Hi everyone. I received a comment a while ago worrying that a new firmware for the Ampero Mini might stop the USB MIDI working (as MIDI functionality is not something that Hotone advertise the Mini as having) I have just updated my firmware to the new v1.1 on the Mini, and I CAN CONFIRM that the USB MIDI functionality is unchanged, and works perfectly with the Airstep Multi pedal 👍🏻

Wow! Thank you for this one. Looking forward to your next video on how you did it. New sub 🤟

Helpful, thanks little space man.

@neww0lf611

7 ай бұрын

Do you know the battery he is using for it??

@harveyproctor1970

7 ай бұрын

@@neww0lf611 I don't.

Great info. I really wanted this pedal for its small form factor to use only the effects , Im using a tonex pedal for amps, but had to look elsewhere because (as you said) the Hotone website make no mention of MIDI capabilites and I need MIDI to make my rig work the way I want it to. I looked at the Stomp 2 but really couldn't justify the cost for my setup. Now I'm going to re-visit this pedal. Thank you for taking the time to test this.

@ymelfilm

3 ай бұрын

I hope it works with the Chocolate by M Vave - cheaper than this Airstep

@ymelfilm

3 ай бұрын

Nope, it does not work :( need a dongle usb stick by M Vave

My world just opened up….. Thanks for the video

@littlespaceman

7 ай бұрын

☺ Honestly, the more I use the Mini the more I think it's a great little unit - for the price and the size - which I'll probably use more than my Quad Cortex, just because it's so easy to use (especially when plugged in to a power bank) and is always lying around, close to hand. Don't get me wrong, the Quad Cortex sounds amazing (I'll post a vid or two about the QC soon) but because it's so valuable, I don't leave it lying around or next thing you know one of the kids has stuffed a banana in one of the 1/4" outputs or something 😳

@neww0lf611

7 ай бұрын

Do you know the battery he is using?

@littlespaceman

7 ай бұрын

I'm actually over in LA at the moment and don't have the battery with me so I can't tell the brand until I get home I'm afraid. But it's nothing special, any USB power bank will do (obviously if you wanted to play a whole gig on battery power you'd need to make sure you have a high capacity power bank though) Something like this would do it missionengineering.com/shop/529-m/ or something like this www.amazon.com/XTPower-XT-20000QC3-PowerBank-Battery-20400mAh/dp/B07K4SPXTC@@neww0lf611

What a cool friend, this is the first video about connecting the ampero mini via USBC cable. Is it possible to connect the M-Vave controller using this cable?

Hi, I can't get the mini to respond to MIDI msgs from the ampero control USB 'B" to USB 'C'; Thoughts? Should I get a 5pin midi to usb 'C' cable?

Hey thanks for this video; This and the spanish-language version of this info had me follow through on a good deal on a used Mini. I intend to build a custom little midi host using an RP2040-based dev-board, since as you've said in another comment, the slot for just 2 extra limited functionality buttons doesn't do it for me. Have you per chance updated your firmware version? I'm apprehensive of doing so for fear of losing midi-capability; Seems like something Hotone might want to patch out to reserve the functionality for the higher tier Ampero-series products. Basing this hunch off the fact that they make 0 mention of the capability in its manual. Main benefit to updating seems to be mitigating unwanted noise when switching between presets.

@littlespaceman

Ай бұрын

That's a very good question, and I'm always wary about updating any firmware on any piece of hardware - even my TV which works perfectly with my different brand soundbar, and I don't want to mess that up by allowing the TV to update itself! However, the interesting thing - and it's a bit embarrassing as I do get a few questions still about using the Mini with MIDI - is having made this video 6 months ago and not used the Mini for a while, I now can't get my Airstep to communicate with my Mini! To be honest I think the problem is the Airstep, rather than the Mini, as I have not updated the Mini firmware, and I have had a couple of problems with the Airstep in the last few weeks. Please do let me know if you get your Mini working via USB MIDI with your Midi host, that would be really good to know, and would help me work out if it's the Airstep that's the problem...

Have you figured out a way to change the Midi Channel? Right now it seems like the Mini receives messages from all channels. The Stomp seems to have the ability to change the Midi channel within the Global Menu but this option doesn't exist on the Mini.

Hi, some information: would it be possible to insert for each of the buttons on the foodwitch an effect or a preset already created previously (or existing within the ampero mini) of multiple effects to have a pedalboard ready to play live? example key 1; clean and reverb, key 2; slightly distorted with flanger, key 3; distorted with delay, key 4; drive blues with reverb and a cabinet, key 5; distorted for solo with boosters and a different amp. it can be done? wait for a reply, thank you very much.

@littlespaceman

Ай бұрын

Hi, yes, you should be able to do this by using different preset and recalling them by MIDI. Download the Ampero User Manual (NOT the Ampero Mini User Manual) and that has a MIDI table at the back. That's what I'm using for the various MIDI commands. There is no information in the Ampero Mini User Manual because Hotone does not publicise the fact that the Mini can accept MIDI commands.

