NMD: NDSP Quad Cortex

[TubeStack]

It shouldn't! It's made to capture amps and some do the miced cab route.

Right, I did have that thought and it makes sense.

Trust what Alec says. Dude knows his shit inside and out.

Okay, it's just that he says "dunno for sure but I'm under the impression" in that linked thread? (And apparently Pete Thorn has expressed the same concern when he was making profiles...)

However, it does all make sense and why else would the QC be able to take a mic input if you couldn't put the capture tones through a mic'd amp speaker.

I just love this old Mesa cab and would hate for anything to happen.

I'm thinking I will give it a go, thanks again.

 

[Mongillo19]

Fuzz Factory did not work lol I think it's because of the gate.

J Mascis Fuzz and SD1 Waza turned out good. Go check them out!

Username is Mongillo19

 

[TubeStack]

Fuzz Factory did not work lol I think it's because of the gate.

J Mascis Fuzz and SD1 Waza turned out good. Go check them out!

Username is Mongillo19

Will do, thanks! (Already following you.)

 

[Mongillo19]

Will do, thanks! (Already following you.)

The SD1 is quite strong. The Fuzz is set to smashing pumpkins settings so do with that what you will lol

 

[Mongillo19]

In lieu of capturing my fuzz pedal I present an amateur rendition of Today

Today.wav

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

 

[Whizzinby]

Just a word about the ease and speed of working directly on the QC: it's fantastic.

It’s the gold standard. 100%

I hope all the other big players meet or exceed it moving forward.

 

[laxu]

It’s the gold standard. 100%

I hope all the other big players meet or exceed it moving forward.

Amen. I could see swapping the footswitch/encoders for a set of knobs under the screen, but I expect all modelers will to some degree converge in how they operate, more than they do today.

I do wish more manufacturers decided to go for a "desk" style format because that's where the QC excels. Needing to cram in a bunch of footswitches always means compromises for the rest of the unit.

I am absolutely loving how I can plug the Luminite Graviton M1 MIDI controller into a USB-C powerbank to make it completely wireless. Then I can wirelessly connect a bunch of peripherals to it. I don't have to tie the main unit to a specific place, can easily move it around, pick the switching features I prefer like footswitches on the floor, or the tiny dual joystick controller, soon some 2 knob controllers...the setup can shrink or grow based on my needs.

Give me some of that in next gen modelers!

 

[TubeStack]

I made a couple Electra Dyne QC captures, just before band practice a couple nights ago. Was funny to watch the drummer and bass player's faces, felt like a "mad scientist guitarist at work" during the super loud bleeps and bloops. (Speakers were fine.)

A few points:

- the captures turned out great, everyone was amazed at the accuracy during the A/B test at the end
- I used the crunch capture for a few songs, using the Matrix GT1000FX as a power amp, and it sounded great, overall
- I had the Matrix in 1000W bridged mode into my Mesa Trad 4x12 and was very careful about levels; the signal lights were flickering, so it was running at about 120W, which was enough volume and still had room for more, if needed

- regarding Matrix vs ISP Stealth Pro as power amps: the Matrix sounds MUCH better and has WAY more power, very happy with it; the ISP is still impressive, especially considering it's size/weight, will still keep it as a backup in my gig bag

- regarding real Electra Dyne vs QC capture: the capture did feel a little different than the real Dyne, kind of stiff and less spongy, and sound-wise had less harmonic overtones, with a slightly grating high end, but overall very impressive and definitely usable; it's the happiest I've been with a model/capture and SS power amp + cab (although I'll admit, I'm now curious about a Fractal with the GT1000FX, uh oh... )

- when I switched back to the real Electra Dyne there was still no contest, the real thing was better in every possible way: sound, feel, punch, overtones, filling the room, oomph, etc, but the QC + Matrix did sound damn good and is certainly usable

I'll probably try the QC + Matrix with my Recto 2x12 cab at a gig next year for fun, sending a line to FOH with a cab sim on it, and also running my vocals through the QC, see how that goes. Will still be using the real Dyne at practice, it's just too much fun and fills that big room and blends with the drums and bass so perfectly.

 

[Mongillo19]

kind of stiff and less spongy, and sound-wise had less harmonic overtones, with a slightly grating high end

I never tire of hearing people describe tone and I sincerely mean this lol

 

[TubeStack]

I never tire of hearing people describe tone and I sincerely mean this lol

Forgot to mention, the real Dyne had haunting mids and toasted wheat underpinnings.

 

[TubeStack]

Picking up a used 2U shallow rack case today for the Matrix.

 

[TubeStack]

And I hope you share these said captures I'm going to try and capture my fuzz factory and see what happens

Going to share them this afternoon.

