I Gigged the Quad Cortex - Here's my Verdict!

[@bertilolsson5203]

Great video as usual! Just a note on the volume knob, you can lock it and the touchscreen by pressing the power button and then "lock screen and volume" :)

[@NicoSchliemann]

This;)

[@trickfall8752]

What's the deal with modelers coming with less than ideal power supplies? I don't know about the Quad Cortex, but I use an Eventide (Cioks) and a custom cable with my HX Stomp. The supply that comes with the Stomp is probably my least favorite one I've ever used.

[@vikramsinghrana]

Yesterday, I made a setlist named "Johnathan Cordy" on my QC. I have a feeling your presets is all I will need to rely on for beautiful tones covering the best aspects of this modeller. Hope and pray that I see your presets on future iterations of Neural DSP plugins as well. They really should get you aboard. Big Fan !! Obvio !!

[@markchristianson31]

that's a great idea. We need to let NDSP know to bring him onboard, I think he mentioned that in a previous video.

[@dscataglini]

There is a local guitar player in Connecticut that has had a consistently amazing sound for the past 10 years or so. I think the secret to his tone is his signal chain. Modeler of choice to a VHT 2/90 tube power amp to 2 compact Mesaboogie cabinets. (they might be 1x10 each but probably the old 1x12 which were smaller than the current ones) So he's got plenty of even volume on stage, and sends a little direct sound to the mixer as well. His sound is glorious. WRT modelers he generally stayed with line 6. Recently (maybe 3 years ago) upgraded to helix from a pod hd300. The main difference on his tone, to my ears, has been the reverbs. Everything seems to have a little bit more air and sparkle. I agree the FRFR can be harsh with the tweeter on transients, especially when you get a powerful one. Mine is a 2kwatts. Love the cleans but I definitely put a heavy high cut on it to avoid my ears from bleeding on spanky sounds ;)

[@ianwhitehead5673]

Assigning the top right rotary to an output to quickly fine tune volume of scenes when playing live would be great.

[@diegopires85]

I agree the best thing about the QC is the size. Sounds great and feels great too

[@zacharyoliver1325]

As always, I'm appreciating the journey. Thank you!

[@isaacwilliams153]

I just wanna say I looked you up on the Neural app to follow you and instantly knew the meme was you before reading the name! Hahaha! Love your sense of humor man!

[@tonygfromphilly4931]

Love the “Somebody Else’s Guy” jam!

[@dougstapp]

I picked up a Sweet Foot Pedals Big Schwartz to power my QC and have had zero problems. Affordable also.

[@Takis_Playloud]

any idea how to find these in Europe? I live in Greece

[@kasinotye]

Still waiting on some gig footage! Please post some! Love to hear/see you on a jazz gig!

[@johnnathancordy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWjYp2SCj56qfqs there's a few bits and pieces on the channel!

[@fishy4071]

Exquisite playing !

[@flamen89]

Amazing intro jam as always .

[@MoviesAndMoreShorts]

I've gigged the QC twice now. The first one was also at a sandy barn type a place after some heavy rain, so that was quite painful. Soundwise I love it and i'm stil just scratching the surface of whats possible. The neural captures of my strymon iridium actually sounded better than original! I did have some issues with volume differences between verse/chorus/solo parts. Cause ive created most of the presets using in-ears. I might try running my presets through ableton to meassure the loudness en calibrate it a bit more...

[@dougretrodaze7963]

I am also using in ear monitors with the QC. I plug my IEM's into the headphone jack and then bring in the rest of the band monitor mix into the Return 1 & 2 jacks. I can then mix my guitar levels with the rest of the band. It's nice and clean, and all done in the QC. I don't hear many folks talking about how to use IEM's with the QC. Anyway, that's what I'm doing. It works great. Straight out to front of house.

[@jhnoliver]

Great video John! I gigged with it for the first time last night. And same concerns I wish we can switch easier between scenes and stomps!

[@christopherjbutler]

Great video, and the gig-tested tone you are playing in your intro sounds the best yet of the QC tones I have heard from you, it sits really really well in the mix. Bears repeating, beautiful playing in your intro, as usual. Just can't seem to become jaded enough to have it be commonplace, even if I hear your improvs twice each morning. Cheers mate!

[@MattFicarra]

The backing track is great! ...and as usually the improvising was excellent as well

[@plee822]

Great video! Thanks for giving real world experience with the QC! I’m currently using the QC as the main hub for my rig, but have in the stereo effect loops the hologram microcosm, DD500 (my favorite delay) and a reverb since I'm so used to them over the years (and a Morningstar midi controller to control everything). But hearing your gigging experience with just the QC is inspiring me to once again just take the QC out for my next gig. 😊

[@johnnathancordy]

What are you powering that stuff with?

