Home » Music » Kemper Stage Vs. Head [What the EXPERTS Recommend!]

Kemper Stage Vs. Head [What the EXPERTS Recommend!]

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For electric guitar players of all levels and styles, amplification and tone modification have always been a thing since the invention of the electric guitar.

Most audio engineers, be it on live stages or recording studios, would always tell you about the guitar player’s obsession with sounding “a bit louder” or with experimenting with different tones on the pedalboard.

However, this is not a bad thing; as a matter of fact, it is quite an amazing thing for art. The truth is that no matter how artistically moderate or musically conservative you are, amplification will always be a part of your guitar-playing journey, regardless of your musical style.

On this note, we will discuss two of the most amazing guitar amplification and tone modification tools on the market today.

These are the Kemper Profiler Stage and the Kemper Profiler Head—we will talk about their similarities and differences and help you choose which is best for you.

About the Kemper Profiler

The Kemper Profiler, often known as the Kemper Profiling Amp but frequently just referred to as the Kemper, is a special piece of equipment that mimics your preferred amps.

However, this isn’t quite like a modelling amp because it constantly ‘profiles’ the sound as opposed to modelling the sound.

Thus, the reason it is called “profiler.” What this means is that it can quickly and accurately replicate the tone of any guitar amp, cab, or setup after analyzing it.

Additionally, you receive a ton of well-known and timeless characteristics straight out of the box, allowing you to jump right into tonal experimentation.

After selecting or creating your “Profile,” you can proceed to make all the necessary adjustments by changing the EQ, and amp settings, adding effects, and more.

The Kemper Profiler has completely changed how guitar tones are produced. Kemper has simplified the process of finding the ideal guitar sound more than ever with its use of new, amp-making cutting-edge technology.

Even if the Kemper hasn’t changed much since it was first introduced, there are still several things to consider before buying. Below are just a few things you must know before purchasing the profiler.

What Is Profiling?

Everything has changed since the KEMPER PROFILER was introduced. Guitarists are now free to design their unique sounds and notes that perfectly capture the spirit of their performing technique, for the very first time in history.

They may then precisely transfer these tones into the digital world using the cutting-edge technology offered by KEMPER.

Profiling is a unique method for obtaining any amp’s precise sound and vibe. You can complete the full process on almost any guitar and rhythm amp in about a minute.

A profile records every detail of the cabinet and mic placement in addition to the Amp itself. As vibrant and powerful as the vintage amps, the end result is always near-flawless.

Every Profiling run must end with an A/B analysis to guarantee that the Profile is legitimate and so similar to the actual sound source being profiled that you can’t tell them apart.

More options are accessible to you with the PROFILER than with any other actual or virtual amplifier.

The Kemper Profiler As A Guitar Amplifier; How It Works?

Although the technology behind Profiling Amplifier appears to be a bit sophisticated, the actual profiling procedure is surprisingly easy. Warming up a tube amp is required in order to create a profile. Solid-state amps also work.

A guitar is plugged into the Kemper’s front input connector, and an XLR wire is extended from the Kemper’s rear-mounted XLR socket to a mic set up to record the loudspeaker of the parent amp.

A patch wire is then connected from the amplifier’s input port to the Kemper’s 1/4″ direct output/send port to close the circuit. The Kemper preserves the tonal DNA of the tube amp via this loop.

The Kemper Profiler As An Effect Processor; How It Works?

The PROFILER provides a collection of some of the best effects available. As a corporation, KEMPER is not only famous but also widely known and respected for making one of the most famous synthesizers of all time.

With almost a decade of experience, Kemper has been able to identify the core characteristics of both traditional and contemporary effects and outfit them with thoughtful parameter sets.

Eight effect modules are included in the signal path in addition to the amplifier tower. It is possible to put up to four effects “before” the amp stack and additional four effects “post” the Amp.

Delay and reverb effects work best in the last modules in the effect chain. Delay and reverb provide “spillover,” meaning the sound does not end when you switch to another rig.

Almost all effects have an optional “ducking” feature that lets you change the effect’s intensity simply by changing the tempo of your performance.

Kemper Stage Vs. Kemper Head – Differences

DifferencesKemper StageKemper Head
InputsS/PDIF, MIDI, USB, Ethernet, auxiliary input, back input, and more inputsMain input, return input, S/PDIF, MIDI, USB, Ethernet
OutputsDirect output/send, headphones out, monitor out, left-and-right balanced and unbalanced, S/PDIF, MIDI, USB, and Ethernet are all available.Headphone out, direct output/send, monitor out, left- and right-side unbalanced, S/PDIF, MIDI, USB, and Ethernet are all available.
Width378mm470mm
Height217mm85mm
Weight5.32kg4.60kg
Depth173mm260mm
Loops21
Out levelXLR, TS:15XLR:22; TS:12
ClockMaster or slaveMaster only
Pedal in42
Midi port23
Prof KnobButtons combinationDedicated knob
Prof inputTRS inputXLR input
ALT inputNot availableAvailable

Key Features of Kemper Stage

The leading amplifier modelling processor from Kemper now has an incorporated controller; A trio of functioning modes: Performer, Profiler, and Browser. Dozens of the most popular guitar/bass rigs are already preloaded.

  • Full profiling capability, including creating your own profiles
  • The same control system as the Kemper Remote
  • 2 x line-level monitor outputs for true stereo sound
  • Looper control for weaving complex guitar parts in real-time
  • Unique morphing
  • 2 x FX send
  • 2 x Stereo Return
  • 4 x External Pedal inputs
  • Individual FX on/off

Key Features of Kemper Head

A jaw-dropping array of effects is available in each of the four separate stomp slots.