 

[TubeStack]

I should add, as a (common) strike against the QC, I have yet to get the wifi working. It's down in my basement and the router is up 1 and a 1/2 floors (split level house). iPhone and MacBook connect fine down there, though. I can't even get the QC to connect to my phone's hotspot.

 

[Achilles]

I do wish more manufacturers decided to go for a "desk" style format because that's where the QC excels. Needing to cram in a bunch of footswitches always means compromises for the rest of the unit.

I'd been using a Toaster w/remote for well over a year when the released the Stage. My first thought was why?

 

[TubeStack]

Wifi is working now.

Also, it's a super cool and light setup with the Matrix in a rack case. I will gig this in the new year!

 

[TubeStack]

Still enjoying the QC and getting a lot of great use out of it.

Just checking in with some updates:

- capturing drive pedals is such a cool feature and perfect for my use case: I've captured three favourite pedals that aren't modeled anywhere and am super happy with them; made one of my JHS Prestige yesterday that turned out fantastic
- I use the same pedals (and amp) for years, so having captures of them really works for me (I've used my Keeley Fuzz Head and MXR CBMOD as main drives/boosts for 10+ years now, come to think of it, and the Electra Dyne for close to 7 yrs... )

- my Electra Dyne amp captures sound and feel insanely good, better than any stock or user captures I've tried
- wrote this in another thread, but I'm wondering if this is because I'm playing the capture through the actual cab with which I made the capture, so it contains the speaker impedance curve of that exact cab, if that makes sense?
- not sure if it's placebo, but it seems to give that extra realism/holy sh*it factor and reminds me of the differences in detail/accuracy/feel when I got the SIC right in the FM9, for example
- whereas when I play other users' or factory captures/models, the SIC piece of the puzzle seems missing and it feels/sounds a little flat

- effects-wise, I've been all-QC for a month and a half now, just adding the JHS Unicorn for U-Vibe
- in general I'm happy with them, especially with the addition of my own drive captures
- I like QC drives (and love my captures) and am good with their modulation except for vibe (love the QC Phase 90, though)
- I do find the delays largely uninspiring: they're okay for basic duties, but anything trippy/creative and they're pretty lifeless
- the latter ^^^ has led me to add my Stomp to the board and run it in the loop of the QC, and I'm very happy with this setup!
- the QC + Stomp is a killer duo and gives me back my beloved Transistor Tape delay and HX's much better Uni-Vibe, as well as Reverse Delay and all the other awesome HX effects, so it completely fills in the weird gaps in QC's effects roster
- the Stomp can also be a backup if the QC has issues, both for amp models and for effects in 4cm use

Related to that ^^^, I am reading about a LOT of QC problems in the QC forum and Facebook groups; seems like every day someone is posting about an issue, most of which are different and varied, as @DrewJD82 has consistently warned about . This is giving me general unease about it someday happening to me, and has me looking at FAS options, but truthfully, nothing FAS makes appeals to me as much as the QC, in terms of form and the capture function.

So, I'm sticking with this QC + Stomp setup and will see how it goes for now, as I do really love it. It is the happiest I've been with any digital setup, by far. Board is now QC, Stomp, Dunlop DVP5 expression pedal, and Suhr Micro Midi. Bringing it to band practice tonight to use in 4cm with the Dyne and 4x12. My current plan is to leave the larger Dyne head at the rehearsal space and use the QC + Matrix and Recto 2x12 at home and possibly gigs (and I still have the smaller Dyne head for home or gigs, if desired).

 

[DrewJD82]

Still enjoying the QC and getting a lot of great use out of it.

Just checking in with some updates:

- capturing drive pedals is such a cool feature and perfect for my use case: I've captured three favourite pedals that aren't modeled anywhere and am super happy with them; made one of my JHS Prestige yesterday that turned out fantastic
- I use the same pedals (and amp) for years, so having captures of them really works for me (I've used my Keeley Fuzz Head and MXR CBMOD as main drives/boosts for 10+ years now, come to think of it, and the Electra Dyne for close to 7 yrs... )

- my Electra Dyne amp captures sound and feel insanely good, better than any stock or user captures I've tried
- wrote this in another thread, but I'm wondering if this is because I'm playing the capture through the actual cab with which I made the capture, so it contains the speaker impedance curve of that exact cab, if that makes sense?
- not sure if it's placebo, but it seems to give that extra realism/holy sh*it factor and reminds me of the differences in detail/accuracy/feel when I got the SIC right in the FM9, for example
- whereas when I play other users' or factory captures/models, the SIC piece of the puzzle seems missing and it feels/sounds a little flat

