Should you buy a Neural Quad Cortex? // The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Guitar Modeler

This is our guide to help you decide which guitar modeling unit you should buy in 2022.
See the full 52 minute guide here: • The Ultimate Guide to ...
In this video we are talking specifically about the Neural DSP Quad Cortex and we'll be uploading videos specific to other modeling platforms very soon.
We break down all the popular units that we have had experience with, giving you each of their strengths and weaknesses.
We also break down which unit might be best suited to you based on what your criteria and desires are.
We have lots more content and presets available for each unit:
Helix: worshiptutorials.com/helix/
HX Stomp: worshiptutorials.com/hx-stomp/
POD Go: worshiptutorials.com/line-6-p...
Axe-FX III: worshiptutorials.com/fractal-...
FM3: worshiptutorials.com/fractal-...
FM9: worshiptutorials.com/fractal-...
Kemper: worshiptutorials.com/kemper-p...
Quad Cortex: neuraldsp.com/cloud/u/Worship...
Table of Contents:
00:00 - Introduction
00:26 - Quad Cortex playing sample
01:11 - Let's talk about the Quad Cortex
01:48 - Pro: Power and flexibility
02:53 - Pro: Capturing amps and pedals (and full models built in the unit)
03:59 - Pro: Size
04:53 - Pro: Touch Screen and UI
05:28 - Pro: Sound quality
06:20 - Cons
09:47 - Outro
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Join our Facebook group for worship leaders and worship team members: / 297108460822183
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Our vision is that every church in the world would experience worship that is both excellent and authentic. We are here to help you make that happen.
CURRENT GEAR (this is the stuff I currently use to create videos)
Cameras:
Blackmagic Pocket 4k Cinema Camera: amzn.to/2OfsvIR
Canon EOS R5: amzn.to/36rvKHo
Canon EOS R: amzn.to/3ctwSxY
Lenses:
For the Blackmagic Pocket 4k:
Panasonic 12-35 f/2.8: amzn.to/2Yao9qZ
Olympus 25mm f/1.8: amzn.to/2OfaYk2
Panasonic Leica 42.5 f/1.2: amzn.to/2tcM1iU
For the EOS R:
Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8: amzn.to/380yPfV
Canon RF 15-35 f/2.8: amzn.to/381j0FO
Canon RF 24-105 f/4: amzn.to/2TjTOGr
Drones:
DJI Mavic Air: amzn.to/2IBuMLw
DJI Phantom 4 Pro: amzn.to/2NkGHht
Lighting:
The Sun :)
Aputure 120d + Light Dome (my main light): www.adorama.com/apulsc120dva....
FotodioX Flapjack lights // amzn.to/2rVPrAd
Acoustic Guitars:
McPherson Carbon Fiber Guitar (Sable): mcphersonguitars.com/carbon-s...
McPherson Camrielle: mcphersonguitars.com
Martin D-35 // amzn.to/2sWkvUV
LR Baggs Anthem Pickup (in both) // amzn.to/2tOenus
In-Ear Monitors:
Alclair: alclair.com/
Capos:
G7th Performance Capos
Cables:
Sinasoid Cables: www.sinasoid.com
Amps/Pedals:
Line 6 Helix // amzn.to/2sU5P8Z
Bass Guitar:
Music Man Sterling S.U.B. Ray4 // amzn.to/2rCNp8r
Recording Interface:
Universal Audio Apollo 8
Microphones:
Shure SM7b (vocals) // amzn.to/2rVGIxP
AKG C214 (vocals and everything else) // amzn.to/2tO5eCr
Software & Virtual Instruments
Recording software: Apple Logic Pro X
Video editing software: Adobe Premiere CC
Video editing - color correction: Davinci Resolve
Omnisphere (Pads, synths, etc) // amzn.to/2sU3ta7
Native Instruments Komplete (strings, pianos, etc) // amzn.to/2sUemJ0
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Web: www.worshiptutorials.com
Facebook: / worshiptutorials
Instagram: / worshiptutorials
Twitter: / wrshptutorials

[@bryanspencer4856]

Thanks for what you guys do for the P&W community!

