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Comments
I've had the rack version for a few months and I can agree with @ToneControl that the stock profiles are a bit disappointing. When I first plugged mine in I was very underwhelmed by the sounds I was getting (with no tweaking).
The good news is there are loads of good profiles available online, either as free downloads from the Kemper site or commercial ones from The Amp Factory, Soundside and others. The downside is that it's very easy to get into 'profile hell' by downloading everything from the Rig Exchange and every other free profile and then trying to sort through 3000+ to get the sounds you want. There are some very good profiles on the Rig Exchange but there are some very poor ones too. Bad micing technique and cheap gear do not a good profile make! My preference is for the Amp Factory profiles which are available in bundles or for single amps. I was slightly spoiled as I bought my KPA from Andertons and got a deal on a TAF bundle. Once I'd heard those I wanted more! TAF has a fair few profiles available for free download so check those out first.
I like a full range of tones from clean to high gain and my favourite profiles so far have been the Bogner Goldfinger, the Marshall 1987x, the Fender Bassman and the Orange Rockerverb (all from TAF).
The controls on the KPA are very amp like so easy to adjust, although there's a lot of depth for tweaking if you want to. The fx are very good but not as wide ranging as the Fractal Units. If you just want the basics the KPA has everything you'll need, including the best wah I've ever heard from a digital unit.
Soundwise, it's more amplike than my Axe FX Ultra and the subtleties show through more. I've not compared it directly to an Axe II but I have played through one a few times and I'd say the KPA sounds more like a valve amp, especially on the 'just breaking up' tones but they're both really good and there's not that much in it tba. I've yet to try mine into a good PA system but have used it with Matrix or VHT power amps into two 2x12 cabs and into my monitor speakers in my little home studio. I'm really impressed with it. I still have a couple of valve amps but they're gathering dust at the moment.
If you do decide to get one then register on the Kemper forum. Lots of good info there including the wiKPA, which is essential reading.
I've had the rack version for a few months and I can agree with @ToneControl that the stock profiles are a bit disappointing. When I first plugged mine in I was very underwhelmed by the sounds I was getting (with no tweaking).
The good news is there are loads of good profiles available online, either as free downloads from the Kemper site or commercial ones from The Amp Factory, Soundside and others. The downside is that it's very easy to get into 'profile hell' by downloading everything from the Rig Exchange and every other free profile and then trying to sort through 3000+ to get the sounds you want. There are some very good profiles on the Rig Exchange but there are some very poor ones too. Bad micing technique and cheap gear do not a good profile make! My preference is for the Amp Factory profiles which are available in bundles or for single amps. I was slightly spoiled as I bought my KPA from Andertons and got a deal on a TAF bundle. Once I'd heard those I wanted more! TAF has a fair few profiles available for free download so check those out first.
I like a full range of tones from clean to high gain and my favourite profiles so far have been the Bogner Goldfinger, the Marshall 1987x, the Fender Bassman and the Orange Rockerverb (all from TAF).
The controls on the KPA are very amp like so easy to adjust, although there's a lot of depth for tweaking if you want to. The fx are very good but not as wide ranging as the Fractal Units. If you just want the basics the KPA has everything you'll need, including the best wah I've ever heard from a digital unit.
Soundwise, it's more amplike than my Axe FX Ultra and the subtleties show through more. I've not compared it directly to an Axe II but I have played through one a few times and I'd say the KPA sounds more like a valve amp, especially on the 'just breaking up' tones but they're both really good and there's not that much in it tba. I've yet to try mine into a good PA system but have used it with Matrix or VHT power amps into two 2x12 cabs and into my monitor speakers in my little home studio. I'm really impressed with it. I still have a couple of valve amps but they're gathering dust at the moment.
If you do decide to get one then register on the Kemper forum. Lots of good info there including the wiKPA, which is essential reading.
There's no usb out on the KPA, unlike the Axe II it doesn't work as a recording interface for your pc.
The usb ports are used for updates and adding profiles using a usb stick.
If you have an spdif input on your interface then connect via the KPA's digital out. Saves an additional D/a conversion.
Otherwise, use either of the outputs, depending on what cables you have available. I tend to use the monitor out with cabs off for connection to my power amp/cabs and use the xlr outs for my interface if not going digital out.
One other thing I've found is that the cab makes a huge difference to a profile. Download and install Tills' cab pack (links on the forum). They really liven up some otherwise mediocre profiles.
Very easy. There are lots of good Fender, Vox, Matchless and boutique amp profiles out there.