USER'S MANUAL For Firmware V3.0 DESIGN INSPIRATION The contents of this manual are subject to change without notice.
Contents Welcome · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 1 Included Software · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 2 0 Notice · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 1 Effects List · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 2 1 Effect Models List · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 2 1 Definitions · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 2 Panel · · · · · · ·
1 Welcome Thank you for purchasing a Hotone product. Please read this manual carefully to get the most out of your Ampero. Please keep this manual to use for further reference. Notice Please read this manual carefully. It contains information regarding the proper use of this product and other important information. Warning • Do not open the casing or attempt to modify the product or power supply. Hotone will not be responsible for product damage or bodily harm should the product be tampered with.
2 Definitions Module Ampero supports the simultaneous use of up to 9 effects. Each is called an “effects module”, or simply “module”. There are several effects available in each module. Patch The ON/OFF status of each module and the parameter settings are stored in units called “patches”. These are your “tones”. Use patches to recall, edit, and save your favorite tones. Parameter Variables that determine the application of an effect are called “parameters”.
3 Panel 9 8 10 11 11 8. EXP 2/FS: 1/4” TRS input, for connecting an external expression pedal/footswitch controller. Perfect for Hotone Soul Press or Bass Press. 9. Input Mode: Selects between input modes optimized for different instruments. a. E.GT: Electric guitar or bass b. A.GT: Acoustic guitar or other acoustic instrument c. LINE: Keyboard or synthesizer 10. INPUT: 1/4” Mono input connection for guitar or other instrument. 11.
4 Main Display Screen When Ampero is turned on it will display the main screen, as shown below: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 3 4 2 5 5 5 1. Current patch number 2. Current patch name 3. Patch selection back button 4. Patch selection forward button 5. Effects parameters controlled by quick access knobs. Pressing the parameter name allows you to change the parameter you’re controlling. See page 9. 6. CTRL/EXP gives you access to control settings. See page 9. 7. DRUM opens the drum machine settings.
5 Ampero Tools Ampero is equipped with some great tools to expand your playing experience: a tuner, drum machine, looper, and expression pedal. TUNER In default mode, pressing footswitch 3 will open the tuner. In tune Exit tuner Pitch sharp Pitch flat Indicates the current note name Adjusts the pitch calibration Selects tuner mode On the upper part is a scale that indicates your pitch. Left of center is flat, and right of center is sharp.
6 Ampero Tools LOOPER In default mode, pressing footswitch 3 and the CTRL footswitch together will open the looper menu. Exit looper Current looper status Reverse on/off switch 1/2 speed on/off switch Record/play time Record/play progress bar Clear all recorded data Next patch Previous patch Controls looper recording level Switches looper position Controls looper playback level (pre/post effects) The progress bar at the top will be shown in red during recording and overdubbing.
7 Ampero Tools EXP Pedal You can either use the built in expression pedal (EXP 1) or connect your own (EXP 2) to control various Ampero paramaters. Some of Ampero’s preset patches have been set up to use the built in expression pedal. These can be used without any further setup. For more on expression pedal settings. See page 12. To turn the built in expression pedal on, press the pedal all the way forward so it clicks.
8 Customizing Your Ampero Press a square to select that module, then use quick access knob 1 or the on/off button to turn that module on or off. Press EDIT to enter the module edit menu. You can also use the main knob: turn it to select a module, then press and click it to turn the module on or off. Press and hold the knob to enter the module edit menu.
9 Customizing Your Ampero Control Settings Use the control settings to determine the CTRL footswitch and quick access knob targets, setup the expression pedal parameters, and calibrate the expression pedal. Remember that all the control settings will change as you change patches. If you switch patches or turn Ampero off before saving your changes, the changes will be lost. Make sure to press SAVE on the upper right of the display screen to save your settings.
10 Customizing Your Ampero CTRL Settings Use the CTRL Settings menu to assign a function to CTRL footswitch or select which modules of the current patch will be controlled by the CTRL footswitch. • Function Under the Function option you can assign a function to CTRL footswitch.
