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Post by matt on Sept 20, 2017 16:41:55 GMT -6
and ran across this excellent YT video on the Helix by Richie Castellano:
He gives a great walkthrough of the Helix as he uses it in BOC. The only disappointment is that he never played Cities On Flame.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2017 18:06:06 GMT -6
Edit: Hmmmphh..! This made me listen to tons of tracks again.!
Odd thing about the Kemper, in a solo rhythm track I always prefer it the least.. In a mix it always sounds the most natural / best, which is reassuring as I have one.. Also we all know they live or die by their profiles.
The AX8 / AXE FX sounds great and I'm quite impressed by the positive grid bias head (when used via a cab) I suppose if you have a loadbox it could be a good idea? The Line 6 hmmm.. I listened to quite a few tracks via standard IR's and Ownhammer impulses and I can't say I was impressed no matter which way you string it.
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Post by BenjaminAshlin on Sept 23, 2017 5:45:10 GMT -6
I have never been impressed with the Bias plugin when i have shot it out and I was never quite happy with my AxeFx tone.
Since I first plugged into my Kemper it has just felt right. Both in the studio and live it has been great. I have almost been tempted to sell my amps.
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Post by Johnkenn on Sept 25, 2017 16:38:16 GMT -6
I've found nothing that beats the Kemper.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2017 22:52:04 GMT -6
I have never been impressed with the Bias plugin when i have shot it out and I was never quite happy with my AxeFx tone. Since I first plugged into my Kemper it has just felt right. Both in the studio and live it has been great. I have almost been tempted to sell my amps. I'm talking about the BIAS HEAD, not the plugin.. Not quite a "modelling" rig in the typical sense. The Kemper is by far the easiest to deal with, I'd rather just plug and play instead of getting carpal from sag values. |
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Post by donr on Sept 30, 2017 13:35:34 GMT -6
I've considered going Kemper live with BOC but I haven't committed to it yet. I almost like the variation of the tube JCM900 heads I use every night into the Two-Notes Torpedo.
Richie wanted consistency with his sound to the FOH on the fly dates we do, and he's tight with Line6. It's working for him. Bonus, he uses a Variax with a Taylor Acoustic IR in the Helix on "The Vigil," and it sounds awesome. Couldn't do better carrying an acoustic and mic'ing it.
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Post by donr on Sept 30, 2017 13:38:03 GMT -6
Check out more of Richie's youtube stuff and his podcast, Bandgeek. The man is a treasure.
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Post by matt on Sept 30, 2017 16:29:54 GMT -6
I've considered going Kemper live with BOC but I haven't committed to it yet. I almost like the variation of the tube JCM900 heads I use every night into the Two-Notes Torpedo. Richie wanted consistency with his sound to the FOH on the fly dates we do, and he's tight with Line6. It's working for him. Bonus, he uses a Variax with a Taylor Acoustic IR in the Helix on "The Vigil," and it sounds awesome. Couldn't do better carrying an acoustic and mic'ing it. I know what you mean, I use a Torpedo Studio to direct record all electrics straight into an Apogee MK1 regardless of the amp, and it always sounds good. I'm finally getting into the various cabinet IRs and have settled on the Two Notes Green Tri as my favorite after using the BritC for a long time. Lots of IR choices, it's crazy, particularly when you consider all the 3rd party sources. I'm reviewing Celestion's offerings right now, and they sound good - as in accurate, like a Marshall/412 naturally sounds to my ears. Some IRs sound purposely scooped (OwnHammer), which is fine, but they sound processed to me. But OwnHammer is popular, so what do I know! The Kemper is on my short list for reasons described here on RGO and elsewhere. However, as you and Richie have discovered, the tight integration of the Variax with the Helix is very good for live use. If I ever play my original music in front of people (a long term goal) I will need something like the Variax, and the Helix too - it makes a lot of sense to use both as Line 6 intends. Choices, choices, it's a beautiful thing. BTW, you were the first artist I saw using the Two Notes load box as an integral part of your rig. I looked into it, and immediately bought one. I think they owe you a commission! Or at least some gratis cab IRs. |
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Post by ragan on Sept 30, 2017 16:52:18 GMT -6
I've considered going Kemper live with BOC but I haven't committed to it yet. I almost like the variation of the tube JCM900 heads I use every night into the Two-Notes Torpedo. Richie wanted consistency with his sound to the FOH on the fly dates we do, and he's tight with Line6. It's working for him. Bonus, he uses a Variax with a Taylor Acoustic IR in the Helix on "The Vigil," and it sounds awesome. Couldn't do better carrying an acoustic and mic'ing it. FWIW, Don, for a Dude-In-The-Audience perspective, I liked your tone better. Had no idea Richie's was modeling but right away yours sounded more alive and classic to me. A million factors there of course. |
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Post by donr on Sept 30, 2017 17:19:32 GMT -6
Ragan, I think when you saw us, Richie was using the HD500 Pod floorboard, the Helix is another step up from that sonically.
