Neural DSP Quad Cortex | Let's dial in a basic bass preset!

[@erikarko]

Ok, the quality of the video is still buffering! (As of 15:02CET) Hopefully it'll be in it's wonderful, hi-res format soon enough! :) EDIT: Here we go! Hi-res format!

[@williamdewolfe1813]

Thank you for doing a BASS QC demo!

[@joeynone]

I am just so unbelievably excited to get this for my bass! I’m lucky enough to be tier 1.

[@erikarko]

You’re in for a treat!!

[@Cring0r]

I'm so hyped the QC got me watching a fukn bass demo haha, great job mate :D !

[@erikarko]

Hahah thanks 🤣

[@martinstegeman2885]

Thanks, finally a bass video on qc! I’ve preordered long time ago and can’t wait to get that thing in my rig! I would love to hear some nice fretless sounds, more octave/synth sounds and more beefy clean sounds!

[@erikarko]

Thanks!! I’ll look into it! 🤘🤘🤘

[@joebasswizard]

Thanks, man. Great vid.

[@erikarko]

Thanks!

[@FelipeRigby]

Please make a video showing all the effects, modulation, wah, reverbs...

[@erikarko]

Oh dear. Noted! 😁

[@paoloa424]

Finally! Someone did it!

[@erikarko]

More to come! :)

[@IvanBassist]

Cool tone around the 13:00 mark 🤘🏽

[@erikarko]

🙌🙌🙌

[@geoffreymerrifield5666]

Very impression Bass tones and options.

[@erikarko]

👍👍👍

[@CheloWiiU]

Amazing! With this I'll be able to capture my Darkglass Alpha Omega Ultra, and I can have all the Darkglass pedals inside this! OMG

[@erikarko]

Yup!! 🤘🤘🤘 Truth be told: there are already plenty of AO-captures in it and on the cloud!

[@romainr4275]

I'm still using your present on my Helix Stomp Erik, so cool. Hopefully you'll make some for this one as well, as I will pick it up that's for sure !

[@erikarko]

I already have a bunch done! 😁😁😁

[@immanuelrohy]

Would you do a video dialing in your guitar sound? I know you mostly do bass stuff, but I'd like to see your take in guitar with the cortex!

[@erikarko]

Oh dear... prepare yourself for a video full of tasteless chugs! 😂🤣

[@Dariotoma]

thank you...thank you...thank you !!

[@erikarko]

🙌🙌🙌

[@Dariotoma]

@@erikarko really waiting for other video ....was really missing a "non metal Dingwall" bass quad cortex video !! Great job

[@Garrett-In-Canada]

so using these how do you avoid bass drop out? like how if you use some guitar pedal? also how are you find this for bass? how would this work going into a head and cab for monitoring and FOH from the board

[@erikarko]

If, say a pedal steals too much low end, I generally make a parallel signal path with a clean signal to maintain the low end. The QC is amazing! I’ve been using it both live and in the studio for close to two years now (I was a very early beta tester) and it’s been GREAT!

[@Garrett-In-Canada]

@@erikarko oh ok so it does have a way to almost mimic a blender?

[@erikarko]

@@Garrett-In-Canada Yup!! :)

[@Garrett-In-Canada]

@@erikarko awesome thank you for your time

[@erikarko]

@@Garrett-In-Canada No worries!! :)

[@david_onbass]

Let's see how to use the chorus effect so that you can actually hear the effect and not lose volume or change the character of the low end. I've tried the parallel path thing and it still dips in volume when engaging the chorus... if the chorus effect only had a make up or a simple volume knob to boost it up a bit then it might be ok, but as of now, I'm thinking I'll have to place my chorus pedal in an effect loop... I don't want to have to do that! Thanks :)

[@erikarko]

Try this: use the parallel paths and set a scene to boost the volume of the affected signal 1-2dB when the chorus is engaged? :)

[@david_onbass]

@@erikarko Yes! Scene mode solved the issue, so I’ll be using scenes rather than stomp mode. However, it’s sad that the issue can’t be solved in stomp mode. The reason is that the mix control in the Chorus begins turning down the direct signal as soon as you begin going up from zero percent, instead of waiting till 50% to begin turning it down.. if the Chorus effect had a blend AND a final output level then it could be used in Stomp mode quite easily.

