Neural DSP Quad Cortex - Worth It In 2024?

In todays video, Paul Drew from The Studio Rats is revisiting the Neural DSP Quad Cortex.
Back in 2019 I bought one of the first batch that came into the UK, and to be honest I was a little unimpressed.
Its now 2024, In this video I explore if the Neural DSP Quad Cortex is worth buying in 2024.

The Quad Cortex Amplified Nation Overdrive Reverb pack is available here.

The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.

[truthfactreality]

I sold my first quad cortex. I’ve since rebought it. It’s an incredible unit

[johnwaller]

Glad you gave the QC a second shot, I waited till this year to get one and I am glad I did because it is a much better product than it was when it launched. Now to grab your captures!

[IamMusicNerd]

I used to prefer Fractal, because I just like the tones better. But the UI on the Fractal units is so outdated and complicated, and their pedal units are not as Pedal Board friendly as the QC. The UI on the quad cortex has always been far more user-friendly, but they just didn’t have the tones before.

But over the last year or two, the QC has come a long way. It is miles better than it used to be. The effects now are some of the best I’ve heard in these types of devices, and the amps have gotten very realistic, especially the huge library of captures that you can download.

It is now my favorite of the multi effect units, due to the combination of small form factor, easy UI, and great tones.

[dreamscuba]

Great video. I got a pre-order QC when they first came out. My prior experience with modelers was the ElevenRack, which I loved, but died after 11 years. I may have been disappointed in the early years with the QC, but I didn’t have funds to mess around trying different kit. So, I stuck with it. I love the UI and there are some great amp tones. I have found some fabulous paid captures that have opened this up so much. These have meant that I really dig this as my recording amp. I had been hoping that the archetype amps would get ported to the QC, but, I can live without that. NeuralDSP support has been stellar for me as well. It doesn’t have any good mic preamps. But I have downloaded some captures of some to try. I also found that I prefer editing on the unit rather than the desktop app. That’s just me. The UI is so good and I spend 12 hours a day on a computer for work. I love the QC. Just my journey. Paul - your QC looks a different colour, or is that just the lighting?

[MrHitthespot]

I’ve been a tube amp guy since I started playing rock 50 years ago. Tried Fractal, Helix and Headrush. Decided modeling wasn’t for me because I thought those units didn’t sound anywhere as good or real as a tube amp. Fast forward to a year and a half ago, I watched the reviews and decided to try again and get a Quad Cortex. Within a couple of days I was blown away. Sounds better than my gigging amps AND it has the feel of a real amp. I admittedly am a fan boy now and can’t imagine being without it.

[daveroberts]

I'm blown away by that simple intro. Just goes to show how beautiful 3 chords (that's what I counted) and variations thereof, can sound.

[GearStuffandThings]

Love the QC. I do wish the black and gold was an option at the time I bought mine.

[borntoworship]

Love your captures. By far the best I have used and heard. I use the TSR Amp Nation ODR all the time. Thank you for making it.

[sinfirma]

I bought the QC and a Fractal FM9 at the same time, about 1 year ago.
So I was able to do a fairly calm comparison at home and return the one I liked the least.
In the end, I stayed with the FM9 for functionality and better stage design (larger LEDs, greater space between buttons, built-in power supply...) while with QC I had to buy a pedalboard and I would still continue with the same space between pushbuttons and the same external source. Also, I can only clone one amp, the only one I have and for that...honestly, I prefer to use my real amp. QC has improved a lot but so has FM9, so I prefer to continue with FM9.

[evetsiksatu]

Another high quality paint job from Fender....

[TheGuitarNerdShow]

That Strat though! What an amazing sounding guitar!
I just received a Quad Cortex, haven't yet had the chance to check it out but your video made me even more impatient to plug into it LOL!

[fycjmnr]

Wow what a turn around. After all the years of people giving the QC crap, it now seems to be widely hailed as the best modelling/capture solution. I see so many musicians going back to it, especially the ones that were sceptical and/or disappointed in the beginning

[AkosKovacs.Author.Musician]

Mine's a first-generation Cortex from years ago. Reliable little thing it is.

[r.llynch]

With the 3.0 update it's a winner, finally!!

[Kaisermb]

I love strats that survived an apocalyptic world event and were then sent back in time after being lost under the sea for a hundred

[fantomas]

Happy to see the return of your (not so anymore) black Strat, love this one ! Thought you sold it :(

[bernie_smith]

Great stuff. I commented when you got your A N amp hoping that you would share some captures of the amp on your QC. You kindly replied confirming that unfortunately you no longer had a QC. Can't wait to get hold of your new captures. Thank you and also for your great channel.

[sgflyingv]

Can anyone suggest a video on how to use the things? I don't have a computer and have never used a DAW or plugins. I Need a super simple introduction to this stuff video. It's presumabled we all know. I have always just used a guitar, pedals and an amp

[glennc]

I usually don't like heavily relic'ed strats but yours is so gnarled up, it kinda works

[ricksguitartv]

I'm a bit of an amateur when it comes to these things and this might be a silly question but I can't seem to find much information about it.. In a live setting, what do you actually plug these things into to get the best sound? Into the speakers so the vocals and guitar both coming out the same place or with a guitar cabinet? Cheers in advance 😊