[@tonepilot]

I have switched over exclusively to the Quad Cortex. Slowly selling all my amps and pedals. Never been happier with my sound.

[@joshyg12]

Excellent video fellas! I’ve never used one but have seen several videos on it. It’s a great piece of gear no doubt maybe one day I’ll own one, but for now, my Kemper gets the job done.

[@HerroYuy246]

Yessssss the one I’ve been waiting for!!

[@ColoradoDreamin]

You guys are awesome. Thx for the vid!!

[@ObtuseRhombus]

The QC is awesome, and I am really enjoying this series! When is the Headrush line going to find a moment on your channel? Many professionals use it, and it's less expensive than every other modeler y'all have reviewed thus far. Keep these videos coming!

[@bmitchellmusic]

We have pretty much no plans to utilize those units. I'd be curious what professionals use it. I have not seen any myself.

[@ObtuseRhombus]

@@bmitchellmusic I appreciate your honesty, and thanks for responding man. I'd be curious to see what y'all actually think of it. As for professionals who use it, Rob Gueringer played 2022 Super Bowl Half-Time Show kzbin.info/www/bejne/barVgXSCpdmCnLc Jason Roller (Alabama, Dolly Parton, Alice Cooper) and Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns) are also users. Blessings guys

[@joemiller9856]

You guys are great! Thanks. I have the headrush gig board and love the touch screen interface. I know HR isn’t as popular as the helix but I wish you would do a video on it.. blessings!

[@guitarnoodles7576]

We ordered one in January and it just came in 3 weeks ago. It’s pretty amazing. I just can’t decide how I like it best. I’ve run different amps and configurations every weekend so far. It does pretty well with effects in front of the amps. Sounds pretty realistic. Also tried it with time based effects after the amps and that’s good too. Option paralysis is real!

[@svenzia]

How do you use your QC? I mean like trough a FRFR or active studio monitors or power-amp and normal cab? I want the true sound of the unit and i only play at home. Thinking of a pair of good active monitors. Maybe Yamaha HS5 or 8.

[@guitarnoodles7576]

@@svenzia for practice I use studio monitors or in ears. On the weekend it’s in ears. I’m not sure there is a “true” sound. Every speaker/monitor is going to color it a little. But…I like the sound out of the monitors. I’ve also tried it straight into some house speakers. Sounded good that way too.

[@teatime6414]

I have HS7s and a Laney FRFR. I think having an FRFR gives a much better in the room type of sound than monitors and if you’re recording it’s great to use as monitoring rather than through the DAW. It just has a lot of uses and I’m glad I got one.

[@Utubewrk123]

@@svenzia use it through your regular guitar cabinet. It sounds great and your return effect loop of your amp.

[@svenzia]

@@teatime6414 Thanks :)

[@shadrackperez7325]

awesome video guys!

[@joshs.164]

In the US, it looks like the FM9 is cheaper than the Neural QC. However, here in Europe, the FM9 is being indicated by the only listed distributor to be about 19% more expensive than the QC. A simple and naive way to compare products is price. One generally expects that when paying more, you expect more. But considering that in the US the FM9 is cheaper, and the other way around in EU, it's not clear which product is expected to deliver more. Of course it's has a lot to do with how each individual intends to use the modeller. @WT, i am curious, based on your use case, if both units were priced the same and you could only get 1 , which would you get. And if u were in EU, where FM9 is listed as being 19% more expensive , does that make choosing the QC over the FM9 the obvious choice for you?

[@shadowm3ld]

Awww man, I’ve been putting the brakes on the QC… until now! Now I’m thinking it’s time to dive in head first! I asked the Sooze if he thought the buttons were too close, and he said it was fine, but I suspected it was a little small. I think that (and availability) are what was holding me back. Now I’m thinking of picking one up in a couple of weeks…

[@shadowm3ld]

@@checkitout611 I picked mine up a couple of weeks after and I’ve been loving the QC. There are a couple of routing issues that could be improved, but overall it’s nice and tidy and truly is “a vulgar display of power”… but interestingly enough I still need and want more. More pedals, more, more!