[@jeffkamen2307]

The SansAmp in that thing sounds good! I tried the one in my Helix and I couldn't get it dialed in, where this one seemed to be great right from scratch!

[@erikarko]

I totally agree regarding that! Been fighting the Helix ones for a while myself!

[@lw3098]

Can you do a video exploring the pitch shifters on bass, particularly playing 4ths? Pitch shifters have been underwhelming me as a bass player to the point that I'm considering giving up on a project that requires consistency.

[@erikarko]

Sure thing! :)

[@jeffkamen2307]

As far as what I'd like to see this thing do, I'd love to see a dual input setup for your Attitude! I'd like to see if it'll make a Billy-ish tone. :)

[@erikarko]

Check back tomorrow ;)

[@JoshBeachel]

There is a undo on the top right of the screen. I think it allows you to go back if you accidentally do something wrong. Like erasing a preset.

[@erikarko]

D’oh! You’re absolutely right! I totally forgot about that - I’ll address that in my next video! Thanks! :)

You mentioned that you are a long time helix user before the quad. So after using this for a time now, can you justify the sound difference compared to the recent updates from the helix? As I listened to the demo which I appreciate….I don’t see the reason to upgrade to a quad because all of the sound can be achieved with a helix.

[@erikarko]

Well, the user interface, the ability to capture gear and the implementation of WiFi is what makes me favour the QC these days :) but both units sound amazing - and if you’re happy, then you’re happy! :kr

[@erikarko]

:)

[@stelios82k]

hi Erik great job. I use multiband distortion on my bands track and i always had a problem balancing the overall volume between Distorted and clean tone. All the A/B mix or Low/High pass split i had in Helix was confusing and frustrating due to my ignorance of course. Would it be possible to make a video about making one patch and have 2-band Dist, Clean and Modulation or Ambinet sound all in one patch and maintain constant volume when switching between sounds? Thank you.

[@erikarko]

Hi man! Thanks! Do you mean that I should do this on the Cortex or the Helix?

[@stelios82k]

@@erikarko I sold my helix long ago and went to pedals. Now I am contemplating buying the Cortex and I would like to see a video about all this on Cortex. I meen splitting and merging and the volume differences or gain loss from splitting and merging signals and how to maintain a constant volume on a preset with simple words. I imagine using scenes possibly. I have through tons of walkthroughs but I haven't seen anything on a modeller specific video that could make it clear enough for us noobs :)

[@erikarko]

Ok!! I’ll look into it! :)

[@stelios82k]

@@erikarko for example I need a clean signal and I want to kick in Russian muff with a slight mid boost but not parallel. For example low pass the clean at 500hz and russian muff at 300hz and keep the same volume for on or off.

[@stelios82k]

@@erikarko thank you so much for your time

[@FelipeRigby]

Like in the helix is it possible to use one switch (For example: B switch), and use chorus and reverb together? Or just 1 effect in A, one in B and on and on..

[@erikarko]

If you use Scene mode: yes! If you’re in Stomp mode: No. 🙃

[@PooNinja]

Will neural-net mental midi2.0 control switching be available ( brain mesh and install not included) ? Cool unit do you think it’s safe to take on a metal stage? Beer,blood and sweat flying everywhere?

[@erikarko]

Yes! Absolutely - although, I have a solution for those VERY... dirty gigs! :D

[@PooNinja]

@@erikarko plastic cling wrap? Do tell do tell?

[@erikarko]

MIDI footswitcher :)

[@PooNinja]

@@erikarko mmm off stage and safe in the rack way way in the back!! Excellent muhahaha

[@thewetterbass]

Great review, we get a pretty good idea of what this device does and sound like! 💪🏻 I have the Neural DSP DG ultra b7k/vintage plugin that sounds amazingly close to the “real” ultra b7k I had. Let me ask you this: between conventional pedals and the Quad Cortex do you feel they react differently to your playing? Do you feel as comfortable with either? Thanks man!

