The StompMan is a guitar amplifier pedal from German manufacturer Hughes & Kettner. It's based on the company’s AmpMan unit, but in a much simpler, more compact format. Does it live up to its promise?
Construction, controls and connections of the StompMan (pedal format, settings, I/O)
In 2018, Hughes & Kettner presented its Black Spirit 200, a 200-watt amp equipped with the brand’s Spirit technology, an analog modeling process that generates tones and playing sensations close to those of a tube amp. Having previously played through the Black Spirit 200 Floor and the two AmpMan pedals (Classic and Modern), also equipped with Spirit technology, I was intrigued to check out the StompMan.
The two footswitches are Solo and Bypass/FX Loop. The first, as its name suggests, gives access to Solo mode. There’s a level control on the back, which lets you set the boost volume from 0dB to +6dB. The function of the second footswitch is determined by a two-position switch, also located on the rear, which toggles between Bypass and FX Loop. The right footswitch can therefore activate/deactivate the StompMan’s preamp or activate/deactivate the FX loop in series (when the switch is set to Bypass, the FX loop is inactive). This is how I used the amp, having placed a reverb and chorus/vibrato pedal in its loop. 
On the rear of the unit are: the guitar input on a 6.35 mm (1/4-inch) jack, the effects loop (Send/Line Out and Return plugs), the Solo Volume control, the Power button, which looks rather fragile, and the speaker output on a 6.35 mm (1/4-inch) jack. The latter can accommodate speakers with impedances of 4 Ohms, 8 Ohms or 16 Ohms. Power output is 50 Watts at 4 Ohms, 25 Watts at 8 Ohms and 13 Watts at 16 Ohms. Also on the rear panel are the Mode switch for the right foot switch function, and the AES switch for automatic shutdown of the amp if not used for 90 minutes (European Commission regulation 1275/2008/EC). Finally, the 24V/2.5A power plug completes the rear panel. The power supply is supplied with the unit. After installing the StompMan at the end of my pedalboard chain, I began the test.
Real-world uses: pedal platform, power amp, integration with external IRs
Despite its size and affordable price tag, Hughes & Kettner’s StompMan offers numerous modes of use. The most conventional one is to place effects pedals upstream of the amp (saturation effects) and other effects in its loop (time effects, modulation effects). Set the Mode switch to the FX Loop position, and the right footswitch activates the effects loop. In this configuration, the StompMan does very well, offering a very straight sound to which effects can be applied. The gain control stroke allows you to achieve tones ranging from clean to crunch. You can go a little further in terms of saturation by fiddling with the Sagging setting. Be careful, however, as this potentiometer adds a fair bit of compression and a little hiss.
The StompMan preamp was quite responsive to the guitar connected to it; indeed, I obtained very different results when switching from a guitar equipped with single pickups to one fitted with humbuckers, as can be heard in the audio extracts accompanying this article. The effects loop is well designed and received my Uni’Verb from J.Rockett Audio Designs very well. The Presence, Resonance and Tone knobs adjust the sound’s frequency response with varying degrees of effectiveness. The Presence setting brings in a good dose of harmonics to brighten the sound and make it more present. The Resonance potentiometer attenuated or boosted the resonance of the speaker connected to the StompMan. In its middle position, this setting has no effect, so you can attenuate the resonance or amplify it for more bass punch. For maximum flexibility, however, we recommend the use of an EQ pedal (upstream of the amp or in its effects loop). Indeed, the Tone setting acts mainly on the midrange and doesn’t allow for precision sound sculpting.
Another practical use for the StompMan is solely as a power amp. You can connect a preamp such as the TC Electronic AmpWorx pedals directly into the StompMan’s input and disable its preamp by activating the Bypass function. In this configuration, the Presence, Sagging, Master and Solo settings remain active. Hughes & Kettner has even placed a Trim control under the amp, allowing you to adapt its input level. This allows the level of the external preamp to be matched to that of the StompMan. To go even further and extend its versatility, you can use a pickup simulator like the TC Electronic Impulse IR Loader. However, we would have preferred an integrated Red Box like on the AmpMan. In this case, the Send/Line Out is connected to the recording simulator’s input, with the latter’s output sent directly to a mixing console or PA system. This mode of use is practical, as you can alternate at will between an external preamp and the StompMan preamp. It’s a shame, however, that the effects loop is inactive in this mode; a switch dedicated solely to its activation would have been welcome. If you wish to amplify an amp-simulating digital multieffect, you can connect its output to the Return input of the StompMan (be sure to turn off speaker simulation on your multieffect!).
