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Updated September 18, 2026. Written by Chaos Audio, maker of Stratus.
HX One and Stratus fill different roles on a pedalboard. HX One runs one selected HX-family effect at a time, with stereo operation and its performance controls. Stratus combines multiple effects with NAM captures, looping, and FX Builder 2.0 in a mono chain. With current Stratus software, up to three NAM A2-Lite models can share a preset within the total processing budget.
With the latest Chaos Audio app and Stratus firmware 1.0.100, use up to three native NAM A2-Lite blocks simultaneously in one preset/chain. The entire chain shares the CPU budget, so the effects you add determine the remaining capacity. Choose from all 600,000+ amp and pedal NAM captures on TONE3000, or load your own supported uploads. See the current Stratus update and installation guidance.
For a mono rig, save several parts of your sound together: pedal and amp captures, surrounding effects, and looping. The total processing demand determines which combination fits. Stratus has 14 presets reachable from its own footswitches and up to 128 via MIDI.
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.
HX One offers one selected HX-family effect with stereo operation, Flux, and its hardware controls. That can be exactly what an otherwise finished board needs. A selected looper algorithm uses that one effect slot; HX One is not an amp modeler.
Stratus works for home playing as well as rehearsal or performance when connected to suitable amplification or monitoring. Use the app to prepare sounds, then recall installed presets without leaving the phone connected.
Current Stratus software includes a tuner and USB-MIDI support. A host is required for conventional MIDI controllers. Mono input/output, no direct expression input, and no USB audio interface are the connection limits to account for.
Choose Stratus when you want to build and save several stages of a sound together, including an effect you create for the chain. Choose HX One when one stereo effect with its hardware controls is the missing piece on your board. Stratus is US$299; see the current detailed HX One comparison for pricing, connections, and workflow details.
