Which Power Amp? for the Quad Cortex...

[@jamieolsen4353]

Great work on the video. My only complaint is everything in the demo is using the chug monster ice pick tone.. I guess my ears aren't used to hearing differences with so much saturation.

[@ayewhaddupdoe]

PA-50 all day. I sold my 2:90:2 for it and never looked back. Yeah, less power, but I haven't ran out of clean headroom at stage volume yet, so 50 works.

[@DeathMetalDevin]

For small venues with a good PA it's plenty. Metal shows tend be in the between spot of having a crappy PA but still needing to pump extra volume and thump for great sound and that's what metal heads want to account for. But if there's a great PA, XLR out of qc to PA and ksr for my personal monitoring and stage volume is perfect

[@ValSchnitzel]

Is there any difference in sound? I was recently advised the opposite, to get a Fryette/VHT over a KSR.

[@ValSchnitzel]

@JerryAttrick

[@ayewhaddupdoe]

@@ValSchnitzel Yes. The KSR sounds better/cleaner imo, not much coloration, but not sterile like SS power amps. Just sounds "big" I guess lol

[@ValSchnitzel]

@@ayewhaddupdoe Thank you so much!!!

[@chyl0764]

Holy hell that's a lot of gear. Great video

[@apersonontheinternet8034]

Dude needs to buy less and practice more.

[@j.reveille6815]

@@apersonontheinternet8034 shouldn’t we all.

[@kennethcoleman5208]

If you run into the Fryette FX return rather than the line in, you need far less input level. You can also get much more volume out of the Fryette.

[@DeathMetalDevin]

I did eventually figure that out. Always good to state it here too. Thanks man!

[@ohkey2999]

But you can use power station 100 as power attenuator and load box right?

[@DeathMetalDevin]

absolutely! Makes it a clear winner

[@Hmmm7512]

Fryette 3:58 KSR 4:18 Line 6 4:38

[@baumansound]

If you rely on QC and can only for your metal shows, which of the 3 would you go for? Powerstage200, fryette 100, or KSR50?

[@synthkatt]

simulclass 2:90

[@hierrogm]

Nice vid, brother I was in the garage at Tom’s pad when Slayer wrote that song, …well when they did it live for the first time…grew with them …was looking at Fryette ..synergy fit my rig a lil better

[@DeathMetalDevin]

I've never played the synergy stuff unfortunately but I def stand by my Fryette. the PS-100 is rack mountable too, of course with the extra $100 piece.... Slayer will always have a special place in my heart. That's awesome you were close with them.

[@alreadydead6914]

Me and the other guitarist in my band just bought the Fryette ps2. He was torn between that and the KSR but decided the reactive load was better since he has some lunchbox heads. He's using it with a victory kraken preamp for band practice and it sounds incredible and has plenty of volume

[@DeathMetalDevin]

Fryette for the versatility for sure. With using it as a reactive load and pushing through the power amp of the fryette is absolutely incredible. Modelers def take a little more thought since it's through the line in or efx return. Congrats dudes!!!

[@alreadydead6914]

@@DeathMetalDevin I'm actually using mine with the preamp of my Mesa Nomad 100 for recording. It's much easier to get great tone without having to crank it super loud. I'm thinking of getting some tube preamps to mess with in the future

[@DeathMetalDevin]

@@alreadydead6914 you are on the tone quest! Prepare to never be "satisfied"

[@alreadydead6914]

@@DeathMetalDevin haha yeah absolutely. The end goal is a Diezel d-moll after playing a used one at guitar center. It was the best sounding and most brutal amp I've ever tried. Gotta keep working my way up

[@northern_foxx]

I assumed the hifi mode was for using an FRFR cab but I'm not sure who would really do that. For me I generally flip it to the guitar mode at band volume because otherwise it's just so extremely bright

[@DeathMetalDevin]

It does brighten it up! I def look at it as another eq tool at my use. Def when playing at band volume it can sound brittle but I've enjoyed the ability to brighten it up in certain cases like my JCM 900 captures which run dark.

