Neural DSP Quad Cortex is really growing on me, just the (Gojira) 5150 is worth the price of admission imo

[nightlight]

It's just so much easier to use than my Axe FXIII. I like the fact that I don't have to go through pages of menus and have so many knobs and buttons that I get option paralysis. It's dead simple to use, and the tones are great.

Add to that the fact that you can just put it into a backpack and it weighs just about 3-4kg, and it's the best option I can think of to take to jams or gigs. I would much rather take it than one of my amps, because I can just pair it with my Fryette PS-2 and get a killer sound. Actually toying with the idea of getting a PS-100 just so that I can have more volume if I need it.

Also, I think the ability to load Neural DSP plugins shouldn't be underrated. I am really, really happy with the Gojira plugin. It's based on a 5150, and I just love the tone. It's extremely usable. I initially limited myself to using the Neural DSP presets, but then I started to dial in my own patches and holy cow! Damn thing sounds amazing.

This is a clip of an Aristides 060 and a Warwick Vampyre SN-5 running direct into the Quad Cortex.

The Quad Cortex is running one of my own presets built using the Gojira plugin for the guitar, while the bass is one of the stock presets.

As this is a mix, there is some processing, notably an API preamp plugin on the dual tracked guitar and a Neve preamp on the bass. Besides that, there is a Cambridge EQ for shelving and cuts on the guitars. No processing on the drums, this is a preset in Superior Drummer.





I know it's not the greatest mix, but I am sure that more capable users can get even better tones out of this.

 

[OldGtrGuy]

Sick tones for sure. I don't want to like it but I do, digital is coming a long way.

 

[RaceU4her]

i thought a 5150 was the last amp needed to round out your stable, but this sounds great.

 

[rsm]

I'm on my second computer rig for guitar; though I mainly use PolyChromeDSP McRocklin Suite, I have a few Neural Plugins (Mesa IIC+ Suite, Archetype Petrucci, Plini and Tim Henson), Helix Native, BlueCat Audio Axiom, Softube Marshall Amp Room,...

I can have patches from all these different plugins in a single MIDI floorboard map, I use BlueCatAudio's PatchWork to manage my presets and add gain and noisegates, so I can match levels across patches from different plugins.

They all run on my Dell rugged extreme tablet without issue; Arturia MiniFuse:1 audio interface, and KMI SoftStep2 MIDI controller, it all fits in a average sized backpack.

I have a Helix Floor and FM9 Mk II Turbo, but the computer rig is what I use most.

 

[nightlight]

Sick tones for sure. I don't want to like it but I do, digital is coming a long way.

I agree. Sorry for the long post that follows.

I started off with a Zoom 505II back in 2003. It was a pretty dinky little digital FX pedal, very synthetic now that I think about it, but I loved that thing.

In 2007, I upgraded to a Boss GT-8, and that was even better, but still that COSM sound that is a bit artificial. In 2013, I ponied up for a Kemper and it was the best thing ever.

But in 2015, I started getting into real amps, starting with an EVH5150 III and a Mark V:25. And I was totally hooked. I think it was the amp in the room sound that got me as much as the immediacy of the playing experience. It was just so organic and 3D.

I kind of think of it as an amp being a painting and a Kemper profile as a photo of a painting.

I went through three more Kempers after that. It's a sick device, I could definitely use one even now.

But there are a lot of limitations to the original profiling technology, imho. I'm no expert, but I always found that the high gain tones have a tonal "signature". It's not a bad sound by any means, but I think that it's the reason why a lot of guitarists say "all high gain amps sound the same". And that's just not true.

After almost 8 years with the Kemper, I acquired an Axe FXIII in 2021, just to see why there were so many guys who swore by it. And I was really excited by it, it's such an awesome device. I think one of the things I hear about the FXIII is that you can just pull up a default preset and it sounds great. That was one of the shortcomings of the earlier versions - you had to really work to get a good tone out of it.

Earlier this year, I bought a Quad Cortex just to experiment with. And I really enjoy it. I felt like I jumped on at the optimum time as well, because within a month of the purchase, Neural DSP announced plugin compatibility for the Quad Cortex and they offered me a choice of either the Plini plugin or Archetype Gojira. I went with the Gojira plugin and couldn't be happier, these are the best tones I have got out of a digital device by far.

That's not to say the Axe FXIII was a slouch tonally. Primary motivation was that the Axe FXIII was just too physically big for me to cart around. I also have the larger FC-12 pedalboard, and I got to say, manufacturers really need to think harder about form factor and weight. The pedalboard plus a couple of expression pedals weighs over 10kg.

I don't have a car, unlike most people, so I just needed more portability. I'm really glad I can have that and good tones with the Quad Cortex. Pairing it with a Fryette PS-2 is also amazing and that's my live rig.

I now have the Axe FXIII mounted in my server rack and wired so that I can run any of my amps into it using either a Suhr RLIR or a Fryette PS2. That's what I mainly use it for now, to run using the 4CM method with my physical amps. Works great for the job.

