Electric instruments are useless without their amps, and if you want to bring out the best in your performance, you should choose the best one. Kemper and Line 6 have introduced one of the most notable amplifier racks in the market – owing to their affordability and compatibility.
Racks are a great way to organize your amplifier settings, and even save them for future use. These nifty devices make life easier for technicians, roadies, musicians, and even producers – since they can also be utilized for studio use.
Between the Kemper Profiler and the Line 6 Helix, you’ll find a lot of similar specs. Still, there may be some standout features that will be deemed more useful for the type of convenience you’re looking for. Let’s have a look at both racks, and see how they fare against each other.
Editor's Choice | Runner Up |
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Type: 3U Multi-effects Guitar rack | Type: Solid State |
Modeling: Over 100 Amp, Cab and Mic Models | Modeling: Can store up to 1000 amp profiles |
Effects: Over 200 effects (latest firmware) | Effects: Delay, Reverb, Distortion and more modeled effects |
Contents
Line 6 Helix Rack
This multi-effects processor by Line 6 is a useful addition to all kinds of setups. It can be a controller for your existing rig, a convenient guitar interface, or an all-around effects controller. The Helix Rack is so jam-packed with features that you may not need anything else. Besides being able to support loops for various signal chains, it can also support MIDI rigs with up to six separate commands.
Kemper Profiler Rack
Considered to be the perfect link between studio and stage, the Kemper Profiler is a great preamplifier that can create profiles for any guitar amplifier. It’s easy to use, has a collection of effects to add to your sound, and already comes with 200 preset profiles for you to choose from. It’s covered all the basic delay, reverb, and distortion effects – along with even more that you can experiment on.
Profiling
Straight away, you’ll notice that the Kemper Profiler has the upper hand when it comes to profiling. Although the Helix Rack offers just about the same versatility and range of effects, the Kemper Profiler does a better job at streamlining these personalized settings.
While this may not bother some musicians, profiling comes in handy when you need to revisit certain settings – particularly while on tour or revisiting old favorites. If you need a rack that stores profiles for you, you’re better off with the Kemper Profiler – as it can easily store up to 1000 amplifier profiles and 30 stompbox effects.
Connectivity
By today’s standards, a lot of high-quality music can be made within the comforts of a home studio. What used to take up so much room can now be streamlined into a computer – which is why the Kemper Profiler is such a convenient, useful tool for bedroom musicians and home-based music producers alike.
The Kemper Profiler offers USB and Ethernet connectivity while the Line 6 Helix Rack does not. While both are great additions to your music-making arsenal, one will streamline your work more efficiently to the digital world. Kemper’s computer connectivity allows for a smoother transition from the analog to the digital – which saves a lot of time and room space.
Multi-effects Range
If you’re big on effects and a wide range of sounds, Line 6 has the upper hand. With over 200 effects with its latest firmware, and with the option to play nine of these effects simultaneously, this rack can immediately get you up and ready for music-making.
There are so many effects to choose from and customize on the Helix Rack that the possibilities are virtually endless. If you’re more into experimentation and variety, then the Helix Rack is your best option. It comes with 10 inputs, 12 outputs, alongside its 4 effects loops.
Visual Controls
Going by looks alone, the Helix Rack looks a lot more user-friendly than the Kemper Profiler. The Helix is also much more sleek-looking with a 6.2-inch LCD that eases workflow with minimal menu-skipping. This simplified, well-crafted control system offers just as much control as editing software on a PC – which just goes to show how convenient it is.
If you’re the type of musician who needs maximum control over their sound without the extra bulk of a laptop, the Helix Rack could be your saving grace. A lot is going on in the software that makes it convenient for on-the-go adjustments – whether it’s recording or at a live gig.
Conclusion
Both the Kemper and the Helix have their strengths and weaknesses, but inevitably it all boils down to what you need as a musician.
Quick, convenient adjustments during live gigs need the easy workflow of the Helix.
However, all-around convenience is what the Kemper Profiler offers. Choose which works best for you and enjoy making music, but for me personally, I’d choose Helix.