Tutorial please!

Or may you try the mvave chocolate so that we can understand how the mvave works on ampero mini. Just like you said there are couple of video out there but in another language, im having hard time analyzing the pictures😅

@TheOC-xb8vg

7 ай бұрын

Unfortunately I don’t have one of those devices. The Airstep can act as a MIDI host (which as far as I know most small form-factor MIDI pedals can’t do; usually you’d have to use a PC or Mac. Happy to be corrected on this though👍🏻) so that might be the important detail that makes it work with the Ampero Mini. If you find out please post here and let us all know! One question that I have now that Hotone have launched the Pulze desktop amp, is can the Pulze ALSO work with USB MIDI in the same way the Ampero / Mini do? The Pulze is supposed to have the brains of the Ampero so it would be a really nice bonus if you can use MIDI with it. One big fail on the Pulze for me though is that it doesn’t have a looper - IMHO a weird oversight at this stage of the evolution of this very competitive market, especially given the Ampero has a looper 🙄

What's up brother, do you know if the same procedure works with an ampere control using the USB output?

@littlespaceman

7 ай бұрын

Hi there. I'm no expert on the Ampero Control (I prefer battery powered devices which is why the Airstep is my MIDI pedal of choice; I don't want a MIDI pedal that requires external power) But yes, it should work, any MIDI device should be capable of doing controlling the Ampero Mini

Hi there. Sadly I don’t think there is such a thing as a 5-pin to USB C MIDI cable - at least I’ve never found one, and I have looked. If you do find such a thing does exist please let me know! I also don’t know about the Ampero Control I’m afraid, so I can’t give you any advice there. It might be that the Mini requires the midi controller to act as a midi host, which the Airstep can do but I don’t know if the Ampero Control can do that

Nice, the only problem with this is that this particular switch is about the same price as the Ampero Mini. So at that price you can just get the stomp.

@littlespaceman

5 ай бұрын

Yes, that's true; for me the MIDI functionality is purely a bonus as I wanted to try the Mini anyway, and already owned the Airstep pedal. It's nice to have the MIDI capability on the Mini though and it means it punches well above its weight and price-point

Hi! Tell me, please, is it possible to control this processor via USB using MIDI commands from a DAW on a laptop? Thanks!

@littlespaceman

6 ай бұрын

I'm sure it is - the main thing is the Mini can take MIDI-In commands (only via USB) so I'd say from there as long as you have a way of SENDING MIDI via USB then it will work

Got the specs for the battery bank.?? Please and how long does it last on the juice ?? Does it slowly dies or any difference when battery runs out?

@littlespaceman

7 ай бұрын

See my reply above ☺ Any USB power bank will do, but you'll need one that is centre negative - or with the USB cable that I have (which is here www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07JVJ5S2V?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1) you'll need a polarity reverser like this as the cable is centre positive www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255459301580

@neww0lf611

7 ай бұрын

​@@littlespacemanthankyou 😊 was also wondering if I have a 9volt battery 1300mah would it be enough for running it for an hour or so?

@littlespaceman

7 ай бұрын

I can't say but it would be interesting to find out - let us know when you manage to give it a try! @@neww0lf611

The M Vave Chocolate midi controller is less bulky and also battery powered. But donnow whether it is capable for the same task

@littlespaceman

3 ай бұрын

The beauty of the Airstep is the huge number of preset profiles on the Airstep app that you can use to change the Airstep to control almost any product on the market. Of course you can add all the midi information manually, to control something but the presets are really useful. You can also use the Airstep to act as a Boss Katana controller, even for the Katana models that do NOT have midi input, with more functionality than the Boss GA-FC. And you can use it as a full controller for the Yamaha THR amps as well, WITHOUT needing the THR app open (which with other foot controllers you can't do; you have to have the THR app open, then connect the footswitch to the app, then connect the app to the amp - which is not a very user friendly set up at all. With the Airstep option you just turn it on and it connects straight to the amp, and it works really well

@ymelfilm

3 ай бұрын

cool, tks. I ve already bought the chocolate and I guess it will do the job with a dongle Vave stuff, they are available here, and much cheaper and smaller than the Airstep , less advanced though@@littlespaceman

Any idea if the ampero mini will send MIDI? The fact that its looper can sync to the internal drum sounds suggests that the drum sounds can send clock and the looper can receive it. If that same clock could be sent via MIDI, the ampero could integrate into bigger setups really nicely!

