Can Kemper Save Chappers? (Part 2) 

I think it's safe to say that once it gets to a point where you have to sit down and listen to chords, feedback and note decay, trying to discern barely perceptible differences in the atoms of the soundwaves traveling in the air, then any differences are so small that it doesn't matter any more.

I can feel Lee's soul just dying throughout this while video

When I finally played thru a Kemper I had the SAME reaction as Lee Anderton. Exactly the same. I couldn't believe it. I seriously questioned my hearing / sanity. I'm a sound engineer. Been doing recording and live sound engineering for 25+yrs... Maybe the gear wars are FINALLY over. After all, is it about the music... the ART you create? Or is it about the label on the gear you're playing thru ?? Maybe we've all been distracted from this great truth for awhile now. I know I was. I'm 50yrs old and I have been playing and working in the music business 35+ yrs. I have been chasing tone for my entire 35+ yrs career. I was forever unhappy with my tone and equipment. I kept thinking "If I only had this or that cool piece of gear. Or that vintage strat thru a 60's Marshall Plexi... or that old 50's Les Paul thru a vintage Fender tweed". Its not me that sux... its my gear !! I WASTED soooo much time ... designing / building guitar rigs instead of practicing. I used my lack of expensive vintage equipment as an excuse for my poor playing/ lack of tone. 6 days ago I bought a Kemper and it has been a revelation for me and already its making me a better player !! I love to practice now. Hell, the first night I played for 6 hours straight !! The calluses are back baby ! I could hammer nails with my fingertips ! AND now I'm not distracted anymore by my constant obsessive thoughts of the deficiencies in my guitar tone / rig. If my playing or tone sux I can't blame my gear anymore !! HAH !! Change is tough. Its hard to re-tool. We get used to the tools we use. Maybe finally we will ALL have the same tools in our "toolbox" so we can stop judging one another's art based on the tools we use to create it, but instead on it's artistic merit. Les Paul, Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen all have some things in common. They all embraced the newest technologies and exploited and pushed them to their limits to get their own sound. As an example, Hendrix wasn't digging up 40 year old guitars and amps to get his sound. He found his sound using a new strat into new fx pedals made by Roger Mayer and a new Univox Univibe and the newest Marshalls recording using 16 tracks (a first in recording studios) . Had he lived into the 80's and 90's he would have continued that practice of pushing himself and pushing the boundaries of his gear.... OR he would have probably stagnated. Maybe that's why some of my heroes (who lived long enough) did stagnate.... they stopped pushing the boundaries of their gear..I consider myself an artist. And as an artist my art's legitimacy and quality isn't determined by what type of wood I used for the canvas frame. It's what's on the canvas that matters. I'm saddened by the implications of Kempers towards amp builders. But I'm excited and energized by the ENDLESS possibilities that Kempers will allow. I feel like a teenager again. Excited by the limitless possibilities! It's freedom. :{)-)--( If you haven't played thru one ... DO IT !! It will change you as a musician (hopefully as an artist) for the better...

I love that once the Captain knows he got 1 right then he magically noticed all sorts of amazing details in the differencs between the two.

Just the fact that they cant tell straight away which is which is a huge win for Kemper. Mighty impressed with that thing. Downside is I'll have to sell both kidneys to get one...

I love Lee trying to argue that he could tell the difference at the end when throughout the WHOLE video he'd been saying he couldn't. It's okay Captain, we still respect you, even if you can't tell amps apart :P

another great test. slightly tainted by the fact i had to mic two different cabs (with different speaker ages) This was to reduce the amount of waiting time between amp and kemper so the guys still had a clear tonal picture in their mind as they moved between amps. In the room the test made loads more sense, but i suppose to all those watching on YT it is a little different. Still loads of fun! and i fully intend to make some profiles when i get myself a kemper at some point!

I remember having a conversation with a photographer about 15 years ago. He was absolutely adamant that digital photography would never take over from film. He said I was crazy for even suggesting such a thing. 15 years on, there is a whole generation of people who have no idea what film even is! Or cassettes. Or even CDs! My point is, you are absolutely crazy if you don't think digital technology is going to eventually relegate your old tube amps to museum pieces!

To avoid confusion about "our right/left versus your right/left", I think you guys should use "clock side" and "cock side".

I dunno...seeing Lee go into a long and ridiculous explanation (around the 25:00 mark) about why he just "felt" he got it right with the Morgan was a little painful. Just admit that you "flipped the coin" and guessed, man! :-D

I'd love to know what Cap thinks he's listening for... its like hes waiting for the Kemper to literally speak and say "im Digital"

Dear Captain, DENIAL AIN'T JUST A RIVER IN EGYPT!

