Reasons NOT to Buy an HX Stomp VS Hotone Ampero Stomp

Use the code JNC40 for a 40% discount.

So this is a bit of a strange title, but when there's so much that I like about BOTH the HX Stomp and HoTone Ampero Stomp - I thought it'd be a shorter video to point out some of the comparative negative points that I think stick out to me about either unit. I was asked to make an HX Stomp vs Ampero video so I figured this might be a way.

only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!

only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!

00:14 Intro Blind Comparison of Amp tones
1:33 Both are SO Good that it's quicker to list negatives
2:17 Reasons Not to Buy...
2:40 For Live Use - don't buy...
4:20 If Dual Amps are a MAJOR thing - don't buy....
5:30 If PITCH Effects are your thing - don't buy....
8:00 12 Blocks vs 8 - with a BUT
12:47 REVERBS?
16:15 PITCH Shifting?
20:39 Blind REVEAL

[hozzer]

New update for Ampero stomp is 3 now has scenes per patch as of 14/04/24

[beaucroftrecorders]

I love how you start by saying you want to say about the bad things of these pedals but by the end are showing us why you love the Hotone! Lovely playing, as always.

[Lucas_Salles]

There is a walk around the problems you pointed out about the Ampero: a Ampero Switch costs about 50 bucks and you can set it to do some of these functions.
Also, you can buy a midi controller like the Ampero Control or the MVave Chocolate and combine it with the Ampero Switch or a expression pedal.
If you set these long press functions in a external controller, that milisecond in another preset doesn't happen anymore.

About the snapshots, Hotone said they're planning to implement it by the next firmware update, so let's wait.

Awesome video as usual, you've helped me decide to buy the Stomp.
The price was better (377 dollars vs 1000 dollars of the HX Stomp here in Brazil) and your videos convinced me about the sounds

[RELcproductions]

Just bought my ampero 2 stomp yesterday after a lot of research and I have to say I am super satisfied with it.
To my ears it sounds a bit more natural than the Helix stuff and it's also cheaper here in Israel. It's kind of a bummer that it's not as convenient to navigate as the hx but foe the money I think it has a better value and who knows maybe in a few updates they'll address that issue.
Great videos by the way! Love your channel

[LEString]

For my taste the Hotone somehow sounds much more organic and dynamic on all tones/presets. I also like the reverbs better, much warmer. I think I will get the Hotone. Thank you for the really nice comparison!! It would be sick if you could also offer your presets for the Hotone soon. :)

[WARSAW]

The amp model algorithms in the hotone sound/feel better IMHO. It has good celestion IR as well. If you are going to use your own IR the gap between them narrows, but I think the ampero amps still sound MUCH MUCH better, it's not even close. I dont have the specs, but it just feels like a more powerfull and modern unit (though it might just be the algorithms). The only true advantage is the scenes in the hx stomp. Other than that the ampero is a superior unit. Also you can expand the live usability for negligible price with an external small dual footswitch that costs 20 bucks. I think you really want to like the hx stomp, may be because you ve been using line 6 for so long. But the sounds you get out of the ampero are just better.

[betzky]

Ampero Stomp 2 Bedroom/Office player chiming in here.

For me, it comes down to:
* Do you want consistent updates
* Do you want a bigger community to help dial in sounds
* Do you want pre-built patches, or a greater selection of patch creators

If the answer to all of this is yes, go the Line 6 Stomp. I love the Ampero Stomp for my needs but it falls down in the areas above The community is growing, so this may be fixed over time. Line 6 has the best eco-system and user-base, so overtime, I think it would be a better choice in terms of value.

However, if you invest in a decent reverb pedal, and maybe some of the other DSP heavy effects to run beside the Ampero (either behind or in the loop) - this unit is a beast. Dual amp, and dual IR is possible if you offload those DSP intense effects to actual units. Stereo capabilities (two cabinets or studio monitors etc) is what I'm aiming for in the long term.

Lastly, John sells his presets for a ridiculously cheap price, and is (in my humble opinon) the best patch creator for the Ampero Stomp 2.

[MaTTheWish]

Hotone also has a very nice selection bof preinstalled Celestion speaker IRs. They sound very high definition too.
The modulation and pitch shift might be superior on Helix.
Good comparison.

