Posts by scratch17

One of the most significant new features of the Stage is the ability to act as a slave when connected via S/PDIF.

Until the release of the Stage, you could not connect two Kempers serially via S/PDIF. That is because the Rack

and the Toaster must always be set as a master. As with Aladdin's Genie, two masters are a non starter.

So why not use analog I/O to connect two Racks, Toasters or one of each? You can, but you add an unnecessary

A/D and D/A conversion step. I want to avoid that step, so I will be buying a Stage instead of a used Rack or Toaster

to go with my non powered Rack.

What will I do with 2 Kempers connected in series?

Here's one example.

I plan to make some profiles of my Wheebo Plexface overdrive with no amp in the signal chain. Here's the signal path:

Guitar --> Kemper --> Radial X-Amp --> Plexface --> "From Amplifier" on the Kemper Profiler DI Box --> To Profiler XLR jack connects to the Profiler's input and the to Cabinet jack connects to a cab.

The X-Amp provides the pedal with a Hi Z guitar level output that the Plexface expects at its input. Note that the cab is not really needed here because there is no tube amp in the signal chain.

Once I have the overdrive's profile, I load it into the first Kemper's stack. Now I can load a Merged, Studio or Direct Amp Profile into the second Kemper's stack.

Quote from paults

You could name the rigs or performance slots in the Stage to indicate the contents of both units. If the stage has a Marshall in a performance slot, and the slave unit has a Vox, you could name the slot “Marshall + Vox” in the Stage.

Sure, but all that is doing is telling you what is loaded on the slave unit. I hope to be able to change the focus of the controls and display, so I can make specific adjustments to the rig loaded on the slave in real time.

Right now, if I have different effects on each rig, when I hit button IIII on the Stage, I assume I will be doing something to the slave, which I may or may not want to do. At the very least, it would be a huge advantage to be able to assign foot buttons I, II, III, and IIII to the specific unit under UI to MIDI. That would sort of be like changing banks.

It really comes down to using one foot controller to try to do different things on two units. That is not what it was meant or designed to accomplish.

The release of the Stage will likely incentivize users to sell their Kemper Toaster or Rack and Remote. Kemper must have expected that. I don't think that Kemper was thinking that some Stage buyers would sell their Remote but keep their other Kemper. Nor, I suspect, have they fully fleshed out the issues that might arise when using a Stage as a Remote with a second Kemper.

I love the potential synergy of having a second Kemper. There will be all sorts of ways to combine two of them. I was going to buy another non powered Rack before Stage was announced.

Because Stage can connect via S/PDIF to my Rack as a slave, I can connect serially without leaving the digital domain. Two Racks can't do that. They both must be set as master. Add the extra external effects loop and the Stage is a home run for my use case.

BTW, any extra function I get from the Stage's form factor as a foot controller is only added value to me. I already own a MMGT10. And I still intend to use the Stage and Rack only in studio, with the Rack in front of me on the desk and the Stage at my feet. The foot control of both units will allow me to control each unit in real time with my feet while I track.

Quote from V8guitar

I currently have the rack and remote. The only interest I have in the stage is if it could replace my remote purely as the remote for gigs where I want to use my rack and for other gigs where the stage would do.

Quote from Burkhard

The Stage offers "UI to MIDI".

And while "UI to MIDI" transmits many controllers including the whole navigation within Performance Mode, the data doesn't have to be the same. You could store different Rigs in Slot m of Performance n of master versus slave PROFILER.

If I understand you correctly V8guitar, you'd like to have the Stage visually show what it is doing when controlling the Rack. So in effect, the Stage would become a full blown Remote for the Rack.

Even though the Stage can control the Rack, as per Burkhard's quote above, to do so would require a way of changing the focus of the controls and display to whichever unit it was controlling.

Burkhard, can the Stage do so?

I suspect the Stage can only focus on the settings it is controlling on its built in processor. But I hope I am incorrect.

Quote from pippopluto

If you call Perf1Slot2 on the two devices, and those host two different sounds tho...

I stand corrected. Happy to see this is easier than I thought.

BTW, until a full owner's manual specific to the Stage is published, we won't know about a lot of the details about what it can do (if anything) as a MIDI controller of other devices. We also won't know how flexible or comprehensive the MIDI implementation is.

