Lekato Comes Out with its Own Version of the Sonicake Pocket Master with the MINI Pocket Multi-Effects ME-05

Okay this took some time to write because I first had to read the MINI Pocket Multi-Effects ME-05 manual thoroughly for let’s say 10? 15 times?

I don’t have an actual ME-05 on hand and it seems like it isn’t that much available in public yet, so… but one thing’s for sure… the budget multi-effects market just got more interesting.

Lekato, the brand that’s been making waves with affordable wireless systems and guitar accessories, has thrown its hat into the compact processor ring with the MINI Pocket Multi-Effects ME-05.

And honestly?

They’re not just copying the Sonicake Pocket Master—they’re trying to one-up it.

If you’ve been following musikawabad.com, you know I’ve spent considerable time with the Sonicake Pocket Master and Smart Box.

Those units changed my perspective on what’s possible at this price point.

Now Lekato has a unit that sits somewhere between the Pocket Master and Smart Box in terms of features, and it’s forcing me to reconsider what “best value” actually means in this category.

Understanding Lekato: The Newcomer That’s Not Actually New

Before we dive into the ME-05, let’s talk about who Lekato actually is, because context matters.

Founded in 2019 by Guangzhou Caihui Technology Co., Ltd. in China, Lekato is a relatively young brand in the guitar effects world.

The name “Lekato” derives from the Italian musical term “legato,” which describes smooth, seamless transitions between notes—a fitting metaphor for their mission to create continuous connections between music and musicians.

Despite being only six years old, Lekato has achieved impressive market penetration. Their flagship wireless systems have sold over 500,000 units, and their effects pedals have surpassed 300,000 units in sales.

This ompany is moving serious numbers because of their competitive pricing and decent quality control.

Lekato’s philosophy centers on making quality instruments accessible through rigorous material selection and quality control.

They position themselves as bridging the gap between budget gear and professional requirements, targeting beginners, intermediate players, and even professionals who need reliable backup or portable solutions.

What sets Lekato apart in the crowded Chinese effects market is their R&D focus.

They operate their own research center and manufacturing plant, giving them direct control over product development and quality—something that matters when you’re trusting a Php 5,000.00 ($100) device with your guitar signal.

The ME-05: What Lekato Brings to the Table

The MINI Pocket Multi-Effects ME-05 is Lekato’s entry into the desktop multi-effects category, and from the specs alone, it’s clear they studied the competition carefully.

But here’s what makes it interesting: they didn’t just match features—they added some unique elements that might actually matter.

The Core Technology: DSM Modeling

Lekato calls their amp modeling technology DSM (Dynamic Spectrum Modeling), which they describe as combining “universal black-box modeling with neural network training.” This is marketing speak for what everyone’s doing now—using machine learning to capture amp behavior—but the implementation details matter more than the buzzwords.

The ME-05 includes 30 built-in amp models (25 for guitar, 5 for bass) plus support for NAM (Neural Amp Modeler) file imports through 10 NFILE slots. This is where Lekato directly challenges the Sonicake Smart Box, which also supports NAM.

For cabinet simulation, you get 25 guitar cabs and 5 bass cabs built-in, plus 10 slots for third-party IR files. That’s comprehensive enough for most players’ needs.

Effects and Modules

Here’s where things get dense with specifications:

125 effect types organized into modules including Noise Gate, OD/FX, AMP, CAB, EQ, MOD, DELAY, REVERB, LOOPER, and DRUM. The ME-05 supports up to 10 simultaneous modules—one more than both the Pocket Master and Smart Box, which max out at 9.

Does that one extra module matter in real-world use?

Probably not for most players.

But it’s interesting that Lekato felt the need to push past the competition’s spec sheet.

The Display and Interface

The ME-05 features a 2-inch TFT color display—larger than the Pocket Master’s screen but not HD like the Smart Box’s display.

The interface includes a master knob for overall volume, an edit knob that rotates and presses for parameter adjustment, and left/right buttons for preset navigation and parameter control.

This is more intuitive than the Pocket Master’s app-dependent editing but not as sophisticated as the Smart Box’s nine dedicated module-select buttons. It’s a middle ground that makes sense given the price point.

Connectivity and Features

Here’s where the ME-05 gets interesting:

Dual Bluetooth: One for audio playback, one for MIDI editing via mobile app. The Pocket Master only has Bluetooth audio, while the Smart Box offers both wired and wireless BT-MIDI. Lekato splits the difference.

