X-rated Bob wrote:
What's this sort of system really intended for?
It's made to duplicate the sound of a system - any system, but specifically guitar amplification. It could be an amp and speaker, it could be a full effects chain including amp(s), speaker(s) mic(s) and post processing.
It is basically high resolution convolution - the same process used to copy an acoustic space in a convolution reverb or Fishman's acoustic "Imaging" - comparing the input signal to the output and calculating the difference and then applying that same difference to another signal. Regardless of marketing bumph, it does share some aspects with modelling, but where modelling tries to break down the effect that each part in a complex system has on the sound, convolution models the effect the entire system has on the sound. I like to think of it as follows: modelling is the micro/quantum approach, breaking down sound into ever smaller parts, while convolution takes the macro/chaos approach. Modelling is more flexible, while convolution/profiling is more accurate (but with limited control).
The big, game changing aspect of the Kemper is that it puts the control and creation of a modelled system into the hands of the user. You can do things like profile your studio sound for any particular guitar part (with everything that has gone into creating that sound) and duplicate it and call it up in the future (for overdubs or live playing), without having to have access to all the gear that was used to create that sound in the first place.
Must run... more later...