I've always wanted the cutting edge of tech to work, I used Tom Scholz' Rockman amps live for a while, and ART's Powerplant pre and a stereo Carver amp also. But tubes are still tubes. I am down with the load box and cab and mic IR's, they work and are more practical than miking cabs or iso-cabs.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2017 15:13:39 GMT -6
I've considered going Kemper live with BOC but I haven't committed to it yet. I almost like the variation of the tube JCM900 heads I use every night into the Two-Notes Torpedo. Richie wanted consistency with his sound to the FOH on the fly dates we do, and he's tight with Line6. It's working for him. Bonus, he uses a Variax with a Taylor Acoustic IR in the Helix on "The Vigil," and it sounds awesome. Couldn't do better carrying an acoustic and mic'ing it. I know what you mean, I use a Torpedo Studio to direct record all electrics straight into an Apogee MK1 regardless of the amp, and it always sounds good. I'm finally getting into the various cabinet IRs and have settled on the Two Notes Green Tri as my favorite after using the BritC for a long time. Lots of IR choices, it's crazy, particularly when you consider all the 3rd party sources. I'm reviewing Celestion's offerings right now, and they sound good - as in accurate, like a Marshall/412 naturally sounds to my ears. Some IRs sound purposely scooped (OwnHammer), which is fine, but they sound processed to me. But OwnHammer is popular, so what do I know! The Kemper is on my short list for reasons described here on RGO and elsewhere. However, as you and Richie have discovered, the tight integration of the Variax with the Helix is very good for live use. If I ever play my original music in front of people (a long term goal) I will need something like the Variax, and the Helix too - it makes a lot of sense to use both as Line 6 intends. Choices, choices, it's a beautiful thing. BTW, you were the first artist I saw using the Two Notes load box as an integral part of your rig. I looked into it, and immediately bought one. I think they owe you a commission! Or at least some gratis cab IRs. If you're happy with the sound the only thing the Kemper is going to give you over the Torpedo is more amps to play with.. It's not quite as high quality as going through a proper rig with an IR, there's aliasing artifacts etc. But as an all rounder for me at least the Kemper can't be beat.. |
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Post by Ward on Oct 8, 2017 12:25:57 GMT -6
One of my closest buddies, a terroriffic guitaris, just dumped his Kemper and is buying a 1973 Super Lead 100watt with an 80s 1960a cabinet. Stating he had to go back to a real amp cos the Kemoer sounded too much like a modeler,.
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Post by donr on Oct 9, 2017 21:41:16 GMT -6
One of my closest buddies, a terroriffic guitaris, just dumped his Kemper and is buying a 1973 Super Lead 100watt with an 80s 1960a cabinet. Stating he had to go back to a real amp cos the Kemoer sounded too much like a modeler,. Ask him to profile the new rig before he sells the Kemper.  |
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Post by Ward on Oct 10, 2017 14:45:20 GMT -6
One of my closest buddies, a terroriffic guitaris, just dumped his Kemper and is buying a 1973 Super Lead 100watt with an 80s 1960a cabinet. Stating he had to go back to a real amp cos the Kemoer sounded too much like a modeler,. Ask him to profile the new rig before he sells the Kemper. The Kemper is gone but I'll profile it once I get Kemper, along with the rest of my collection. I promise. |
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Post by sopwith on Oct 13, 2017 21:20:30 GMT -6
Spent a good couple of hours with a Kemper yesterday - very impressed. If I hadn't been watching all of the praise here, I would have been blown away, but it definitely delivered the level of quality I expected based on the opinions here.