[@dantredogborsa7048]

Dissection 👍🏻 Reinkaos is underrated

[@DeathMetalDevin]

Hell yeah it is

[@Jason-Taylor]

Hey Devin great video! I know I’m late but hopefully you or someone else viewing this video can chime in. I have a Quad Cortex and also both a PA50 and Powerstage 200 as well as a Synergy amp which I have not yet tried with the QC. Prior to the QC I had been using a Fractal with the Powerstage and was quite happy. The last 2 practices, I brought the PA50 to use with the QC through either my Mesa 4x12 or 2x12 vertical. It sounded pretty damn good overall but I had a couple of questions: Where are you setting the main QC volume knob? I would assume unity is all the way up but when I do, all the LEDs on the PA50 are lit red. It doesn’t clip but concerns me. I’ve backed the QC volume down to about 80 but then lose a significant amount of volume and my PA50 volume knob ends up around 3 o’clock or so to make it loud enough. I fear I’ll blow a speaker or two. Also, do you only use direct amp captures that are just the preamp or are they both preamp and power amp captures? In my Fractal, I could turn off power amp modeling if necessary but with the QC, I’m more limited and some captures seem like they have too much power amp coloration before getting hit again by the KSRs own power amp color. Luckily the HiFi switch helps. Sorry for the long message but it’s seems you probably have some good experience with this stuff! Thanks!!! 🤘🏻

[@DeathMetalDevin]

Sounds like you have some awesome stuff to play with! For your first question about the KSR PA50 and clipping I did notice that. I've asked around and found out that its ok that it goes solid red on the KSR PA50 from a friend of the designer. I use to be worried about that too but you won't blow a speaker as long as you are within the wattage ratting. For the second question - With the QC I do typically capture the power amp with the preamp because I believe there is character in that. You are right though, in situations you are doubling up on power amps if this is the route but I haven't noticed it really make a big enough difference that it makes me not like the capture. I've been using a Fryette powerstation and have since sold my KSR. BUT the KSR sounded better, and only by a little bit. The features on the Fryette blew away the KSR for me and my use. Using it as an reactive load has been awesome. Sorry for the delay in respong :D

[@Jason-Taylor]

No problem, thanks so much for even getting back to me with the details. Would you recommend the Fryette instead? A lot of people recommend the LXII. I have the Synergy SYN-5050 which is 50 watts a side stereo or 100 watts bridged mono 6L6 rack mount amp which I haven’t used in a while so I may try that first. It was designed by Fryette so may be similar to the LXII.

[@joshsmith7033]

Wouldn't you wanna use a stereo power amp with the quad cortex though? And use 2 half cabs like 5 feet apart?

[@riffer-t]

Where do you have the volume knob set on the Quad Cortex when going to the power amps?

[@GearStuffandThings]

I have a silly question as a QC newbie. How can I run a signal with IR to front of house simultaneously while sending a feed to a power amp and cab with no IR? I’m not familiar with the quad system enough to swiftly do it

[@DeathMetalDevin]

Not a silly question at all. Basically you will have the ability to select how you want to route each output. You have 4 configurable lanes, all you have to do is decide which lane you want to go to which output. For Direct out usually the XLR, and for a power amp just use the 1/4" line out to go into either a return or line into a power amp at the same time as the xlr. Of course add ur IR to ur dirext out lane and then no IR for your cabinet setup

[@GearStuffandThings]

@@DeathMetalDevin much appreciated

[@obestertomas]

great video ! was the power amp modeling on or off in QC ? fryette ps is designed to work nice with power amp modeling, whereas with ksr power amp modeling should be off, because it’s not as flat as fryette. thanks for info.

[@DeathMetalDevin]

For this video it looks like Hi Fi is on which created for amp modeling devices. If anything to my ears it really brought the presences up and rounded things out and guitar was very flat. In every case the Hi-FI sounded better to my ears for the QC at least.

[@todoguitarras]

Hello, I have a question for you... Why do you accumulate amplifiers at home? are they for rent? Or do you have a professional recording studio?

[@DeathMetalDevin]

All of the above

[@Lennoxvrgt]

So, usually 100 watt power sections sound bigger, have a more pronounced bottom end and headroom. Is this the case with the fryette? Does The ksr sound like a 50 watt vs 100 watt? I know you said it sounds just as loud, but are the other inherent characteristics of the 100 watt there in the fryette where it sounds bigger?

[@DeathMetalDevin]

So in this video I used the line in and wasn't aware that the effects return was louder. The fryette is louder and I do know what u mean about more bottom end in a 100 watt compared to 50 watt. It really comes down to if u want the best tone I would go with the ksr because you typically would have a PA to push the sound. If just practicing and u want the volume fryette is the way to go. At those levels fryette gives you the feel of a 100 watt. In the end the Fryette won for me for versatility and volume. Just more features for a product that is 100 bucks more.