[@plee822]

Yeah, I was hit with a similar issue that you did, either use a cioks7 or the standard power supply. I stuck with the standard power adapter for the QC and a strymon Ojai for my external pedal board. I was initially going to put it all on 1 board with a streamlined power solution, but I felt having a modular approach gave me more flexibility since I have a lot of different use cases. Half the time, I have the QC on my desk as an interface since I’m either doing tracking or doing zoom lessons (have my guitar and mic processed through the QC, straight into my mac). For acoustic gigs, I take my small acoustic board (an IR pedal and a pedal for acoustic saturation) and the QC. And some gigs I just take the QC as a standalone. So though the power issue is more complicated, I get more varied uses out of my gear.

[@DavidEidelberg]

Yes, assigning that top right button to switch between scenes and stomps would be ideal!!

[@rybol71]

Nice as always. Try Laney lfr 112 or 212 speaker, it's frfr but you can adjust tweeter with pot on back. Sounds incredible good with any modeller I have tried. No fizzy tweeter sounds at all.

[@michaelsarahmilazzo1503]

Agreed. I use a Laney LFR212 with a QC for gigging... works beautifully.

[@oberonmusic6955]

Cioks DC7 plus the new Cioks Crux add on. Allows you to pass through the power to the crux using the through output, meaning all your dc7 pedal power outputs are still free!

[@deans.4705]

Thanks for the video John. As a former owner I had too many concerns so I jumped ship. 2 years later, no answer to the power supply issue. They still dont have the featureset that it was advertised to have on release. Through the shortage, they started using different substitute parts which presents way too many problems in itself with regards to the functionality of one unit to another. Castro was quoted about how difficult it's been and if he had to do it again, he's not sure he would. All if this left me worried about commitment, longevity, and if the product would ever be complete. Perhaps I'll revisit again on hardware version 2 if Neural is still producing them.

[@IvanBassist]

Been using mine for bass. It's worked great during my summer festival gigs

[@tonepilot]

I put a label on the QC for 75% volume and stuck an arrow on the volume knob's index as that line is really hard to see. To switch between modes, I just use an MC-6 to send MIDI commands to the QC. I power the MC-6 via USB as my power bar has a few USB outlets. As for the power supply for the QC, I bought a grounded one from Amazon that I just velcro'd to the bottom of my small pedalboard. I carry the original one with me just in case. Some people using a CIOKS to power their QC's have experienced failures with the QC. Not sure there's any correlation but there is a common thread running through the forums.

[@dreamscuba]

Great video and good to know that this now cuts the grade. Hopefully NeuralDSP is listening to the feedback and incorporating this into the product roadmap.

[@scorpionleader1967]

The size is why I like this over any others. Do they update, or promise?

[@sneaky_general]

Cioks DC7 is great! I’m using it on a Metro 16. I am also using Headrush 112 and I might agree with you on the sound. Hoping to switch to a cab/power amp at some point

[@andiciao]

I also own a quad cortex and am very happy, my quad cortex setup, 2 x amp orange pedal baby, 2x orange cabinet PPC212 modified with 1 celestion vintage 30 speaker and a F12M150 speaker, the quad cortex on an orchestra stand controlled by midi pedal Airsteap xsonic Midi wi-fi Bundle, 10 switches

[@GrantGarland]

Love the QC and love your channel! I’ve also been gigging with it and the Henriksen Bud. If I’m just going direct, I have a Strandberg Sälen, QC, and a mini expression pedal. It all fits in a headless gigbag. Smallest rig I’ve ever used and sounds great.

[@johnnathancordy]

Another Bud user!!! Hey bud!

[@GrantGarland]

@@johnnathancordy Seriously one of my favorite amps.

[@777strat]

Another excellent video, sounds great John! I gig with my QC in a small vintage suitcase mounted to a small board with a Mini Boss exp/vol pedal. I’m able to toggle the Boss pedal between both volume and expression by assigning a footswitch on the QC to multi-function…very convenient and powered by a Cioks DC-7. Nice vintage vibe looks with great tonal flexibility;)

[@truthfactreality6814]

The best modeller/capture unit there is. Best sounds and size with best user interface

[@diegopires85]

About the volume, you can lock it on the display menu.

