Neural DSP Nano Cortex

[GTR37]

Is the noise gate currently in the input block like the QC?

I think a few of those upgrades would really make the Nano appealing. Understanding DSP limitations, but if they add a separate drive block and can expand the effect selections that would be awesome.

Compressor
Drive
Capture
Modulation
Delay
Reverb

That's a pretty solid chain.

Yes it 2 pre fx 3 post indicated by the 5 LED
The rumour is they will free up a slot by moving the gate into the capture block
Freeing up a pre effect slot to get the drives

Delays reverbs and additional mods would be easy

For me if it was Drive, Capture, Chorus, Dual Delay
And Plate I would consider biting

 

[jellodog]

For me if it was Drive, Capture, Chorus, Dual Delay
And Plate I would consider biting

Not sure they'd have enough processing power for dual delay; but yeah, that would certainly be nice.

 

[Jarick]

Well with NDSP nothing is necessarily "easy" lol...

But yeah that would make sense. QC, Helix, and Fractal all have a noise gate built into the input block so that would make the most sense IMO.

 

[laxu]

For what it costs, the Nano Cortex is pretty weak offering.

I can do a more complex signal chain on the Ampero 2 Stomp which costs several hundred less, with a proper touchscreen UI and everything.

If Hotone adds the capture functionality to the Stomp, I just don't see a lot of appeal to the Nano Cortex.

 

[GTR37]

Well with NDSP nothing is necessarily "easy" lol...

But yeah that would make sense. QC, Helix, and Fractal all have a noise gate built into the input block so that would make the most sense IMO.

Not only not easy but also not
Timely

The Nano roadmap and improvements we are talking about possibly happening could be like 6 to 8 months away

My guess is they will announce an Update at NAMM

 

[GTR37]

For what it costs, the Nano Cortex is pretty weak offering.

I can do a more complex signal chain on the Ampero 2 Stomp which costs several hundred less, with a proper touchscreen UI and everything.

If Hotone adds the capture functionality to the Stomp, I just don't see a lot of appeal to the Nano Cortex.

I like the layout and set up of NANO w the app

But if Hotone offers a catch only box w the touchscreen in a smaller box than the stage
It would be a tough sell
Especially w all the fx
The catches I have heard so far have been stellar to my ears

 

[Sedaxel]

I'm really digging the Nano. Yes, it's very limited as an all in one unit. But it even could serve as it, if the complexity of the gig is not too FX eager.

For me, it's just great to have that form factor, that power requirements, that sounds quality, that capturing easiness... I'm only missing a compressor block, to be fair, since I can capture my amp with my overdrives in 2 minutes and they sound stellar. And the hardware is seriously well made and superbly thought out.

There's no other capturing device this size and price.

 

[GTR37]

I'm really digging the Nano. Yes, it's very limited as an all in one unit. But it even could serve as it, if the complexity of the gig is not too FX eager.

For me, it's just great to have that form factor, that power requirements, that sounds quality, that capturing easiness... I'm only missing a compressor block, to be fair, since I can capture my amp with my overdrives in 2 minutes and they sound stellar. And the hardware is seriously well made and superbly thought out.

There's no other capturing device this size and price.

I agree , I much prefer the tones to ToneX

if you are only interested in captures and as you said need a couple of really good fx, its great . I think its simplicity probably just encourages you to play more which is never a bad thing .

I like the NDSP tones a lot , IMO they have the best low end attack it tight but not stiff , I have been playing around with just their SLO plug and its a joy and simple to get great tone IMO

 

[mikah912]

I agree , I much prefer the tones to ToneX

if you are only interested in captures and as you said need a couple of really good fx, its great . I think its simplicity probably just encourages you to play more which is never a bad thing .

I like the NDSP tones a lot , IMO they have the best low end attack it tight but not stiff , I have been playing around with just their SLO plug and its a joy and simple to get great tone IMO

As much as I ding NDSP, I most certainly prefer their tones, UI and - can't believe I'm saying this - business practices to IK Multimedia.

