Never Ending Quest for Live On-stage Monitoring Solution

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    ☑️ Profiler Stage

    I'm sure this is not a new subject, but I'm new to this forum, so here it goes. Been using Kemper for a little over three years and am a huge fan in all areas except for one thing. I mostly use the Kemper in stereo IEM applications. However, we do occasional shows that can't accommodate the IEMs so we have to use stage monitors & live amps on stage. In those applications, I've tried numerous onstage live monitoring solutions and none of them work to my satisfaction.

    I've tried the Friedman ASC-12, QSC K12 and CP8 and even ran monitor output to a tube amp with the cabinet turned off in the Kemper monitor section. Most of these work OK at lower volumes but as soon as I hit a stage with our typical loud stage presence, the monitors get brittle and very unpleasant to play through and listen to. I'm very open to new ideas on proven successful onstage live monitor cab solutions. I'm somewhat intrigued with the Bareface Reality FRFR but quite frankly, I've not heard an FRFR that sounds acceptable in a live onstage band application. Any suggestions for this modern country player in the U.S.?

    You definately need to eq the k12.2 starting with the default but adding hi cut about 5to 6k low cut at 60, roll back treble one or two points. I prefer using a p.a. opposed to a guitar cab as i am also getting my vocal, the rest of the band, as well as my guitar through it

    Regarding the Kemper Kabinet, I have heard a lot of good things about that product but the reviews seem a bit mixed with regards to keeping up with higher stage volumes. For those of you who've used that box, do you have good luck with it keeping up with the stage volume w/o crapping out?

    GAPJMSG - I EQ’d the snot out of the QSC boxes. What I didn’t like about those loudspeakers (which is common issue with others I’ve used) is a nasty low mid bump that’s super honky. I don’t hear that issue in the house mixes but most definitely hear it through most of the cabs that I use. Heck, I’ve even put an external EQ device between the Kemper monitor out and the loudspeaker to provide additional shaping…that does help a bit, but there’s got to be a better solution out there.

    I should add that I use Strats and Teles mostly along with a Suhr Modern T and Gretsch Penguin. They all sound amazing through the house system(annd stereo IEMs) and at home via my reference monitors. I just need a way to get my live monitor solution closer to what I hear in those other applications.

    using the Kemper kabinet usually means locating it behind you in a traditional "real" amp location. Great for a more "traditional" approach to getting your sound but does mean the audience may get more than they bargained for and could make mixing front of house more challenging, depending on the venue size. alternatively, you could have the cab at the side facing across the stage though this may annoy other band members.

    ideally a wedge facing up at your face will be best for guitar (all the sound is directed at you and no one else) and with the right monitor you can also mix in your other sound sources from the other musicians. This retains the guitar-to-cab interaction that gives the player a bit of moving air and sustain/feedback where the guitar can pick up that which is coming out of the speaker in an artistic/positive form.

    Having two wedges is a bonus if you can afford the space and run as a stereo mix.

    the downside with this is that ultimately you are adding more sound to the stage where more and more bands are going for less noise on stage.

    You could use IEM and get a mono/stereo mix. A stereo mix is nice as it gives a sense of space and depth. The big bonus here is that it reduces the ambient sounds much in the same way ear-protection does. Your ears will thank you for it in the future. Take care here that you dont crank them too loud as they have the potential to do more damage than not wearing any. A limiter on the headphone amp can offer some protection (i wish Kemper had one on their headphone outputs for this reason. feature request....)

    Final solution, and the one i choose, is to have a stereo IEM mix and a wedge monitor. The wedge is effectively just the backline for a bit of moving air and the afore mentioned guitar-to-cab interaction for sustain, etc. the IEM units keep the overall stage noise levels to a minimum and limiter ensures i do go too loud. Having a stereo IEM mix creates a more 3D sound-scape escape when kit overheads are L+R and the other instruments and effects are stereo sources. even with a mono mix, adding a stereo reverb can add space to the mix. Kemper cover this with their "space" parameter to give it a bit of width.

    the final factor is where you are placed on stage and what other sound sources you are competing with. Many times i've had it where your sound is swamped by the low end from the main PA and it is difficult to eliminate this. Much of that LF content can not be prevented with IEM so it means you have build your sound on top of this which can lead to dangerous sound levels. Sometimes standing a few feet/metres back can lower this. sometimes you just have to grin and bare it.

