Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (47)
$1,249.00
Guitar Center
$2,398.00
Reverb
5.0 (44)
$1,303.54 New
$571.20 Used
Thomann
4.6 (97)
$1,239.00

Average Price: $1,352

High-end/Boutique

$300

$801+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Kemper Profiler Head". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

The Kemper Profiler Head is a revolutionary breakthrough in the realm of digital amp modeling, effortlessly capturing the essence of your favorite amps and serving a vast library of tones right at your fingertips. This guitar preamplifier is not just about amplification, but about transforming your setup into a flexible, customizable sonic playground. From the jangly tweed to the searing plexi, the Profiler Head brings to life the sounds of classic rigs, all available for quick access during live performances. More than just amps, this device also includes a wide array of effects models, making it the ultimate all-in-one solution for the modern guitarist.

Key Features:

  • Ability to create and store profiles of any physical guitar amplifier
  • Includes 200 pre-loaded amplifier profiles
  • Features real gain and tone knobs for authentic amp experience
  • Equipped with a vast library of effects models
  • Allows for extensive customization with mix-and-matchable heads and cabs
  • Offers quick access to archived controls for on-stage convenience
  • Provides automatic spillover for delay and reverb effects
  • Integrates easily with your existing hardware effects and stompboxes

Product specs

Type Solid State Modeling Preamp
Number of Channels Single
Reverb Yes
Effects Delay, Reverb, Distortion and more modeled effects, 4 x FX Slots
EQ 8-band (Graphic), 4-band (Parametric)
Amp Modeling Store Custom Amp Profiles
Number of Models 200 Amp Profiles, Store up to 1000 amp profiles and 30 stompbox effects
Inputs 2 x 1/4" (Input, alternative in), 1 x XLR (return In), 1 x 1/4" TRS (return in)
Outputs 2 x XLR (Main L, R), 2 x 1/4" TS (Main L, R), 2 x 1/4" (monitor out, DI)
Headphones 1 x 1/4"
Effects Loop Yes
MIDI I/O In, Out, Thru
Other I/O 2 x Digital S/PDIF (Coax) (in/out), 1 x RJ45
USB 1 x USB-A (memory), 1 x USB-B (USB Audio)
Footswitch I/O 1 x 1/4" (expression), 1 x 1/4" (single/dual switch)
Footswitch Included No
Computer Connectivity USB, Ethernet
Software Rig Manager, Rig Exchange
Power Source Standard IEC AC cable
Height 8.54"
Width 14.88"
Depth 6.81"
Weight 11.73 lbs.

FAQs

What is the main function of the Kemper Profiler Head?

The Kemper Profiler Head is designed to capture and recreate the sound of various guitar amplifiers through its advanced profiling technology, allowing you to store and use up to 1000 amp profiles and 30 stompbox effects.

Does the Kemper Profiler Head come with a power amplifier?

The Kemper Profiler Head itself does not include a built-in power amplifier. You would need a separate power amp or powered speaker to use it with a traditional guitar cabinet.

Can the Kemper Profiler Head be used for live performances?

Yes, the Kemper Profiler Head is suitable for live performances, offering extensive connectivity options for integration into any live setup, including balanced XLR and 1/4" outputs, as well as MIDI and effects loop capabilities.

How does the Kemper Profiler Head integrate with a computer?

The Kemper Profiler Head connects to a computer via USB and Ethernet, allowing you to manage profiles and effects using the Rig Manager software, which facilitates easy organization and editing of your amp profiles.

What kind of effects does the Kemper Profiler Head offer?

The Kemper Profiler Head provides a wide range of effects including delay, reverb, distortion, and modulation, with four FX slots available for simultaneous use, giving you flexibility in shaping your sound.

Rick Beato

Rick Beato

Kemper Profiler Amp: Profiling MY Amps Using a KEMPER

Video thumbnail for Kemper Profiler Amp: Profiling MY Amps Using a KEMPER by Rick Beato

Kemper Profiler Amp: Profiling MY Amps Using a KEMPER

Rick Beato

Rick Beato

Video thumbnail for Is The Kemper Still Worth It In 2022? by Rhett Shull

Is The Kemper Still Worth It In 2022?

Rhett Shull

Rhett Shull

Video thumbnail for Kemper Profiler - Aber wie? by session

Kemper Profiler - Aber wie?

session

session

Video thumbnail for Revisiting The Kemper After 5 YEARS! by Riffs, Beards & Gear

Revisiting The Kemper After 5 YEARS!

