The Hotone Ampero is a digital multi-effect pedal: a floor unit that combines amp modeling, cabinet simulation and a large effects library in one box, with a touch screen for editing. It is a stereo, dual-core modeling pedal built on Hotone's CDCM HD (Comprehensive Dynamic Circuit Modeling High Definition) and F.I.R.E. (Field Impulse Response Enhancement) systems, with 24-bit signal processing and a signal-to-noise ratio of up to 112dB12.
At launch it carried 64 amp models, 60 cab models and over 100 pedal models, plus an acoustic guitar simulator that can make an electric guitar sound like a steel string, nylon string, resonator or ukulele3. It was announced at Music China 2018 and unveiled in the US at the NAMM 2019 show, where MusicRadar reported it was expected to retail at a more wallet-friendly price than the likes of Line 6's Helix while offering similar functionality, with early listings around €400 / £35014.
What the Ampero does
The Ampero packs amps, cabinets and effects into one unit. Its effects range from compression and boost to drive and distortion, octaves, delays and reverbs, modulation and acoustic tones, and it processes everything in authentic stereo51. The acoustic guitar simulator is a standout feature for players who want to switch to a convincing acoustic sound mid-set without changing guitars1.
The unit sits in a road-ready, light-weight aluminum casing1. Hotone's marketing describes its sound as "un-compromised heart pounding amp modeling and uber quality effects, delivering all the real sounds of rock past and present"2, a claim worth reading as the maker's own voice rather than an independent verdict.
The controls: touch screen, footswitches and expression
Editing and navigation happen on a 4-inch 800 × 480 color touch screen with instant control2. On the floor are four assignable footswitches with halo LEDs, and the unit includes a built-in expression pedal1.
For players who want more control underfoot, Hotone makes the Ampero Press, a compact passive volume and expression 2-in-1 pedal designed for the Ampero series and other gear with external EXP jacks6. When used with the Ampero or Ampero One, the Press can control up to four modules at the same time, with different expression percentages for each7.
Power and connections
The Ampero runs on an 18V DC high voltage power supply, which Hotone credits with huge dynamic range1.
The 18V DC requirement means the Ampero cannot run on a standard 9V pedal supply or share a typical 9V daisy chain. It needs its own higher-voltage supply.
Connections cover line, XLR and headphone I/O, a MIDI IN jack for external controllers, and an EXP2 jack for external expression pedals, all with stereo output processing1. MusicRadar's NAMM 2019 report summed up the connectivity as "line, XLR, midi, external expression pedal and headphone connections"4.
History and versions
The Ampero family has grown well beyond the original unit:
| Version | What it is |
|---|---|
| Ampero (2019) | The original floor unit, 64 amps, 198 presets142 |
| Ampero One | A compact, downsized sibling with three footswitches instead of four, running internally on 18V DC but from a regular 9V supply5 |
| Ampero Silver Edition | A cousin of the original with the same 64 amp models and 198 presets in a thin case with the 4-inch touch screen2 |
| Ampero II | The second-generation processor, with 300 presets (75 banks x 4 patches)8 |
| Ampero II Stomp | A stompbox-format modeler with amp modeling, cab simulation, IR loading and routing9 |
| Ampero II Stage | The flagship floorboard, sharing the Ampero II audio engine, with 90 amp models10 |
| Ampero Mini | A palm-sized version with 199 effects, 52 amps and 50 cabinets, in six colors1112 |
The Ampero One is described by Pedal of the Day as taking everything good about the original and downsizing it, with stereo outputs and a TRS expression pedal and external footswitch jack5. The Ampero II added PATCH and STOMP modes, four footswitches with full-color LED rings, and an onboard expression pedal with volume and expression switching8. The Ampero II Stage followed the Ampero II floorboard with the same audio engine, its differences in build and control functionality13, and the Ampero Mini brought the platform to a smaller, cheaper format13.
Hotone also makes the Ampero Control MIDI Commander, a fully programmable Bluetooth MIDI controller that pairs with a phone and is programmed through an app. Each of its footswitches can send up to 16 different MIDI messages (PC, CC, Note On/Off and more), it has two CTRL/EXP jacks for external devices, and it can even receive messages from a computer via USB14.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day reviewed the original Ampero and came away positive:
"were extremely impressed by how well it performed. Cramming a ton of amps, cabinet and effects into one unit has got to be tricky for any company, and to do it as well and for such an affordable price point was a stroke of genius."5
The same site called the Ampero One "a wonderful refiguring of an already powerful processor that looks and sounds fantastic"5, and found the Ampero Press "an all-around excellent addition to any rig"7.
Later family members have drawn their own notices. MusicRadar's review of the Ampero II Stage praised "a superlative range of tones plus NAM A2 support" and rated it 4.5 stars13. Bass Musician Magazine's Cláudio Ribeiro reviewed the Ampero II Stomp and judged that "it consistently delivers professional-level results in compact form," calling it one of the more underrated and genuinely capable compact modelers currently available9. Of the Ampero Mini, reviewers found the delays and reverbs of high quality11.
Videos
intheblues
Michael Nielsen - Big Hairy Guitars
Questions
Does the Hotone Ampero have an acoustic guitar simulator?
Yes. The Ampero includes an acoustic guitar simulator that can make an electric guitar sound like a steel string, nylon string, resonator or ukulele, alongside its amp and effects models.
Can I connect an external expression pedal to the Ampero?
Yes. The Ampero has an EXP2 jack for connecting external expression controllers in addition to its built-in expression pedal. Hotone's own Ampero Press, a passive volume and expression pedal, was designed for the job and can control up to four modules at once on the Ampero.
What power supply does the Hotone Ampero need?
The Ampero runs on an 18V DC high voltage power supply, which Hotone credits with a wide dynamic range. This is not a standard 9V pedal supply, so it cannot share a typical 9V daisy chain.
How many presets does the Hotone Ampero hold?
The original Ampero holds 198 presets. The later Ampero II raised this to 300 presets organized as 75 banks of 4 patches, and the Ampero II Stomp also carries around 300 presets across 100 banks.
Does the Ampero work with MIDI controllers?
Yes. The Ampero has a MIDI IN jack for connecting external controllers. Hotone also makes the Ampero Control, a programmable Bluetooth MIDI controller whose footswitches can each send up to 16 different MIDI messages.
Sources (14)
- Hotone Ampero Multi-Effect, Delicious Audio, 2020-10-22
- Hotone Audio Ampero Silver Edition, Pedal of the Day, 2022-10-14
- NAMM 2019: HoTone Ampero, gearnews.com, 2019-01-23
- NAMM 2019: Hotone's Ampero amp model and effects processor takes the fight to Line 6, MusicRadar, 2019-01-23
- Hotone Audio Ampero One, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2020-04-18
- Ampero Press by HOTONE, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- Hotone Audio Ampero Press Passive Volume / Expression Pedal, Pedal of the Day, 2021-04-23
- Ampero II ，Hotone, Hotone Audio
- Review: Hotone Ampero II Stomp, Bass Musician Magazine, 2026-05-25
- Every Guitarist Should Know These Top 5 Multi-Effects Pedals!, gearnews.com, 2024-10-16
- Review: Hotone Ampero Mini, Bass Musician Magazine, 2024-09-02
- Hotone Ampero Mini: Smaller, Cheaper and Powerful, gearnews.com, 2023-06-20
- Hotone Ampero II Stage review, MusicRadar, 2026-09-24
- Hotone Audio Ampero Control MIDI Commander, Pedal of the Day, 2021-09-18
