Quad Cortex Mini

[deadpool_25]

Setup a super quick test using just Mogami silver TS cables. This one is with the 5150SL into my custom 2x12. The preset on either unit is just

In 1 > FX Loop 1 block > Output 3

4CM: The rig is way more hissy with the amp’s preamp active (so FX loop block on) in the QC than the QCM. Arguably unreasonably hissy. A noise gate after the FX Loop block kills the noise but I don’t think I’d want to use the QC in 4CM with my high gain amps…at least not with the QCM performing significantly better.

Straight into front: QC is still more hissy but this seems more reasonable. I think this would would usable no problem but I also didn’t build a preset with anything in it so idk.

Straight into loop: nothing significant here. QC still seems a tiny bit more hissy but both are extremely quiet in this setup.

 

[Whizzinby]

View attachment 60714
As expected. And I think you and deadpool are the only guys here with actual QCM's on hand...

Sorry dude, I don’t CME Widi Midi Bawitaba.

If you can think of some other way to test it hit me with a DM.

 

[mbenigni]

The dumb thing is it's still on backorder. From the one US vendor. Make more product, dummies

I heard Zuckerburger ate all the chips with his lunch (which was a burger, naturally.)

 

[deadpool_25]

I have not. I tried replicating that with the Hotone Ampero 2 Stomp when the QC Mini was released (since it can do the same thing with its value knob + touchscreen) and found it a little bit "meh" way to work compared to using multiple knobs to adjust parameters.

Maybe the knob placement on the QC Mini helps.

It’s a little hard to communicate just how easy and intuitive it ends up being. Try this: go to a real amp, put your right hand on the far right knob and pretend that’s your adjustment knob. Now tap any other knob with a finger on your left hand and twist the “adjustment” knob. Tap mid knob, twist adjustment knob. Tap gain knob, twist adjustment knob.

In this example your eyes see what you want to adjust, your left hand taps that knob, your right hand twists the adjustment knob, and the actual value/adjustment is showing where you tapped and where your eyes are still looking.

Seriously man, it’s the most ridiculously easy and intuitive thing.

 

[laxu]

It’s a little hard to communicate just how easy and intuitive it ends up being. Try this: go to a real amp, put your right hand on the far right knob and pretend that’s your adjustment knob. Now tap any other knob with a finger on your left hand and twist the “adjustment” knob. Tap mid knob, twist adjustment knob. Tap gain knob, twist adjustment knob.

In this example your eyes see what you want to adjust, your left hand taps that knob, your right hand twists the adjustment knob, and the actual value/adjustment is showing where you tapped and where your eyes are still looking.

Seriously man, it’s the most ridiculously easy and intuitive thing.

I did exactly that with the Hotone, except its functionally about the same as you can select between the 3 params on screen. Easy, sure, but IMO a bit annoying when you want to tweak multiple params at the same time compared to just grabbing a different knob. It becomes this dance between tapping params when with other products it's a dance between physical knobs.

But it is what it is to fit the form factor.

 

[mbenigni]

Sorry dude, I don’t CME Widi Midi Bawitaba.

If you can think of some other way to test it hit me with a DM.

I'm not going to DM you instructions on how to maybe fry your QCM.

I found this in the manual, which is somewhat encouraging... maybe?

 

[nicolasrivera]

Yeah I hope they make the next gen "FM4" something similar, maybe a bit deeper to fit a bigger screen on it. It's a good compromise for footswitching vs portability. It's firmly in that "throw it in the backpack" convenience territory.

The QC Mini form factor is good, but it sacrifices a lot of dedicated control in the process. I'm not too sold on the "tap a thing and turn a knob/footswitch" to adjust over just moving my hand over multiple knobs. It reminds me too much of the Axe-Fx 3's "Ugh, I'll just use the big knob because the knobs under the screen feel cramped and so far away from the navigation buttons" issues.

The QC Mini is absolutely the perfect desktop unit for me.

