Hotone Ampero II Stomp - Review

[cjl5000]

Review: Hotone Ampero II — AudioTechnology

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www.audiotechnology.com

"What can Ampero II users expect in future firmware updates?

User feedback plays a vital role in our development process. Some exciting updates are being considered for the Ampero II include a CPU usage indicator, a feature frequently requested by our community. Additionally, we plan to expand the library of downloadable capture files, featuring more classic amps and pedals.

We’re also exploring deeper integration with the Hotone Community through the desktop editor software. This would enable users to seamlessly upload and download presets and capture files, fostering a collaborative and enhanced user experience."

 

[laxu]

I found a really weird way to activate the wah without using scenes. This is used in some of the stock presets too.

1. Add Wah block.
2. Turn Wah block off.
3. Set EXP to EXP 2 from the top bar.
4. Set EXP 2 to control Wah Position parameter.
5. Select EXP 1 from top bar.

Now when you select EXP 2 (can be assigned to a footswitch) it will automatically turn on wah, and going back to EXP 1 will turn it off. This is used in some factory presets to toggle between volume/wah for expression.

It can be used as a workaround for not having auto-on functions for expression, as long as you have something to toggle EXP 1/2. The lack of a second EXP/CTRL jack on the A2 Stomp sucks for this as you can't use the footswitch on the Hotone Ampero 2 Press for example, but MIDI could be used instead.

 

[wgowwgo]

I have a unique situation I'd like your guy's thoughts on.

My guitar has two outputs:
one output is for the bridge humbucker (I use this for guitar sounds so let's call it the guitar output)
the other output is for the neck pickup, which is a hexaphonic pickup that only picks up the E and A strings (I use an octave pedal to mimic a bass so let's call this the bass output)

I am looking for the smallest and most affordable multieffect that can run both outputs in parallel paths.
I am considering the Ampero 2 Stomp.

However, I regularly play live in dive bars which provide the backline. That means I would like to disable to cab IR and run the Ampero into the fx return of the amp.

So my routing might look something like this:
Guitar > distortion > amp/preamp > flanger > delay > noise gate > into real amp's fx return
Bass > octave > bass EQ > comp > comp > into front end of real bass amp

Would this be possible?

 

[laxu]

I have a unique situation I'd like your guy's thoughts on.

My guitar has two outputs:
one output is for the bridge humbucker (I use this for guitar sounds so let's call it the guitar output)
the other output is for the neck pickup, which is a hexaphonic pickup that only picks up the E and A strings (I use an octave pedal to mimic a bass so let's call this the bass output)

I am looking for the smallest and most affordable multieffect that can run both outputs in parallel paths.
I am considering the Ampero 2 Stomp.

However, I regularly play live in dive bars which provide the backline. That means I would like to disable to cab IR and run the Ampero into the fx return of the amp.

So my routing might look something like this:
Guitar > distortion > amp/preamp > flanger > delay > noise gate > into real amp's fx return
Bass > octave > bass EQ > comp > comp > into front end of real bass amp

Would this be possible?

Tried this with the most demanding models I could find for each and it can fit. For connections you'd run Input L/R and Output L + Fx send.

This is running close to the limits of the A2 Stomp, but you can get a bit more leeway by choosing less demanding delay/drive/amp options in case you want to have e.g a bass flanger or something. Since the preset switching is so fast, you could also build less complex presets and switch between them instead.

With some adjustments I was able to throw in a bass drive, bass preamp (some amps would fit too), and reverb for guitar.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Global blocks on this thing = instant buy.

 

[wgowwgo]

Tried this with the most demanding models I could find for each and it can fit. For connections you'd run Input L/R and Output L + Fx send.

This is running close to the limits of the A2 Stomp, but you can get a bit more leeway by choosing less demanding delay/drive/amp options in case you want to have e.g a bass flanger or something. Since the preset switching is so fast, you could also build less complex presets and switch between them instead.

With some adjustments I was able to throw in a bass drive, bass preamp (some amps would fit too), and reverb for guitar.

View attachment 34759

Wow! That looks amazing. Thank you for checking whether it's possible.

 

[wgowwgo]

Here's another question:

How's the build quality on the Ampero 2 Stomps? I saw an earlier post where the third switch was no longer working on a poster's unit. Is that common?
I practice every week and play live regularly so I need something well built and reliable.
Anyone have any long term experience of using this thing live?

 

[laxu]

Here's another question:

How's the build quality on the Ampero 2 Stomps? I saw an earlier post where the third switch was no longer working on a poster's unit. Is that common?
I practice every week and play live regularly so I need something well built and reliable.
Anyone have any long term experience of using this thing live?

Only Hotone (and maybe guitar stores) know the failure rates of these things.

