HoTone Ampero

Hotone Ampero is a great high-middle class guitar processor. For its size and price, it is excellent buy and can be compared with many more expensive devices.

The quality of the production is excellent. Complete metal casing and quality foot switches leave an impression of premium quality. There are a lot of connection ports on the back and you can see that the device is made for professional use. The expression pedal is top quality, it has a good movement and the use is pleasant. Foot switches have nice led lighting. What can be improved by upgrading software is that the inactive foot switches also be illuminated but dimmed so the visibility would be even better in the conditions of the low light (in the dark stages).

The screen is large, sharp, and touch sensitive. It's a real pleasure to use it. All options can be accessed quickly and easily. Everything is intuitive and can be used without reading the instruction manual. My recommendation is to install software for computer and set options there. However, the device is so rich with options that it is not a quite good thing. This is generally the problem with most guitar processors, because manufacturers put hundreds of amps, cabinets, microphones, microphones placement settings, effects and distortions that it is quite difficult to opt for a specific sound. I've spent hours and hours to tweak sounds instead of playing. My proposal is that generally manufacturers can be oriented to a smaller number of quality sounds rather than so many, because lot of peoples are not experienced in sound engineering and will not know how to set a good sound and will be dissatisfied with the device.

There are 9 slots for effects: FX1, FX2, AMP, NR, CAB, EQ, FX3, DLY and RVB.

For Wah, compressor, and OD/Dist. can only be used FX1 and FX2, while FX3 for modulation effects (Flanger, Chorus...). And that's a little problem, if you want to have Wah, Compressor and Distortion in same preset, you won't be able to. You must give up one of them. For example, you can put in FX1 – Wah, in FX2 – Compressor and use Hi-Gain Amp for distortion. So, it is possible to manage, but it would be ideal if there was at least one more slot or if FX3 could carry one of those effects. Changing the order of effects is possible. Just drag’n’drop them anywhere you want.

Ampero have 3 foot switches (FS) to change the preset and one CTRL that may control a feature of your choice. It doesn’t support stomp (manual) mode but what is good is that you can program foot switch combinations. For example, if you press FS1+FS2 at the same time - activate the effect that you want (for example, Chorus) and there is a possibility to program hold function of any foot switches, for example, if you hold FS2 for one second then it activates Delay. You can program CTRL foot switch for a solo boost or anything you want also. In other words, a device can be programmed in many combinations. If that is not enough, you can attach a MIDI foot controller and program it to do anything you want.

Sound quality is excellent and is a high-middle class. I would position this device as slightly better than Mooer GE200 and slightly weaker than Line 6 POD Go. The Amp and Cab modeling is very realistic and can be used without problems for direct recording and live performances also direct to mixer or PA. Just plug the device into anything and it will sound great. When a USB cable is connected to the computer, it works as a 24-bit sound interface, and device also supports custom Impulse Response/IR files.

Rhythm machine with 100 rhythms and looper with 120 seconds are excellent and will give you great pleasure for jamming. The looper can be set to be before all effects or can be after. For example, if is set to work in PRE-mode, then you can record a sequence and while loop play change effects, distortions, amplifiers, mics... to find the ideal sound. You don't have to play after each changed parameter, just change parameters in real time and listen sound from the looper. Very useful feature. The only complaint is that the looper cannot be controlled through software on the computer. The rhythm machine can but the looper cannot... It would be nice if Hotone add this in future software updates. When I'm in front of the computer, I want to do everything on the computer.

All in all, a device worth the attention. A well-rounded product where in a small package and affordable price you get everything you will ever need for the hi quality direct recording and live performance.