Hotone Ampero II Stomp - Review

[laxu]

I think it’s a pretty cool thing to do and release Christmas Day obviously they had it queued up but nice timing

Absolutely, a great way to make users happy, considering every A2 Stomp post they've made has had users asking about the fw update.

It will be more enjoyable as they expand the community but so far having Freeman
Leon Todd, Michael Nielson
Probably guitar Jon seems like a nice start

I am sure they will find a way to optimize the DSP to allow more effects in a path
It does look like they are similar in power to the Nano cortex with a much better noise floor , better editor and slightly more processing power at present

To me they really need to add a way for the Stomp to make captures, even if it means something like "do it on an audio interface" or "plug an audio interface or mic pre into this input", or alternatively provide a lot more high quality captures of their own.

The Nano Cortex and Kemper Player still have the advantage of a lot of captures to choose from, but in every other way are almost a joke to me when the A2 Stomp is massively more user friendly, with a vast set of fx, at several hundred euros lower cost. The A2 Stage is probably the sweet spot device, but it loses the pedalboard friendliness that the NC and Kemper have.

 

[laxu]

Capture creation capability is probably not happening based on this comment from Hotone on their fw update FB post:

Due to interface limitations and product usage scenarios, the updated Ampero II Stomp will support the import of tone capture files but will not support active capture functionality. Additionally, we will periodically upload tone files to our official community website for users to download and utilize.

Reading between the lines, I'm guessing they will reserve this sort of stuff for a 3rd gen product with more horsepower for running captures too.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Really; the Stomp needs to keep drilling down into the functionality/usability sector as is it a 1:1 challenger for the device it shares a name with. Form factor is best for portability and for those who don't like Helix sounds; it could be an easy winner in that contest.

 

[laxu]

Really; the Stomp needs to keep drilling down into the functionality/usability sector as is it a 1:1 challenger for the device it shares a name with. Form factor is best for portability and for those who don't like Helix sounds; it could be an easy winner in that contest.

Totally agree. I haven't experimented with many amp models on the latest firmware, but can say that whatever I dialed for that Mark IV (amp model, not capture) preset with the amp model and graphic EQ, it did not sound worse than what I got from the BluGuitar.

When I used cab sims or IRs I felt it was always darker than other plugins, but through a poweramp and cab don't find that to be an issue at all.

But when you are using it only as a modeler, things like MV amps going into poweramp distortion when you turn up the master are things that matter. Reading through Hotone's "CDCM HD" white paper, they seem to use a mix of component modeling and black box modeling. It doesn't go into any detail whether this is machine learning based or e.g match EQ stuff.

If they can elevate the drives and amp models with a 3rd gen product, I think they'll be onto a winner.

 

[GTR37]

Totally agree. I haven't experimented with many amp models on the latest firmware, but can say that whatever I dialed for that Mark IV (amp model, not capture) preset with the amp model and graphic EQ, it did not sound worse than what I got from the BluGuitar.

When I used cab sims or IRs I felt it was always darker than other plugins, but through a poweramp and cab don't find that to be an issue at all.

But when you are using it only as a modeler, things like MV amps going into poweramp distortion when you turn up the master are things that matter. Reading through Hotone's "CDCM HD" white paper, they seem to use a mix of component modeling and black box modeling. It doesn't go into any detail whether this is machine learning based or e.g match EQ stuff.

If they can elevate the drives and amp models with a 3rd gen product, I think they'll be onto a winner.

I am hoping they make jut a catch box just like the nano but improve it , it it was me

- use the Ampero mini chassis with the 2 footswitches they already have / or make them encoders
- allow the user to configure the footswitch behaviour either you can have the switch remember the last selection , like Neural or revert to default
- allow the hold on Footswitch A to allow hold to engage. bypass an effect or combination of effects
- add both and exp pedal jack AND and add'l footswitch jack
- add and FX loop
- use maybe a fixed path like to the POD go for example to maximize cpu
wah - drive - mod-catch - cab -delay- reverb-eq but allow 5 types of each
- if they just used one of those new Analog Devices chips Cliff mentioned that were more powerful than an entire Helix
they could improve the amount of of effects or captures available and likely the quality or the FX

if they did that in around $400-450 , they would likely beat toneX, Neural in the marketspace

I would buy one

 

[wgowwgo]

Really; the Stomp needs to keep drilling down into the functionality/usability sector as is it a 1:1 challenger for the device it shares a name with. Form factor is best for portability and for those who don't like Helix sounds; it could be an easy winner in that contest.

Agree with this.
More amp models and effects would be amazing, and make it even more desirable.

@laxu I agree that the AS2 won't get the tone capture ability. I think they'll keep it for the Stage and Ampero 2. I prefer the form factor of the Stomp though.

 

[KingsXJJ]

Agree with this.
More amp models and effects would be amazing, and make it even more desirable.

@laxu I agree that the AS2 won't get the tone capture ability. I think they'll keep it for the Stage and Ampero 2. I prefer the form factor of the Stomp though.

I’m up for free stuff.