Hotone Ampero II Stomp - Review

[cjl5000]

@laxu how are you dealing with the EQ noise floor?

 

[KingsXJJ]

Besides the AxeFXIII, I have never bought a unit that I like the presets as much as this Ampero II Stomp.

Might be just me… but I am quite surprised and very happy about this.

 

[laxu]

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.

This is actually with the global EQ I posted earlier already applied, so by default it's even darker, but it will depend on the model how much.

Yeah the A2 feels pretty good to play, no complaints here.

 

[laxu]

@laxu how are you dealing with the EQ noise floor?

Honestly, I'm not. I don't really notice any major issue in this regard.

I have a noise gate in all my presets.

 

[GTR37]

It’s still honestly amazing to me how much above its weight class the Ampero hits
The new capture stuff sounds great and once they figure out how to reduce the cpu a bit or release a unit w twice the DSP it going to be a pretty strong contender
They already have the UI down , the cab block and many of the effects
If they can keep the price between $500 and $700, I think they will continue to make in roads

 

[laxu]

The thing I'd like to see for next gen (or current gen!) are:

Software:

• Higher quality amp modeling.
• Higher quality cab block. It's fine, but I think it could run higher quality IRs, or have a normal/high res option.
• More modulation and reverb options.
• Ability to make parallel paths with one block instead of an entire row of blocks, same as Helix.
• More flexible footswitch options. Hold functions for stomp mode, and ability to remap preset mode hold functions (tuner/looper/preset vs stomp mode).
• Auto-engage block for expression pedals.
• Quick params accessible via MIDI regardless of view.
• More quick params, scrollable with left/right arrows.
• MIDI mapping for turning a specific block (e.g Wah or EQ) on/off instead of a specific slot (e.g A3 or B5).
• Keep the settings of the cab and IR blocks when you change models/IRs.
• Retain the page on each block when editing, so you can go between e.g EQ page 2 to Amp block page 3 or something.
• Better drum machine. The loops are pretty short and limited, yet it's a good practice tool.

Hardware:

• More DSP to facilitate the above. I think the 12 blocks are fine for most presets, but being able to fill them without "block Tetris" to get around DSP limitations would be nice.
• More encoders. 4-6 would be good.
• Separate volume knob and software mix (e.g do you hear Aux in, specific USB inputs, drum machine) for headphone out.
• Move the EXP/Ctrl jacks to the other side, so that the first jack from the right is Input L.
• Move the Stomp's USB jack to the back. The right side is not a great spot for it.
• Stop making units without encoder knobs. They are stupid.

 

[Los-D]

Has anyone compared the II against Ampero’s old modeling/effects? I had the Mini for a while and none of the effects really impressed me (definitely useable, though). I compared the built in effects on the Line 6 Catalyst and greatly preferred L6’s (limited) offerings.

 

[laxu]

Hooked up the A2 Stomp to my BluGuitar Amp 1, tried it both in the loop at line level, and into the input at instrument level.

I was mainly looking to evaluate the effects more, taking all the amp stuff out of the equation. But I did end up trying the "amp preamp only" models into the BluGuitar's poweramp, and they are similarly on the dark side like I heard going direct. But I think it's much less obvious in this scenario, and not at all unpleasant.

The Modern channel on my BluGuitar is basically a Soldano SLO. So of course I tried the SLO Lead preamp models against it and they fared pretty decently. The "HQ" version of the model does have more going for it, so I'd love to see more of the amps upgraded to these "HQ" models as they are a bit less dark and somehow more authentic sounding.

The drives worked well going into the input of my amp. I particularly liked the Barber Direct Drive model, it sounded pretty juicy going into the amp's clean channel.

I think the spring reverbs aren't particularly great as they are lacking in that drippy character, but the plates, rooms and halls are all good stuff. The specialty reverbs like shimmers and whatnot sound good but aren't all that adjustable. Most of them have the same generic settings as all the reverbs. I wish e.g the shimmer reverbs would let you adjust the pitch and mix of the shimmer effect because that would give them a lot more capability. I suppose you could build your own out of the pitch block paired with another reverb. I need to try that at some point.

