I think I want a Quad Cortex...

[Frankencat]

Classic rock sounds, maybe some heavier sounds. Slightly overdriven Marshall style is where I live, then I grease it up with boost or od.

 

[deadpool_25]

The effects have improved a lot over time. Not only have the core group of effects improved and grown, the effects in the PCOM stuff can be pretty damn nice too. I think people sometimes forget those are in there. Whether you like the effects or not, or like them as much as other units, is 100% subjective.

I used to use my VP4 with the QC because I felt the QC effects just weren’t satisfying. Now I don’t really feel the need to use the VP4. Again, it’s subjective.

I think the QC is pretty fantastic at this point (imo) which is why I didn’t hesitate to get the Mini when it released. You’re right about probably needing a separate power supply as that wall wart is kinda silly. I use a Cioks DC7 and a Crux with my QC. The Mini doesn’t need the Crux—I can power that straight off the DC7 using a parallel adapter—but it also has less switches which it sounds like you may not prefer.

 

[Orvillain]

The effects have improved a lot over time. Not only have the core group of effects improved and grown, the effects in the PCOM stuff can be pretty damn nice too. I think people sometimes forget those are in there. Whether you like the effects or not, or like them as much as other units, is 100% subjective.

I used to use my VP4 with the QC because I felt the QC effects just weren’t satisfying. Now I don’t really feel the need to use the VP4. Again, it’s subjective.

I think the QC is pretty fantastic at this point (imo) which is why I didn’t hesitate to get the Mini when it released. You’re right about probably needing a separate power supply as that wall wart is kinda silly. I use a Cioks DC7 and a Crux with my QC. The Mini doesn’t need the Crux—I can power that straight off the DC7 using a parallel adapter—but it also has less switches which it sounds like you may not prefer.

That Nordic reverb they added is the only multi reverb that gets even close to the sort of sound I get out of my Boss RV-5. The Fractal ones can't get as bright and aggressive. The Line6 ones just don't sound smooth or present enough. The Kemper ones sound like a really bad pastische.

 

[Sedaxel]

Back to OP...

You want a QC.

You already have quite a few units. None of them fulfills your requirements...

Sell them. And buy a QC.

 

[mbenigni]

Maybe they’ve gotten better, I haven’t tried one since they first came out.

I remember thinking the modulations weren’t that great, the pitch shift was monophonic only, the drives didn’t interact very well with the amps, and of course the spring reverb was

The spring reverb is all but deprecated by the new (very good) Spring Factory. The pitch shift may not be labeled “poly” but I get good (as good or better than anything else I’ve owned) results with it playing all kinds of material.

The rest (modulation, etc.) is pretty subjective territory. My needs are pretty simple, but I consistently find everything I need. (And more importantly, using it once I find it is always a breeze.)

 

[mbenigni]

The fx sound like they have been improved over time. I'd mainly be concerned about learning a brand new piece of gear before taking it right out on tour more than anything else.

It couldn’t be easier to learn, though.

Just don’t use it “professionally” - a friend of a friend of a friend tells me that breaks all the switches. And the effects are shite. Which is why he tours with one.

 

[mbenigni]

Back to OP...

You want a QC.

You already have quite a few units. None of them fulfills your requirements...

Sell them. And buy a QC.

To be fair, it is a lot of money. On the other hand, the OP asks us to help him “justify” it, and then details his touring schedule… which is more justification than I’ve ever had for any gear purchase ever.

Overall, I kind of agree with JiveTurkey: leverage the Performance pages, and finish your touring commitments with the the FM3. But when the dust settles, just order a new QC from a reputable dealer and see whether YOU like it enough to keep it.

 

[laxu]

For the record I have an FM3 that sounds amazing but my problem for live use it making tweaks on the fly is a pain in the butt, so it stays in my studio. On my desk I have a Valeton GP-200LT which sounds pretty good and serves me well for home practice and learning songs and whatnot, but it's not flexible enough for live use and the effects are kind of meh. Then there is my trusty Boss GX-100 which I have done many live gigs with over the years and it has served me well. I also recently bought a GX-10 to use for a backup and for rehearsals and jams where I don't want to bring my big board. I play in a southern rock tribute band and we tour around Florida and are doing a little jaunt up the east coast in a couple of weeks.

For your uses, I imagine the QC switch spacing might be a pain in the ass when you are used to the fairly comfortable spacing on the Boss, Valeton and FM3. QC Mini + MIDI controller might work better.

