Posts by OneEng1

Quote from Ruefus

The listener isn’t really who this nitpicking is about, though. The listener *will* hear it if the player isn’t all that inspired or happy with their sound.

The listener is involved here - but nearly irrelevant.

Fair, but then doesn't this pretty much invalidate the entire Kemper/Digital Amp approach? I am guessing most guitarists (including me) would greatly prefer a loud amp near them to get "that sound" on stage for them.

If the argument is that we need to make the guitar player happier with his monitor output in order for him to play better and thus make the audience experience a better performance, why not focus more on the monitor being more like a real amp (Kemper Kab)?

FWIW, I have NEVER heard of anyone in the audience complaining that a Kemper doesn't sound good in the mix (nor would I ever expect to hear such a thing). Therefore, I believe 2.0 is about bringing more and better profiles to the ecosystem. This will provide a richer base for all Kemper musicians to draw on.

Anyway, that is my take. I could be wrong ;).

I am in the process of setting up Band helper to send out OSC commands to a PC running QLC+ to trigger different chases and lighting for different song groups (not individual songs). So something like "Slow Dance","Ballad", "Fast Dance".

It's crazy how easy it is for me now at a gig to control my Kemper (and soon the lights).

I am in geek heaven :).

Quote from Ruefus

Not truly relevant - but I can’t help but think this is because it’s the first way we heard things.

Not because we ‘like’ it - but it’s what we’ve always heard and became familiar with.

This may well be the case.

When digital mixers first came out, people thought they sounded "sterile" and that you needed the "warmth" from the "better preamps" of analog mixers. The difference was, in fact, that the digital mixer simply created a more accurate reproduction where the old analog mixers were filtering off HF. People had to learn to "add warmth" with their own filters ;).

I remember the first time I played a guitar processor directly into a FRFR speaker (Digitech 2120) instead of into a guitar cab.

It was truly AWFUL. I had NO idea that a guitar cab shaved off so much of the HF. I had become so used to hearing rolled off versions of what the amp was putting out, that hearing it without the roll off was painfully awful.

I wonder if anyone will prefer an MK1 profile over the MK2 for this reason?

Quote from taylorphototexas

For me it's more accurate without having to do any refinement. Also they made a comment about the bass and I'm hoping that is about the low end rumble that sometimes comes through. I've had to spend a little time on the refinement to get that out and its annoying.

This is almost certainly true. I have always thought that the refinement process was one of the weakest links in the Kemper profiling process since it is quite easy to do incorrectly.

I am guessing the new profiling is faster, and much easier for anyone to get right.

Quote from JAC

Also, specifying 5K instead of the more obvious 8K, perhaps because the new profiles aren't "twice as good", just better.

Arguably, 8K TV's are not twice as good as 4K TV's likely for the same reason that MK2 isn't twice as good (or more) than MK1. Once you start reaching the limit of a human to tell the difference, it no longer makes sense to make it better (in most cases).

As an example, the number of bits in an A/D converter. A/D's today top out at ~24bits .... not because it isn't possible to make a 64 bit A/D, but because the noise floor that can be achieved is below (quite a bit) human hearing. There is simply no reason to do it.

TV's increased in resolution only because they got BIGGER (much bigger). When my kids were little, I explained to them how TV's worked and was able to show them (with the naked eye) the RGB pixels in our old 32" tube tv. Today .... you need a microscope.

For Kemper, I don't quite think they were at the equivalent of 24bits (or 4K) in regards to their accuracy, so I am fairly certain that the new Profiling 2.0 will be faster, more accurate, and easier to use.

Still, it isn't like the old Morgan AC20 is going to start sounding like crap. Good is good .... period.

I am VERY excited about the 2.0 profiling. Not because I plan on profiling my many tube amps (I no longer own any), but because I believe the number of high quality profiles is about to go through the ceiling ..... and that is a great thing for all of us.

