NDSP Quad Cortex

[Mikael Dez]

Can’t speak to Fractal but I can do “easy pinch harmonics” gain on Helix and the Boss GT1K at volume without needing a noise gate. Of course I still use one because hearing anything other than what I want is stupid.

This is with a physical amp? I find I need a gate with high gain tones with my Mesa or it’s a noisy mess/squealing and scaring my dog lol. I need to find the best gate and spot for it though, I haven’t spent a whole lot of time with that because frankly gates are boring

 

[Orvillain]

You don’t need to use a noise gate with FAS? Genuinely curious here, a noise gate would be at home and accepted in a physical pedalboard as well

No I don't.

 

[Orvillain]

This is with a physical amp? I find I need a gate with high gain tones with my Mesa or it’s a noisy mess/squealing and scaring my dog lol. I need to find the best gate and spot for it though, I haven’t spent a whole lot of time with that because frankly gates are boring

No, I don't need to do this.

 

[deadpool_25]

Do you turn the gate off the input block then Orv? I think it defaults to on.

 

[Orvillain]

Do you turn the gate off the input block then Orv? I think it defaults to on.

I do not need to add an extra gate block like he does in his video with the QC. He'd be running the input gate (on by default) as well as whatever gate he adds to the signal path.

I don't use the input gate, no.

Truly, in terms of noise-floor, these devices are fucking worlds apart.

 

[deadpool_25]

I do not need to add an extra gate block like he does in his video with the QC. He'd be running the input gate (on by default) as well as whatever gate he adds to the signal path.

I don't use the input gate, no.

Truly, in terms of noise-floor, these devices are fucking worlds apart.

Gotcha. I wasn't even talking about the noise floor. I was just wondering if you use any gates at all in your high gain tones.

I use the QC straight into the FR-12s and haven't had noise issues. Different use cases and/or different tolerances. I'm not one of those who's trying to invalidate your experiences lol

 

[Mikael Dez]

I use the QC straight into the FR-12s

I’m jealous of your FR-12 setup haha - some sort of setup like that is on my short list for sure

 

[Mikael Dez]

 

[Orvillain]

Gotcha. I wasn't even talking about the noise floor. I was just wondering if you use any gates at all in your high gain tones.

I use the QC straight into the FR-12s and haven't had noise issues. Different use cases and/or different tolerances. I'm not one of those who's trying to invalidate your experiences lol

Nah, I try not to use any gates. If I use my JVM, I will use the gates built into the amp, but most of the time I don't bother.

 

[DrewJD82]

I only use a gate on high-gain presets when the song is doing the mechanical start/stop thing, where the gate is being used for more than killing noise. I keep one on in my main rhythm preset in my FM9/EVH rig because the Red channel on the EVH is noisy on it's own and we play loud enough that ear-bleed feedback kicks in if we take our hands off the guitars.

 

[laxu]

I'm so used to having a noise gate as my BluGuitar has a built-in one that is just a toggle switch with a "soft" gate and "metal" gate that closes faster. I miss that on my Mesa Mark V, but not enough to bother buying a noise gate pedal.

I see no harm in it as long as it's not set to close too quickly, potentially cutting down sustain.

 

[Mikael Dez]

I'm so used to having a noise gate as my BluGuitar has a built-in one that is just a toggle switch with a "soft" gate and "metal" gate that closes faster. I miss that on my Mesa Mark V, but not enough to bother buying a noise gate pedal.

I see no harm in it as long as it's not set to close too quickly, potentially cutting down sustain.

Exactly - it shouldn’t be sucking any tone out if its an “on/off” like how a gate functions - so even if it’s just on to cut out anything that’s well under the threshold I’m good with it

 

[Elric]

They are quite easy to buy in various stores, while Line6 doesn't really have anything as compact as the QC or that does the same thing as the Kemper (of which the powered toaster is probably the most popular).

QC is impossible to buy anywhere but Sweetwater in the US AFAIK. Kemper and QC are popular because people can profile their big rig or studio setup and replicate it nearly perfectly on the road. Big name artists still use amps in the studio much easier to capture that than try to match it on a traditional modeler.

It’s not surprising in the last few years that Kemper and QC have shown up on a lot big name act live setups (main or in fly rigs). Zero mystery what’s going here. These people are not Internet forum gear nerds.

 

[Los-D]

View attachment 42070

It’s all fun and games until a buddy calls and wants to buy your QC near full price because he’s got Mayer-induced GAS.

Never been a fan, but thank God for John Mayer.

 

[Los-D]

Officially out of the QC game (again).

 

[Los-D]

(Last one)
Strolling through Discord this morning:

 

[2dor]

(Last one)
Strolling through Discord this morning:

View attachment 42372

I dipped in there a few days back wondering when the sale hits; eyeing the Soldano.

 

[deadpool_25]

Anyone use and recommend Happy Cortex Skins?

 

[Orvillain]

Anyone use and recommend Happy Cortex Skins?

Is that some sort of prophylactic ?

 

[Mongillo19]

Anyone use and recommend Happy Cortex Skins?

@Jynx uses some skin but idk what brand