I honestly think the Kemper, Axe FXIII and QC are the top of the pile. I also tried a Tone Master Pro when I was buying the QC and liked it. Never owned a Line 6 Helix though, I've heard it's awesome. Some good clips on the net.

i thought a 5150 was the last amp needed to round out your stable, but this sounds great.

It does sound really amazing. I still want a 5150 to play with, it's such an amazing amp. Wish I had never sold the 5150 III I had, if I'm not mistaken, they've become more expensive.

I'm on my second computer rig for guitar; though I mainly use PolyChromeDSP McRocklin Suite, I have a few Neural Plugins (Mesa IIC+ Suite, Archetype Petrucci, Plini and Tim Henson), Helix Native, BlueCat Audio Axiom, Softube Marshall Amp Room,...

I can have patches from all these different plugins in a single MIDI floorboard map, I use BlueCatAudio's PatchWork to manage my presets and add gain and noisegates, so I can match levels across patches from different plugins.

They all run on my Dell rugged extreme tablet without issue; Arturia MiniFuse:1 audio interface, and KMI SoftStep2 MIDI controller, it all fits in a average sized backpack.

I have a Helix Floor and FM9 Mk II Turbo, but the computer rig is what I use most.

You, Sir, need to get a power amp and run those plugins through them into a 4x12. It's one of the things I did as an experiment with a really basic plugin that comes with Cubase called VST amp rack.

That is literally the most basic guitar plugin that I can think of, because it's free (albeit bundled with Cubase and Nuendo). And you have better plugins, I'd reckon. Have a listen to this:



I think this video is probably the only proof I have that I can sweep pick too (at about the 6.50 mark) hahaha

I want to add more Neural DSP plugins to my collection, so that I can load them into the Quad Cortex when they become compatible. How is the Petrucci Archetype? I kind of want that one, but the reviews are really mixed. I may go for Nolly instead, consequently. Also plan to get the Parallax plugin so that I can get better bass tones.

 

[Jakem]

Great tones, man! I really like the Quad Cortex. I bought it a few months ago and have not used my tube amps ever since.

 

[OldGtrGuy]

I agree. Sorry for the long post that follows.

I started off with a Zoom 505II back in 2003. It was a pretty dinky little digital FX pedal, very synthetic now that I think about it, but I loved that thing.

In 2007, I upgraded to a Boss GT-8, and that was even better, but still that COSM sound that is a bit artificial. In 2013, I ponied up for a Kemper and it was the best thing ever.

But in 2015, I started getting into real amps, starting with an EVH5150 III and a Mark V:25. And I was totally hooked. I think it was the amp in the room sound that got me as much as the immediacy of the playing experience. It was just so organic and 3D.

I kind of think of it as an amp being a painting and a Kemper profile as a photo of a painting.

I went through three more Kempers after that. It's a sick device, I could definitely use one even now.

But there are a lot of limitations to the original profiling technology, imho. I'm no expert, but I always found that the high gain tones have a tonal "signature". It's not a bad sound by any means, but I think that it's the reason why a lot of guitarists say "all high gain amps sound the same". And that's just not true.

After almost 8 years with the Kemper, I acquired an Axe FXIII in 2021, just to see why there were so many guys who swore by it. And I was really excited by it, it's such an awesome device. I think one of the things I hear about the FXIII is that you can just pull up a default preset and it sounds great. That was one of the shortcomings of the earlier versions - you had to really work to get a good tone out of it.

Earlier this year, I bought a Quad Cortex just to experiment with. And I really enjoy it. I felt like I jumped on at the optimum time as well, because within a month of the purchase, Neural DSP announced plugin compatibility for the Quad Cortex and they offered me a choice of either the Plini plugin or Archetype Gojira. I went with the Gojira plugin and couldn't be happier, these are the best tones I have got out of a digital device by far.

That's not to say the Axe FXIII was a slouch tonally. Primary motivation was that the Axe FXIII was just too physically big for me to cart around. I also have the larger FC-12 pedalboard, and I got to say, manufacturers really need to think harder about form factor and weight. The pedalboard plus a couple of expression pedals weighs over 10kg.

I don't have a car, unlike most people, so I just needed more portability. I'm really glad I can have that and good tones with the Quad Cortex. Pairing it with a Fryette PS-2 is also amazing and that's my live rig.

I now have the Axe FXIII mounted in my server rack and wired so that I can run any of my amps into it using either a Suhr RLIR or a Fryette PS2. That's what I mainly use it for now, to run using the 4CM method with my physical amps. Works great for the job.

I honestly think the Kemper, Axe FXIII and QC are the top of the pile. I also tried a Tone Master Pro when I was buying the QC and liked it. Never owned a Line 6 Helix though, I've heard it's awesome. Some good clips on the net.




It does sound really amazing. I still want a 5150 to play with, it's such an amazing amp. Wish I had never sold the 5150 III I had, if I'm not mistaken, they've become more expensive.



You, Sir, need to get a power amp and run those plugins through them into a 4x12. It's one of the things I did as an experiment with a really basic plugin that comes with Cubase called VST amp rack.

