The Hotone Ampero II is a second-generation digital multi-effects processor from Hotone, a floor unit that puts amp modeling, effects and preset switching under one 5-inch touchscreen. Hotone describes it as the latest addition to the Ampero series, powered by the company's CDCM HD and F.I.R.E. digital modeling technology on a triple-core DSP platform with ESS Sabre series AD/DA converters1.
What sets it apart from many floor processors is Tone Catch: the ability to capture the sound of your own amps and pedals directly into the unit, so your captures sit alongside the factory models1. It carries 300 presets, an onboard expression pedal and four assignable footswitches, all in a road-ready aluminum casing that weighs 1.7kg1.
A multi-effects processor with Tone Catch
The Ampero II is the second generation of the family. Hotone positions it as a multi-effects processor in a road-ready, light-weight aluminum casing, measuring 330mm wide, 157mm deep and 61mm high, drawing 1.2A max at 9V DC1. Like the Ampero II Stomp, the family's compact format, it is built around Hotone's CDCM HD and F.I.R.E. modeling engine2.
Tone Catch is the headline feature. Hotone says the Ampero II "supports Tone Catch, allowing you to capture the sound of your favorite amps and pedals directly into the processor"1. For a player, that means the unit is not limited to its stock amp and effect models: you can sample your own rig and recall it as a preset. The related Stage model extends this idea with NAM A2 capture support added by firmware patch, with 30 slots and imports through the software editor or the Tone3000 library3.
The I/O is built for both pedalboard and stage use1:
- One 1/4" TS instrument jack with a 3-mode input selector
- One XLR or 1/4" TS combo jack with a 5-mode input selector and a mic preamp with up to 52dB of gain
- One 1/8" stereo aux in
- Two 1/4" TRS EXP/CTRL jacks
- Stereo FX loop send and return
- 5-pin MIDI in and out
- Two 1/4" TRS unbalanced stereo outputs, two XLR balanced stereo outputs with ground lift, and a headphones output
The XLR outputs with ground lift make it practical to go straight to a front-of-house desk, while the combo input with mic preamp opens the unit up to acoustic and vocal use1.
The controls, screen and footswitches
Editing happens mainly on the 5-inch dynamic color touchscreen, an 800 x 480 display with multi-language touch control1. The four assignable footswitches have multicolor halo LEDs, two working modes and customization support1.
The two footswitch modes shape how you use it live1:
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| PATCH (preset) mode | The footswitches move through your 300 presets, organized as 75 banks of 4 patches |
| STOMP mode | The footswitches turn individual effects on and off within a patch, like a row of stompboxes |
The onboard expression pedal handles volume or expression duties, with volume/expression switching1. For players who want a separate pedal, Hotone also makes the Ampero II Press, a passive expression pedal with a footswitch that needs no power supply and connects to effect units through independent EXP OUT and FS OUT jacks4. Pedal of the Day found it "can really open up your sonic exploration, especially paired with the Ampero II Stage"4.
The Ampero II family: Stomp, Stage and others
The Ampero II is one of several formats sharing the same audio engine. MusicRadar's reviewer notes of the Stage that "the audio engine is the same as that found in the Ampero II which has already been available for some time," with the differences lying in build and control functionality3.
| Model | Format | Key differences |
|---|---|---|
| Ampero II | Floorboard multi-effects | 5-inch touchscreen, 4 footswitches, onboard expression pedal, Tone Catch1 |
| Ampero II Stomp | Compact stompbox modeler | 4-inch touchscreen, tri-core DSP, 87 amp models, 68 cab sims, over 60 effects, 50 custom IR slots56 |
| Ampero II Stage | Flagship floor unit | Eight LED footswitches versus the original 4, Scene feature, balanced and unbalanced outputs37 |
The Stomp is the compact sibling: a second-generation version of Hotone's compact amp modeler with effects, offering over 80 amp models, balanced outputs, stereo capability and MIDI implementation in dimensions that make it practical for professional stage use2. It carries 50 custom IR slots on the unit5, and Hotone teamed up with Celestion for the latest iteration of its Ampero amp modeler5. The Stage followed as the third iteration of the Ampero II collection, after the Stomp and the Ampero II Mini, with the same audio engine as the Ampero II floorboard, its differences being in build and control functionality37. ===
Bass Musician Magazine's Cláudio Ribeiro, reviewing the Stomp for bass players, praised its routing flexibility and amp models while noting DSP limits and a smaller bass ecosystem than competitors, and found that "balanced outputs, stereo capability, MIDI implementation, and compact dimensions make it practical for professional stage use"2.
Power and practical notes
The Ampero II draws up to 1.2A at 9V DC1. That is far beyond a typical 9V pedalboard output, so plan on the included 18V supply or a dedicated high-current output rather than a daisy chain.
The unit accepts 9 to 18V DC center negative, with the 18V power supply included1. At 1.7kg in an aluminum casing, it is light for a floorboard with a full expression pedal, and the Stage version, with its eight footswitches, comes in at 1895g13.
Videos
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Sonic Drive Studio
The Pedal Guy
Questions
What power supply does the Hotone Ampero II use?
It runs on 9 to 18V DC with a center negative plug, and an 18V power supply is included in the box. Current consumption is up to 1.2A at 9V DC, so it is not a unit to share with ordinary 100mA pedalboard outputs.
How many presets does the Hotone Ampero II have?
The Ampero II holds 300 presets, organized as 75 banks of 4 patches each. You can switch between them using the four assignable footswitches in PATCH mode.
Does the Hotone Ampero II have an expression pedal?
Yes. The Ampero II has an onboard expression pedal that can switch between volume and expression functions. There are also two 1/4 inch TRS EXP/CTRL jacks for connecting external expression or control pedals.
What is Tone Catch on the Hotone Ampero II?
Tone Catch is Hotone's capture technology. It lets you sample the sound of your favorite amps and pedals and store those captures directly in the processor, so the Ampero II can reproduce your own gear rather than only its built-in models.
Does the Ampero II have XLR outputs?
Yes. Alongside two 1/4 inch TRS unbalanced stereo outputs, the Ampero II has two XLR balanced stereo outputs with a ground lift switch, which makes it straightforward to connect straight to a mixing desk.
How heavy is the Hotone Ampero II?
Hotone lists the Ampero II at 1.7kg, in a road-ready lightweight aluminum casing measuring 330mm wide, 157mm deep and 61mm high. The larger Ampero II Stage is heavier at 1895g.
Sources (7)
- Ampero II ，Hotone, Hotone Audio
- Review: Hotone Ampero II Stomp, Bass Musician Magazine, 2026-05-25
- Hotone Ampero II Stage review, MusicRadar, 2026-09-24
- Hotone Ampero II Press Expression Pedal, Pedal of the Day, 2024-05-04
- Hotone unveils the feature-packed Ampero II Stomp digital amp modeller and multi-effects unit, MusicRadar, 2021-11-23
- Hotone releases updated Ampero II Stomp, complete with 20 built-in Celestion IRs, Guitar World, 2021-11-23
- Hotone launches next-generation Ampero II Stage multi-FX pedal, Guitar World, 2023-10-18