11 Customizing Your Ampero Tap Tempo and Tap Divide To use tap tempo function you can: (1) Hold the footswitch when Module/Tap or EXP 1 On/Off function is assigned to CTRL footswitch (2) Assign Tap Tempo function to CTRL footswitch Quick Access Knobs This menu allows you to set the parameter targets for the three Quick Access Knobs under the current patch. The parameter targets can also be the effects parameters of the current effects module, patch volume and patch tempo.
12 Customizing Your Ampero EXP Settings From this menu, you can control the settings of or calibrate your built-in or external expression pedal. Here, EXP 1 refers to the built-in pedal, and EXP 2 refers to your external expression pedal. • EXP 1 Settings There are four options within this menu: Target, Expression Range, Volume Range, and Calibrate. - Target Under the Target option, you can set the pedal’s control target.
13 Customizing Your Ampero - Volume Range When the built in expression pedal is off, it continues to work as a volume pedal for Ampero. Under the Volume Range option, you can set the volume pedal range and sweep curve. Same as Expression Range section, MIN and MAX represent the lowest/highest volume range value. The MIN and MAX range is 0100, and the MIN value can be greater than the MAX value. There are also three CURVE types like expression settings: Line, Exp and Log.
14 Customizing Your Ampero SAVE In the SAVE menu, you can save the changes your made to your effects parameters, control information, and other editable targets. It is very important to save the changes you made to your tone and control settings! Cancel saving and exit Confirm saving Deletes unwanted characters Select a patch location to save Changes the cursor position Selects the character Changes the type of the character Quick access knob 1 changes the position of the cursor.
15 Customizing Your Ampero I/O Set the global input/output levels and modes in the I/O menu. Adjust the optimal Input Level for the instrument or other input you’re using. Adjustable range is from -20dB to +20dB. Default is set to 0dB. Out Mode lets you set up the unbalanced 1/4” out (UNBAL) and balanced 1/4” out (BAL) mode. The selections for these are the same: instrument output (Inst) and line output (Line). Use the instrument line out for connecting to amplifiers or other effects equipment.
16 Customizing Your Ampero EXP 2/FS You can also connect external footswitches to EXP2/FS jack for further control. This menu allows you to set up the working mode of EXP 2/FS jack and the functions of external footswitches. The menu includes MODE, FS5 TAP, FS6 TAP, BANK SEL MODE. Select a mode from EXP (connect to expression pedal), Single FS (single footswitch controller) and Dual FS (dual footswitch controller).
17 Suggested Setups Here are some common setups to get the most out of Ampero. Using with your instrument and amp Plug your instrument into the Ampero instrument IN jack, and run a cable (or two) from the unbalanced OUT to your amplifier(s). If you have one amp, run the cable from the left output. For best results, turn off the AMP and CAB modules on Ampero. Connecting to your amp's RETURN or Power Amp (Loudster) INPUT Connect the unbalanced outputs to your amp’s FX Loop Return input or post amp input.
18 Suggested Setups Connecting your mixer, interface, headphones, and other equipment Connect Ampero’s balanced or unbalanced outputs to your mixer or audio interface’s corresponding inputs. Use the balanced outputs for optimal signal to noise ratio. If you want to send a mono signal out, use Ampero’s left output channel. To prevent damage to your equipment, make sure the mixer or interface channel’s volume is muted before making any connections.
19 Suggested Setups Connecting to your computer as an audio interface Connect a USB cable (not included) from Ampero to your computer. For PC systems before Windows 10, you’ll need to set up the driver. Ampero is plug and play for Windows 10 or later versions and macOS. Run line out cables to your monitors, or use headphones. Using the AUX IN line Connect a male-to-male 1/8” stereo cable from your audio source (phone or MP3 player) to Ampero’s AUX IN jack.
20 Included Software Connect Ampero to your computer and access the free software to manage your Ampero device, adjust tonal settings, transfer files, update firmware, restore settings, and upload third party IR files. Ampero software is compatible with Windows and macOS platforms. Log on to www.hotoneaudio.com/support to download the free software.