Riffs, Beards & Gear

Riffs, Beards & Gear

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional sound quality, rivals or surpasses traditional amps

  • Versatile with limitless rig options and tonal possibilities

  • Intuitive user interface and relatively easy profiling process

  • Great for both studio and live situations

  • Lightweight and durable build

  • Consistently exciting to use, even after extended periods

  • Offers both the feel and texture of real tube amps and digital stability

  • Large library of profiles available, with the ability to profile personal amps

  • Effective for both guitar and bass

  • Saves money by replacing multiple pieces of gear

CONS

  • Learning curve can be steep for new users

  • Included profiles may not suit everyone's taste

  • Some effects and distortion pedals could be improved

  • Looper function length may be insufficient for some users

  • High-end profiles often require additional purchase

  • Achieving feedback similar to a real amp can be challenging

  • Software/Rig Manager could use an update

  • Kemper footswitch considered expensive

  • Volume adjustments can be complicated when switching between single coil and humbucker guitars

  • Might not perfectly capture extremely fuzzy stoner and doom sounds

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Kemper Profiler Head.

Comparisons

  • Users highlight Kemper's convenience over traditional tube amps due to its ease of use and flexibility without sacrificing sound quality.

    Source
  • The powered Kemper offers 600 watts compared to the powered Kab's 200 watts, providing greater flexibility with passive cabs and FRFR speakers.

    Source
  • While the Kemper is versatile, some users suggest that Yamaha's THR series might be better suited for quiet home use, especially with children around.

    Source
  • The Kemper's amp modeling is reported to surpass the Line 6 Helix in quality, despite the Helix offering more features.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Users benefit from the ability to track both great tones and dry signals into a DAW for reamping, allowing profile adjustments between rehearsals.

    Source
  • Numerous owners express regret for not purchasing the powered version, which allows for greater flexibility with passive cabs like the Kemper Kabinet.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners find that using an unpowered head with a Freyette Power Station and a 2x12 cab delivers a more authentic "real amp" sound compared to the Kemper Kab.

    Source
  • Owners recommend exploring the Rig Exchange and using YouTube to find trustworthy profiles, as many high-quality ones are available for free from commercial makers.

    Source
  • Owners emphasize the importance of acquiring high-quality profiles, noting that poorly made profiles can detract significantly from the experience.

    Source
  • Playing through headphones can feel like having an amp in an isobooth, which may take some adaptation.

    Source
  • Some users find the Kemper's effects, particularly reverbs and drives, less impressive compared to real-life counterparts, such as the Rat pedal.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Kemper Stage includes an integrated foot controller and Bluetooth connectivity, enhancing usability and remote management via a tablet.

    Source
  • The Kemper allows for separate rig setups for different genres, which is particularly beneficial for those transitioning from DAW-based amp sims.

    Source
  • The Kemper Profiler Head includes a DI input and supports headphones, enhancing its flexibility for home use and silent practice.

    Source
  • Users appreciate the ability to manipulate cabinet sounds within profiles and even replace them with personal impulse responses.

    Source
  • Free patch sharing is available, and the device has received updates for over ten years, ensuring a wide range of sound profiles.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • An unpowered Kemper head paired with powered Kabs allows for easy stereo setup and versatile stage monitoring.

    Source
  • The rack version is favored for its safety and applicability in both home and live settings, making it a versatile choice for various environments.

    Source
  • The Kemper is recommended for trying out a variety of amp sounds, including vintage Fender, Dr. Z, and boutique amps, which can prevent the urge to collect multiple physical amps.

    Source
  • It's noted that Kemper can back up favorite amps and settings, which is beneficial for recreating specific album sounds for touring.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • It’s noted that dialing in the desired tone initially requires significant time investment, particularly when navigating through numerous profiles and effects.

    Source
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 8 Reviews and 37 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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h535
h535

606

RIP tubes?

Very simply put, the future is here and it looks like a toaster. The kemper profiler is with out a doubt one of the greatest tools out there right now. They really are in a lot of situations indescribable from real tube amps, once one has the correct profiles that is. This is not to say it is perfect, there are still some aspects that are not correct yet, for example getting it to feed back like a real amp is next to impossible. But for the mass majority of the public who are non guitarists, this will sound perfect. The only other issue I would flag would be that you have to out lay more money on the top to get higher end profiles to really get these perfect sounds the Kemper is capable of. Lots of the other profiles out there are not so great and are very obviously not a real amp. All in all though. Well worth it.

robcf

is this IT?

So much has been talked and written about the Kemper-amp, everybody seems to know this thing or at least has an opinion. Yes, it emulates pretty closely the sound of an amp-box-mic-setup and delivers many on-board-tools to tweak further into the realms of guitarsound. But still this thing has its limitations.