[@ejw3006]

Considering selling my kemper now, only problem that I see with the QC that is a deal breaker is the market place. I play metal along with P&W so having access to basically any high gain amp I know about is a huge plus, knowing that they’ll also be from professional recording environments. With the QC is sounds like it’s not worth swapping to yet until that area is resolved since I have so many profiles already and don’t have access to the ultra high end of amps to just capture them onto the QC

[@bluzzjazz]

I may pull the trigger one day. For now, it's my board into my 60W SuperSonic. Fortunate to be able to have it offstage mic'd in an IsoCab and DI'd to house. We had a guy fill in for us and he had a Quad, it sounded really good. I just hate scrolling menus!

[@nbteetzel]

By a wide margin the captures have the most amp like tone out of the current modellers. The only one that made me consider leaving the amp at home Sunday morning. Brad & Brian , You guys just don’t want to gush on it and put others down. QC is the way.

[@worshiptutorials]

When we say that captures, Kemper profiles, and Fractal amp modeling is all on par in regards to amp tone, those are out honest and unbiased thoughts after spending many hours on each unit and doing literally hundreds of captures and profiles. QC captures are great and on par with the best tech available right now, but they aren’t better in our experience.

[@bmitchellmusic]

Have you watched this whole series? We have stated that we are striving to be as objective as possible. We are giving cons to every unit. Just cause you like something doesn't mean we need to and vice versa. We are offering what I would say is a professional and highly experienced opinion and striving to help people. Gushing over something doesn't help anyone. Even in the Helix, Kemper and Fractal videos we kept things in check 🤷‍♂️

[@nbteetzel]

Hey Guys , I really love what you do , every single video is informative and helpful, tutorials are top notch ++ I agree all the units are usable and produce a very acceptable end result. I have no personal standing with any of these companies nor do I sell , or will sell products aimed at any of their users. I’ve used a kemper since the first Sweetwater batch around a decade ago!? Hard to believe.. Yes the QC has its quirks , pros and cons as you guys discussed very well in the video. I do stand by my comment , to expand, the QC replicates playing your amp , your tubes, your speaker in a more authentic way than anything else currently out there, they have raised the bar.

[@SunshineHB]

I will agree that the amps in the QC handily beat anything I ever tweaked out of my Helix. It also feels much better to play than both my Kemper and Helix. Just my personal experience as a modeler user since 2013.

[@bernie_smith]

Absolutely love mine, sound, form factor and no PC connection required!!!

[@unlikelyyoutuber6630]

Did you cover the wall wart power adapter? pro or con. I would think about this if you plan to gig with this.

[@Dan-xk3vl]

Played neural DSP Plini live with a computer for 2 years. Neural has theeee best sounding stuff.

[@tel5690]

I own the headrush pedalboard and I was thinking of adding either quad cortex or fractal. But the price of the quad is pretty reasonable and it definitely has some good features.

[@edwinykim]

I prefer not using the desktop editor. I’m on the computer all day, so I like editing straight from the quad cortex. It’s the easiest editing unit due to my experience with the helix and kemper.

[@jadedspace6711]

I want a quad cortex because i play more than just worship. I have a board that’s built for P&W and it’s awesome. But my ACS1 can get the amount of gain that I want when I play metal and want a peavy 5150 or Victory Kracken

[@Ottophil]

I worship satan with my peavey. Its great, tone at 666

[@SunshineHB]

Rabea has a Soldano preset that rips. So much good high gain stuff on there.

[@Olli3_Morris]

You pointed out one of the biggest flaws for the kemper, it was the reason I sold it. Why would they not make it possible to run stereo amps or at least bring out a product with that capability? Literally everything about it is great apart from the ability to run only a single amp.

[@DoctorMcFarlandStudios]

Just sold my Kemper as well. To be fair bough it used and only had it for 2 months.

[@IndyRockStar]

Bought the QC played it for a couple days. Almost immediately sold my Helix. Will never look back.

[@6stringer301]

I have a helix floor and looking at adding a QC. Mind giving reasons for the switch?

[@IndyRockStar]

would you guys be up for trading captures? I have (or have access) to some unique amps and pedals. For example, A Dumble, an original first gen Klon, etc. I have connections in all the major music store chains and some pro musicians that let me capture about anything I want in their inventories.

