Real Amp Vs. Quad Cortex! (Feat. Ben Eller)

[@RiffsAndBeards]

If you would like the captures for yourself, they are linked in the description!

[@elancaster3989]

That sparkly guitar...cool 😎 Your now the bearded liberaci

[@maximumguitarage]

This was awesome guys ! Can not wait to tweak with my Cortex. I was just going to buy a bunch of different amps, I will hold off now. It's too close.

[@southerntrendkiller2632]

Hey fluff, would you please consider doing some Huey Lewis and the news covers? Thanks! 😉

[@maximumguitarage]

Yes please !

[@colinparks619]

So quad vs kemper now after all the fw updates??

[@ricardobunge2757]

Uncle Ben! Seriously the best YT guitar teacher. Always so inspiring that guy. Totally needs more attention

[@BenEller]

thankee kindly!

[@adlerdefender8067]

Completely agree! He is so underrated...

[@christopher.k.guitar]

Signed

[@naegleriafowleri2230]

he always reminding us we suck tho

[@sweetwater]

Great stuff! 😎🤘

[@LexingtonDaniel]

When will you have these available for demo? I'm pretty well sold, but I need to try it myself before handing over the cash. I can get there and I have the money... just need some time with it!

[@MainPrism]

I only live about 3 1/2 hours away from you guys. Really need to get over there & bring a couple guitars to get stainless frets installed. Great video, love these guys!!!

[@brandonproctor3639]

Send me one for Christmas @sweetwater I’ll never be able to afford one 😂😭

[@BenEller]

I got BAMBOOZLED!!!! It was SO HARD to tell what was real and what was the Quad Cortex clone!!!

[@KevinNolin]

Got me too. With the Friedman I was sure I had it right.

[@Hawknite]

Yep, I thought the same. I kinda liked the Quad Cortex tones a bit better.

[@GearGasms]

And boy was your face red! 😜🤘🏻

[@andymonte576]

That Charvel is nice!! We need more Charvel love.

[@bryanklaproth6020]

I thought the same thing. A had that high end bite you associate with the real thing

[@patrickcarroll1754]

These crossovers feel like the internet is all just in one place with separate rooms. Uncle Ben is CRIMINALLY underrated. Thanks Fluff!

[@artyartillery8346]

Likely the best demo I have heard for the Quad cortex, Wowzers.

[@jasonstallworth]

Man, all of those tones sounds great! I know we’re comparing to see how well it captures the amps but at the end of the day, you just want something that sounds awesome and most folks aren’t going to care whether it was and amp or not.

[@butcher_0392]

Very true what you say. And better yet, know that we have free plugins available, with which we can achieve the same results.

[@maximumguitarage]

It's true, it is getting really close. Very flexible to take to the studio or stage. Also if you have your amps jam with them that you like and use this as an added tool to capture your amps take them on the road.

[@robhunt7346]

I got lucky with my guess, but both sound amazing. I think it’s testament to how far these amp modellers have come, that it’s so difficult to tell which is which. I think for artists going on tour, having a quad cortex that they can just carry in a back pack and plug into the PA is far more beneficial than taking loads of amps, pedals etc.

[@scottbrown9008]

Megadeth just finished their tour and they used Quad Cortex

[@dannyllerenatv8635]

If you're playing clinics and have to be on the go, a modeler is the best way to go. Saves so much time and money too in the long run.

[@kidder83]

I went with B bc it felt like A had artificial air

[@kidder83]

@@scottbrown9008 i wanna check out Dave’s patches

[@che2335]

Hollywood styrofoam stacks for looks coming to a town near you!

[@jessebalfour5663]

The QC has finally done what everyone has been waiting for, it crossed the line with feel and tone AND!!, the UI is just awesome...Can't wait to see the progression of the QC , it is still in it's infancy , scary to think of what it will be in a few years from now..xox

[@Beggars.]

I absolutely love my Quad Cortex. It was expensive, but the best purchase I've made in 2021. The amp capturing feature blows Kemper out of the water, it's the best amp capture and modeller around, even if it is missing some effects, amp models and cabs.

[@UrbanSelfSufficiency]

I pre-ordered the QC and have been really happy with it. Best piece of guitar tech I've ever used.

