Thanks for the video! The problem with all those chips pedals is that you play snapshots. The problem with snapshots is that they sound the same like the amp you've profiled but they interact not dynamic. What i mean by that is that when you play a profile soft with a max guitar volume you get the same sound as when you play loud with max guitar volume. Yes, you can lower your volume on the guitar to get a cleaner tone but that has nothing to do with dynamics. I use the kemper as an effect pedal with a neutral snapshot from a clean Dr. Z amp. Before the Kemper i put some pedals like the Hi Power pedal and then...yes, you have the dynamics from a real amp...when you play soft you get a clean sound and when you play loud it gets louder with some grungy overdrive because you interact with physical components from the pedal and not with a DSP chip. That is a big difference...
I've been on this boat before... I always end up back w/ a Kemper. Over the past 10 years I think I've re-purchased one atleast 4x. Always get convinced by youtube demos to get the newest modeler
If you decide to go kemper to the board front of the house, and you have a 2 guitar band, make sure they dont run it stereo. It will overpower the other guitarist with the halfstack or combo. Always run mono to FOH. If you're a 1 guitarist band then run stereo for the most lush sound possible. I love my kemper stage for gigging and my kemper rack for recording. Mike Britt and Soundside are my favourite profile creators.
I agree. I have/have had everything (Fractal, Quad Cortex, HX, Lion, Headrush, etc., etc.), but I love the simplicity of quality Kemper profiles -- recently bought a Kemper Player and love it.
I’m anxious to see what you think. I have been a Kemper player for almost 10 years. I’m just happy with it. I do feel like the best setup is running the monitor out into a cabinet. 2x12 or 4x12 for the stage and running mains to the house.
I always equate that exact thing to being a kid and going to a friends house that had EVERY Atari cartridge. I’d end up changing games every 2 minutes and never actually played anything. I’ve found that situation applies to a lot of life.
Lovely tones, Brad. Playing sounds great too. These days there are so many options that it becomes overwhelming. Since I don’t perform live anymore, I’ve been trying to downsize. I’ve really been enjoying Quilter’s products.
My rig of choice is these days is the PRS DGT 15 head and cabinet. That head is possibly the most counterintuitive amp I’ve ever played through. I got so frustrated with it that I actually had it packed up and ready to return. After watching a bunch of demos I decided to take another crack at it. Once I found the magic settings, I bought the matching cab, which turned out to be the icing on the cake. It’s really become a great inspiration.
Touring with a kemper changed my life. Tube amps are terrifying to tour with. You never know if they are gonna fail on you. Now I leave my stack at home and play on it while writing and practicing on my own.
You sound great! I use the Helix Floor and Stomp XL gigging/live sometimes and HX FX with my amps and can get some good sounds going. From what I understand all the modeling options can sound just as good as each other, it depends on the driver ;) I have a bunch of amps still and I use an OX Box for recording and direct when it's important. For me, it sounds great and it is much faster. The more stuff these can do the more you realize the less you need LOL Sounds like the Kemper has done you well, if it were me I'd just use that and screw the chase cause in the end it's all in the head and hands :) But, I speak from experience, that's never gonna happen lol
@@badbrad Collective Soul used Korg Tone Works on records, ZZ and Def Leppard used Rockman on records, Eric Clapton used a Pignose on Motherless Children. I've seen it all, and done it all. Same old...nothing new under the sun. Rock On!
I've owned the boss's multi fxs and still own the headrush prime and line 6 hx stomp. They sound awesome at home and live I like them, however, I always go back to my tube amps. It just makes life easier for quick adjustments and the tone is always killer. I love playing around with the modelers and profiles. The headrush prime you can clone your tube amps and they pretty much sound just like the real thing....until the unit freezes during live performance. I never have any issues when I use my stomps with my tube amps. The only drawback is the weight and keeping spare tubes with your rigs. I chose that route for now...if we had a sound engineer with us all the time I might give it another go at it.
@badbrad i dont see hardly any complaints on the Kemper forums. I would say 90% of the complaints are people that don't even own a Kemper. If Kemper didn't charge then people that have owned toasters/racks for years would be pissed since a free upgrade would put KPP up to spec with the bigger units people paid $1600 for.