[@lancemarchetti8673]

Beautiful pedal ! My desired guitar seup: *Asus i7 laptop 16gb ram *Focusrite i2 audio module *Amplitube 4 vst standalone.

[@fireworx_925]

Save up for this or get the UA Dream/Ruby combo + a Line Isolator box?

[@worshiptutorials]

Those are two very different solutions. QC is an all in one unit that can do most everything. UA pedals are essentially an amp, so everything else must be done with other stuff.

[@mauriciocontreras1277]

How do you connect a quad cortex with a helix stomp using a send a return method?

[@devinmansanarez3260]

I kinda sorta wish i had gotten a quad cortex over the axe fx lll purely for ergonomic purposes. The difference in tone quality, to me is negligible.

[@bmitchellmusic]

There's something different about each one but it's a lateral move in my opinion and really is up to user to decipher what flavor they prefer.

[@georgesabitpol]

I have a hotone anpero stomp 2 and a fm3. Honestly, I barely used the fm3 since i have the ampero. My gas is sorted for now...

[@dustinfilson571]

I never cared for modelers until the Quad Cortex landed. I love mine. :-) By far the easiest device to use.

[@joshyg12]

If you never cared for them why now? What made you change your mind?

[@dustinfilson571]

Ease of use. Dialing in a sweet tone on the quad was just as easy as dialing it in on a real amplifier. Nothing against the other options, I just never really cared for how complicated some of them seem to be.

[@brucerawsthorne1338]

Totally agree with you absolutely love mine after going through many others

[@TheStudioRats]

Fellas! You just made me buy a Quad Cortex again!

[@worshiptutorials]

🤘🏻 awesome. QC is so good.

[@johnnymccoy1998]

Sold mine a few weeks back. It’s a great piece of gear, but I don’t miss it…got a UAFX dream 65, and it does everything I need.

[@Utubewrk123]

Can’t agree on that at all. Apples and oranges. Not even close to the quad cortex. Geez

[@johnnymccoy1998]

@@Utubewrk123 how can you disagree about my specific uses for gear…annnnd sale history. 😂😂 Geez

[@Polletross]

Love that rogue territory jacket. I like my gear like my clothes…durable and useable for many many years.

[@bmitchellmusic]

ME TOO. Thanks :)

[@martoneill]

When it comes to sound quality, are the models (as opposed to the captures) on par with Fractal and Kemper also?

[@teatime6414]

It’s hard to know unless you have both or used both (which I’m sure most people haven’t). I think there are good models on the QC for some amps and others not as good but they’re not far behind. Fractal are kind of known to have great models so it might win there. Having said that the new ones which came out with latest update are sick so I’m sure they’ll get better over time anyway on the QC. Captures are definitely the best in the business and the means of getting them is so easy.

[@Utubewrk123]

Yes. The quad sounds and feels like an amp. I was so tired of wasting money on modelers I had passed on it twice when it was only $1400. Ended up grabbing a used one at a reasonable price. It feels and sounds great and easy to use. Re the qc. There are literally none around except 3 in other countries.

[@nowellabuel]

Can you also check the Hotone MP-300 Ampero II Stomp?

[@Adrian-vk1cu]

I second this!

[@svenzia]

@@Adrian-vk1cu I tricond this. Very powerful unit wih a better price than the HX stomp.

[@ValWillKay]

I fourcound this. WT should review cheaper gear too 😅

[@svenzia]

@@ValWillKay lol :)

[@andrehughes1]

Every modeler and profiler have all these effect-soaked patches. You can make a rubber band on a broom sound good with tons of effects. I've bought the Helix and the Headrush and sold both and went back to my tube amps. And since I never learn I'll probably buy the QC too...

[@heartycoffee4754]

kinda late, but yea i’m not into the effects either, mainly a bit of reverb and compression kinda guy. but the fractal and quad cortex both sound and FEEL almost identical to a tube amp to me.

[@larriveeman]

the helix or Kemper or quad cortex, if you have either they will be good enough, we are to be content and not always striving for bigger and better ( I'm totally guilty). Hebrews 13 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

[@ESANANIKONE]

Did you guys compare the sound and feel of the Quad vs the UA Ruby or Dream ?

