Quad Cortex Mini

[mbenigni]

I recently bought another 5150. Yesterday I put together a small pedalboard with a Boss XS-1 pitch shifter (for drip tuning), a Cali76 compact, a Zuul+, and a VP4 (4CM). It’s super cool. Then I realized I should’ve used the QC mini.

I’m thinking put the QC Mini in 4CM with the 5150 and the VP4 (mono) in the QCM’s send/return. I’ll set it up when I get home.

Or for that matter, the QC's own 5150 models are no slouches. I've been using the EL34 blue channel with the Exotic BB, and getting great results.

 

[deadpool_25]

Or for that matter, the QC's own 5150 models are no slouches. I've been using the EL34 blue channel with the Exotic BB, and getting great results.

Yeah I’ll be interested in seeing how the models are through the 5150 power section and my cab.

 

[Dez]

I recently bought another 5150. Yesterday I put together a small pedalboard with a Boss XS-1 pitch shifter (for drip tuning), a Cali76 compact, a Zuul+, and a VP4 (4CM). It’s super cool. Then I realized I should’ve used the QC mini.

I’m thinking put the QC Mini in 4CM with the 5150 and the VP4 (mono) in the QCM’s send/return. I’ll set it up when I get home.

Why not use the noise gate in the QC at that point?

 

[deadpool_25]

Why not use the noise gate in the QC at that point?

I will. I’m rebuilding the board without the three other pedals. Just the QCM and the VP4

 

[Whizzinby]

Re: Scenes, it's very intuitive once you get used to the fact that params (including bypass!) are not scene-aware by default. Press and hold until the little 4-square icon appears in the corner, and then scenes (for the parameters selected) will work effortlessly. This works for all kinds of things you might not expect, like levels and mutes in output blocks, for instance. Good stuff.

Thanks dude, got it working. I kept using the little scene arrows before engaging the parameter into scene assignment mode.

Got all my single-use chuggead presets set up for scenes to cycle between the Holy OD Trifecta: Myth, 808, SD1.

Tomorrow I need to program expression pedal controls for my Elronds Ethereal Quartet presets and I’ll be really dialed in.

Agree about the weird groupings sometimes being a PITA. I wish you could group a list of faves under one unified user-defined group. I think of that micropitch as a delay and it's tucked away in modulation. A couple of other things I use frequently are tossed arbitrarily into utilities. (And, as I'm always saying, the search functionality is cumbersome at best, maybe even a little broken?)

100%. Also think it would be cool to do sub groupings, so when you select Modulations, it groups Chorus, Flanger etc with little small sub headers.

And they should totally do type favorites. I’d love to have quick access to favorites within effects/amps. I’m working through algos to set up type defaults, but a “simple” favorite system for 3-5 go-to settings would be perfect. (Sort of like FAS block libraries, but useful on-device)

 

[mbenigni]

Thanks dude, got it working. I kept using the little scene arrows before engaging the parameter into scene assignment mode.

Got all my single-use chuggead presets set up for scenes to cycle between the Holy OD Trifecta: Myth, 808, SD1.

Tomorrow I need to program expression pedal controls for my Elronds Ethereal Quartet presets and I’ll be really dialed in.



100%. Also think it would be cool to do sub groupings, so when you select Modulations, it groups Chorus, Flanger etc with little small sub headers.

And they should totally do type favorites. I’d love to have quick access to favorites within effects/amps. I’m working through algos to set up type defaults, but a “simple” favorite system for 3-5 go-to settings would be perfect. (Sort of like FAS block libraries, but useful on-device)

Not sure what you mean by “little scene arrows”, but I’m glad you’re sorted.

Agree 100% about block favorites.

 

[SonicBlue]

Re: Scenes, it's very intuitive once you get used to the fact that params (including bypass!) are not scene-aware by default. Press and hold until the little 4-square icon appears in the corner, and then scenes (for the parameters selected) will work effortlessly. This works for all kinds of things you might not expect, like levels and mutes in output blocks, for instance. Good stuff.