Quote from jaeger 28

I would also prefer to get a player and use my 1yo Stage to control it, than try to sell my Mk1 stage (almost impossible) snd get a Mk2.

Would be super cool if that were possible with just a USB or even through WLan

Looks like they are going on ebay for around $750-850 ish (used) based on sold items in the last 2 months.

I would personally like Kemper to release an upgraded foot controller with LED light rings, and a nice color LCD (and all the cool features that could enable). Perhaps that product could be WiFi enabled so it could connect to the Player as well?

Anyway .... we can always dream.

Quote from karlic

A brilliant development mind isn't necessarily a good presenter:-) I'm sure the whole process will look a lot more organised in a well edited video.

That much is certain ;).

I work with a PR company that makes me recite and practice before every show ;). "Talk Slow", "Organize your thoughts, then speak", etc, etc.

I'm sure the results are going to be impressive.

Quote from Ricco

LED Test at MK2 at the top, MK1 normal Operation with Brightness 8,5 at the bottom. I think that answers the question, more details in Post #7. The here seen brightness at Slot A at the MK2 can not be achieved in normal operation at the MK2

But that generally also applies to MK1, but in that case the possible technical maximum color LED brightess while doing an LED Test at MK1 is way too extreme.

It is very likely a hardware limitation then.

Oddly, my experience with LED's in the products I have developed is that I have gotten them too bright and needed to tone them down to prevent blinding people ;). Since you drive an LED with some kind of transistor or FET, it is quite easy to use a PWM signal from the micro to control brightness. Unfortunately, the max brightness (PWM Line full on) is dictated by what voltage you pull it up with and what resistor value you use to limit current through the LED.

Quote from dasznik

For comparison, the LEDs on the mk1 are way brighter; the LEDs on the player are spot on in brightness and visibility, so it’s clearly possible to get this right. It would be great if the rack mk2 could match that in normal operation, not just in the LED test)

So in the LED test, the MK2 can make the LEDs as bright as the MK1?

Quote from pontani angelo

What it seems to me is that Helix has raised the bar in the pedalboard sector and if within a year the price settles at a price of + or - 1,700 Euros as usually happens, it will have a devastating effect on its competitors such as: Kemper, Fractal, Neural, Fender which have a price that is around that figure but in terms of functions, have much less.

Lots of people were saying the same thing about QC when it was the new flashey thing. It's easy to sell glitz when no one can use the device yet.

Kemper is SOLID all the way around. If you wouldn't prefer a Helix today, I suspect you aren't going to be very impressed with Stadium on release since much of it is carry over algorithms from Helix.

You can complain that MK2 is so similar to MK1, or you can rejoice because it is so similar to MK1.

I do agree that Stadium has the glitz thing down cold. I would love for Kemper to come out with a new foot controller with some glitz. That should be something that is doable in the existing architecture with MK2. I'm not as concerned with the sound quality getting light years better since I already think it is pretty darned close to perfect (at least for me).

Quote from pontani angelo

Code

There is one thing that made me reflect on the release of the Helix Stadium Floor (around 2000 euros): it has the same external configuration as the Neural DSP (around 1600), the Kemper stage DI (around 1550 euros), the Fractal FM 9 (around 1800 euros), the Fender tone master (around 1600 euros) and considering that the price of the Helix is the launch price and that after a while it decreases by at least 10%, we can say that in the future it will have a price of (around 1800 euros). Now, comparing its technical characteristics, it has much more to offer than its competitors, in fact I would dare to say much more, starting from the 8" screen to the SD memory, the possibility of having a player and advanced recording, of controlling connections with various equipment, of using models and samples and much more, and from what I've heard from the videos, it seems excellent to me.
So the question is this, when in a year the product will have stabilized in terms of price and will be optimized it is clear that we will have a product with a price similar to the others, but with features superior to all the others, assuming that the sound is similar to the competition, this will destabilize all the competitors who will be forced in my opinion either to significantly lower the price or to come out with new products that are equally competitive, for me Helix has launched a real bomb on the market...

