Kemper KPA Inputs and Outputs
Contents
Physical Inputs
Front
The front input acts like a standard guitar amp/pedalboard input. When the input is set to SPDIF, this input can still function to output a DI signal.
Alternate
This can function like the front input, but its on the back of the unit, allowing for a cleaner setup. It also functions as part of a stereo return for the effects loop.
Return
The return input is designed for the return signal from the effects loop or from the profiling process.
SPDIF
The SPDIF input can be used to connect digital gear, mainly used for reamping.
Input Settings
The Input block allows you to select the active input as well as adjust overall gain and clean/distorted volume balance.
I recommend locking input, so that it is the same for every rig. Then you can change settings when you switch guitars, or switch from playing guitar to reamping. The only exception is where you have a more-complicated-than-usual setup and need to vary what inputs are used per rig. If you need to vary the Noise Gate settings, it may be easier to set the Noise Gate on the input low, then add a 2:1 or 4:1 Gate to a stomp block in your rigs as needed for higher-gain patches.
Input Selector
This selects the active input used to feed the KPA's signal chain. Choices are Front, Alternate, or SPDIF Reamp. In SPDIF Reamp mode, the Front input is still active, able to record DI tracks.
Noise Gate
The "Noise Gate" on the input is not a traditional expander, but a kind of noise remover. Normally, I am wary of such things, but it works well here - it can lower the noise considerably without hurting the tone or changing any dynamics. Still, it can leave noticeable artifacts in the tone if set too high. It also can make the noise you expect to hear from a high-gain amplifier sound a little strange.
Clean Sense
Clean Sense controls the volume balance between low and high gain settings for a particular rig. The KPA has a somewhat unusual way of handling a clean tone, which can be confusing. The KPA can only capture a profile at a certain gain setting but allows editing the gain on the resulting rig, all the way from completely clean to fully-saturated, mushy distortion. To do this, each amp profile contains a kind of parallel pair of clean and distorted profiles. From about 4 and below on the Gain knob, the profiles are blended inversely, and these can have a radically different volume level depending on how hot the pickups you use are. Clean Sense can be adjusted to make these roughly equal.
Note: Clean Sense should not be used to try to level rigs (use the Volume Knob instead), and it does not impact changes in gain other than changing the Gain setting on the KPA. If for instance you are using a volume pedal or using the guitar's volume knob, Clean Sense will not affect the sound.
Distortion Sense
Distortion Sense functions as a gain level adjustment. When Input is locked, Distortion Sense allows quick adjustments from guitar to guitar to get a similar gain level (when desired). It's also useful if you find a profile pack where you'd like to demo the profiles quickly at different gain settings.
Reamp Sense
When using the SPDIF Reamp input source, this parameter replaces the Clean and Distorted Sense parameters. It is simply a level adjustment to the DI track and works similarly to Distortion Sense.
Physical Outputs
Main
The Main Outputs can be sent as dual 1/4" or dual XLR, carrying a full stereo signal. They can be connected to a DAW or PA, as well as the effects loop return of a guitar amp, or the input of a dedicated power amp.
Monitor
Monitor Out is similar to the Main Outs, but it is a single 1/4" connection, capable of only carrying mono audio. It can be used to connect to a stage monitor, or it can carry a different tone than the Main Outs by changing the output settings.
SPDIF
The SPDIF output is useful to connect to a DAW. It avoids unnecessary additional D>A and A>D conversions, potentially improving tone.
The KPA's SPDIF I/O must operate with the KPA as the master (or clock source), and is limited to 44.1 kHZ (although 48 kHZ may be in the works).
Headphones
The Headphones output is on the front of the unit. It is similar to the Main Outs but designed for headphone levels. There is also a Headphone Space setting that only applies to it, intended to add a reverb/reflection type effect that may feel lacking when using headphones compared to open air speakers.
Direct Out/Send
The Direct Out/Send output is a 1/4" out whose function depends on rig settings. It can function as a direct out (DO) for making a DI track for reamping. Or it can be used as the effects loop send. Or in Profiling Mode, it is used to feed the real amp's input.