NDSP Quad Cortex

[Chocol8]

To me, a real valve amp is still the gold standard. None of the modellers are as good. But it's about what can get closest.

Even when digital sounds as good or better, there is something about playing a real tube amp, especially a vintage one with all its history and unique odors etc that just makes me smile.

 

[texhex]

Done it again haven't I ... picking it up tomorrow....

When you go to patch it, hook it up to your computer first. It will use your computer’s network connection, which may be faster, as opposed to using its own WiFi. I’m still loving this device.

 

[laxu]

Part of me is very tempted to go with the AM4 instead to hang on to some of those Fractal pros, but eh.

The thing that makes all the difference for me with the AM4 is that it takes away so much of the pure annoyance of the Axe-Fx 3/FM3/FM9 usability. I pretty much never use the AM4-Edit software, which is a first for me with Fractal.

While it has a pile of limitations, and isn't slick like a touchscreen UI, for my needs it's a really good compromise. I find myself spending much less time dialing in amps with it compared to other modelers I've owned, and I get to use those great Fractal delays and reverbs. The 4 block limitation is very acceptable for my needs. It's a shame that the Pitch, Plex Delay and Multitap delay blocks are not available though.

On paper the QC Mini would be just about perfect for me, but I just have no trust in NDSP. TINA has amounted to just about nothing, and last year was IMO miserable for QC updates - captures V2 was the only real big deal. I hope they do better this year.

NDSP is still playing catchup to other brands, whereas Fractal has very mature products where you aren't really left wanting for more amps, effects and whatnot.

 

[GTR37]

The thing that makes all the difference for me with the AM4 is that it takes away so much of the pure annoyance of the Axe-Fx 3/FM3/FM9 usability. I pretty much never use the AM4-Edit software, which is a first for me with Fractal.

While it has a pile of limitations, and isn't slick like a touchscreen UI, for my needs it's a really good compromise. I find myself spending much less time dialing in amps with it compared to other modelers I've owned, and I get to use those great Fractal delays and reverbs. The 4 block limitation is very acceptable for my needs. It's a shame that the Pitch, Plex Delay and Multitap delay blocks are not available though.

On paper the QC Mini would be just about perfect for me, but I just have no trust in NDSP. TINA has amounted to just about nothing, and last year was IMO miserable for QC updates - captures V2 was the only real big deal. I hope they do better this year.

NDSP is still playing catchup to other brands, whereas Fractal has very mature products where you aren't really left wanting for more amps, effects and whatnot.

Hmm I actually thought it was one of NDSPs more productive years

New Dumble
New Fenders
New Spring reverb
New cloud reverb
New Hall Valhalla
New PLATE lexicon
New Synth from Rebea w more feature
Trems
Transparent blend

Other than the ongoing PCOM fiasco they were relatively productive updates for Nano and a new QC mini

 

[mbenigni]

Hmm I actually thought it was one of NDSPs more productive years

New Dumble
New Fenders
New Spring reverb
New cloud reverb
New Hall Valhalla
New PLATE lexicon
New Synth from Rebea w more feature
Trems
Transparent blend

Other than the ongoing PCOM fiasco they were relatively productive updates for Nano and a new QC mini

This. And honestly, as great as the V2 captures are, I've barely used them (except to test them and say, "wow!") since that firmware dropped. (I'm back to the 2203 model with a drive pedal; and I've finally discovered the AC30 block for clean. Only about 60 years late to that party LOL.) "Little" things like new reverbs and the Micropitch have had a bigger impact for me. And as I've said repeatedly, the Transparent Blend block is completely transformative, especially for multi-instrument presets.

(I thought the synth would be a game-changer, but no poly and just as many glitches as with external pitch-to-MIDI make jack a dull boy.)

 

[Progressive_disclosure]

I got an original for £950.

I do like the QC. Last time I owned one, it was before the v2 profiling was available. So.... quite interested to check that out....

If you’re pleased with some captures, please do share. :-)

I’m still really enjoying my Nano Cortex. It can’t do V2 captures (”Soon”) but it plays them just fine.

 

[Progressive_disclosure]

And then the QC Mini pushing me over the edge. In a lot of ways, it's what I wanted after the HX Stomp. If it had existed before, I doubt I would have gone for the FM9, let alone done all of my HX Stomp + Tonex and then tube preamp + Tonex experiments.

