Sound Pure's Take
Condition: Used, Excellent
As powerful as the Kemper unit is, it was surprisingly quick and easy to get up and running within the first minute of using it. This unit had a handful of different amp and stompbox profiles preinstalled, near all of which I found to have an incredibly realistic sound with tons of tweakability, if you so desired. I actually didn't feel much tweaking was needed to get a wide range of tones - starting with a Marshal profile for a high gain setting, the only change I made was adding a TS9-inspired overdrive to the circuit with about 1db of gain, just to add a touch of additional saturation to make the distortion just a hair more complex and interesting. Quite honestly, I was blown away, especially when realizing this emulated sound was achieved with no more than 3 minutes of tweaking and could be captured "as is" by simply plugging into an audio interface. As someone who predominately records high gain electric guitars, the fact that this record-ready high gain tone was achievable this quickly greatly appealed to me, as recording distorted guitars with a clear and defined image can prove to be one of more difficult recording challenges.
From there I jumped around to a handful of different amps, first getting a clean and warm clean tone for a jazzy feel. Then a slightly overdriven indie-rock tone (this one benefitted from a compressor stompbox and a touch of chorus). Finally, an effect-heavy proggy tone with a handful of delay from both stompboxes and the onboard studio-grade delay and reverb sections. After dialing in each setting and playing for 5 minutes or so, I always found myself forgetting I was playing through an emulation, and didn't actually have the actual amp and pedals directly in front of me. The accuracy of these profiles is truly world-class and I'm certain will be the quality benchmark for all future amp, cabinet, and stompbox emulations to come.
With how accurate these profiles are and how intuitive the layout is, this box is a clear winner for both studio and live guitarists who love to experiment with world-class quality. For a studio engineer, you cannot beat the access to nearly any amplifier to cover any genre, not to mention how easy it is to achieve a clear and focused high gain guitar recording. For the performer who plays in multiple different projects, or simply loves to utilize multiple different tonal voices within a single band, the Kemper really is a dream come true with its plethora of incredibly affordable (if not free) amp, stompbox, and cabinet profiles available to explore.
From Kemper
THE BEST AMPS IN THE WORLD
If you feel that you do not own first class tube amps worth to be profiled, no problem. There is actually no need to create your own profiles.
The Profiler ships with hundreds of amps and rigs already installed. Profiled by pro musicians and engineers in top studios around the world, the premier selection of factory rigs grants you access to the rarest and finest amps on the planet.
On top, we constantly refine, update and extend what’s to your disposal by licensing additional content and fine tuning the existing catalog. We care for a high versatility of the cultural background of the profiles, even in the same genre.
CONNECT YOURSELF
The Hi-Z input makes sure every nuance of your playing comes through, and that your volume and tone pot settings work just as you would expect. This is also why your trusty old stompboxes work so well in front of the Kemper Profiler.
THE WAY TO 'RE-AMPING'
The Kemper Profiler has a built-in analog splitter that mirrors your DI signal to the direct out. Record this dry signal to a separate track, and you can re-amp it later, should you desire to do so. No additional 're-amping' hardware is required, as the Profiler is capable to connect to your recording gear by analog studio level or digital SPDIF.
PLAY IT LIVE
The monitor output supplies a cab sim free signal for your (build-in) power-amp and cabinet on stage, while the FOH receives your signal with the cab sim intact.
ADD EFFECTS
Accurate models of classic, retro modulation effects and famous overdrive/distortion pedals. Wah, tremolo, delay, reverb and much more. Add up to eight effects at the same time.
INTEGRATE EXTERNAL GEAR
Use the effects loop to integrate stompboxes or rack effects in your rig, at any point in the signal chain.
ECHO AND REVERB ROUTING
Delay and reverb can be adjusted from serial to parallel configuration - and to anywhere in between.
LOCK IT!
Lock any number of modules to keep their exact settings when you change rigs. This is ideal if you're curious to hear what your favorite Screamer setting sounds like in front of other amp profiles, for example.
