Hotone AMPERO II STAGE User manual

1
User Manual
For Firmware V1.0.2
※In the interest of product improvement, the specifications and/or the content of products (including but not limited to appearances, packaging design, manual
content, accessories, size, parameters and display screen), are subject to change without prior notice. Please check with local supplier for exact offers. Specifications
and features (including but not limited to appearances, colors and size) may vary by model owing to environmental factors, and all images are illustrative.

Contents
Welcome ··················································································1
Safety Instructions··································································2
Precautions····························································································2
Definition of intended use·································································2
Definitions ···············································································7
Panel ························································································9
Front·········································································································9
Top···········································································································11
Getting Started······································································13
Using the Interface································································15
Unit Mode and Main Display·················································17
Patch Mode··························································································18
Stomp Mode (FX Chain View) ························································19
Stomp Mode (Footswitch View) ·················································· 20
Tuner ······················································································22
Looper ····················································································23
Drum ······················································································26
Bypass ···················································································27
Customizing Your Unit···························································28
Edit A Patch ························································································ 28
Effects Chain Basics ······································································ 28
Input Node Setup···············································································31
Output Node Setup ·········································································· 33
Effects Chain Types·········································································· 34
Split/Mixer Node Settings ···························································· 36
Effects Chain Templates································································· 39
Slots and Modules Settings ·························································· 40
Effects Settings················································································· 43
Using FX Loop ···················································································· 46
Patch Tempo and Volume ····························································· 50

Scenes ································································································· 50
Patch Settings ····················································································51
FS Settings·························································································· 52
Quick Access Para············································································· 53
EXP 1-3 Settings··············································································· 54
SAVE ······································································································ 56
Patch Management ········································································ 57
GLOBAL ··················································································60
I/O··········································································································· 60
USB Audio···························································································· 63
Advanced USB Audio Interface Function Guide······················ 64
Controls ······························································································· 67
MIDI Settings ······················································································71
Global EQ ···························································································· 72
Display ··································································································74
Bluetooth····························································································· 75
About····································································································· 76
Factory Reset····················································································· 76
Suggested Setups ·································································78
Using with your instrument and amp········································ 78
Connecting to your amp's RETURN or Power Amp
(Loudster)/FRFR cabinet INPUT··················································· 79
On-stage dual outputs ·································································· 80
Singer performing with instruments ········································· 81
Connecting your mixer, interface, headphones, and other
equipment ··························································································· 82
Connecting to your computer as an audio interface ············ 83
Using Bluetooth audio and AUX IN ············································ 84
The Editor ··············································································85
Troubleshooting ····································································86
Technical Specifications ························································88

Welcome 1
˃Welcome
Thank you for purchasing a Hotone product.
Please read this manual carefully to get the most out of your Ampero II
Stage.
Please keep this manual in a safe place for further reference.

Safety Instructions 2
˃Safety Instructions
Precautions
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE OPERATING THE DEVICE.
Please keep this manual in a safe place for future reference.
Please always follow the basic precautions listed below.
These precautions include, but are not limited to, the following:
Definition of intended use
Power supply & power cord
Please check the voltage specification on the device or device power adaptor
match your power supply network.
Please be sure to use the device just with an adequate power supply, such as
original supplied power adaptor.
When using a 3rd party power adapter, please make sure the power adapter
fits the device’s power requirement. Use of an adapter other than that
specified could damage the unit or cause malfunction and pose a safety
hazard, such as incorrect polarity would cause the fire hazard.
Hotone will not be responsible for physical injury to you or others, or damage
to the device or other property.
When disconnecting the adapter from an outlet, please always pull the
connector itself. Pulling the cord will cause damage to the unit.
Make sure to separate the power adapter and store in a safe place.
Please remove the electric plug from the outlet when the device is not to be
used for extended periods of time, or during electrical storms.
Please be sure to connect to an appropriate outlet with a protective
grounding connection.
Do not open