21 Effect List Effect Models List Fx1, FX2, Fx3 (71) Dynamic (9) FX Title Description Comprosso Based on the legendary Ross™ Compressor Comparoma 4 Blue Sustainer Squeezer Affinity Boost Beefy Boost Pristine Boost FET Boost Enhancer Acoustic Refiner AC Sim Parameters & Ranges Sustain (0~100) Controls the compression amount Output (0~100) Controls the effect output volume Based on the Keeley® C4 4-knob compressor* Sustain (0~100) Controls the compression amount Attack (0~100) Controls how soon
22 Effect List Effect Models List Dynamic Basso A special envelope filter (a.k.a. touch wah) designed for bassists, provides a natural, smooth sound full of analog feel Toucher A wide ranged envelope filter (a.k.a.
23 Effect List Effect Models List Bit Krusher Ring Mod Green Drive Yellow Drive Swarm Drive Super Drive Mix (0~100) Contols the wet/dry signal ratio Krush (0~100) Controls the downsampling rate Provides bitcrushing/sample reducing effect with musical fashion Bit (0~100) Controls the bit depth Hi Cut (0~100) Controls the high cut amnount Lo Cut (0~100) Controls the low cut amount Mix (0~100) Contols the wet/dry signal ratio Freq (0~100) Controls the modulation frequency A ring modulator for creating int
24 Effect List Effect Models List Direct Touch Big Pie Face Fuzz Bend Fuzz Black Tail Plustortion Smooth Dist Governor Crunchist Purple Plexi Panama Lead Bass Crusher Gain (0~100) Controls the gain amount Tone (0~100) Controls the tone brightness Volume (0~100) Controls the effect output volume Harmonics (Off/On) Switches extra harmonics on/off Sustain (0~100) Controls the gain amount Based on legendary Electro-Harmonix® Big Muff Pi®* Tone (0~100) Controls the tone brightness fuzz/distortion pedal V
25 Effect List Effect Models List Solid Steel A bass drive with rich, solid sound and flexible tonal range Gain (0~100) Controls the gain amount Tone (0~100) Controls the tone brightness Volume (0~100) Controls the effect output volume Mode (Normal/Scoop/Edge) Selects from 3 different modes: Normal: Neutral mode /Scoop: Mid-scooped mode/Edge: A mode with boosted highs Blend (0~100) Controls the wet/dry signal ratio Modulation(22) Aozora Chorus Based on legendary Arion® SCH-1* stereo chorus pedal, prod
26 Effect List Effect Models List Pulser Based on a BBD-based blue vibrato pedal, producing natural analog vibrato sound Grand Vibrato Based on the legendary huge ensemble chorus pedal born in late 1970s (vibrato mode), producing rich, shimmering vintage analog vibrato tone Shiver A classic vibrato effect with wide adjustable range Shiver T A special vibrato with touch-sensitive dynamic depth control 90 Phaser Based on legendary MXR® M101 Phase 90* Green Phaser Based on a legendary 2-knob green
27 Effect List Effect Models List Custom Trem A custom tremolo with 4 different waveforms and super wide tonal range Depth (0~100) Controls the tremolo depth Rate (0~100) Controls the tremolo speed Volume (0~100) Controls the output volume Color (0~100) Controls the effect tone Shape (Sine/Triangle/Square/Sawtooth) Selects from sine/triangle/square/sawtooth tremolo waveforms Bias (0~100) Controls the waveform offset amount Sync (Off/On) Switches Tap Tempo sync on/off AMP(63) Clean(14) Tweed Lux Based
28 Effect List Effect Models List Glacian Clean Dr.
29 Effect List Effect Models List Emperor Drive Based on Matchless™ Chieftain 212 combo* (dirty tone) Dr. 38 Drive Based on Dr.