You know you like the FM3, so consider the AM4 instead if you feel it can do what you want. Look at your FM3 presets, your live presets on the other units to see if the AM4's limitations would be something you can live with. It will have all the amazing tones you enjoy on the FM3, sans Pitch, Plex Delay and Multitap Delay.

 

[la szum]

 

[Elric]

If the folks here can’t talk you out of it, no one can. This forum is built on irrational dislike for the QC.

 

[GTR37]

The spring reverb is all but deprecated by the new (very good) Spring Factory. The pitch shift may not be labeled “poly” but I get good (as good or better than anything else I’ve owned) results with it playing all kinds of material.

The rest (modulation, etc.) is pretty subjective territory. My needs are pretty simple, but I consistently find everything I need. (And more importantly, using it once I find it is always a breeze.)

Interesting what does spring factory or engine have is it just a bunch of different voices housed in one

I honestly don’t even see that much urgency for PCOM at the moment it appears they have started taking things out of those packs while waiting

Pretty sure the new Spring is from Asato
Dumble is from Mayer
Overlord Synth Bea
Mini voicer was Tim
Although the eventide micro pitch is still better IMO

I honestly don’t really know what the next update will be maybe couple or Amps , drives , a feedbacker
Maybe more quality of life stuff like footswitching or more robust midi
It’s pretty complete now , it’s taken years but I feel it’s now what was promised

 

[Los-D]

If the folks here can’t talk you out of it, no one can. This forum is built on irrational dislike for the QC.

 

[mbenigni]

 

[mbenigni]

Interesting what does spring factory or engine have is it just a bunch of different voices housed in one

I honestly don’t even see that much urgency for PCOM at the moment it appears they have started taking things out of those packs while waiting

Pretty sure the new Spring is from Asato
Dumble is from Mayer
Overlord Synth Bea
Mini voicer was Tim
Although the eventide micro pitch is still better IMO

I honestly don’t really know what the next update will be maybe couple or Amps , drives , a feedbacker
Maybe more quality of life stuff like footswitching or more robust midi
It’s pretty complete now , it’s taken years but I feel it’s now what was promised

The descriptions of the plug-in reverbs are maddeningly vague, but I’m pretty sure they’re all plate/ hall variations. The Spring Factory is basically a “spring reverb construction kit” with a decent number of parameters for dialing in what you need. It doesn’t quite “drip” but it sounds great otherwise (IMO).

It kind of bore out what I already understood about all my spring reverb griping, though: that I mainly wanted one so I could say, “neato look what my QC can do!” A day or two later I was back to the plates and halls LOL.

 

[Stone]

It's the gear forum don't expect anybody here to talk you out of buying any gear

 

[Stone]

Interesting what does spring factory or engine have is it just a bunch of different voices housed in one

I honestly don’t even see that much urgency for PCOM at the moment it appears they have started taking things out of those packs while waiting

Pretty sure the new Spring is from Asato
Dumble is from Mayer
Overlord Synth Bea
Mini voicer was Tim
Although the eventide micro pitch is still better IMO

I honestly don’t really know what the next update will be maybe couple or Amps , drives , a feedbacker
Maybe more quality of life stuff like footswitching or more robust midi
It’s pretty complete now , it’s taken years but I feel it’s now what was promised

Yup pretty sure it's at it's top now, only thing that would have pissed me off to no end would be to buy an expensive power supply like a cioks DC7 which is nearly 500$ CDN, especially at the price they are asking for the unit

 

[mbenigni]

only thing that would have pissed me off to no end would be to buy an expensive power supply like a cioks DC7 which is nearly 500$ CDN, especially at the price they are asking for the unit

That would piss me off too, which is why I didn’t.

 

[Sedaxel]

To be fair, it is a lot of money. On the other hand, the OP asks us to help him “justify” it, and then details his touring schedule… which is more justification than I’ve ever had for any gear purchase ever.

Yeah, it's a lot of money. But FM3, GX100, GX10, GP200... At the end of the day, the money spent is above what it would cost a QC.

In Europe it's even more clear, but if course in the USA the FM3 it's much cheaper.

I mean, I sometimes think about my gear and I come to the conclusion that I've spent more money by buying several "smaller" units (so to speak) than what I would have spent if I had bought the one I needed once.

But yeah, I agree, not an easy one anyway.