Can the Quad Cortex replace your pedalboard? #quadcortex #neuraldsp #pedalboard

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Guitar Modeling

Guitar Pedals

I’ve had the a Quad cortex for about two weeks now, and have played it a total of 5 times so I’m basically an expert... No way! But, I think my knowledge of this device has grown so much in just that short period of time and I have to say, I’m impressed with the user interface. I thought the presets I made when I didn’t know what I was doing sounded decent, but now, I’ve done some research and I think I’m getting the hang of it. I’d say these sounds are starting to compete with my tried and true pedalboard with an amp pedal combo. But does the quad cortex it eclipse it?

One of my favorite tones I’ve made with my pedalboard + Amp Pedal setup is this ambient Coldplay sound. Big verb and delay, stereo amps, cool drive. So I’ve gone and recreated the clip with just the internal sounds in the quad cortex. I’m not trying to make it sound exactly the same, I’m just trying to make it have a similar character and match the quality. I don’t know about you, but I thought the differences were slight. If I’m really being nit picky about it, I’d say the Strymon verb is definitely more expansive and lush, but the rest of the tones is a wash for me. While it took a lot of tweaking to get the verb and delay to sound anywhere near the quality of the strymons, I do think it got in the ballpark.

Let’s take it one step farther, cause I know some of you are gonna be like, well when you put that much reverb on any of these devices they all sound the same. Ok, sure. Maybe that’s true. So let’s do it again completely dry. This is just the amps. They both feature an AC style amp and a Fender style amp in stereo. And let’s go blind so we can try and leave our biases at the door. Alright, you think you know which is which? Here’s the reveal: A is the Quad Cortex and B is the ACS1. Once again, I’d say both sound good. And once again, I think the amp pedal might be slightly preferred for me. It sounds a little less pristine in the high frequencies and that makes it seem more real to me. But, I think with some further adjustment on the QC, I can definitely get them to match. The QC on the other hand seems a little clearer and more wide.

Now let’s do it again with a more rock n roll sound. Here are the two clips. Listen close and see which you like more, and which you think is which. My wife and I are gonna join in too. Let’s see what we all pick.
I’m going to limit it to 3 main takeaways. First, while I don’t think I’ve gotten the stock sounds in the QC to sound as good as my old rig, I think it’s getting pretty close. The sounds in the QC are really good and so customizable. I’ve gotten lost in it a couple times. Second, if I'm rating this thing on the amp sound alone, I'd give it to the ACS1. Something about it sounds just a touch more real. Maybe it’s the honky mid range, or just the natural response of it, but man- a year or so later and Im still impressed by the ACS1. Third, the quad cortex is well on its way to doing what I want it to do. I didn’t buy this to replace my pedalboard entirely. I bought it to use live and for some upcoming tours I have. I’m sure in another week or two I’ll have it in a place where maybe I will reach for it at home too.

I think the quad cortex is straight up killing. In my current state of ability with this thing, it kind of reminds me of an air fryer. It gets you there with minimal hassle and I would say to most, a negligible difference in tone/flavor. Also, I haven’t even started profiling any of my pedals into this thing. And that might be the true game over for the pedalboard.

#quadcortex #neuraldsp #amppedal #fakeamp #virtualamp #guitartone #guitarpedals #kemper #line6 #line6helix #neuralquadcortex #acs1 #walrusaudio

[juaniniesta]

I'm shure you can get even closer

[TheCampbellbme]

The shimmer was much more prominent on the pedalboard

[SpyZ]

it's all about compromise. You will get 90% there most likely but keep in mind you are chasing an already made sound. If you started from scratch with no prior tone palette, then the modeller would be a no brainer. Still, they are so close that I cannot justfiy carrying around lumbering pedalboards, amps and cabs when the tone is that similar.

[milanpanic]

I also have a pedal board and quad cortex. Every time I record music I use the quad cortex, but when I am just playing, I prefer the pedal board, because the knobs and how they change the sound are more intuitive to me.

[ashleydines]

Qc just needed a tiny bit low mid and it would have sounded the same

[synonyx]

I got mine the other day and absolutely love the QC. I’ve owned almost every modeler out there and this one sound wise impressed me the most. Especially the Gojira presets.

I loaded up a box of L6 gear and pedals today to sell. No regrets.

[Singlehand_Music]

IMHO, the QC sounds a bit muffled in comparison; the pedalboard sounds crispier and more transparent, notes just seem to pop out more. Great gear and nice music👍

[JimsMusicJourney]

I use the QC plus 2 H90 pedals. Pure heaven.

[cru]

Clean tones are usually a lot easier to come across with modelers, it's good high gain amps and good sounding drives that are harder to get sounding good with most modelers

[zakkshanemusic]

First of all, this sounds fantastic.

Second of all, what size is that board?

[MickelMart]

That Falcon, though. 😍 The single cutaway is my dream guitar.

[novababiesband]

QC does Verbs better than any pedal Ive heard. More controls too.

[Michael-hhnl]

I like using analog pedals with the quad.Anything digital I use pluggins.

[lucienrobidoux]

The answer to this question is : absolutely!

[MBAus-boym]

Maaan, your board dominates the quad, beautiful tone. The quad is great not bagging it, but you just can’t beat a well put together REAL board.

[dus]

Just bought the headrush prime over the QC. Excited to see if it can replace my pedals!

[AaronHuie]

Very cool thanks for the vid! I don’t know much about these new amp and pedal simulators but I know they’ve gotten a lot better over the years. Personally I like the second version using the paddleboard better but it sounds like there’s just more going on with the effects?

Also I’m going to watch your full video and maybe the answer will be in there. But I was wondering if you had any thoughts as far as recommending a good pedal/amp simulator (I don’t know what they’re called). I play for a church often, And it sounds like they have a budget potentially to purchase some electric guitar equipment, I’d like to recommend them some options ($600ish budget) so I don’t have to be lugging my amp and pedal board rig with me whenever I play for them.

[Okamiiee]

Only big difference is the shimmer (which and be brought up more in the mix with the setting) and some low mid EQ adjustments. Either way.. most people WILL NOT be able to tell the difference coming through the house speakers.

[damon]

Sounded brighter on the pedal board but I’d still buy the cortex 🤷‍♂️

[abelinolopez]

There's something i can't describe about the pedalboard it just sounds real organic