Aditya Swaminathan, a 26-year-old metal guitarist from Pune, has carved out a notable presence in the Indian metal scene since 2013. A self-taught musician, Aditya’s exceptional guitar skills have been showcased in various prominent bands and projects, making him a respected and influential figure in the Indian metal music community.
Let’s hear from Aditya as he shares his reasons for choosing the Hotone Stomp II and the specific features he finds most impressive and enjoyable.
Q. How do you compare the Hotone Stomp II with other multi-effects processors?
Aditya: Having used a good few Multi fx processors and giving up on them, the Ampero Stomp II came as a huge surprise to me. The Amp models sound great and the built-in IRs are at par with some of the more expensive 3rd party IRs available in the market.
Q. Can you describe your initial impressions of the sound quality and versatility of the Hotone Stomp II?
Aditya: The thing about multi-fx pedals in this price range is that they have about a 100 things out of which 70 of them are pretty much unusable, but it’s safe to say that that’s not the case with the Stomp II. The built-in Amps sound amazing, the effects are true to their labels and the IRs do a fantastic job replicating the Cabs they are modeled after. This thing can do sparkly cleans to face-melting high gain and everything in between.
Q. As a touring musician, what do you think about Ampero Mini’s portability during travel and setup logistics?
Aditya: It’s an absolute breeze setting up and dismantling this little beast. Travelling light is a top priority for me as a touring musician and the Stomp II is perfect for that.
Q. How intuitive did you find the user interface and menu navigation on the Hotone Stomp II?
Aditya: The Stomp II has probably the most user-friendly interface out of all the popular multi-fx units I have used, and the touch screen takes it up a notch. It’s absolutely dummy proof and anyone with the most basic knowledge of how a signal chain works can set up banging tones in a matter of minutes.
Q. Have you experimented with creating and storing presets on the Hotone Stomp II? How was your experience?
Aditya: I have made presets using almost all the high-gain Amp models in the Stomp II and even done a full India tour with my band “Kill the King” with it. I am able to translate what I’m hearing in my head to near perfection due to the versatility of the Stomp II.
Q. For guitarists looking to achieve a signature sound, how customizable is the Hotone Stomp II to fit different musical styles?
Aditya: The Stomp II has pretty much everything plus some for guitarists to shape their signature sound. The wide array of Amp models, IR options, Pedals, Effects, multiple signal chain options, power amp models, packed into this tiny beast is everything a guitarist needs.
Q. What advice would you give to fellow musicians who are considering the Hotone Stomp II as their next gear investment, based on your firsthand experience?
Aditya: GET YOUR HANDS ON IT! This unit is easily the best multi-fx processor I have used in this price range and goes head on head with some of the bigger names in the market. And it’s only slightly larger than your palm which is a huge plus in my books.
Q. What specific features of the Hotone Stomp II do you find most beneficial during recordings?
Aditya: There are 2 specific features I’ve found super useful with the Stomp II when it comes to recording: 1) With the stereo out, I can send one signal with the processed audio of the Stomp II, and one signal with the unprocessed DI signal which I can use as a backup In a scenario where I want to re-amp my takes. 2) The dual inputs in the ampero are a game changer when it comes to recording ideas in Jams or even using live, where both me and a 2nd guitarist (or Bassist) can simultaneously play two completely separate signal chains and record our ideas on the spot.
Q. How would you rate Hotone products over the competition?
Aditya: Easily a 10/10 considering the price point, the versatility, the DSP power compared to other units of this size, and of course the form factor itself.
Q. How would you describe Hotone products to someone who has never tried them?
Aditya: Premium quality, innovative pieces of gear that are bang for the buck, and give the bigger names a run for their money.
Q. Describe Hotone Stomp II in 3 words.
Aditya: VERSATILE, STURDY, POWERFUL!