I think we were both on that tube preamp journey for awhile, and I also went through a Stomp + Tonex phase. I’ve settled on a Nano instead and that work great for me. Easy to power (9V 600mA or just usb-c from computer/iPad), effects are OK (there’s even a fast Transpose fx!) to me and the flexibility of the system is exactly what I wanted. I was going to use it primarily with my pedalboard and preamp but after making some (V1) captures of my full amp I’m pretty much set. I think a QC Mini could work well and cover all use cases well.

 

[synthpenguin]

The thing that makes all the difference for me with the AM4 is that it takes away so much of the pure annoyance of the Axe-Fx 3/FM3/FM9 usability. I pretty much never use the AM4-Edit software, which is a first for me with Fractal.

While it has a pile of limitations, and isn't slick like a touchscreen UI, for my needs it's a really good compromise. I find myself spending much less time dialing in amps with it compared to other modelers I've owned, and I get to use those great Fractal delays and reverbs. The 4 block limitation is very acceptable for my needs. It's a shame that the Pitch, Plex Delay and Multitap delay blocks are not available though.

On paper the QC Mini would be just about perfect for me, but I just have no trust in NDSP. TINA has amounted to just about nothing, and last year was IMO miserable for QC updates - captures V2 was the only real big deal. I hope they do better this year.

NDSP is still playing catchup to other brands, whereas Fractal has very mature products where you aren't really left wanting for more amps, effects and whatnot.

The AM4 is really, really cool, and the channel aspect alone makes it a lot more viable than many similar things, at least if you want flexibility. I think a year ago I would have seriously considered it, but right now I'm much more into the idea of either a big all-in-one (like the FM9), or a small all-in-one + a few pedals augmenting it. With the AM4, I know I'd have to augment it with more things and go back to a traditional pedalboard setup, and if I went down that road it would be a different array of questions I'd ask myself. The AM4 would be a serious contender then because of the amps, reverbs, and the channel feature.

[ The Fractal delays are good, though the types of delays I care about most, which are more on the tape and analog side of things, are not my favorite thing in Fractal. Those categories of delays seem even weaker in QC land (the fact that it's been so hard to find good demoes of them speaks volumes too haha), so in either case I know I'll be grabbing something and sticking it in the FX loop (or in front in the case of the AM4). Maybe an HX One, though I don't know what the deal is with that and conflicting noise reports. ]

Anyway, I definitely understand the lack of trust in NDSP. I've felt the same way, and part of me still does I guess. Though I think this last year or so was actually a great period for them, and somewhat turned me around on my perception of their dedication to the platform.

That said, I personally am looking at the QC / QC Mini for what it currently is, so I'm not really basing it on update schedule going forward (after all, if I was basing this on a roadmap, I'd probably go with the Stadium). Where it is at right now seems good to me, and I'm aware of its shortcomings, I think. Feel free to mention any you think I need to be aware of though haha

Fwiw this isn't the first time I looked at the QC either btw. I looked at the big one a little while back when I was still hooked on the idea of a traditional pedalboard setup around it, and felt like it fell short then (even with it being overkill in other ways for that context).

 

[synthpenguin]

I think we were both on that tube preamp journey for awhile, and I also went through a Stomp + Tonex phase. I’ve settled on a Nano instead and that work great for me. Easy to power (9V 600mA or just usb-c from computer/iPad), effects are OK (there’s even a fast Transpose fx!) to me and the flexibility of the system is exactly what I wanted. I was going to use it primarily with my pedalboard and preamp but after making some (V1) captures of my full amp I’m pretty much set. I think a QC Mini could work well and cover all use cases well.

Yeah, I think so! The tube preamp thing is really cool. I'm just so over the traditional pedalboard approach now. The FM9 solidified that, even if I'm not sticking with it. I think [all-in-one + a couple of delay or "weird" pedals in the FX loop + whatever drive or fuzz pedal I want to stick in front] will be a great balance for me.

The HX Stomp + Tonex setup is so powerful. It's also just not very fun (for me) lol. If I was happy with the Helix reverbs and mod FX, I might have stuck with that anyway, but it became a more and more glaring thing, and once you're adding in a Source Audio Ventris or something like that you start to question the trade-offs of that approach vs the investment.

I'm glad you're happy with the NC! It seems great, even if the app aspect isn't my fav. Have you gotten to try any v2 captures from others?

 

[Progressive_disclosure]

The HX Stomp + Tonex setup is so powerful. It's also just not very fun (for me) lol. If I was happy with the Helix reverbs and mod FX, I might have stuck with that anyway, but it became a more and more glaring thing, and once you're adding in a Source Audio Ventris or something like that you start to question the trade-offs of that approach.

