Review: Hotone Ampero II Stage

In my view, the ideal multi-effects guitar pedal will excel in three domains: Firstly, it’ll be inspiring enough to keep me leisurely jamming for hours on my own without getting bored. Secondly, on stage, it’ll offer functional, reliable and intuitive operation. And thirdly, its tone will hold up under the microscope of a studio recording environment.
I first warmed to the Hotone brand after a very positive experience with the Ampero II Stomp. So I had high hopes for the new Ampero II Stage as it promises everything many guitarists love about the Ampero II Stomp, only with a host of well-considered enhancements for live and personal use.
GOOD LOOKER
Although it’s a relatively compact unit, the Ampero II Stage houses a total of eight footswitches (compared to the three on the Ampero II Stomp) yet somehow never feels cramped. Each LED-skirted footswitch is spaced far enough apart to rarely induce a mis-hit or inadvertent double-press. The multi-coloured LED halos manage to appear bright and subdued at the same time. Even the font choices on and off screen suit the clean, modern and slightly futuristic design, not least contributed to by the thin LED strip underneath the Hotone logo that’s always dancing according to audio levels or parameter adjustments.
Interactions with the Ampero II Stage are mostly via its touchscreen – a high-resolution, five-inch screen with smartphone-like responsiveness. Not only is the screen a whole inch larger than the Ampero II Stomp but Hotone has renovated the entire user interface. A dedicated Patch/Stomp mode footswitch toggles the function of the bottom row of footswitches to select patches or control parameters within a patch.
ALL ROUNDER
The Ampero II Stage has chameleon-like versatility for a variety of configurations, underpinned by the hefty complement of back-panel I/O options. Dual inputs (one of which can be XLR) allow the unit to be fed by a single electric guitar or bass, a microphone, a dual-output electric guitar, a guitar and a microphone, a stereo keyboard or synth, a guitar and a mono synth, a microphone and a mono synth, two synths, a guitar and a bass… et al. Inputs can be processed in five signal chain configurations ranging from parallel (Inputs A and B processed independently), to serial (same processing on both inputs), Y > A/B, A/B > Y, and Split > Mix.
Outputs offer similar flexibility. Two balanced XLR outs are very welcome and allow a direct feed to head straight into the mixing desk – no DI box needed. Balanced outputs are handy when recording too. The dual line outs can be run simultaneously, with or without amp modelling applied, depending on whether they’re plugged into a guitar amp or loudspeaker. So, combined with the XLR outputs, you can send multiple outputs to multiple destinations, with different processing applied to each output – well suited to more experimental studio setups or the demands of a particular live gig.






NEED TO KNOW
Hotone Ampero II Stage
Guitar Amp Modeller & Multi-Effects Pedal






PRICE
Expect to pay AU$1299



CONTACT
Amber Technology:
1800 251367 or ambertech.com.au



PROS

Scenes are great for live sets
Incredibly versatile across a range of configurations
App control makes patch creation easy and fun



CONS

No built-in expression pedal



SUMMARY
The Ampero II Stage is a deceptively powerful amp modeller that does a great job catering to a variety of configurations without sacrificing on the essentials – great tone, intuitive features, and an addictive user experience.










JAMMING: THE APP
While the Ampero II Stage is designed as an on-stage thoroughbred, it’s no less enjoyable on the couch. After all, home is where I spend most of my time crafting patches, tweaking stomp boxes, messing with amp and cab models, and trying new effects. If the pedal’s interface isn’t conducive to playful experimentation when I’m concocting patches in my bedroom, then I know I won’t get the most out of it.
To this point, I can’t think of a more uninspiring scenario than sitting on a low chair hunched over to twiddle knobs on a touchscreen while balancing a guitar on my knees. Thankfully, the Ampero II Stage control app allows me to lean back, stand or sit upright with the pedal at my feet and smartphone in hand, easily manipulating every parameter in the patch on the well-organised app UI. It might seem like a small thing but it’s truly a game changer, and vastly improves the ergonomics and enjoyment of patch creation.
Complementing the at-home experience is Ampero II Stage’s built-in metronome that acts as a drum machine. I, for one, much prefer practising scales to a basic drum beat than the dry click of a metronome. Hotone has included a variety of patterns – you’ll find a beat for most genres and time signature. Beats can be synchronised to the patch tempo and are a blast when combined with the looper.
JAMMING: THE LOOPER
Loop pedals have made me a better guitarist. I have spent hours jamming in my own company; refining my improvisation, timing, and guitar part arrangement skills in the process. So I was especially pleased to see that Hotone has beefed up the looper in the Ampero II Stage.
Pressing and holding the two Bank buttons engages the looper which then takes over the bottom row of five foot switches. Aside from the usual Record/Play, Stop and Undo functions, Hotone has also built in 1/2 Speed and Reverse options for more fun. The looper has up to 60s of recording time and can run pre or post the FX chain, the latter of which allows you to use different patches – great if you want to lay down a few loop tracks with a clean tone but solo with a gained up lead.