[@brandonklemets]

The captures sound great. in A/B tests with modellers vs amps you'll be able to nerd out and dissect any tone. I think the most important thing is that no matter what modern modeller you choose (neural, axe fx, helix, kemper) all of them sound good.

[@sleepingatsea3420]

The Sweetwater captures are THE best. Thanks so much for sharing these ❤️

[@DirtyDStudios]

They ARE the best! The HBE Sounds EXACTLY like it! Dave Friedman has to be going CRAZY with the Twinkies about now!

[@NicholasGreenwood]

Sold my Fryette Pittbull 100CL to fund my Quad Cortex. I miss my old amp, but what I gained in the Quad Cortex was worth it.

[@benreigle8104]

For me, the reality is once either one is recorded, mixed and mastered they are both going to sound crushing and awesome. the low mid info Fluff was talking about could be EQed and/or reinforced by the bass guitar and the high-end sizzle Ben was talking about is usually rolled off to some degree (which he eluded to). Great stuff guys! Thanks!

[@pjstraightedge]

I got the Soldano correct (didn't guess with the Friedman). The real amp has just a slightly more present low end I could hear. That being said, in a mix I don't think I'd have the slightest clue which is which. Both the amp and capture sounded great! Awesome video Fluff! 🤙🏻

[@DudeMcGuybro]

Exactly, plus in a mix you can dial in the tone to your tastes with post EQ settings.

[@faethe000]

@@DudeMcGuybro hell, you can do that right on the modeler.

[@DudeMcGuybro]

@@faethe000 Nah, there are some things you want in post, not on the modeler. There are certain frequencies in a mix that you want to accentuate, and some that you want to cut. Most post effects have a high and low pass filter to cut low end, and high end, to fit between the bass and the cymbals. You want to hear everything in the right place in a mix, essentially. Tones can be harsher than a witches titty, but a post EQ and effects, and you're able to smooth it out in the context of a mix.

[@faethe000]

@@DudeMcGuybro I was talking about a lowcut rather than an EQ. The initial lowcut SHOULD be done in the modeler, because that's the way an actual guitar amp acts. This guy didn't do that enough.

[@davidbmixing]

@@faethe000 real amp or not, we still filter the shit out of guitars during the mixing process, there is a ton of useless low end information that clashes with the bass and kick if you just leave it there. It sounds very pleasing when playing by yourself but has to go during mixing or it's a mud fest.

[@dustinreeder3796]

Seriously great collaboration.

[@ehambright]

Yes! Stoked to see you 2 working together

[@yanossnicklefritz7064]

There both good tones. A lot of the difference in eq you can obviously eq out too. It's the reality of today. Amp sims and modelers are really good these days and only going to get better. Use whatever you prefer. I know I won't be hauling amps around anymore.

[@maximumguitarage]

Thruth! IMHO if there is a difference it is by a hair. If the feeling is the same, then imagine all the tonal possibilities of mixing multiple amps and pedals together to cultivate your own personal sounds. This tool gives you options

[@fatsuperfly]

My uncle is on! Gotta throw a thumb up. Lol. Love both of you guys, awesome you guys got together.

[@_wayneman_]

The fact that you struggled this much even WITH a direct A/B comparison WHILST playing yourself tells me, that noone will ever correctly identify if I used amp sims or the real deal on my recordings.

[@kimseniorb]

very naive

[@AdrielGarcia]

Pretty much

[@DrGand]

That's the thing, recordings. You're absolutely right. I think people are using these things backwards; by swearing by their amps in the studio and using the modelers live for convenience. When I hear a modeler live go direct to the PA I can tell immediately. There's a distinct volume difference coming from the stage between half/full stacks and no amps at all. I think we should be using amps for live shows and recording the modelers. At least for thrash or death metal bands like mine where the volume and headroom of distorted guitars is crucial. Most club PA systems just don't sound all that great, but I can guarantee the tone coming from my 4x12s kicks ass.

[@atrfan11]

@@DrGand you can still use the Quad with cabs on stage. It's all in the routing. One signal is going direct to the PA, then you can split the signal to go into the cabs. Aaron Marshall of the band Intervals did this in his recent tour. I happened to be front row, which like you said, can really be a bummer when there's a dead stage (a couple openers went strictly direct and it was tough to enjoy). But, Aaron and his band had 6 cabs whilst still running the Quad, each member was fully stereo. It sounded absolutely amazing up front. From an audience member's standpoint, I'm all for the Quad. It's legit.

