Quad Cortex Mini

[mbenigni]

that was my ground noise and if I didn't have an xlr cable connected that's what I would get. Recording analog gave me no issues with xlr connected. I was just asking the OP to try but didn't get a response so I guess I'll never know.

I stand corrected - I heard that very same noise last night. However, I only hear it while the QC is booting up. Once the boot cycle is complete, and the QC starts making output, the noise goes away. No idea what that means. The weird thing is, I did have XLRs (outs 1/2) connected to grounded monitors at the time and I heard the noise on outputs 3/4. (The QC and monitors may be grounded differently than the power amp on the 3/4 outs. Not an issue once up and running, so not really worth "troubleshooting", i.e. no trouble...)

 

[dean701]

I stand corrected - I heard that very same noise last night. However, I only hear it while the QC is booting up. Once the boot cycle is complete, and the QC starts making output, the noise goes away. No idea what that means. The weird thing is, I did have XLRs (outs 1/2) connected to grounded monitors at the time and I heard the noise on outputs 3/4. (The QC and monitors may be grounded differently than the power amp on the 3/4 outs. Not an issue once up and running, so not really worth "troubleshooting", i.e. no trouble...)

I wasn't really asking you to check. :)
However, if you use the device in a standalone situation with just headphones and guitar connected (with the standard power supply) is when I experienced it, If I would touch the strings or pickup on my guitar, I would ground it. (or connect an xlr to my soundcard) It's a moot point really. I expect the same to happen when the Mini arrives and that's fine....but if it's generally noisy with a proper ground, it won't be staying long.

 

[mbenigni]

I wasn't really asking you to check. :)

Nah, I just stumbled on it by accident. Which was weird timing, because I'd never heard that particular variety of noise out of my QC before.

 

[bucephalus]

Yes

But that’s very irresponsible to take an internet stranger’s opinion at face value like that

Rather than read 56 pages of internet strangers opinions and do the same

 

[maddnotez]

Rather than read 56 pages of internet strangers opinions and do the same

If I do get one ill probably read all pages from you weirdos. Jk this place has been pretty helpful and the G.A.S. is real.

 

[mbenigni]

If I do get one ill probably read all pages from you weirdos. Jk this place has been pretty helpful and the G.A.S. is real.

Nah, just read the vendor's return policy. And then go for it! :)

 

[maddnotez]

Nah, just read the vendor's return policy. And then go for it! :)

Looks like EU is the only place who can return a QC?

 

[texhex]

All noise I've ever had from any USB audio device was cured by these.

iDefender+

Is your audio still plagued by hum and buzz? Using multiple plugs within your audio chain means separate earth/ground points. These multiple earth or ground points cause a ground loop problem. This creates an unwanted chain of noise, buzz and distortion. Struggle no more. iFi’s iDefender+...

www.silentpower.tech

Just need to make sure to connect the additional power on the side to it. I use the little 5W square apple usb power plugs that used to come with iPhones because I have a bunch of them sitting around.

 

[Dez]

I use a power conditioner for my amp and my QC. Stupid not to use a power conditioner.

 

[texhex]

Just figured out how to upload photos to the Captures via the Cortex Cloud app. Updated all my Caps with the actual amp settings. Also put up a new Mark V 90W Crunch with a real SD1 and without.

Very cool!

Fukn Kemper... you guys are so wrecked. It's a shame really.

 

[Mongillo19]

Just figured out how to upload photos to the Captures via the Cortex Cloud app. Updated all my Caps with the actual amp settings. Also put up a new Mark V 90W Crunch with a real SD1 and without.

Very cool!

Fukn Kemper... you guys are so wrecked. It's a shame really.

You can also change the icon from what you have it to just the amp head vs a amp head cab so people know it's DI. Not a huge deal but just fyi

 

[texhex]

You can also change the icon from what you have it to just the amp head vs a amp head cab so people know it's DI. Not a huge deal but just fyi

Nice. Updated.

 

[Whizzinby]

We are back.

Landed. Updated. Cortex Control’d.

Put the SLO plug-in amp on, loaded @MirrorProfiles Mesa Cali IR, grabbed the LP and then chugged my nuts off for about half an hour. Insta stanky.