The only reason I wouldn't buy a kemper is the option paralysis i get.

Bobby cooked me 2 burgers yesterday, one was cooked with butane, one with propane... and I prefered the butane cooked one. I have been awake for 48 hours.

But without valve amps, there's nothing to profile

Lee's explanation at 25:00 sounds like the april fools 'something else' video lol

Before the reveal of the second round, the Captain was exasperated by his inability to tell the amps apart. Upon hearing he guessed correctly, he gives an advanced placement lecture on acoustical engineering.

I got them both wrong again... If you do a part 3, pls do an EVH 5150III

Episode brought to you by, "Try my hardest to reclaim my biases.""

The only thing you have to consider is that the Kemper is profiling valve amps. Valve amps create the sound, compression and feel that we all love. Kemper just takes the great original and makes it portable, repeatable, etc. I think it is not either or...it is AND.

The only controversy with the kemper is that it is basically the amp-equivalent to the CD-Burner. If you use it to take copies of your precious originals on the road with you, that's fantastic. But there will be a lot of people who will only have copies (they get for free). So less amp manufacturers get paid and eventually less great amps will be made.

Captain didn't have a clue guessed... then when it was revealed he guessed right on a fluke he starts waffling bullshit about how he was right, and Chappers knew it was bullshit lets be honest lolz xD

Lee, thank you so much for these 2 videos. Despite the controversy for some people, regarding the Morgan amp test, you did something very usefull, for every musician, out there. It will be very helpfull for the touring guitarists, to know they can tour with just one amp. Your content is always much appreciated. Thank you, and thanks to all the lads that are part of the Anderton's team.

Lets all welcome Kemper us our new amp overlords and be done with it .

I love the editing on your videos. Always has me laughing. We notice you, editor.

Part 2 was great. And indeed, this is probably the most revelatory guitar gear video, answering the ever-lingering question of sim-vs-amps once and for all. 2 people x 4 guess, and the kemper came up ahead 7 to 1. Just incredible. Thank you for your services gentlemen, I salute you!

Great two vids you guys. An honest opinion to the masses.....not just sales pitch.....much appreciated. Also....a massive thumbs up to the two gentlemen behind the camera that spent an age setting it all up.....well done you two.

Yet another kick in the balls of the valve amp market... God this hurts... but Kemper did an awesome job, give them that

I can accurately tell, with 50% chance, if someone is a man or a woman, just by reading a written text.

This video, with the right context explanation, should be watched and studied in most MBA classes as a great case. It brings many lessons related to marketing, positioning, customer engagement, trasparent communications and value for customers, and fun

I love how the Capt was trying to save his point at the end hahaha I'm sorry... This is F... amazing!!

24:31 Captain: "There was a spectrum of high end...", Rob´s face looks like c´mon, don´t bullshit me.

It's a pity we don't have a video of Lee testing his first mobile phone :)

I love you guys, you massive nerds!!!! love to see people so passionate about what they love!! Keep this kind of stuff coming! (i know it's a year old now!)

You two are well-founded sources of information and the very best entertainment in the most positive sense!

It's like with an old guitar. It doesn't have to sound any better than a new one, but it's the history you hold in your hands that gives you the extra inspiration. So people will always buy Valve amps just because they will inspire them differently. Still, this is pretty impressive.

Lee justifying his successful decision with all that detail when really it had boiled down to a guess :)

These videos have been great! I was on the fence about all this but now it has become clear to me that Kemper is the future.

This is BRILLIANT! I've paused it at 4 mins 20 and messaged other people to watch this after the bombshell was dropped yesterday. I actually said 'history was made' to mates and the Captain just repeated that just now! Right...on with the show! This is the best thing since the O.J. trial :-)

This one could've been called "Can Kemper save the Captain" lol

(Captain finally gets one correct): "Welllllll there was just this reallllyyyy subtle frequency that most people would probably never hear and that gave it away..." LOL Love the videos guys! Keep em coming! Cheers

Well done on these Kemper videos guys! What I take from this video is that valve amps will not die out, we can still all collect a sweet collection of amps at home, well kept and pristine, not thrown around in cases, in the back of the van or car. We can all head out to our gigs with ALL of those amps in tow, plug straight into FOH, throw as much back into our ears as we want, not have to annoy the tech on the night, not have to worry about tubes cracking, power bias, humidity, spread. Chappers you are a Gentleman and an inspiration. Lee, you humanised the sweet sadness of the constantly changing realities that innovation brings to the music industry. Kemper have their place on the road, but in my opinion when creating and pushing for "that" sound in "that" room in "that" mood for "that" song, there will never be anything but the real deal. Props to Rabea and Pete for doing a fantastic job profiling the amps.

