Hotone Ampero II Stomp - Review

[godoyrafa]

@laxu thanks for the very detailed review! I have purchased one myself, liked it, but didn’t realize that it isn’t possible to activate the wah using an expression pedal by clicking it, due to ampero II stomp having only one expression input.

I understand that it is possible to add a midi device like Ampero Control, and then connect the expression pedal to it. Can you confirm that?

I’m thinking about doing this, or maybe returning the unit and getting the Ampero II that comes with the expression…

By the way, I’m coming from a Headrush Gigboard that I have since 2019. I have tested only the Dual Rec Vintage, and I feel that the Ampero sounds better to my ears… less boomy.

 

[laxu]

I understand that it is possible to add a midi device like Ampero Control, and then connect the expression pedal to it. Can you confirm that?

If you are thinking of e.g the Ampero 2 Press which is an expression pedal + toe footswitc, then yes the Ampero Control would work since it has two expression inputs. Youd configure one of these to send MIDI CC 11 = expression, and the other which is the footswitch, would most likely have to be configured to send the MIDI CC for turning a specific fx slot on/off.

Then you'd need to make sure that all your presets have that particular slot populated with the Wah block, probably A1 or A2 slot since you might want to use A1 for noise gate.

It really sucks that the Ampero 2 does not support "this MIDI CC turns this specific block on/off" style functionality but is instead "turn on/off this specific block slot regardless of what's in it."

I’m thinking about doing this, or maybe returning the unit and getting the Ampero II that comes with the expression…

IMO the lack of knobs on the "Ampero II" with the expression pedal is a huge drawback. Makes editing it just that much more annoying.

A2 Stage might be a better option. I see at least Thomann has a Cyberweek deal atm where for the price of the Stage you can get the Hotone Ampero 2 Press bundled. You can probably find similar deals in the US.

By the way, I’m coming from a Headrush Gigboard that I have since 2019. I have tested only the Dual Rec Vintage, and I feel that the Ampero sounds better to my ears… less boomy.

Yeah the A2 drive and amp models are not bad, even if they are not as good as much pricier products.

 

[godoyrafa]

@laxu thanks! I could also get the Soul Press II as a standalone Wah device, freeing up one block from the Ampero II Stomp, and avoiding having to get a MIDI controller (I don't need one).

 

[Sascha Franck]

@laxu thanks! I could also get the Soul Press II as a standalone Wah device, freeing up one block from the Ampero II Stomp, and avoiding having to get a MIDI controller (I don't need one).

That's what I do with my small HX Stomp setup. The volume portion pre-everything isn't ideal, but usually I only need the wah, which I like quite a bit (boosts the volume a tiny tad too much, though, at least IMO).

 

[cjl5000]

@laxu great write up, can't believe I missed it! I've been hoping for a decent (recent) write up of the A2S on this forum. Its flawed but fantastic!

I've come from a Strymon Iridium which I sold, I got a bit tired of the limitations (if you can believe that) and lack of effects. I'd been eyeing up a multifx for sometime and I don't remember exactly why I went for the A2S but I got one for £280 on eBay around the middle of this year which I think was a pretty good steal. I remember coming across some John Cordy videos, I liked what I heard and it seemed to be doing a similar thing to the HX Stomp (being my coveted multifx pedal) but alas was/is still too pricey for me to justify.

I love an underdog as well.

Anyway, it was really intriguing reading your opinions of the "Amp modelling" and responses to controls. Especially Amp Volume channel and breakup or lack there of. I can't remember where I read this, probably on socials somewhere but someone made a comment which really resonated with me and with what I've been experiencing. Hotone may have disguised this as an Amp modeler when in fact the amp models are (I believe) profiles or captures. I've noticed sweet spots to every "Amp" model in the way that it will sound good at certain volumes or EQ , which is probably where it was captured at. It also makes sense that they have just released 'Tone Catch', possibly playing to their strengths in this area.

Not that it is a bad thing, everything I have heard online re: Tone Catch has sounded really good. Hotone have been great at communicating the delay with the A2S firmware. I think they have pivoted to competing with Tonex more than Line 6.

Agree with the summary of effects, just wish there were more. Maybe now their R&D has released Tone Catch they will focus on this aspect. I would love to see the same level of commitment to this range (as Line 6) before they decide to release a next gen version, the fact they are expanding the Ampero II line up is a good thing.