[@Modelguits]

I love my QC that’s a great idea re the top button just for stomp/scene switching. Without a scene change recall/discard option , scenes are very problematic. I miss Helix workflow…genius

[@fishy4071]

Power supplies . . . HX Stomp takes about 900mA so can be powered by two 9 volt outputs on something like Strymon Zuma. Quad Cortex runs at 12 volts and is rated at 18 watts so would need minimum of 1.5 amps. (Spare PSU is £25 to £29 quid)

[@NessMeister]

"you don't wanna be bashing your feet over it all the time''....I have a kemper powerrack with the Kemper Remote. That's ideal, as the remote took it's fair share of dirt/mud and even beer, and it's still going strong! I wouldn't be in a hurry to put that QC in front on me on stage honestly. I assume you would be able to remote control the QC with another (cheaper) midi pedal, and leave the QC safely on the side of the stage or in a rack somewhere?

[@JoeyNoble]

if you push the preset down switch & tap tempo/tuner switch at the same time you can switch from preset, scene, and stomp like you were mentioning at 6:00

[@johnnathancordy]

Yeh - but it's a bit trickier I find switching with two switches at a time in that kind of way? And if you miss one you kick into a different preset?

[@trevorjohnson8142]

Really love your channel, and a special thank you for continuing to periodically feature the Quad Cortex; you're so well versed in all aspects of the modelling world, it really helps me have perspective on what's achievable and what my expectations should be. Just started gigging with my QC; got 2 shows in: one outdoor venue and one bar gig. I forgot to little feet on and I've been dealing with the QC-slide; I like your idea of the car mat (I was thinking of using that stuff they put under rugs). Spent my first week setting up a quality preset and didn't really practice stomping it, so the first show I had a couple mis-presses, second show was perfect. Our bass player has a terrible rig, so I simultaneously run bass as well. I run scene mode and have it setup so there's no alteration to any of the bass settings and it's perfect. The only downside I've run into is that we change guitars for half-step down sections of our set, and if I don't have his outputs routed to the tuner, it won't mute him, but then I can't tune my guitar in the middle of a song if I notice something is out. So I have to remember to change the outputs of the tuner; no logical way around that, but thought it might help someone conceptualize how to run their own stuff. It sounds great, and has been wonderful so far for all but eliminating stage volume so our sound guy can do a great job (I suppose any modeler could accomplish most of these feats). I love the interface. I wish we had the plug-in integration and a market-place for presets and captures (this would significantly increase the value of the unit), but it looks like the CorOS 2.0 patch is going to fix most of my other issues like global EQ, and organization issues.

[@frans688]

To me it has many vulnerable spots (physically)and my budget is not unlimited. I am fortunate to listen and decide that this unit is not mature yet (software and hardware) so let's see.

[@UlmusMinor]

Great video dude. Completely agree about having the option to use that button just to flick to stomp mode! That would be great. There is a discord server you can make suggestions on. I gig my quad cortex every week, love it, we captured our band mates Mesa Triple crown and it sounds perfect. I use the cioks DC7, you just need three power coupler things so you can come out of 4 of the power outputs on the cioks, I power my line 6 relay and my cry baby with it too, all mounted to a pedaltrain classic jr.

[@andrewrodham4947]

CIOKS DC7 powers my QC though it needs a lot of juice (3A @ 12V) so you have to combine 6 of the outputs which are rated at 500mA @ 12V. You can daisychain DC4s or DC8s onto it though if you're running more pedals alongside the QC.

[@knowgnod]

John you gotta try out the UA Dream 65 pedal

[@jabez1409]

How are you connecting to the Front of House? Direct with DI/output of QC?

[@vaughnwebbermusic]

So groovy, had me dancing

[@DavidEidelberg]

Firmware 2.0 will let us assign the volume knob to specific outputs. Finally. ;-) One thing I find necessary when using an onstage monitor of any kind.

[@Snoopdave2000]

Shields are on ebay for it

[@bighornaudioproductions6104]

If you can change the function of the button to tap can you make the turn dial on the same button do something else like chance scenes ?

[@floridafunandmore]

I have been a Kemper user since it came out and just stated using a QC and so far it's ok but I still think the Kemper is better for live situations. The QC sounds great but Im not sold on it being a great live unit.

[@igorzavalnyi5341]

why? genuinely interested

[@alguitarchristie]

One of my pet peeves is power supplies that they give you sometimes with gear, they are so flimsy!!! They give you a massive power supply with really thin cables,that you know won't last!!

[@cooperwaugh7834]

A video on your henriksen bud setup would be cool matey.

[@nigelvonshredman]

@John Nathan Cordy, I’m currently gigging with an HX stomp direct to the desk with IEM’s. I have a preset per song. Does the Quad Cortex offer anything new for me do you think?

