NMD: NDSP Quad Cortex
- Thread starter TubeStack
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Are you planning on running the QSC stereo or bridged mono? Either way, I imagine there are plenty of options with smaller footprints.
TubeStack
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I was thinking just one side of it, which is 500W into 8 ohms. So, mono, but not bridged.
For a smaller footprint, I already have the one-pound (!) 180W ISP Stealth Pro, however it's not beefy enough when playing in a large rehearsal space with my band (would probably be fine at a gig, though).
My main interest in the GX5 (or something similar) is to experiment with captures/models using a SS power amp that can at least hold a candle to the Mesa 90W Simul-Class 4x6L6 beast that is in my Electra Dyne.
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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...
But.... but.... you were imploring me to go back to tube power and you are doing this
behind my back the entire time.
Man, TS. This is going to be hard to overcome.
TubeStack
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But.... but.... you were imploring me to go back to tube power and you are doing this
behind my back the entire time.
Man, TS. This is going to be hard to overcome.
Ahahaha… true enough.
However, I really had put the GX5 out of my head until this sale price today, if that helps.
(Also, I think I misinterpreted and thought you meant go back to a full tube amp head and use the FM3 for effects only, which is still my main setup, except with QC.)
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TubeStack
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Here’s the new board. Loving the sleekness and light weight!
QC
JHS Unicorn
Dunlop DVP5
Suhr Micro midi
+Eventide PowerMax
QC will be in 4cm with Electra Dyne or use captures/models into ss power amp+ cab. Will also try 4cm with Dyne + sending a Dyne + cab capture direct to FOH at gigs.
And lastly, also going to experiment with running my vocals through the QC.
All fits on my old PT Jr (18x12.5”).
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TubeStack
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Okay, I finally made some Electra Dyne captures! Went very well and I'm super impressed, kind of freaked out, actually.
It's one thing to watch amps get profiled/captured on YT over the years, but I've never done it myself, and to do it in person and see/play results that are so scarily accurate, with an amp I know so well, it kind of blew my mind.
The Electra Dyne has been my #1 since 2017 for both my band and playing at home and I play it almost every single day. I'd say the QC capture is pretty much exact in terms of overall tone and dynamics + how it responds and feels. Super impressed and happy with it.
Some general notes:
- I used the line out on the Dyne with the head still connected to the Recto cab, no load box needed
- took some messing around with levels on the line out and QC input 2, but I actually got a great capture on my second try, very easy process overall
- only disadvantage to using the line out/no load box is the cab still produces sound, so all the otherworldly, 8-bit-meets-AI robot capturing tones were blasting VERY LOUD throughout my house, even with the Dyne set at my usual “loud home theatre” levels; my family upstairs were like, “wtf is going on down there”
- this ^^^ has me concerned about my speakers, if I try and capture the Dyne with my 4x12 at band practice volumes, can those old V30s withstand that?
> the Dyne opens up nicely with the master at 9-9:30, which is hilariously, ungodly loud, and I'd like to get the capture with the amp in that state, however I love that old cab and would be hugely upset if anything happened to it
- overall I made two great captures: one crunch/blue channel and one clean/green (never use red channel)
- so cool that I can now use these as portable, digital versions of my amp, anywhere and in multiple ways
This is the happiest I've been playing any amp model/profile/capture, from any company. My hands and ears are very attached to the Dyne, for better or worse, so I was always trying to find something similar in the Fractal/L6/Kemper worlds, and while I had fun and found other great models and sounds, it was never my “home base”, which is the Electra Dyne, truly a unique/niche amp that isn't modeled by anyone (yet).
It's one thing to watch amps get profiled/captured on YT over the years, but I've never done it myself, and to do it in person and see/play results that are so scarily accurate, with an amp I know so well, it kind of blew my mind.
The Electra Dyne has been my #1 since 2017 for both my band and playing at home and I play it almost every single day. I'd say the QC capture is pretty much exact in terms of overall tone and dynamics + how it responds and feels. Super impressed and happy with it.
