Hotone Ampero II Stomp - Review

[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.

 

[laxu]

I'm not sure if it's placebo, but with the latest fw the stock cab sims sound much better.

I've been making some of my own IRs and the stock cabs fare well against them.

Captures haven't blown me away, it's a hunt for good in a sea of crap like always, except the sea is more like a puddle compared to Tonex, Kemper or NAM Tonehunt.

I really wish they'd offer a way to make your own captures on this, but I don't want to get the Stage either.

 

[wgowwgo]

Here's a question:

If I have preset one, and assign footswitch 1 to scene 1, footswitch 2 to scene 2, footswitch 3 to scene 3, and external footswitch to turn on a flanger

If I change to preset 2, do the settings for the footswitches change or stay the same?

Also, how do you change presets using the footswitches if you already assigned scenes to the footswitches?

 

[laxu]

Here's a question:

If I have preset one, and assign footswitch 1 to scene 1, footswitch 2 to scene 2, footswitch 3 to scene 3, and external footswitch to turn on a flanger

If I change to preset 2, do the settings for the footswitches change or stay the same?

No, they are per preset. You can save a preset to another slot to keep them.

Also, how do you change presets using the footswitches if you already assigned scenes to the footswitches?

There's two modes: Preset and Stomp mode. Footswitch assignments only apply in stomp mode, in preset mode the footswitches just switch the 3 presets in the bank.

 

[wgowwgo]

No, they are per preset. You can save a preset to another slot to keep them.


There's two modes: Preset and Stomp mode. Footswitch assignments only apply in stomp mode, in preset mode the footswitches just switch the 3 presets in the bank.

How do you change to another preset if you have scenes set up?
Do you press a button? Press two footswitches together?

 

[laxu]

How do you change to another preset if you have scenes set up?
Do you press a button? Press two footswitches together?

You can press two footswitches in Stomp mode to get the preset selection. Then you can press two footswitches to scroll banks up/down.

 

[wgowwgo]

You can press two footswitches in Stomp mode to get the preset selection. Then you can press two footswitches to scroll banks up/down.

Is stomp mode the same as using scenes?

 

[laxu]

Is stomp mode the same as using scenes?

Only if you configure the footswitches for that. Scenes can be selected from the touchscreen separately.

Stomp mode just lets you configure the footswitches to do various things. These can be fx bypass, scenes, tap tempo etc. It's your "this is what I want to do with the footswitches when I'm in this preset" mode.

 

[wgowwgo]

Only if you configure the footswitches for that. Scenes can be selected from the touchscreen separately.

Stomp mode just lets you configure the footswitches to do various things. These can be fx bypass, scenes, tap tempo etc. It's your "this is what I want to do with the footswitches when I'm in this preset" mode.

Please forgive my ignorance.

So if I have my band setlist programmed into the device, and use song #1 preset (which i would set up the footswitches to change scenes), how would I access song #2 preset?

 

[laxu]

Please forgive my ignorance.

So if I have my band setlist programmed into the device, and use song #1 preset (which i would set up the footswitches to change scenes), how would I access song #2 preset?

You press the center footswitch in Preset mode, or press center and right footswitch in Stomp mode.

You can also toggle between the two modes by holding down the right side footswitch. Holding left fsw is tuner, holding center is looper.

 

[JCW308]

Is there no way to get to the tuner in Stomp Mode without assigning a dedicated switch? What about bringing the tuner up with expression pedal heel down (like BOSS / Fractal / Kemper)?

 

[laxu]

Is there no way to get to the tuner in Stomp Mode without assigning a dedicated switch? What about bringing the tuner up with expression pedal heel down (like BOSS / Fractal / Kemper)?

Just hold the left side footswitch in any mode for tuner.

No heel down option, what you can do with expression pedals is largely limited to changing params.

 

[laxu]

Firmware 2.2.0 has added support for creating captures on the Ampero 2 Stomp!

It seems to work the same as on the Stage/II. You might need a mic pre though. I will see if I have time to try it out today, but if not then next week.

The editor software also added the ability to directly download presets and tone catches, so much easier now. You basically choose what to download, then assign it to Tone Catch slots with the "import from cloud" (which is a bit confusingly named as it's really a downloaded local file).

If Hotone is able to optimize CPU usage for the Tone Catches, and expand the number of slots available even to just say 20, then I think the A2 Stomp will be a real powerhouse of a modeler at the budget end. Like why bother with the Nano Cortex or Kemper Player when this is better to use and does a helluva lot more?

 

[Sedaxel]

If Hotone is able to optimize CPU usage for the Tone Catches, and expand the number of slots available even to just say 20, then I think the A2 Stomp will be a real powerhouse of a modeler at the budget end. Like why bother with the Nano Cortex or Kemper Player when this is better to use and does a helluva lot more?

Yeah, mostly agree.

I still find NC and Kemper Player having the edge in captures quantity and quality. Also, I don´t know why, but I tend to feel better playing my NC than NAM, despite being NAM better quality clones, supposedly (null tests, you know). And I also feel that effects are going to be better on the NC (if someday it ends up with more variety) and Kemper.

Then, if the A2 is going to be used with other digital pedals, the little bit of extra latency could be an issue.

Still, having on-unit capturing allows for gain consistency. And that´s a great feature to have in the Ampero line, since captures will benefit from decreasing the number of erratic quality captures.

 

[laxu]

Ok, so I tried the Tone Catch.

Signal chain:

1. Guitar -> A2 Stomp Input L
2. A2 Stomp Fx Send -> Lehle P-Split (for ground lift) -> BluGuitar Amp 1 Mercury Edition input
3. BluGuitar Amp 1 speaker out -> Bluetone Loadbox (reactive load)
4. Bluetone Loadbox line-out -> A2 Stomp Input R
5. Amp 1 set to :
   • Vintage channel (think Plexi)
   • Gain 6
   • Ch volume 5
   • EQ 5-5-5
   • Master volume 4 (no poweramp clipping)

First attempt ended up miserably. The capture sounded like a fizzy piece of crap.

Tried again, and this time I found the "Input R impedance" which defaults to 10KOhm. I switched this to 1MOhm and the sound came to life.
Did the capture again, and it got pretty close. I ran the Fine tuning process a few times playing chords.

Then I set up a patch like this:

Basically Scene 2 (RealAmp) turns off the Volume block and enables the Fx Send block. Then it's Fx send -> Amp 1 -> Loadbox -> Input 2 R on the second row, both going to my Bluetone 4x10 10" Greenback IR with SM57.

I don't have time to actually record this atm, but I think it sounds pretty close. The Catch is maybe a little bit less gainy and it's missing a little bit of "zing" from the upper frequencies. But this is about similar to what I remember getting out of the QC.

Pretty good for 2nd attempt capturing with this unit.

 

[GTR37]

Firmware 2.2.0 has added support for creating captures on the Ampero 2 Stomp!

It seems to work the same as on the Stage/II. You might need a mic pre though. I will see if I have time to try it out today, but if not then next week.

The editor software also added the ability to directly download presets and tone catches, so much easier now. You basically choose what to download, then assign it to Tone Catch slots with the "import from cloud" (which is a bit confusingly named as it's really a downloaded local file).

If Hotone is able to optimize CPU usage for the Tone Catches, and expand the number of slots available even to just say 20, then I think the A2 Stomp will be a real powerhouse of a modeler at the budget end. Like why bother with the Nano Cortex or Kemper Player when this is better to use and does a helluva lot more?

That’s crazy never thought they would do that and like a month later after last update
They definitely seem committed to, also working on their software and GUI