NMD: NDSP Quad Cortex

[mbenigni]

I was going to post a small review about my revisit with the QC but after the abuse you took in this thread, no way.
Great summary.

I wouldn't go so far as to say TGF has "warmed up" to the QC, but having been here for the duration, I would say the tone is relatively chill lately.

 

[Los-D]

Maybe common target did the trick

 

[mbenigni]

I think it's there? I just copied it over. Let me know if it doesn't work!

My account name is TubeStack and the capture is called FuzzHead1.

Also, it's meant to boost a crunch channel, doesn't sound like much on its own.

"Looks like TubeStack hasn't uploaded any neural captures" :)

It's possible you uploaded something and it defaulted to Private. Or it's possible that it just remained local on your QC. I haven't captured anything since the month I bought mine, so I've lost track of how that all works.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Fuzz schmuzz. How's the Electra-Dyne captures coming along

 

[GTR37]

Honestly to a look around the cortex cloud this weekend and it has improved a lot and is much easier to find things compared to early days where it would be like a game show to figure out what the preset or capture contained based on no info and names like
“ J’s Big Metal Balls!!!!

 

[TubeStack]

"Looks like TubeStack hasn't uploaded any neural captures" :)

It's possible you uploaded something and it defaulted to Private. Or it's possible that it just remained local on your QC. I haven't captured anything since the month I bought mine, so I've lost track of how that all works.

Ah, guess it was set to private?

I just changed it to public on my phone, hopefully that works.

 

[TubeStack]

Fuzz schmuzz. How's the Electra-Dyne captures coming along

Yes! The pedal captures went so well, it's got me hopeful about that. I need a load box though, don't have one yet.

 

[JiveTurkey]

Yes! The pedal captures went so well, it's got me hopeful about that. I need a load box though, don't have one yet.

I am very much looking forward to this if it ever can happen \m/

 

[dean701]

Yes! The pedal captures went so well, it's got me hopeful about that. I need a load box though, don't have one yet.

This opened my eyes. I didn't know they could be so different sounding.

 

[mbenigni]

Ah, guess it was set to private?

I just changed it to public on my phone, hopefully that works.

Got it - thank you!

 

[Mongillo19]

I am very much looking forward to this if it ever can happen \m/

You could push him over the line @TubeStack

 

[TubeStack]

You could push him over the line @TubeStack

Wouldn't that be the day!

 

[JiveTurkey]

You could push him over the line @TubeStack

Brb with this reaction

 

[Mongillo19]

Brb with this reaction

 

[TubeStack]

I'm going all-in for 4cm with the Quad Cortex + my Electra Dyne. Pulled apart my analog pedals + Stomp board (which has been killer, but does have its drawbacks, at times) and putting together a nearly-all-QC 4cm version.

So far, I just received the Eventide version of the Ciosk DC7, the PowerMax, and man, what an awesome power supply. Very sleek and light, with crazy amounts of power. The cables for powering the QC should be arriving here today.

I'll be running the QC in 4cm, with my JHS Unicorn vibe in the QC loop, which will be the only analog pedal I'm keeping on the board. Again, LOVING that I can have captures of my Keeley and MXR drives, just super cool. Also picked up a Dunlop expression pedal for wah/whammy, not the mini but the size up from that, 8", which I'm actually liking better than the mini, feel-wise, even though it makes fitting stuff on the PT Jr more of a pain.

So the whole board is: QC + vibe + expression pedal and the Suhr Micro midi. Loving how sleek and light it is.

Also, on my old board, I used a JHS Prestige to give my 594 low-output pickups a little boost, as they sound a little flat and weak on their own. I tried to capture it, but it didn't work (will try again, later), so last night I looked for an EP Boost capture with the app and found one, and it's actually perfect. I've got it at the front of the effects chain and it's working great.

And lastly, I haven't quit/given up on the amp captures and models - they sound fantastic - just having fun with 4cm and knowing that ultimately, I will be using my real Electra Dyne amp, 99% of the time. I do want to try a big power amp like the QSC GX5 or something, but that's on the back burner, for now.

 

[northern_fox]

Yes, for sure, thanks.

Any tips about setting levels?

Push it ALL the way up near the limiter kick in on the output. Just make sure you're not clipping the grid output with anything (the output block will light rid). 0 dB on the global meter is not clipping - there is additional headroom above it and it's not until the limiter starts kicking in that the sound will be affected. That was the only way I could get it loud enough for bass in a loud band, for example. It's a quiet unit, or it's been labeled in a way that makes it seem quiet - I'm not quite sure which. But always leave the wheel on max, and push the meters and it should get there.

 

[spawnofthesith]

Goldtop PRS

 

[TubeStack]

It's a quiet unit, or it's been labeled in a way that makes it seem quiet - I'm not quite sure which. But always leave the wheel on max, and push the meters and it should get there.

Thanks. Yeah, I don't really get the output settings and how they are quantified/shown? Zero seems to be instrument level? (If I set it to -10dB in 4cm, it's barely audible.) So line level would actually be +14, according to that, but it only goes up to 12.

Yet, on the Send/Return for the QC's effects loop, I have to lower things by 3 dB, otherwise it's a volume boost.

 

[northern_fox]

Thanks. Yeah, I don't really get the output settings and how they are quantified/shown? Zero seems to be instrument level? (If I set it to -10dB in 4cm, it's barely audible.) So line level would actually be +14, according to that, but it only goes up to 12.

Yet, on the Send/Return for the QC's effects loop, I have to lower things by 3 dB, otherwise it's a volume boost.

Its definitely not self explanatory - Normally I just boost the outs until just below the limiter thing starts moving and call it a day. If the grid's not red and there's no clipping, you should be fine. If you want true unity you'd probably have to bust out the multimeter and figure it out

 

[TubeStack]

I do want to try a big power amp like the QSC GX5 or something, but that's on the back burner, for now.

Ok this might have moved to the front burner. 18% off today on Amazon and can be here tomorrow.

One thing that holds me off though: it's 28 lbs! Add in a 10 lb 3U rack case and you're at 38 lbs, which is only 5 lbs less than my actual Electra Dyne head. Throw in something to fill the 3rd rack space and you're at the same weight...