase 90 Eddie Van Halen edition, an MXR EVH flanger, or a vintage Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress flanger, and even a Strymon BigSky MX Reverb Pedal, or the slightly smaller Strymon "Blue Sky" reverb pedal.
I just picked up a Fractal FM9. I'd love to pickup a Kemper stage just to have something different and have a second unit for backup. I'm in no hurry though. Kemper is quite old and my luck I'd buy it and the next they'd release something new with more DSP. I'm blown away by the tones I get with my FM9 through my Fender FR12. I'm sure I would be with the Kemper as well.
@@ZachBrobstMusic great vid Zach & totally agree with all your points on Kemper. I have had a stage for years & still love it. I brought an FM9 last Xmas & admittedly I have not spent hours & hours on it, but I do feel that it doesn't (Imo) have the amp bloom that the Kemper does. The FM9 is still a beast & I use it live sometimes but my Kemper (at this stage) is still my workhorse. Cheers
I’m new to the modeller/ profiler world. As a bedroom guitar player is there a need to get the Kemper head or just the remote foot switch? The helix seems cool with the expression pedal you can use. Do you just get a cab and the foot switch and you’re good to go?
Hi there! For the Kemper head I would recommend the "Remote" which is the floor unit and that will allow you to control things through foot switches while playing live. The Helix has a built in expression pedal but for both the Kemper and the Helix, if you want to have an "amp in the room" sound you will need to buy an FRFR cab
What timing. I cancelled my quad cortex order last night and I'm sticking to my kemper stage It's been super reliable, and I'm just used to it that tweaking doesn't take much time. That and I've invested too much into the eco system of premium patches right now.
@@ZachBrobstMusicthey're really slow releasing updates that should've been there at launch. The biggest thing for me waiting on the quad is to see if they make a gen 2 product. I don't typically buy first gen products.
buy whatever sounds good to you. the church guitar community has become so toxic in regards to amp modelers and just gear in general. it almost feels embarrassing to play through a kemper in 2024 when it shouldn’t. this is because church guitar culture has gotten out of control and the top “influencers” in the space ie jake fauber and others are part of the problem. just my two cents
I agree that the worship community can be toxic when it comes to gear and I probably unknowingly contribute to that. There is definitely something to be said for "play what you want/what sounds good to you". I think there is still value in asking the questions around whether or not a modeler/amp/pedal, etc. is still relevant due to technological advances and change in the market competition (which is hopefully what this video was more a reflection of).
In short. Guitarists are a psychological fruit salad. Influencers are part of the problem but guitarists obsession with buying selling trading swapping upgrading 24/7 thinking the new unit with the big screen that gives them all kinds of routing options that they'll never use will improve their tone dramatically....it won't. The Kemper, QC, Helix, ToneX all basically sound the same and most guitarists will tweak any of those units to sound like "their tone", whether digital or tube, the same tone they've been using for the last 20 years.
Bro Zach...come on! Why don't you mention the PLAYER...it's the big seller right now not the Head Rack or Stage. And, can't you see the "Amp Models" and "Generic" on your Rig Manager? You failed to mention Liquid Profiling...no other unit has that technology. Switch from Generic Kemper tone stack (Gain and EQ) controls to the Liquid Tone Stacks for authentic Gain and EQ controls like the original amp..
I probably should have at least mentioned it as an option! Good call out! Especially for those wanting a smaller enclosure or pedalboard friendly option
The Kemper sounded like a real amp in 2011... It still sounds like a real amp in 2024, with some improvements in operating and effects. There is no real need to buy something else... With the Kemper you basically own every piece of gear you could ever need... Nice video Zach! 🤘
Kemper is just wonderful, almost as good as my tube amps, had Tonex in the loop on my Helix, it’s a great solution but my kemper just feels better to me, the only thing I miss is a wireless connection to my ipad for editing and import of profiles..
Even if it is old it’s all about the digital coding, and kemper are (imo) still among the best…
I’ve had em all and love the Kemper. Very simple to use and so easy to get good sounds from. Other modelers i spent way more time programming than playing
I'm a big fan of "The Warning" rock band from Mexico, and the guitarist "Dany" uses a Kemper. What is interesting is that she used to use a Helix, but switched. I wonder why? but I digress.. the thing that I really like about Dany's sound is that she can change a bajillion settings with a single tap of her foot. Being able to dial in a completely different reverb, delay, add or remove flange, change the distortion level, volume level, etc... just a single tap of the foot and everything is different. Thanks to this video, I will be buying a Kemper.
I own the Kemper Stage for a couple of years now and its the most important part of my makeshift studio. I'm not sold on the effects either but for the convenience this thing provides they are just fine. Sadly I don't use any of my real guitar amps anymore and they are not getting any love. I feel like a bad parent. Nice Video Mr. Brobst I share your sentiments on the subject.
Thank you Tony! Glad you enjoyed it and find it to be a helpful piece of gear!
Sold my Kemper stage for the quad cortex and never looked back. Better UI, flexibility of models in addition to profiles and the added plugin support is actually mind blowing in functionality and usability.
Kemper still sounds awesome sure, but having to menus dive constantly got old really fast for me personally.
Do you find that you do less menu diving on the QC?