I have been gigging live for around 40 years. I have yet to have anyone complement me on how cool my amp GUI was ;).

I think the Stadium will sell well; however, it is when the warts are revealed that people start thinking about the things that are important to them.

Quote from JAC

A few thoughts on Helix Stadium...

In 2025, Kemper, and most of the other top-tier processors are good enough when it comes to amp tones. For existing Helix users with brand loyality, the Stadium feels like a good upgrade to catch up with everyone else. That said, the existing Helix tones can be very usable too
The Stadium's touchscreen looks great and will be a selling point
It's great that Line6 has added the innovate features such as the ability to control stage lights but it's not something I'd be interested in

Unless people specifically want those new unique features, I don't see a movement of users from other platforms to the Stadium. I think the same goes for every new unit nowadays - the existing tech is so good, it's hard to get too excited about the next generation. You could see it on this forum a few years ago when the Quad Cortex was released. Some posters were trying to generate buzz, but others were like "no, I'm happy enough with what I have".

I seriously doubt Stadium is going to replace QLC+ for controlling lights ;). It's a nice bullet point though.

I think the QC release is exactly what is going to happen with Stadium. HUGE wave up front of enthusiasm, followed by "except".

Quote from Gary_W

Fair enough apart from the stiring the pot comment - that’s not what I’m doing. As I’ve mentioned above, I have a genuine fondness for them and I still think my mk1 is great….. Best value for money digital kit I’ve ever had *and yet I’m going elsewhere*.

Gary, I feel you for sure.

I remember a number of people on this forum waiting patiently for the QC, running out and buying it, selling their Kemper, then selling their QC and returning to Kemper ;).

QC had a very similar approach to Stadium. Lots of glitz in the launch.

I believe that Kemper MK2 will still be seen as the "common sense" product (especially for gigging musicians). That is certainly how I am looking at it.

For sure there will be a TON of MK2 videos when the new profiling is launched. I am guessing the focus of nearly every one of them is going to be accuracy when it should be tweak ability (although I hope both are addressed in many videos).

I strongly suspect that when the Stadium is released, everyone will be awe struck by the cool graphics. Despite no capture on release, it will be praised for its looks (and features). I will be looking forward to finding one of my many friends that has one so I can orchestrate another "gig gear day" at my house (burgers, dogs, my basement and more amps and guitars than you can shake a stick at). Perhaps I will be sporting a brand new MK2 at that time ;).

Quote from V8guitar

Im not claiming that, Kemper are suggesting it with a more detailed profiling process. That either means better profiling or more flex post profiling, each should result in better sound.

From the latest information, looks like you get to be right ;). More flexible post processing.

I was guessing this as well since I think there are going to be a host of MK1 to MK2 video's out that are going to be darned difficult to hear the difference between them (and the amp).

It's MUCH more convincing then to show how the different controls tweak a profile more effectively.

Quote from DWelzel

I was at the Kemper boot on the Guitar Summit on Saturday and Sunday. Thomas Dill demonstrated first MK II Profiles and you could hear them with headphones. I loved it and his so handy and useful hints for a good sound also. It was a pleasure for me to see and hear him live and not only watching his YouTube-Videos at the Kemper channel and Tones & Talks. Also I had an interesting chat with a friendly guy from the service team of Kemper (sorry for forgotten the name) and on Sunday I saw Christoph Kemper himself for a few seconds before I went to my booked Masterclass.

The Software is not ready for public use right now, but the sounds with their dynamic and details I heard at the demonstration of Thomas Dill were great and I assume are worth waiting.
I own a Stage (MK I) and a Player (MK II ready). So I will compare the difference by ear, when the MK II profiles are available.

I look forward (very much) to hearing your assessment!

Quote from Steve5478

I didn't do this observation with my band, all playing with that f*"'# drummer hitting his drums just beside me

"On the eighth day, God created vDrums and saw that it was good" :).