[@maximumguitarage]

Yep ! Great tool! Also get the Gemini 2 mission cab, 200 watts and sounds like a cab.

[@rendyandrian7149]

I actually guessing A is Neural because I can hear the same hairiness from both amp. Since Soldano and Friedman aren't the same, it should be impossible for both amps to have the same hairiness. In real world, I can't afford both amps so even Neural plugin will be sufficient for me. Owning a Quad cortex will be a huge bonus. As a sidenote, I would love to own a Neural plugin based on Friedman amp.

[@lifeleech]

Agreed 100% with fluff. Biggest giveaway for modellers to me is lack of body (low mids). Both were good guesses though and like fluff said, both tones were great

[@TobyKBTY]

My two favorite Guitar Uncles in one video? I'm all in. Next time we can get crazy Swede Uncle Ola in too.

[@MarkPritchardGuitar]

You two are great together, more vids please!

[@LesPaulVOS]

Like to hear a cranked Fender Super Reverb vs modeler. Always a high gain amp. Excellent video.

[@rockyrucker2789]

A show with the both of you guys would be amazing! Hell, a tune would be dope too! 🤘

[@brunowilliam7529]

Great video! I hope you have made more videos with Ben, he is great!

[@BenEller]

we made soooooo much content together, you've got a lot to watch coming soon!

[@brunowilliam7529]

@@BenEller awesome! Looking forward to it :)

[@DavidDiMuzio]

I guessed B for both of them and was right. The highs and high mids are clearer in the real amps. I preferred B on both, but of course they were very close.

[@secretstorymusic]

Oh man....I didn't get that at all in the Friedman plays. B was way woolier to me than A in that one.

[@naegleriafowleri2230]

@@secretstorymusic the A on Friedman was more digital like so it was easy to deduce

[@secretstorymusic]

@@naegleriafowleri2230 "more digital". Of course.

[@sketchstuffs]

I've had my Cortex for around 6 months now, it's an absolute beast of a unit. But I think the only issue now at this point is pinpointing a cab that pairs well with modelers. I have a line6 powercab+ and it sounds great, but as with other FRFR's , it is lacking "something" that I don't feel when running through headphones/DAW/studio monitors/FOH/or effects return on a tube amp. When someone nails an FRFR cab that can portray the capabilities of this and other units, then that someone will be rich. IMHO of course.

[@Utube-s8m]

Use a real guitar cabinet. It sounds great. Yea you’ll have to put the QC through your amp’s return fx loop. Otherswise, keep using monitors or frfr’s they don’t sound as good. So you’ll give up the cab sims for a better feel and sound. If you don’t have a tube amp I’m not sure how good an amp block sounds and feels like a Seymour Duncan power block. Or the powered cabs. They all sound and feel different. The rich person has already made what you need, a real guitar cab. The QC tbh should come with its own power which would solve all these issues. Like the powered Kemper. Or the overlooked Yamaha double modeler 100hd. It’s $800 new. If they can do it why can’t neural and Yamaha bought line6 so why can’t they power up that helix and make it feel and sound a little better?

[@maximumguitarage]

This has been solved. Get a PS-100 Freyette Powrstation. Go into the FX loop or line in. Then use your cabs at home.

[@stratplayer96]

The sparkle on that Luke is spectacular.

[@roybuis7646]

I was on the fence considering whether to buy a Fractal FM9 or a Quad Cortex... I'm still not sure but the Quad Cortex seems pretty damn good. Also, more collabs with Uncle Ben please!

[@thmp3r]

Thanks for this. You both were a big part of me getting through lockdown with inspiration. Super fun

[@CMFL77]

Kiko Lauriero just did the Megadeth tour with the Quad Cortex as his entire rig. Obviously his playing is super clean but it sounded indistinguishable from a proper tube amp + fx loop setup. NGL, wish I was one of those YT'rs that they sent one of these for free too hahaha

[@AidenCantrell]

I got to record in there a few years ago for the rock camp sweetwater does.

[@musicmore5169]

Nice to see father fluff and uncle ben in a vid together. Rock on brothers.