    For me, Pure Cabinet is a yes. Somewhere between 4 and 8 usually. I use 2 Kones in my own cabinet and with my own amp. I prefer it to FRFR but at home I do sometimes use studio monitors just to get a "second opinion". As far as volume, eh, Kones get louder than I would ever use but if you're an absolute metalhead maybe you'll need more. I expect you could fill up a 4x12 with them and make some real noise.

    I have successfully used my non powered Kabinet on numerous gigs as my only backline/sound source. This for small gigs of 100 to 300 people.

    Sometimes the sound guy wants me to go FOH, so I send that and also use Kabinet at lower volume for my pleasure.

    Current live band I work with is extremely loud. I use IEM's (MONO) from one of my "Main Out"s (2nd Main Out goes to FOH). Monitor out to stage amp which I generally cannot hear unless I have my head in the cab. In-ears serve to both allow me to hear my guitar and protect me from the onstage volume onslaught. We are not running a designated monitor mixer or our own FOH so I have to make do. Not sure if this helps, I'm assuming the stereo in-ear mix takes up both of your Main Outs.

    I just use a wedge with earplugs these when we don't have a click or backing track. I just enjoy it so much more than IEMs. Don't really connect with the audience when using IEMs.

    At rehearsal everybody uses IEMs to preserve our hearing.

    Kemper PowerRack |Kemper Stage| Rivera 4x12 V30 cab | Yamaha DXR10 pair | UA Apollo Twin Duo | Adam A7X | Cubase DAW
    Fender Telecaster 62 re-issue chambered mahogany | Kramer! (1988 or so...) | Gibson Les Paul R7 | Fender Stratocaster HBS-1 Classic Relic Custom Shop | LTD EC-1000 Evertune | 1988 Desert Yellow JEM

    Have a Kemper Kone within a BlueAmps Spark Cabinet as active Version. Quite expensive by the way, but never let me down in a Live Situation. Also the option of using the Imprints
    The other guitarist in my band owns a Laney LFR112 cab that has a nice LED and a separate XLR out. The XLR can directly route the attached floorboard signal to FOH. Might be a shot.

    StefanErtle - That BlueAmps solution is probably a stellar way to go! I don't think the low quantity of shows I do that don't have IEMs can justify going that direction, but the Laney has come up multiple times as a viable option. I am tempted to go that route...but I want to compare that box to the Kemper Kabinent and see how it holds up to the Kemper solution.

    Quote from JBelt23

    StefanErtle - That BlueAmps solution is probably a stellar way to go! I don't think the low quantity of shows I do that don't have IEMs can justify going that direction, but the Laney has come up multiple times as a viable option. I am tempted to go that route...but I want to compare that box to the Kemper Kabinent and see how it holds up to the Kemper solution.

    I have been using the passive Kemper Kabinet since it came out and for me its the best solution for a guitar backline.

    FRFR always felt a bit artificial and guitar cabs add too much colour to the sound.

    Is it loud enough? I play in a number of bands, mainly heavy rock and metal and never had an issue. Once at rehearsal I decided to see how loud it would go and turned the volume up to the point of it being painful, and the wattage meter was only showing 25 watts. I think the speaker can handle it ( rated at 200 watts) so its going to depend on the amp. In this case I was using a power rack.

    The powered kabinet I think uses a 300 watt amp ( ICE300 I think) so should be plenty. The volume issues experienced have sometimes related to the settings on the stage as the "power amp" section has to be on full.

    I currently run a stage, Harely Benton GPA100 and passive Kabinet and its plenty loud, no issues.

    However.....as time has gone on and I tend to play venues with in house PA's, most of the time its not even switched on and I use the in house foldback, but I appreciate in your case this might not always be viable or consistent.