[@777strat]

I have and loved both the Dream/Ruby, felt it's possibly the best amp modeling currently available. However, I ended up selling both as I prefer my Quad Cortex (QC), plus I captured them in my QC before selling them...both captures are extremely accurate to UAs design;)

[@ESANANIKONE]

@@777strat it means that if I buy a quad, and look for your profiles online I could have the vox sound from the ruby right away ? (I know I could most likely also have a real vox capture too ^^)

[@RexGuitars]

How do the UA Ruby/Dream stack up with the Kemper and the QC?

[@johnnymccoy1998]

I sold my QC and got a dream. Unbiased opinion, they both sound fantastic. If your like me, and just need an amp replacement, UAFX pedal is where you wanna be. If you need a bunch of extra stuff; effects, crazy signal chains, etc, get the QC.

[@bmitchellmusic]

All in the same league.

[@Utubewrk123]

@@bmitchellmusic quad number 1 the others don’t even make my list.

[@jamesryan1939]

The quad cortex is a great piece of gear, but the Helix is one hardware update from completely owning the market. If Line6 releases an updated floor with oled scribble scripts, larger touch screen, and a large step up in DSP power, enough to switch presets without an audio gab and to add poly effects without taking almost a whole path, it will pretty much own the market.

[@garrett2857]

Yeah keep waiting on that bud lmao

[@nealixd.3011]

I'm going for this eventually, when I sell some other gear, mainly to free up my real estate, and keep the Mrs. happy, ha. I listened to an early Kemper amp head, and it didn't sound that great to me, with my decades long, tube-trained ears, even though a GC salesman/friend I trust was totally smitten by it. Also, that Kemper had some weird high end artifacts going on to my ears, that just didn't sound natural. Your experience may differ and be far more positive, and I really can't say I'm an expert on them. Everybody's perceptions differ. Everything about this Neural DSP QC unit seems very promising, you can hear the tube amp responsiveness coming through the videos/demos and the captures are unbelievable. Upon consolidation/streamlining, etc., I plan to buy one of these and I might just capture most of my amps, cabs, and effects and just sell many of them for the KISS principle. Simply retain a few of my cherry tube amps/cabs/effects for back-up and fun, etc. Meanwhile this QC will be going to the gigs and recording studio.

[@nealixd.3011]

Probably will have to get an expression pedal to fully utilize all of its capabilities........

[@leonemesis87]

Yes, I should

[@user-zv7lm8uk7h]

You guys are great, but the comment about HOW they model vs fractal is incorrect. Fractal is the one who BUILT EVERY component of the amp, and then it interacts. Look up the interview with cliff chase. Its line 6 and QC that "take a snapshot' and it comes down to how the values in the mathematical algorithms work. That is one reason why Fractal is better, amoung others, but look up the intervie wbecause cliff explains it more than I can.

[@MATTHEWJOHNBELL]

Have you all tried to profile the UA amp pedals?

[@bmitchellmusic]

Hasn't even crossed our minds. We have actual amps we can profile and capture ha

[@MATTHEWJOHNBELL]

@@bmitchellmusic good point. 🤣

[@777strat]

I’ve ‘captured’ both the Dream/Ruby pedals...both captures are extremely accurate to UAs modeling and sound fantastic in the Quad Cortex;)

[@MATTHEWJOHNBELL]

@@777strat this is the way.

[@protoolsfanatic7276]

Neural Quad is too small. i have big feet so found that the headrush pedalboard was much bigger and buttons are spaced apart further than the neural quad and others similar. they all sound great now days. the only one i stay away from is anything made from line 6.

[@worshiptutorials]

If you haven’t tried Helix (or HX Stomp), you might be surprised. In our opinion it can hang with everything else.

[@Niksounds]

Or midi controller

[@jamesnorton7601]

The Pod Go is excellent.

[@gentlewolf1279]

Yes

[@frankpaws]

App is out!

[@BigRalphN]

I wear size 12 and have never hit the wrong button but I never wear boots. I can see with boots.

