I had more time today to play with my new Hotone Ampero multi-effect/amp modeler unit and I’m pretty fricken’ convinced that this is my future when it comes to my guitar sound. But along with that, a few other things happened that have just solidified my resolve that at this stage of the game, this direction is the right direction.
I had a discussion with the bass player in two of my groups who also happens to have the FOH system that we use. So I asked him some questions about things like how many channels do we have, what is our monitor layout and availability, and can the system handle it. Turns out he has already been down this road with a previous group and assured me that not only will the FOH system handle it, it will thrive in it. What this means is that I won’t need to bring an amplifier to any shows as I would plug directly into the FOH system.
The next thing with that in mind that came to me was “what happens if the unit fails and I don’t have an amp or effects”?? The answer: I purchased a Quilter Superblock US. I am already a HUGE Quilter fan and this unit is pedal size and puts out 25w. The big positive is it also has an FRFR selector and an XLR out. This means I can still plug directly into the FOH system without an amplifier! The SBUS and my effects would be housed on a single pedalboard and I would tote it along as a backup. That is pretty spiffy! Now if things go south, a short pause to switch units and the show rolls on!
I now have a fully functional, digital and compact system for any and all gigs I find myself in. I also have a backup system that is equally functional and compact! No more lugging heavy amplifiers around. No more worrying if my guitar sound is making it out to the audience. No more struggles with maintaining a better stage volume. The FOH system is doing all the heavy lifting. And ours is more than powerful enough to not only handle my system going through it, but potentially the other guitarist as well if he decides to go this route.
Add into this being able to run stereo or even a wet/dry type setup, being able to configure a crap-ton of patches to meet my needs, all accessible by the foot-switches and expression pedal, and even using the device without amp/cab simulation and effects only into an amplifier (say like at a jam session if there is not enough FOH inputs and just good old-fashioned amplifiers) and even running my acoustic guitar through it for acoustic gigs, satisfies pretty much every sonic and situational need I have as a gigging guitarist.
I still have a ways to go before I get this setup in a manner that is completely functional for a live show, but I’m well on my way there!