[@aliveandbreathing]

For metal band situations 2x guitar, loud drummer, and classic 8x10 bass do you feel the PS-100 can keep up and be loud enough to punch through?

[@DeathMetalDevin]

Initially no, I had a guy on the qc forum tell me to try the efx return instead of line in and it is def 2-3 times louder. I haven't tried it that way at practice yet but even without it was right there at the verge of it. I'll bet it is plenty loud now. To answer your question, yes it's loud enough and sounds great

[@soulwreckedyouth877]

Do you feel that the ksr is lacking a bit of low end compared to the fryette?

[@DeathMetalDevin]

Not at all, I think the ksr is a tad better than the fryette

[@soulwreckedyouth877]

just got the ksr and tried it in combination with my fm3...beforehand I had the fm3 in the effects loop of my engl ritchie blackmore which is 100 watts and it felt like the 100 watts had more low end...just dont know if i should also order the fryette now....but if you say there hasnt been more lowend compared to the ksr I maybe just leave it....@@DeathMetalDevin

[@DeathMetalDevin]

@soulwreckedyouth877 tell you what, it's been a while since I did this video. I sold my ksr to my guitarist in my band and ill ask him to borrow it and compare one more time and let you know for sure

[@soulwreckedyouth877]

That would be super nice...would give me confidence in selling the ksr and buying a fryette...@@DeathMetalDevin

[@soulwreckedyouth877]

so i kinda hope the fryette has the wideness in the sound the engl has but the ksr is missing @@DeathMetalDevin

[@jessemuscato]

Slayyerrrrrrrr

[@DeathMetalDevin]

Damn right

[@archery171093]

What tubes are you using in the KSR ? What would you recommend ?

[@DeathMetalDevin]

This one had 6L6s I prefer them for metal for sure, el34 for versatility

[@tonefreak3403]

How does the Quad Cortex feel under the fingers compared to a real amp?

[@DeathMetalDevin]

Coming from a tube guy, it's the closest thing on the market today digitally to a tube feel and I'm very happy with it. That with my Fryette PS-100 full tube power amp it rocks. Def recommend since you are fellow "tone freak" haha

[@Hmmm7512]

@@DeathMetalDevin Hey bud, since you've had some time, do you prefer the ps100 over the pa50? Also, have you had a chance to compare the qc to a fractal fm3 or one of the other fractal series? Thanks!

[@DeathMetalDevin]

@Nateheadinup I kept the fryette ps-100 over the ksr-pa 50. Not because of the sound quality. Ksr-pa 50 wins that by a hair but kept the fryette because of the attenuation, impedance switching, reactive load box, 2 separatw channels and ability to boost a low wattage amp alot louder. So for versatility sake it has been my choice to this day and haven't found anything better for my application and quad cortex

[@DeathMetalDevin]

Also, I've not tried it against the Fractal but from everything I've seen Quad cortex is on top of the game if not just as good. I'd def lean more towards the Quad cortex just for the capture feature

[@joshsmith7033]

The fryette sounds the best the ksr is more punchy.

[@baumansound]

Great video! I am so confused now. If powerstage 200 is the same loudness of pa50, and the fryette you felt is as loud as the ksr, kind of bums me out with the QC a bit. Was looking for something to make it loud stand-alone (without PAs) for smaller gigs where they don’t mic the cabs. The fryette was my hope being 100watts, but now, I don’t know!

[@ohkey2999]

pa50 is way more louder than powerstage 200 lol... night and day comparison...

[@internetselling]

100 watts solid state is not the same as 100 watts power tubes in volume…

[@DeathMetalDevin]

You're right but there is nothing in this video that's solid state

[@internetselling]

@@DeathMetalDevin I forgot the Freyette was tubes. That points to the output transformer differences…

[@Amiga1200_Juicer]

You need a 12bh7 , thank me later

[@kennyh5083]

Owned a Line 6 amplifier, what a joke! The biggest waste of money I've ever spent on gear. Records great but it just feels like sh*t! If yer a superficial, one dimensional, plastic tone kinda steeple then by all means!

[@DeathMetalDevin]

Luckily I'm only using the power amp side. I think we are all familiar with the infamous line 6 pre