@littlespaceman

8 ай бұрын

That's a really good question... and my gut feeling I'm afraid is 'no, it can't'. I could be wrong, but the main reason I say it can't is because there is no way of applying MIDI commands within the Ampero Mini, unlike for example the Headrush MX-5, where it is very clear that you can receive and send MIDI commands (FWIW IIRC I think the MX-5 only sends MIDI PC commands, and not CC, although it can receive CC) It definitely seems to be the case that the fact that the Mini receives MIDI is an 'icing on the cake' sort of thing, but I think sending MIDI is too good to be true. Out of interest, the way I typically test whether a unit is sending MIDI is to plug whatever the device is in to my iPhone using the 'MIDI Wrench' app; this shows on the screen when messages are being received by your phone, and therefore shows that whatever device you have plugged in is sending messages. It also shows what the message PC / CC is, which is very useful. I've tried this with the Ampero Mini, and unfortunately the phone receives nothing, and as I said there is no where in the Mini's menus to apply MIDI commands...

@andrew_franz_noise5903

8 ай бұрын

Thanks for the quick and detailed reply! Disappointing, but it also makes sense if they didn't intend for the mini to be a MIDI device. I'm still tempted to check it out for drums + looping in a larger setup, and just use things like practice and good timing to keep everything together. You know, keep it old school 😆

@littlespaceman

8 ай бұрын

Not at all ☺. You're right, I don't think the Mini was ever designed for MIDI; to my mind it's a bit like the 'sneaky amps' (the hidden amps) within the Boss Katana. Turns out the Katana brains are largely from one of the Core series modellers, and they didn't want the Katana to have every feature of the Core, but it's expensive to design a new processor, so they throw the same processor in and limit what it can do with firmware. With the Ampero Mini, it seems to be based on (the same as?) the Ampero, although the Ampero doesn't advertise the fact that it can take MIDI in via USB, and tbh I don't know if it can (it's an old school USB Type B on the Ampero) so if anyone knows it would be interesting to find out. But it's probably easier / cheaper to throw what they can from the Ampero to the Mini, and so the MIDI functionality is a bonus. By the way, in terms of MIDI out on the Mini, again I'm inclined to think it can't do it, because the MIDI seems to be based on the Ampero, and that unit actually only has a single 5-pin MIDI In, with no MIDI Out. @@andrew_franz_noise5903

so you now have the posibillity to control the device with the airstep but at the same time lose the posibilty to use the ampero mini as a usb interface for the computer....its one or the other.... or you could still use it as a interface?

@littlespaceman

7 ай бұрын

Sadly I think not - so you're right, it would be one or the other...

@Zsolto66

7 ай бұрын

Hotone offers a dual switch which is plugged into the external control input, so your USB would be free :) Zs

@littlespaceman

7 ай бұрын

Yes, that is one workaround - the external footswitch (it doesn't have to be the Hotone one of course, any double footswitch such as the Boss FS-6 will do, or in fact I made my own using a plastic hobby box and a couple of standard footswitches, the sort you can get from StewMac or Allparts) can only perform a limited range of functions though. Primarily it is supposed to be used as 'Control 2' or 'Control 3' which act as the Hotone version of 'Scenes' or 'Snapshots' as used in the Neural DSP Quad Cortex/Headrush units and Line 6 respectively. You can assign them to do other things like Enter/Exit looper, Drum On/Off, Bank +/_ but then you lose the additional Control 2/3 option. The MIDI implementation is more interesting IMHO because you can do many more things with it (such as assign a MIDI command to a particular drum pattern at a particular tempo) and also because it's an added bonus as Hotone make no mention of it in their manual/publicity for the Mini. @@Zsolto66

so strange: it seems that is an "AIRSTEP" model, not Hotone Ampero Control. I suggest you correct the title of the review.

@littlespaceman

2 ай бұрын

Sorry, but you seem to misunderstand; this video is showing you how to use the Hotone Ampero Mini (the YELLOW multi fx unit), with a USB Midi controller (the Airstep) - exactly as the title says. I think you are confused because the names are similar (Airstep/Ampero/Mini/Midi). Nowhere in the title do I say that I am using a Hotone Ampero Control, and I do not own the Ampero Control. Regardless the point of this video is that Hotone do not tell you that the Ampero Mini can be controlled by USB Midi, any Midi controller that has a USB output can do the same as the Airstep.

Can you use the airstep to connect to a interface then control AmpliTube on a desktop

@littlespaceman

8 ай бұрын

I don't have any experience of using AmpliTube I'm afraid, but there seems to be little the Airstep can't do... so I'd say yes (I'm not sure if you'd need an interface though, the Airstep can work as a host) I've also had a look at the Airstep app, and within the dropdown menu of presets which you can load in to the Airstep, there is one titled 'IK Effects' which the description says is 'for Amplitube, VocaLive etc', which sounds like it will do what you want it to 👍🏻

@cockers6682

8 ай бұрын

Thank you I’ll have to do some investigating into it all the best mate

@littlespaceman

8 ай бұрын

Any time ☺ As far as I know I can't post a picture here otherwise I'd attach a screenshot of the Airstep app 'IK Effects' preset. Can thoroughly recommend the Airstep though, it's a brilliant bit of kit@@cockers6682