TEST: Hotone Xtomp

As is so often the case in the life of a six-stringer, in many ways 2 camps are facing each other with bared teeth. On the one hand the traditional vintage player, whose fight for the true tone demands whole truckloads of pedals, amps and cabinets, limited only by personal budget, and on the other hand the modern pragmatist, who likes to resort to digitalization and modeling in favor of transportability and effectiveness.

Generally speaking, both camps have their advantages and disadvantages, so I'll be damned if I'm going to feel more committed to one side than the other. But there are areas where the percentages clearly shift in one direction. Quite clearly, the roles are distributed in the pedal area, as long as it is a single effect. Even if in the multi-effects warehouse is gladly fallen back on modeling, the classic overdrive or but also chorus of the old school comes in analog form and carries on a well readable sign the names Ibanez, Boss or also the one or other boutique side entrant before itself.

But what if the emulation is to access a single pedal, preferably multifunctional in terms of distortion, modulation or room effect? Good grief, I think the first vintage disciple in the second row just swooned. Let's see what awaits us with the HOTONE XTOMP, because that's exactly the concept of this in many ways outstanding pedal.

Concept

I'm sure some of the readers are experiencing a little deja vu right now. Programmable pedal with different sounds, possibly powered by a smartphone? Does that sound familiar? Yes, it does, it is in fact the concept of the Digitech iStomp series, which works on this very principle. However, the HOTONE XTOMP has some differences in the operating concept, which in practice make it easier to use.

While Digitech implemented a charging of the sounds via a licensed Apple cable and thus had to submit to the Apple monkey circus in terms of 30-pin, Lightning and other proprietary cable crap, Hotone avoids this constraint by relying on Bluetooth for data transmission. This has the advantage that you don't have to lug around a bulky cable, which you can't buy anywhere else.

However, if you now think you can reprogram your pedal across the stage, you'll unfortunately have to shift down a gear. During testing, there was a flawless function (iPhone 6) as long as the product was right next to the pedal. From a distance of 2 meters, there were unfortunately some data transfer interruptions. In addition, the pedal needs up to a minute to load the sounds, so a quick sound change on stage is not recommended.

Another advantage lies in the power supply. As with the iStomp, the HOTONE XTOMP cannot be powered by a 9V battery due to the intense processing power, but can handle a higher range of amps than the iStomp. While Digitech asks for the in-house 1.4 amp (!) power supply, the HOTONE XTOMP was also content with an everyman - 200 mA power supply from Ibanez. Unfortunately, no power supply is included in the delivery. A rogue, who suspects that one could have designed the packaging with this then no longer so exclusive ...

However, the idea behind the product is obvious, buy one pedal, own very many. Depending on your needs, the HOTONE XTOMP is a distortion, a modulation effect, a room effect, an amp / cabinet simulation or a combination of 2 different effects. However, one is dependent on the combination of the factory presets, a freely combinable selection is not possible.



Design

But whoops, did they deliver me the new iPhone there? Whenever there should be a prize for the most attractive floor pedal, the winner is already determined. Starting with the packaging and ending with the final device, Cupertino has once again been the godfather here. Brushed aluminum, a very solid metal housing, six knobs, which are illuminated by an LED ring in different colors depending on the loaded effect and an On/Off switch, which is also surrounded by a matching ring for the purpose of circuit status and which can be programmed either as a true bypass or as a buffer amp in off mode. In addition, 4 small rubber feet, which just suck on a smooth surface. As I said, but whoops ...

The device is designed in stereo, but can also be operated in mono. The two input and output jacks are very close to each other, but Hotone has taken proper measurements. Even with the very massive Neutrik connectors of the Cordial Roadline series, the plugs do not touch. All other connections in the form of the 9V plug and a USB interface for firmware updates are located on the top of the housing.

In total, the HOTONE XTOMP originally comes with 51 effect modulations, 45 single effects and 6 combination effects. Interesting is the respective leaning on sonic role models, depending on the effect area. While in the distortion area 100% of the big names such as TS-9, DS-1, OD-1, TS-808 or MT-2 are used, in the modulation area only about 50% of the models are used (e.g. CE-2), and then in the room effect area only own creations are delivered. However, the library is constantly being expanded, which led to 34 new effects being loaded at the end of the test, but these were not included in the test.

The respective LED rings light up in matching colors of the originals (Tube Screamer green, DS-1 orange, etc.) and also indicate which of the knobs are currently switched and which are not. Clearly, visually this can't be topped! However, you can't tell from the knobs which section they are currently controlling. Where the TS-9 emulation had the tone control, the DS-1 suddenly has the volume control. On the smartphone app, however, the areas are mapped, in addition, 2 layers of stickers are included, with which you can individualize his pedal.