Safety Instructions 3
This device contains no user-serviceable parts. Do not open the device or
attempt to disassemble the internal parts or modify them in any way.
Opening the case may expose you to dangerous voltages, or other hazards.
Opening the casing or performing self-repairs on this device will result in the
loss of the warranty eligibility for this device.
If it should appear to be malfunctioning, please discontinue use immediately
and contact our service team.
Water warning
Do not expose the device to rain, use it near water or in damp or wet
conditions, or place on it any containers (such as vases, bottles or glasses)
containing liquids which might spill into any openings. If any liquid such as
water seeps into the device, turn off the power immediately and unplug the
power cord from the AC outlet.
Please never insert or remove an electric plug with wet hands.
Fire warning
Please do not place any burning items or open flames near the device, since
they may cause a fire hazard.
Electromagnetic fields warning
Please avoid operating the device within significant electromagnetic fields.
Failing to do so may result in noise, device malfunction, or even loss of data
etc.
Hearing loss
Please avoid setting all volume levels to their maximum, specially with using
headphones. Depending on the condition of the connected devices, doing so
may result in feedback that can cause hearing loss and damage the speakers
or headphones.
Before connecting the device to other devices, please turn off the power
for all devices. Also, before turning the power of all devices on or off, please

Safety Instructions 4
make sure that all volume levels are set to the minimum. Failing to do so may
result in hearing loss, electric shock, or device damage.
Location
Please keep away form children, or be accompanied by an adult. The
following may cause choking hazard.
- Swallowing of small parts.
- Plastic covers and other packaging material.
While using, please do not cover the device with any cloth, or block any jack
of the device.
The device and power supply will become warm with extended use.
Please avoid using the device in any of the following conditions that could
cause malfunction:
- Extremely hot or cold places
- Sandy or dusty places
- Contact with corrosive gases or salt air
- Places with extreme vibrations
Before moving the device, please be sure to remove all connected cables,
and power adaptor.
Depending on the material and temperature of the surface on which you
place the device, its rubber feet may discolor or mar the surface.
Maintenance
Please remove the power plug from the AC outlet while cleaning the device.
Please use a soft cloth to clean the panels if they become dirty. If necessary,
slightly moisten the cloth.
Never use cleansers, wax, or solvents such as paint thinner, benzene or
alcohol.
Operation
Please do not apply excessive force to the knobs, switches, jacks, and other
controls.

Safety Instructions 5
Please do not apply excessive force to the screen (if applicable) or casing,
which may cause malfunction.
Please do not expose the unit to strong impact or drop it.
Please do not place foreign objects (liquid or solid) into the device.
Malfunction
If any of the following problems occur, immediately turn off the device and
disconnect the electric plug from the outlet.
- The device is dropped or damaged.
- The power cord or plug becomes frayed or damaged.
- The power adaptor malfunction.
- Unusual smells or smoke are emitted.
- Some object has been dropped into the device.
- There is a sudden loss of sound during use of the device.
- Cracks or other visible damage appear on the device.
- The device has other obvious signs of malfunction (e.g. can not turn on,
knobs can not work, volume is too low, etc.)
Then please contact our service team.
About disposal
While disposing of this product, please take them to applicable collection
points, for proper treatment, in accordance with your national legislation.
Disposal of the packaging material
For the transport and protective packaging, environmentally
friendly materials have been chosen that can be supplied to
normal recycling.
Ensure that plastic bags, packaging, etc. are properly disposed of.
Please do not just dispose of these materials with your normal household
waste, but make sure that they are collected for recycling.
Disposal of your old device

Safety Instructions 6
This symbol on the products, packaging, and/or accompanying
documents means that used electrical and electronic products
should not be mixed with general household waste.
By disposing of these products correctly, you will help to save valuable
resources and prevent any potential negative effects on human health and
the environment which could otherwise arise from inappropriate waste
handling.
For more information about collection and recycling of old products, please
contact your local municipality, your waste disposal service or the point of
sale where you purchased the items.
This product is subject to the European Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive - Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment) as amended from time to time version.
Observe the disposal note for documentation in France.
Disposal of batteries
Batteries must not be discarded or incinerated, but disposed of in
accordance with local hazardous waste disposal regulations.
Service Contact
Please prepare information including the model name, serial number, specific
symptoms related to the malfunction, your name, address and telephone
number, etc.
You can contact the store where you bought the device, or contact Hotone
support ([e-mail])
Please use this device according to the manual provided. Any other use, as
well as use under other operating conditions, is considered improper use.
Hotone cannot be held responsible for damage caused by improper use or
modifications to the device.

