M-Vave Chocolate verses Hotno Ampero midi controller

SteveD61

SteveD61

Inspired
Hi guys,

I have the M-Vave chocaolate midi controller and it's a beast of a little unit, but has a couple of limitations for me:

1. The TRS jack can be used for expression or a midi jack but when you use it for one of these functions it's not avaliable for the other
2. The unit is very small and the switches are close together

THe Hotone midi pedal is marginally larger (about 50 mm or 2" longer) so the switches are a bit further apart, and it has a "real" Midi in and out as well as two TRS jacks for expression or switches.

The price is higher for the Hotone - about $170 vs around $50 for the M-vave (here in Australia). Do you guys think the upgrade is worthwhile? Is there a better option for around the same price as the Hotone? I reckon the M-Vave stands alone at its price point.
 
As a followup to this post, I managed to buy a used Hotone Ampero control midi pedal for a decent price. I really like the form factor as it it is compact but not too small so the switches are well spaced. It will do what i want but it's missing a couple of great features that the little M-vave Chocolate has:

1. No internal battery - must be hooked up to power adaptor to work
2. No bluetooth connection available to controlled device (only to app to do programming)
3. No "long press" option availalble, only a useless "hold" function

Other than that a great little pedal with a real midi connection, 2 TRS control ports, easy to use app, toggle and press/release functions etc
 
I've been able to connect using bluetooth with a Yamaha MD-BT01 but only though the IOS app midimittr, can't connect directly.

Not sure if this contoller will work with the Widi master?
 
I use a Hotone Ampero Control footswitch and a Yamaha MD-BT01 together with my FM3. I use a couple of short extension cables to mount the Yamaha under my pedalboard. FM3 midi out goes to the Yamaha, Yamaha goes to a Chinese Doremidi midi merger in 1, merger out goes back to FM3 in. Ampero control goes to merger in 3. All works. Don't know if the hotone could merge midi, haven't tried and the manual doesn't say.

My iPad contacts the Yamaha either through my Unrealbook music reader app that sends appropriate midi bank, preset, scene and tempo info for every song. Unrealbook has something like midimittr built in. I also use FracPad III, that can connect through the Unrealbook connection when that is already active, or when not it can use its own midi over bluetooth connection which Alex said is more stable. The current version is very stable on Unrealbooks midimittr version.
 
Dutch said:
I use a Hotone Ampero Control footswitch and a Yamaha MD-BT01 together with my FM3. I use a couple of short extension cables to mount the Yamaha under my pedalboard. FM3 midi out goes to the Yamaha, Yamaha goes to a Chinese Doremidi midi merger in 1, merger out goes back to FM3 in. Ampero control goes to merger in 3. All works. Don't know if the hotone could merge midi, haven't tried and the manual doesn't say.

My iPad contacts the Yamaha either through my Unrealbook music reader app that sends appropriate midi bank, preset, scene and tempo info for every song. Unrealbook has something like midimittr built in. I also use FracPad III, that can connect through the Unrealbook connection when that is already active, or when not it can use its own midi over bluetooth connection which Alex said is more stable. The current version is very stable on Unrealbooks midimittr version.
Click to expand...
Apparently I don't need the midi merger. Plugged the MD-BT01 into the Hotone in and both the iPad and the Hotone control the FM3 just fine!
 
SteveD61 said:
I've been able to connect using bluetooth with a Yamaha MD-BT01 but only though the IOS app midimittr, can't connect directly.

Not sure if this contoller will work with the Widi master?
Click to expand...

Apparently, there is another free app called MIDI Wrench that can be used in this manner. Have not tried it but have seen a Youtube video with someone using it successfully.
 
I have both. The M-Vave Chocolate that ships with the 5-pin MIDI BT Receiver works better than the Hotone. It's built-in battery works very well and it's sort of easy to configure with the CubeSuite IOS app. I say sort of cuz depending on your needs it can be a little tough to figure out what mode to use. After that it gets easier. I use an expression pedal with for WAH. The Hotone needs an AC adapter and is built tougher, but I still like the M-Vave more.
 
Yeah, at $50 the M-Vave really punches above its weight, but those tight switches can definitely be a pain live. If you need that extra flexibility with MIDI I/O and expression, the Hotone might be worth it, especially if you’re gigging or doing more complex setups. But yeah, hard to beat the M-Vave at that price.
 
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