[paulblanton]

I like the idea of having the touchscreen and being able to get on your cell phone with the app for adjustments.

[BobbyCulpepper.srvfender]

I really like how to ampero editor has item descriptions, I've said helix editor should get this, it's tiring to have to memorize what every model is modelled after and the specs of those items

[lyleanderson]

The quality of the build and functionality at these price points are amazing. There is no wrong answer just preference. After reviewing many videos the Hotone Ampero stomp II easy covers everything whether live, studio, or other. Great Demo!

[nicholasstorer]

For amp tones, I much prefer the Ampero. I also like the simplicity of the amp controls, which are exactly like the amps they are modeling.

Would you be able to do a video using the Ampero with the HX Effects? That might help with getting A) getting the amp tones and drives from the Ampero and B) getting the synth/pitch effects and time based effects from the HX effects.

[KyleK]

I had a Helix rack which I loved, then decided to not play live anymore and opted to downsize to an HX Stomp because they say they sound the same. They do not, unless I got a bad unit but working with Line 6 for a couple weeks, my specific device sounded absolutely terrible to my ears and myself never being someone to complain much about how an amp "feels" did complain quite a bit about the HX Stomp feeling terrible. Line 6 assured me my device was function as it was intended but if it was, then that is too bad. I bought an Ampero Stomp and it sounds and feels 100 times better than the HX variant to me.

If I ever opted to play live again (doubtful) I would likely try another Helix rack. But the Ampero Stomp isn't going anywhere and I wouldn't even consider an HX Stomp again.

[givemeajackson]

first guess: A is the stomp. purely cause the JCM on device A is darker, and the JCM in the helix isn't particularly bright. to claim that there is a "quality" difference would be cork sniffing rubbish. what i will say though is that the hotone stuff i played with feels more like a kemper caputre of an amp than a digital model of it when you start tweaking. the knobs don't do what they do on the amps. on the helix i think the controls behave very similarly to their real life counterparts for the most part. the effects selection of the helix ecosystem is better too imo.

the big thing that the stomp and all helix devices have over every single other modeller is Native. yes it's an additional 100 bucks when it's not on sale, but having the same sounds of your hardware modeller available as a plugin is so incredibly convenient. as someone who's very used to HX edit when i'm just noodling, the switch over into Native for recording is so natural. i know the whole ecosystem inside and out by now, i can even exchange presets between native and the stomp. and i use native for absolutely everything, guitars, bass, vocals, even drums. the only other plugin i use these days is the TPA-1 power amp sim if i'm recording a tube preamp...

overall buying the stomp and native alongside it has hugely boosted my recording capabilities. i can record a demo mix that gets the point across in such short time now, with no additional gear, no volume concerns, no noise issues, no feedback issues, and best of all i can just lay down a DI and do *Everything* tone wise in post with native, in real time, no reamping needed.

[iantaylor]

Love your vids and blah blah blah. More importantly really digging your current haircut bro. Lookin' fresh.

[brammanck]

Love my Hotone. The pitch is horrible to be honest. But the amps and cabs are great so that does it for me anyway

[gtmuseA]

Thanks for the very useful info! I like the sounds but the limited routing makes it not work on either of the two boards it might have gone on. 🎸🙁

[MOAB-UT]

That Hotone is pretty nice for the price. I am a huge Fractal Audio fan but remain disappointed that their UI is so old. They need to add a touchscreen. It is embarrassing that a sub $500 Ampero has one and Fractals $1, 699.99 modeler does not. I hope they are paying attention.

The Ampero II sounds great. By no means is it as capable as FM9 but for the average, casual player, it will do the job well. The form factor is also nice and small. It clearly lacks many features, I/O, cabs, effects, CPU power, top notch Reverbs etc. For $499.99 or less used, it could be a great option for the masses.

Now, when Fractal makes a FM9 or ideally, a smaller FM6 WITH A TOUCHSCREEN, bring back the grab handles and bump up the CPU power, that will really be something special.

[christian_oz]

Your playing is impeccable, John. Which one do you favour now after 10 months of this video?

[seancook]

Just as well the Ampero Stage 2 does the presets and scenes sorts most of the reasons not to buy…….the more research I do the more I am leaning towards to Stage 2 for quality and bang for buck