The End of The Guitar Effects Battle?

We're in a multi-effects arms race! Is this the end? This is Hotone's Ampero II Stage triple core effects processor... it can do guitar, bass, synth.... AND VOCAL processing! If you play and sing at the same time... what more do you need? And how does it compare to the other Hotone units, like the Ampero One or the Ampero MP-100?
This unit here: amzn.to/48HiRXY
The guitar focused Ampero MP-100: amzn.to/3OdotAP
Shred with my instructional programs: maxcarlisle.sellfy.store/
---------
LINKS ABOVE may be affiliate links!
Social Media -
Facebook: / maxcarlislemusic
Twitter: / maxxxwellc
Instagram: / guitar_max_carlisle
Want to release your own music? Sign up on DistroKid and save 7% with this link: distrokid.com/vip/guitarmax
www.guitarmaxmusic.com
Rubric: -5 points for Danzig references. -5 points for not reading the description. -5 points for not watching far enough into the video to answer your own question. -5 points for misquoting me in your comment. 20 points possible. Everyone starts with an A!

[@steveschulz7824]

That custom tone you crafted is the shit bro. I'm just learning how to play at the young age of 65. You are a large part of what inspired me to want to learn.

[@GuitarMAXMusic]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@scottbagwell9144]

Yeah I'm 52 and noodle around. I'll never rock mainly because all my hair fell out and suffer from old man body. Maybe you could do a video on how to be a roadie for Motley Crue cover band. Do I need a old sleeveless jean jacket and or grey beard with possums living in it? Should I take up smoking? These questions haunt me.

[@edwinstovall3334]

Dude, welcome to the club of 65 year old guitar players.🤘👍👏💥💯🎸😎

[@profvonshredder2563]

I'm 63... And that tone is indeed The Bomb! How was the feeling in the fingers though?

[@gearmeister]

I'm 65 & I've been watching Max since he was knee high to a grasshopper 🦗.... LOL 😂

[@wasteddude9387]

Nice jam, dude. Enjoyed it. That personal metal voice you made was pretty blistery too.

[@TheDrunkenScoundrel]

I'm only halfway through the video and I can already tell how good this thing is by how much fun you are having playing it.

[@stevedamien638]

Cheers man,your time and info shared greatly appreciated bro, What an headache setting up/spending money to find the right effect without crazy feedback specially when playing leads. Steve from the rainy city Vancouver,Canada

[@picksalot1]

I think it sounds great. The price point is good, it is feature packed, just the right size for floor and desktop use. Has the thick, rich sound of a Fractal Modeler, and an excellent UI and Desktop Librarian/Editor, 8x8 USB audio functionality and variable sampling rates from 44.1kHz to 192kHz. It looks like they really listened to what Users want and need. Regarding it not having a built in Expression Pedal, for those who want to us it as a desktop unit, having a separate Pedal makes a lot of sense, and that's the way I use my HX Stomp. Hotone did a great job, and the unit has just about everything one would want.

[@boardermarco]

I love the fact that there is no expression pedal built in. It would unnecessarily increase the size and the price of the board for those who do not need one. Those who do want or need it can easily add it.

[@guitardedimbisol6087]

If they wouldn't give one to everyone with a KZbin channel then have to recover their losses for marketing imagine what the cost would be for any one who wanted one

[@rushtabconvideo]

You need to make a video about the Ampero Mini with not only focusing on what it can do, but how it’s so versatile and friendly on custom pedal boards playing well with other pedal effects and set ups.

[@williamseeger6215]

Love the channel. Keep up the great work.

[@adrianscarlett]

I'm still happy with the helix rack, especially considering how many updates it's had.

[@danabiondo9243]

Thank You Max ! 🙂 Great Video, Detail.

[@johndavid2243]

Thanks so much for the info about the MP-100.

[@sgt.grinch3299]

The great thing about all your videos @Guitar Max is the playing. It’s real, tasty, and highly entertaining. Thank you for years of information, education, and entertainment.