Definitions 7
˃Definitions
Effects Chain
The effects chain (or simply “chain”) shows the current internal signal
routing/effect procession including current effects chain type, signal
routing, current effects and effects combination, etc.
Ampero II Stage features two effects chains with flexible serial/parallel
options.
Effect Slot
Effect slots (or simply “slots”) are spaces located on an effects chain for
adding effects. Ampero II Stage features 6 slots on one effects chain, 12
slots in total.
Module
Ampero II Stage employs 13 kinds of effects, each kind is called an “effects
module,” or simply “module”. There are several effects available in each
module. To use an effect, add a module to an empty effect slot, and then
pick one effect in the module.
There are also some modules used for signal routing only.
Parameter
Variables that determine the application of an effect are called
“parameters”. If we imagine each slot as a separate effect pedal, then
each parameter would be a knob on that pedal.
Node
The beginning/end of an effects chain or the intersection of two effects
chains is called a “node”:
Input node is the beginning of an effects chain that sets signal input
source;

Definitions 8
Output node is the end of an effects chain that determines where the
signal goes;
Split node splits one effects chain into two, sending the signal to two
effects chains;
Mixer node combines two effects chains into one.
Patch
The ON/OFF status and current module/effect of each effect slot,
parameter settings and related controller/expression pedal settings are
stored in units called “patches”. These are your “tones.” Use patches to
recall, edit, and save your favorite tones.
Scene
A scene is a “patch within a patch” which helps you hold different effect
parameter combinations and module on/off statuses in current patch.
You can use scene function for gap free effect switching or natural delay/
reverb trail spillovers during live performance.
Bank
A set of 5 patches is called a “bank”. Ampero II Stage has a total of 60
banks, which means, you have up to 300 fully editable/savable patches.

Panel 9
˃Panel
Front
1
2
66666
76 6
8
3
4
555
1. Display Screen: Displays unit current status. Use the touchscreen to
select effects, edit patches, and make tone adjustments.
2. Volume Knob: Turning this knob allows you to adjust unbalanced/
balanced (along with headphones output)/Bluetooth (appears when
connected) output volume, press to switch between control targets:
Turn to adjust selected output volume

Panel 10
Press Volume
Press - When Bluetooth disconnected
Press Volume Press Volume
Press Volume
Press - When Bluetooth connected
3. MENU/VALUE Knob (Main Knob): Turning or pressing this knob allows
you to change menus and adjust parameters.
4. Screen Lock Button: Use to lock or unlock the touchscreen.
5. Quick Access Knobs 1-3 (left to right): Use to adjust parameters on the
lower part of the screen. Each knob will vary in function according to the
parameter on the display.
6. Programmable Footswitch: Use to change patches/scenes, turn on/off
effects, set tap tempo, etc.
7. Mode Footswitch: Press to toggle between Patch and Stomp modes, hold
to bypass the unit. The function of Mode footswitch is fixed.
8. LED Strip: RGB LED strip lights for indicating I/O meter, acting as a
parameter status bar, etc.

Panel 11
Top
1 1 2 34 4 5 5 6 6 12 13
78
9
10
14
11
1. EXP/CTRL 1/2: 1/4" (6.35mm) TRS inputs, for connecting external
expression pedals/momentary footswitch controllers. Perfect for
Ampero II Press.
EXP/CTRL
12
2. INPUT L: 1/4" (6.35mm) unbalanced input connection for guitar or other
instruments
3. INPUT R: XLR/TS combo input for instruments or microphones.
4. STEREO FX LOOP: 1/4" (6.35mm) unbalanced stereo TRS input/output
connections:
• SEND: 1/4" (6.35mm) unbalanced stereo TRS output jack, for feeding
signal to other devices
• RETURN: 1/4" (6.35mm) unbalanced stereo TRS input jack, for receiving
signal from other devices
When you need stereo connection, a Y cable is needed for connector
separation/combination:
To other devices (L)
To other devices (R)
FX Loop send jack