USB Audio Interface: 48kHz/24-bit with ASIO driver support, 2-in/2-out configuration. This matches the Smart Box’s specs and edges out the Pocket Master’s 44.1kHz sampling rate.

EXP/CTRL Jack: Supports external expression pedals (10-100Ω) or dual footswitch control. The Pocket Master doesn’t have this; the Smart Box does. Another point for Lekato learning from the competition.

40-Second Stereo Looper: This is double the Pocket Master and Smart Box’s 20-second loopers. If you’re heavy into looping practice, this actually matters.

100 Drum Patterns: Similar to the Pocket Master’s 99 and Smart Box’s 100. Standard for the category.

99 User Presets: 01-80 optimized for guitar, 81-99 for bass. This organization makes more sense than just throwing 100 presets at you with no categorization.

The Comparison: ME-05 vs. Pocket Master vs. Smart Box

Let’s break down how these three units stack up across key categories.

Feature	Lekato ME-05	Sonicake Pocket Master	Sonicake Smart Box
Price	TBD (est. Php 5,000.00 or $80-95)	Php 3,500.00 or $64.99	Php 5,000.00 or $94.99
Amp Models	30 (25 guitar, 5 bass)	20 legendary types	Expanded library
NAM Support	Yes (10 NFILE slots)	Yes	Yes (5 user slots)
IR Support	Yes (10 slots)	Yes (5 slots)	Yes (5 slots)
Effect Types	125	100+	130+
Simultaneous Modules	10	9	9
Presets	99 (organized guitar/bass)	100 (50 factory, 50 user)	100 (50 factory, 50 user)
Display	2-inch TFT color	Color LCD	HD color LCD
On-Device Control	Edit knob + L/R buttons	Limited, app-dependent	9 module-select buttons
Footswitches	None (external via EXP/CTRL)	None	2 metal with LED rings
Looper	40 seconds stereo	20 seconds	20 seconds
Drum Patterns	100	99	100
Signal Processing	24-bit/48kHz	24-bit/44.1kHz	24-bit/44.1kHz
Dynamic Range	95dB	103dB	103dB
Bluetooth	Dual (audio + MIDI)	Audio only	Audio + wired/wireless BT-MIDI
USB Features	Audio interface, OTG	Audio interface, OTG	Audio interface, loopback, re-amp, OTG
EXP/CTRL Support	Yes (10-100Ω)	No	Yes (TRS)
Output	1x ¼” TRS stereo	1x ¼” stereo/phones	True stereo ¼” + independent phones
Battery	1500mAh (4 hours)	1000mAh (4 hours)	2000mAh (4 hours)
Dimensions	109×84×32mm	103.5×85×28.5mm	135×114×51mm
Weight	250g	194g	378g

How the Joyo Jam Buddy II Fits In

Before we dig deeper into the ME-05, it’s worth addressing the Joyo Jam Buddy II because it represents a different philosophy entirely.

The JOYO Jam Buddy II isn’t trying to be a pocket-sized desktop unit—it’s a 10W practice amp with built-in effects. It has dual 2-inch speakers, weighs 940g, and functions as both an amplifier and effects processor. Key specs include:

• 14 amp models with 3 channels
• 9 effects (MOD, DELAY, REVERB types)
• 36 drum patterns
• 30-second looper
• 3-band EQ
• Two footswitches for channel switching
• Built-in speakers (the big differentiator)
• Balanced outputs for PA/mixer
• OTG recording and Bluetooth

The Jam Buddy II occupies a different space. It’s not truly portable like the Pocket Master or ME-05—at 940g, it’s a desktop/floor unit that stays put. But if you need actual speaker output for practicing without headphones or an amp, it delivers where the others can’t.

When to consider the Jam Buddy II instead: If you practice unplugged often, need speaker output without external gear, want footswitch control built-in, or prefer a desktop/floor unit that can double as a small performance amp.

When to skip it: If you prioritize true portability, want more comprehensive effects (125 vs. 9 types), need NAM support, or practice primarily with headphones.

The Importance of Cheap Multi-Effects to All Players

Let’s address why units like the ME-05, Pocket Master, and Smart Box matter across skill levels, because the “budget gear is only for beginners” mindset needs to die.

I’ve survived mainly on cheap multi-effects pedals from when I first started to this day. And I don’t have too many complaints.

