I feel a bit dubious starting this thread here, because I reckon I already know what you all are going to say!! Should I part-ex my Axe FX II for a Kemper?
It's something that has been on my mind for the past few days. I initially bought the Axe FX II and a Marshall Valvestate poweramp in an attempt to go fully digital for live performance. I don't like playing IR's through FRFR solutions, so the idea was to go through my 4x12 guitar cab and use the Axe as a preamp. I ended up not liking the Valvestate, and I have the Axe sounding good through the effects return of my Diezel D-Moll. But it's a Diezel D-Moll, such a crackin' amp! The Diezel snags 1st prize for tone over the Axe FX... and really, what's the point in using the Axe into the FX return of one of the best amps I've ever played? There is no point... just use the Diezel for live performance and forgetting going Axe for live.
Which leaves home recording. I've been using the Axe FX II for home recording since April and have by and large really been enjoying it. I like the Diezel models, the Bogner models, the Mesa Boogie models, a couple of the Marshall ones, and the Mesa 400 bass preamps. All in all... I'm getting pretty decent tones. But I do wish it were quicker. I don't like to tweak, and there are a bunch of amps I'd really like to have that the Axe FX does not have, and there are a bunch in there that I will never use.
The user interface of the Axe is quite daunting, even after all this time. I can get around on it no problem, but find myself tweaking parameter after parameter. I don't think the effects in it are particularly special. I prefer my Boss, TC Electronic, and Line 6 pedals (no really I do!!) because they're much more hands on and I can just grab a knob and turn it. So right now I pretty much only use the amp and cab block in the Axe.All in all... the Axe doesn't give me the tactile working environment that I really love from pedals and real amps. Even when I use the software, it feels like I'm using a super shit-hot plugin rather than an external bit of gear. I can't fault the sounds from the box at all. I started off on firmware 14, and then very quickly went to firmware 15. So I don't know what it was like in the early days, but these tones are great.
Now, I had a Kemper once. It lasted a few days before I sent it back. I liked the workflow and user interface of the unit, and I found it a doddle to use. But at the time I did not want all that money tied up in the Kemper as well as a high-end valve amp (Marshall Satriani JVM at the time!) but that situation has changed somewhat and it no longer irks me to the level that it used to. Everything has it's place I suppose. So partly it was that, and partly it was also that the included profiles didn't do much for me. I didn't want to risk running past my no-fuss return date, and so shipped it back. Again, I was thinking to use it for live use.
But right now, I am perfectly happy to use a real valve amp for live use. I'm focusing purely on studio recording. I want a fast user experience where I don't have to worry about going through hundreds and hundreds of IR's, or tweaking endless lists of parameters. That part of the Kemper appeals to me. In my head, I'd profile my Diezel D-Moll every-which-way-but-Sunday, and use that for home recording. But I'm still not 100% sure if it sounds as good as the Axe FX... my experience with the Kemper is too limiting.
I know that at a push I prefer the Kemper user interface, I prefer the Kemper form-factor (I like the toaster rather than a rack unit!), and I don't need the uber flexibility you get with the Axe FX. As much as I like it, I kind of feel it's wasted on me a bit. So what are your thoughts. Now that I've got it, stick with the Axe FX and just continue to use... I dunno practically 0.2% of it's features? Or part-ex it for a Kemper, pocket some of the money (around £500 judging by the marketplace right now!) and use my pedals with the Kemper to make up for the lack of effects flexibility within the Kemper itself?
Part of this is just GAS. Part of it is the grass is greener. Part of it is a desire for quicker workflow. Part of it is a desire for amps the Axe doesn't have. Part of it is that I've got a bunch of duplication in my available effects options. I guess I'm just daydreaming about a simpler set of options. I do know that I don't want/need and cannot afford both of them.
Am I just a nutter??
PS: If anyone in London has a Kemper and wants to swing by my flat and do some comparisons with me, I'd be well up for that!