@@mikec8815 I hear ya. I just know that ToneX has them in their sights. I considered doing the upgrade but now am going to wait till I try the ToneX free upgrade.
I remember when I finally broke down and got the latest gear. Line 6 spider 100 watt amp and matching Line 6 POD xt live pedal board. If I remember correctly, about 599 for the amp and other 500 for the pedal board. Not cheap back in the day, So overwhelmed by the options 😂 had built in wah and preset tones. It was just too much. You gravitate to what you know and like. My boss pedal and bad horse wah gets more use than the dust collector line 6 PoD xt live unit 😂
This is a branch topic to do with making do, with amp profiles. Just thought I'd share in case it helps with unused gear clutter. HA ha ha! I have this old GT8 pedalboard with so many options that one needs to make a chart for where all the tones are. So what I did was dial in a clean Marshall in bank one, selection one. Stomp switch per selection. Selection 2, 3, and 4 were progressive additions of different effects and gain for crunch and lead tones. Fender across bank 2. Mesa Boogie in bank 3. Vox in bank 4. Etc. Overall it sounds like I'm playing through the same (name the brand) amp, and kicking pedals on and off, instead of an audible switch to some tone patch. I run that in my jam room through a solid state Fender Montreaux that has a terrible sounding gain channel, but a beautiful clean, and reverb. Getting the balances dialed in across the banks took some time, but now this this unit is actually usable live. The useful tones are condensed, ordered, and intuitive to use.
A long time ago I quit hauling around heavy tube amps. I now run direct from my pedal board (that has an amp modeler and FX pedals) to a separate bus in the PA. Purest will cringe at this approach, but I'm getting too old to still carry gear that is made from material that came from a black hole. Most events I now play are small clubs and parties. I don't need ear splitting volume anymore, plus I can get an acceptable decent sound out of the speakers from the PA system (we did invest a considerable amount of money on the PA knowing the band was going to drop using the back line amps). Took some getting used to and some compromises had to be made, but it did eventually work for us. Not for everybody though.
idk, i’ve been gigging for three decades. Even with ax effects, I’ve never once had to tweak my sounds on a gig. I get them sounding great with a flat response system but I test them out on a couple of PA monitors. Done. The only tweak is in between gigs may be adjusting levels here and there a bit. I don’t understand the hate on Tonex. It’s sounds great super easy to use and is exactly what I’ve dialed in. My amp is right there with me as far as I’m concerned. Why would I need to tweak if it was made for perfection? Small factor. I love the fact that I don’t even want to tweak it. I’m just playing.can’t beat it.
I have the AFX FM9, has great affects, Kemper with the Liquid profiles was a big up grade. I got an Anvil style case from Thomm in germany that works great to take to jams or gigs. Has room for the floor pedal Fits in the case right below the Kemper. Take the front and back off your ready to rock. I also have the Fender Tonemaster Pro. The great thing about that it is it's so easy to learn. I run it into my Samsung S9 Tablet. Leave the pedal on the floor and the Tonemaster with the tablet. They all sound good The ease of the Tonemaster is really something I like. I just got cabinet for my Synergy to make it easier to haul. I can sound like just anything just like the rest. Good luck with the new Kemper the size looks perfect. CW
@@badbradIndeed, you should check one out, especially after watching your video on how Nashville venues are increasingly wanting players to use modellers. I noticed on a trip to Nashville, the pit at the Oprey had several Kemper toasters.
@@badbrad I can understand that. It’s a good job you haven’t got a compulsive finger that presses ‘buy it now’. Sadly it’s a medical condition I have… 🙀
2 of the 3 bands I play in I use amp modeling multi effects units and have for many years as where I am at venues either have crappy amps or none at all . They make so much sense .b
The HX stomp should meet your needs, I have the tonex pedal in the effects loop of the stomp, it sounds killer I use a midi controller to change presets and snapshots
Hello Brad! Beeing an ex-pro musician, I still have the gear bug... But, for some reason, I don't want to rely on a computer to have my sound and yet, would like to have a lighter solution, so I decided to go for the 'Amp1' from' BlueGuitar', 3/4 amp models in it, portable, and works with any speaker around, try one if you can, won't be disapointed! Take care! ps oh, for good mesure, I'll keep some of my favourite pedals, no problem, and 'no computer'!