Brilliant, boys! Both of these Kemper videos were fascinating. I'm glad that you were both big enough to call it straight. As Lee said, the future is digital. But wow, it's awesome to know that you aren't giving anything up in the process!

Kemper did all you thought it did. You were lucky and you are rationalizing being right after the fact.

It would be interesting to see how the signal of both amplifiers compares using a spectrum analyzer.

amazing video loved both parts of it!

Thanks for this series guys! It has been a great test.

next vid tubes vs valves

You guys should do a Kemper vs AxeFX video

Thanks guys I just cant wait to watch your videos. I would like to see you guys do the same thing with pedals just to see how it holds up with gear.

I agree with the captain best couple of videos ever in terms of 'jaw to the floor' and I totally get why you redid the test with a different set up. My comment to my mate a work after the first vid was"good vid but I think there ended up being a couple of gremlins and red herrings in the test which influenced the outcome a bit" but part 2 ironed them all out and still got the same result. Awesome vid guys, laughed my ass off at Lee's reaction to the Morgan reveal and blew my mind with the outcome.

surely a good way to test this would be to record a DI guitar track and play it through both the kemper and the amp its modelling. That way its the exact same performance and therefore easier to tell differences in tone.

Would like to see this done with bass amps, perhaps one for the Andertons channel?

These two Videos are one of the several that finally sold me on the Kemper.

These two videos were two of your best for sure. HILARIOUS outtakes... I literally was making faces in my studio too

this is what happened with synths too. people still use and sometimes prefer analogue, but you CAN accurately model something these days. just look at all the pro studios- they're all using vsts of their favourite desk compressors. the only sad thing about IR is that it relies purely on modeling old amps. it would be great if they opened up to software to let people make their own sounds from scratch and really get whacky with it!

Who really cares which one it is as long as it sounds goooooooood?

Two wonderful videos. You can just see The Captain dying a little with each note and Rob just dying laughing because of The Captain and knowing his touring life just became easier and lighter.

Seriously thinking of selling all my heads and combos and getting a kemper , so so more practical ! Thanks guys for the videos , lee you will get over it ,

the kemper and the jcm800 sounded so different, but i thought for sure the kemper was the marshall. weird. it had more of that raspy marshally presence.

Pleeease make a part 3 with a fullrange cab ... where you compare the full simulation with cab through the full range cab to a real miced cab pleeease guys ^^ the cab sim is ultra important :)

While this video had zero relevance to me - I'm not in the market for a massive amp head, nor do I need a model of every amp ever built - these videos were SO entertaining and very educational. Good job guys!

Great video guys! I sense a part 3 coming up, with drive pedals in the front and perhaps a delay in the loop!

Rory, please lower the intros and outros by 10dB.

"Like" if you'd love to see similar videos done with the latest Axe FX II or the AX8!

This is the funniest or most amusing video to watch the Captain strive for Tube goodness so he can sleep at night. Game on gentlemen. Thank you for the videos from the other side of the pond.

I really enjoyed the first video but this one was one of the best so far. I for one will hold onto my tube amps but this Kemper is now very interesting!

Shit. I sold my Kemper a few years ago back when the difference was noticeable.. bad idea.

The past: Valve amps sounded better. Present: Modelling amps has caught up and they sound equally good. Future: what's a valve amp bro?? It IS a bit sad, but I can see things heading this way

Cracking videos guys! Well done Lee! :-D

WOW! Even better than the first video, mega entertainment regardless of the Kemper issue. I must admit I'm convinced! Great video :-D

I wonder which will be easier to service. While the digital amp might be more reliable while it works, does it become a near irreparable doorstop if it should break? I can fix a '65 Mustang, but who has a set of tools in their garage able to dig into the computerized mess of new vehicles? I think it becomes a matter of personal priorities. If I wanted a hundred different amps, I'd get the Kemper without hesitation. But if I'm only interested in the sound of a hand-wired Deluxe Reverb, there's no reason to complicate life. To each his own.

I enjoy my kemper any day

I actually guessed right both times!! :D Both sounds stellar, so good job kemper! But the difference (though very small), is that the string separation is a little clearer on (whait for iiit).. the kemper. Good job guys! Great videos

I have to say boys it is hilarious watching the two of you struggle over which amp is which. You guys rock! Love watching your videos. Hope I get the chance someday to get to your neck of the woods across the pond.

Good video. Glad they had another look at Kemper but it seemed like two bites of the cherry to get the result they wanted lol.