Quote from maytalnts

Also, much like NAM my guess is you need the computer to do the real profiling part and it utilizes your computer to do the much needed extra power to get the profile done correctly. To me that just makes sense and keeps cost down from really throwing all you need into a Kemper box which would then drastically raise the price.

I also share this speculation. It makes sense.

Quote from naslanidis

I had a chance to check out profiling 2.0 at the summit and here are a few takeaways:
- 2.0 is about the dynamics of the profile. It responds to gain changes better than 1.0. It's quite noticeable when you pick soft vs hard. They are aiming for profiles to be more tweakable than the original capture and still sound like the original amp.
- Liquid profiling is separate and can be turned on or off in 2.0
- 2.0 does not really need refining, it's more accurate in general, especially the direct profile option.
- 2.0 profiles will load on original Kempers but it will not sound as good as it will on MK2 units
- The player will be able to do profiling as well
- The software is still buggy at the moment - unit ant Rig Manager had to be restarted in the middle of demos, so who knows when it will be release ready.

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If that is the case (it's more tweakable), that is EXACTLY what I would want it to do better.

1. No refining and faster profiling (hopefully more accurate as well for the NULL testers out there)
2. Changing the gain from the capture after the capture behaves more like the amp would. This would be a welcome change. Many of the profiles I download (or buy) become dull when you decrease the gain. The real amp doesn't behave like this.

Seems like it wont be long now.

Quote from DamianGreda

I do not agree. I think this is most CPU/DSP demanding processs. even doing FFT to match it, compute z-poles based on that and so on in real time is non trivial task.

I agree with you. It is computationally demanding but .....

Quote from Ruefus

Fair enough…but it appears the same chip in the Profiler from the start is still there…and nothing else appears to be adding much in terms of HP.

You are right.... as long as we keep the assumption that the profiling takes place on the DSP, not the application processor, or the PC. If it is somehow dependent on the app processor, then it may well be too demanding for MK1 (not Player).

Quote from where is christophe

When buying in 2024 or 2025 a unit that was launched in 2010, one should not be surprised they market a replacement at some point.

Agree.

Quote from taylorphototexas

I have nine tube amps and a couple of them are hard to find, so I want to model them well. I like tube amps, but the Kemper is a new game where you can roll your own or use someone else's offering. Rig Exchange makes it work every bit as much as profiling does. So I imagine the non-profilers are larger in number but you can change your mind whenever. Options are good.

It's entirely possible that more people profile (and utilize these profiles) much more than my anecdotal evidence would suggest.

Quote from taylorphototexas

Being able to profile is why I went with Kemper, and I've done a couple hundred so far. Not that I'm keeping all of them. And yes I am anticipating this new release of "New profilling" and some might think "why do so many now?" But I'm still learning how it works and hopefully I'll kind of know what I'm doing when the new code and process gets here. Who knows, maybe we already have the new code and just need the new process. Whichever it is, if we are getting more accurate profiling then it is even more important to understand technique, best microphones, optimal levels, how much damping is appropos, etc.

So anyway count me in the "doing profiling" column. Otherwise I'd have probably gotten something else.

I can completely understand why it is important to you then.

I profiled a couple of my own amps before selling them. I don't even have them on my Kemper any more. I have found other peoples profiles (both free and purchased) that I prefer.

I know 2 other people in my area that purchased Kemper's .... not because of the profiling, but because they jammed with me at a gig or a practice and heard how it sounded compared to their tube amp rig.

This is, of course, purely anecdotal evidence. I was genuine when I asked what others thought the percentage of people like yourself were out there.

I know a good deal of guitar players. Of the ones I know, only 1 has more than 2 tube amps (he is a surgeon and buys amps and guitars like my wife buys shoes!). Ironically, he has no interest in capturing them. He is a tube amp purist.

Mom .... are we there yet?