I thought the hardware was very well laid out, but as mentioned here, it's all about the profiles. Some were excellent, and some were ... mediocre at best. Fortunately they loaded up the Britt profiles for me to try, which are extremely high quality.
I'm used to playing my '65 Blackface Showman, and some of the Britt and Amp Factory profiles definitely got close as far as clarity and sweetness. It didn't quite hit that euphoric combo of thump, chime, and glorious overtones combining in the air, but it certainly had the flavour. I'd say 80% there, which may be close enough.
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Post by ragan on Oct 13, 2017 21:42:28 GMT -6
I so badly want the Kemper to satisfy me. It would be SO EASY. And no doubt there are many dudes who can get better tracks outta the Kemper than I can get out of my amps. But every time I try it (I've bought the damn thing twice) I just can't make it work for my ear.
I'll probably buy it again sometime.
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Post by lcr on Oct 14, 2017 5:13:05 GMT -6
I so badly want the Kemper to satisfy me. It would be SO EASY. And no doubt there are many dudes who can get better tracks outta the Kemper than I can get out of my amps. But every time I try it (I've bought the damn thing twice) I just can't make it work for my ear. I'll probably buy it again sometime. Were you using the latest greatest amp sounds? Britt, etc.? |
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Post by ragan on Oct 14, 2017 8:27:53 GMT -6
I so badly want the Kemper to satisfy me. It would be SO EASY. And no doubt there are many dudes who can get better tracks outta the Kemper than I can get out of my amps. But every time I try it (I've bought the damn thing twice) I just can't make it work for my ear. I'll probably buy it again sometime. Were you using the latest greatest amp sounds? Britt, etc.? yeah I was using the M Britt stuff, among others. |
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Post by matt on Oct 14, 2017 12:06:20 GMT -6
Were you using the latest greatest amp sounds? Britt, etc.? yeah I was using the M Britt stuff, among others. Been listening to the Top Jimi YT channel. Some of the Marshall profiles are damn good. I'm on the fence regarding a Kemper and might have to try one. Top Jimi Kemper profiles on YouTubeWhat I'd really like to see is a Kemper II with a Helix-style interface and foot switch. IMO Line 6 has everyone beat with their GUI, it's beautiful. Too bad the amp models are not quite as good to my ears. But I think all amp sim manufacturers have the same conundrum: it is very difficult, if not nearly impossible, to get the math correct. Or correct enough that the digitization of analog amplification becomes totally indistinguishable to the human ear and brain. And then build a processor to run all the millions of computations - just to process a plucked G-string. Massive complexity is involved to nail the attack/release of tube compression. distortion, and overall circuit dynamics. The fact that current technology is as good as it is, is pretty stunning. Meanwhile, I can contemplate it all while I bash away on my LP CC#2 through a 100W Purplexi into a Two Notes Studio. It doesn't suck. |
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Post by donr on Oct 16, 2017 12:08:52 GMT -6
Kemper is the only device of its type that does what it does. It's not a model. The UI could be better, for sure. A computer editor would be an improvement for setting up profiles and rigs.
I'm thinking if Ragan could profile the exact chain of amp/mic/pre/processing he used on some guitar tracks he played for me, which sounded great, he'd then be happy with the recreation in the Kemper.
It's important to remember the Kemper isn't mimicking the amp, it's mimicking the recording of the amp. What winds up in your tracks is what the Kemper is giving back to you whenever you want it. It'll never sound exactly like the amp that's in the room with you. Which is why the Kemper is such a great recording tool. Because the recording is the ultimate destination of the guitar part.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2019 19:10:04 GMT -6
...I've played tube amps since I started playing in 1983. I got the HX Stomp and my vintage Princeton reverb and all my pedals are in the closet now.
The key is making your own presets while using excellent monitoring. I started with my Audio Technica headphones I use for mixing FOH, then tried again with the the Grado's, even better. Then I connected it directly to my Amphion one18s and dialed it in again. Unreal. Lastly, I got Audezee lcd-x and refined things even more.
Really happy with it.
Also, I've mixed bands live who had guitar players using kempers. Love it! As both a guitarist and full time FOH, I am a big fan of this sort of new technology.
100 percent recall on tones in stereo. Sounds the same always. Consistent.
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