Some general notes:
- I used the line out on the Dyne with the head still connected to the Recto cab, no load box needed
- took some messing around with levels on the line out and QC input 2, but I actually got a great capture on my second try, very easy process overall
- only disadvantage to using the line out/no load box is the cab still produces sound, so all the otherworldly, 8-bit-meets-AI robot capturing tones were blasting VERY LOUD throughout my house, even with the Dyne set at my usual “loud home theatre” levels; my family upstairs were like, “wtf is going on down there”
- this ^^^ has me concerned about my speakers, if I try and capture the Dyne with my 4x12 at band practice volumes, can those old V30s withstand that?
> the Dyne opens up nicely with the master at 9-9:30, which is hilariously, ungodly loud, and I'd like to get the capture with the amp in that state, however I love that old cab and would be hugely upset if anything happened to it
- overall I made two great captures: one crunch/blue channel and one clean/green (never use red channel)
- so cool that I can now use these as portable, digital versions of my amp, anywhere and in multiple ways
This is the happiest I've been playing any amp model/profile/capture, from any company. My hands and ears are very attached to the Dyne, for better or worse, so I was always trying to find something similar in the Fractal/L6/Kemper worlds, and while I had fun and found other great models and sounds, it was never my “home base”, which is the Electra Dyne, truly a unique/niche amp that isn't modeled by anyone (yet).
GTR37
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We need clips dammitOkay, I finally made some Electra Dyne captures! Went very well and I'm super impressed, kind of freaked out, actually.
It's one thing to watch amps get profiled/captured on YT over the years, but I've never done it myself, and to do it in person and see/play results that are so scarily accurate, with an amp I know so well, it kind of blew my mind.
The Electra Dyne has been my #1 since 2017 for both my band and playing at home and I play it almost every single day. I'd say the QC capture is pretty much exact in terms of overall tone and dynamics + how it responds and feels. Super impressed and happy with it.
Some general notes:
- I used the line out on the Dyne with the head still connected to the Recto cab, no load box needed
- took some messing around with levels on the line out and QC input 2, but I actually got a great capture on my second try, very easy process overall
- only disadvantage to using the line out/no load box is the cab still produces sound, so all the otherworldly, 8-bit-meets-AI robot capturing tones were blasting VERY LOUD throughout my house, even with the Dyne set at my usual “loud home theatre” levels; my family upstairs were like, “wtf is going on down there”
- this ^^^ has me concerned about my speakers, if I try and capture the Dyne with my 4x12 at band practice volumes, can those old V30s withstand that?
> the Dyne opens up nicely with the master at 9-9:30, which is hilariously, ungodly loud, and I'd like to get the capture with the amp in that state, however I love that old cab and would be hugely upset if anything happened to it
- overall I made two great captures: one crunch/blue channel and one clean/green (never use red channel)
- so cool that I can now use these as portable, digital versions of my amp, anywhere and in multiple ways
This is the happiest I've been playing any amp model/profile/capture, from any company. My hands and ears are very attached to the Dyne, for better or worse, so I was always trying to find something similar in the Fractal/L6/Kemper worlds, and while I had fun and found other great models and sounds, it was never my “home base”, which is the Electra Dyne, truly a unique/niche amp that isn't modeled by anyone (yet).
TubeStack
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We need clips dammit
I don't have a DAW, or the skills to use one (yet, that's one of my 2024 goals), so I can't produce super-accurate comparison clips, but if I can get something decent with my phone, I will. No graphs, though. :)
TubeStack
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Well, that was unexpected... all the GX5 did was show me how much more I like the ISP Stealth Pro as a power amp.
The ISP sounds and feels 1000X better - like, undeniably and quite noticeable - very surprising. I guess because it's designed for exactly this, ie. being a solid state guitar power amplifier? The difference is remarkable. Much more dynamic and responsive, feels better and even has a "bigger" sound to it. This is at the exact same volume levels and with the same Recto 2x12 cab. (They were oddly the same volume at the same 1 o'clock setting, with the QC output level kept consistent.) The GX5 feels flat and lifeless in comparison and very uninspiring. First time comparing SS PAs, now I see how much it can impact the sound and feel.