These comprise magnificent rotating speaker emulations, many delays and LoFi techniques, compressor, reverb, and replicas of well-known overdrive and distortion stomps.

  • Stomp Effects: The KemperProfiler offers 4 independent stomp slots, armed to teeth with a stunning arsenal of effects. These effects include models of famous overdrive and distortion stomps, compressor, reverb, several delays and Lo-Fi algorithms, and beautiful rotary speaker emulation.
  • The Archive: With the KemperProfiler, it is easy for you to share your personal library with other users. It already holds a vast number of rigs. Sharing a profile or rig is as easy as sending a text message on your phone.
  • Profiling: Amplifier profiling is a unique way to extract the sound and feel of a tube amplifier and store it away for later use. Profiling doesn’t just create a static snapshot; it can give you deeper control of your sound than your original amp can provide. The response to your playing, dynamics and all other details are captured by the profiling process.
  • The Input Stage: With the Hi-Z input optimized for passive guitar pickups, the Kemper Profiler offers a crystal clear signal path.
  • The Stack: The Stack section of the Kemper Profiler consists of the profiled amplifier, equalizer and cabinet. You can mix and match any amp with any cabinet in your library. You can even creatively change the sonic behaviour of any recently profiled amplifier
  • Master FX: The master effects section features reverb, delay and additional slots for stomp boxes to refine your amplifier’s tone. The six knobs on the front panel offer convenient access to the most important settings. The reverb section features a dense and lively reverb algorithm which won’t mask the original signal. The delay section features several tape and stereo delay algorithms which can be synced to MIDI clock.
  • Amp Control: The Kemper Profiler includes the standard Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble and Presence control that you would expect from a guitar amplifier. However, in contrast to many vintage amps, Kemper has kept the gain control neutral, so you are able to find the sweet spot of your amp, and run this optimal sound at any gain level.

Kemper Stage Pros And Cons

Kemper Stage Pros

  • All the benefits of the Kemper in a portable, tiny package.
  • High-end effects, amp simulation, and the ability to charge bespoke IRs.
  • Excellent sound; you may use it as a preamp or multi-effect in your pedal board.
  • Logical and simple to program.
  • Sturdy construction
  • A complete package that captures and profiles your Amp.

Kemper Stage Cons

  • Lacks an expression pedal
  • You must use a separate one
  • Lacks an inbuilt power amp
  • Screen is small
  • Lacks a mobile app
  • You will have to tweak it before producing an accurate sound.
  • Kemper Head Pros And Cons

Kemper Head Pros

  • A lunchbox-sized guitar preamplifier can profile any actual guitar amplifier.
  • 200 amplifier profiles are provided to get you started.
  • It’s simple to profile your own amps; all you require is a combination amp or amp head and cabinets, guitar cords, and a mic and wire.
  • To simultaneously capture the raw guitar signals and the guitar amp profile, built-in DI can divide your sound into the main output.
  • Along with the amplifiers, this array of effects sounds fantastic.
  • Automatic spillover allows your lag and reverb tails to fade out organically when you switch presets.
  • You can lock specific module settings when switching between presets to maintain your existing delay effects selections.
  • You can incorporate your hardware sounds and stomp boxes using an effects loop.

Kemper Head Cons

  • No Editors For Software – On this topic, a lot of users claim that the internal editor of Kempers is sufficient. It functions reasonably enough but isn’t nearly as user-friendly as Line6 and Fractal’s offerings.
  • The Profiles Have Restrictions
  • The audio is more difficult to manipulate than you may think. You must choose from the available microphones and taxis for the Profile; you cannot select a particular one.
  • Additionally, the Profile is created with a specific gain level. The degree of roughness it had when the Profile was generated seems to play the best, despite the fact that you can modify it quite a bit.

Who Needs The Kemper Stage?

With the use of the Kemper profiling approach, an extremely accurate sound representation (Profile) of an existent amplifier arrangement can be created. 

The sound produced can then be manipulated in ways that go much beyond what the original amplifier was capable of, thanks to the numerous internal processing choices available, including several ground impact emulations, master effects, equalizer, gain, amp clarity, power drooping, etc. 

There will be no need to design your own profiles because the Kemper Profiling Amplifier also comes with a wealth of excellent amplifier profiles. 

This allows you to tweak your amplifier’s sound and have it ready for practice in the studio or on stage without having to spend money on a new amplifier.

Hence Kemper Stage is ideal for beginners as it ushers you into the world of easy profiling and adjustment of sound effects. Therefore, if you have little knowledge of what you must use, Kemper Stage is your choice.

Who Needs The Kemper Head?

The complete answer for electric guitar and bass is the Kemper Profiler. It functions as a preamp, power amp, and multiple effect processor.

It is ideal for all uses due to its excellent connectivity, whether you are performing live, at home, or in a music studio.

With the push of one key, the Kemper Profiler’s exclusive Profiling innovation lets you record the sonic fingerprint of any amplifier.

The Profiler Head has traditional curves. It looks fantastic on a 4×12 cabinet. It can still be carried on an aircraft as hand luggage because it is so small and light. 

The Head’s small size makes it ideal for placement directly next to your pc on the table in your creative workspace. This makes it a favourite for both the travelling guitar player and the studio engineer. 

Conclusion

Consumers no longer need to purchase the Profiler Head foot controller individually since they can depend on the Profiler Stage to aid them in their job because it has characteristics of the Profiler Head foot controller. 

It has a pretty sturdy construction and a variety of settings that are simple to comprehend, particularly for people who have used any of the older Kemper devices in the past. 

The Kemper Profiler Stage provides all the features of the Kemper Profiler Head unit, allowing players to record their personal amp tones and play them through a digital representation of the Amp’s identical trademark tone.