[@TheStrykerProject]

This is perfect! I just watched Colin's CSGuitars video on solid state amplification (great vid for us nerds). I'm very curious how this turns out... p.s. Fluff and Uncle Ben in the same video?! I'm giddy with enjoyment! edit: I got lucky! I was thinking like Fluff and could only really decide while listening to Ben's amp. "A" seemed 'airier' and "B" had just a tad more fullness, so I guessed (pretty much totally guessed) that "B" was the real amp.

[@JimDewdGuitars]

The youtube duo I didn't know I needed! 🙌

[@JohnJimmyJoe]

I guessed both right. I own a Friedman BE Deluxe (bought it from Sweetwater), and have had it since it's initial launch in 2019, so that one was a little more obvious to me. I've never played a Soldano, but would love to. I also own a Kemper, and to my ears I hear the same things Fluff said, that it sounds artificially tighter than the real amp, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but it just lacks the authenticity of the real amp. Either way, unless you're playing both side by side, you'd never know. The flexibility of a digital platform is unmatched because they are also multieffect units, and you would have to spend tens of thousands of dollars to buy all the individual amps and pedals/rack units they're modeled after. Plus, if you can get away with taking a few guitars and a unit that weighs a few pounds versus carrying an amp and cabinet that pulls your arms out of their sockets, why wouldn't you opt for that? However, the amp in the room with a real cabinet pushing air is not something modelers can match. Maybe some day, but we're not there yet.

[@samwilcockmusic]

Fair comment. The BE50 is such a great amp too!

[@maximumguitarage]

So awesome! This video was great 👍👍👍👍 Happy to own my Quad Cortex!

[@arodgoogle6327]

The Luke 3 HH guitar is so beautiful I forgot to pay attention to the point of the video. You should do a video on the guitar!!!

[@jelmeromero]

I thought A was the real amp because of the high end too. Pretty cool vid. Thanks that was killer!

[@johnmyers473]

Great job guys love it!

[@bigbasschrisb2584]

This was soo great having Uncle Ben in your video.

[@ebozyn]

I would love to see Eric Johnson, and George Lynch do these A/B comparisons. Both of those guys are known for being hyper sensitive to even the most minute aspect of their sound, feel and everything in their signal chain.

[@maximumguitarage]

Definitely. In the mean time go see what Pete Thorn is doing with the Quad Cortex.

[@cshades8026]

Definitely need Lynch doing a comparison with the Quad Cortex. That would be sick to have some of his captures 😎

[@alfromtx245]

Wow. I like how you switch while you're playing rather than pausing and then switching to the other. I seriously couldn't tell any difference.

[@Mudder1310]

Great comparison, You guys also work well together, please do more!

[@bogg4n]

I guessed A was the real one. Prefered the sound of that on both the Soldano and Friedman. Great video!

[@XMetalChefX]

INCREDIBLE RESULT!

[@TaylorDanley]

I notice some different artifacting in the top end with my amps when I capture them... but TBH, if I blind A/B'd them, I probably wouldn't be able to pick out the real amp when I do my own captures 🤷‍♂️.

[@dayodii_]

The last riff played on the Soldano gave it away for me. Exactly as said in the video, the low mids were really punchy and was a dead giveaway for me. That quad cortex is no joke though, loving what Neural is putting out. Great video!

[@heckatron2586]

Yay! I love this crossover!

[@abehaddad]

QC is the absolute king of modellers thanks and rock on 🤘

[@joedamore7653]

You guys have great chemistry. Great vid and cool comparison!

[@bobisadrummer]

I closed my eyes so I could uh... "see" if I could hear when Ben switched and I had to open them once you stopped playing because I couldn't tell if you had switched yet or not. It was impossible for me to tell the difference between the SLO, but the BE Deluxe had some differences where Tone A had more high end and Tone B was idk boxier or had more lows/woof not sure. Like Ben said "there was a difference." The "cleaned up" tone was indistinguishable for me though. Either way, they both sounded great to me and considering the price and portability of the QC, it seems like a no brainer lol.

[@jeremythesurfingalien3013]

This was great guys. You both work well together.

[@steveshoemaker6881]

I nailed it, the Friedman gave it away. Could hear the mic sizzle that you can’t make out in a recording but can when it’s a solo guitar performance. Does that make sense? I always, maybe it’s my ears, can hear what I call a sizzle from a mic’d guitar cab. Really good shootout, thank you.