For Beginners

Budget multi-effects pedals eliminate the intimidation factor and financial barrier that keeps people from starting guitar.

Twenty years ago, a beginner needed an amp, cables, maybe a tuner, and if they wanted effects, individual pedals that cost Php 2,500.00 – 7,500.00 or $50-150 each.

You’re easily Php 25,000.00 or $500+ deep before playing a single note beyond clean tone. That’s a massive commitment for someone who doesn’t know if they’ll stick with guitar.

Units like the ME-05 change the equation completely. For under Php 5000.00 or $100, you get:

• Professional-quality amp modeling covering every genre
• Comprehensive effects library (125 types!)
• Built-in tuner
• Drum machine for rhythm practice
• Looper for layering practice
• USB recording interface
• Headphone output for silent practice

A beginner can explore metal, blues, jazz, country, and everything in between without buying a single additional piece of gear.

They can discover what effects they actually use before investing in individual pedals. And they can practice silently at any hour without disturbing roommates or family.

This removes the “I can’t afford to find out if I like guitar” excuse entirely.

For Intermediate Players

Intermediate players often have gear, but they need flexibility and experimentation space.

Maybe you have a nice tube amp and a few pedals, but you want to explore sounds outside your current setup.

The ME-05 becomes your sonic playground. Load some NAM profiles of amps you’d never buy. Try effect combinations you’d never build on a pedalboard. Practice with drum patterns to improve timing.

The ME-05 is also perfect as a portable rig.

You can’t bring your tube amp and pedalboard to your friend’s house, the beach, or on vacation. I learned this the hard way: you can easily lose a tube amp or any other musical instrument if you’re careless.

But a 250g unit that fits in a backpack?

That goes anywhere.

Intermediate players often need this flexibility as life gets busier.

And here’s the secret: these units make you a better player. When you can instantly recall any sound, you focus on playing instead of tweaking. When you have drum patterns and a looper, you practice with better timing and more creativity.

For Professional Players

“Why would a pro use a Php 5000.00 ($100) multi-effects?” is the wrong question. The right question is “Why wouldn’t a pro have a Php 5000 ($100) backup rig?”

Professional musicians need reliability and contingency plans. Your main rig is expensive, heavy, and catastrophic if it fails mid-gig. The ME-05 as a backup costs less than a single high-end pedal but can save an entire show.

Professionals also do session work, teaching, and grab-and-go gigs where bringing the main rig makes no sense. A coffee shop acoustic set, a last-minute studio session, teaching at a student’s house—the ME-05 handles all of these perfectly.

And let’s be honest: sometimes professionals just want to practice without ceremony. After a long day of playing, sometimes you want to grab headphones and noodle without firing up the whole rig. Budget multi-effects excel at this “just play” use case.

Finally, professionals often explore sounds for pre-production or songwriting. Load some experimental NAM profiles, try weird effect combinations, record ideas directly via USB. The ME-05 becomes a creative tool, not just a performance device.

ME-05 Strengths and Weaknesses

Pros:

• NAM support opens professional amp modeling at budget price
• 125 effect types is genuinely comprehensive
• 10 simultaneous modules (more than Pocket Master and Smart Box)
• 40-second looper is double the competition
• 48kHz sampling rate matches Smart Box, beats Pocket Master
• Dual Bluetooth (audio + MIDI) is more versatile than Pocket Master
• EXP/CTRL support enables expression pedal use
• 2-inch color display is better than Pocket Master’s screen
• 99 presets organized by instrument type is thoughtful
• 1500mAh battery is 50% more capacity than Pocket Master
• DSM modeling technology with neural network training
• Supports both guitar and bass with dedicated amp/cab models
• More affordable than Smart Box while offering similar flagship features
• OTG support for iOS/Android recording
• USB audio interface with ASIO driver support
• Compact size (109×84×32mm) fits easily in bags
• Lighter than Smart Box (250g vs 378g)

Cons:

• No built-in footswitches (requires external switches via EXP/CTRL)
• Single output limits connectivity vs. Smart Box’s dual outputs
• 95dB dynamic range lower than Pocket Master/Smart Box’s 103dB
• Display not HD like Smart Box
• No dedicated module-select buttons like Smart Box
• On-device editing less intuitive than Smart Box’s interface
• Heavier than Pocket Master (250g vs 194g)
• Slightly larger than Pocket Master
• No independent headphone output (single ¼” TRS serves both purposes)
• Newer product with less user feedback and community support
• Lekato brand less established than Sonicake in multi-effects market
• USB doesn’t support loopback or re-amp like Smart Box
• No wireless BT-MIDI like Smart Box (only wired MIDI via USB)
• Power adapter not included
• Relatively unknown long-term reliability

