Kemper Profiler Head

ToTal GuiTar december 2016
100
Head to Head
Which of our foursome is
your next top modeller?
a
ll of our units are easy to switch on,
hook up and make music with. The
Kemper and Positive Grid heads sit
nicely on top of a speaker cabinet, and
once you get used to the controls
they’re quite easy to dial in. The Fractal AX8’s
conventional oorboard design dictates that
it lives on the oor, while the Helix’s clever
touch-sensitive switches mean it works equally
eectively as a desktop or oorboard device.
The Helix also has by far the best display, with
that large high quality full-colour LCD screen
really showing its worth, while the digital
scribble strips really are so handy to have.
Sonically, all four modellers blow our minds;
the Kemper’s pre-loaded amp proles are very
good, though again its worth mentioning: the
higher the standard of audio proled, the better
the results. We prole an amp using budget
equipment, and while the result is usable, it’s
noticeably atter than some of the presets.
We’re used to Line 6 products having a
recognisable ‘house sound’, however the
Helix’s transparency and dynamic response
opens up entirely new vistas – some of the amp
models are extraordinarily realistic, and the
eects are close to those found in many
high-end project studios. The Fractal’s
Quantum Modelling sounds are just as good as
those found on the Axe-Fx II, with touch-
sensitive overdrives and warm, lush reverbs.
The Positive Grid BIAS Head essentially
functions as a zero-latency and very high-
quality hardware front-end for the BIAS Amp
Pro software. The 600-watt power stage
means that the BIAS Head is the only one of
the quartet that can connect directly to a
loudspeaker, although the Kemper can be
bought with a similar integral amplier. We
like the BIAS Head’s gutsy crunch tones and
dynamic, ripping high-gain leads, while the
wireless connectivity makes iPad or iPhone
hook-up a piece of cake.
The AX8 uses the
same sound tech
as the Axe-Fx II
The Helix has digital
scribble strips to help
you navigate switches
the transparency
and dynamic
response opens up
entirely new vistas
the tg test
TGR287.gear_test.indd 100 01/11/2016 23:22