[@Living_EDventures]

He makes any guitar and gear sound great haha

[@strangeuniverse1199]

happy new year Grinch

[@markallen381]

I started becoming drawn to music around 1964. Folk Music was a thing and I started enjoying singing along with the albums I played. I now play Karaoke titles from KZbin for singing practice at age 71. My guitar playing was was on a silvertone electric guitar and now it's on a Stratocaster or my acoustic Martin. My first pedal was a Big Muff Pi, but fuzz no more (I don't want fuzz anymore). I like all the ambient sounds and a touch of overdrive too. This looks like a good Multi-effects pedal. Your custom preset is killer!

[@CutePsychoFox]

I think I’m gonna get it, I love making things and plugging keyboards in and adjusting stuff. I think I will buy it and stick my guitar in record some stuff. Thank you so much for sharing this

[@therifftones2198]

I have their complete line of the small pedals and they are so good. Great Box.

[@rickeguitar9086]

First, I always enjoy your videos because you provide room for the cost conscious consumer to see what is out there that won't break their bank. Next, your point on the dual nature of this unit is the key distinctive. I own, and am very happy with, a Headrush Pedalboard. That is because I am not a singer. But, this unit is a game changer to those you cited in the singer songwriter types. Where you are making a single unit to travel with that can manage both functions is a value. That said, I would have liked to see you tackle that topic more as there are tons of boards that offer high gain distortions. It all has become sort of white noise at this point of the journey. But, if you can offer even the most basic demo of how this unit solves the singer songwriter need, I think this would be a great value to that customer. Cheers! Keep on doing the great work you do out there!

[@danyavilaoficial]

Wow Max !!! What an intro. You definitely have progress in the past year. Cheers

[@GuitarMAXMusic]

Thanks a ton!

[@sole__doubt]

Awesome video and congratulations on surpassing 200k subs. \m/

[@GuitarMAXMusic]

Thanks a ton!

[@JTB--]

I've had the Hotone Stage for a little over a week and it's amazing. The Reverbs and Delays are great. I've probably only gotten into 10% of what this thing can do. One thing I'm loving so far is plugging in my PRS Custom 24 Piezo into Both Inputs... and using the Parallel template and putting different effects on each input. So in other words you can put Delay, Reverb effects on the Piezo pickup and also whatever effects you want on your Magnetic pickups for some really creative sounds. It's a lot of fun. I also like the Looper having UNDO/REDO and the drum machine for jamming and practicing. I seem to get more creative with guitar riffs if I have a Drum beat going first. Hotone hit a Home Run here. And I'd get the Hotone Soul Press II pedal over this new Ampero II Press. The Soul Press II is a 3 in 1 pedal that can be a Wah,/Volume(or both) and an Expression pedal. It's a better bang for the buck. Overall the Ampero II is giving you a lot for the money. I've tried Muti Effects 2-3X more expensive and I'd take the Stage over them. It's all subjective really and really depends on what you're looking for in this type of effects unit... but if $$$ isn't the issue... pay up for the Stage over the cheaper Effects Processors/Modelers out there. You won't be disappointed

[@LivinginLosAngeles-re5yx]

Even the Hotone Stomp was a home run, often being mentioned with the big dogs on tone. Great products.

[@betojara9773]

I just got a Headrush MX5 for Xmas 🎄 and I love it! Has a nice touch screen for changing all signal patches and it’s small and compact ✌🏽👍🏽🤘🏽

[@tommyibanez3958]

I had the original Headrush and I kinda hated it, recently got the MX5 and I sold my my AxeFx immediately. What a difference a few years makes.

[@christopherwalker2097]

​@@tommyibanez3958 You sold your AxeFx for a headrush? Wow

[@NoiZeTribe4Life]

Id like 2 try the Hotone but I love My MX5 & like he said the pedal is really a necessary evil on a multi-efx.

