Thoughts After Owning the QUAD CORTEX for 6 Months

I've had this pedal for 6 months and used it in many different scenarios. Here's my thoughts and opinions.
Quad Cortex effects vs. Strymon dedicated effects videos;
Timeline (delay) • The Quad Cortex is gre...
Flint (reverb and tremolo) • Strymon Flint (MK1) VS...
Time stamps;
00:17 Strength 1
00:58 Strength 2
03:08 Strength 3
04:46 Strength 4
06:09 Weakness 1
07:44 Weakness 2
08:20 Weakness 3
09:27 Weakness 3.1
09:45 Closing thoughts
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Follow my band at;
/ thefungusofficial
/ thefungusofficial
open.spotify.com/artist/3ESi5... -
Have a question, or want a lesson? Reach out at;
www.jakebrysha.com

[@FastRedPonyCar]

So I've owned all the popular modelers and gigged extensively with them. I had the kemper since 2012, gigged all last year with an axefx 3 mk2, gigged about 6 months with the Helix LT and gigged for a month with the quad cortex before giving it back to our singer, who still uses it. They all have their strengths and weaknesses but ultimately, I've gone back to just using my Soldano or Silver Jubilee on stage with a Captor X load box and a Line6 stomp HX in the fx loop. It's simple, sounds awesome, easy setup and with a QSC FRFR behind me connected to the Captor, it sounds and feels legit but I use IEM's so as long as sound is coming from the stage for the crowd in between the PA speakers, I'm not going to be picky. I really want to like the QC and part of me does but it very much feels like back when I first had the Kemper and it was a very bare bones unit that had tons of potential that wasn't realized yet. The QC has tons of power and great routing capabilities but it absolutely needs PC/Mac software to edit at home. It took Kemper AGES for this to arrive but once it did, it made messing around at home a thousand times easier. The other big thing I really want to see is the ability to buy/load the Archetype plugins into the unit. This should have been a capability on day 1 and would have made it an instant buy as I think the Archtype plugins sound better than anything I could squeeze out of the unit itself. I'd pay full price for them.. just let me load them into the QC. Finally, profile sharing is awful with the QC. I made some decent friedman patches and wanted to quickly export the patch file to my computer and email to our bass player (who also uses a QC) and there just wasn't an easy way to do it. All the other modelers have fast and easy export/backup options. I think if I had no gear and needed one modeler to gig with, I'd probably go with the Fractal FM9 or FM3 with an Otter design Quad+ 4 button external switch. The Fractal may not have the profiling capabilities but it addresses all of my issues with the kemper, QC and Helix and is a complete package with no compromises and I felt like had better sound/feel amp models and cab/speaker/mic sim capabilities. I only use pretty basic reverb/delay/chorus but the effects on the Fractal are world class and better than anything else I've heard. The FM3 also comes in at half the cost of the QC and if all you need is a killer guitar sound and a mic processing chain, the FM3 can easily do that. Only reason I sold my AxeFX was because I really only used one amp sound and a couple basic effects and ran my mic through it for some vocal reverb and compression. It felt like driving a Ferrari in 1st gear given how much more I could do with the unit and having over $3000 tied up into such a powerful rig and only using a fraction of that didn't make any sense. The main gripe with the AxeFX though is that the user interface is ATROCIOUS to use on stage. That's where the kemper is great and the Helix is also excellent. I still have the Helix LT as a backup amp in the band trailer with some Ownhammer IR's and IMO, if I had to gig with it, I wouldn't really feel like I was downgrading too much on the tone. Like you said, I would notice the difference but as long as I'm hitting most of the right notes, the crowd won't care.

[@MOAB-UT]

What he just said! Spot on.

[@joejohnson8966]

Outstanding comment. Thank you for sharing.

[@MOAB-UT]

@@joejohnson8966 Indeed.

[@kiwiramjet5625]

Fully agree with all of this, and I love my QC. But then it took me months to watch endless videos and take the time to be sure of my purchase. And after all that I knew it is far from perfect and has certain deficiencies and subjective shortcomings, however all the things it does well and the joy of using the IU in particular make it, for me, really inspiring to use and I simply want to play my guitar more.

[@toddcollins6746]

Nice video. I’m very interested in this for home recording and as soon as they release a computer editor I’m all over it, but that is a must have!

[@CitAllHearItAll]

It’s out. Price is reduced to pre pandemic price. Time to order.

[@jayloyrecords]

I got the SKB case for the NQC. It was about $50 more than the official (soft case) but it is a hard case and is not just road worthy but it is also flight worthy

[@surfrby8876]

I haven’t bought one because I always for version 2 , and because Fractal FM9 is out , and I’m indecisive , have you used the FM9 ?