[@joemarta8221]

Got it right here. For me even the very best modelers still struggle just a tiny bit with the upper and lower mids. More so on the Friedman. The upper mid high gain sound is all about making it aggressive but smooth without it sounding like digital distortion, which I think I heard in the modeler a bit. Plus your low mid comment is so true. Either way it was 99% the same and the last 1% was just an eq move or 2 away

[@nickboxer7147]

It's great to have Dad and Uncle Been do a video together.

[@JAFOpty]

Uncle Ben and Aunty Fluff! 😍😍

[@5150Morgan]

One of the main draws to the Soldano is being able to clean up the normal channel by rolling off the guitar volume knob. How does the Quad do with that?

[@adeltoral710]

Just saw Megadeth live and then saw the videos that they were using QC. Could not tell at all live. Super impressed

[@taylormesa]

Best comparison I’ve seen! 👏🏻 I love the Quad Cortex!!

[@ClassofEighty2]

Beautiful Luke 3 MM. Guarantee you "The Luke" doesn't play any drop C chunk. :) Another great shootout. Uncle B. is always inspiring. Digital gets better every day.

[@bosslenz2766]

You guys convinced me to get the Quad Cortex. So if the modeling is that good, what do you connect the outputs from the quad Cortex to if you're onstage or what type of speaker? I really like the clean tones of the Quad Cortex than distortion. Thanks

[@maximumguitarage]

Get a PS-100 Freyette Powrstation and use your cabs with the quad cortex. Will feel more like an amp

[@mattr7994]

Most people just use the XLR stereo output straight into the mixer/pa/house system

[@DraftZJ]

I think the Soldano was close but you could hear the difference and I could tell which was which. The Friedman was not that close to me, I picked out the Quad Cortex vs the real amp pretty easily. I am listening through iPhone speakers as well. All that to say I have an Axe FX which is the same kind of idea in terms of amp modeling and I think you can use whatever you want to get the sound you want.

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

I am still using the Digitech RP 500 effects pedal board into a Line 6 Spider III with my Epiphone SG and a tuning fork tuned to E. Change comes slowly in my house....

[@FlameBlue9016]

Uncle ben is such a bad ass! No disrespect to fluff because I dig you both…. You two should do more with each other, you guys play well off each other.

[@BenEller]

Thanks dude!

[@FlameBlue9016]

@@BenEller anytime sir.

[@VelcorHF]

Dream team dude, I hope you guys do more videos. Love this.

[@guitarlair]

I guessed it right from watching a ton of A/B comparisons of QC and real amps... QC always bring up more gain and more high end and don't mimic pretty well the low mids.. it's difficult to guess with amps that have a lot of low mids like Soldanos and Rectos but it's easier to hear when it's a marshall type of tone because the QC sounds brighter.

[@SaySomethingWorthHearing]

I guessed right, but I have a QC and did a bunch of captures a while ago on my amps. My quick two cents after years of owning high end tube gear, the QC FELT and sounded as good or better than the actual amps. The only reason I think the QC may even sound slightly better is because the captures seem to me to be just slightly less noisy than the amps. It's almost as if the QC captures the tone, but throws out the garbage. There are few things sexier than a killer tube amp, but for someone with expensive taste and a modest budget, the QC is a bargain. Really wish I had a QC years ago when I was toting around a VHT Pitbull, 4x12 cab and a big rack of effects and channel switching gear to every gig. Amazing time to be a guitar player.

[@frankardos4211]

Good stuff beard face!! What's up UB!! Well my 2 cents bought me this.......the sound has gotten WAY better, especially clean stuff, but the FEEL is just different.............somehow? I cannot put a "finger" on it to be honest. Thx dudes

[@philiponbigmacs]

You didn't mention how you are hearing the sounds are you just listening through studio monitors or the amp in the room? Ir's?

[@TheFlexXMLG]

Love the collab! :D

[@BenEller]

Me too!

[@BrewerShettles]

LIstened - made a time chart of A & B A = Brighter - thought that was the real amp - did the Audio Engineer add too much brightness in the capture? Mics at the wrong angle cut or add EQ NICE!!!!!!!!!!! How do they capture the best samples?