[@TheJeffbarrett]

I recently got a Donner Arena and was amazed at the tone just thru studio monitors. I had a rack unit Behringer Vamp, which died but they do not make rack units anymore in favor of these little pedals.

[@brianpark492]

The donner arena is a pretty good unit.

[@cellarcatband]

Finally a review for this!

[@guidorehder6802]

I bought a Headrush Prime three months ago. It has a mic input, too. I love that board, it's amazing. One thing that I am missing on those small units is an expression pedal.

[@WarrenPostma]

The matching expression pedal option is cool. I just want it to bolt right on with a screw.

[@vadimandrienko2674]

Separate chain for vocal is exactly what Line6 X3 guitar processor had a lot of years before. But tone of guitar effects sounds incredible for me. Thank you for a review of the unit.

[@Robeuten]

indeed - I still have one in my "home" rack - stood the test of time quite well, but, obviously, newer units have much more processing power. As older I get, the less effects I prefer, so not much of an issue here...

[@GuitarLessonsMadeEasy]

Oh man I must check this pedal out. Thanks 🙏 for the great review

[@iwilrage]

This is what I have been asking for!

[@michaelbradford7150]

Excellent review. Dig the P-38 Lightning model behind you.

[@MrNumber1gator]

AWESOME... still enjoy my tube amps Max!!!!

[@justbob9006]

Really liking the Hotone ampero stuff

[@ericbrownmarshall9116]

Great video Max. I've got a ampero mini with some custom tones made up. You're 100% right, the control they give you for an expression pedal..it should be included. The mini was my pick based on what I do, and I had the expression pedal before I picked up the mini. Its a huge game changer with the amount of flexibility it gives you for crafting something to your likings. That vocal signal chain has been done on others, but they have always been very limited with what they offer. This doesn't seem to run into the problems like the line6 and boss units had in the past(I know first hand).And I tested some others out too. Hotone are definitely staying a step Infront of the others with the ampero line. Also killer tone btw. I was surprised on the gain level at first, then you said you used the od pedal too..makes total sense for boost.

[@littlerhodyguitar2169]

Cool video Maxx. Your tone you created sounded great 👍. The unit was cool with a lot of features and options but I agree it should just come with the pedal. I'm still debating the price though.

[@AutismRocksOfficial]

I swear I saw flames come out of your fingertips on that intro 🔥🔥

[@japhygoldman8856]

I just bought one, and honestly, I am glad it doesn't have a built-in expression pedal. It has 2 x 1/4' jacks for expression pedals and/or eternal switches so it's more flexible and the tiny onboard expression pedals on units this size usually have a very short travel and don't work terribly well. I use my Fractal expression pedal with this and it's great

[@timesurfingalien]

Awesome demo

[@keovongvilaykeo4799]

Thank you 🙏

[@commonsensehill372]

I love this unit. I hope to get one very soon.

[@EvacTheGreat]

the build quality is very similar to the Kemper stage. and the sounds are really good for the price im impressed.

[@JimmyD718]

I really like your videos. Fantastic tones and great playing. Would love to have heard a singer through the vocal section. I've got a Pod Go and love that it has the built-in expression pedal. For recording I've got AmpliTube 5, and it's just incredible. Best of luck with your channel!

[@Ugoeh2]

Love the P-38! I have one exactly like it in my studio, homage to WW2 heroes.

[@ScottysAnimals]

Badass intro solo!

[@onielmelendez4315]

You had me at: "pedal board from aliens"🤟 Great review as always!

[@user-fu5dq7bc4g]

Well damn, Max, that was killer! If I can ever play half that well, I'll call myself good!

[@GuitarMAXMusic]

Thanks!

[@titomic]

I had an Ampero II Stomp which I sold recently. Tones are amazing but I need some added convenience thru snapshots/scenes. I think this is the chosen one.

[@janusn9]

Ive been waiting for this review. Lol Awesome. 🤘

[@craigb839]

Awesome tone 🤘

[@legendarychillmonroe6234]

I sing and play, how about more info and demo of use with a microphone.