Last point from my experiences, I do own a HX One. I use this for drives/wah and it pairs so well. I know I should probably sell both and get a HX Stomp (especially with 3.80) but I'm keen to see what else develops for this pedal. Let's just say I really like what I've seen/heard so far and I'm going to continue to support Hotone. Its just the drives on this pedal are not the best, they subtract from an overall great experience.

By the way, theres a lot of love for the Fender Super at the moment. Try the 09. Black Super model/profile (Volume 47/Output 50/Bass 43/Middle 40/Treble 50/Bright On) paired with Heir Apparent. Love it.

 

[cjl5000]

Oh and for the love of god where are the Effects levels!

 

[GTR37]

@laxu great write up, can't believe I missed it! I've been hoping for a decent (recent) write up of the A2S on this forum. Its flawed but fantastic!

I've come from a Strymon Iridium which I sold, I got a bit tired of the limitations (if you can believe that) and lack of effects. I'd been eyeing up a multifx for sometime and I don't remember exactly why I went for the A2S but I got one for £280 on eBay around the middle of this year which I think was a pretty good steal. I remember coming across some John Cordy videos, I liked what I heard and it seemed to be doing a similar thing to the HX Stomp (being my coveted multifx pedal) but alas was/is still too pricey for me to justify.

I love an underdog as well.

Anyway, it was really intriguing reading your opinions of the "Amp modelling" and responses to controls. Especially Amp Volume channel and breakup or lack there of. I can't remember where I read this, probably on socials somewhere but someone made a comment which really resonated with me and with what I've been experiencing. Hotone may have disguised this as an Amp modeler when in fact the amp models are (I believe) in fact profiles or captures. I've noticed sweet spots to every "Amp" model in the way that it will sound good at certain volumes or EQ , which is probably where it was captured at. It also makes sense that they have just released 'Tone Catch', possibly playing to their strengths in this area.

Not that it is a bad thing, everything I have heard online re: Tone Catch has sounded really good. Hotone have been great at communicating the delay with the A2S firmware. I think they have pivoted to competing with Tonex more than Line 6.

Agree with the summary of effects, just wish there were more. Maybe now their R&D has released Tone Catch they will focus on this aspect. I would love to see the same level of commitment to this range (as Line 6) before they decide to release a next gen version, the fact they are expanding the Ampero II line up is a good thing.

Last point from my experiences, I do own a HX One. I use this for drives/wah and it pairs so well. I know I should probably sell both and get a HX Stomp (especially with 3.80) but I'm keen to see what else develops for this pedal. Let's just say I really like what I've seen/heard so far and I'm going to continue to support Hotone. Its just the drives on this pedal are not the best, they subtract from an overall great experience.

By the way, theres a lot of love for the Fender Super at the moment. Try the 09. Black Super model/profile (Volume 47/Output 50/Bass 43/Middle 40/Treble 50/Bright On) paired with Heir Apparent. Love it.

It possible they could be using a more capture based modelling , I know someone mentioned that the Mooer line of amp pedals was basically a bunch of great Kemper captures

It could also be possible , they are borrowing from Line6
NDSP and have access to those codes , especially when it’s something like Helix Native or The Plug-in suites
Those would probably be easier to reverse engineer
Or perhaps they have their own design teams
It’s hard to know

But , IMO they are definitely getting competitive features and close to the big 3 as far as sound goes

 

[KingsXJJ]

If the mini was $99 they would land a bunch of beginners who might just upgrade within the family of products IMO.

It’s a good sounding gateway pedal. Add in the 100 drum patterns, aux in to jam with and headphone jack for a beginner’s dream.

 

[laxu]

Anyway, it was really intriguing reading your opinions of the "Amp modelling" and responses to controls. Especially Amp Volume channel and breakup or lack there of. I can't remember where I read this, probably on socials somewhere but someone made a comment which really resonated with me and with what I've been experiencing. Hotone may have disguised this as an Amp modeler when in fact the amp models are (I believe) in fact profiles or captures. I've noticed sweet spots to every "Amp" model in the way that it will sound good at certain volumes or EQ , which is probably where it was captured at. It also makes sense that they have just released 'Tone Catch', possibly playing to their strengths in this area.