[@truthfactreality6814]

I use mine with a bluguitar amp 1 iridium and a captor x. It sounds immense and I can use an amp. All in one pedalboard

[@Ast3rixMusic]

I agree I am starting to feel like I need to sell all my other gear the more I use it. I have a few pedals that I am no longer using because of it.

[@christopher.hallissy]

Great video, and I agree with your thoughts 100%. I have owned the Helix Floor, HX Stomp and Boss GT 1000 Core. The QC bests them all, regardless of some of it's shortcomings. I also picked up the official case for the unit, but have yet to use it, so we shall see how mine holds up. In any case, I am very satisfied with my QC, and honestly the only time I "regret" it is when I pay too much attention to the Discord channel or TGP where people are constantly wanking about 2.0 delays.

[@paulmyfinger]

Hi mate, I have a helix floor and I want to change to the qc. Would you recommend it? I think I'm just bored

[@christopher.hallissy]

@@paulmyfinger oddly enough, I returned my QC after ~a month of use. The unit itself sounds great but the company who made it (NDSP) is peculiar and I couldn’t get on with their communication (or lack thereof) strategy. Helix or Fractal offer products that are much more polished and their companies actually communicate with customers. I’d steer clear, and I would especially steer clear until at least the latest firmware is released (which is currently behind timeline by about 3 months). YMMV.

[@Utubesup7890]

@@christopher.hallissy i’ve had the opposite interaction with the company. I thought they were great they took care of my problem right away and it’s such a great product I bought two.

[@christopher.hallissy]

@@Utubesup7890 that’s great! Enjoy the QC!

[@Utubesup7890]

@@christopher.hallissy I will!!!

[@stinger720]

Can your next videos go thru any midi devices? I'm not an expert so I'm still trying to get the expression to work thru midi on the fcb1010. I still haven't figured that one out.

[@checkitout611]

Hey Bones .... have you tried installing an UnO EPROM / Firmware? That may just solve your problem as it makes the FCB1010 far more user friendly than what Behringer uses for their firmware. I believe it is still available for purchase and is easy to install. The other thing to check out (added cost) is TinyBox midi controller. It basically turns the FCB101 into an extremely capable controller that can do pretty much anything you would like it too. There will be some learning to do but from what I understand it's excellent and connects to the FCB and then you use software on your computer to set it all up to what you want. Also look up "Behringer FCB1010 MIDI Controller & Neural DSP Quad Cortex" here on KZbin. That is the video I watched to help me set it up for the QC. Also look up "MIDI | Quad Cortex Video Manual" from Neural DSP. Also: Quad Cortex has reserved specific MIDI CC messages for global functions and here is the info for the expression pedals: CC# 1 Value 0-127 Expression pedal 1 and CC# 2 Value 0-127 Expression pedal 2. Hope this helps you out!

[@stinger720]

@@checkitout611 I'll do it now. Never heard of it

[@stinger720]

@@checkitout611 best reply I ever had

[@checkitout611]

@@stinger720 For sure check out that KZbin video as you might not need to buy anything. Behringer FCB1010 MIDI Controller & Neural DSP Quad Cortex There is a link on that video that lists all the midi information you will need for the Quad Cortex. Again good luck!

[@WernerNoethe]

My handle broke at the exact place. I got a free replacement immediately via my reseller.

[@oldmanzen6682]

I adore my Helix... to the point where I'm considering a Stomp for another pedalboard so I can share the presets and IRs. I'd love a Quad Cortex, but it is a fairly hefty investment into a company that's not yet proven they have the same dedication to maintaining and growing the community (such as with a shop). Maybe once v2 comes out, I'll reconsider, as I really would love to play around with one.

[@Tanax13]

I am thinking the same. The only problem is that considering the amount of DSP this has, they have no reason to release a v2 for a few years probably. They could of course still release an updated version with other hardware changes but it feels like it's less likely?

[@Utubesup7890]

The QC is way better than the Kemper and helix in feel, sound, ui. It’s a simple unit to use. End of the story.

[@oldmanzen6682]

@@Utubesup7890 Oh honey. Writing "end of the story" does not end the conversation, nor prove that your opinion is correct. Because in matters of taste, subjective opinions do not equal objective facts. But you do you.

[@Utubesup7890]

@@oldmanzen6682 honey? You can keep speaking…to yourself. Have you tried both? No. Have I? Yes. Which feels and sounds better and has an easier workflow and a great UI? The Quad. Have I owned the Kemper? Yes. Sold it. No feel and needs pedals to help with feel and sound. Have you ever played through a really good amp? Yes I’ve worked my way up to some really good amps. So I think I know what sounds and feels good by now. You cannot force a person to keep corresponding with you it is the end.

