Kemper Profiler MK 2

[quadgear]

But again, the main out is mono xlr - so how do you run that to your guitar pedals after the unit?

There is a software option to change XLR into unbalanced stereo.

And there's nothing special about the headphones output. You can use it with pedals.

 

[OneEng]

I just don't get them. It's like something changed between releasing Liquid Profiles and the Player. Management, marketing, product design, etc. - something changed. The innovative designs just fell off a cliff.

I still gig my MK1 Stage and honestly, I'm happy with the tones. But after everything the last year with Kemper, my next move is to QC or Helix or Fractal. Which is sad to invest so much time and money into a platform but what am I supposed to do? Just continue to pay the same money for less usability, less features, less innovation than all the other platforms?

That is how I feel as well. Additionally, they suddenly decided to be aggressive with users on their forums. All really bad IMO.

Sorry, I never really looked at the player at all. So the Player is $700, has lopsided I/O, no loop, starts with 4 effects plus 1 capture unless you pay more, had no display, requires Wi Fi for editing even though it also has Bluetooth (that apparently doesn’t work great at the same time as the Wi Fi), and has no display?

And it can do some other stuff but it costs more?

Who was this made for and who was/is buying it?

I think it was a particularly bad idea in a bunch of ways. It's also more like $1000 all-in to "unlock" full functionality.

The right decision would've been allow us to at least change the stereo TRS 1/4" out to be the "MAIN" out - so that the main volume knob adjusts it.

Really ask yourself - who would run their main mix to FOH mono, and then run it stereo to their monitor(s)?

Strange decision indeed.

The idea for Kemper was an amp-in-the-box solution for your pedalboard. But again, the main out is mono xlr - so how do you run that to your guitar pedals after the unit?

It's basically a crippled HX Stomp with less I/O.

I bought one thinking cool, I'll have a Kemper on my desk to use instead of unpacking my Stage between shows. Then I tried gigging it over and over and it was always painful.

My favorite is Kemper advertised a $100 3rd party display to add to it. Sure, because that's the solution - count on another company to fix your bad product for you.

Before release, I was hoping it would allow me a lower cost backup solution that was small enough to fit in an overnight bag. As it is, it is useless for that. Better off getting a used Stage for that purpose and accepting the larger format backup.

I don't think any of this was planned. Here's my evidence:

None of the MK2 products have physical buttons to control the new Fixed FX Blocks.

I know I am in the minority, but I believe they didn't even turn the main board in this. It is exactly the same as the original(s) for the different models. They will hook the new profiling 2.0 to only the new hardware inside the firmware.

I used to be a pretty good hacker. Wonder if I could find the hook in the assembler code and create a binary that makes MK1 play MK2 2.0 profiles at full resolution? Might be worth an hour of effort to try ...... assuming they ever release the thing.

I still don't classify this as "fraud". It's just shitty for MK1 users ... and yes, an attempt to get existing MK1 users to buy a new unit.

Problem is ..... why would I shell out that kind of money for a NEW Kemper when I could use the SAME money and get a Stadium (non XL) instead?

Don't underestimate a company's desire to keep costs down by reusing existing stuff and leaving updates for later. Those new blocks are mostly more "utility" grade effects so not having dedicated buttons on the hardware is not surprising. Not having a software menu to access them from the front panel however is bollocks, but I wouldn't be surprised if they add that later.

I think that this among other things really shows that there isn't anything different under the hood. In fact, photographs also show this. You don't have to look far.

It's a firmware upgrade tied to a hardware upgrade that doesn't have anything to do with the new features IMO.

 

[Deadpan]

Fired my MK1 Kemper up today. It has been a while. Thing sounds fantastic.

 

[guitarsandcoffee]

There is a software option to change XLR into unbalanced stereo.

And there's nothing special about the headphones output. You can use it with pedals.

Yeah, but my point was why make the mono XLR out the main? Especially if I am using it on a pedalboard like they promoted

 

[guitarsandcoffee]

Fired my MK1 Kemper up today. It has been a while. Thing sounds fantastic.