I don't believe that to be the case. I've been messing with the Mesa JP2C model (Petrus Clean/Crunch/Lead HQ) today and comparing it to a bunch of NAM captures of the amp, and the JP2C model could definitely get in the same ballparks. It's perhaps not totally there because the EQ is not modeled in the amp block, but you can use the Mesa EQ as its own block.

Agree with the summary of effects, just wish there were more. Maybe now their R&D has released Tone Catch they will focus on this aspect. I would love to see the same level of commitment to this range (as Line 6) before they decide to release a next gen version, the fact they are expanding the Ampero II line up is a good thing.

I wish they fixed that "virtual capo", but other than that I think it has a pretty good assortment of fx, maybe could use more modulation options in some categories.

I'd love to see more of the "HQ" models though, and honestly wouldn't even mind if they replaced/augmented the amp models with captures instead if it allowed higher quality. But my understanding is that the Tone Catch is pretty demanding on the stage which limits the signal chains you can build...

Last point from my experiences, I do own a HX One. I use this for drives/wah and it pairs so well. I know I should probably sell both and get a HX Stomp (especially with 3.80) but I'm keen to see what else develops for this pedal. Let's just say I really like what I've seen/heard so far and I'm going to continue to support Hotone. Its just the drives on this pedal are not the best, they subtract from an overall great experience.

I've found the drives to work fine, but overall I feel like you have to be careful with the gain on them.

I spent some time messing with the unit today and after some Logic Pro match EQ testing using the JP2C NAM profiles with the A2 JP2C model dialed as close as possible, I came up with this sort of global EQ that helps add a bit of the missing things I hear in comparison.

I haven't tested if this works well for other models, but the high end changes should work. 1.5K and up can definitely benefit from some extra brightness.

The global EQ is pretty good, with the ability to enable/disable bands and move them pretty freely. I wish the onboard unit allowed touchscreen editing by dragging but I guess it might be a bit small for accuracy. Editor lets you adjust it via drag and drop which makes setting it up very easy.

Hotone are doing many things right with their units, just need to improve footswitch capabilities and overall sound quality.

 

[GTR37]

If the mini was $99 they would land a bunch of beginners who might just upgrade within the family of products IMO.

It’s a good sounding gateway pedal. Add in the 100 drum patterns, aux in to jam with and headphone jack for a beginner’s dream.

I would love to see them reissue the mini the form factor and GUI is awesome
In fact I told them on the FB group to make a nano cortex killer with the Tone Catch
And all the FX in a black mini chassis with the touchscreen
They replied great idea
So maybe

 

[GTR37]

I don't believe that to be the case. I've been messing with the Mesa JP2C model (Petrus Clean/Crunch/Lead HQ) today and comparing it to a bunch of NAM captures of the amp, and the JP2C model could definitely get in the same ballparks. It's perhaps not totally there because the EQ is not modeled in the amp block, but you can use the Mesa EQ as its own block.


I wish they fixed that "virtual capo", but other than that I think it has a pretty good assortment of fx, maybe could use more modulation options in some categories.

I'd love to see more of the "HQ" models though, and honestly wouldn't even mind if they replaced/augmented the amp models with captures instead if it allowed higher quality. But my understanding is that the Tone Catch is pretty demanding on the stage which limits the signal chains you can build...


I've found the drives to work fine, but overall I feel like you have to be careful with the gain on them.

I spent some time messing with the unit today and after some Logic Pro match EQ testing using the JP2C NAM profiles with the A2 JP2C model dialed as close as possible, I came up with this sort of global EQ that helps add a bit of the missing things I hear in comparison.

I haven't tested if this works well for other models, but the high end changes should work. 1.5K and up can definitely benefit from some extra brightness.

View attachment 33529

The global EQ is pretty good, with the ability to enable/disable bands and move them pretty freely. I wish the onboard unit allowed touchscreen editing by dragging but I guess it might be a bit small for accuracy. Editor lets you adjust it via drag and drop which makes setting it up very easy.

Hotone are doing many things right with their units, just need to improve footswitch capabilities and overall sound quality.