Agree about the weird groupings sometimes being a PITA. I wish you could group a list of faves under one unified user-defined group. I think of that micropitch as a delay and it's tucked away in modulation. A couple of other things I use frequently are tossed arbitrarily into utilities. (And, as I'm always saying, the search functionality is cumbersome at best, maybe even a little broken?)

That Nordic Hall reverb is great. I really wanted the PCM to win me over (because the UA version blew my mind a couple of years ago), but after diving into all of them, and briefly falling for Plate Lush (a plate for lushes, naturally) again, I've found myself using Nordic a lot. It's just really rich without getting in the way.

I have been waaaay down a reverb rabbit hole for the past 18 months. Started with a UA Golden, then the poly verbs and downloading a bunch of convolution IRs and then the last 5 months with the Hotone Verbera. This device went to another level with Michael Nielsen's Convolution Rack Reverb IR pack. Not only does it have a ton of great reverbs but it can also capture delays (no modulation) from PCM 70s etc. Honestly the best 19 bucks I have spent in a long while. I am really hoping neural adds convolution reverb IR capability. While I have not added my Verbera to the loop of my Quad yet, I very likely will until this happens. Dont get me wrong the reverbs are solid but Michael's captures are on a totally different planet IMO.

 

[squeegy]

I am an amp guy who has tried various modelers (Kemper, Helix) over the years including an initial pass with the QC about two years ago that didnt last. I picked up a nano a few months ago and starting with less options was helpful to get a handle on the eco system and obviously was around for the V2 capture launch which was I started to think about jumping back in to a full sized QC. I got a mini about a week ago and sold my Nano. I am incredibly impressed with the mini. I have used it with a power amp through a cab and also through my desktop monitors and it is really, really good.

My problem was always tweaking sounds and option paralysis and so far, I am def not having that with the mini. An amp capture, an IR a reverb and a delay and it sounds and feels really good. I know there is a lot more to seach out and create more complex paths but this is the first time I have been able to get a sound I really liked from a modeler without having to have compressors and eq blocks, high pass and low pass filters to find a satisfying sound.

The UI is really intuitive too.

+1 to this. I have created three patches so far. I keep meaning explore other models/captures but I then I find myself just playing.

I spent more time programming the Midi Captain Nano 4 than building presets

my tiny board

 

[RiffDuck]

That thing even looks cool. Guys do I need to buy a QC mini? I mean probably not but on the other hand I probably do right? Socrates would consider it a logically sound investment

 

[Dez]

That thing even looks cool. Guys do I need to buy a QC mini? I mean probably not but on the other hand I probably do right? Socrates would consider it a logically sound investment

Nobody needs this shit haha but if you want it and can afford it? You only live once.

 

[SonicBlue]

I have 5 patches already created that sound phenomenal and could pretty much just stop there-interestingly they are a complete mix of different devices. A free two rock capture, the Princeton model, the 800 model, a v2 plexi capture and a crunchy SLO tone that uses that Soldano X plug in amp.

I need some guidance on how to set levels. I have been using the master volumes or adjusting by swiping down-not sure if that is the best way at all but just the one I used. Any guidance would be appreciated. At some point I am going to have to get these levels consistent across the various pre sets and or create scenes. I still dont what I am doing and haven't cracked the manual.

I am finding an IR I know to be better than the cabs but I haven't played around with the cabs for more than 5 mins yet. I have just defaulted to an IR I know and like.

 

[Whizzinby]

I have 5 patches already created that sound phenomenal and could pretty much just stop there-interestingly they are a complete mix of different devices. A free two rock capture, the Princeton model, the 800 model, a v2 plexi capture and a crunchy SLO tone that uses that Soldano X plug in amp.

I need some guidance on how to set levels. I have been using the master volumes or adjusting by swiping down-not sure if that is the best way at all but just the one I used. Any guidance would be appreciated. At some point I am going to have to get these levels consistent across the various pre sets and or create scenes. I still dont what I am doing and haven't cracked the manual.

I am finding an IR I know to be better than the cabs but I haven't played around with the cabs for more than 5 mins yet. I have just defaulted to an IR I know and like.