Panel 12
From other devices (L)
From other devices (R)
FX Loop return jack
5. UNBALANCED OUTPUT: 1/4" (6.35mm) unbalanced stereo output
connections to amplifiers or other equipment. For mono output, use only
the left unbalanced output.
6. BALANCED OUTPUT: A pair of balanced XLR outputs for stereo
connection to mixer or audio interface. For mono output, use only the
left balanced output.
7. GND LIFT: Turn the GND LIFT switch ON to cut off the ground connection
of the two XLR connectors (Ground Lift) to avoid noise caused by the
Ground Loop. Turned OFF, the XLR line will be ground normally.
8. AUX IN: 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo input for connecting external devices
(phone, MP3 player) for practice and jamming.
9. PHONES: 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo output for connecting headphones.
10. MIDI OUT/THRU: 1/8” (3.5mm) TRS MIDI OUT for sending/transferring
MIDI messages.
11. MIDI IN: 1/8"
(3.5mm)
TRS MIDI IN for receiving MIDI messages or
connecting a MIDI controller.
When connecting devices with standard MIDI jacks, a converter cable is
needed with wiring diagram as shown below:
12. USB: USB 2.0 Type-C connects to your computer.
13. Power Switch: Turns power on/off.
14. Power Supply Connection: Power supply input (9-18V DC center
negative). We strongly recommend always use the included genuine
power adapter.

Getting Started 13
˃Getting Started
1. Connecting your unit
Plug your guitar in to the Ampero II Stage’s input L jack and run a cable
from OUTPUT L to your amp. Please remember:
• Keep your amp volume down.
• Connect your cable to the amp’s FX Loop Return if it has one (see
Suggested Setups section on page 78)
• When using with studio monitors, we suggest to use a stereo pair
of monitors for best possible experience. Remember to turn monitor
power off or turn monitor volume down before connection to prevent
from possible device damage/hearing loss.
• When using with headphones, we suggest to use studio monitor
headphones for best possible experience. Headphones with built-in
microphone are not recommended – the TRRS connector may not be
correct recognized due to different manufacturers, which may lead to
malfunction.
2. Connect the power supply and turn ON.
3. Tune your guitar. Press footswitch 6 and 7 together to engage tuner (see
Tuner section on page 22).
Pluck each string and tune until the pitch reaches the middle of the
screen and turns green, as below:
When finished, press footswitch 6 and 7 together again to exit the tuner.

Getting Started 14
4. Select a patch:
• Tap footswitch 1-5 to choose a patch you like.
• Tap footswitch 6 to move backward through the banks, tap footswitch
7 together to move forward through the banks, tap footswitch 1-5 to
select a patch.

Using the Interface 15
˃Using the Interface
Touch operation
Changing patches and editing settings can all be done with the touchscreen:
Sliding on one bar in parameter list to adjust:
Tap on left/right side of the bar for fine tuning a parameter:
Tap=Value-1 Ta p =Va l ue +1
buttons indicate there are more parameters to be shown. Press to go
to previous/next page to check them out:
Quick Access Knobs
The quick access knobs allow you to change the values of the three
parameters directly above on the touch screen.
Parameter 1-3 (from left to right) are controlled by quick access knobs 1-3
The actual effect depends on displayed parameters

Using the Interface 16
Main Knob
Turning the main knob lets you select the object you want to control:
The white square indicates current cursor location
Then press the knob to confirm the selection:
The highlighted patch number square indicates current selection
Then turn Main Knob to go through the patches
• If the selected object is a button, it will respond as if you’d touched the
button on the touchscreen.
• If the selected object is a parameter, you can use the main knob to adjust
the parameter value. Pressing the main knob again will take you back to
selection mode.
Reminder: The details of use and programming may slightly vary under
certain operational circumstances. Please read this manual carefully to
get all the necessary information.

Unit Mode and Main Display 17
˃Unit Mode and Main Display
Ampero II Stage features two modes: Patch Mode and Stomp Mode. Default
is set to Patch Mode.
Patch Mode is a “classic” mode friendly for most multi-effects users, which
is recommended to users who are new to Ampero II Stage or who prefer
classic operations.
In this mode:
• Use footswitch 1-5 to select between patch 1-5 in the current bank
• One of the footswitch LEDs will be steady to indicate selected patch
• In default, press footswitch 6 to go to the previous bank, footswitch 7 to
go to the next bank, use footswitch 1-5 to select a patch; change bank
selection methods in Global settings (see page 67)
Stomp Mode is recommended to users who prefer pedalboard-like
operations.
In this mode:
• You can edit effect chain, modules, effects or use the footswitches to
toggle effects on/off, select a scene, tap tempo, etc.
• The screen display features two views: FX Chain View for showing effects
chain routing. Footswitch View for footswitch functions
• Edit effect chain, modules, effects in FX Chain View
• Edit footswitch functions in Footswitch View
• Footswitch function and LED color depend on your footswitch settings
When you press the screen lock button, the screen lock menu will differ
depending on the mode you’re using:
Patch Mode Stomp Mode