I suggest that the Stage will need to have a separate manual for programming techniques if it can be used as a MIDI foot controller with other devices.

I also think that Kemper should consider the ways that two Kempers could be used together with an eye towards maximizing their possible synergies.

Doing so could increase the market for both the Stage, the Rack or the Toaster.

Quote from CelticGibson

If the Stage has "UI to Midi" like the toaster/rack then you can control another Kemper with the Stage.

I believe that UI to MIDI turns the two Kempers into a master and a slave. That implies that if you do an action on the master, the slave follows with exactly the same action. This makes perfect sense for using a second Kemper as a backup in case of catastrophic fail during a performance.

But it doesn't address whether the Stage can also send MIDI data to make changes to the second Kemper (Rack or Toaster) to create a different action on the slave than the one being triggered on the master.

So if you want to use two Kempers to make different sounds at the same time, UI to MIDI is not going to work for you.

As an example, I want to be able to morph between two different profiles (think: amp stacks). Since a single Kemper can only load one profile, you need two Kempers to accomplish this kind of morph.

In this situation, I want to use a pedal to control the output level between the two Kempers. As I increase the output level from min to max on Kemper 1, I want the reverse to happen on Kemper 2 . It should decrease in output level at the same rate. This becomes the morph control.

I have a non powered rack and would like to use a Stage with a pedal plugged into it to control this morph between the two Kempers. I am hoping that with the single pedal, I can use MIDI to control the output of the Stage and the Rack at the same time. That means that the Stage would need to be able to send MIDI CC and PC data and at the same time control the Stage.

There is a very big implication here. Doing the above (if it is possible) will take some MIDI programming unless the new editor will let you use the Stage as a remote for the Rack via MIDI. For that to happen, the editor probably needs to be able to see both Kempers, which I doubt it will do.

I suggest that anyone contemplating using a Stage and a Rack or Toaster together, keep your Kemper Remote.

Thanks for the reply Mr. Kemper.

I don't use hardware effects at this point. I use Universal Audio Apollos running UAD plugins. I can easily set up each of two Kempers with the same effects. So that is not an issue for me.

The Apollos have more than enough DSP to handle the plugins with near zero latency. And the plugins on the UAD platform are world class quality. They are almost indistinguishable from the hardware they model.

I also plan to run stereo and hexaphonic guitar soon. I am going to modify my Hamer Duotone. It will soon have a Cycfi Nu2 Multi (hexaphonic) pickup and two Fluence Open Core classic humbuckers wired in stereo. The Fluence pickups each have three voices, which I will be able to select independently.

I want a parallel path for the Fluence pickups wired in stereo. In some cases I will be using both paths with the same effects. In some cases I will use different effects on each path.

The Cycfi hex pickup will be multed, sent dry to six separate tracks in Logic, and also mixed to stereo. The stereo signal may go through the two Kempers or into stereo Apollo Unison guitar amp sims.

Later I can manipulate the dry hex signals in all sorts of creative ways. Since this use case doesn't require real time output, I can experiment to my heart's content in my studio.

I want a Stage but I want to wait a while. I already have a non powered Rack and an RJM Mastermind GT10. So the form factor isn't such a big deal for me.

What is compelling is the potential of using two Kempers together. My Kemper Rack will stay in front of me on my desk. The Stage will be on the floor at my feet.

Once the editor is released, the Rack will act like a control surface. Remember that any profile should work on any model.

Raoul23, you might want to consider adding a few options to your pole.

1. Later, but yes.

2. No, never.

My Hamer Duotone has (as its name implies) both a magnetic and a piezo output. So I am in the same boat as Alan.

Quote from Wheresthedug

I would love to be able to make full use of these by plugging the electric guitar (magnetic pickups) into one input and the acoustic (Piezo pickup) into a separate input. Then have the Piezo run through the existing parallel path while the magnetic pickups feed the stack.

I too find that a blend of the two voices can create a fabulous tone. But at times I want either solely piezo and at other times I want solely magnetic voices. Of course, I also want to use effects that are built in to the Kemper. Being able to control which effects and their parameter levels for each path separately is a must.