I rally enjoyed waking up to this song Brad. Thank you. Still sounds kinda digital though being a tube snob that puts transistor gain pedals into his clean amp. Lol Says the guy that uses a blackstar amped 3, I love that pedal amp, It has the feel. But I do enjoy my tube amps that have great lead and crunch channels. And great cleans in one box but if I play put I use the blackstar amp pedal. My back is fubar.
1699.00 is a serious decision. I did the overkill when all the digital modeling effects came out. Still daisy chaining my favorite pedals at the end of the day 😂
@@badbrad I really like it! Have been contemplating the one you ordered just for a simple set up… I’ve got a non powered toaster on my desk and it’s great to write,learn and record. The stage is great with the QSC 10.2 powered speakers for monitors and mains… now trying to adjust to in ears for the first time ever. Overall it’s a great way to go!
I love the HX stomp - but I think you can't beat the QC now - especially after that last 3.0 update. You get the best of all worlds - of course it's like 3x as expensive as an HX Stomp.
@@badbrad Upright, string bass. In my old age Brad, I'm too old to stay up late in clubs now. I do have a nice '59 Pbass and a '78 Jazz. At one time I owned 1952 Pbass serial#0289, sold it to the Puddle of Mudd guy even though he was left-handed. Paid off my house.
Wanna have your mind really blown? go check out any video by The Bald Shredder and listen to the original songs he creates for whichever guitar he is reviewing the mind blowing part? his tones all come entirely from Line6 PodFarm, a software that is i want to say 20 years old (?) and yet he gets the most incredible sounds
Big amps are fun but very impractical. The whole “tubes are better” is kinda nonsensical. I find it funny too that most of the older people who push tubes on people were the same guys in the 80’s using Bradshaw rack rigs. Big amps are fun and the wall of noise is a hell of a feeling. I ain’t gonna lie, but with modern pa’s systems and the fact that if we’re being honest 90% of us spend 95% of our time playing at home… big tube amps just aren’t a viable choice for most of us anymore. Use what works for you, who cares what people say, and for me that’s a few boss/ehx pedals into the clean channel of a peavey bandit.
Thanks for the video!
The problem with all those chips pedals is that you play snapshots. The problem with snapshots is that they sound the same like the amp you've profiled but they interact not dynamic. What i mean by that is that when you play a profile soft with a max guitar volume you get the same sound as when you play loud with max guitar volume. Yes, you can lower your volume on the guitar to get a cleaner tone but that has nothing to do with dynamics.
I use the kemper as an effect pedal with a neutral snapshot from a clean Dr. Z amp. Before the Kemper i put some pedals like the Hi Power pedal and then...yes, you have the dynamics from a real amp...when you play soft you get a clean sound and when you play loud it gets louder with some grungy overdrive because you interact with physical components from the pedal and not with a DSP chip. That is a big difference...
Love your playing videos; super tasty, cool phrasing and melodic lines. Great tones and fx. Please keep 'em coming Bad Brad!
I will thank you!🙏
Great playing Brad-ski.
All the textures, and overall tone was spot on.
That Tom Anderson strat looked killer too.
Much appreciated.
I've been on this boat before... I always end up back w/ a Kemper. Over the past 10 years I think I've re-purchased one atleast 4x. Always get convinced by youtube demos to get the newest modeler
Man you know it!
If you decide to go kemper to the board front of the house, and you have a 2 guitar band, make sure they dont run it stereo. It will overpower the other guitarist with the halfstack or combo. Always run mono to FOH. If you're a 1 guitarist band then run stereo for the most lush sound possible.
I love my kemper stage for gigging and my kemper rack for recording.
Mike Britt and Soundside are my favourite profile creators.
Great tip.
