NDSP Quad Cortex

[mbenigni]

In maybe 15 years but hey, if that's how long NDSP plans on supporting the QC, good for them

Not even then. The only way plugin compatibility is "complete", given this development strategy and NDSP's own disclaimers, is if NDSP stops developing new plugins.

 

[TubeStack]

An update about an update.

Why do they do this? Why not wait until it's actually out?

 

[mbenigni]

Applaud the QoL improvements as they seem substantial, but that new device list is...underwhelming.

I agree. It's always, "Well, let's hope this lays the groundwork for new devices next time..." But I think the best we'll get is, "Yay, now I have the option of giving NDSP another $100 to unlock an amp or a reverb or whatever."

 

[mbenigni]

Why do they do this? Why not wait until it's actually out?

Because everyone (rightly) went bonkers when they seemed to disappear for months at a time.

Of course, the better solution would have been to release firmware updates more frequently...

 

[mbenigni]

And the new Plini effects like the chorus is really good. I would love to see them expand the delay functions though, instead of being locked down with the mono vs ping pong.

I see your "expand the delay functions" and raise you an "expand the reverb functions". :) As for chorus, IMO it's one of the things the QC already does exceptionally well.

Lastly will be cool to try the Soldano. Plug in version is great but I don't love the cab. So being able to drop the amps into other effects is nice. Also once they roll out the Petrucci, Henson, and Rabea plugins that will be awesome as well.

I wonder if NDSP will still do 50% off sales after these plugins start being more widely compatible with QC. If so, I may have to eat my words and pick up Petrucci or MkIIc+... possibly the Morgan... oh, God.

 

[Jynx]

I asked NDSP what circular delay is.

"Circular delay is a multitap diffused delay, inspired by some classic 90's rack units. Each tap is panned progressively from left to right, giving the impression that the delay is "spinning" from one speaker to another in stereo. The diffusion smears the tap, to give them a more "reverbery" feel. A really nice effect for lead sounds."

 

[DrewJD82]

OMG FINALLY! Here's hoping they've gotten this right once and for all.


Legitimately a big deal, addressing legitimate criticism from @DrewJD82, etc.

I’m curious though, are they transmitting on Scenes as well?

I set my presets up generally per-song, IE- my EVH head w/ my FM9 now, when I click on a Preset, each Scene selects a different amp channel via MIDI and then I only have to deal with that single Preset.

That’s a ton of great stuff, I hope it all rolls out smoothly!

 

[Mongillo19]

I wonder if NDSP will still do 50% off sales after these plugins start being more widely compatible with QC. If so, I may have to eat my words and pick up Petrucci or MkIIc+... possibly the Morgan... oh, God.

NDSP reading this:

 

[Jarick]

I see your "expand the delay functions" and raise you an "expand the reverb functions". :) As for chorus, IMO it's one of the things the QC already does exceptionally well.


I wonder if NDSP will still do 50% off sales after these plugins start being more widely compatible with QC. If so, I may have to eat my words and pick up Petrucci or MkIIc+... possibly the Morgan... oh, God.

Agreed the chorus options are very good, but the new Plini chorus is also a really nice option.

 

[mbenigni]

I’m curious though, are they transmitting on Scenes as well?

I set my presets up generally per-song, IE- my EVH head w/ my FM9 now, when I click on a Preset, each Scene selects a different amp channel via MIDI and then I only have to deal with that single Preset.

That’s a ton of great stuff, I hope it all rolls out smoothly!

That's a good question. The on-screen verbiage says "Stomp A", but I don't know whether there's a "Scene A" label to differentiate, or whether that just means, "Here's what happens when you step on the A switch."

 

[DrewJD82]

I asked NDSP what circular delay is.

"Circular delay is a multitap diffused delay, inspired by some classic 90's rack units. Each tap is panned progressively from left to right, giving the impression that the delay is "spinning" from one speaker to another in stereo. The diffusion smears the tap, to give them a more "reverbery" feel. A really nice effect for lead sounds."

Steve Lukather was pretty much the dude that made them known, using a couple Lexicon PCM70’s.

You can hear what they sound like here-


I use them mostly on cleans, but the occasional lead if it’s not too busy.

 

[TubeStack]

NDSP reading this:

That gif is always funny to me, no matter what the context...

 

[Whizzinby]

Applaud the QoL improvements as they seem substantial, but that new device list is...underwhelming.

Not a single new amp?!? WTF.

 

[Mongillo19]

Not a single new amp?!? WTF.

I think it's important to note that NDSP does not view the model portion of the QC as the flagship feature.

Does this excuse them from lack of updates, no. But they classify the flagship feature as the captures. I imagine they think those will cover any gap in missing amp models (and I honestly don't think they are wrong.

For example, fractal has a ton of amps....I use maybe 5-10 at most lol is it fun to have more amps, no doubt about it. But I can't think of a tone the QC (or any digital device) can't cover at this point.

 

[Whizzinby]

tl;dr - plugin compatibility will never be "done" per se.

Of course not. My guess is the may not “catch up” to the existing plugs until the end of 2025, judging by the fact that since the last batch of X updates they are only close to releasing another two X updates.

And that’s assuming they decide to only release QC compatible plugs moving forward.

This is going to be one hell of a slow burn rollout.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Going to be

 

[Whizzinby]

I think it's important to note that NDSP does not view the model portion of the QC as the flagship feature.

Does this excuse them from lack of updates, no. But they classify the flagship feature as the captures. I imagine they think those will cover any gap in missing amp models (and I honestly don't think they are wrong.

For example, fractal has a ton of amps....I use maybe 5-10 at most lol is it fun to have more amps, no doubt about it. But I can't think of a tone the QC (or any digital device) can't cover at this point.

If that’s how you want to spin it now, fine. We can still be friends.

I consider it a modeler, and they fucking suck at releasing models.

 

[Mongillo19]

If that’s how you want to spin it now, fine. We can still be friends.

I consider it a modeler, and they fucking suck at releasing models.

From their manual:

"Neural Capture is Quad Cortex’s flagship
feature. "

I agree they suck at releasing models but they told us right off the start what they view as the main feature of the QC. It isn't the models.

I still love you

 

[Jynx]

Was hoping for amps too but they have withheld surprises before so this list may not be complete. We'll find out though.


S O O N

 

[JiveTurkey]

I think focusing on effects development is a smart move. The captures thing keeps the amp model pressure at bay a bit because you can just slap a capture in there. You can't just slap a verb/delay/mod capture because those don't exist.