Quote from ckemper

Talking about dual amping or parallel effects routing. We have a unique feature set that is relating to the serial signal flow as it is. That is „condition-free spillover“ of the DLY and REV module, individual output sources such as Stack, Mod, Dly&Rev wet - and especially MonitorCabOff, to switch off the cabinet solely for the Monitor Output and run a real guitar speaker through the power amp. Those features can be set globally, without tweaking every individual rig.

We know that a very large part of our customers utilize and enjoy these features. With dual amping or parallel effects routing those features are not possible, because there would be no determined points in the signal flow any more.

What do you think?

CK

Mr. Kemper, I think I understand what you are saying, when you specify doing this on a single Kemper. But two Kempers in parallel would be able to do dual amp and/or effects routing. The only potential issue I see would be some sort of phase issue between the two Kempers. I note that the Stage can be set as a slave when used with S/PDIF I/O. If you used S/PDIF to connect a Rack or Toaster (set as master) to a Stage (set as slave), would potential phase issues be eliminated?

And of course with two Kempers, a dual output guitar can have a set of parallel effects.

I am almost positive I will get a Stage to go with my non powered rack.

You

Quote from pangea2003

the kemper stage means one or two more years without a really new kemper amp with dual amps and better digital audio connections (usb audio and aes/ebu)..

2 more years? Not for me. I am getting a Stage to go with my non powered rack.

As for better digital audio connections...

I'd like to see the S/PDIF I/O be able to act as a slave. Otherwise it is more than adequate for my needs.

There likely will never be USB audio or AES/EBU connections inside a Kemper. Get an interface and get over it.

Quote from Nikos

But for me this accoustic simulator will be the most important KPA-upgrade since I bought it in 2015

Check out Blue Cat's Re-Guitar plugin.

Also, if you have access to a Universal Audio Apollo or satellite, consider using the Sound Machine Wood Works plugin after Re-Guitar. It really adds a lot of the sound of a top notch acoustic being mic'd up in the studio from a piezo acoustic source.

I think that the Wood Works plugin will help in a live situation as well. Since there is almost zero latency with Apollo when the Console app is used to monitor and load a plugin, there is no reason not to use it with a piezo pickup or the Kemper mag to acoustic effect when it is released.

Kemper Support #1:

Can you please describe any integration between rack/toaster and Stage?

Specifically:

1. I'd like to know if I will be able to use MIDI I/O on the Stage to control my rack as well as the Stage. For example, could the Stage send MIDI PC to select a rig on my rack unit when I selected button II which would simultaneously select another rig on the Stage?

2. Can Stage act as a slave so I could connect the rack to the Stage via S/PDIF. That would let me use the two in series adding more effects slots and proving three effects loops.

3. Morphing between profiles, not just from settings within a rig. So you set up a Fender Tweed on your rack and a Mesa Triple Rectifier on your stage and morph between them.

No ethernet I/O on the Stage, but it does have MIDI I/O. I wonder if it could be used as a remote for my non powered rack using MIDI to communicate with it? Also wonder whether Stage will be able to act as remote for other MIDI pedals.

As far as the two send/return loops on Stage, maybe the KPA's S/PDIF will finally be able to be used as a second loop.

I love the two sends idea. It allows you to place external devices in front of and after the amp stack.

It might be a combo of a profile loader / effects / class D amp that powers the Kemper Kabinet.

A low to moderate wattage class D amp specifically designed for the Kabinet's speaker makes a lot of sense.

It also would not take a lot of space in the floor housing.

If it could act as a remote for both its internal as well as a second KPA, it would be killer. Maybe you

could morph between profiles. Or use both Kemper's effects with one profile. Or use two cabs

with one profile.

I'd buy that in a heart beat to go with my non powered rack.

I have an RJM MMGT 10 and a Voodoo Lab GCX. Note that the GCX is fully supported by the Mastermind controllers.
I had a GCP and sold it.

I agree with Alan that Ron at RJM is extremely helpful. In fact, Ron is aware of the impending OS 7 upgrades on the Kemper and he's promised to support the changes.

I have a fairly complex rig. The MMGT has full support for my Kemper, GCX, and TC Electronic G-Major. The Mastermind software has full support from many MIDI controllable devices such as pedals from many manufacturers, Mesa Boogie J2PC and TC-50/100 amps, and even Sound Sculpture's Switchblade matrix switchers.