You probably want to use the output control in the amp block because the master volumes play a big role in how the models sound. Anything heavily preamp gain driven benefit from lower master volumes. My Recto patch for example I have the master set at 0.8 haha. Then use the output control in the amp block to compensate.

If the real amp relies on power amp saturation then turn up the master volume and use the output level to compensate the other way and vice versa.

 

[maddnotez]

I have 5 patches already created that sound phenomenal and could pretty much just stop there-interestingly they are a complete mix of different devices. A free two rock capture, the Princeton model, the 800 model, a v2 plexi capture and a crunchy SLO tone that uses that Soldano X plug in amp.

I need some guidance on how to set levels. I have been using the master volumes or adjusting by swiping down-not sure if that is the best way at all but just the one I used. Any guidance would be appreciated. At some point I am going to have to get these levels consistent across the various pre sets and or create scenes. I still dont what I am doing and haven't cracked the manual.

I am finding an IR I know to be better than the cabs but I haven't played around with the cabs for more than 5 mins yet. I have just defaulted to an IR I know and like.

Im going to be right there with you. Can't really help but I've joined one of the Facebook groups and see a lot of talk about gain staging being super important.

 

[TheTrueZoltan!]

That thing even looks cool. Guys do I need to buy a QC mini? […]

Of course you do!

 

[maddnotez]

Of course you do!

Don't battle with your own mind and ultimately give in like I did. Just get it over with.

You don't need it...but you want it....and you need it.

 

[SonicBlue]

You probably want to use the output control in the amp block because the master volumes play a big role in how the models sound. Anything heavily preamp gain driven benefit from lower master volumes. My Recto patch for example I have the master set at 0.8 haha. Then use the output control in the amp block to compensate.

If the real amp relies on power amp saturation then turn up the master volume and use the output level to compensate the other way and vice versa.

Thank you. That makes a lot of sense and definitely heard the importance of the master volume in creating tones . that is why I was trying to to make adjustments elsewhere in the system outputs etc. This feels like the one place in the QC that tweaking could get a bit time consuming but hopefully once I have a process and things are set, I wont be continually adjusting.

 

[mbenigni]

I have been waaaay down a reverb rabbit hole for the past 18 months. Started with a UA Golden, then the poly verbs and downloading a bunch of convolution IRs and then the last 5 months with the Hotone Verbera. This device went to another level with Michael Nielsen's Convolution Rack Reverb IR pack. Not only does it have a ton of great reverbs but it can also capture delays (no modulation) from PCM 70s etc. Honestly the best 19 bucks I have spent in a long while. I am really hoping neural adds convolution reverb IR capability. While I have not added my Verbera to the loop of my Quad yet, I very likely will until this happens. Dont get me wrong the reverbs are solid but Michael's captures are on a totally different planet IMO.

I'm willing to bet this is exactly the sort of thing D.I. is alluding to when he drops vague hints about Proxy doing more than just amp and cab captures. Agree: hopefully NDSP will step up as well.

In the meantime, I'll file all this under "Things to Not Listen to for Fear of Developing Expensive New Habits".

 

[Whizzinby]

I’m not too versed on the legend of the Dumble but it’s pretty intriguing on the QC. I paired it up with a 412 GB and the cleans are of course nice, but I’m kind of surprised how dirty you can push it with all the various internal boosts. Paired with the 1981 drive and its kind of playground for mid-gain indie rock vibes. Having fun with that, but the amp is going to be mildly frustrating until I can capture the million different ways you can get to tones with the various setting combos.

Is there a way to copy scenes from one preset to another? Or, to say save the current state of all the params in the amp block, then move to a second scene and start over, or do you have to individually assign each param to that scene?

I’m nearing the RTFM stage now that I’m reaching keeper status with it.

 

[Whizzinby]

And there really needs to be a ducking control on all the delays. Why include it on just a few of them…

 

[mbenigni]

That thing even looks cool. Guys do I need to buy a QC mini? I mean probably not but on the other hand I probably do right? Socrates would consider it a logically sound investment

Stupid Mini is going to turn me into a guy with three QCs.