NDSP Quad Cortex

[TubeStack]

Just tried out the Tremoverb model and it's possibly the best Mesa I've heard in a modeler. I don't know about most accurate but it sounds like a killer 90's high gain amp. I've never liked Recto models before but I remember really wanting a Tremoverb around 2000. Again plug and play no tweaking required.

I haven't tried that model yet, but the Tremoverb captures are great, too.

 

[Jarick]

I don’t like Mesa gain amps if that helps. Never been a fan of Mark, JP, or Dual Rec tones.

 

[Mongillo19]

I don’t like Mesa gain amps if that helps. Never been a fan of Mark, JP, or Dual Rec tones.

It does!

Because the QCs is not that accurate. But you must like their attempt at it.

 

[TimOwens316]

Really tough question to answer. If we're talking purely about amp profiling accuracy, then it would be QC. But if we're talking a solid holistic system, it would be Kemper. Although I hate the workflow myself, but others like it.

I disagree. I have both and IMHO the Kemper is more accurate when it works. The problem, at least for me is that the Kemper is a bit temperamental when it comes to some amps whereas the QC doesn’t seem to have that problem. But the QC has a problem with getting the gain and top end right, after making captures I would need to adjust the gain and treble every time to compensate. Sorry if I misunderstood your comment.

 

[Mongillo19]

I disagree. I have both and IMHO the Kemper is more accurate when it works. The problem, at least for me is that the Kemper is a bit temperamental when it comes to some amps whereas the QC doesn’t seem to have that problem. But the QC has a problem with getting the gain and top end right, after making captures I would need to adjust the gain and treble every time to compensate. Sorry if I misunderstood your comment.

Hmm that's interesting! Do you think that applies to high gain?

 

[TimOwens316]

Hmm that's interesting! Do you think that applies to high gain?

I haven’t tried high gain yet so I can’t say. I mostly do mid gain classic rock type tones.

 

[TubeStack]

Paging Kemper Accuracy Police™ @Orvillain…

 

[Mongillo19]

Paging Kemper Accuracy Police™ @Orvillain…

Orv can't throw that far let's be real

 

[Jarick]

It does!

Because the QCs is not that accurate. But you must like their attempt at it.

What’s not accurate about it?

What I like is it doesn’t have excess high and low end.

 

[Rickboot]

What’s not accurate about it?

What I like is it doesn’t have excess high and low end.

I think you answered your own question. :)

 

[SeeD]

What’s not accurate about it?

What I like is it doesn’t have excess high and low end.

The TremOVerb captures are good sounding. I don`t like the model as much, but the factory captures

 

[Mongillo19]

Any updates @Jarick, is it a keeper?

 

[Achilles]

Any updates @Jarick, is it a keeper?

Think he's busy finishing up the office redo.

 

[Jarick]

Any updates @Jarick, is it a keeper?

Think he's busy finishing up the office redo.

Yeah I spent a good chunk of the last few days working on my office, and that's now finished. Today I'm moving things back into the office, setting everything up, figuring out where I want things to go.

Still quite happy with the early impressions of the unit. It sounds very good with minimal fuss. My guess is compared to other devices there may be a little more EQ to sweeten things up but honestly that's a good thing IMO. Even then, things sound like you expect them to.

For example, I wanted to try and recreate a few classic tones. One I really dig is the early 90's Stone Temple Pilots tone, which is a Demeter preamp running into a Marshall 4x12 with V30's alongside a Vox AC30. Well there's a 90's Marshall 4x12 with V30's as a stock cab and I started there, and then tried a few amps landing on the 5153 Blue. With just a little adjustment of the cab mics (57 and 421) and a little bit of EQ on the amp (turn the treble and presence down a touch), it sounds EXTREMELY close to the album.

Being able to get that close to the sound without having to fuss around with auditioning a lot of impulses or do a lot of EQ or anything else is really impressive.

I do think it's doing for the most part what I was hoping for the Kemper or Boss GT-1000 to do when I got them, which is a more plug and play solution. It's limited compared to the Fractal because there's only a small portion of the amps and effects available, but it's a lot easier to put together rigs. Both the Kemper and Boss will be sold, and I think I'll sell the HX Effects too. Going to keep the HX Stomp as it's handy and versatile.

Also need to try to capture the Friedman IR-X. Maybe later today.

Trying to figure out how to set everything up going forward...maybe I'll have the Axe 3 tucked away and the QC on the desk? I'm probably also going to get an interface with more ins and outs so I can keep multiple things hooked up and basically use it as an audio router as well.

 

[kartikg3]

Going to keep the HX Stomp as it's handy and versatile.

I think that is a great decision

 

[Stone]

One I really dig is the early 90's Stone Temple Pilots tone, which is a Demeter preamp running into a Marshall 4x12 with V30's alongside a Vox AC30

Studied his setup when I did Plush, managed something close with the Helix
Forgot what but was a dual amp setup
I may retry with the Fractal at some point
Like Sex type thing

 

[Orvillain]

I disagree. I have both and IMHO the Kemper is more accurate when it works. The problem, at least for me is that the Kemper is a bit temperamental when it comes to some amps whereas the QC doesn’t seem to have that problem. But the QC has a problem with getting the gain and top end right, after making captures I would need to adjust the gain and treble every time to compensate. Sorry if I misunderstood your comment.

See my article here:

 

[Jarick]

I got the Axe 3 setup and did a quick comparison of an AC15 into a stock 2x12 AC30 cab with each. No surprise I found the fractal to sound brighter than the QC. Both are good though.

I may tinker with some DI tracks I already have setup and run them through each, along with the Helix. I did this earlier in the year but never released them.

Would be interested to hear the same amps across the amps with stock cabs for each unit as well as the same IR across all.

 

[Mongillo19]

got the Axe 3 setup and did a quick comparison of an AC15 into a stock 2x12 AC30 cab with each.

By stock cabs you mean they weren't the same, correct?

You can't really compare models unless they have the same exact cab/IR

The fractal definitely has some great clarity compared to most devices. I've always found it darker tho

 

[Jarick]

By stock cabs you mean they weren't the same, correct?

You can't really compare models unless they have the same exact cab/IR

The fractal definitely has some great clarity compared to most devices. I've always found it darker tho

I'm talking about doing both. Using the same IR across models will help show differences in the amps where using the stock cabs for each will show how the unit sounds out of the box. These are close to $2000 devices and should sound good out of the box without additional help.