I use the GCX to control my analog pedals, reverb and effects loop on/off, and amp channel switching. I use multiple amps, and can set up so that they incorporate different effects, from pedals, the G-Major and even from my Universal Audio Apollo.

I can set up so that I can change to a completely different performance om all devices with a single button press. Or I can set up to change a preset on a pedal or the Kemper in mid song.

The easy integration and control of my rig makes the Mastermind a no brainer choice for me.

I have owned Event monitors since they first came out. As VoodooJef states, they are great. I use a pair of 20/20P as my 2nd monitors; ADAM T7V are my main monitors now. I still use a pair of SP8's in my studio for my Kemper.

The tweeters in used 20/20 monitors are often sold with the dome pushed in. Don't believe the sellers that this doesn't affect the sound. You might not hear distortion, but dispersion and tone are affected. It is also really expensive to replace a woofer. Spares are hard to find too, so you can figure on buying a 'for parts' monitor to get one. If you buy a pair, either make sure that they are in excellent functional condition, or pay a 'for parts, not working' price that is low enough that you can afford to get a working driver to replace a bad one on top of the original price. Note that the same drivers are used in all 20/20, TR and SP models.

I also keep two spare tweeters that I won't sell as just in case replacements.

Am I correct that you tried making a Studio Profile with the compressor? That is, with a mic on the cab?

You might get better results if you to make a Direct Amp Profile with the compressor into the amp. I use the Kemper DI made for creating DAPs and find that by removing the cab from the equation I get better results with my Wheebo PlexFace into my Bandmaster.

After you get a great result, you can use the built in amp to drive your real cab and the DAP loaded in the Kemper. You might also try a Merged Profile, which is a DAP combined with a Studio Profile.

Finally, to get a good result from an overdrive pedal, I start with a relatively low volume clean sound on the amp. Then I dial in the sound I am looking for from the pedal.

I know that the changes made to a profile in the editor and Kemper are going to be linked. But I think it is important for the editor to be able to be linked to other hardware controllers as well. Editors that are limited to mouse and QWERTY keyboard control are extremely limited. Adding hardware control with knobs, faders, buttons, continuous controller pedals, etc. adds a ton of usability.

The benefit is that you have could have control of parameters that are not top level on the Kemper. So you could assign parameters to direct knob, switch, fader etc. controls on a MIDI controller. This could be any controller (foot, keyboard or DAW controller) with MIDI learn.

You'd have more assignable hardware controls for the editor so deep menu diving wouldn't be necessary.

I am assuming that the Kemper Remote can do this right out of the gate because it controls the Kemper so it can affect the editor. Since my RJM Mastermind GT10 can do the same, it should be able to control editor parameters too. At least I am hopeful that this will be the case.

But MIDI learn support in the editor would open up editor control to a whole range of hardware.

I'd also like to see the editor work with two Kempers. Two Kempers could be set up with different parameter controls, effectively covering more parameters with hardware (knobs, buttons, etc.).

RJM Mastermind GT

I am building a Tele with SHSH configuration. Yes. A 4 pickup Tele.

The use case is primarily for recording. And no I don't care about the aesthetics.

Two will be Fishman Fluence Greg Kock Gristletones in their normal positions. In the middle position I will place a Fluence Open Core Humbucker. The 2 Gristletones will have a separate output from the Open Core Humbucker.

The fourth pickup will be a Cycfi Nu2 Multi hexaphonic. It looks like a single coil, but it is actually a passive humbucker with low impedance and high output. Its frequency response is much wider than a standard humbucker.

Cycfi sells a Lemo 19 pin cable that will carry the 8 audio streams from the guitar to a breakout box.

I will start with a used 2017 or 2018 Tele American Elite. I like the compound shape and curvature of the Elite neck.

The guitar will have all of its hardware and electronics removed. I will send it to SuperVee to have one of their Maverick tremolo bridge system installed.

Then I will route the spaces for the Nu2 Multi and the Open Core pickups, and install hardware and electronics. The tuning machines will be locking Graphtech Ratios. I will also be using Graphtech Tusq XL nut and string trees.

I will sell the original hardware, pick guard, and electronics.