April 2, 2025 : Hotone just released a major update for its profiling technology, including the ability to load and use -converted on the fly- NAM models on its Ampero II range of devices : the Stomp, the Stage and the Ampero II multi-effects.

This updates includes a refined and optimized version of its in-house capture technology, renamed Sound Clone (formerly “Tone Catch”). Hotone describe this version as more accurate and more storage friendly, as Ampero II devices can now store and use up to 30 models (previous capacity was 10 models).

One big evolution is the addition of a NAM converter, which can load NAM models, convert them to .clo files (Sound Clone file extension) and load and use them directly on your Ampero II model : from my first tests, this seems to be working quite nicely, using community models from www.tone3000.com (formerly tonehunt.org) as well as my own NAM models.

Example of patch with the Sound Clone block :

Hotone also released a software version of its capture system, in order to capture Hotone .clo models from your Mac or PC, using your sound card, for possibly better results than the ones obtained directly from cloning on your Ampero II device. This capture system is made available for PC and MAC. Below a screenshot from the MAC Version :

In order to use these new features, you will need to upgrade to the following firmware and software versions :

  • Ampero II Stomp: Firmware V2.3.1
  • Ampero II Stage: Firmware V1.4.1
  • Ampero II: Firmware V1.2.0
  • PC or MAC Software (Ampero II series): Version V1.3.0
  • Mobile App (Ampero II Stage users only): Version V1.0.9

The previous Tone Catch files remain supported.