Jarick
Rock Star
- Messages
- 3,187
Didn't want to hijack the other threads, so figured I'd start a new one.
I'm planning to pick up a Quad Cortex tomorrow. I got a surprisingly nice year end bonus and much of it will go towards paying off some debt but thought I'd treat myself to something as well.
Why bother with the QC if you have the Axe FX 3 and lots of other stuff?
I love the Axe FX 3 overall, but often it just feels like a chore to use it. The menus, the editor, it's not a fun experience. Sonically it does just about anything I'd want but there's often some fussing around required.
The Kemper and GT-1000 aren't it and I've been just too lazy to sell them. I don't like Kemper profiles, it's a rabbit hole and lacks flexibility. Liquid profiling helps a lot but swapping cabs tends to sound weird and we all know the cab is the most important part of the tone. The GT-1000 just plain doesn't sound or feel very good to me, and I don't like the effects.
The Helix stuff...I hate to say but I'm kind of over it. I have the Stomp and an HX Effects and I just don't like the amp modeling at all anymore. The effects are not bad, but it's been close to a decade of using it.
I'm also very intrigued by the Fender TMP as it looks like a really cool device but every sound demo I've heard has been underwhelming. There's all kinds of bugs and issues that need sorting out as well.
So why the Quad Cortex?
I've been hearing tons of great clips of the Quad Cortex lately and it seems like the development has mostly caught up to where it needs to be. I have several of their plugins and they tend to sound great, so if they can integrate those that would be a huge plus too. Being able to capture the Friedman IR-X will be really interesting as well, if it does a better job of Kemper then I can easily keep the IRX hooked up to the Axe FX 3.
The size and interface is very appealing as a standalone unit that doesn't require a computer editor or footswitch. I'm redoing my office space and being able to quickly move the QC to different desks or areas is a big plus. I could also just put it on a stand on the desk which is nice.
In terms of reservations...I'm not sure about the effects. I'm not a massive effects user but I always really enjoy using stereo delays and reverbs. The QC has some options here but we will see how they work in practice. I also haven't seen too much for EVH style pitch detune either so will have to see the chorus effects. I'm also a bit concerned if the high end will be a little too aggressive...the QC always seems very present sounding which isn't always my favorite.
I'm planning to pick up a Quad Cortex tomorrow. I got a surprisingly nice year end bonus and much of it will go towards paying off some debt but thought I'd treat myself to something as well.
Why bother with the QC if you have the Axe FX 3 and lots of other stuff?
I love the Axe FX 3 overall, but often it just feels like a chore to use it. The menus, the editor, it's not a fun experience. Sonically it does just about anything I'd want but there's often some fussing around required.
The Kemper and GT-1000 aren't it and I've been just too lazy to sell them. I don't like Kemper profiles, it's a rabbit hole and lacks flexibility. Liquid profiling helps a lot but swapping cabs tends to sound weird and we all know the cab is the most important part of the tone. The GT-1000 just plain doesn't sound or feel very good to me, and I don't like the effects.
The Helix stuff...I hate to say but I'm kind of over it. I have the Stomp and an HX Effects and I just don't like the amp modeling at all anymore. The effects are not bad, but it's been close to a decade of using it.
I'm also very intrigued by the Fender TMP as it looks like a really cool device but every sound demo I've heard has been underwhelming. There's all kinds of bugs and issues that need sorting out as well.
So why the Quad Cortex?
I've been hearing tons of great clips of the Quad Cortex lately and it seems like the development has mostly caught up to where it needs to be. I have several of their plugins and they tend to sound great, so if they can integrate those that would be a huge plus too. Being able to capture the Friedman IR-X will be really interesting as well, if it does a better job of Kemper then I can easily keep the IRX hooked up to the Axe FX 3.
The size and interface is very appealing as a standalone unit that doesn't require a computer editor or footswitch. I'm redoing my office space and being able to quickly move the QC to different desks or areas is a big plus. I could also just put it on a stand on the desk which is nice.
In terms of reservations...I'm not sure about the effects. I'm not a massive effects user but I always really enjoy using stereo delays and reverbs. The QC has some options here but we will see how they work in practice. I also haven't seen too much for EVH style pitch detune either so will have to see the chorus effects. I'm also a bit concerned if the high end will be a little too aggressive...the QC always seems very present sounding which isn't always my favorite.