- effects-wise, I've been all-QC for a month and a half now, just adding the JHS Unicorn for U-Vibe
- in general I'm happy with them, especially with the addition of my own drive captures
- I like QC drives (and love my captures) and am good with their modulation except for vibe (love the QC Phase 90, though)
- I do find the delays largely uninspiring: they're okay for basic duties, but anything trippy/creative and they're pretty lifeless
- the latter ^^^ has led me to add my Stomp to the board and run it in the loop of the QC, and I'm very happy with this setup!
- the QC + Stomp is a killer duo and gives me back my beloved Transistor Tape delay and HX's much better Uni-Vibe, as well as Reverse Delay and all the other awesome HX effects, so it completely fills in the weird gaps in QC's effects roster
- the Stomp can also be a backup if the QC has issues, both for amp models and for effects in 4cm use

Related to that ^^^, I am reading about a LOT of QC problems in the QC forum and Facebook groups; seems like every day someone is posting about an issue, most of which are different and varied, as @DrewJD82 has consistently warned about . This is giving me general unease about it someday happening to me, and has me looking at FAS options, but truthfully, nothing FAS makes appeals to me as much as the QC, in terms of form and the capture function.

So, I'm sticking with this QC + Stomp setup and will see how it goes for now, as I do really love it. It is the happiest I've been with any digital setup, by far. Board is now QC, Stomp, Dunlop DVP5 expression pedal, and Suhr Micro Midi. Bringing it to band practice tonight to use in 4cm with the Dyne and 4x12. My current plan is to leave the larger Dyne head at the rehearsal space and use the QC + Matrix and Recto 2x12 at home and possibly gigs (and I still have the smaller Dyne head for home or gigs, if desired).

Ride it ‘til the wheels fall off!!!

 

[mbenigni]

This is giving me general unease about it someday happening to me...

It sucks not being able to trust your preferred gear.

Without diminishing the seriousness any of those failure reports, I can't help but go into tech support troubleshooting mode and ask a million questions. As easy and entertaining as it is to say "NDSP is clueless and the QC is a turd", things generally happen as a result of actual causes.

I'd be curious to know how long these owners had run their QC's before they started exhibiting problems, and what, if any, variables were introduced before those problems began. If a QC fails in the first couple of weeks of operation, then it's possible/ somewhat probable it's simply a defective unit. (Like the first one I received.) If it runs for months and months and then suddenly doesn't, then something must have changed corresponding with that failure: physical damage, a firmware update, content (capture, preset, setlist) corruption, or some unprecedented, uncommon pattern of usage. (Notably, the last two explanations would indicate an OS bug.)

I had a brief spell (maybe a couple of weeks) after a recent firmware update where my QC wouldn't boot fully when I first powered up. (I think this was reported by a few other people as well?) I'd have to unplug DC and reconnect for it to fully boot. But I think the firmware change was coincidental (or only part of the problem); it seems more likely it was related to other devices on the power strip drawing a lot of current simultaneously. So I'd be curious to hear more about AC quality and power supply configurations being used by those reporting problems. Stock PSU or third party PSUs? AC strips/ splitters "upstream"? What else is on their boards that might be drawing a lot of current while the QC is trying to boot?

But most importantly: what changed since the QC last functioned properly? Is the failure now unrecoverable, or is it intermittent. Do efforts to change the variables identified improve matters at all? Etc. etc. etc.

...and has me looking at FAS options, but truthfully, nothing FAS makes appeals to me as much as the QC, in terms of form and the capture function.

I hear ya. I'm driving myself crazy trying to decide whether to (also) be a FAS guy. Either way I'll keep the QC, but I'd prefer to "pick a lane" and get back to focusing on the guitar. I must have changed my mind back and forth 5 times last night alone. There are a few things the FM3 does better than the QC, but for the most part I can get them sounding very close to one another, and the QC is just so much easier to program, configure, reconfigure as needed.

The good news is that the comparison has me digging a little deeper into the QC effects than I had previously. For instance, the Modulated Reverb is more useful than I expected. (It might be a better stand-in for spring reverb than the so-called Spring reverb LOL.)

 

[Mongillo19]

hear ya. I'm driving myself crazy trying to decide whether to (also) be a FAS guy. Either way I'll keep the QC, but I'd prefer to "pick a lane" and get back to focusing on the guitar.

I thought you snagged that demo on SW

 

[mbenigni]

I thought you snagged that demo on SW

I suppose my last post concerning said demo was ambiguous. No, I did have it in my cart for a minute, but I think that just scared someone else (who I noted already had it in their cart) into buying it.

They're welcome.