Kemper martin guitars acoustic Profiling martin guitar accessories PowerHead martin acoustic guitar 600-Watt guitar martin Amplifier martin acoustic guitar strings Profiler

The Kemper Profiling PowerHead- 600-Watt Amplifier Profiler is as its name suggests, a digital processor that profiles the way a particular guitar amplifier and cabinet function acoustically, and through capturing that information, is able to accurately reproduce the original tone of the amp with all of its details. The unit additionally features a Class D amplifier for driving a speaker cabinet. It is capable of producing 600 watts of output at 8 ohms and 300 watts at 16 ohms. The Profiler PowerHead allows the guitar player to transfer his personal signature sound into a single amplifier and summon the sounds up anytime, anywhere, including live performances. 

Profiling is done by simply inserting a particular tube amp into the Kemper Profiling Amplifier and pressing "record." Test signals are sent from the profiler amplifier back into the tube amp and recorded by the microphone in front of the guitar cabinet. A convenient and accurate A/B comparison mode is provided to make sure the profile accurately matches the original tone. That profile can then be played back from the Kemper and further adjusted with EQ, effects, and the included stomp pedal models. 

The unit is especially useful for the touring musician. Now instead of carting around a heavy and perhaps rare or fragile vintage amp, the performer needs only to carry the PowerHead that contains a multitude of profiles and settings that can be adjusted in real-time. It should be made clear that the Kemper Profiling Amplifier doesnt simply output a list of static digital amplifier reproductions, but rather creates a vivid, living, dynamic and multi-dimensional image of the existing tube amp.

The Stack

Amplifier Section

• The sound of the amplifier is based on the profile loaded into the rig
• Selection of intuitive and powerful macro parameters allow for performing modifications which are impossible with a traditional hardware amplifier
• Change the age of the virtual hardware to respond to different playing styles
• Direct access to tube settings, such as the tube symmetryEQ Section
  • Features traditional bass/mid/treble/presence controls similar to those found on many amplifier heads
  • Original design based on a traditional tone stack but delivering the sound of a modern professional-grade equalizerCabinet Section
    • Captures the cabinet as a part of a profile
    • Profiling Amplifier distinguishes between the cabinet and the amp head within a profile to enable mixing and matching set ups, even if the original profile was a combo amp
    • Warp cabinets from "tiny as a cigarette box" to "larger than life" with a single parameter

The Effects

Stomp Boxes

• Four independent stomp effects slots
• Hosts a full arsenal of stomp box effects including painstakingly modeled overdrive and distortion stomp boxes, compressor, reverb, several delays and LoFi algorithms, and a rotary speaker emulation
• Accurate models of classic retro modulation effects such as a variety of chorus, phaser and flanger pedals
• Includes sonic decimators such as bit- and sample-rate reducers and a ring shifter, among others
• Stomp effects can be edited and copied between presets
• Color coded LEDs indicate which type of stomp has been used per slotExternal Effects
  • External effects loop allows for patching in anywhere among the virtual stomps boxes
  • Location and other details can be stored per rig
  • Monitor outputs also can serve as pure analog buffer am for re-ampingMaster Section
    • Features reverb, delay and additional slots for stomp boxes and studio effects
    • Six knobs on the front panel offer convenient access to the most important settings
    • Reverb section features a dense and lively reverb algorithm which wont mask the original signal
    • Delay section features several tape and stereo delay algorithms which can be synched to MIDI clock

The Connections

Input Stage

• Hi-Z input optimized for passive guitar pickups offers a crystal clear signal path
• Professional-grade analog components ensure the guitar tone remains unchanged
• Front panel, single-knob smart and completely transparent noise gate
• Damping a string results in immediate silenceOutput Stage
  • Two independent main outputs which can be used in multiple ways
  • Main outputs feature a pair of XLR and a parallel pair or balanced 1/4" TRS connectors
  • The monitor output optionally provides the amplifiers sound without the cabinet, useful for musicians with an existing power amp/cabinet on stageGround Lifts
    • Multiple ground lifts provide an easy solution to hum and grounding problems found in any studio or live sound environments

Control

• Amp Definition parameter determines whether the Profile leans more towards a vintage or modern character - increasing this parameter intensifies the touch response of the virtual tubes
• Power Sagging parameter lets the tubes breathe with individual playing styles - damped strings will have more "chug," and clean picked notes will cut through better when the playing volume is reduced
• Pick parameter controls the attack of the pick independently of the gain setting, even through heavy distortion
• Amp Compressor will sustain the clean guitar when playing soft, but lets the distorted sound through, unprocessed, when reverting back to normal playing volume
• Cabinet Voicing parameters provide access to the character of the cabinet - the size of the virtual cabinet can be changed, the bass resonance tuned, or the tonal character controlled in creative waysInputs1 x 1/4" TS phone (front panel)
  1 x XLR Return
  1 x 1/4" TRS phone Return
  1 x 1/4" TRS phone Alternate Input
  1 x RCA coaxial S/PDIFOutputs2 x XLR Master
  1x 1/4" 8/16 Ω Speaker Output
  2 x 1/4" TS phone Master
  1 x 1/4" TS phone Monitor
  1 x 1/4" TS phone Direct Out/Send
  1 x RCA coaxial S/PDIF
  1 x 1/4" TRS phone HeadphonePower Output600 W @ 8 Ω
  300 W @ 16 ΩOther Connectors2 x 1/4" TRS phone Switch/Pedal
  1 x USB Type A
  1 x USB Type B
  1 x RJ45 NetworkMIDI3 x 5-pin DIN In/Out/ThruPower Requirements100~240 VAC, 50/60 HzDimensions (WxDxH)14.88 x 6.81 x 8.54" (37.8 x 17.3 x 21.7 cm)Weight14.33 lb (6.5 kg)