That said, I'd rather have an HX Stomp as a backup and I actually do. Nano is just too crippled for my use cases. I'm sure the core amp sounds are fine. I never had a problem with Neural's captures when I owned a QC.

 

[jellodog]

Headphone amp is plenty powerful. I’ve never had issues driving the HD600.

Well you were right! Thanks for the steer.

Sounds way nicer through the HD 6XX than I had dared allow myself to expect!

It's a fun little device for silent play and practice

 

[Sedaxel]

Just for those interested in the performance of the Nano as an audio interface, I´ve measured the latency of the USB audio capabilities with RTL Utility, and this a comparison of different units I´ve measured, at 48kHz and 64 samples (except the Mooers, which are 44.1kHz):

Nano Cortex - 9.1 ms
MeloAudio Tone Shifter Mega - 8.5 ms
Zoom AMS22 - 8.3 ms
Mooer GE250 - 10.2 ms
Zoom H6 - 16.7 ms
Mooer GE300 Lite - 12.6 ms
Audient EVO4 - 5.5 ms

The NC does it reasonably well, since it´s not a dedicated audio interface. Of course, no competition against a decent audio interface... even a dirt cheap and not very powerful AMS22 performs faster.

Curious to see the GE250 perform better than the GE300 Lite.

And of course, the Audient is just great for the price. I´m in love with that little interface.

 

[laxu]

And of course, the Audient is just great for the price. I´m in love with that little interface.

I love the Audient EVO 8. I just wish they made an Audient 10 or 12 with a bit more I/O that is not in the EVO 16 form factor. I really dig the controls on top format and compact size, just make it a bit wider to fit maybe a few more line ins/outs, maybe SPDIF.

 

[GTR37]

Just for those interested in the performance of the Nano as an audio interface, I´ve measured the latency of the USB audio capabilities with RTL Utility, and this a comparison of different units I´ve measured, at 48kHz and 64 samples (except the Mooers, which are 44.1kHz):

Nano Cortex - 9.1 ms
MeloAudio Tone Shifter Mega - 8.5 ms
Zoom AMS22 - 8.3 ms
Mooer GE250 - 10.2 ms
Zoom H6 - 16.7 ms
Mooer GE300 Lite - 12.6 ms
Audient EVO4 - 5.5 ms

The NC does it reasonably well, since it´s not a dedicated audio interface. Of course, no competition against a decent audio interface... even a dirt cheap and not very powerful AMS22 performs faster.

Curious to see the GE250 perform better than the GE300 Lite.

And of course, the Audient is just great for the price. I´m in love with that little interface.

That Evo has great specs for under 200 and looks super simple to use ,
I currently am borrowing a UA volt and it’s pretty good love that it’s powered by USB

 

[Sedaxel]

That Evo has great specs for under 200 and looks super simple to use ,
I currently am borrowing a UA volt and it’s pretty good love that it’s powered by USB

Yeah, sure.

The little EVO4 can get barely sub 5ms RTL using 16 or 32 samples. But besides this, it has pretty good audio quality. Mine costed 115€.

The UA volt is surely great. But then you're spending a little more. Apart from the behringer stuff with midas pres, I don't think there's nothing on the market with this quality/cost ratio, honestly.

 

[Jarick]

Audient Evo is pretty solid, as is the Motu stuff. I also noticed the latency is lower than big expensive modelers like the Quad Cortex or Axe FX 3.

 

[GTR37]

Audient Evo is pretty solid, as is the Motu stuff. I also noticed the latency is lower than big expensive modelers like the Quad Cortex or Axe FX 3.

Yeah it pretty crazy that a 200 interface has better latency than the big modellers

Another one that looks really cool for not much cash is the SSL

One thing that is appealing about the nano though is it records not using that dreaded USB printer port

This is a trend I hope to see going fwd small compact units that can be powered and recorded through the USB C and with improved latency