[@oldmanzen6682]

@@Utubesup7890 You're adorable. In the same way that a two year old thinks they know everything. Keep up the stellar work setting all of us old folks straight about what we do and do not know.

[@josuastangl7140]

Your issue with the carrying case is weird. I'm playing regular gigs and traveling a lot with it for over 1,5 years now and there's still not a single issue with mine. Maybe they'll exchange yours for a new one.

[@bhosterman]

I’ve been on the fence over this. I’ve tried every alternative to bringing an amp and cab on stage but the quad cortex. I know that no one cares outside of other guitar players about my tone or gear as long as it’s not a buzzsaw. Now I’m faced with an actual tour and I’m reevaluating. I’m probably going to get one. I’ve just been burned so many times. Mostly because I work up a great tone at home and then take the axe fx, kemper, helix or whatever to a gig and it sounds nothing like what I had at home. I don’t have that issue with my real amp. Every time I fire it up at a gig I’m happy. Maybe this time will be different.

[@Generic_Randoms]

It might have to do with what you listen through when you dial your tone at home, is it an frfr? Or studio earphones? Or is it through an amp cause I found it is the most accurate to dial in tones through studio earphones or something neutral(and mainly focusing on your amp head and putting a neutral cab sim) and then connecting at the gig to a di box straight to the PA

[@bhosterman]

@@Generic_Randoms I’ve tried everything. I’ve even had full access to a full blown PA with an empty club at performance volume. With and without the band playing along. 3 hours of tweaking and could not come close to matching a the real amp it was profiled from.

[@bhosterman]

And now I can include the quad cortex into this evaluation.

[@joejohnson8966]

2:30 yes Wisdom

[@fastfinger6]

Have you tried tonex?

[@writemetalmusic]

Nope, have you? What i love about the qc that i think is unique is up to 4 inputs. When i play live, i have 2 guitars and bass running through it. Hard to go past that considering its size :)

[@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender]

It's lacking too many functions for me as a professional guitarist who plays with multiple artists. The ability to assign functions and parameter changes to footswitches is imperative and no scenes won't cut it. It sounds good on it's own but to dial it in you have to add an eq block after everything. Cabs don't have hi and lo cuts, no 121 ribbon mic, delays don't have mix settings. The latency bumps up quite a bit for every block added, especially if adding captures. When stacking the distortion blocks they react differently then how it would be in reality. There's a lot of things I like about the unit. I'm not a guy who needs a million amp models, I could get by with what's already there just fine as long as they work on functionality. But it's sad the Line 6 Pod Go can do things the QC can't and it's quarter of the price..

[@THINJIMI]

You can do anything you want with the 8 scenes per preset. What are you even talking about?

[@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender]

@@THINJIMI a scene is completely different. A scene locks you in, like a preset within a preset. Its essentially no different then just using 8 presets. Other than managing them all grouped together under one name. Scenes work for people who have say 8 levels of performance they use all the time( ex: Clean, Dirty, Solo, Big Delay, Chorus Delay, Big Reverb, Wah, Funky Rhythm) etc. Set all that aside for a moment, im going to try to explain this as best i can and its difficult to do so bare with me. When you have the ability to assign multiple functions and parameter changes to a footswitch, it breaks the chains off you being locked in. For starters, imagine modeless (stomp, scene, preset) because QC uses modes. Now lets say you build a big amp and fx chain, and you have a gain pedal that you like for a little bit of drive, but you want to step on a button boost the gain of that pedal, but also at the same time you want to lower the volume on that gain pedal and lower the treble on the amp and also change the threshold of the noise gate to compensate for the higher gain. Now you may say well you can do that with a scene, ok, but lets say sometimes i may want to get the gain boost but also have a long delay, sometimes a short delay, sometimes a short delay and a phaser. Or maybe i want all those additional fx scenarios but with the lower gain on the drive pedal the hole time. You're limited to 8 scenes, i suppose you could change presets and have more, but thats a lot to do in the heat of battle. When you break the mold of scenes you can do a whole lot more with a whole lot less. The modeller that I used before the QC, within one preset I could assign one or multiple footswitches to a scene change, one or multiple footswitches to a preset change, the rest of the footswitches could be to control effect parameters or turn pedals on/off or both simultaneously. It also saves a lot of DSP if thats an issue, why have 2 delay blocks just for different delay times etc. I think for the working guitarist who covers a lot of genres and works with multiple groups/artists and has to think on the fly, this is so essential its stupid. If you just play in an 80's coverband, or you just play SRV blues songs, then scenes alone will do just fine. But theres modellers that cost under $500 that can do what im talking about, i really believe in it, and i think its more imperative that it come sooner than later, sooner than a desktop editor or plugin downloads

[@mrblues1981]

im selling my helix floor to buy quad cortex but some people saying cortex need few more updates and tones much better on helix still

[@THINJIMI]

Just got updated.