Totally agree. The modular approach with a modeler augmented by another modeler/capture player was fun to set up, but then just a PITA in my experience! The ”captures as table stakes” thing going around now is not that good from my perspective. The Tonex One was a noisy piece of shit as well and my over gained captures on the NC are whisper quiet and much easier to deal with.

I'm glad you're happy with the NC! It seems great, even if the app aspect isn't my fav. Have you gotten to try any v2 captures from others?

Yeah, I’ve tried out a whole lot. NDSP has like 600+ V2 captures available and then I’ve tried a few from others forumites as well. Honestly, my V1 captures sound great (to me) and with the ease of in-box capturing the quality is much more even than Tonex or NAM. I think V2 captures has more dynamics but my EoB caps work well for me.

It’s also nice that I can preview captures directly on the device, so everything feels streamlined compared to Tonex. I think that’s one part of me accepting the Nano being app-based as well.

 

[laxu]

The AM4 is really, really cool, and the channel aspect alone makes it a lot more viable than many similar things, at least if you want flexibility. I think a year ago I would have seriously considered it, but right now I'm much more into the idea of either a big all-in-one (like the FM9), or a small all-in-one + a few pedals augmenting it. With the AM4, I know I'd have to augment it with more things and go back to a traditional pedalboard setup, and if I went down that road it would be a different array of questions I'd ask myself. The AM4 would be a serious contender then because of the amps, reverbs, and the channel feature.

I've found myself paring back the number of effects I use over the years. I used to feel the FM3 was "just a little bit short" of what I wanted. Now I feel the AM4 is "just a little bit short". Like one more block for 4 + amp/cab would do it for me, or a utility wah/volume. But I can live with that compromise.

[ The Fractal delays are good, though the types of delays I care about most, which are more on the tape and analog side of things, are not my favorite thing in Fractal. Those categories of delays seem even weaker in QC land (the fact that it's been so hard to find good demoes of them speaks volumes too haha), so in either case I know I'll be grabbing something and sticking it in the FX loop (or in front in the case of the AM4). Maybe an HX One, though I don't know what the deal is with that and conflicting noise reports. ]

Tape delays are my favorite and even though I prefer my Strymons, I think Fractal's are very good too. I recommend messing with the Compander option to give them a bit more something.

The effects overall were the weak point of the QC for me when it was released. Everything was at best "just alright" but I don't want "just alright" in a unit like this.

That said, I personally am looking at the QC / QC Mini for what it currently is, so I'm not really basing it on update schedule going forward (after all, if I was basing this on a roadmap, I'd probably go with the Stadium). Where it is at right now seems good to me, and I'm aware of its shortcomings, I think. Feel free to mention any you think I need to be aware of though haha

Well, it still doesn't have a multitap delay afaik.

 

[Orvillain]

Man, the QC looper really is best in class. They smashed it out of the park.

 

[Shask]

I think you can sum it up best as that the many of the pros of Fractal didn't matter to me as much in practice (especially after getting over initial coolness factor, because yeah a lot of the Fractal stuff IS very cool) and the cons mattered to me more than I expected.

And then the QC Mini pushing me over the edge. In a lot of ways, it's what I wanted after the HX Stomp. If it had existed before, I doubt I would have gone for the FM9, let alone done all of my HX Stomp + Tonex and then tube preamp + Tonex experiments.

There were also some things I didn't like about the Fractal as much as I expected to soundwise, which made me want to integrate a couple external pedals, and the size of the FM9 doesn't really work for me in that case. The NeuralDSP stuff isn't better in those areas from what I can tell, but if I'm already adding a couple external pedals, then the QC and especially the QC Mini (which I'm aiming to get) work much better because of their form factors.

The v2 captures are definitely a factor too. Not sure how much I'll use them? I don't have any amps to capture right now, and other users' captures are more miss than hit in my (pretty brief) experience with captures in general, but there are a few rarely-modeled amps I'm interested in grabbing captures of (maybe from Amalgam), and I want to mess around with capturing some of my drive pedals.

And there are a lot of other little things too. Of course the Fractal amp modeling, reverbs, footswitching, digital delays, and routing flexibility are all amazing, so it's not a cut and dry thing for me and all the praise I've given Fractal over the last several months still rings true to me. It's more just "okay what has the best combination of things I'll actually use and in a way that makes me want to play guitar more and better?"

Part of me is very tempted to go with the AM4 instead to hang on to some of those Fractal pros, but eh. I think if I ever went back to a pedalboard setup revolving around a dedicated amp pedal, it would be with a (future?) NAM player or a tube preamp (like the Tone King stuff).