Mine has had a lot of use from its previous owner who used it with guitar, bass and keyboards (without ever upgrading the firmware... ) and apart from some scuffs on the edges it works like brand new. The chassis is all metal and footswitches seem very robust to me.

A footswitch failing out of the box or soon after doesn't seem like a common issue.

 

[cjl5000]

Here's another question:

How's the build quality on the Ampero 2 Stomps? I saw an earlier post where the third switch was no longer working on a poster's unit. Is that common?
I practice every week and play live regularly so I need something well built and reliable.
Anyone have any long term experience of using this thing live?

Mine is second hand, looks mint and pretty much sits on my desk (which I control with the editor). I'd absolutely wager being able to throw this thing at a brick wall and the wall coming off worse to be honest. Very tank like. Although QA problems can arise in the factory, I think Hotone do a good job of repairing anything that does break? I'm a fan.

 

[Jkist7]

I've owned two, had one in the past that I gigged a bunch, sold, then missed so I bought it again.

Not once did it miss a beat. Not once has it ever frozen or glitched or had any sort of hardware failure.

 

[laxu]

Ampero 2 Stomp got a nice Christmas present: Fw update 2.1.0!

It brings the feature set on par with the Stage and adds the Tone Catch block. Includes latency and resource usage optimization for Cab and IR blocks, which is nice. No vocal effects or extra scenes though, but you can now name the scenes.

Unfortunately it only adds the ability to load captures, not create them. I guess this is due to the lack of a mic preamp. I hope Hotone adds a solution to make captures, even if it means connecting a separate mic preamp or audio interface.

So for now you can download captures from Hotone's community website, then install the .tone files via the Ampero II software editor. There isn't a whole lot of them available, and many have a cab baked in.

There's only 10 slots where you can install captures. Not a lot, but enough once you find some favorites. I only had time to try a JVM 410 OD1 Orange capture from Hotone through my Amp1 and 4x10 cab, but it sounded good to me!

PS. Remember to backup before update! All the settings and presets got nuked, and of course I didn't remember to backup my presets. This isn't too bad, I'll just rebuild now that I know what I want.

 

[laxu]

Captures even from Hotone are all over the place. I tried a JCM800 and it was very noisy. A Lonestar Special seemed a bit low volume and much higher gain than the Superstar Drive amp model. The amp model in turn seems a bit low gain compared to what I remember of the real LSC. The JVM captures seem good.

Found a very nice Myasnikov preamp capture based on a Fryette Deliverance.

I really wish you could create captures on this so I could try it out properly.

 

[the-trooper]

Captures even from Hotone are all over the place.

So like all other captures / profiles/ clones..?

 

[KingsXJJ]

Ampero 2 Stomp got a nice Christmas present: Fw update 2.1.0!

It brings the feature set on par with the Stage and adds the Tone Catch block. Includes latency and resource usage optimization for Cab and IR blocks, which is nice. No vocal effects or extra scenes though, but you can now name the scenes.

Unfortunately it only adds the ability to load captures, not create them. I guess this is due to the lack of a mic preamp. I hope Hotone adds a solution to make captures, even if it means connecting a separate mic preamp or audio interface.

So for now you can download captures from Hotone's community website, then install the .tone files via the Ampero II software editor. There isn't a whole lot of them available, and many have a cab baked in.

There's only 10 slots where you can install captures. Not a lot, but enough once you find some favorites. I only had time to try a JVM 410 OD1 Orange capture from Hotone through my Amp1 and 4x10 cab, but it sounded good to me!

PS. Remember to backup before update! All the settings and presets got nuked, and of course I didn't remember to backup my presets. This isn't too bad, I'll just rebuild now that I know what I want.

Congrats! I am eager to give the capture process a whirl.

 

[laxu]

The captures are very demanding, so also very limiting what else you can put in a preset. No reverb and mono delays helps a lot to let you build a normal, but limited preset.

Personally I'll probably keep using the amp models instead.

 

[GuitarBilly74]

I bought one of these pedals to use as an effects processor only (no modeling). I like it a lot in that capacity. Very transparent and the effects sound great through the loop of my IR-D and my amps.

 

[GTR37]

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

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

 

[laxu]

I'm visiting my parents for the holidays and have my 4x10 cab in their basement where I can crank the shit out of my gear, so tons of fun to be had.

Guitar -> Boss WL-20L wireless -> Hotone A2 Stomp in 4CM with BluGuitar Amp 1 -> Bluetone 4x10 Greenback cab.

Despite all this, I had zero issues with latency. I didn't try this on the previous fw since I had to charge the Boss first, so I can't say if the latency improvements of the latest firmware are really helping here.

I also keep dialing in the same thing. Made a Mesa Mark IV high gain preset...dialed it to my liking with graphic EQ and all...then I found out it sounds pretty identical to my Amp 1 Modern channel at particular EQ settings.

 

[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.