Quad Cortex Mini

[deadpool_25]

Um, not according to the specs? QC is 29 x 19.5 x 6.9cm, vs 22.8 x 11.8 x 6.5cm for the QC Mini.

So, QC Mini is ~78% the length and ~60% the width of the original Quad Cortex, with height being almost the same for both devices. The Nano is, comparatively, way smaller:

View attachment 58181

Now, this is not a major deal as the QC is very compact to begin with, but goes to the value proposition of the QC Mini being iffy. I don't think you're gaining that much in size, specially for the cost

My very old and always subpar math skills tell me they shaved about 52% off of the size (L*W) (269cm2 vs 565cm2; and that’s not counting the difference in height which I think could be considered relatively insignificant in terms of footprint).

 

[Mongillo19]

My very old and always subpar math skills tell me they shaved about 52% off of the size (L*W) (269cm2 vs 565cm2; and that’s not counting the difference in height which I think could be considered relatively insignificant in terms of footprint).

That math checks out to me (for what it's worth )

 

[deadpool_25]

That math checks out to me (for what it's worth )

NGL I even question myself doing easy math like that

 

[deadpool_25]

Anyway, like I said in the other thread, I have one on the way.

One reason is that I just got my desk all setup at the new house and, though it wasn’t the original plan, the QC ended up on the desk…where I realized it kinda takes up a lot of space. I think it’ll be nice to trim that down a bit.

It’s definitely an experiment in general though. I don’t see any reason I’d dislike it because it’s pretty much just a QC but smaller, and I really like my QC.

I updated to 4.0 today and I have to say those new reverbs are verrrrey nice, especially the Nordic and new Plate. Along with the circular delay, new spring reverb, Micro Pitch, and a few others, I think they are stepping up their effects game which is a good thing.

I do hope they continue the PCOM development (they absolutely will because if they don’t at least get Misha and Mayer on there, there will be riots). With that said I’m not overly concerned about them adding new amps. For one thing I’m positive they will. For another, I can already find more amps than I could with my Fractal (using both models and captures obviously). Don’t get me wrong, the Fractal was absolutely fantastic and had a crapload of amp options; I’m just saying I don’t feel like the QC is lesser in this aspect.

So yeah it’s just a QC but little. Should be fun to try. I’ll report back when I get it.

 

[HotRats]

Pretty good size comparison between the QC and QCM here too.

View attachment 58187

I thought was a bit smaller but the form factor is good, especially if you keep it on a desk.

For live playing I'd take the OG one any day.

 

[Sascha Franck]

I mean, a laptop and audio interface can be used as a live guitar rig, too, but nobody in their right mind would consider doing that in this day and age of hardware devices.

You mean this is why keyboarders all over the place are doing just that?

 

[Sedaxel]

This looks like a competition between FAS and NDSP... which is good and funny. At the end of the day, that´s what We all are here for, aren´t We?

I share my feelings too. I never saw a Fractal unit "in person" (in Europe it´s some kind of delicate decission to spend that money, having other top dogs around for less). I know their tones are top notch (unless all of you had been lying all these years). But I also think they are not able to make this kind of modern gadget that NDSP makes. They said the competition would look like gameboys... well... eeerrr... I think their most modern units already look like an ancient Atari, IMO.

And regarding the tones, I don´t think they are superior to the NDSP ones.

One can love or hate a company, but for me, right now, the leaders in this market are NDSP. Line6 is pushing, but they still don´t have capturing, and I don´t feel the tones (just based on my experience with the Helix, and youtube shootouts of the Stadium) to be as good as NDSP ones.

The Mini? I think it´s really cool, powerful and unique.

Now, of course I understand one can think FAS tones blow NDSP ones out of the water, and that NDSP is a house full of crooks and whatever. Just not my opinion.

 

[Sascha Franck]

I've seen a bunch of QC rigs where they're mounted to rack drawers and being used with MIDI automation. These would be a much more elegant solution for those.

Not sure. Given typical rack drawers, you possibly wouldn't save much space and editing things with 4 encoders instead of 10 certainly isn't more enjoyable, either. Add to this the less than ideal placement of the left switches/encoders. Once you operate them with your right hand, you don't see the screen anymore.
If I was to place any QC unit in a rack drawer to build a somewhat more complexed setup, it'd very defenitely be the big guy. So much that I wouldn't even remotely consider the Mini.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Pretty good size comparison between the QC and QCM here too.