[@iam_niam]

😲🤯😍Beast! I want this processor!💥

[@justadsa]

that tone sounded really good to me a lot like evh eruption. definitely doesn't sound like a bad deal if your like me that sings, and plays. effects for both can get really expensive. might have to look it to that, instead of plug ins on my vocals. thats for the great video on it.

[@therifftones2198]

Nice one Max.

[@Obssy]

Killer tone dude, well done. I'm also very curious about the vocal capabilities of this unit. I have the original Ampero, I'm very happy with it

[@techniqueswithtodd]

Same processing as the A2S (Ampero Stomp) which could have scenes with a firmware update. It's a great unit to be sure. But I really love my A2S.

[@SudhirR]

would you recommend this one for FLUTE ? I want a good processor for my flute performance !

[@leondantas]

thanks for the review. For the older ampero II stomp users the major problem with this new unit is that a lot of its features were missed promised updates for the II Stomp. Those "future updates" were never delivered. Ampero II Stomp are waiting for scenes and gapless transitions effects for more than an year now. The terrible stomp mode switch that terrifies everybody that use the unit to play live are also a promised fix. Both units share the same DSP power but Hotone support was really bad and never delivered what is being promised.

[@bertproeme4535]

Perfect presentation

[@kellybates1972]

Love the strat! I want a pink one like it.

[@JayTheLane]

Erm the Boss GX 100 is simple and great sounding. From a dynamics standpoint one the best I've played.

[@markdouglas8073]

And it connects wirelessly via Bluetooth to its Editor app on my iPad so I don’t need to vent bend down to fiddle with the touchscreen. I have the Ampero II Stomp on my main pedalboard and the GX-100 in my bedroom.

[@arvindpuryag8291]

Nice video thank u! Just want to know if this modeler is plugged directly to guitar plus sent into cabinets through guitar amp amplifier? Thank u!

[@69spiros]

Love your t shirt Perfect video Greetings from Greece!!

[@danepaulstewart8464]

⭐️⭐️ Dang MAX! It feels like my Neural DSP rig is totally an ancient relic from a time so long ago it was a stroke of luck that we even had reading and writing back then… you know.. like 2 years ago. Ancient. This stuff is moving so fast! You made a KILLER tone that really sounds damn proper for what you set out to get. You should make some more Blues patches because you’re really good at it.. like, a lot better than you think you are. That may or may not be the focus of much of your playing, but you are really seriously good at constructing the rigs to get the extremely good tones for it. So, if you are feeling really generous sometime.. maybe you could make a few of those and share them with us peasants. As always, thanks for everything you do! 🤘😎🤘

[@gibson2623]

The quad cortex is better than this, dude.

[@TravisBean777]

I don't know about that particular guitar effects unit, but the articulation and phrasing of your playing on that Fender guitar is the best I've heard yet. You sound spot on. I have a DigiTech 2101 artist multi-effects unit, a Peavy Pro Fex 2 a Peavy Pro Tube Fex, and various other effects units, and as far as I'm concerned a lot of the effects parameters that you can adjust are just plain overkill. Every unit that I have has got about three or four really good sounds and if you make the most of the best sounds of the units that you have, then that's all you really need. Edit: Well, I'm going to have to modify my comment to some extent. I saw a more in-depth review on how to program this unit and I'd have to say the Ampero seems to be much more intuitive as far as programming goes, and I really wouldn't mind owning one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIecdHajnLqgeck

[@ymelfilm]

Hi Max, does this unit can be setup for 1 button looper while the other foot switches are dedicated to random effects I want to put there? And can I stop the loop with only one touch or it follows the terrible trend that u need 2 quick touch to stop ur loop? Tks!

[@HarryStyer-rf8gv]

I'm still madly in love with the Zoom G.2tt..It's got tubes and is only about 380 with two pedals built in. the smaller one has some John 5 related " pr " points.