Great tip
I agree. I have/have had everything (Fractal, Quad Cortex, HX, Lion, Headrush, etc., etc.), but I love the simplicity of quality Kemper profiles -- recently bought a Kemper Player and love it.
Awesome!
Nice playing man!
Thank you!
I’m anxious to see what you think. I have been a Kemper player for almost 10 years. I’m just happy with it. I do feel like the best setup is running the monitor out into a cabinet. 2x12 or 4x12 for the stage and running mains to the house.
I like it!
Back to basics, having so many options are fun to play with, end of day most options never get used.
A lot of truth in this statement.
@@badbradI totally agree.
I always equate that exact thing to being a kid and going to a friends house that had EVERY Atari cartridge. I’d end up changing games every 2 minutes and never actually played anything. I’ve found that situation applies to a lot of life.
Gorgeous intro piece. 👍 I have a Kemper Stage and a Headrush Prime, which I really enjoy too. Great time to play guitar (revenue discussions aside). 🎸
Couldn't agree more!
Great sound Brad
Thank you!
Lovely tones, Brad. Playing sounds great too. These days there are so many options that it becomes overwhelming. Since I don’t perform live anymore, I’ve been trying to downsize. I’ve really been enjoying Quilter’s products.
Quilter makes great stuff!
My rig of choice is these days is the PRS DGT 15 head and cabinet. That head is possibly the most counterintuitive amp I’ve ever played through. I got so frustrated with it that I actually had it packed up and ready to return. After watching a bunch of demos I decided to take another crack at it. Once I found the magic settings, I bought the matching cab, which turned out to be the icing on the cake. It’s really become a great inspiration.
Touring with a kemper changed my life. Tube amps are terrifying to tour with. You never know if they are gonna fail on you. Now I leave my stack at home and play on it while writing and practicing on my own.
I wished I had toured with one...would have my life cheaper and easier.
You sound great! I use the Helix Floor and Stomp XL gigging/live sometimes and HX FX with my amps and can get some good sounds going. From what I understand all the modeling options can sound just as good as each other, it depends on the driver ;) I have a bunch of amps still and I use an OX Box for recording and direct when it's important. For me, it sounds great and it is much faster. The more stuff these can do the more you realize the less you need LOL Sounds like the Kemper has done you well, if it were me I'd just use that and screw the chase cause in the end it's all in the head and hands :) But, I speak from experience, that's never gonna happen lol
Ha ha yes you are right. Did this video with the pod express but I think I like the kemper better.
@@badbrad Collective Soul used Korg Tone Works on records, ZZ and Def Leppard used Rockman on records, Eric Clapton used a Pignose on Motherless Children. I've seen it all, and done it all. Same old...nothing new under the sun. Rock On!
@@martinaddison4880 Wow Korg Tone Works...did not know that.
I've owned the boss's multi fxs and still own the headrush prime and line 6 hx stomp. They sound awesome at home and live I like them, however, I always go back to my tube amps. It just makes life easier for quick adjustments and the tone is always killer. I love playing around with the modelers and profiles. The headrush prime you can clone your tube amps and they pretty much sound just like the real thing....until the unit freezes during live performance. I never have any issues when I use my stomps with my tube amps. The only drawback is the weight and keeping spare tubes with your rigs. I chose that route for now...if we had a sound engineer with us all the time I might give it another go at it.
Yeah I still rank Tube Amps as the better option.
The KPP is awesome and even better with the new upgrades. You can play a show with it or practice at home with the Kemper Cabinet.
I think they rubbed people wrong with the high cost of the upgrade...ToneX is about to drop a similar upgrade and it's free...
@badbrad i dont see hardly any complaints on the Kemper forums. I would say 90% of the complaints are people that don't even own a Kemper. If Kemper didn't charge then people that have owned toasters/racks for years would be pissed since a free upgrade would put KPP up to spec with the bigger units people paid $1600 for.
@@mikec8815 I hear ya. I just know that ToneX has them in their sights. I considered doing the upgrade but now am going to wait till I try the ToneX free upgrade.