30 Effect List Effect Models List Hot Kitty Drive Messe IIC+ 1 Messe IIC+ 2 Messe IIC+ 2 Soloist 100 Crunch Marshell 800 Pendragon Drive Fryman B1 Fryman B2 Glacian Drive Marshell 900 Dizzle VH B Dizzle VH S Engle Saga 1 Engle Saga 2 Powerengle Lead Fryman HB Fryman HB+ Eddie 51 Soloist 100 Lead Messe IV Lead 1 Messe IV Lead 2 Messe IV Lead 3 Tangerine R100 Gain (0~100) Controls the amp pre gain Presence (0~100) Controls the amp presence Based on Mesa/Boogie® Mark II C+™ (Lead channel) with Master (0~1
31 Effect List Effect Models List Rector Dual V Based on Mesa/Boogie® Dual Rectifier® (CH3, vintage mode) Rector Dual M Based on Mesa/Boogie® Dual Rectifier® (CH3, modern mode) Dizzle VH+B Dizzle VH+S Boger XT Blue V Boger XT Blue M Boger XT Red V Boger XT Red M Based on Diezel® VH4* (CH4, blue version) Based on Diezel® VH4* (CH4, silver version) Based on Bogner® Ecstasy* ("Blue" channel, Vintage mode) Based on Bogner® Ecstasy* ("Blue" channel, Modern mode) Based on Bogner® Ecstasy* ("Red" channel, Vi
32 Effect List Effect Models List Acoustic(2) Volume (0~100) Controls the output volume Tone (0~100) Controls the tone brightness Balance (0~100) Controls the tone control balance; Acoustic Preamp 1 turn to 0 to disable tone control EQ Freq (0~100) Controls the EQ center frequency from 90Hz to 1.
33 Effect List Effect Models List Tweed Lux 1x12 US Studio 1x12 Ace 20 1x12 UK G12M 1x12 Voxy 2x12 Emperor 2x12 Jazz Twin 2x12 Black Twin 2x12 UK Green 2x12 Tweed Super 2x10 Boutique 2x12 Baseman 2x12 Superb 2x12 Match Twin 2x12 Superstar 2x12 Freedom 2x12 Black Custom 2x12 Twin Rock 2x12 Bluesky 2x12 Baseman 4x10 UK Lead 4x12 UK Trad 2x12 UK Modern 4x12 UK Green 4x12 Eddie 4x12 Rector 4x12 Boger 4x12 Engle 4x12 Urban 4x12 Soloist 4x12 Tang 4x12 Hiway 4x12 UK Black 4x12 The Way 4x12 Dumbell 4x12 Dizzle 4x1
34 Effect List Effect Models List Adam 4x10 Ampage 4x10 Worker 4x10 Hacker 4x12 Ampage 8x10 Dreadnought 1 Dreadnought 2 Orchestal Jumbo Hum Bird Auditorium Classical Mandolin Fretless Bass Double Bass User IR (71-80) Name OFF Dyn 57 Dyn 58 Dyn 421 Dyn 16 Dyn 112 Dyn 609 Con U67 Con 87A Con U87 Rib 121 David Eden®* 4x10" bass cabinet Ampeg® SVT-410HE* 4x10" bass cabinet SWR® Workingman's* 4x10" bass cabinet Hartke®* 4x12" bass cabinet Ampeg SVT-810E* 8x10" bass cabinet Factory Acoustic Cab(10) Dreadnought
35 Effect List Effect Models List EQ(7) FX Title Description Guitar EQ 1 Equalizer designed for guitars Guitar EQ 2 Bass EQ 1 Equalizer designed for basses Bass EQ 2 Equalizer designed for basses Para EQ 4-band parametric EQ with low/high shelving filters suitable for any instrument Parameters & Range 125Hz (-50~+50) Boosts/cuts the frequency bands shown as above 400Hz (-50~+50) Boosts/cuts the frequency bands shown as above 800Hz (-50~+50) Boosts/cuts the frequency bands shown as above 1.
36 Effect List Effect Models List Graphic EQ V-EQ Sweetie Recaller Pure Eko Analog Eko Ekopress 80 Mag Eko Tube Eko Ekopress 900 10-band graphic EQ suitable for any instrument 80Hz (-50~+50) Boosts/cuts the frequency bands shown as above 240Hz (-50~+50) Boosts/cuts the frequency bands shown as above Based on the 5-band EQ module on 750Hz (-50~+50) Boosts/cuts the frequency bands shown as above Mesa/Boogie®* amps 2.2kHz (-50~+50) Boosts/cuts the frequency bands shown as above 6.