Part of me is also tempted to go for a Stadium or wait for a Stadium Stomp, especially since I love a lot of the Helix FX and I think Line 6 is a great company, but I have pretty mixed feelings about where that platform is at right now tbh. I might regret not investing in it in a year after Proxy and whatever other updates, but I can't worry about that too much.

I was curious because I have been finding myself going away from Fractal also. A big part of it is because I find captures to have better dynamics over models. Another big reason is thinking about what I use vs. What is fun to play with.

All the switching and effects are nice, but in the end, I am pretty much a 1 or 2 sound person with minimal effects. All the extra just makes things more complicated than it needs to be

Lately I have been pretty happy with a ToneX One and a Source Audio Collider. That does everything I use basically.

 

[Orvillain]

Another big reason is thinking about what I use vs. What is fun to play with.

This point cannot be overstated enough IMO.

 

[fiftyshadesofslay]

QC delays get some flack but their digital models are great. The vintage one sounds cool and the standard digital delay compares really favourably to my Boss SDE.

 

[synthpenguin]

I've found myself paring back the number of effects I use over the years. I used to feel the FM3 was "just a little bit short" of what I wanted. Now I feel the AM4 is "just a little bit short". Like one more block for 4 + amp/cab would do it for me, or a utility wah/volume. But I can live with that compromise.

The FM3 is in a weird spot now, I think, because the combo of its size and limitations mean that it really has to hit the sweet spot for you, or otherwise the AM4 or FM9 is just the better bet.

There are good arguments for the AM4, for sure. It's tempting in some ways, at least along with a couple other pedals, and so is something like the one of the Tone King preamps + a VP4 or some delay + reverb pair.

Tape delays are my favorite and even though I prefer my Strymons, I think Fractal's are very good too. I recommend messing with the Compander option to give them a bit more something.

I think the Fractal's tape delays are good. I spent a lot of time with them and came up with some block presets that worked alright. I didn't really feel they compared well to what I was used to from Strymon or Helix though, at least not without extra help (which wouldn't be possible on the AM4). Same with the analog style delays.

The effects overall were the weak point of the QC for me when it was released. Everything was at best "just alright" but I don't want "just alright" in a unit like this.

Yeah, I think this is the case with some of them, though from what I've heard many of the more recent ones sound great. The reverbs are really nice now to my ears.

I'll spend time with the delays, and I expect to be unhappy with the analog and tape side of things, so I plan to grab something to fill that gap at some point. Obvious contenders are the Volante and RE-202, or maybe a multi-delay / multifx like the Timeline, HX One / DL4mkII, or Source Audio Nemesis (I've gotta listen carefully to how good their analog and tape stuff is), but there are lots of things out there and it will just depend. I know the UA Starlight sounds great too, though not having MIDI (outside of USB MIDI) would be meh.

Also, it might sound weird to be talking about a future purchase like "I know I probably won't like x or y", but I'm trying to be realistic and make sure I'm not stuck in a "grass is greener on the other side" trap. I know Fractal is better at some things (obviously!). If I was looking at the full QC with the higher price and larger size, the equation would be different too, at least to some degree. I'm looking at the QC Mini as an "almost-all-in-one" because of those factors.

Well, it still doesn't have a multitap delay afaik.

Thanks, good to know! I don't really use the digital multitap delay thing much in practice. Still, it has the Circular Delay, which would probably scratch that itch enough when the time comes (even if it's apparently fairly DSP-hungry..?). Outside of that, going by what I actually use in Fractal, Dual Delay and Ping Pong Delay should cover my post delay needs fine.

ETA: btw I appreciate the little bit of pushback. It's always helpful to clarify goals, reasoning, and pros vs cons :)

 

[synthpenguin]

Man, the QC looper really is best in class. They smashed it out of the park.

I'm definitely looking forward to trying that out!

I was curious because I have been finding myself going away from Fractal also. A big part of it is because I find captures to have better dynamics over models.

I'm neutral on the capture vs model thing right now. I think both can feel great, but the better end of captures currently definitely feel and respond excellently. I'm curious to try the v2 Neural captures.

Another big reason is thinking about what I use vs. What is fun to play with.

Absolutely.

 

[mbenigni]

QC delays get some flack but their digital models are great. The vintage one sounds cool and the standard digital delay compares really favourably to my Boss SDE.

And it may not be under the Delay menu, but the Micropitch ("Micro Processor") is a great delay, too.