Kemper Profiling Amplifier PowerRack

Early days yet but this is my experience so far.
I was interested in the concept, read the reviews and had been considering getting a Kemper to profile my Mesa LoneStar Special to use as a backup for gigs (or replace it completely because the Kemper is much lighter and should be more reliable). My LSS actualy blew up a few weeks ago so that pushed me to buy the Kemper anyway. The user interface took me some time to get used to - after a few days I am still not proficient - even though I have worked in IT since 1980 - it's not that easy. An Ethernet or USB connection and a Web UI would probably help a lot here.

I have profiled my LSS Preamps and the Kemper gets very close but is less "airy" with slightly less "sparkle" - this is just a/b through the desk into headphones. This has nothing to do with power amp/speaker coupling yet, which I have not tried to emulate or profile (that's a job for a soundproof room next week). The touch reponse and dynamics of the profile were impressively close to the LSS preamp once it's gone through a few stages of refinement. I found that by playng single notes rather than chords as instructed during the refinement process it got closer to the orginal dynamics. The effects are excellent.

I tried the PowerRack for the first time at rehearsal this week. I was using one of the stock AC30 HW profiles included in the Kemper. It sounded good but I was disappointed to find that the specified 600W RMS supposedly "on full" was not as loud or as punchy as my repaired LSS running close to it's max at 35W RMS. These were both tried using the same Celestion 8 Ohm 75W 1 x12 Black Shadow speaker. I actually need an amp as loud or slightly louder than the LSS to keep up with my drummer so, until I have figured out what I am doing wrong with the Kemper (although it is undoubtedly a *very* useful piece of recording kit), it looks like the Kemper PowerRack will remain only as an emergency backup for live work and my "poor ol' back" will continue to suffer the weight of the LSS as my main rig.


Note that I fitted the Kemper into a 3u rack case to protect the front and rear panels for transit. The jack sockets on the rear are plastic and in my opinion are a bit flimsy for live work. I accidentally broke one on the bench before I had even powered it up for the first time and I am a 7-stone weakling - not a gorilla (maybe that's why I think the LSS is heavy). I chose the rack format over the head because I dislike the dimensions of the head. The case of the head is definitely tougher than the rack but I think the Powerhead probably uses exactly the same sockets on the rear - so you have been warned, take extra care!

After much research I finally took the plunge and purchased the power rack version of the Kemper profiling amp and I have to say that I'm totally thrilled with it.

I play bass guitar in a busy cover band and I wanted to use this exactly as I would a standard bass guitar head into a pair of RS TC Electronic bass cabs.
I had concerns initially as the manual says that it's to be used with cabs rated at 8 and 16 ohm and as mentioned above I wanted to run it with two 8 ohm cabs which means it would be running at a 4 ohm load, potentially causing damage to the power amp. I was assured that it would be ok though, as there is a large online resource, WIKPA and a user forum that will basically tell you anything you need to know and more.

The forum also has a rig exchange section that contains real rigs that have been profiled by users ranging from bedroom guitar players to professional recording studios and the the quality of rigs range from good, bad to awesome there is even a rating system added on there to score the rigs you try. You are also encouraged to profile any of the amps you own and add them to the exchange.

The bass rigs added in the latest firmware update are awesome too, been using some of them to play live and have dialled in some of the best sounds I've ever used.

There are countless high quality effects on this thing off all different types, including a pitch shifter that enables me to play a standard tuned guitar in drop C tuning on some of the heavier style of song my band plays live. No tracking issues at all. I was amazed.

To conclude.

This thing can accurately profile any amp in existence. Has all the high quality effects you can ever need. Is light to carry to and from gigs or to the studio.

What's there not to love.

Everything you want from a tube amp without the problems that usually come with it, when you are on the road.
Its compact, powerful and sounds like that tube amp you used on the studio or at home.
Overall i 'd day its a 9/10 and probably i would buy one more in the future.

QUALITY: Sturdy construction, well build overall, the knobs feel good and strong in any way.

Features : awesome wah pedals that sound just as good as the old trusted cry baby & good modulation effects for every taste.

PROS
Ideal for any working/touring musician, you can capture the sound of any amp you own and recorded with and bring it with you on the road.

You can store all your rigs into a USB stick and load them on any kemper, if the situation calls for it.

Makes IEMs experience easier than a normal tube amp due to the elimination of high frequencies on demand.

You can program your preset changes via midi if your band runs click tracks.

CONS

Looks like a toaster but sounds Golden.
Really expensive accessories considering the fact that kemper remote and expression pedals won't come cheap on you.
The kemper looper is a pain to set if you don't own a kemper remote.

I?ve download new profiles, for mesa triple rectifier and it?s f...ing awesome, loud, good bass for death metal and jaxzz, with a good cabinet with v30 or similar, it?s awesome, so clean without noise if your instrument is in good condition, but with old guitarrs with the noise gate you?ll forget the noise, and the best, only one pushh to achieve your amp, cabinet, effects, gain, volumen, etc, and with the behringer FCB1010 u can set a wha wha, a volumen pedal and a whammy....

f....ing awesome, yes, it?s spensive, but u have all in one and with the best cuality, good delaies, good reberbs, and remember, just one click to change your sound adding affects and , changing volumen for solos, and one click to came back to clean sound without effeects and less volumen to your rithm sound

This is an amazing piece of gear!
The profiled sounds are near indistingiushable from the real thing (to the point where it's no longer a matter of better or worse) and it's real fast and easy to do as well. It's ideal in recording sessions where you only have to dial your tone in once and then you have it exactly the same for every following session or overdub.

And of course theres thousands of profiles already available online if you don't have a whole room full of amps sitting around.

There are loads of settings and effects as well, so unless you have something exotic you can ditch your whole pedalboard too. It's too bad there isn't any official footcontroller out yet, though Kemper is working on it apparently. Atm Im using a line 6 shortboard, which works fine as long as you have a usb-midi converter, but an official controller should work better.

I haven't had the unit long enough to comment on the durability, though I had to return the first unit I ordered due to a defective input. The replacement is doing great, however and seems quite sturdy. The controls are also solid and responsive.

Overall a great piece of equipment! After buying this I basically never have to buy an amp again, ever!

I bought this to replace my Diezel Herbert mainly because the Diezel is so heavy and it's not doing my back any good hauling it around to gigs! So far I'm am amazed at the quality of the Kemper - the sounds are amazing and it really does feel like you're playing a 'real' amp! I'm using it through a 2x12 guitar cab and through the stereo out to the PA desk at the same time.
The range of sounds you can get from it is incredibly comprehensive, especially when you start using the Kemper rig exchange. From sparkly clean sounds through many low to mid gain amps to full on metal, they all sound great. I am completely blown away!