37 Effect List Effect Models List Ping Pong A ping-pong delay producing stereo feedbadk bounces back and forth between left and right channels Multi Head A multi tap delay that simulates a huge 4-head tape echo machine Slapback Simulates the classic slapback echo effect Vintage Rack Reproduces the sound of a vintage 1980's rack-mount delay machine with slightly sample-reduced feedback Sweep Eko Producing a delay effect with sweeping filter modulated repeats Trem Eko Producing a delay effect with
38 Effect List Effect Models List Lofi Eko Ring Eko Ekoverb Producing a delay effect with lo-fi'd repeats Mix (0~100) Contols the wet/dry signal ratio Feedback (0~100) Controls the feedback amount Time (20ms-4000ms) Controls the delay time Bit (0~100) Controls the effect bit depth Krush (0~100) Controls the effect downsampling rate Sync (Off/On) Switches Tap Tempo sync on/off Trail (Off/On) Switches effect trail on/off Producing a delay effect with ring modulated repeats Dly Mix (0~100) Contols the d
39 Effect List Effect Models List Sweet Space Shimmer Mix (0~100) Controls the wet/dry signal ratio Pre Delay (0ms-100ms) Controls the pre delay time Decay (0~100) Controls the reverb decay time Produces a modulated reverb effect that is lush and sweet Lo End (-50~+50) Controls the effect low frequency amount Hi End (-50~+50) Controls the effect high frequency amount Trail (Off/On) Switches effect trail on/off Mix (0~100) Controls the wet/dry signal ratio Pre Delay (0ms-100ms) Controls the pre delay tim
40 Effects List Drum Machine Rhythms Type 4 Beat Rhythms Rock Funk Jazz Blues Latin DESIGN INSPIRATION Number 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 Name 4-Beat 1 4-Beat 2 4-Beat 3 4-Beat 4 4-Beat 5 4-Beat 6 4-Beat 7 4-Beat 8 4-Beat 9 4-Beat 10 Roots Classic Rock Pop Rock Slow Rock Rock Shuffle Rock Ballad Punk New Wave Hard Rock Metal Funk Funk Rock Electro Funk Soul R&B Jazz Big Band Fusion Swing Dixieland
41 Effects List Drum Machine Rhythms Type Latin Electronic World Various Beat Metronome DESIGN INSPIRATION Number 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 Name Latin Rock Latin Dance Hip Hop Trip Hop Techno Break Beat Drum n' Bass Waltz Polka March 6/8 March Army March Mazurka Musette Ska New Age World 3/4 Beat1 3/4 Beat2 6/8 Beat1 6/8 Beat2 5/4 Beat 6/4 Beat 7/4 Beat 9/8 Beat 10/8 Beat 11/8 Beat Metronome 1/4 Metronome 2/4 Metro
42 Effects List MIDI Control Information List CC# Value Range 0 0-1 7 11 0-100 0-127 13 0-127 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 0-127 0-127 0-127 0-127 0-127 0-127 0-127 0-127 0-127 0-127 48 0-127 49 0-127 50 0-127 51 0-127 52 0-127 53 0-127 54 55 DESIGN INSPIRATION 0-127 0-127 Comments Bank MSB: User Patch: CC 0=1, PC=0-98 Factory Patch: CC 0=0, PC=0-98 Patch Volume EXP 1 EXP 1 on/off: 0-63: off 64-127: on Quick Access Knob 1 MSB Quick Access Knob 1 LSB Quick Access Knob 2 MSB Quic
43 Troubleshooting Device won’t turn on • Make sure the power supply is properly connected and the device is switched on. • Check if the power adapter is working properly. •Check if you’re using the correct power adapter. No sound or slight sound • Make sure your cables are connected properly. • Make sure the volume knob is adjusted properly. • When the expression pedal is used for volume control, check it’s position and volume settings. • Check the effects module volume settings.