The only thing that makes me somewhat suspicious of perhaps borrowing some other modellers is that JP2c
That’s not a common model
Line 6 does not have it and most of the other stuff does not
So I wonder if that is part NDSP code as they are the only ones I know that have it other than Fractal

 

[laxu]

It possible they could be using a more capture based modelling , I know someone mentioned that the Mooer line of amp pedals was basically a bunch of great Kemper captures

It could also be possible , they are borrowing from Line6
NDSP and have access to those codes , especially when it’s something like Helix Native or The Plug-in suites
Those would probably be easier to reverse engineer
Or perhaps they have their own design teams
It’s hard to know

But , IMO they are definitely getting competitive features and close to the big 3 as far as sound goes

IMO the amp models sound distinctly different so I believe these are all Hotone's own work, and not captures for sure. I just think they don't have quite as advanced modeling figured out yet, and their next gen units might go for captures instead.

I've never used any past Hotone units so I have no idea if the amp models are all over the place because they are a mix of old and newer ones to pad the list.

I tried some of the preamp models into my BluGuitar Amp 1's fx return and liked the sounds I was getting, so maybe their preamp models are pretty good and poweramp modeling is lacking?

 

[godoyrafa]

The 3rd button of my 3-day brand new A2 Stomp just broke... And I was using on the table, pressing by hand... I wonder how many people will have a similar issue in the upcoming years... Anyway, I'm returning it, too bad, because it sounds great... But too fragile...

 

[cjl5000]

I haven't tested if this works well for other models, but the high end changes should work. 1.5K and up can definitely benefit from some extra brightness.

View attachment 33529

The global EQ is pretty good, with the ability to enable/disable bands and move them pretty freely. I wish the onboard unit allowed touchscreen editing by dragging but I guess it might be a bit small for accuracy. Editor lets you adjust it via drag and drop which makes setting it up very easy.

Thank you so much for sharing this, hadn't played around with the Global EQ before now and this really helps create a more present signal. I've just spent some time playing around with boosting different signals using this as a template, I adjusted the low end a bit (removed some dB) but other than that really good! Some amps always felt like you were playing in the next room or something. This really helps solve that. Cheers

 

[cjl5000]

The 3rd button of my 3-day brand new AII Stomp just broke... And I was using on the table, pressing by hand... I wonder how many people will have a similar issue in the upcoming years... Anyway, I'm returning it, too bad, because it sounds great... But too fragile...

Sounds like there might be a QI problem at the factory or you just got unlucky! Mines second hand and gets a lot of use. No issues

 

[KingsXJJ]

The 3rd button of my 3-day brand new AII Stomp just broke... And I was using on the table, pressing by hand... I wonder how many people will have a similar issue in the upcoming years... Anyway, I'm returning it, too bad, because it sounds great... But too fragile...

I’m not familiar with the All Stomp…

 

[KingsXJJ]

To me, the Marshall 1959 sounded as I would expect with an obligatory TS pushing it.

But I’ve never gotten close to playing an actual one. I get close enough for my purposes on a JVM410H.

BTW FWIW, my unit came loaded with FW 2.0. Nice surprise.

 

[laxu]

Tried the Neural DSP Mesa Mark IIC plugin against the "Messe IIC+" model on the A2 Stomp.

The A2 Stomp's model is a weirdly half-assed model of the amp. There's no Lead Drive knob, but then there are all the pull shift functions.

Soundwise, the A2's model is darker like with every model, and cranking the presence helps. But again I think it does many of the right things, like you can point the knobs at similar settings and it will do similar things.



Settings:

IR used was ML Sound Lab MIKKO with 4x12 Mesa Traditional V30, mics SM57 cap edge + Royer 121 at about center.

I kept the EQ off on both just to try reduce variables so it's certainly not the best tone.

 

[cjl5000]

You can immediately hear A2 is darker. The global EQ-ing would sort this out, appreciate this is a test scenario and a direct comparison. In terms of responsiveness to playing I think the A2 does a good job of that too IMO, not sure about NDSP.

 

[Jkist7]

You can immediately hear A2 is darker. The global EQ-ing would sort this out, appreciate this is a test scenario and a direct comparison. In terms of responsiveness to playing I think the A2 does a good job of that too IMO, not sure about NDSP.

Yeah that's something I've always appreciated about the Ampero Stomp. It almost always feels really good under the fingers. Hasn't always been true of other modelers.