Maybe if I played with QC output levels vs GX5 volume settings, I could get more life out of the GX5, but add to it that the ISP is only one pound (!) and slightly bigger than a Stomp (albeit with a large and weird laptop-type power supply), and it's crazy really. At 28 lbs, the GX5 feels ridiculously heavy and cumbersome; it actually feels like more than 28 lbs, the way the weight sits. (The 100W Fillmore head at 35 lbs was much easier to grab by the handle and move around, for example.)
So the GX5 is already packed up and ready to return. Oh well.
The ISP sounds and feels 1000X better - like, undeniably and quite noticeable - very surprising. I guess because it's designed for exactly this, ie. being a solid state guitar power amplifier? The difference is remarkable. Much more dynamic and responsive, feels better and even has a "bigger" sound to it. This is at the exact same volume levels and with the same Recto 2x12 cab. (They were oddly the same volume at the same 1 o'clock setting, with the QC output level kept consistent.) The GX5 feels flat and lifeless in comparison and very uninspiring. First time comparing SS PAs, now I see how much it can impact the sound and feel.
Maybe if I played with QC output levels vs GX5 volume settings, I could get more life out of the GX5, but add to it that the ISP is only one pound (!) and slightly bigger than a Stomp (albeit with a large and weird laptop-type power supply), and it's crazy really. At 28 lbs, the GX5 feels ridiculously heavy and cumbersome; it actually feels like more than 28 lbs, the way the weight sits. (The 100W Fillmore head at 35 lbs was much easier to grab by the handle and move around, for example.)
So the GX5 is already packed up and ready to return. Oh well.
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northern_fox
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That's too bad - the GX5 is class D? ISP is class AB - you might also be interested in the organge pedal baby or KSR PA50. Matrix is class AB too but hard to find and expensive
TubeStack
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Thanks. I was just thinking that, re. the Class A/B of the ISP. I think the GX5 is Class H?
My main interest in the GX5 was having more power available than the 180W ISP - which sounds great but hasn't been enough power at band practice - so the 100W Pedal Baby doesn't add anything, although I would like to try it out of curiosity. There is a used 2U Matrix available near me, but I'm hesitant after reading about reliability issues and lack of repair optons/service. (There's a guy on the Fractal forum who says his caught on fire!?) The KSR PA50 looks very cool, I think @PBGas had one and liked it?
I've been in this rabbit hole before and always reach a, "Eh, this is why a big tube head is best for me, anyway" conclusion. But it's fun to look around and try the different options, to a point. It really is a glaring hole in the using-modelers-live situation.
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northern_fox
Roadie
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I have a KSR and have had a pedal baby, and have a matrix. Matrix has been reliable for me for like 8 years now haha. But yeah, the company seems to be mostly out now which sucks. The KSR is my goto right now, but let me tell you - the pedal baby is plenty loud too when you give it enough input. I don't know if I ever did a max volume comparison though, and we only use cabs for some room level so I never really tested it in that "full band" kind of setting
PBGas
Roadie
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KSR PA 50 is a fantastic unit! Loud, clear and lots of adjustment available as well as being easy to bias if you need to change the tubes. Solidly built unit.
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Wow! Thanks for doing so much legwork for us curious onlookers.
I was curious how the SS options would compare for you. I have found SS Power amps
and FRFRs are the Great Unknown. I have, quite honestly, never found a solution that
sounds/feels better than Tube Power amps and an actual Guitar Cabs.
I have found a couple of "Good enough" compromises, though.
SeeD
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Yeah it`s so much fun to do captures of thing, and to get 95 - 97 %
I could never go back to a divice that don`t have capturing tech
I hope we get a quick tool to make IR`s soon on the QC, for to wait 5 minutes for a capture of a cab is to long. And I hope we get Tone matching also, to match a recording of an amp ( ala Fractal Axe Fx II and III )
JiveTurkey
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Pedal Baby is loud. Generally speaking. But way too much coloration, imo. The SS Unicorn hunt is still on apparently. Thank god for good return policies!
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