Practice

Once skimmed the Quick Start manual, the rest is self-explanatory. Download the necessary app from the App Store, start, select effect, select Xtomp, load, done. If necessary, read a little background knowledge about the loaded effect and try it out. After the effect has been loaded, some controls need a few millimeters before they recognize their new function on the control, but after that everything runs like clockwork.

Sonically, the effects deliver a consistently good to very good spectrum. Interestingly, the programmers have attached importance to a predominantly "analog" sound impression. No effect seems sterile digital, on the contrary, they have rather added a strong touch of vintage to the effects, which is especially in the distortion range very much in favor of the general sound spectrum. You could say that the sound and the look of the HOTONE XTOMP are diametrically opposed.

In terms of copies, the HOTONE XTOMP comes pretty close to the originals, with the modulation effects in particular being very convincing. The distortion sounds are, as always, very taste-dependent, here everyone should just make his own picture. Among the own creations there are some very interesting effects at the start, especially in the room area HOTONE tries to offer a varied selection. Worth trying out!


Conclusion

With the HOTONE XTOMP is a very good sounding pedal on the market, which also easily clears the designer award in the field of floor effects. Conceptually, the manufacturer of smartphone programming occupies an effect niche, which he must share with only one competitor and can therefore draw from the full.

Especially the species of studio musicians will be happy to no longer have to drive pedalboard battles to be able to deliver the right effect on the fly. But also musicians who play in different bands with different setups can put together their respective setup individually before the rehearsal / show, without having to resort to another board.

Highly recommended!

Additional informations:

- Hotone Audio is a Chinese company that has become known for producing innovative and high-quality audio equipment, such as guitar and bass amplifiers, effects pedals, and other audio accessories. The company was founded in 2010 by a group of experienced engineers and musicians who shared a passion for creating cutting-edge audio products.
Hotone Audio has always been committed to innovation, and this is one of the reasons why the company has been so successful. The company's products are often highly original and offer unique features and designs that are not found in other audio equipment. For example, the company's Nano Legacy amplifier series is highly popular and offers guitarists and bassists a range of compact, portable amplifiers that deliver powerful sound in a small package.

The company's effects pedals are also highly regarded, and Hotone Audio has built a strong reputation for producing high-quality, affordable pedals that offer a wide range of sounds and effects. The pedals often feature innovative designs and are built to be rugged and reliable, making them ideal for musicians who demand the best.

Another factor that has contributed to Hotone Audio's success is the company's commitment to quality and reliability. All of the company's products are made using high-quality components and materials, and the company places a strong emphasis on ensuring that its products are durable, dependable, and built to last. The company's customer service is also highly regarded, and the company offers extensive support and warranty coverage to ensure that its customers are satisfied with their purchases.

Hotone Audio has continued to expand its product range in recent years, and the company now offers a wide range of audio equipment and accessories. The company's products are available worldwide, and the company has built a strong reputation for producing high-quality and affordable equipment that meets the needs of a diverse range of musicians.
In conclusion, Hotone Audio is a highly innovative and respected manufacturer of audio equipment. The company's commitment to quality, reliability, and innovation has helped it to become a leader in the industry, and the company's products are highly regarded by musicians around the world. With a wide range of amplifiers, effects pedals, and accessories to choose from, Hotone Audio offers something for everyone, and the company is sure to continue to be a major player in the audio equipment market for many years to come.

- Multi-effects pedals are a type of guitar effects pedal that contain multiple effects in one unit. These pedals can provide a wide range of different sounds and effects, making them a popular choice for guitarists who want to experiment with different tones and textures.
One of the key advantages of multi-effects pedals is their versatility. These pedals typically offer a range of different effects, including distortion, overdrive, delay, reverb, modulation, and more. This allows guitarists to create a wide variety of sounds and tones, from clean, crisp tones to heavy, distorted sounds.

Another advantage of multi-effects pedals is their convenience. Instead of needing to purchase and carry multiple pedals to achieve different effects, guitarists can simply use one multi-effects pedal to achieve a range of different sounds. This can be particularly useful for guitarists who play live or travel frequently, as it can save space and simplify the setup process.

Many multi-effects pedals also include additional features, such as built-in tuners, loopers, and expression pedals. These features can add even more versatility to the pedal and allow guitarists to experiment with new techniques and sounds.

One potential disadvantage of multi-effects pedals is that they can be more difficult to use than individual pedals. Because there are multiple effects to choose from, it can be challenging to navigate the different settings and find the right combination of effects. Additionally, some guitarists prefer the individual sound and feel of individual pedals, rather than the all-in-one approach of a multi-effects pedal.

Despite these potential drawbacks, multi-effects pedals remain a popular choice for many guitarists. They offer a range of different sounds and effects in a convenient and compact package, making them an ideal choice for musicians who want to experiment with different tones and textures. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, a multi-effects pedal can be a valuable addition to your guitar rig.