Quad Cortex Mini

[Lysander]

Yeah I think they found a cool way the lack of encoders with that tape or scroll encoder in one hand, edit with the other. You keep one hand on the encoder that is dialing a param up or down, and then the other hand can either tap the param your editing, or you can keep that off-hand on the encoder that’s doing the scrolling to it. Pretty slick.

You can also quickly change block types and devices using the top row encoders, as showcased by dIgiTAl JoHn in a recent video. It's pretty neat.

 

[BROCKSTAR]

I think QC and Morningstar has the same designer?

 

[mbenigni]

But the analogy is still right because the number of sales doesn't say anything about the quality of whatever product.

The analogy is arbitrary at best. Fast food sells because it's cheap for the vendor and the consumer. I think we can agree (if only on this one thing) that this doesn't apply.

The other implication is that fast food products and NDSP products are of lesser quality. I'll file that under "arbitrary", i.e. debatable.

 

[Dez]

Is there a space on the internet (besides FB idiocracy and Reddit neckbeards) for folks that don't like TGP circle jerks but also would like to have productive conversations about this kind of shit without people getting upset?

 

[Desertdweller]

Is there a space on the internet (besides FB idiocracy and Reddit neckbeards) for folks that don't like TGP circle jerks but also would like to have productive conversations about this kind of shit without people getting upset?

DM me anytime, I’ll chat openly with you about it. I feel the same way. All this new tech is downright awesome.

 

[mbenigni]

View attachment 58212

I am genuinely puzzled by the pricing of this unit. The only thing I can think is, the regular QC is going to raise in price over the coming months.

Or... they sell their inventory of NC, phase it out of production, and slowly lower the price of QCM (which would previously have cannibalized NC sales at a lower price point.)

Optimistic, I know.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Is there a space on the internet (besides FB idiocracy and Reddit neckbeards) for folks that don't like TGP circle jerks but also would like to have productive conversations about this kind of shit without people getting upset?

Jesus, Dez. I already said it's cool. Is that not enough?!

 

[mbenigni]

It's all a touch screen. This is basically my personal nightmare...

"Show us on the doll where the touchscreen touched you" is too symmetrical to pass up.

Seriously, though, I get you. But there are certain things you do on a modeler/MFX unit that are just perfectly suited to touchscreens - moving blocks being the most obvious.

 

[mbenigni]

There's like this lightning fast curve of absolute mania. It's fun af to be a part of

I can't tell whether you're talking about Battlefield 6 or the release of a new modeler.

 

[BROCKSTAR]

"Show us on the doll where the touchscreen touched you" is too symmetrical to pass up.

Seriously, though, I get you. But there are certain things you do on a modeler/MFX unit that are just perfectly suited to touchscreens - moving blocks being the most obvious.

True but who is doing that during live playing? So is it really needed? If someone is getting upset moving a block during making presets / sound designing, maybe they need to put instrument down and join a meditation group instead.

 

[Mongillo19]

If someone is getting upset about new digital units, maybe they need to put instrument down and join a meditation group instead.

I think we all could use this FTFY

 

[ian_dissonance]

Is there a space on the internet (besides FB idiocracy and Reddit neckbeards) for folks that don't like TGP circle jerks but also would like to have productive conversations about this kind of shit without people getting upset?

You could always join the NDSP Discord.

 

[Sedaxel]

True but who is doing that during live playing? So is it really needed? If someone is getting upset moving a block during making presets / sound designing, maybe they need to put instrument down and join a meditation group instead.

Well. that´s already an old debate.

UIs are continuously improving. Even Fractal is improving them.

Now, if We started to count all the things that aren´t really needed during live playing, We´ll have a hard time justifying almost any modern unit´s UI.

My opinion is that, yes, friendlier UIs are more convenient than difficult UIs. And touchscreens make UIs easier/faster to use. Obviously, I´m talking about well desgined touchscreen UIs... just the same as I´m talking about well designed classic UIs.

 

[Dez]

You could always join the NDSP Discord.

Hell naw lol - see:circle jerk, also:tribalism

 

[GTR37]

Yes: https://www.guitarworld.com/features/neural-dsp-tina-interview . They were talking about "hundreds of amplifier models in a couple years" back then.

“...with that, we were able to cut down the time. Fender mentioned that for the Tone Master Pro, it takes one of the researchers about three months to model a channel. That's about the same time that our more conventional DSP engineers needed to make an amplifier. With TINA, we've got that down to hours or, worst case scenario, days. It’s exponentially faster."

IIRC the QC got exactly one new amp model in all of 2025 (a '92 Dumble ODS).

The fumble is likely from the Mayer
Like the reverbs
Just as the overlord Synth is from Bea
Just as the mini voices is from Tim

It seems what they are kind of doing while struggling w PCOM
Is rebuilding some of the effects as new devices in QC

 

[AlbertA]

True but who is doing that during live playing? So is it really needed?

Some really like doing on-device editing, not necessarily during live playing. Some don't care. But I think the market has spoken and it seems clear that touchscreens are here to stay.

 

[ChordInversion]

Yeah but they never said they'd give them to you.

I know it seems like I'm being flippant and contrarian, and maybe I am.

I mean, you clearly are, but that's no crime.

But it is entirely possible that the main usage of TINA over the last year was to get them to v2.0 captures.

If so, they presented it disingenuously, IMO.

 

[mbenigni]

“Let down” might be a better phrase. Alongside giant fake tits, $0.99 Big Gulps, I should never underestimate the appeal to the lowest common denominator and “shiny shit” definitely fits in that box. The “I didn’t know I needed this but take my money” comments are doing a wonderful job at confirming my bias in this direction.

Spoiler: NSFW

Lowest common denominator... It's hard not to take a little bit of offense at this, man. I don't buy a whole lot of Big Gulps. It's not like a QC or a QCM (or an FM3 for that matter) is a Faberge egg or some shit. The products do actually perform functions, in addition to looking cool.

Not a big deal, just a counterpoint of sorts.

 

[AlbertA]

I know it seems like I'm being flippant and contrarian, and maybe I am. But it is entirely possible that the main usage of TINA over the last year was to get them to v2.0 captures.

On the latest interview, I recall TINA being used to capture Mayer's dumble. So yeah one amp but still.

 

[Whizzinby]

"Show us on the doll where the touchscreen touched you" is too symmetrical to pass up.

Seriously, though, I get you. But there are certain things you do on a modeler/MFX unit that are just perfectly suited to touchscreens - moving blocks being the most obvious.

100%.

If you don’t want the digital interaction experience then turning to a digital device is uh… a choice.

Like any of these things are a pure experience. L6 - touchscreen. Fractal - 1985 server mainframe. Editors for each - computers.

If you get home and don’t want to stare at another screen, the rock Gods created the perfect device called a tube amp.

Neural just cutting to the chase with the Mini, being the mostest digitalist experience possible. The unit is the UI. Honestly this is about as good as you can get for a flagship level device in an ultra small form factor. Full UI - full power, fits in a purse.