[@diecinuevemx]

Actually Mooer has been doing the captures for a while with their Tone Capture feature in products like the Mooer preamp live, the Mooer GE Labs app, the Mooer GE250, GE300 and GE300lite. It'll be actually pretty cool if you guys could give it a try to cheaper modelers too.

[@ckhanpe]

i think they wont🙂..they have not tried headrush also

[@diecinuevemx]

@@ckhanpe I believe they are familiar with the Eleven rack which is also from headrush but you're right, they haven't gone into headrush territory yet, that'll be also a good one!

[@joemiller9856]

I agree..I moved from the fractal ax-8 to headrush and I am very happy with it.

[@robertbenson4612]

Once Neural adds an editor and a marketplace I feel like they will be very close to on par with the rest of the modeler world. The only thing I have found frustrating is the lack of good amps and drive pedals. Sometimes I want to throw a model into a preset and set it up the way I want instead of searching around the app for a capture that does what I want.

[@svenzia]

It feels like they released this amazing unit a little early.

[@nicolasrivera5310]

HeadRush did the first touchscreen and the UI is better.

[@tonepilot]

Coming from the Fractal world, the Quad Cortex’s touchscreen completey eliminates the need for an editor in my opinion.

[@volv]

Depends on your uses. If you keep it on the floor (as intended) you would have to get down every time you want to change something on the preset/profile unless it's something simple. For someone in a studio an editor is a must. It's just so much more convenient. For live use sure, maybe not needed.

[@TheDarckerts]

Im in south america how can i buy a QC 🤔

[@OFFSTALLICA]

Toca viajar, papá 🤣🤣

[@TheDarckerts]

@@OFFSTALLICA Si me di cuenta jajajajaja

[@rowanwhile]

You guys are amazing and I absolutely love your videos and above all - your QC tones.. Only 1 minor criticism... maybe take it in turns to speak and not keep cutting each other up? :)

[@reynadavila4502]

Hi

[@kevinwatts701]

Mooer be 300 captures drive pedals

[@Allann882]

Buy pedals + Morningstar 8 stomp + ML10X + TwoNotes Cab M... Done

[@bmitchellmusic]

I would that's just the beginning. Lots of programming and dialing in ahead once you get those haha

[@brewweasel]

kinda bummed on the content here.. you went in to way more detail with kemper and Helix capabilities, and it seems like you barely brushed the surface on this one, which I was most excited about.

[@worshiptutorials]

I'm not really sure what you mean - this video is actually about 2 minutes longer than the Kemper one we did. Is there anything you'd like to know about QC that we didn't cover either here or in our review video or the other content we've made on it?

[@brewweasel]

@@worshiptutorials IIRC, You had gone to some nifty details with the Fractal stuff about how many different effects you could run through its chain, given its processor capability. What I came away with here, is this thing has lots of processor capability, has great delay and reverb effects (now that they fixed some bug), and can model OD pedals well. Just thought all the things you pointed out about the Fractal Audio devices was a lot more in depth. All good.

[@joemiller9856]

You “think headrush does a touch screen” .. ? Come on guys. Of course it does. Probably the best for that.

[@EJH-jn6mo]

I’ve had the QC. AxeFX is the way to go.

[@Utubewrk123]

Have the QC. The QC is the way to go. Kemper and helix going up for sale locally.

[@Utubewrk123]

If the quad cortex is so mediocre why is it the first time I’ve ever seen reverb has zero to sell in this country. They sell out like hotcakes. There are 3 in other countries and none to be had in any stores that carry them.

[@worshiptutorials]

Who said it is mediocre?

[@TheJoecoool]

i think the Fractal AXE FX way better sound quality

[@qualaup]

Compare the Kemper wich was developed a decennia ago with the Quad Cortex? How stupid is that.

[@worshiptutorials]

These are the current modeling/profiling products on the market. They compete with one another (and they are at about the same level in regards to amp tone). I wouldn’t say it’s stupid to help people try to decide which product to buy between two options that are available for sale at the same time.

[@nekkon1989]

The best modeller is the one you can afford. That being said, the QC is not one of them 😅

[@bmitchellmusic]

this comment does not make a lot of sense 😂

[@rgarcia4412]

@@bmitchellmusic it doesn't make sense at all 😂