FUTURE PROOF
Our frequent firmware updates will always be free of charge and a new OS version will never alter the sound of your existing rigs.
SOUNDS OF THE PROFESSIONALS
Right from the start the Kemper Profiler comes equipped with more than 300 profiles, featuring vintage classics, modern high-gain amps and rare boutique items. These profiles were made by top engineers and producers in premiere studios around the world.
DIGITAL GURUS
Developed by the designers of the Access Virus synthesizer - 15 years of innovations in audio.
DOES THE PROFILER REACT TO DIFFERENT GUITARS, PICKUPS OR TONE/VOLUME CHANGES LIKE A REAL AMP?
Yes. The profiles don't crush your tone, like so many other digital processors do, but bring out the sound of your fingers, pickups etc.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO PROFILE A SOLID STATE AMP?
Yes. As a matter of fact, the Kemper Profiler comes with four factory profiles taken from one of the best-sounding solid state amps in history: the Roland JC-120
JUST GRAB A KNOB…
14 endless analogue potentiometers combine the accuracy of classic potentiometers with the ease of encoders. They allow quick and easy control over the sound, without the irritating 'gear ratio' feeling.
NO MORE BUZZ
In case you're encountering nerve-wracking hum due to ground loops, use one of the four ground-lift switches to eliminate the problem. This is helpful should in studio or live situations, where multiple devices are connected to your Profiler.
AUGMENTED REALITY
80dBs of available gain for the amp simulation lets you clean up a distorted profile or push a clean profile into overdrive.
QUIET WHEN IT SHOULD BE
The smart & transparent noise gate is easily adjustable via the front panel. Additional expander noise gates dedicated to metal sounds are available in the list of stomp effects.
SMOOTH TRANSITIONS
Automatic spillover lets delay and reverb decay naturally when you change rigs. No need for special arrangements or parameter matching of the effects, the spillover is everpresent.
SAVE IT!
Every Stomp and Effect can be individually stored and called by a Module Preset.
Dedicated Copy and Paste buttons let you easily move effects to a different location, or even to a different rig.
NO FAN
Since the unit is cooled passively, there is absolutely no fan noise to disturb you, even in the quietest of studio environments.
SHARE YOUR PROFILES, DOWNLOAD NEW AMPS
The KPA user community has already created and shared thousands of profiles, all of which are easily accessible via the Kemper homepage.
DO I HAVE TO PROFILE MY AMPS TO USE THE KEMPER PROFILER
No. It ships with over 300 profiles, created in studios around the world, featuring vintage classics, modern high-gain amps, and rare boutique items.
CAN I DISABLE THE CABINET SIMULATION AND USE THE KEMPER PROFILER WITH A POWERAMP AND CABINET?
Yes - and even better, you can have it both ways at the same time: use the stereo XLR outs to send your signal to the front of house (FOH), and use the dedicated monitor out to feed your power amp and cabinet with a signal that bypasses the cabinet simulation.
CAN I PROFILE AN AMP WITH ONE CABINET AND THE CHANGE THE CABINET LATER ON?
Yes. A profile consists, basically, of an amplifier portion and a cabinet portion.
- Kemper Profiler Head
- Power Cable
- User Manual
- Dimensions: 37.8 cm (14.88 inches) x 21.7 cm (8.54 inches) x 17.3 cm (6.81 inches)
- Power Amp: 600 Watts at 8 Ohm, 300 Watt at 16 Ohm
- Weight: 6 kg (13.23 pounds)
- Line voltage: 100-125 or 190-245V AC
Warranty
This item is sold without the Sound Pure 3-year warranty (used / B-stock / dealer-exempt). Coverage terms for items in this category live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.
Returns
Try Before You Buy: 48-hour audition. Program details →
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Sound Pure Studios · Durham, NC
Come hear it in our control rooms.
Sound Pure is a working studio in Durham, NC — a 1,000 sq ft live room and two pro control rooms. Book a session to audition gear in a world-class acoustic space before you buy.