[@erikarko]

IMHO the QC is VERY close in terms of feel. The feel of the amps, pedals and whatnot is one of the biggest advantages that this unit has - it simply FEELA great in your hands :)

[@thewetterbass]

@@erikarko good to know. Thanks!

[@isaacandhismusic1153]

@@erikarko I keep going back to pedals from Multis because there always seems to be a trade off, like there’s not enough buttons or knobs, then you have to scroll menus instead of just being able to set the knobs in one hit. Then there’s always the digital sort of sound to some sounds that you just can’t shake. The quad cortex seems to fix a lot of those issues. With using the switches as knobs and the touchscreen is so much easier than the likes of the boss 1980s displays haha

[@SebastianScherrmann]

Thanks for the great video, really enjoyed watching! Just one question: Is it possible to actually have a graphical level of the compression being applied?

[@erikarko]

Yes, you can see how much gain reduction that is happening simply by swiping down and accessing the output menu! They are also planning to add in- and output meters to the comps, if I recall things correctly! :)

[@SebastianScherrmann]

@@erikarko very cool, thank you ;)

[@LukeG_Eire]

Can you upload your Billy Sheehan deluxe overdrive if you haven't already 😱🙌💎

[@erikarko]

😉😉😉

[@crip665]

9:48 got me hard. hahahahaha

[@erikarko]

😁😁😁😁

[@julienDrcq]

more tutorial of how to use the quad core Cortex

[@erikarko]

They’re coming! :)

[@jimmyjames7720]

Sounds great. Any initial thoughts on this vs the Helix for bass guitar?

[@erikarko]

Thanks!! I think I’ll need to do a video addressing that! :)

[@1michaelricci]

Yes, as a new Helix owner that hasn’t taken to it , I have the same question.

[@oratania]

Sounds great. How would you compare it with the Helix?

[@erikarko]

I think I need to do a video addressing that question 😂

[@oratania]

@@erikarko Would be great to see such video :))) Thanks anyway! Great job!

[@erikarko]

@@oratania Thanks man!!

[@Bluebear2016]

Thanks for the vid. How do you think the amp and cab sims compare to the helix and cab m?

[@erikarko]

I REALLY like the QC ones. They “feel” amazing!!

[@Bluebear2016]

@@erikarko I’ve heard other you tubers say that too but you’re the only one who’s tried it on bass (I think). I think the QC has a drop tune function? If so I’d love to know what that sounds like and if there’s any tracking/latency etc.

[@erikarko]

@@Bluebear2016 It has and I will!! :)

[@Bluebear2016]

@@erikarko thanks a lot, appreciate it. It’s a bit of a deal breaker for me as this could replace my entire pedalboard!

[@veryveryveryhotboy]

Love the vid, but I have to say you might wanna consider getting a condenser mic for your vids. You look hella uncomfortable talking into that mic and fiddling with the knobs of QC at the same time. Cheers bro.

[@erikarko]

I appreciate your honesty, bro! I recently got this SM7b and I’m still trying to figure out how to use it “comfortably” within my setup. I previously used my phone to record the audio, using a Røde smartlav microphone - but now I’m using the phone as my second camera... and I’m a bit too concerned about bumping that as well...😅 ah, well. Sorry for bothering you with the details! Definitely gonna try and improve this! Glad you enjoyed the vid!

[@rome8180]

I'd rather pull up a factory preset and tweak it if I need to. I've never understood why everyone frowns on that approach.

[@erikarko]

I don’t frown upon it - just wanted to share this approach! :)

[@tylerregh]

Capture a whole pedalboard and compare each of the elements individually

[@erikarko]

Capture it component by component, you mean?

[@SarsekimOfficial]

Maybe try a different riff

[@erikarko]

I don’t know any other riffs 😢

[@beanyoda460]

come back to school

[@erikarko]

Too busy changing diapers!

[@henkwesselsbass1810]

After a few minutes lost it😂😂😂, stick with pure amp and fingers tone.

[@erikarko]

If that works for you! 💪👍

[@henkwesselsbass1810]

@@erikarko yes, but to be hohnest it Looks Great what you do with QC👌

[@erikarko]

@henkwesselsbass1810 Thanks :)