I remember when I finally broke down and got the latest gear. Line 6 spider 100 watt amp and matching Line 6 POD xt live pedal board. If I remember correctly, about 599 for the amp and other 500 for the pedal board. Not cheap back in the day, So overwhelmed by the options 😂 had built in wah and preset tones. It was just too much. You gravitate to what you know and like. My boss pedal and bad horse wah gets more use than the dust collector line 6 PoD xt live unit 😂
Yeah it does come down to familiarity
Boss rules!
This is a branch topic to do with making do, with amp profiles. Just thought I'd share in case it helps with unused gear clutter. HA ha ha! I have this old GT8 pedalboard with so many options that one needs to make a chart for where all the tones are. So what I did was dial in a clean Marshall in bank one, selection one. Stomp switch per selection. Selection 2, 3, and 4 were progressive additions of different effects and gain for crunch and lead tones. Fender across bank 2. Mesa Boogie in bank 3. Vox in bank 4. Etc. Overall it sounds like I'm playing through the same (name the brand) amp, and kicking pedals on and off, instead of an audible switch to some tone patch. I run that in my jam room through a solid state Fender Montreaux that has a terrible sounding gain channel, but a beautiful clean, and reverb. Getting the balances dialed in across the banks took some time, but now this this unit is actually usable live. The useful tones are condensed, ordered, and intuitive to use.
Niiice.
A long time ago I quit hauling around heavy tube amps. I now run direct from my pedal board (that has an amp modeler and FX pedals) to a separate bus in the PA. Purest will cringe at this approach, but I'm getting too old to still carry gear that is made from material that came from a black hole. Most events I now play are small clubs and parties. I don't need ear splitting volume anymore, plus I can get an acceptable decent sound out of the speakers from the PA system (we did invest a considerable amount of money on the PA knowing the band was going to drop using the back line amps). Took some getting used to and some compromises had to be made, but it did eventually work for us. Not for everybody though.
It’s all about what works for you.
idk, i’ve been gigging for three decades. Even with ax effects, I’ve never once had to tweak my sounds on a gig. I get them sounding great with a flat response system but I test them out on a couple of PA monitors. Done. The only tweak is in between gigs may be adjusting levels here and there a bit. I don’t understand the hate on Tonex. It’s sounds great super easy to use and is exactly what I’ve dialed in. My amp is right there with me as far as I’m concerned. Why would I need to tweak if it was made for perfection? Small factor. I love the fact that I don’t even want to tweak it. I’m just playing.can’t beat it.
Playing with a variety of different bands will require different eq from time to time not to mention different monitors, rooms, etc etc....
Did you buy the $300 upgrade?
no....
I have the AFX FM9, has great affects, Kemper with the Liquid profiles was a big up grade. I got an Anvil style case from Thomm in germany that works great to take to jams or gigs. Has room for the floor pedal Fits in the case right below the Kemper. Take the front and back off your ready to rock. I also have the Fender Tonemaster Pro. The great thing about that it is it's so easy to learn. I run it into my Samsung S9 Tablet. Leave the pedal on the floor and the Tonemaster with the tablet. They all sound good The ease of the Tonemaster is really something I like. I just got cabinet for my Synergy to make it easier to haul. I can sound like just anything just like the rest. Good luck with the new Kemper the size looks perfect. CW
Thanks CW. Still might get the Pro down the road. We shall see.
Bought the quad cortex after this new update. Love it. Sounds better and FEELS better than all the rest in my opinion.
May have to check one out....
@@badbradIndeed, you should check one out, especially after watching your video on how Nashville venues are increasingly wanting players to use modellers. I noticed on a trip to Nashville, the pit at the Oprey had several Kemper toasters.
@@Liam_Doherty_UK IT's more than I want to spend at the moment....
@@badbrad I can understand that.
It’s a good job you haven’t got a compulsive finger that presses ‘buy it now’. Sadly it’s a medical condition I have… 🙀
@@Liam_Doherty_UK lol
2 of the 3 bands I play in I use amp modeling multi effects units and have for many years as where I am at venues either have crappy amps or none at all . They make so much sense .b
They do!