Yes, it reproduces the sound, but never 100%. The more complex the signal chain gets, the harder it gets for the Kemper to “catch” it. So if you’re working with multiple amps, multiple mics (including the mic phase) or distortion pedals it may not be the perfect blueprint you are heading for.

Also I feel the effect section is pretty good but could be improved in some parts. The delay effect is limited to basic functions, the noise gate has a clicky attack and the distortion-pedals mostly deliver useless dirt.

On the other hand you get one of best (maybe the best?) digital amps out there with one of the best emulation of tube amps, but it depends on what you are feeding in. As with all gear, it’s easy to work with it… but you still have to work with it.

bommel

Nice to have

The fastest way to get your own amp/signalchain into the digital realm. It has minor flaws soundwise, so it doesn't reach the sound of a tubeamp 100% but it is so close that the small differencies overall doesn't matter to me. I recommend this to everyone except for Stonerrock players, because some amp offer more gain and poweramp distortion, everything has it's limits and the extremely fuzzy stoner and doom sounds are not possible to profile.

The Workflow is ultra fast, and since there is also a powered version giging is a dream ... it is so convenient that i most of the time choose the kemper over my tubeamp(s).

seanoakes

@Bommel

You have great profiles!!!

bommel

Hey thanks so much man! I'm glad you found something you like :)

seanoakes

You do a lot of great for the Kemper community. Keep up the good work, stay metal |m|

alec_surridge

This is the Beast

Over the 25 years or so of playing, Nothing has come close to exciting me every time I plug it in as much as the Kemper Profiler. Yes its a ton of money, but I have every sound I want, when I want it. Live and especially in studio it is just phenomenal how easy it is to get the sound you want, for guitar and bass by the way, and get on with it. and if something isnt there that you like then download a profile that you do. Its pretty simple. I think that possibly, Possibly, it could be more gig friendly if there was a pedalboard version, All in one.The reason I say this is because I find the Kemper Footswitch just stupidly expensive after spending all this moola on the Kemper itself, si I use a Behringer FCB1010 with Uno chip. Not bad at all but not great. The software/rig manager really needs an update, if you compare it to Line 6 or Fractal audio, but again, not really a deal breaker for me personally. Other than that I would recommend the Kemper to absolutely anyone.

robin_buckingham

Love it.

Sure I use cabs. The biggest complaint is the digital overdrives built into these new sound boxes. So I use a shitload of drive pedals, problem solved, best of both. I have a choice between internal & enteral drive pedals fro pennies. I have not used the "modeling feature" once, not once. If I want an amp I have a couple dozen, so I don't need to model. I do have the other guitar units, but this is my top dog.

tim_horgan

Top notch guitar amp simulator and profiler

Sounds excellent as has been proven on countless major label albums

xgenealex

Amazing, trustful friend

Great product, trustful friend and works great to do a combo with the Pod X3. I am using the Kemper all the time with my Strandberg #34, and it works perfect with the bass and similar instruments. Really the dig option to "Kempa"(Profile a amp)!

bubbajones

It's all in the profiles...

Best piece of equipment I've bought in many years - does what it says on the tin!

From Gear Setup

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Shauntrack uses Kemper Profiler Head

Shauntrack

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

En su nuevo videó donde muestra su setup del año 2020, lo muestra en el minuto 0:58

See how Mitch Harris uses Kemper Profiler Head

Mitch Harris

Guitarist

Napalm Death

...
Verified via Kemper-amps

Here you can see the artist listed on Kemper's endorsed artists which includes a quote from Mitch stating:

“Search no further, the wait is over. The Kemper Profiling Amplifier was arrived as the answer to our prayers. The sonic DNA approach has found the missing link to what all guitar amp simulators have tried so hard to achieve. The kemper sounded so close to my original guitar sound that it was scary. Imagine the possibilities with multitracking, not to mention the 1,000's of presets already available online. The most amazing thing was the post equalizer settings, which opened the door to possibilities of improving the tone with more bass, mid, treble, presence, and most importantly, GAIN!!! It’s even better now than the tone I was striving for! This unit will revolutionize the recording and home recording industry. It literally is "plug and play" at this point! What are you waiting for, this will change the future, this will change the way things are done, and rewrite the book for the 21st century. If only it had been this easy all along. The benefits outweigh the cost of the genius invention ten fold. Take advantage before the rest of the world does!”

