When using the QC or Mini as audio interface to get the cool shiny graphics on laptop (lol), can you still run it all through the QC/Mini and then out to a power amp, into an actual 4x12? Or is it more for running through studio monitors or something like that?
Basically, I'm wondering if I can use this as an actual live rig through a real power amp and still have access to all the features of the desktop plugin.
If you’re pulling your laptop into this whole thing, and only care about the plugins, just get an audio interface and plugins. There is no benefit to having a hardware modeler at that point - you would route your interface into your power amp at that point.
The plugin apps cannot control the QC - they do not integrate in that way.
Yeah what Dez said.
I can see a bit of a misunderstanding happening here.
The plugins are purely made for use on a computer. They are software that can be used in standalone mode or integrated into a DAW like Cubase or Logic for use when recording and/or building more complex signal chains. In either case you would plug your guitar into some type of audio interface, connect that interface to your computer, open the plugin (either standalone or through a DAW), check your settings (can be a bit confusing at first), and play. You can listen to the resulting sounds through the interface outputs into monitors, headphones, or even a power amp and cab.
The QC/QCM are, generally speaking, completely separate things. They can be used as your audio interface if desired, but they don’t have to be. Although they can run blocks that are just like the devices in the plugins, they aren’t actually connected to or interacting with the plugins you have loaded on the computer.
If you want the plugins and their cool graphics, and you want to run that through a power amp and cab, you’ll need to use your laptop/computer. You’ll also need some kind of interface.
If you want to be able to load the sounds from the plugins, you don’t need a computer at all. You just need the QC/M and your power amp cab—you just don’t get the pretty graphics.
If you want pretty graphics and decent tones through a power amp and cab, and are willing to give up the NDSP plugin thoughts completely, you might look into a Fender Tonemaster Pro. Although at that point I will sneer in your general direction.