@@ZachBrobstMusic significantly less. It’s not even a fair comparison truthfully
My opinion... is what works for you Thanks for the video
If you want more effects options, or just want some different reverbs, delays, chorus, etc... you could use a few of your favorite guitar pedals via the "SEND" and "RETURN" jacks. The Kemper Profiler's send and return sockets allow you to connect external effect devices (such as a Lexicon MPX G2 24-Bit Multi-Effect Guitar Processor), or 1 or 2 guitar pedals, or a whole additional pedal board - if you wanted to. The profiler has two effect loops with stereo returns, so you can use stereo effect devices. You can position loops anywhere in the signal path. As yet another way of adding more "difficult to re-create" effects to the Kemper, you could also plug your guitar directly into several different guitar FX pedals, such as distortion, overdrive, EQ, a wah pedal, (front-end effects) and then plug those pedals output into the front input jack of the Kemper. That would decrease the all-in-1 portability factor, but it would for the most part, still be easy to haul around if you keep it limited to just a few favorite external guitar pedals. For example, let's say you really wanted the addition of a Keeley 30 ms Double Tracker, the Electro-Harmonix Oceans 11 reverb pedal, the MXR Uni-vibe, the Ibanez Tube screamer, the MXR Phase 90 Eddie Van Halen edition, an MXR EVH flanger, or a vintage Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress flanger, and even a Strymon BigSky MX Reverb Pedal, or the slightly smaller Strymon "Blue Sky" reverb pedal.
I think we’re all just about done buying shit in 2024 (broadly gestures to everything) regardless of how good it is
I orderd mine yesterday. Can wait to put my hands on it.
Congrats on the order! I think you'll love it!
@@ZachBrobstMusic Thanx pal 😊
I just picked up a Fractal FM9. I'd love to pickup a Kemper stage just to have something different and have a second unit for backup. I'm in no hurry though. Kemper is quite old and my luck I'd buy it and the next they'd release something new with more DSP. I'm blown away by the tones I get with my FM9 through my Fender FR12. I'm sure I would be with the Kemper as well.
I definitely want to try the FM9 too! All great tools to get great tones!
@@ZachBrobstMusic great vid Zach & totally agree with all your points on Kemper. I have had a stage for years & still love it. I brought an FM9 last Xmas & admittedly I have not spent hours & hours on it, but I do feel that it doesn't (Imo) have the amp bloom that the Kemper does. The FM9 is still a beast & I use it live sometimes but my Kemper (at this stage) is still my workhorse. Cheers
I want to buy kemper for my live performance.
Could you guys recommend wit one model is better ? Thanks
Honestly the head with a remote is solid but the stage is specifically built for live use!
I’m new to the modeller/ profiler world. As a bedroom guitar player is there a need to get the Kemper head or just the remote foot switch? The helix seems cool with the expression pedal you can use. Do you just get a cab and the foot switch and you’re good to go?
Hi there! For the Kemper head I would recommend the "Remote" which is the floor unit and that will allow you to control things through foot switches while playing live.
The Helix has a built in expression pedal but for both the Kemper and the Helix, if you want to have an "amp in the room" sound you will need to buy an FRFR cab
I've never liked Kemper stuff, but after this....I may look into a player. Good stuff man
What timing. I cancelled my quad cortex order last night and I'm sticking to my kemper stage
It's been super reliable, and I'm just used to it that tweaking doesn't take much time. That and I've invested too much into the eco system of premium patches right now.
The QC sounds amazing too but I understand the time invested and money invested piece!
@@ZachBrobstMusicthey're really slow releasing updates that should've been there at launch. The biggest thing for me waiting on the quad is to see if they make a gen 2 product. I don't typically buy first gen products.
"Jack of all trades, master of none, is better than a master of one"
buy whatever sounds good to you. the church guitar community has become so toxic in regards to amp modelers and just gear in general. it almost feels embarrassing to play through a kemper in 2024 when it shouldn’t. this is because church guitar culture has gotten out of control and the top “influencers” in the space ie jake fauber and others are part of the problem. just my two cents
I agree that the worship community can be toxic when it comes to gear and I probably unknowingly contribute to that. There is definitely something to be said for "play what you want/what sounds good to you". I think there is still value in asking the questions around whether or not a modeler/amp/pedal, etc. is still relevant due to technological advances and change in the market competition (which is hopefully what this video was more a reflection of).
In short.
Guitarists are a psychological fruit salad.
Influencers are part of the problem but guitarists obsession with buying selling trading swapping upgrading 24/7 thinking the new unit with the big screen that gives them all kinds of routing options that they'll never use will improve their tone dramatically....it won't.
The Kemper, QC, Helix, ToneX all basically sound the same and most guitarists will tweak any of those units to sound like "their tone", whether digital or tube, the same tone they've been using for the last 20 years.
Bro Zach...come on!
Why don't you mention the PLAYER...it's the big seller right now not the Head Rack or Stage.
And, can't you see the "Amp Models" and "Generic" on your Rig Manager?
You failed to mention Liquid Profiling...no other unit has that technology.
Switch from Generic Kemper tone stack (Gain and EQ) controls to the Liquid Tone Stacks for authentic Gain and EQ controls like the original amp..
I probably should have at least mentioned it as an option! Good call out! Especially for those wanting a smaller enclosure or pedalboard friendly option
Nope, you should not. Carry on.
You're so biased toward K that won't try out F. Be fair
I'd love to try out the fractal systems! I've heard amazing things