See how Jon Fratelli uses Kemper Profiler Head

Jon Fratelli

Guitarist

The Fratellis

...
Verified via YouTube

At 0:55 minute mark of performance of "Baby Don't You Lie To Me", Kemper Profiler can be seen in the back of Fratelli.

See how Marco Minnemann uses Kemper Profiler Head

Marco Minnemann

Drummer

Necrophagist

...
Verified via Kemper-amps

"I think the Kemper Profiling Amp is easily one of the most innovative devices in the guitar world today. I was completely blown away by the accuracy of the profiling results. On top of that, the Kemper has astonishing variety and possibilities, enabling you to create, combine and compose rigs with the great onboard effects, amplifiers and cabinets. I'm in love with that device and already used it exclusively on my latest production."

See how Sascha Gerstner uses Kemper Profiler Head

Sascha Gerstner

Guitarist

Helloween

...
Verified via Instagram

A White Kemper Profiler Head can be seen on top of his rack cabinet.

See how Chris McQueen uses Kemper Profiler Head

Chris McQueen

Guitarist

Snarky Puppy

...
Verified via YouTube

Throughout this video of Chris talking about the Moog MF Chorus, a Kemper Profiler Head can be seen off to the right.

See how Lee Altus uses Kemper Profiler Head

Lee Altus

Guitarist

Exodus

...
Verified via reverb.com

My rig is simple these days. We used to have all these amps and pedals and effects. We had this giant rack with all kinds of stuff in there. Now with the new technology, ever since we switched to the Kemper Amps preamp, it has all the sounds, guitar tones, effects and everything in one. It’s an amazing unit. It has all the noise gates and effects you could imagine: chorus, reverb, delay. It’s just this three-rack space unit that has everything, when we used to have 24 racks or 36 racks. You don’t have to go big anymore. It’s very convenient and light. We can save our favorite amps now. They never leave the house, and they never go on the road anymore.

T

Thomas Youngblood

Guitarist

Kamelot

...
Verified via YouTube

In "Kamelot's Thomas Youngblood - GEAR MASTERS Ep. 212" his guitar tech shows Youngblood's rack with two Kemper heads and tells about them.

See how Jakko Jakszyk uses Kemper Profiler Head

Jakko Jakszyk

Singer, Guitarist

King Crimson

...
Verified via Guitarplayer

My signal runs from my custom PRS into a Kemper Profiler head and a PRS Stealth 2x12 cabinet. As you can see, right now it’s on the JCM 800 Drive preset. I’m using a Line 6 Pod HD500X as a MIDI controller for the Kemper. I have a bank setup for each song. Take “Nightmare.” I’ve got my basic heavy sound, one that’s slightly louder, and one with a wah on it, which I manipulate via the HD500X’s footpedal.

See how Frank Turner uses Kemper Profiler Head

Frank Turner

Music Producer, Guitarist

Million Dead

...
Verified via Premierguitar

For his amplifier, Turner uses the Kemper Profiler guitar head. he uses the kemper for songs where he uses a electric guitar rather than his acoustic

See how J.T. Woodruff uses Kemper Profiler Head

J.T. Woodruff

Guitarist, Singer

Hawthorne Heights

...
Verified via YouTube

The amp can be seen through most of the video.

See how Brian Tatler uses Kemper Profiler Head

Brian Tatler

Guitarist

Saxon

...
Verified via YouTube

On the video you can see the Kemper Profiler standing on stage.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Kemper Profiler Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Kemper Profiler Rack
Kemper Profiler Rack Guitar Amplifier Heads
2
Fulltone OCD
Fulltone OCD Overdrive Effects Pedals
2
Ibanez AR250
Ibanez AR250 Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Rickenbacker 4003S
Rickenbacker 4003S Electric Basses
1
Trinity 18 Amp
Trinity 18 Amp Guitar Amplifier Heads
1

Community setups

Show yours
bubbajones

bubbajones

Gear IQ 1312

jamiewoodfinjr

jamiewoodfinjr

Gear IQ 68

bubbajones

bubbajones

Gear IQ 1312

ilievskism

ilievskism

Gear IQ 187

oliverlambson

oliverlambson

Gear IQ 120

dawie_olivier

dawie_olivier

Gear IQ 166

sivads

sivads

Gear IQ 157

M

matt_gunter

Gear IQ 83

deanince

deanince

Gear IQ 207

1 alternative for Kemper Profiler Head, curated by the Equipboard community.

Kemper Profiler Head MK2

$1,359.00 - $2,023.00

newer similar sound mod

The MK2 is a long awaited revision of the original Profiler, with added WiFi and Bluetooth, more effects blocks, and more detailed capture technology.

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