[@superblondeDotOrg]

"Toobs"

[@judgegroovyman]

Those are killer. Rock on!

[@nychold]

I love the idea that aliens are sitting around watching humans playing guitars and thinking "morons, we should do something to help them rock out." 🤣🤣

[@robigoss8197]

Im convinced they are!

[@looselungssingsungs]

Check out "Legend of Black Heaven" some time 😉

[@5yearsout]

You've seen the length of the aliens fingers, imagine the reach they have.

[@stevedamien638]

@@5yearsout Well look vai,,yikes

[@THINJIMI]

@@5yearsout- Jimi Hendrix?

[@megablasterboc7474]

I have an HM Strat, but I oiled the neck and had it scalloped! Now it's toast! At the time I didn't realize that you don't put fret board oil on a maple neck! Live and learn! 🤪

[@sole__doubt]

I cant believe Ive been playing since the 90s and just now seeing one for the first time. Its right up my alley, Id love to play one.

[@judgegroovyman]

Oh no! What did it do? Did it just ruin the color or do something worse? Sorry about that

[@megablasterboc7474]

It just saturated the neck wood with oil...@@judgegroovyman

[@kilianruvalcaba6904]

I love ampero, but ampero 2 it's absoluty amazing, I'll buy the mine ampero 2 soon, excellent video, greetings from mexico

[@cursedbyzen9510]

11:45 you are wrong, Yellow Drive - Boss OD-1, Super Drive - Boss SD-1 :)

[@HordeOfSkies]

Cool sound and lovely the P-38 behind you.

[@rofflestomp684]

The can of Tab on the shelf gets me every time. lol

[@GuitarMAXMusic]

Many thanks!

[@msmknz]

I wonder if the HOTONE Soul Press II would work the same as the Ampero II Press you have here. If so, then it's totally worth having an SPII by itself as its a great pedal on its own 🤘 very cool review, ty!

[@JaBoffroad]

this ampero stage is beautiful but the question is immediate and simple! when you change from one preset to another preset.......is it silent or is the change not audible?

[@ale0800]

Max, I use ampero 2 and I really like the tone. I only have 2 points that displease me about the unit: it has a gap in the effects exchange that produces a cut in the sound and I also miss the "scenes", which unfortunately the software only allows for one. Have these things been fixed in this new version? Thank you very much for sharing your experience and congratulations for your job!!!!!

[@billsstudio2528]

I own real amps and have owned many modelers. Today, I put the Friedman IRX preamp into a Fender TMP loop. Sounded pretty good! The distortion/OD from any modeler still makes me chase tone all day to try and get em to sound real, whereas when I put some pedals in front of 1 or 2 real tube amps = glorius! I like the way the AMPERO is layed out though. Battle is still on, but real amps never enlisted....didn't have to.

[@Brykk]

Just to be clear, im assuming that it is possible to completely alter the signal chain? Is there any parts of the chain that cannot be changed?

[@Reign0fTerror1]

How is it different from the Headrush Prime, other than size?

[@robertopereira3012]

Good day, Max. Thank you for the excellent introduction of this Hotone Multi-Effects pedal processor. I have a question, is it able to drop the tone? I have a few songs to practice which have half drop tuning, and I am wondering if this Hotone is able to do it digitally. All the best, Roberto

[@estenray5385]

Kind of expensive but it looks like it has a lot of capabilities. So maybe worth the price if you need the “full boat” of effects. Especially if you need vocal effects processing as well seems it might be just the thing to get it done!

[@jaymax3201]

It has been announced that there are 6 blocks each for A, B, and parallel, 12 blocks in total, but how many blocks can actually be used?

[@sohl947]

+1 for the Sagan 'Contact" ref!!! 🤘😝 Awesome shred tone!

[@dananthony6258]

Sounds pretty dam amazing to me.

[@putontheseglasses8809]

The ampero mini is amazing especially for the price.