 

[mbenigni]

The QC Mini is absolutely the perfect desktop unit for me.

View attachment 60752

Hawt.

 

[GTR37]

Hawt.

Me too what a bastid

 

[Orvillain]

No but I can. You want me to try 4CM with just instrument cables, I’m guessing?

Yeah brah!!

 

[Orvillain]

Setup a super quick test using just Mogami silver TS cables. This one is with the 5150SL into my custom 2x12. The preset on either unit is just

In 1 > FX Loop 1 block > Output 3

4CM: The rig is way more hissy with the amp’s preamp active (so FX loop block on) in the QC than the QCM. Arguably unreasonably hissy. A noise gate after the FX Loop block kills the noise but I don’t think I’d want to use the QC in 4CM with my high gain amps…at least not with the QCM performing significantly better.

Straight into front: QC is still more hissy but this seems more reasonable. I think this would would usable no problem but I also didn’t build a preset with anything in it so idk.

Straight into loop: nothing significant here. QC still seems a tiny bit more hissy but both are extremely quiet in this setup.

Interesting.

QCM straight into the front from output 3 still quieter than QC I assume ???

 

[mbenigni]

 

[Whizzinby]

The QC Mini is absolutely the perfect desktop unit for me.

View attachment 60752

Yeah it’s pretty much the perfect desktop modeler. (And due to it size, the perfect “catch-all” device to quickly move between any setup/room)

On my desk, I just connect it via USB and it functions as basically a control pad. You almost forget it’s the modeler. lol Which highlights (for me) how much editors can blow, because it’s way more natural to tap/drag with your pick hand, then operate a mouse. Granted bulk operations like file management and blank build are better with a keyboard or mouse, but tweaking settings or flipping models in something already built works so nice with TS hardware. I keep the editor open too, but rarely use it because it’s just easier to operate on-device.

 

[SonicBlue]

Mini is a great device. Always a tube amp fan first but man it is good and easy to use. PSA for those that are QC users and high gain fans the new Passion for Tone free captures of the Snorkler are unbelievable.

 

[deadpool_25]

Interesting.

QCM straight into the front from output 3 still quieter than QC I assume ???

Yessir.

 

[deadpool_25]

just ordered a stand from 3D Waves on Reverb.

 

[laxu]

Which highlights (for me) how much editors can blow, because it’s way more natural to tap/drag with your pick hand, then operate a mouse.

Amen.

My ideal would be something like having a MIDI knob controller on my desk, and that operates the parameters of whatever block is currently on screen. But none of the modelers on the market support this, even for their editors. Yet pretty much every plugin out there allows MIDI mapping to specific parameters at least.

That's why I vastly prefer hardware user interfaces. The Fractal AM4 works well for me as a desktop unit because it is not too much of a bother to work with and doesn't eat up my entire desk.

 

[SonicBlue]

just ordered a stand from 3D Waves on Reverb.

me too. Been waiting for them to build one.

 

[Orvillain]

Yeah it’s pretty much the perfect desktop modeler. (And due to it size, the perfect “catch-all” device to quickly move between any setup/room)

On my desk, I just connect it via USB and it functions as basically a control pad. You almost forget it’s the modeler. lol Which highlights (for me) how much editors can blow, because it’s way more natural to tap/drag with your pick hand, then operate a mouse. Granted bulk operations like file management and blank build are better with a keyboard or mouse, but tweaking settings or flipping models in something already built works so nice with TS hardware. I keep the editor open too, but rarely use it because it’s just easier to operate on-device.

I've genuinely been loving the QC desktop editor since getting my new unit. I really like how responsive it is, the workflow is great, the colours are great and don't hurt my eyes. A pretty different experience versus the Stadium editor; which genuinely does hurt my eyes. That red on black UI is a bit much. But also the WIFI just drops out constantly, and the QC editor does a few things differently, like previewing blocks, that is really slick.

 

[Richard_G]

just ordered a stand from 3D Waves on Reverb.

Hmm. They don't make one for the AM4, do they?