This is the most Neuralest of Neural designs. Surprisingly solid, but actually less tall and deep than the H90 and just a couple inches wider. Neural nails modern design, it looks sleek as hell and takes up no ground.

Time to dig in…

 

[Dez]

We are back.

View attachment 59193

Landed. Updated. Cortex Control’d.

Put the SLO plug-in amp on, loaded @MirrorProfiles Mesa Cali IR, grabbed the LP and then chugged my nuts off for about half an hour. Insta stanky.

This is the most Neuralest of Neural designs. Surprisingly solid, but actually less tall and deep than the H90 and just a couple inches wider. Neural nails modern design, it looks sleek as hell and takes up no ground.

Time to dig in…

mirror’s IR pack might have beaten my York recto pack

 

[maddnotez]

We are back.

View attachment 59193

Landed. Updated. Cortex Control’d.

Put the SLO plug-in amp on, loaded @MirrorProfiles Mesa Cali IR, grabbed the LP and then chugged my nuts off for about half an hour. Insta stanky.

This is the most Neuralest of Neural designs. Surprisingly solid, but actually less tall and deep than the H90 and just a couple inches wider. Neural nails modern design, it looks sleek as hell and takes up no ground.

Time to dig in…

Where'd you order from? Its probably posted

 

[Mongillo19]

Where'd you order from? Its probably posted

Not Whizz but SW

 

[texhex]

We are back.

View attachment 59193

Landed. Updated. Cortex Control’d.

Put the SLO plug-in amp on, loaded @MirrorProfiles Mesa Cali IR, grabbed the LP and then chugged my nuts off for about half an hour. Insta stanky.

This is the most Neuralest of Neural designs. Surprisingly solid, but actually less tall and deep than the H90 and just a couple inches wider. Neural nails modern design, it looks sleek as hell and takes up no ground.

Time to dig in…

Congrats and enjoy!

 

[Whizzinby]

There is def something really playable about the QC. I forgot how much the 2203 kicks ass. It’s perfect. Really all all their Marshall’s are good. That Preset #1 Britt needs to be enshrined in the hall of fame. It’s kind of a litmus test. If you don’t like that preset you just aren’t going to like the QC, pack it up and send it back. 5150 is really good. The 5153’s do their thing, but I’m kind of out on them.

Just staring at the SLO plug delay on the grid…

There is nothing overly special about SLO plug effects, but they have sat so right in my ear for years that’s it’s badass to be able to add them to the grid and mix and match with other plug effects and factory amps.

I’ve always loved the Nolly plug, but those amps slap even more ass outside of the plug. Hit with different factory drives and the Cali cab they throw down. This is why plugin compat is badass, being able to easily break out the best components to create uber chains.

Otherwise really good time playing with the thing. It’s very fun to operate. Only needing to turn one encoder to tweak is really cool. Just tap parameter, turn the fixed knob. After a few minutes I was ditching Cortex Control to just use the device.

Some oddities:
When you select a new device, I wish you didn’t have to hit the checkbox again to confirm. My hand naturally just wants to select the type then tap off to the grid to edit, but without hitting the checkmark it just reverts back to the original device.

I wish when you went to change device it defaulted to those colorful icons on the left immediately with the names, for some reason it’s non-labeled greyed out icons until you tap it again? Like you’re in a level within a level.

Why the F are all the modulations at 100% mix by default? Seems like 50% should be the defaults. I need to take the time to change those. Just weird to have those set there.
____________________

The new Studio and Nordic Hall reverbs are really good. I forgot about the Flanger and Chorus engines. Those are sweet. Myth drive is still the goat.

Off to a good start, it’s a really cool device. They nailed the form factor.

 

[mbenigni]

Looks like EU is the only place who can return a QC?

I think you’re referring to a return to the manufacturer (NDSP) here? I’m talking about returning to the vendor you purchase from within their return window (typically 30-60 days.)

 

[Whizzinby]

mirror’s IR pack might have beaten my York recto pack

They really are great. I stopped using my Yorks when FAS dropped the Mesa dynacab, but these are realllly nice. And you don’t need a zillion of them. A couple just nail the sound you have in your head for the cab.