- Telecaster – Clean00:39
- Telecaster – Clean Resonance & Presence Tweak01:14
- King V – Resonance & Presence Tweak01:36
- Telecaster – Clean FX Loop (Uni’Verb)01:10
- King V – Clean FX Loop (Uni’Verb)01:04
- Telecaster – Sagging Tweak00:52
- King V – Sagging Tweak01:00
- Telecaster – Gain Tweak01:01
- King V – Gain Tweak01:14
- Telecaster – Overdrive (King of Tone)01:34
- King V – Overdrive (King of Tone)01:31
- Telecaster – Distorsion (5150 Overdrive)01:29
- King V – Distorsion 5(150 Overdrive)01:29
The Spirit Tone Generator technology produces a highly responsive and dynamic sound. It’s pleasant to listen to and play, and it accepts other effects pedals very well. Although it’s ideal for playing funk, soul, blues, blues rock, and even rock, the StompMan can also handle heavier styles by using a good saturation upstream, like the MXR 5150 Overdrive. The Solo function is pretty well thought out, but even at full power, the Boost is pretty light. A maximum boost of +12dB would have been more effective. Still, it’s a pretty welcome feature that’s built into the pedal.
Power and efficiency over 4/8/16 Ω: what we get in use
The StompMan power amp develops 50 Watts under 4 Ohms, 25 Watts under 8 Ohms and 13 Watts under 16 Ohms. As my Victory V112 loudspeaker has an impedance of 16 Ohms, I took advantage of the 13 Watts offered by the amp. Although it may seem light, this power will be sufficient in a rehearsal context with a drummer present, even if they’re hitting hard and drinking a strong cup of coffee. This amp is the same as the one built into the small Spirit series amps and the AmpMan. It’s a good choice on the part of the manufacturer from across the Rhine in that it allows the StompMan to produce decent power while retaining a compact format.
FAQ
Can the StompMan be used as a platform with overdrive/distortion pedals upstream and time-looped effects?
Yes. Place the saturations before the input, and the time effects/modulation in the serial loop. Activate the FX Loop position on the rear switch to drive the loop via the right footswitch.
Can we switch off the StompMan’s preamp to use only its power amp?
Yes. Toggle the right footswitch to Bypass mode (via the rear switch). You keep Master, Sagging, Presence and Solo active, and adjust the level with the Trim under the chassis.
Is there a built-in Red Box-type emulated output?
No. You will need to use an external simulator (for example, an IR loader) when outputting from Send/Line Out to the console/sound system.
Is the Solo boost effective on stage?
The boost is adjustable from 0 to +6 dB. It is useful, but can seem timid; a ceiling of +12 dB would have offered more headroom.
What speaker loads are supported and with what power?
4, 8 or 16 Ω. Respectively 50 W under 4 Ω, 25 W under 8 Ω and 13 W under 16 Ω.
Is this enough when rehearsing with a drummer?
With a 16 Ω baffle (13 W), the volume proved sufficient to cover an energetic drummer in a rehearsal context.
Can it be used with a multieffect/amp emulation?
Yes. Go straight to Return and disable cabinet simulation on your multieffect.
Technical specifications
- Format pedal metal: 132 × 52 × 153 mm (5.2 × 2.1 × 6.0 inches); 650 g. (1.43 lbs.)
- Controls: Master, Sagging, Gain, Presence, Resonance, Tone; Solo adjustment at rear.
- Footswitches: Solo; Bypass/FX Loop (function assigned via rear Mode switch).
- Inputs/outputs: In guitar 6.35 mm (1/4-inch); Send/Line Out + Return (serial loop); Out HP 6.35 mm (1/4-inch).
- Power: 50 W/4 Ω ; 25 W/8 Ω ; 13 W/16 Ω.
- Technology: Spirit Tone Generator.
- Input trim (under the chassis) to set the level of an external preamp.
- AES auto-shutdown after 90 minutes of inactivity (1275/2008/CE compliance).
- Power supply included: 24 V/2.5 A.