"Upgraded Profiler lineup presents Kemper as a comprehensive contender": Kemper delivers a highly anticipated upgrade - will the MK 2 series combat fierce competition from Line 6 and Neural DSP?
In a competitive market of digital guitar gear, Kemper has unveiled the Kemper Profiler MK 2 Series, an extensive upgrade to its popular amp modelers. According to Kemper, the new series aims to offer more power, flexibility, and a host of new features, expanding the capabilities of modern guitar and bass rigs.
The revamped product line includes multiple versions, such as the Profiler Head, Rack, Stage, Player, and cab-friendly powered units, all undergoing notable overhauls. One of the key updates is the improved processing engine, yielding faster performance, enabling the device to transition from standby to riff-ready in mere seconds.
Among the exciting additions for effects enthusiasts is the ability to run 20 effects blocks simultaneously, a generous increase of seven. Moreover, preset changes will now run with zero latency, ensuring smoother performances during live sets or recordings.
To entice effects-focused players, the Kemper now includes a second noise gate, a new compressor, pure booster, wah-wah, vintage chorus, air chorus, and double tracker. The double tracker, specifically, is likely to rival Neural DSP's doubler feature, capable of making a singular guitar signal sound as if it's produced by two instruments.
As ever, the profiling element remains a cornerstone of the Kemper's offering. The new units will boast meticulously analyzed profiles of over 100,000 individual frequency points, promising the most accurate amp reproductions ever achieved. Furthermore, Kemper claims that these profiles can be turned into a fully dynamic, living amplifier.
Equipped with new lightweight aluminum components, the MK 2 units are designed to be more transportable, catering to the needs of gigging musicians. Enhancements also include native eight-channel USB audio support for multitrack recording and re-amping directly into a digital audio workstation (DAW). Its integrated looper has also been improved, offering up to two minutes of recording time.
Kempers have consistently been a favorite among skilled musicians, and this new upgrade is expected to cement their reputation further. Artists such as Leprous, Paul Gilbert, Tony Iommi, and Alex Skolnick have already vouched for the Profilers on stage and in the studio.
The redesign, however, has sacrificed the color-coded screen display, which many users appreciated for differentiating effects. Nonetheless, Kemper sees the new Profiler MK 2-Series as a more complete rig than ever before, offering instant access to crucial FX, full USB audio integration, and improved playability, adapting and growing with users.
Kemper fans will acknowledge that the market for digital guitar gear has grown competitive with the rise of devices like the Quad Cortex, Fender Tone Master Pro, and ToneX One. These updates place Kemper in a stronger position against its close competitors, promising an even more compelling offering to discerning guitarists.
Prices for the new units generally range between $1,300 and $1,800, with the Profiler Remote floor unit available at an affordable $469. The Mini Kemper Profile Player will receive a software update, although it won't receive the full unit refresh like its stablemates. The new units are slated to arrive this summer. For more information, visit the official Kemper website.
- The Kemper Profiler MK 2 Series, a new line of amp modelers, offers more power, flexibility, and features for modern guitar and bass rigs.
- The revamped product line includes multiple versions, such as the Profiler Head, Rack, Stage, Player, and cab-friendly powered units, all with notable overhauls.
- One of the key updates is the improved processing engine, yielding faster performance, enabling the device to transition from standby to riff-ready in mere seconds.
- Effects enthusiasts will appreciate the ability to run 20 effects blocks simultaneously, a generous increase of seven.
- The Kemper now includes a second noise gate, a new compressor, pure booster, wah-wah, vintage chorus, air chorus, and double tracker.
- Equipped with new lightweight aluminum components, the MK 2 units are designed to be more transportable, catering to the needs of gigging musicians.
- Artists such as Leprous, Paul Gilbert, Tony Iommi, and Alex Skolnick have already vouched for the Profilers on stage and in the studio.
