Xploration • Curation • Recommendation
Neural DSP finally shoehorns the Full Quad Cortex Experience into a significantly smaller less costly Mini Unit
So this is what everyone was expecting when we got the Nano Quad Cortex instead - which wholly dispensed with the innovative Interface / RotoStomp Controls - that made the original Quad Cortex so enticing!
Here we literally have mostly just the screen of that original in a smaller box - where Neural have had to adapt the interface just a touch to accommodated the reduced number of controls.
The pricing of the new unit is $1,399 vs $1,799 which is a 22% saving.
And the footprint is reduced from 551cm2 to 269cm2 - a reduction of 51%
Apart from the change of USB from B-Type to C-Type we don’t seem have seen any optimisation of the unit’s processing - as the power requirement is still the same. Rated at 3,000mA v 12V, while evidence confirms that maximum current draw for the device is mostly around 1,800 - 2,000mA.
As a Stompbox / Pedalboard guy - I’m not about to swing for an all-in-one solution and call it a day!, but if I was - it would surely be this Quad Cortex Mini - that seems exactly the right format for me! Albeit I would probably want to wait until they had refined and optimised the unit’s power-handling further.
The Output of the Quad Cortex is slowly and steadily getting to benchmark levels - but there’s still a few percent to go. There’s a real arms-race going on between Neural DSP, Fractal and Line 6 / Helix in particular.
This Quad Cortex Mini is the best format for my preferences - while the other devices still have advantages in some of their areas of operation and number and quality of models and algorithms.
I particularly love the ease of use of the Quad Cortex - and how you can instantly beam presets directly between friends. Where for all other formats you need to upload and download to and from Tone Libraries!
Being able to zap in a favourite preset is pretty priceless!
This is what we thought we were getting when the Nano launch caught us by surprise!
It will be very interested to see how this Mini Edition fares versus the full-size unit and indeed the Nano variant.
I’m probably still a few years off from acquiring one of these for a standalone side-board experiments!
Key Features
- Full grid-based signal chain with touchscreen and footswitch control
- Houses the same level of processing power and delivers the same world-class sound quality as the full-sized Quad Cortex
- Employs the same CorOS software as the full-sized Quad Cortex
- Integrates flawlessly with the Quad Cortex ecosystem for preset, full backup, and complete workflow transfers
- Neural Capture technology replicates real amps, cabs, and pedals with exceptional accuracy
- Plug-in Compatibility (PCOM) lets you run selected Neural DSP plug-ins directly on the Quad Cortex Mini
- Cortex Control desktop app for full device management and preset editing
- Familiar 7-in. multi-touch display ensures fast, intuitive editing and streamlined signal path and FX management
- 4 stainless steel rotary encoders for Preset, Scene, and Stomp control, plus intuitive hands-on parameter adjustment
- Preloaded with 90+ amps, 100+ FX, 1,000+ cabinet IRs, and 2,000+ Neural Captures
- Ultra-flexible I/O with patch-by-patch configurable routing
- Up to 4 parallel signal paths with flexible routing and up to eight blocks per row
- Preset, Scene, Stomp and Hybrid modes for flexible live and studio workflows.
- Pages system for extended footswitch control without increasing the hardware footprint.
- Opposite Page Preview for instant visibility of Page assignments during live performance.
- Full integration with the Quad Cortex ecosystem, sharing the same CorOS operating system.
- Cortex Control desktop app for full device management, editing, backups and content organization.
- Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity for wireless preset sharing, firmware updates, and backups via Cortex Cloud
- Rugged anodized aluminium unibody with strengthened glass, designed for touring, studio and mobile use.
- Locking power connector for secure, reliable operation in live environments.
- Looper X with advanced looping features.
- Built-in tuner and metronome.
- Built-in 8-in/8-out USB-C audio interface
- Stereo FX loops, expression control, comprehensive MIDI connectivity, and MIDI over USB-C for flawless hardware integration
- Neural Capture V1 and V2 support for creating and using ultra-accurate digital replicas of amps, cabs, drive pedals, fuzzes and compressors.
- Rugged anodized aluminum unibody housing and locking power connectors certify roadworthy durability
- Current Draw : 1,200mA @ 12V DC [-]
- Dimensions : 22.8cm x 11.8cm x 6.5cm
- Weight : 1.5kg
- MAP / RRP : $1,399 / €1,299 / £1,129
The Quad Cortex is available from premier dealers including - Sweetwater, Thomann and Andertons.
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