That is literally the most basic guitar plugin that I can think of, because it's free (albeit bundled with Cubase and Nuendo). And you have better plugins, I'd reckon. Have a listen to this:



I think this video is probably the only proof I have that I can sweep pick too (at about the 6.50 mark) hahaha

I want to add more Neural DSP plugins to my collection, so that I can load them into the Quad Cortex when they become compatible. How is the Petrucci Archetype? I kind of want that one, but the reviews are really mixed. I may go for Nolly instead, consequently. Also plan to get the Parallax plugin so that I can get better bass tones.

I think everyone had a zoom 505 haha....You know a sleeper distortion pedal is the Zoom Driver 5000.

I started with Crate Solid State as my first amp head. Then had the stealth..Later a 6505+ and became a tube amp addict, have tried and owned many. Definitely a tube amp guy.

I had an AX8 and Also a Kemper....TBH at the jam spot the Kemper 5150 sounded better than my buddy's Stealth in my opinion but I've always had issues with those digital devices.

They were just too much of a hassle for me....FRFR monitors, external power amps....Do you run direct? Into a 4x12? I'm not here to find the square root of Omega I just want to play my fucking guitar.

Not to mention no matter what anyone says you cannot convince me digital feels like a tube amp...it just simply does not.

With that said I'm hearing amazing tones these days live and on record, there's no denying that. Plus the convince of not lugging an 80 pound amp and a 120 pound cab.

I chalk up most of my negatives to user error tbh and it's good to see you can just plug in and go with the Gojira stuff....Definitely intrigued by the QC...maybe one day I can have both a tube amp I want and a QC but it's just not in the cards rn so I come on here vicariously

 

[nightlight]

Great tones, man! I really like the Quad Cortex. I bought it a few months ago and have not used my tube amps ever since.

Thanks, man. I really enjoy mine. It was a pleasant surprise actually, after reading so many negative reviews about it.

But diving into that haystack, I found that the major grouse people had was that Neural DSP was slow with upgrades, rather than any complaint about tones.

For me, it works well because I don’t use a lot of FX. And also because it’s compact enough and I don’t have a car to get around in and use public transport.

I think everyone had a zoom 505 haha....You know a sleeper distortion pedal is the Zoom Driver 5000.

I started with Crate Solid State as my first amp head. Then had the stealth..Later a 6505+ and became a tube amp addict, have tried and owned many. Definitely a tube amp guy.

I had an AX8 and Also a Kemper....TBH at the jam spot the Kemper 5150 sounded better than my buddy's Stealth in my opinion but I've always had issues with those digital devices.

They were just too much of a hassle for me....FRFR monitors, external power amps....Do you run direct? Into a 4x12? I'm not here to find the square root of Omega I just want to play my fucking guitar.

Not to mention no matter what anyone says you cannot convince me digital feels like a tube amp...it just simply does not.

With that said I'm hearing amazing tones these days live and on record, there's no denying that. Plus the convince of not lugging an 80 pound amp and a 120 pound cab.

I chalk up most of my negatives to user error tbh and it's good to see you can just plug in and go with the Gojira stuff....Definitely intrigued by the QC...maybe one day I can have both a tube amp I want and a QC but it's just not in the cards rn so I come on here vicariously

It’s a never ending rabbit hole in digital land, sadly. It’s kind of like looking for a great cab and then good speakers to pair with a real amp. And you also have to keep an eye on what speaker cables you’re using, etc.

All just elements in the puzzle, really. Your signal chain is only as good as its weakest link.

So with modellers, I think the best option is to have a good pair of powered monitors to go with it. This is for home use. Things get more complicated if you’re playing out, in which case you’ll be looking at FRFR cabs, etc.

But a way to simplify that experience playing out is to just think in real world terms: I have one cabinet with a fixed set of speakers. Tailor your tones to that one cab and you should get good results on stage. And for the FOH, look for a comparable IR or cab that you can feed the mixing desk.

All said and done, digital does not feel like a real amp to me either. That includes the Quad Cortex. There’s always latency that makes the playing experience a little less “in the moment” and immediate.

 

[Jakem]

Selected the IIC+ suite from Neural DSPs free plugin campaign a couple of months ago and waiting for it to become available for QC. Also bought the Petrucci Archetype X today which will gonna be compatible with the QC very soon… Cannot wait to test them!

 

[cobrahead1030]

I use the Archetype Gojira & Petrucci plug-ins for pretty much all my band demo tracks, and it's surprising how great they sound with minimal effort.

 

[nightlight]

I think Neural has got me under. Each plugin has unique bits and pieces that I could see myself using, such as the new Grind and Hex Drive pedals that come with the Nameless or the pitch shifter that comes with the Gojira X plugin.

That mix-and-match capability is what makes the Quad Cortex a good way to get more value from the plugins than they you would if you just use them as standalone VSTs.

Also a great business model.

Now thinking of picking up the Nameless and Soldano just for more options.