The modulations can be described as "nothing bad about them, but won't make you sell your favorite modulation pedals". They are in that Boss-ish category of "utilitarian good", rather than "this thing has got its own vibe." A good thing is that all of the modulations can be tempo synced, which I find easier to work with than "your vibrato has this many Hz rate". Some even let you sync them partially, e.g on the Rotary you could set only the bass or horn driver to sync to tempo. I just wish the tempo sync option carried over when changing models, because now you need to toggle it back time every time.

It could use more options in the tremolo category as there's a basic tremolo and then a more customizable one that I suppose is meant to be a bias tremolo? Sounds good, but it's not blowing my socks off.

Similarly flangers could have more interesting options, but the ones you get are fine bread and potatoes options, and a bit more interesting tremolo+flanger model.

Choruses have your solid staples like Tri-chorus, Dimension C etc. Vibrato has a "Vibrato T" model that adapts to the input level. So you can use it to have vibrato come in or go out when your note decays. It's a nice way to do e.g some picking and then hold a chord as the vibrato adds some wobble to it.

 

[laxu]

Let's have a pickle rating for the Ampero 2 Stomp.

	The scale is 0-5 pickles	Notes
Inputs and outputs		Exp/Ctrl jack position sucks. USB jack position could be better.
Form factor		Small and portable.
Onboard controls		Could use a separate headphones volume/mix. One extra encoder would be nice. Touchscreen is responsive.
Footswitching		Limited options.
MIDI control	()1	Needs "bypass this block" mapping and parameter mapping. 1) Extra can be had with fw update that adds preset/f.sw MIDI send support. A2 Stage already has it.
Onboard user interface		Great!
Computer editor		Very solid and easy to use. Bonus points for good multi-IR import.
Routing		Needs "only a few blocks in parallel" routing.
Amp modeling		Amps are too dark. Poweramp drive simulation needed on master volume models. But they do sound good in general.
Cab modeling		Cab block could use higher res IRs. IR block settings should stick between IR changes.
Drive		Good selection, maybe not as good sound as Helix drives?
Modulation		Could use more options.
Pitch	()2	2) If they fix that broken "virtual capo" String Shifter effect.
Delay		Good selection, good sounds.
Reverb		Springs could be better. Specialty reverbs don't have much adjustment.
Utility fx		Solid noise gate, EQs, enhancers etc. Great global EQ.
Value for money		You get a lot for the money in the Stomp. The value for money goes down a bit on the more expensive Stage/"Ampero 2" as you don't get more DSP or anything.

 

[the-trooper]

Let's have a pickle rating for the Ampero 2 Stomp.

Every rating that ever was must be done again because they just lost all meaning.

 

[cjl5000]

That's a lot of pickles!

 

[JCW308]

Let's have a pickle rating for the Ampero 2 Stomp.

	The scale is 0-5 pickles	Notes
Inputs and outputs		Exp/Ctrl jack position sucks. USB jack position could be better.
Form factor		Small and portable.
Onboard controls		Could use a separate headphones volume/mix. One extra encoder would be nice. Touchscreen is responsive.
Footswitching		Limited options.
MIDI control	()1	Needs "bypass this block" mapping and parameter mapping. 1) Extra can be had with fw update that adds preset/f.sw MIDI send support. A2 Stage already has it.
Onboard user interface		Great!
Computer editor		Very solid and easy to use. Bonus points for good multi-IR import.
Routing		Needs "only a few blocks in parallel" routing.
Amp modeling		Amps are too dark. Poweramp drive simulation needed on master volume models.
Cab modeling		Cab block could use higher res IRs. IR block settings should stick between IR changes.
Drive		Good selection, maybe not as good sound as Helix drives?
Modulation		Could use more options.
Pitch	()2	2) If they fix that broken "virtual capo" String Shifter effect.
Delay		Good selection, good sounds.
Reverb		Springs could be better. Specialty reverbs don't have much adjustment.
Utility fx		Solid noise gate, EQs, enhancers etc. Great global EQ.
Value for money

That average doesn't add up. It's not 5 pickles!

 

[GTR37]

Let's have a pickle rating for the Ampero 2 Stomp.

