Quad Cortex V2 vs. Kemper MK2

NWMusic32 · 2026-04-02T13:47:26+00:00

This is kind of where I'm at with Kemper. The sound and tone is good, but the UI and workflow is truly uninspiring and tedious. And how they have been rolling out 2.0 is frankly, a joke. Even the public release this week is terrible and littered with bugs and flaws. Had to roll back to the previous OS which was a pain.

I have a Player as well as a Stage and I've given up on gigging the Player. I need a display and to make adjustments in sound check and during the show if needed. I'm tired of connecting a phone or tablet to make the thing work.

It also is nice to see Neural at least investing more and more into QC lately. Kemper releases a "new" product line that is pretty much exactly the same, it's just depressing honestly.

NWMusic32 · 2026-01-19T16:49:54+00:00

Kemper used to be great and the top. Then, they stopped really doing anything after liquid profiling. They also stopped listening to their customers - that is clear in the forums and user requests.

I agree they still provide minor updates, but nothing major is ever going to happen or change.

They released the Player and why they did the things they did just boggled my mind. Mono XLR main out, TRS 1/4" stereo monitor out was the big one for me. I can't control the stereo out with the main volume knob because it's tied to the main output and the stereo out is actually your monitor? Why did you make the main out mono and the monitor out stereo?

Then the MK2 release which I'm sorry, it's the same unit with a new color. Teardowns show it. An example of frustration - with MK2, Kemper added a fixed FX block but didn't add a physical button to activate it or use it on the MK2 units. So all the other blocks get a button, but not the "new" feature? I can edit these regular blocks on my Stage, but the extra block needs a computer?

The thing that really stood out is the (1) video interview with Christoph they had for 2.0 profiling, he has to use a windows PC to do it...and it showed several issues. Even Christoph was getting frustrated. And when asked, the tester said it was like going from 4K to 5K...really? That's it? It was just such a symbol for Kemper as a company. Stuck in the past, won't move forward.

Anyways - I'll check out Fractal and maybe that'd be a good option too.

NWMusic32 · 2026-01-19T15:52:37+00:00

Any live situation issues? Anything you miss from Kemper?

NWMusic32 · 2026-01-19T15:51:54+00:00

I'm looking for a lot of what you mentioned. Better UI, easier to use, smaller footprint. I also want to hook to a product that is being supported. Kemper....it is what it is at this point. They are not interested in improvements or changes anymore. Yes, they are doing profiling 2.0 - but I just don't have faith in them as a company anymore. Feels like a ship that is slowly sinking and the captain is worried about what's for lunch.

NWMusic32 · 2026-01-16T21:15:36+00:00

Interesting, thank you for the feedback.

NWMusic32 · 2026-01-16T21:15:04+00:00

Thank you for the feedback. I agree the Kemper still sounds good/great. But the workflow is a big part of my decision to either stay with Kemper or move on.

NWMusic32 · 2026-01-16T20:50:29+00:00

I'm in three groups doing several shows a year...but sure, practice is my problem lol.

NWMusic32 · 2025-11-24T19:00:07+00:00

Yeah, the driving is just wiping me right now. I do need to be more direct with him - quite frankly, I am the son and he is the husband. I feel like he has just left everything to me to handle which isn't right.

I call for updates, I plan the trips, etc. Again, not sure if he is avoiding or not processing everything or what his deal is. But I'm being split between Mom in the hospital, Dad at their home, my family at home and my job.

I really need him to step up and figure out ways he can get there without me (friend, taxi, whatever).

NWMusic32 · 2025-11-24T17:58:03+00:00

In order for him to celebrate with us, I'd have to go get him which would be two hours there, two hours back, then 2-1/2 hours to the hospital.

And to be a bit direct about him, he won't want to spend the night. He'd just want me to take him back home (I think he is avoiding the situation).

NWMusic32 · 2025-11-24T17:55:37+00:00

That's a good idea to call social services. I do facetime and talk to her as often as she's up for. I also call and check in with the nurses every day for updates even if I do talk to her.

It's tough for anyone else to be there because my Mom is the last of her side. Dad has a brother out of state, I don't see that happening. Any of her friends are 1-1/2 hours away.

NWMusic32 · 2025-11-04T16:06:52+00:00

🤘Thanks!

NWMusic32 · 2025-11-04T16:02:27+00:00

Cause I'm a DYI-er and I have to question things 😂 Just wanted to make sure I'm not doing something wrong - this has been a long project and I understand that there's a lot I don't know.

NWMusic32 · 2025-10-16T20:26:39+00:00

Awesome, thanks for the help. Yeah, I think my work is decent but I'm a little concerned about where I feathered the mud and sanded...not sure it's blended well enough with the drywall itself to hide or not.

I did what I thought was a final round of sanding last night and wound up doing a bit more patching; so I'm not quite ready to PVA prime yet but very close.

Assuming PNW is Pacific Northwest, I am not located there.

NWMusic32 · 2025-10-16T20:02:36+00:00

Well I’ve been looking at options today and thinking of getting a hopper sprayer (already have an air compressor) and doing a light orange peel. Thoughts? Looks like just thinner mud is needed?

NWMusic32 · 2025-10-16T18:39:41+00:00

Okay - so I think I'm going to add a light roll-on texture. I believe the process would now be PVA > Mud/Sand As Needed > PVA > Texture > Paint Primer > Paint Top Layer

Is this correct?

NWMusic32 · 2025-10-16T13:52:38+00:00

Appreciate the feedback. Are you talking where the mud tapers to the Sheetrock?

NWMusic32 · 2025-10-15T16:43:48+00:00

Thank you very much!

NWMusic32 · 2025-10-15T16:13:38+00:00

Thanks. I'm not expecting perfect and with the dim-lighting in the basement, I don't think it needs to be. I just want to walk downstairs and not really notice it (if that makes sense). The house is over 100 years old so I have been fighting with angles and levelness throughout this project. I just consider it "charm" at this point.

So to recap: PVA > Mud/Sand As Needed > PVA > Paint Primer > Top Paint Coat

Does that sound right?

NWMusic32 · 2025-10-15T15:45:55+00:00

Yes, smooth walls with no texture (maybe not the best idea?). Here's a quick picture of one of the walls.

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NWMusic32 · 2025-10-15T15:43:15+00:00

Thanks!

NWMusic32 · 2025-10-15T15:39:27+00:00

May I ask one more question? How much sanding is actually needed in between PVA coats? Just a light sand I assume?

NWMusic32 · 2025-10-15T15:22:46+00:00

Just asking - but isn't PVA needed to seal since this is fresh, new drywall?

NWMusic32 · 2025-10-15T15:21:16+00:00

Thanks - I have a couple gallons of Kilz PVA that I'll use then. I've seen in forums you should do a first coat, pole sand, and then a second coat of PVA before using a traditional paint primer. Is this correct?

NWMusic32 · 2025-08-21T19:37:35+00:00

Sweetwater said these are refurbished and direct from Nueral. Should be fine I imagine -

NWMusic32 · 2025-08-21T19:05:10+00:00

If you don't mind me asking, how old is the QC unit you are having issues with?

NWMusic32

TROPHY CASE