[@russellzauner]

Hotone, the tone that gets the hos j/k they've been crushing it for a while now...

[@janusn9]

Lol it all makes sense now!

[@yrtracingteam106]

Great info! I’m curious what amp (the actual amp. Not the modulated one) you’re using for this demo and how the settings for that amp are set. I’m also curious how you send it to the youtube channel. 21:30 i do. I’m curious how that sounds. Maybe you can demo that or provide a link or something? Thanks in advance 🙏🏻

[@bartveltkamp7838]

I can't seem to connect the unit with the app. Can you tell me how this is done?

[@fabioyamagami6157]

Is it possible to activate the wah effect by pressing the switch on the exp pedal?

[@daikimizu9324]

Your crafted tone is killer, great for shredding and slaying dragons!. For the concept, it is still a great tool, I mean even though it is expensive, it can be of use for someone who needs the best and of course can afford it, me? I personally would go either for the ampero II Stomp or the ampero Mini, I'm more into portability and best value for the money when it comes to my own rig.

[@OgamiItto70]

"...That way if one of your band members, while you're performing, comes over and they're like, 'Hey, look at all the pretty lights! Oh, let me just change all these!' they're not gonna mess up any of your settings." I'm reminded of the words of Ian Faith, Spinal Tap's manager, regarding the cricket bat he habitually carried: "...To be quite frank with you, it's come in useful in a couple of situations. Certainly in the topsy-turvy world of heavy rock, having a good solid piece of wood in your hands is quite often, mm, _useful."_

[@robinstehwien6841]

Great playing! Nice demo! Definitely too pricey.

[@colinrobert-kv2up]

Brake rocks? Ulta sound,to move inner frequency amp. To transmit ore device.

[@BeesWaxMinder]

What's the difference between the Mark Two & the Mark 0ne (I've been offered Mk1 fairly cheap and I'm thinking is it worth it..?)

[@lynoj777]

By any chance, do you know the bit rate when using it as and audio interface?

[@hashimhalstead]

How does this compare up against the Headrush Core (which is addressing a similar market with similar features)?

[@anthonysullivan892]

Great demo. Would love to see this and the Kemper Profiler Player in a comparison video. Both are around the same price. Which one would you choose?

[@Worlds_Worst_Guitarist]

I choosed the Ampero Stage! The Kemper sounded like a "picture" of the Amp but has still his own sound underneath in a kind of Mid-Honkiness i didn't like (where the ToneX has kind of a certain Bass-Sound underneath all Captures).

[@MikeJBlues]

I really like Ampero pedals but I really like the all in one with pedal Ampero

[@kztex]

That clean neck pickup sounds amazing, quiet and clear. What brand is that? JBE?

[@benpowersguitar]

Some killer sound.

[@brianhudson123]

Hey Max, which amplifier would you recommend using the Hotone Ampero One with?

[@bestboy897]

love that fender super strat

[@michaelmillican5592]

The hollow body sounds like a tube amplifier and some other pre sets do too.

[@patrickcrider1086]

Is there any drum tracks on the pedal.also what vocal effects does it have,because I play and sing and I've seen vocal processor's do like a 2part harmony sound.and also don't laugh but auto tune! Wich I don't need for playing Alice in chains but some of the rap stuff I cover requires it

[@vincentblack7856]

I think, that lowering the price by separating expression pedal is nice. Not everyone use this. It also gives posibility to place expression pedal enywhere you want on the flor or option to buy bigger one if that's what you prefer (so you have dedicated pedal aligned with your needs and smaller milti-effect unit instead of 2 pedals while you use only one of them. Build-in expression pedals in units like this are typically very small and with litle movement range, this doesn't make them the best hardware. You can always buy super cheap one and connect it, there are even compact ones on the market.

[@peterwoods35]

You got excellent tones. The box is way too complicated for my taste. If I were still playing live, I would just get the new Boss emulation pedal and play straight through the house.