I agree. Mk1 Stage still sounds and works great.

 

[guitarsandcoffee]

It also surprises me how many people pair the player with $1,000s of pedals and accessories to make it work when a used Stage, heck even a new Stage, is such a better investment. I see people add tap tempos, midi foot switches, $100 displays…just get a Stage.

The player, for me is garbage and not thought out . The Stage, for me, is fantastic and the absolute way to go in the Kemper world.

 

[paisleywookiee]

It also surprises me how many people pair the player with $1,000s of pedals and accessories to make it work when a used Stage, heck even a new Stage, is such a better investment. I see people add tap tempos, midi foot switches, $100 displays…just get a Stage.

 

[guitarsandcoffee]

Can't argue with the dude.

 

[OneEng]

Not where I am. Local sale, mint condition Mk1 Profiler Rack, Remote, Mission Exp Pedal, and upgraded cables for everything: $650

My jaw dropped a little when I saw that listing.

Insane value IMO.

Fired my MK1 Kemper up today. It has been a while. Thing sounds fantastic.

Yep. About to do some work with mine right now.

It also surprises me how many people pair the player with $1,000s of pedals and accessories to make it work when a used Stage, heck even a new Stage, is such a better investment. I see people add tap tempos, midi foot switches, $100 displays…just get a Stage.

The player, for me is garbage and not thought out . The Stage, for me, is fantastic and the absolute way to go in the Kemper world.

I agree. The Player doesn't make sense for live.

The Stage is a really good platform IMO; however, I like the Rack with the foot controller to minimize the cable clutter and pedal board space in my performing area. I also really like my rack in a roto molded SKB 3 space case. Super easy to setup on top of my digital mixer rack and plug everything in. Then I just run a single Ethercon cable out to my foot controller ... and done .... except for the PA of course.

 

[guitarsandcoffee]

Insane value IMO.

Yep. About to do some work with mine right now.

I agree. The Player doesn't make sense for live.

The Stage is a really good platform IMO; however, I like the Rack with the foot controller to minimize the cable clutter and pedal board space in my performing area. I also really like my rack in a roto molded SKB 3 space case. Super easy to setup on top of my digital mixer rack and plug everything in. Then I just run a single Ethercon cable out to my foot controller ... and done .... except for the PA of course.

I do wonder if Neural is going to release a QC Rack unit, or if players are happy enough to store them on a shelf in the rack. I honestly thought their new release was either a QC-2 or a rack unit. Fooled for sure by the QC Mini (which just my opinion - but not for me).

 

[Mongillo19]

I do wonder if Neural is going to release a QC Rack unit, or if players are happy enough to store them on a shelf in the rack. I honestly thought their new release was either a QC-2 or a rack unit. Fooled for sure by the QC Mini (which just my opinion - but not for me).

I don't see that being a priority. Honestly, rack gear is cool but we are seeing a shift away from it. Line 6 launched their new gen as floor unit only (at the moment) and has stated before the floor units greatly outsold the Helix rack.

I wouldn't be shocked if the Axe Fx IV line launches with a floor modeler to start.

 

[Chocol8]

I would much rather have a QC mini and a bunch of other stuff in a drawer than wast an entire rack space with a QC Rack.

 

[Cactusprick]

got MK I rack which works as a monitor stand as well the easiest unit which is always connected to Mac and I just fire up for quick tones.
I'm in heaven running these along with AM4 side by side.

Personally enjoying rack much more than toaster form factor.

 

[OneEng]

For my workflow, the rack plus foot controller makes frequent gigging and gear moving the easiest and most reliable.

Since Kemper didn't put an Ethercon on the unit, I put one in my rear patch panel along with an IEC power plug, 2 XLR main outs, and a 1/4" monitor out.

Setup in a couple of minutes and only one wire going out to my performance position.

I do agree that the format seems to be losing favor. I bet touring and heavier gigging musicians still stick with a rack.