	The scale is 0-5 pickles	Notes
Inputs and outputs		Exp/Ctrl jack position sucks. USB jack position could be better.
Form factor		Small and portable.
Onboard controls		Could use a separate headphones volume/mix. One extra encoder would be nice. Touchscreen is responsive.
Footswitching		Limited options.
MIDI control	()1	Needs "bypass this block" mapping and parameter mapping. 1) Extra can be had with fw update that adds preset/f.sw MIDI send support. A2 Stage already has it.
Onboard user interface		Great!
Computer editor		Very solid and easy to use. Bonus points for good multi-IR import.
Routing		Needs "only a few blocks in parallel" routing.
Amp modeling		Amps are too dark. Poweramp drive simulation needed on master volume models.
Cab modeling		Cab block could use higher res IRs. IR block settings should stick between IR changes.
Drive		Good selection, maybe not as good sound as Helix drives?
Modulation		Could use more options.
Pitch	()2	2) If they fix that broken "virtual capo" String Shifter effect.
Delay		Good selection, good sounds.
Reverb		Springs could be better. Specialty reverbs don't have much adjustment.
Utility fx		Solid noise gate, EQs, enhancers etc. Great global EQ.
Value for money

If you are noticing more definition in the HQ models I suspect they likely need higher resolution and maybe more oversampling
But to do this to that many models I suspect it going to take a lot more CPU
I think next Gen Ampero 3 or Ampero 2 pro you will see units that are more powerful

 

[laxu]

That average doesn't add up. It's not 5 pickles!

There's no average. "Value for money" is its own category that is literally just "how good is this for the money" rather than "how good is this overall"..

I honestly didn't want to put an overall score here because people will value different things.

 

[laxu]

If you are noticing more definition in the HQ models I suspect they likely need higher resolution and maybe more oversampling
But to do this to that many models I suspect it going to take a lot more CPU
I think next Gen Ampero 3 or Ampero 2 pro you will see units that are more powerful

Very possible. I think the "HQ" models are either upgraded or augmented algorithms as they have pre/poweramp tube selection for example. It's not a night and day difference, but they are a bit better.

 

[KingsXJJ]

Let's have a pickle rating for the Ampero 2 Stomp.

	The scale is 0-5 pickles	Notes
Inputs and outputs		Exp/Ctrl jack position sucks. USB jack position could be better.
Form factor		Small and portable.
Onboard controls		Could use a separate headphones volume/mix. One extra encoder would be nice. Touchscreen is responsive.
Footswitching		Limited options.
MIDI control	()1	Needs "bypass this block" mapping and parameter mapping. 1) Extra can be had with fw update that adds preset/f.sw MIDI send support. A2 Stage already has it.
Onboard user interface		Great!
Computer editor		Very solid and easy to use. Bonus points for good multi-IR import.
Routing		Needs "only a few blocks in parallel" routing.
Amp modeling		Amps are too dark. Poweramp drive simulation needed on master volume models.
Cab modeling		Cab block could use higher res IRs. IR block settings should stick between IR changes.
Drive		Good selection, maybe not as good sound as Helix drives?
Modulation		Could use more options.
Pitch	()2	2) If they fix that broken "virtual capo" String Shifter effect.
Delay		Good selection, good sounds.
Reverb		Springs could be better. Specialty reverbs don't have much adjustment.
Utility fx		Solid noise gate, EQs, enhancers etc. Great global EQ.
Value for money		You get a lot for the money in the Stomp. The value for money goes down a bit on the more expensive Stage/"Ampero 2" as you don't get more DSP or anything.

Are you ok man?

 

[KingsXJJ]

If you are noticing more definition in the HQ models I suspect they likely need higher resolution and maybe more oversampling
But to do this to that many models I suspect it going to take a lot more CPU
I think next Gen Ampero 3 or Ampero 2 pro you will see units that are more powerful

My guess is that if it’s running SLO the CPU will do fine.

 

[KingsXJJ]

I bet the Stage unit gets HQ amps first in firmware. Just like the AxeFXIII versus the FM3.

 

[GTR37]

My guess is that if it’s running SLO the CPU will do fine.

I don’t if one tone catch
A delay / verb eq and drive start to grey things out

 

[laxu]

Are you ok man?

You could say I am...in a pickle.