View attachment 58187

Where did you get that capture of @JiveTurkey velcroing it on top?

 

[Lysander]

My very old and always subpar math skills tell me they shaved about 52% off of the size (L*W) (269cm2 vs 565cm2; and that’s not counting the difference in height which I think could be considered relatively insignificant in terms of footprint).

No, they shaved 52% of the volume, given that they're identical in height It doesn't mean you pedalboard will fit two QCM where the QC were.

Or, to put it another way, you'd need 75% less volume to halve both width and length.

 

[Lysander]

Not aiming this squarely at you, but here in the D&M lounge we endure thread after thread of digital folks wanting micro machine devices for everything and NDSP produce a smaller version of their flagship, but without any sacrifice to to the core feature set or DSP power, aka they didn’t bonk it, and now we wish they would have bonked it to hit a price point?

I don't want to sound like a dick about it - as noted, it looks like a great product I just find it being marginally smaller and losing 7 footswitches for the price of an used QC to be a weird value proposition, but i'm pretty sure this will be a goldilocks device for some.

I think that’s sorta what’s badass here. They built to a form factor, not to a price point. It won’t be a Neural-Lite experience, despite the smaller size.

Very true; the only other product that i recall doing this is the GT-1000CORE. That one, however, is way smaller than its flagship counterpart, and costs 2/3rds as much.

 

[Lysander]

I've seen a bunch of QC rigs where they're mounted to rack drawers and being used with MIDI automation. These would be a much more elegant solution for those.

Oh, 100%. I recall seeing a bunch of bands doing the exact same with HX Stomps back when it launched.

 

[Sascha Franck]

I just find it being marginally smaller and losing 7 footswitches for the price of an used QC to be a weird value proposition

I absolutely agree with this.
Now, I may not be the user they had in mind when developing the thing, but: If I wanted a floor unit, I'd either wanted a lot of switches or super compact size. This thing suits neither.
And if I wanted a desktop unit, I'd rather have no switches but, say, 8 encoders below the screen instead. Which possibly could still be a great live unit as well once I added any MIDI footswitch.

 

[Sascha Franck]

Very true; the only other product that i recall doing this is the GT-1000CORE. That one, however, is way smaller than its flagship counterpart, and costs 2/3rds as much.

And fwiw, it's actually excellent (I own both). Sure, it's still not 100% the same, but pretty much all essential things are identical. So, regarding that, NDSP deserves some props.
I often found myself wishing it'd be the same with the HX Stomp, as I really kept running out of ressources all the time when trying to make it the centerpiece of a smaller board.

 

[[Nathan]]

People get up in arms about NDSP’s hardware and software offerings, yet the QC Mini sold out in an hour and the company seems to be thriving. They must be doing something right, because they keep making products people actually want

 

[Sascha Franck]

People get up in arms about NDSP’s hardware and software offerings, yet the QC Mini sold out in an hour and the company seems to be thriving. They must be doing something right, because they keep making products people actually want

Of course. But then, people buy fast food as if there's no tomorrow, too. Doesn't make it an excellent meal.

Also, obviously depending on the first production run, it might not be too difficult to sell out quickly. Do we know how many units were available?

 

[Lysander]

People get up in arms about NDSP’s hardware and software offerings, yet the QC Mini sold out in an hour and the company seems to be thriving.

Do we know how many units dealers received? Doug Castro is all too good at playing this game...

But yes, NDSP products are extremely popular, and anyone claiming different is a moron.

 

[[Nathan]]

Of course. But then, people buy fast food as if there's no tomorrow, too. Doesn't make it an excellent meal.

Also, obviously depending on the first production run, it might not be too difficult to sell out quickly. Do we know how many units were available?

Weird analogy. Do you think they make good hardware and plugins? I can’t keep up on who has petty vendettas and who’s a legit observer

 

[RevBillyG]

I bought my QC not too long ago. I never plan on putting it on the floor. This mini is probably more along the lines of what I wanted. If I were to buy today, I'd probably go for the mini.

But, even though I'm in my return window, I'm not going to return it for the mini. Main reason is I don't want to give up the 8 encoders on the bottom that just makes more sense. I thought I would use Core Control more than the actual unit, but this is a nice UI & the touch screen works so well with the encoders it's just too natural & easy.

But yeah, if I were buying today I'd jump all over the mini.

 

[Stone]

Yup, different strokes for different folks, always depends on the users needs.