The Hotone Ampero II Stage is a floorboard-format amp modeler and multi-effects unit from Hotone, unveiled in October 2023 as the company's new flagship in the Ampero line1. It runs the same audio engine as the Hotone Ampero II floorboard, but reworks the control surface for live use: eight LED footswitches instead of the original four, and no built-in expression pedal2. Guitar World reported at launch that Hotone crafted it "with live use in mind"1.
The model counts come from the Ampero II generation: 87 amp models, 68 cabinet simulations and more than 100 pedal simulations, with the cab sims curated using what Guitar World called a "more precise" algorithm1. MusicRadar counts the wider library at 460-plus effects, amps and models, and the unit also works as an 8-in/8-out audio interface2.
Eight footswitches and the control surface
The Stage's headline difference from the Ampero II is the footswitch count: eight LED footswitches versus the original four2. All eight are assignable, and one of them serves by default as a selector between Patch and Stomp modes1. Compared to the Ampero II floorboard, there is also space for another expansion footswitch, though that comes in exchange for the built-in expression pedal2.
The rest of the control set, as listed in MusicRadar's review:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume knob | Master output level |
| Menu button | Navigation on the touchscreen interface |
| 3 parameter rotary encoders | Adjust effect and amp parameters |
| 8 LED footswitches | Assignable switching, Patch/Stomp selection |
| Lock button | Locks the controls against accidental changes |
MusicRadar's reviewer Alex Lynham found the Stage "solidly built, with good attention to detail," and noted that the touchscreen "doesn't feel fragile or slow to respond"2.
Patch and Stomp mode
The two working modes shape how the footswitches behave3:
- Patch mode navigates between separate presets, moving you from one complete patch to another1.
- Stomp mode turns the Stage into a triggerable effects pedalboard, switching individual effects on and off within a patch, the way you would with separate multi-effects pedals or stompboxes on a board1.
The same Patch and Stomp concept appears across the Ampero II line; the maker describes the modes alongside the four footswitches with full-color LED rings on the Ampero II itself3.
Amps, cabs and effects
The Stage inherits the Ampero II's model library. Guitar World's launch coverage gives the full count1:
- 87 amp models
- 68 cabinet simulations
- More than 100 pedal simulations
MusicRadar's spec sheet adds the 8-in/8-out audio interface capability and the 460-plus total of effects, amps and models2. The Stage has stereo input and output, and the reviewer found it straightforward to build wet/dry or stereo patches2.
A note on DSP: reviews of the compact sibling, the Hotone Ampero II Stomp, found that certain effects reveal DSP limitations when running highly demanding patches involving dual amps, pitch shifting and extensive ambient processing at the same time4. The Stage shares the same audio engine as the Ampero II family2, so players building heavy patches may hit similar limits.
Power and connections
The Stage runs on 9-18V DC center negative, with an 18V power supply included32. The maker lists a maximum current consumption of 1.2A at 9V for the Ampero II platform3, which rules out a standard 9V battery and means a daisy chain shared with ordinary pedals is not realistic.
At 1.2A max draw at 9V, the Ampero II platform needs its own supply. Use the included 18V adapter or a dedicated high-current output on a power brick3.
The connection set, per MusicRadar's review2:
| Connection | Detail |
|---|---|
| Inputs | Stereo in, 1/8" aux in, 2x expression in, 1x XLR in |
| Outputs | Stereo out, 2x balanced out with ground lift |
| FX loop | FX send and return |
| MIDI | In, out and thru |
| USB | USB-C |
The maker's Ampero II page details the jack layout behind this: a 1/4" TS instrument jack with a 3-position input mode selector, an XLR/1/4" combo jack with a 5-position input mode selector and a mic preamp with up to 52dB of gain, two 1/4" TRS unbalanced stereo outputs, two XLR balanced outputs with ground lift, an FX loop send and return, a 1/8" headphone output and 5-pin MIDI in and out3. The Ampero II platform also supports five input modes covering electric guitar, acoustic guitar, mic and line sources3.
No built-in expression pedal
Unlike the Hotone Ampero II, which includes an onboard expression pedal with volume and expression switching3, the Stage has none. The trade is the extra footswitches and the expansion footswitch space2. Players who want a pedal can use the two expression inputs on the back2, or pair the unit with Hotone's Ampero II Press, an expression pedal with its own footswitch, independent footswitch and expression output jacks and a "Click" footswitch designed for keen physical feedback5.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's Alex Lynham reviewed the Stage and found it solidly built with good attention to detail, an intuitive touchscreen and straightforward stereo patch creation2. The review lists buffered rather than true bypass2, which is worth knowing if you prefer a fully passive signal path when the unit is bypassed.
"the Stage is solidly built, with good attention to detail"
At launch, Guitar World positioned the Stage as Hotone's new flagship, noting the eight assignable footswitches, the Scene feature and the balanced and unbalanced outputs, with no official price revealed at that time1. MusicRadar later listed it at $559 in the US, £699 in the UK and €599 in the EU2.
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Questions
How many footswitches does the Hotone Ampero II Stage have?
It has eight assignable LED footswitches, up from the four on the Ampero II floorboard. One of them serves by default as a selector between Patch and Stomp modes, and the switches can be reassigned. Compared to the Ampero II, there is also space for an additional expansion footswitch.
What is the difference between Patch and Stomp mode?
Patch mode navigates between separate presets, so the footswitches move you from one full patch to another. Stomp mode turns the Stage into a triggerable effects pedalboard, letting you switch individual effects on and off within a patch, much like individual stompboxes on a board.
Does the Ampero II Stage have a built-in expression pedal?
No. Unlike the Ampero II floorboard, which includes an onboard expression pedal with volume and expression switching, the Stage drops it in exchange for the extra footswitches. It does have two expression pedal inputs on the back for external pedals.
How many amps and cabs does the Ampero II Stage include?
It ships with 87 amp models, 68 cabinet simulations and more than 100 pedal simulations, part of a library of 460-plus effects, amps and models overall. The cab sims were curated with what Guitar World described as a more precise algorithm.
Is the Ampero II Stage true bypass?
No. MusicRadar's review lists its bypass as buffered rather than true bypass. That is common for multi-effects units, since a buffer keeps the signal consistent when the unit is in the chain but not active.
What does the Hotone Ampero II Stage cost?
MusicRadar lists it at $559 in the US, £699 in the UK and €599 in the EU. When Hotone unveiled it in October 2023, Guitar World reported that an official price had not yet been revealed.
Sources (5)
- Hotone launches next-generation Ampero II Stage multi-FX pedal, Guitar World, 2023-10-18
- Hotone Ampero II Stage review, MusicRadar, 2026-09-24
- Ampero II ，Hotone, Hotone Audio
- Review: Hotone Ampero II Stomp, Bass Musician Magazine, 2026-05-25
- Hotone Ampero II Press Expression Pedal, Pedal of the Day, 2024-05-04
