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Post by Tbone81 on Aug 24, 2022 13:19:49 GMT -6
I think the sound of the Axe Fx III is great. And the fx are just gorgeous...just really really nice for what I use it for. However the GUI just plain sucks. It's so bad and cumbersome that I often don't use it. Looks like I could sell my Axe Fx for almost exactly what I bought it for, get a Kemper and save a few hundred.
Any Pro/Cons I'm not thinking of? This sideways move would be purely based around workflow improvements, which right now are speculative since I've never owned a Kemper.
Second Question: If I get a Kemper, any reason not to get the Stage/floor board model? It would be nice to be able to take it with me to outside recording sessions. I track lots of live performances and it would be nice to have a guitar player be able to play directly into the kemper in situations where I need more isolation than I typically have.
Edit: Third Question: On the Kemper, can I route the reverb/delay fx to a second discrete output with a dry signal going out the mains? That's how I have it setup on my Axe Fx. That way I can track, and monitor, with loads of glorious reverb, but still have the control to blend the wet/dry tracks in the daw.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2022 13:59:44 GMT -6
I've had two Kemper's and IMO they're okay.. Personally I'd get a couple of small half decent amp heads and use it through a Suhr reactive w/ an IR loader. Just to note the newer Suhr has an IR loader bult in so there's no issues using it live.
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Post by Tbone81 on Aug 24, 2022 14:10:11 GMT -6
I've had two Kemper's and IMO they're okay.. Personally I'd get a couple of small half decent amp heads and use it through a Suhr reactive w/ an IR loader. Just to note the newer Suhr has an IR loader bult in so there's no issues using it live. Thanks, problem is I get massive amounts of RFI in my amps where I live. Radio stations blasting out my cabs really puts a hold on me using my amps half the time, which is a shame because I have some really nice amps. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2022 14:18:03 GMT -6
I've had two Kemper's and IMO they're okay.. Personally I'd get a couple of small half decent amp heads and use it through a Suhr reactive w/ an IR loader. Just to note the newer Suhr has an IR loader bult in so there's no issues using it live. Thanks, problem is I get massive amounts of RFI in my amps where I live. Radio stations blasting out my cabs really puts a hold on me using my amps half the time, which is a shame because I have some really nice amps. That's a shame, thing is I do like the Axe FX. I had a version 2 before moving to the Suhr, what about presets and cab packs? Get a decent set of models you'll use in rotation and forget the rest. For sure, you can get down in the weeds with it but it doesn't have to be that way. Or you could sell yours and go for the FM9 Turbo version of the Axe? Or even FM3? |
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Post by Tbone81 on Aug 24, 2022 14:50:36 GMT -6
Thanks, problem is I get massive amounts of RFI in my amps where I live. Radio stations blasting out my cabs really puts a hold on me using my amps half the time, which is a shame because I have some really nice amps. That's a shame, thing is I do like the Axe FX. I had a version 2 before moving to the Suhr, what about presets and cab packs? Get a decent set of models you'll use in rotation and forget the rest. For sure, you can get down in the weeds with it but it doesn't have to be that way. Or you could sell yours and go for the FM9 Turbo version of the Axe? Or even FM3? Yeah I’ve already made my own presets that I use for most things, but I just hate the GUI so much that I’m completely deterred from tweaking any of the settings. And by tweaking I’m talking about just simple things like wanting to turn the tone knobs like on areal amp. If the kemper sounds even 90% as good as the axe fx then I’ll be happy. The general consensus it seems is that axe fx had nicer fx, like reverb delays etc. but that the tone of the amps is pretty similar. How would you compare the sound of the Axe to the kemper? Is it really that big a deal |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2022 15:25:06 GMT -6
Yeah I’ve already made my own presets that I use for most things, but I just hate the GUI so much that I’m completely deterred from tweaking any of the settings. And by tweaking I’m talking about just simple things like wanting to turn the tone knobs like on areal amp. If the kemper sounds even 90% as good as the axe fx then I’ll be happy. The general consensus it seems is that axe fx had nicer fx, like reverb delays etc. but that the tone of the amps is pretty similar. How would you compare the sound of the Axe to the kemper? Is it really that big a deal Well, it depends on what you like? I find real amps and the Axe FX to be a bit more (in your face) the latter bordering on hyper realistic but that's the sound I go for. |
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Post by svart on Aug 25, 2022 7:07:02 GMT -6
Do you use the app to control the Axe or just the front panel? The app is a bit easier for sure.
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Post by tahoebrian5 on Aug 25, 2022 7:55:39 GMT -6
What Svart said, get a small windows tablet for Axeedit. It is easy as can be. Especially with the new updates in firmware 20.04, the Axe sounds better than ever.
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Post by Tbone81 on Aug 25, 2022 8:57:44 GMT -6
Do you use the app to control the Axe or just the front panel? The app is a bit easier for sure. Yes using the app, controlling the Ace from the hardware front panel is an exercise in frustration. It still bugs me that I have to open an app to do anything meaningful. As a guitar player I want to turn knobs. |
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Post by Tbone81 on Aug 25, 2022 8:59:32 GMT -6
What Svart said, get a small windows tablet for Axeedit. It is easy as can be. Especially with the new updates in firmware 20.04, the Axe sounds better than ever. Good suggestion, I haven’t kept up with the firmware updates, I’ll check that out. I think you guys are convincing me to give the axe a second chance. I was getting excited by the idea of getting something that had a better workflow but I certainly don’t want to go backwards in sound quality. |
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Post by tahoebrian5 on Aug 25, 2022 10:34:34 GMT -6
The last few updates have a significant improvement in tones imo. The Aurora delay is magnificent also, Klon pedal sim added. I don’t know how Cliff keeps doing it but it sounds fantastic. Now running the signal through the Neve 542.. I’m in tone heaven.