[@mrblues1981]

@@THINJIMI how is it after update ??

[@THINJIMI]

@@mrblues1981 - Even better! More effects and amps and captures. I haven’t really been through them all yet. Now, I go right into my MPC out of the Neural and I don’t like using my laptop at a computer desk. 8 scenes per preset…Easy to program with 7” touchscreen…warm tones. I own 12 other processors and nothing comes close. If I used an amp, I would just get some cheap mono pedals. This thing is for direct into board or USB. Kemper has no touchscreen but still great…but I am a tinkerer…touchscreen very helpful. Mind you…most people sending in presets to the cloud don’t know what they’re doing. I go through this with every processor. Now i have found my basic sounds…nothing like it!

[@mrblues1981]

@@THINJIMI ohhh ok great ,im just tryin sell my helix floor ,as soon as i sell im gonna order one , have you tired presets from other users from the app ?

[@THINJIMI]

@@mrblues1981 - Glad you asked. These guys are either using it through an amp, or tone deaf. They suffer the same shortcomings as any guitar processors you buy. They show you all the special effects and sounds that you would seldom use, but they don’t give you the three main sounds you need to make music. I have found many that are great starting points for me to make a usable preset. Since it hooks up to your Wi-Fi directly, you can sit there all day and try other peoples presets. This is great fun even if you don’t like what they sound like, and may give you ideas. Right out of the box the 1st preset is a simple Marshall setup that is pretty usable. Once I tweek my most usable presets just right, I will post them on the cloud and you could get them for yourself. Happy New Year!

[@ramon2008]

Who is she

[@jayloyrecords]

Not trying to disparage anyone but I always looked at Line-6 as the KIA or Hyundai of car/audio brands. I know that some swear by them but they just seem cheap and gimmicky to me. I understand cost is a big part of it. If you wanna play then you gotta pay. With all due respect.

[@jericpaulo4101]

First? xD

[@algorithm007ify]

Kemper has better effects...IMO

[@THINJIMI]

No touch screen interface…ten years old…The Quad is the end of the rainbow for me…

[@Utubesup7890]

The Kemper is awful.

[@diecaverna]

Jay I have both Kemper and QC kemper sounds more organic BUT they need to build a new small unit to travel we are in 2023 Kemper is old now but the reverb and delays from kemper is 10 times better then QC but the QC is more comfortable to travel and it sound amazing I love it! I profiled my favorite amps from the Kemper to the QC lol the same quality 😳 I can’t believe that “identical” QC is the future guys!

[@Utubesup7890]

@@diecaverna the feel is definitely not there in the Kemper. Rig manager is a pain, sounds need help with pedals. I got rid of it. And also I don’t need 5,000 options. There’s tons of stuff in the QC I haven’t even gotten to yet. There were promises for yrs with that Kemper. I had no help from the company. Neural has been very helpful to me.

[@MOAB-UT]

It is over priced. It under delivers. FM3 or FM9 ALL DAY LONG over this thing. Right Neural, we will drop $2k and be ok with bad effects, no PC editor, no ability to load your own PI's. They released it too early. If it was further along in it's development and cost under $1,000 I might consider it. As it is today, not a chance.

[@chronoparticle]

Have you tried it? Neural captures alone make bang for the buck and it’s constantly updated with new models, fx and features. PC editor and ability to download NDSP plugins are on the devs roadmap too. I see if you’re happy with Fractal, amazing machines too. I had AFXII for years of gigging and loved it.

[@MOAB-UT]

@@chronoparticle If you need captures, go for it. Otherwise, no thanks. Can I pay them what it is worth today- say $600 and tell them that my future $1200 payment is on "my roadmap?" They want us to pay today for a half baked product. Sure, it's coming along well but it is not done. It has a nice looper and some nice features- to that I agree. I can just about promise you that the next iteration of Fractal will have a nicer looper, better capture, touchscreen, larger scribble strips and much more. It is going to blow the doors off the QC. Cliff is keenly aware of his competition. AXFX is a fine unit but it is in need of some updating. I like that QC rolled out some really nice features. That is the beauty of competition.

[@THINJIMI]

Get a job. The QC is the end of the rainbow.

[@MOAB-UT]

@@THINJIMI I don't have a job William, nor do I ever want one. I am not employable. I'm quite sure you do, and you are. That said, Fractal beats the QC all day long and twice on Sunday. Facts.

[@TheCyberMantis]

I agree. FM9 for me.