In this article
Updated September 18, 2026. Written by Chaos Audio, maker of Stratus. Product specifications and comparison sources are linked below.
Pocket Master and Stratus put compact multi-effects to different uses. Pocket Master brings battery-powered practice, headphones, and recording into a handheld device. Stratus is a foot-operated pedalboard tool: build a mono chain with up to three native NAM A2-Lite models, add an effect created in FX Builder 2.0, and recall the preset while playing. That workflow is the reason to compare them before looking only at their prices.
Three NAM models, one Stratus preset. With the latest Chaos Audio app and Stratus firmware 1.0.100, Stratus runs up to three NAM A2-Lite models simultaneously in a single preset/chain, using your own uploads or TONE3000 captures. Each NAM block now uses roughly half the CPU it used before this update; other effects still share the pedal’s processing budget.
As of September 17, 2026, Stratus is the only factory-built compact pedal under US$300 we’re aware of that natively runs three NAM A2-Lite models simultaneously in one preset/chain. Its price is $299. See the latest Stratus and FX Builder 2.0 update.
The short version
- Stratus: A foot-operated mono pedal with up to three native A2-Lite blocks, looping, and FX Builder 2.0.
- The alternative: Pocket Master combines battery-powered practice, headphone monitoring, mobile editing, and recording in a hand-operated device.
- Start with the rig: decide which sound, control, or connection you need before comparing catalog totals.
Side by side
| Chaos Audio Stratus | Sonicake Pocket Master | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $64.99 |
| What it is | Multi-effects + NAM amp modeler pedal with a generative AI effects builder | Pocket-sized multi-effects, headphone amp, and interface with NAM/IR loading |
| NAM support | Native NAM A2-Lite, played as-is; the amp engine Up to 3 simultaneous NAM A2-Lite models in one preset/chain (firmware 1.0.100 + latest app) |
NAM (incl. A2) converted on import; 5 NAM slots + 5 IR slots; full-rig captures only |
| TONE3000 access | 600,000+ amp and pedal NAM captures on TONE3000, all compatible with Stratus; browse and install through the Chaos Audio app | Download on phone or computer, import via SonicLink app (Bluetooth) or Sonicake Manager (USB) |
| Amp models | NAM captures are the amps | 20 white-box amp models (guitar, bass, acoustic) |
| Effects | 19 free effects covering all effect categories; custom FX Builder 2.0 effects; the chain shares the CPU budget | 100+ effects; 9 blocks (gate, FX1, FX2, delay, reverb movable; drive, amp, IR, EQ fixed) |
| Generative AI | FX Builder 2.0: describe, audition, refine, and install custom effects; 30 free AI builds every month | None |
| Looper | 5 minutes, unlimited overdubs | Basic looper; 99 drum patterns |
| Presets | 128 stored; 14 hands-free via footswitch color pairs | 100 (50 factory, 50 user) |
| Control | Bluetooth app; 2 footswitches | Color screen, buttons, and a knob; no footswitch; Bluetooth app (iOS/Android) |
| MIDI | Full USB-MIDI map (host adapter required) | USB MIDI control (firmware 1.3.3+) |
| Audio I/O | Mono 1/4-inch audio in/out; USB-C for power, updates, and MIDI | 1/4" in; 1/4" TRS stereo/headphone out; USB-C OTG interface; Bluetooth audio |
| Power | 9V DC 400 mA+ or USB-C | USB-C 5V or built-in 1000 mAh battery (up to 4 hours) |
| Build & weight | Aircraft-grade aluminum, 11.6 oz | Plastic, 194 g (6.8 oz), belt clip included |
| Best for | Hands-free capture/effect chains on a pedalboard | Battery-powered practice, headphones, and USB recording |
Portable Practice and Recording
Pocket Master combines modeled amps and effects, converted NAM loading, headphones, Bluetooth editing, and USB audio. Its five NAM storage slots and supported full-rig capture workflow differ from Stratus’s native A2-Lite playback. Check Sonicake’s current import requirements before transferring a capture. The built-in battery and compact controls are useful when you want a practice device away from a pedalboard.
Building a Sound for the Pedalboard
For a particular sound, describe an effect in FX Builder 2.0—for example, a delay with darker repeats and gentle movement. Audition the result, ask for a change, then install it in your Stratus chain. Pedal captures can feed an amp capture, with other effects sharing the available processing power. Once installed, your sounds run locally and can be recalled without a phone or internet connection. Hear FX Builder 2.0 examples and explore the workflow. The examples on that page are software-rendered demonstrations.
FX Builder 2.0 is now on mobile. Build effects directly in the Chaos Audio app for iOS and Android, then use them in your Stratus chain alongside NAM captures. These current app screenshots show the builder and a finished effect.
On stage
Stratus has two footswitches for hands-free recall of 14 presets, with up to 128 accessible via USB-MIDI. A host is needed for conventional MIDI controllers. Pocket Master has hand-operated buttons and a knob rather than onboard footswitches; firmware 1.3.3 or later adds USB-MIDI control. That difference matters when changing sounds while playing.
Cost of ownership
Stratus is US$299 with 19 free effects covering all effect categories, 30 free AI builds every month in FX Builder 2.0, and access to all 600,000+ amp and pedal NAM captures on TONE3000. See the product page for configuration, regional pricing, and shipping estimates.
Which should you buy?
Choose Stratus when the sound needs to live on your pedalboard, with hands-free preset changes, native captures, and a five-minute looper. FX Builder 2.0 gives you a way to fill a specific effect gap without another physical pedal.
Choose Pocket Master for its battery-powered headphone practice and recording workflow. Its portability is a useful feature on its own, without making it a required first step toward another product.
Sources
- Sonicake — Pocket Master product page (price, features, specs, NAM import FAQ, block behavior, battery)
- Tubes and Code — Pocket Master review (converted NAM fidelity, build assessment)
- BackingTracksVerse — Pocket Master review (full-rig capture limitation, feature summary)
- TONE3000 — NAM Architecture 2 (A2) (test methodology and results; code and data are open source)
- Chaos Audio — Stratus product page (Stratus specs and pricing)
- Chaos Audio — three NAM blocks, firmware 1.0.100, and FX Builder 2.0 on mobile
Explore Stratus, its included effects, and current availability.