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Post by Tbone81 on Aug 25, 2022 10:58:37 GMT -6
The last few updates have a significant improvement in tones imo. The Aurora delay is magnificent also, Klon pedal sim added. I don’t know how Cliff keeps doing it but it sounds fantastic. Now running the signal through the Neve 542.. I’m in tone heaven. Ok, I think you just convinced me to stick with what I have. I should just spend more time making my own presets. I found most of the stock sounds sounded too choked, or compressed. They weren’t lively enough. Didn’t feel like a real amp, even though they sounded amazing. Took a lot of tweaking with speaker compression settings, tube bias, and all the other minutiae to get things to sound right to my ears. I should probably look into buying some preset packs. Any suggestions? |
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Post by tahoebrian5 on Aug 25, 2022 11:05:03 GMT -6
What type of tones are you looking for?
What I have found with 3rd party presets is.. some makers stuff works for me and some don’t. It is likely a combination of guitar choice and monitoring hardware.
Leon Todd’s stuff tends to work well for me, and he gives them away for free. If you are looking for metal patches that’s a good place to start.
Burgs stuff also seems to work well and also free. His preset “Dumbles, Klondike, and Hallows” is a recent offering that highlights the Aurora delay. I am currently stuck on this one. I’ll post a video link below in a second post.
My recommendation, first update to 20.04, then let me know what you’re looking for and I can send you a few to try.
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Post by tahoebrian5 on Aug 25, 2022 11:06:10 GMT -6
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Post by Tbone81 on Aug 25, 2022 11:10:09 GMT -6
I kind of live at two extremes. Blistering full gain distortion, think Soil Works’ Stabbing the Drama or Killswitch’s The End of HeartAche.
Then on the other end I want fender-ish cleans with tons of delay and reverb ala Explosions in the Sky, Godspeed, Mogwai etc. Just epic sound tracky stuff.
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Post by Johnkenn on Aug 25, 2022 14:37:09 GMT -6
Just start new with your own preset. That forces me to dial in the sound I want instead of wasting time looking for it.
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Post by bchurch on Aug 31, 2022 13:27:58 GMT -6
Maybe a little bit off on a tangent here but STLtones ToneHub is hands-down the best and certainly most versatile amp/cabinet modeling software I have ever, ever used. I mention them because they also offer Kemper/AxeFx presets - but as a recording VST, I can get exactly what I want. Real vs virtual has historically been a trade off between convenience and “actual”, I don’t feel like I have to choose anymore. Pretty great on bass, too.
It should be said though, I DI and sprinkle a little elfin magic on the signal before it hits my ADC through an API 312 (j990 op amp) and 565 - they really give the tone a little more attack and focus to me. On bass, I DI through an SSL Alpha Channel with a sprinkle of their VHD circuit for some girth. It’s funny because I played a mix for a fellow industry pal and he goes, “see, that’s what I’m talking about - you just cant beat the sound of a live amp.” I didn’t have the heart to tell him.
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Post by Tbone81 on Aug 31, 2022 13:55:42 GMT -6
Ok so update, you guys takes me off the ledge, lol. I’m keeping the axe, a moment of frustration almost got the better of me. I’ve been digging into the unit more, crated a few more presets, updated the firmware and I’m liking it better.
Also just bought some more cables (waiting for them to arrive) so that I can have it patched into my patchbay as an fx insert. I’m really looking forward to using it as a glorified pedal board for synths.
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Post by smashlord on Sept 3, 2022 17:14:47 GMT -6
I have a client with an AXE FX (3 I think?) and one with a Kemper. The Kemper always exceeds my expectations while the AXE FX never really seems to impress me. I always feel I am asking that client for DIs so I can send it out through a Marshall or Fender. YMMV.
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Post by BenjaminAshlin on Oct 22, 2022 5:05:47 GMT -6
I kind of live at two extremes. Blistering full gain distortion, think Soil Works’ Stabbing the Drama or Killswitch’s The End of HeartAche. Then on the other end I want fender-ish cleans with tons of delay and reverb ala Explosions in the Sky, Godspeed, Mogwai etc. Just epic sound tracky stuff. Ahh Stabbing the Drama, classic. I enjoyed the plug and play aspect of the Kemper. The distortion did have a similar feel/quality across multiple amps though. I feel your pain with the Axefx though. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Oct 22, 2022 8:41:01 GMT -6
I have a client with an AXE FX (3 I think?) and one with a Kemper. The Kemper always exceeds my expectations while the AXE FX never really seems to impress me. I always feel I am asking that client for DIs so I can send it out through a Marshall or Fender. YMMV. I’ve had both and felt exactly the opposite. Although, since I now have the Trinnov, I have to bypass that to not have any delay with the Axe. Multiple steps are always a buzz kill to me. Wait…it just occurred to me how to fix this. Doh. Anyway, I was thinking about just going back to my pedalboard and just getting a Dream 65 as a clean amp. But maybe I’ll do it the way I’m thinking. |
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Post by 79sg on Oct 22, 2022 12:11:20 GMT -6
I went from an AxeFx Ultra to a Kemper years ago. Both are excellent, I stick with the Kemper as it is simpler for my use. The Axe is deep and you can endlessly edit which isn’t my thing. I would consider this if moving on from the Kemper: www.hearblackwidow.com/mgp-1a/In addition to the Kemper I record with my Effectrode Blackbird pedal + pedalboard. |
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