[@yhgtbfk]

Great colab guys 👍🏼

[@paniccleo]

Okay, so the kemper adds gain and bass compared to the amp it's simulating and the QC takes out some gain and reduces bass. Good to know.

[@EinarHagen]

Couldn't hear the difference with the Soldano, but the Friedman I clocked. The Quad had some shrill highs that I also hear in my Helix.

[@megabubba]

It would have been interesting to have added in the Kemper for comparison since it was mentioned. This video was one of the better, more controlled setups (most are not) that's been done. And, of course, it helps to have someone that's good with the correct profiling/capturing procedure for each unit.

[@seandan68]

Makes alot if sense for the watching crowd with all different set ups

[@basicoptimalmouse]

The shocked faces after the first channel change was fantastic hahahaha

[@secretstorymusic]

Definitely more low-mids in the Friedman for Amp A. I actually heard more low-mids in Tone A for the Soldano. The Soldano profile is a dead ringer. Didn't do as well on the Friedman, although I actually prefer the QC tone.

[@Cymbaline713]

What's your signal chain? Are you using an IR and going through a reactive load into an audio interface, or micing a cab, or.....?

[@glaucosouza1971]

Fluff amd Umcle Ben together?? Hit the like button fast as a bullet.

[@winstonsmith8240]

"Did the acid kick in?" 😅 That deserves a sub.

[@sergejkrynycky728]

Great video boys! Question! What if want to put down my guitar for a minute and use QC as an audio interface and just listen to music from my Macbook via Spotify, Apple Music or on youtube? Can I do that? Is it just a matter of keeping it connected to my mac via USB, having monitors connected to the two XLR outputs and having the QC turned on?

[@revolucion4]

just hit play but smashing "like" immediately cuz I know this will be awesome

[@zachbowden1993]

I swear EVERYBODY is trying to sell me a Quad Cortex at the moment. It’s working 😂

[@UroboricNate]

What were you hearing the quad through in the room? Monitors? Power amp/cab? Frfr? Maybe I missed that detail

[@CreativeMindsAudio]

Damn nice shootout! I could tell much easier on the Friedman. And I’ve never played one. The soldano was a bit harder certain phrases i would choose A as the real and others B. It could also be that the Friedman had more time haha. Every video I’ve seen about the quad cortex is a mind fuck it’s sooo close!

[@johnwardle9667]

Great video. Short and simple! So interesting. Now I just want tube amps and a quad cortex. Can you guys lend me some money? "Did the acid just kick in?" 🤣

[@crsantin]

There seemed to be an eq difference on the Friedman amp. Modellers have arrived. I have a Helix rack and an original 5150 block letter. They are very close, so close that the differences don’t matter. If I was more careful with eq they would be virtually identical.

[@alexflouros8587]

It was really close on the Soldano and i really couldn't hear the difference. On the Friedman there was a difference but i was pleasantly fooled because i really thought A sounded best no matter which one it was. So props to the QC for that.

[@DeathMetalDevin]

@sweetwater Can you tell us what the signal chain for the captures were? I don't think I heard that in the video

[@OUT0fEXILE]

That was incredible! I also identified the low mids as being the tell for the QC. Being a bass player, I wonder how that translates to captures of tube bass amps.

[@HeavyInHawaii]

More of this!

[@Martin-kn6vc]

Before the reveal, I had a suspicion that B was the real amp because of that slightly uncontrolled "flubbyness" in the low-mids that you described, which is something I noticed was the case after doing a deep dive into amp sims and real amps recently myself (using the exact same IR and level matching as best as I could). I would actually prefer to use A though, because it sounds more mix-ready to me and takes less setup time and less space overall.

[@JsonMGod]

You guys face expressions are hilarious!

[@exaymssik]

What would be the difference in feel say between a BE-100 and a 4x12 cab in the room vs. the Quad Cortex through a power amp (i.e. seymour duncan powerstage) and a 4x12 cab. (cab sims disengaged). I know this is very subjective. I'm in the process of deciding between 100% digital or a legit amplifier for jamming at home.

[@AndrewStonerock]

unrelated to the video, but is that a grunge pedal on top the slo?

[@BenEller]

YES!

[@AndrewStonerock]

@@BenEller right on. Decent distortion pedal.