Versatility is the standout feature for me … I didn’t encounter a single compromise that forced me to cut corners









ON STAGE: SCENIC ROUTE
A much-anticipated feature on the Ampero II Stage is the ability to save ‘Scenes’ (basically a different version of a patch that contains modified parameters and/or node statuses). For example, Scene 1 on a clean patch may have moderate, rhythm-friendly compression and reverb settings while you may like to dial up the compression on Scene 2, then add Boost and Chorus pedals and take the reverb to full cavernous mode in Scene 3. You can even insert both clean and high-gain amp/cab combos into the same chain and use Scenes to switch between them. Up to five scenes can be saved and recalled in each patch. Importantly, switching between scenes is audibly seamless – no audio dropouts, awkward silences or brick-walled reverb tails.
Scenes are accessible via Stomp Mode and footswitches can be assigned either on the touchscreen or the app. In use, I found this to be a nimble and functional way to get the most out of a patch while playing live using the dedicated Patch/Stomp mode footswitch to toggle the functionality of the five main footswitches. Smooth fades between Scenes is a classy feature that demonstrates that there’s plenty of processing power under the bonnet.













ON STAGE: RIGHT CONNECTIONS
It’s worth revisiting the connectivity on the Ampero II Stage. The unit is flexible enough to not dictate how you should use it, but rather presents you with sufficient options to embed itself into your ideal setup – be it alongside an amp and a string of analogue pedals, to replace amps and pedals altogether, or anywhere in between. It means you can retain (and patch in) your favourite reverb or delay pedals, or you can use the four-cable method to create a ‘best of both worlds’ scenario with your trusty amp and the Ampero II Stage working in tandem. Perhaps you want to run your guitar through two separate signal chains – one through an amp and pedals, and one through the Ampero’s digital processors – easy-done.
Playing live with the Ampero II Stage is a blast. Patch and Scene changes are snappy, the pedal layout feels intuitive, and there’s good visibility even in daylight. Two Control/Expression connectors let you connect extra footswitches and/or expression pedals for further real-time control.



























Here’s what Hotone’s engineers had to say about what drove the development of the Ampero II Stage:
“Guitarists often seek a balance between powerful core features, ease of portability, and expandability. The feedback from users and the team highlighted the need for a stage-aimed product that offers simplicity, more controllable footswitches and knobs, additional signal routing options, and a brighter, more straightforward interface. These enhancements cater to musicians who prefer a tidy setup, a larger and more professional feel, and immediate, easy control during live performances.” — Hotone Engineering






IN THE STUDIO: TONE SCRUTINY
The Ampero II Stage proved itself to be a trusty recording companion for a couple of reasons. Firstly, as established with the Ampero II Stomp, Hotone has clearly put a lot of care into the sonic quality of each amplifier, cabinet and effect, and it shows when recorded. From clean to crunchy to high gain, the options are extensive and satisfying to play through. Even the microphone emulation options on the cabinets are instantly reminiscent of the real-world equivalents. I used the Ampero to record mostly dry guitar tones (ie. amp and cab only) so effects could be added later in the mix. This also meant poor tonal quality couldn’t hide underneath a deluge of effects. Yet the pedal held up, with warm, clear and lifelike guitar tones that happily accepted compression, EQ and effects in a DAW. My guitars responded well to the nuances of different signal chains. When I did pile on the effects, the triple-core processing didn’t stutter once.
Then there’s the benefit of the Ampero II Stage being a self-contained USB-C 8×8 audio interface. Sure, you may prefer your own interface, but it’s convenient to track a few ideas with just the Ampero and a laptop should inspiration strike while away from your studio. And as with the Ampero II Stomp, the Editor software is a great way to control the unit when it’s connected to a computer.
CONCLUSION: GREAT BALANCE
Hotone has a winner on its hands with the Ampero II Stage. Equally comfortable at home, on stage or in the studio, there’s little to point a finger at, especially in this price bracket (~A$1500). No doubt there are larger pedal surfaces – ones with expression pedals and more footswitches built in – but Hotone hits a great balance between the Ampero II Stage’s compact size and expandable control potential. Versatility is the standout feature for me. In my time with the Ampero II Stage, I didn’t encounter a single compromise that forced me to cut corners in any of my use cases – and for that reason, I think it represents fantastic value.




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