[@druewilliams1820]

Do you use things like Amplitube 5 much? Still saving for the cortex or helix, i wonder if there are others in the same boat? Just a suggestion as im still only good enough to my fingers around some of your ideAs anyway. Thanks for the videos i carnt stop watching!!

[@DannyNagymusic]

Tim Miller is great. I studied with him. His 2-1-2 patterns are killer

[@bernie_smith]

Until I mounted my QC on a Temple Audio pedalboard with a CIOKS DC7 I used a car mat too!!! Ha ha!!

[@geducam]

Cool groove .. congrats on making quad cortex work.. not that easy I think

[@AnthonyChhan]

Can you review the Boss me-80 also?

[@mzxc]

What's the song that you play in the intro? Kinda reminds me of something of the Vice City soundtrack.

[@paulomiguel_]

Can you use it without an amp? Just plug it into a PA or speaker?

[@pranavphx]

How do you deal with the ground noise that you get with QC?

[@DannyNagymusic]

When you use it live , do you use an active speaker or just hook it up to the main PA?

[@Brixiomendoza]

john the quad cortex dont have acustic sim?

[@truthfactreality6814]

You can lock the knob and screen easily

[@GuitarTeleMan]

How do I get that creamy, smooth lead tone you have. It is the sound I've been searching for. Thanks.

[@johnnathancordy]

I actually broke this preset down yesterday kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZ_UoWypiZmXnsk

[@marceli155]

what bank have you robbed ??

[@MattBlackParis]

Did you really played "Somebody else guy" at your gig?

[@nekkon1989]

You need a Swiffer duster to dust the Quad Cortex, not a paintbrush. It helps with better tone I've heard, too

[@philjones8693]

😂Nah, tonebrush with sable hair to emphasize the mids

[@paulmyfinger]

I thought a swiffer was a mod effect 😁

[@billylindsay5712]

The QC is all I use for live gigs now, more than capable. I have used a Helix floor and Rack live also, and I have used a Triaxis in combination with a Preamp switcher into a poweramp and cab sim (Torpedo Cab). I also have an HX stomp. The QC is the best in my opinion. Effects have room for improvement and I am sure they will.

[@markknecht9416]

Great video. As for the moving volume knob a little bit of blue painter's tape over the top edge should hold it steady and be obvious if it gets moved. Blue painter's tape won't leave any gunk on the unit when you remove it. Being that you're taking a paint brush it all makes sense. ;-)

[@johnnathancordy]

I *think* they're talking about making it possible to unassign that volume knob in future...I think. Could be misremembering

[@Fama0]

@@johnnathancordy That should be coming in the next (2.0.0) update (they have a couple of development updates with sneak peeks about the update). You can also currently lock the master volume already (press the power button and it's the option up top), but it also locks the touch screen, so that might be a dealbreaker for some.

[@JoLeFo]

I've gigged with the Quad Cortex all through this summer, and i totally agree on the tap tempo / menu stuff you mentioned. Maby just a notification styled indication in the lower right corner would do - or the ability to just turn off the tap tempo screen. I really do not need to know this info during a live gig anyway - the blinking led indicator next by the switch is enough really. One thing i've been REALLY missing for live gigging though, is the ability to adress the volume knob to whatever output you want. For most live gigs, the XLR is being sent to the FHO and all the gain settings are being mixed with the rest of the band somehow for the PA. Still there would be quite essensial to be able to adjust the guitar monitor volume with the volume knob. On the Helix you can chose the XLR signal level to be fixed, and the 1/4" jack outs can be adressed through the main volume knob. This is super handy for adjusting your guitar monitors through out the gig without messing up the gain on the FOH / IEMs. I hope this is just a software update away, and that Neural will give us this update in the very near future. J

[@ShawnLightfootMusic]

I just recently received my QC and did the first gig with it. The sounds are of course phenomenal and it has certainly downsized my gigging rig. The biggest challenge for me in a gig situation was having the buttons so close together . I added the switch button toppers, but I still had to be SUPER careful that I was stepping on exactly the right button. I stepped on the wrong button a couple of times during the gig because I just missed the one I was aiming for. Also being the singer, I found it tricky in the heat of a performance to be so exact in my foot placement during a song. Especially if needed to to hit one of the middle buttons when there is a higher risk of accidentally hitting it's neighbouring button. It's a double edge sword though because the compact size is really nice and spacing the buttons apart would make for a much bigger unit. I velcro'd mine to my Pedaltrain pedal board along with two expression pedals (one set up for volume, the other set up for wah) along with my Shure wireless receiver. The power supply isn't ideal, but no biggy. I just velcro'd a power bar under the pedal board and then have power for my QC and wireless receiver. Works great and neatly tucked away under the board. I don't really get hung up on stuff like that. Once it's set up, it's good to go for the show. For my typical gig, I run 10 different presets each of which have anywhere from 1-8 scenes within them to cover the sonic territory I need. It definitely allows me to get much closer and consistent in the sounds I need for a song vs my old rig where I was constrained to my amp and whatever I could get out of my individual pedal combinations.