The HX stomp should meet your needs, I have the tonex pedal in the effects loop of the stomp, it sounds killer I use a midi controller to change presets and snapshots
I’ve got the stomp
Hello Brad! Beeing an ex-pro musician, I still have the gear bug... But, for some reason, I don't want to rely on a computer to have my sound and yet, would like to have a lighter solution, so I decided to go for the 'Amp1' from' BlueGuitar', 3/4 amp models in it, portable, and works with any speaker around, try one if you can, won't be disapointed! Take care!
ps oh, for good mesure, I'll keep some of my favourite pedals, no problem, and 'no computer'!
I have not tried that amp1. Might have to check it out.
I rally enjoyed waking up to this song Brad. Thank you. Still sounds kinda digital though being a tube snob that puts transistor gain pedals into his clean amp. Lol
Says the guy that uses a blackstar amped 3, I love that pedal amp, It has the feel.
But I do enjoy my tube amps that have great lead and crunch channels. And great cleans in one box but if I play put I use the blackstar amp pedal. My back is fubar.
Man I hear you!
1699.00 is a serious decision. I did the overkill when all the digital modeling effects came out. Still daisy chaining my favorite pedals at the end of the day 😂
Ultimately individual pedals tend to sound better….
Have you upgraded your unit?
No I sold it
@@badbrad what happened? Why did you sell it?
Been gigin with the Kemper Stage this year❤🎸🔥
How do you like it?
@@badbrad I really like it! Have been contemplating the one you ordered just for a simple set up… I’ve got a non powered toaster on my desk and it’s great to write,learn and record.
The stage is great with the QSC 10.2 powered speakers for monitors and mains… now trying to adjust to in ears for the first time ever. Overall it’s a great way to go!
in ears are tough to get used to
@@badbrad yup😎
Keep growing the channel and hopefully these companies will send you all the gear you want for reviews?
Yeah one can hope.
NICE!!! Sounds good!!! Respect
Thanks for listening
I love the HX stomp - but I think you can't beat the QC now - especially after that last 3.0 update. You get the best of all worlds - of course it's like 3x as expensive as an HX Stomp.
It's very expensive.
I like the pod go
It's all about what works for you..
We bass-players spend our whole lives getting one good sound we can live with.
That is true and I love a PBass what’s your favorite bass sound?
@@badbrad Upright, string bass. In my old age Brad, I'm too old to stay up late in clubs now. I do have a nice '59 Pbass and a '78 Jazz. At one time I owned 1952 Pbass serial#0289, sold it to the Puddle of Mudd guy even though he was left-handed. Paid off my house.
Wanna have your mind really blown? go check out any video by The Bald Shredder and listen to the original songs he creates for whichever guitar he is reviewing
the mind blowing part? his tones all come entirely from Line6 PodFarm, a software that is i want to say 20 years old (?) and yet he gets the most incredible sounds
Yes I watched him today... He is awesome!
Yeah
Yes!
Big amps are fun but very impractical. The whole “tubes are better” is kinda nonsensical. I find it funny too that most of the older people who push tubes on people were the same guys in the 80’s using Bradshaw rack rigs. Big amps are fun and the wall of noise is a hell of a feeling. I ain’t gonna lie, but with modern pa’s systems and the fact that if we’re being honest 90% of us spend 95% of our time playing at home… big tube amps just aren’t a viable choice for most of us anymore. Use what works for you, who cares what people say, and for me that’s a few boss/ehx pedals into the clean channel of a peavey bandit.
Those old bandits rocked!
I am going back and forth between a Kemper and an AFX FM9. Meanwhile my amps and pedals fill my needs. Probably just need to save my money.
Tough choices.
Hey man, this cheap ass rig is so good...at low volume...
Love 4u 2 hear iT. How do I send a pic ?
I’m not sure
Well, I could send a pic if I knew where to deliver iT ?
It'll blow U Way
I'll never use line 6 anything headrush over everything
Fair enough.
this is getting worse than lugging a full rack in the 80s. 😆 too confusing and fiddly for me. 'll stick to a simple setup, guitar into tube amp. done
To each his own