Real-World Use Cases: Where the ME-05 Makes Sense

Choose the ME-05 if:

• You want NAM support but don’t want to pay Smart Box prices
• The 40-second looper matters for your practice routine
• You prefer 48kHz sampling rate for USB recording
• You want comprehensive effects (125 types) at minimal cost
• You’ll use the organized guitar/bass preset structure
• You need expression pedal support but don’t need built-in footswitches
• You want middle ground between Pocket Master simplicity and Smart Box complexity
• You’re building a portable practice rig and every gram matters vs. Smart Box

Choose the Pocket Master if:

• Ultimate portability is priority #1 (lightest and smallest)
• You’re on the tightest budget ($64.99)
• You don’t need that much NAM support or if IRs are enough
• You always have your phone nearby for editing
• You don’t need expression pedal support
• The 103dB dynamic range matters more than sampling rate
• You want the most established product with community support

Choose the Smart Box if:

• You perform live and need built-in footswitches
• You want true stereo outputs plus independent headphone jack
• You need the most intuitive on-device control (9 module buttons)
• You want USB loopback and re-amp support for recording
• You need wireless BT-MIDI for advanced control
• You want the highest battery capacity (2000mAh)
• You’ll grow into advanced features over time
• Budget allows the extra investment ($94.99)

Choose the Jam Buddy II if:

• You need built-in speakers for amp-less practice
• You want footswitches for hands-free operation
• You prefer a desktop/floor unit over pocket-sized
• You need balanced outputs for PA/mixer connection
• Speaker output matters more than ultimate portability
• You’re okay with fewer effects (9 vs 125) for simpler operation

The ME-05 occupies an interesting middle ground. It’s not as cheap as the Pocket Master, not as feature-rich as the Smart Box, but it offers a compelling mix of both that might be perfect for specific users.

If I’m ranking these for different scenarios:

Best Overall Value: Still the Pocket Master at Php 3500 ($64.99). It does 90% of what most players need for the lowest price.

Best for Live Performance: Smart Box by a mile. Built-in footswitches, independent outputs, and superior interface make it stage-ready.

Best for Advanced Home Recording: Smart Box again. Loopback, re-amp, and wireless MIDI matter for serious recording workflows.

Best Feature-to-Price Ratio: ME-05 (if priced under Php 5000). You get NAM support, 48kHz sampling, dual Bluetooth, and that 40-second looper for less than Smart Box money.

Best for Headphone Practice: Pocket Master. Lightest, smallest, simplest. Perfect for couch/bed/coffee shop playing.

Best for Practice Without Headphones: JOYO Jam Buddy II. Only unit with built-in speakers that actually sound decent.

The ME-05 shines if you specifically want NAM support and comprehensive effects but don’t need the Smart Box’s live performance features. It’s the “I practice at home and record to my computer but don’t gig” sweet spot.

Lekato didn’t just copy the Pocket Master—they studied the entire category and tried to offer maximum features at minimum cost. Whether that strategy succeeds depends entirely on pricing. If the ME-05 comes in under Php 5000, it’s a genuine Smart Box alternative.

If it’s Php 5000 plus, just buy the Smart Box and get the better interface and outputs.

Either way, the budget multi-effects market is better for having another solid option. Competition drives innovation and keeps prices reasonable. And for guitarists at every level, that’s something worth celebrating.

I would recommend checking out the ME-05 if you’re looking for NAM support and comprehensive effects in an affordable package. Stay tuned for pricing and availability updates!

Here’s the Link to the Lekato MINI Multi-Effects ME-05 Manual. Enjoy!

Oh and if you want any one of the multi-effects pedals mentioned in the article, you can get it here:

Buy the Sonicake Pocket Master on Shopee

Buy the Sonicake Pocket Master on Amazon

Buy the Sonicake Smart Box on Shopee

Buy the JOYO Jam Buddy II on Shopee

It won’t cost you extra to buy it and I get a nice little commission which helps me keep this website going.

Thank you!