[@david71991]

This or the FM9? What sounds better?

[@kyran4238]

JNC has said many times, they all sound good.

[@david71991]

@@kyran4238 I get that and I agree. You can’t go wrong with any. However, there’s always going to be one you personally think sounds better.

[@kyran4238]

@@david71991 not really man, every one of them has dozens of amps, drives, delays, modulations, cabs, mics… If they all produced a single sound then yes, one might subjectively sound better. But when they have so many possibilities then it is more likely that they will excel at different things.

[@trentaman4524]

They both sound tremendous. However, the QC has that feel factor for me, it feels and responds authentically like a real tube amp compared to helix/fractal. My 2 cents! Cheers

[@david71991]

@@trentaman4524 since asking this I’ve had the chance to spend a lot of time with both and the FM9 is miles ahead.

[@Herfinnur]

A regular paintbrush is much to coarse for such a stunning piece of art that is sure to preciate further with time. May I suggest Sir use a Winsor & Newton Series 7 Kolinsky Sable Watercolor Brush next time around?

[@fearofthedark747]

You can lock the touch screen and volume knob by pressing the power button. It then gives an option to do so. If you need to make an adjustment, then hold the power button until it is unlocked.

[@Truth1nNature]

I think that if there was ever a way I truly wished I could play guitar. It’s to play like you. Wondering where you learned your style from, scales or influences. I wish there were songs I could just listen to and learn and eventually pick it up like you do.

[@jordanlatham3704]

is bro wearing a Tee shirt underneath his tee shirt

[@stephenn.larcovic2130]

Your playing is exceptional, your tone is always "sweet," but some of these reviews are redundant. Do you need to post 2, 3, 4 or more new videos each day (maybe that's a slight exaggeration). This makes things more confusing, as one day you hate the QC, next day you like it . . . but??? I would buy a QC just to get your "tones." But I do not need 5 "meyon" presets! Be committal , either recommend it or diss it, period!!!

[@bryantwalley]

Put the smaller tshirt on first, then the larger tshirt.

[@johnnathancordy]

Nah because the one underneath needs washing

[@bryantwalley]

@@johnnathancordy 😂

[@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender]

There's 3 things I don't like about it, one it's too expensive for what it is, 2 you can't buy it new anywhere, 3 you can buy it used at double price

[@MOAB-UT]

Power supply is less than ideal. Just grab an FM9 get better tone and less issues. It's about a decade ahead in development since it borrows from the AxeFX

[@mixodorians12]

So you have basically every decent modeller on earth, you cannot settle on one because you have a KZbin channel..and "content" to create...and so we all have to stay on this everlasting journey with you? It is exhausting. For god sakes..just pick one and call it a day, and we will see you in six years. There is a massive cost of living crisis, people are struggling, your gear fettishisation and Gear Aquisition Syndrome is so six months ago.

[@michaelvarney.]

Your jealous whinge is noted, with amusement. 👍🏻

[@johnnathancordy]

Yes Stuee - other notable comments that you've left in the past include that you can't "remember" the 100% improvised stuff that I've played in my introductions as well as you can remember Joe Satriani songs and Steve Vai songs from 3 decades ago. You don't have to watch - this is literally not compulsory viewing. But there are folks who use Line 6 stuff, there are folks who use Quad Cortex (and not many of them make videos at the moment) and there are folks who use Fractal. I know you're not thinking about this channel all the time, but most folks will notice that more often than not I'm using a Line 6 unit. I get asked to check out the other stuff. Equally I'm sure you've noticed the videos that I've done talking about GAS and how realistically any modeler can do the job...

[@tonepilot]

Why don’t you spend your time volunteering for those issues you mention instead of watching gear videos? Ah yes, raging at the internet is easy. Working is hard.

[@stevefearon9337]

I think This channel advocates minimalism in gear acquisition.. stay tuned.. don’t comment! I learned the hard way too

[@chrisjs6123]

What silliness. John’s content is great and probably the only honest reviews of this gear out there. He constantly points out that all modellers will get the job done and advocates the HX which is cheapest of all of them. I’ve never found that fetishising gear gets in the way of my playing. I’d give all of it for some real chops though. Can I suggest that if you’re worried about the cost of living go join a political party or find some other way to lobby for change rather than having a go at a guitarist on KZbin.