Kemper

For anything to do with Fender, Burns and other guitars; also amps, effects units inc eTap plus any other music making accessories

Moderators: David Martin, dave robinson, Iain Purdon, George Geddes

Re: Kemper

Postby dave robinson » Mon Apr 25, 2022 8:30 am

I returned home from my day out at around 6pm and fell asleep, having taken the Kemper out of the box and plugged it it with some headphones and a guitar.
Eventually when I regained consciousness I had a little fumble around and found my way to the Vox AC Clean which sounded very convincing and eventually i found the echoes.
I tweaked the EQ and gain for the amp and then began editing the built in 'Marvin' echo patch and it soon became clear that this is an amazingly good and well thought piece of kit. I went to bed at 2am a very happy man and I will bring in my Headrush FR speaker today and investigate further.
There is a lot in there to learn, but firstly I intend to hook up my TVS3 into that Vox Profile that I found and see what I can do with that. These are exciting times for me as I love finding new things and I'm so pleased that Clive asked the question the other day. :)
Dave Robinson
User avatar
dave robinson
 
Posts: 5937
Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2009 2:34 pm
Location: Sheffield
Full Real Name: David Robinson

Re: Kemper

Postby dave robinson » Mon Apr 25, 2022 10:59 am

Well that didn't take long at all, I brought my Headrush FRFR 8" powered cabinet in to try with the Kemper Stage and I can tell you that it's absolutely amazing. Just plugging in theTVS3 as you would a normal amp set up, selecting the on board AC15 patch and the sound was there in an instant, with every option to tailor it to taste that one could ever wish for. I have been doing A/B tests with Hank's lead sound and it nails it 100%.
I now need to put it through our PA complete my initial investigation, but I'm in no doubt as to how good this Kemper is, hence the hefty price tag. That said, for me doing what I do and for what it offers, it's not expensive at all for what I'll get in return. Recommended if you can afford it and have the patience to understand how to use it.
Christian Kemper is a very clever and thorough man as well as being very honest. He clearly states that there will be no Mk2 in order to make everybody buy again, the product was made right the first time around and all updates as he makes improvements are free, unlike firms such as Apple and the rest who continually shaft customers with allegedly improved products on a regular basis. He built the later 'Stage' version by demand from customers. :)
Dave Robinson
User avatar
dave robinson
 
Posts: 5937
Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2009 2:34 pm
Location: Sheffield
Full Real Name: David Robinson

Re: Kemper

Postby clivea » Mon Apr 25, 2022 11:03 am

Thanks Tony, l’ll do that mate.

Clive
clivea
 
Posts: 91
Joined: Thu May 27, 2010 8:32 am
Location: GRIMSBY UK
Full Real Name: T Clive Aspinall

Re: Kemper

Postby Garystrat » Mon Apr 25, 2022 11:29 am

Thanks for the update Dave, from what you say it sounds brilliant and should really do the business for you!

Best regards

Gary
User avatar
Garystrat
 
Posts: 427
Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2009 5:08 pm
Full Real Name: Gary Willmott

Re: Kemper

Postby dave robinson » Tue Apr 26, 2022 1:48 am

I programmed my Kemper with the Apache echo with the AC30 tonight and it sounds really good. It will never be the same as the Meazzi or TVS3, but a punter would be hard pressed to hear much difference. There's all the modulation and grit there to add to the echo, the guy that built this certainly knew his stuff. I've nailed the Apache pattern & speed on one of the existing patches but I need to look at the Echomatic 2 pattern as I may have to do a double patch jobbie. It's all in there, it's a case of how to put it together. :)
Dave Robinson
User avatar
dave robinson
 
Posts: 5937
Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2009 2:34 pm
Location: Sheffield
Full Real Name: David Robinson

Re: Kemper

Postby Garystrat » Tue Apr 26, 2022 6:44 am

Hi Dave

This sounds really cool, I don’t think anyone would have even considered it in the same context as the Meazzi or TVS 3 considering how specialised they are!

I’ve tended to describe it as character, but modulation and grit from the original Meazzi pre-amp seems to be the key factor. It’s something you know when it’s there, but elusive to replicate. If it’s not giving away any secrets and you get time somewhere down the line, I would be interest as to how you approach this!

From what you say about patches, it sounds as though it has the capability of double amping on two paths, although there seems to be no obvious way of routing shown in the brochure?

Thank you once again for taking time out to update the thread, very interesting and I think without Clive starting this and your technical expertise/input it would have easily gone under the radar!

Best regards

Gary
User avatar
Garystrat
 
Posts: 427
Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2009 5:08 pm
Full Real Name: Gary Willmott

Re: Kemper

Postby dave robinson » Tue Apr 26, 2022 8:38 am

Hi Gary, my description for the artefacts that the Meazzi adds was pinched from the jargon used by Kemper themselves. It's a combination of wear on the recording surfaces and mechanics and tonal stuff from it's preamp that adds something to the sound of the echo repeats and can be heard on the decay of the notes. Kemper allows you to dial something into the echo patch to attempt to mimic those oddities, it's done on the echo editing page. I don't think it's exactly the same, but it helps make the echo appear worn and adds the wow and flutter to whatever degree you select.
I'll have another play today and then I'll be giving it a rest for a week. 8-)
Dave Robinson
User avatar
dave robinson
 
Posts: 5937
Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2009 2:34 pm
Location: Sheffield
Full Real Name: David Robinson

Re: Kemper

Postby clivea » Tue Apr 26, 2022 9:22 am

Hi Dave,
I’m pleased you got a Kemper mate.
Also it was great to hear your very positive comments.
I did hang back from purchasing one, but after reading your threads, l shall certainly be getting one.
Once you’re up and running, it would be good to hear a couple of sound files Dave.

Clive
clivea
 
Posts: 91
Joined: Thu May 27, 2010 8:32 am
Location: GRIMSBY UK
Full Real Name: T Clive Aspinall

Re: Kemper

Postby Garystrat » Tue Apr 26, 2022 10:48 am

Many thanks Dave, enjoy a well earned rest!

Gary
User avatar
Garystrat
 
Posts: 427
Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2009 5:08 pm
Full Real Name: Gary Willmott

Re: Kemper

Postby dave robinson » Tue Apr 26, 2022 2:46 pm

I'm pleased too Clive, it's given me a new interest in the job.
I got a sound for Kon Tiki/Wonderful Land etc and my missus couldn't hear any difference when I switched between the TVS3 and the Kemper, it does sound that convincing. Granted it wasn't identical and I know my performance would have helped too, but it's pretty damn good to say the least. I need to play with the echoes and find the correct time signatures of the taps, as they are not all in milliseconds as on the Zoom. The spacings are done in 1/16th 2/16th 3/16th and eighths and quarter notes etc. It is in there when you couple those options with the tap control and feedback, but it's a lot of trial and error. For Kon Tiki I set the main 'kick at 360ms by tapping the pedal and got another group of echoes set up less loud to precede it. Somewhere close enough to work but not technically spot on either, but it's enjoyable trying to do it.
I have to say it sounds amazing with the TVS3 and the Kemper's old Vox. 8-)
Dave Robinson
User avatar
dave robinson
 
Posts: 5937
Joined: Wed Sep 09, 2009 2:34 pm
Location: Sheffield
Full Real Name: David Robinson

PreviousNext

Return to Gear

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 22 guests

Ads by Google
These advertisements are selected and placed by Google to assist with the cost of site maintenance.
ShadowMusic is not responsible for the content of external advertisements.