I've got some modelling stuff like an Atomic Amplifire, but honestly I never use it, and just keep buying pedals to plug into my tube amp. The reason I do that is not necessarily about the sound at all - I believe all sorts of wizardry is possible with digital. The reason is simply that I love the romance and the gadgetry of it all - tubes warming up, endless physical dials, cables everywhere. Wouldn't trade it for the world. Scrolling through software plugins, no matter how good the sound, just doesn't feel the same.

This was REALLY helpful... at confusing me further LOL. Great stuff though guys, thanks for putting in the time to allow notes to sustain till they faded. Patience is the king of "trying" to differentiate :-)

Just wanna say thanks for the two vids you did. I love my Kemper and use it everyday in my studio and out when I gig. I don't really gig a lot as I can't due to a spinal condition. If it wasn't for my studio I probably go mad(er). Thank you for posting the profiles Danish Pete, Rabea & other tech gods created, they're great (TM Kellogg's). I've been after the Silverback for ages. Currently, I'm wearing my neon spandex and shreading hard in my studio! Nice one guys. Your video's are informative and entertaining. It's like 'Top Gear' for musicians. (Clarkson, Hammond & May. Not Evans, Le Blanc and ....whoever). Keep rocking guys & thanks again.

The fact still remains that if there were no amazing valve amps Kemper would have nothing to model off of. There is a place in this world for both.

What would have been really funny is to swap out a Peavey Windsor for the JCM 800 and really throw them for a loop.

Kudos to both of you for giving the digital technology a shot, listening through a high end setup with top of the line Sennheiser headphones the difference was very slight, probably most noticeable on the Morgan. Great job on both vids.

best video you've done, amp wise really enjoyed it, i use modeling amps and to be honest they are pretty great value and tones and recording wise, so simple to use. love the videos, i am a fender guy, but am now saving up for a blue ml3, this new strat of mine is so rubbish to my last one only 4 years ago. keep the vids coming i learn so much from you guys

Lee is in denial

Could we have a kemper lesson, how easy are they to profile? Do they need a separate power amp? What is different about them to say an axfx or a helix?

Thanks lads.. informative and great sounding profiles too. My kemper thanks you for it xD

Shout out to the guy that keeps changing the time on the broken clock! Chappers, Cap great video as always cheers.

The Title should be Kemper Devastated Lee

Lee talking rubbish here! Can't get one right after four and then say he can tell the difference!

You made a HUGE point around 1:25. By the time you listen to the mix down after all the processing and mastering that goes on, it would be difficult to tell the difference of whether it's an amp, plugin, or something like the Kemper. But now, because of you guys, I'm considering buying the Kemper for my studio!

It was somewhat easier to tell with the single coil, but still bloody similar. Really cool vid, guys!

I'm in the mood to watch a Rob Chapman video *goes to RU-vid New video uploaded 2 minutes ago

I have been listening to Kemper vs Real amp clips a lot lately and to be honest, i am convinced there is a Kemper-specific sound to all of its profiles (for example, take a listen to a bunch of the amp factory profiles in a row to hear what i mean), but i can hear it only on overdriven tones - with cleans it is harder for me to tell. The Kemper's drive sounds a bit hollowed out, SLIGHTLY harsher, more symmetric, less fuzzy, less warm, less syrupy, etc. - it has a bit of a "plasticky" quality compared to the original and less of its imperfections. I got the Morgan wrong though, as i expected the Original to be more defined in the cleans department - wasn't the case this time.

"Might be a bit boring, because you might hear a guitar sustain for like 20 seconds..." Lee getting into drone metal now? I dig it.

Awesome pair of vids. Watching the Capt. "let it go".

Dear capt: I respect you a lot BUT, that was bull$hit no one can really guess which is which, I mean, rob, a touring and recording musician, couldn't even guess. That said, if it sounds good, doesn't really matter if it's valve or digital, they both serve a purpose, I think, with the real deal valves you craft the tones you want and with the kemper you do what rob does take a gazzillion amps with you at a low cost for gigging and , who knows, maybe even recording.

24:34 this is beer talking :) To really muddy your decision requires that you have more than a 50/50 chance of guessing which is which... and I know you know that ;)

Just remember the goal is a great sound. In pursuit of that goal, what uou use does not matter. Fun pair of videos!

One thing missing in these shoot outs is the jamming. I think instead of just sitting there so focused on each note you should jam and let the majesty of the tube happen more naturally. Always enjoy you videos. Great job to all of you!

I'm most wondering about how easy it is to dail in a good sound! with my valve amp its just a couple of knobs and it sounds good and warm an tasty! how is that with something like the Kemper?? And is it that the valve amp is set up crappie and the Kemper exceptionally good?? still amazed though!