 

[BD8AUZ]

I have owned HEAD for many years and I am also the one who spent $1000 to unlock Player. You are right, I also believe that Player is a strange and outdated product. The designers and decision-makers' ideas are incomprehensible, and they have ignored the requests of many users in the future. They refused to add FX LOCK and even did not allow everyone to discuss this matter!
I am a loyal supporter of Kemper, and now my focus is more on the Cortex Mini

 

[Guitarwiz007]

Sorry, I never really looked at the player at all. So the Player is $700, has lopsided I/O, no loop, starts with 4 effects plus 1 capture unless you pay more, had no display, requires Wi Fi for editing even though it also has Bluetooth (that apparently doesn’t work great at the same time as the Wi Fi), and has no display?

And it can do some other stuff but it costs more?

Who was this made for and who was/is buying it?

Well, I guess I for one am buying it. And I love it. It does everything I need for 3 different bands. I've used Fractal, QC, Helix, Headrush, Tonex, and a bunch of others. The QC is gone as is the Tonex. I use my FM3 as a backup but never had to break it out. My Player is Level 3 because I was more than fine to pay for it. It still sounds better than all the other "tools" I use. I gig it usually 3 times per week in the winter and 5-7 gigs/week in the summer. Super easy to set up and it just works. The only downside I see it having for live use is no screen but I bought one of the USB ones for and it works great. It's a fantastic platform and I don't see the need to upgrade it any further than what it is. I was the same way with the stage but my rig is so portable now it's ridiculous. I will stick with Kemper, at least for now.

 

[OneEng]

Truth be told, now that I use bluetooth MIDI to change my performance and rig from song to song through Band Helper app, I could likely get by with just a Level 3 Player.

Still, I think Kemper missed the boat. Player should have had a screen.

 

[guitarsandcoffee]

Truth be told, now that I use bluetooth MIDI to change my performance and rig from song to song through Band Helper app, I could likely get by with just a Level 3 Player.

Still, I think Kemper missed the boat. Player should have had a screen.

Can you elaborate on your Band Help app setup? Can you bluetooth midi to the Player?

 

[quadgear]

Can you bluetooth midi to the Player?

You'll need something like a Widi uHost.

Sad that Kemper only uses Bluetooth for audio and only wifi for mobile rig manager and only USB for desktop rig manager.

 

[OneEng]

Can you elaborate on your Band Help app setup? Can you bluetooth midi to the Player?

As above, you need a way of getting the Bluetooth from your tablet or phone to the Player as the Player doesn't support the Midi Bluetooth protocol natively (only USB midi).

Past the hardware, lots goes into creating a setlist in band helper. Then the midi programming begins.

The best way I have found to setup your Kemper is to use the banks (performances). In performance mode on the large Kemper, and I am guessing within a bank on the Player, there is near zero latency between rig switches. Make sure that if you are going to switch rigs within a song, that all of the rigs you need are on the same bank (seamless switching).

In Band Helper, you create MIDI setups. I named mine the same as the rig name and also put in a 4,2 (Performance, Slot) for reference in Band Helper.

I used RAW MIDI commands, but I think the standard CC commands and PC commands might work (Continuous Controller/Program Change).

Once you have the MIDI you need to get to the correct bank/slot MIDI (or you can use the absolute rig position, but that might cause latency. I haven't tried it) for the song, you associate the MIDI preset you made (by name) to the song. Anywhere you put the song in any setlist then will send that command when you select it (that took some figuring out in Band Helper as well ... send automatically on select). On the Kemper Forum before I was booted, I posted a lengthy description of how to do ALL of this as it took some trial and error to get right. You should be able to search for it and find it under my user name assuming my posts are still there.

It really is a slick setup now. I only touch the foot controller inside a song for changes. Also, you have to pair the bluetooth every power up within bandhelper. You also need to load the CME drivers for the MIDI bridge onto your tablet or phone so it shows up as MIDI source for bandhelper.