Is Quad Cortex Now Worth The Money in 2024?
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- Опубліковано 22 лют 2024
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Hi, my name is James. I am a full time filmmaker and founder of the Content Creation agency severnwave.com as well as the founder/songwriter of my musical baby "Kill Deluxe". Aside from filmmaking, music and guitar is also a huge passion of mine. Chilled Guitar Reviews is my creative outlet to engage with other like minded people through feature videos, livestreams, original music performances and tutorials. I am always grateful for any and all engagement/viewership and am committed to uploading new videos regularly. Take care of yourselves and I'll see you soon!
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Kit Used:
Legator N6X w/ EMG 57/66 Pickups
Legator N7X w/ Seymour Duncan Retribution Pickups
Neural DSP Quad Cortex
Zilla 2x12
Headrush FRFR112
Focusrite Scarlett 4i4
Reaper DAW
@NeuralDSP @Legatorguitarsofficial #neuraldsp #guitar #metal #guitarist #music #djent #riffwars #guitarsolo #guitarplayer #legatorguitars #string #musician #rock #metalcore #heavymetal #guitarcover #guitaristsofinstagram #getgooddrums #guitarsdaily #progressivemetal #progmetal #prog #metalhead #deathmetal #bass #lickwars #plini
I decided to release next weeks video early for you all! This one was a lot of work, Happy Friday! 😊🎸🎸
I absolutely love your chill reviews, the vibe is so amazing and it's just a pleasure to watch even if I'm not interested in the product, keep up the good work
Thanks so much for the kind comments my friend, much appreciated!
I picked up the Quad Cortex in 2021 and although it was limited, had no desktop app and whatnot, I would have argued back then it was worth the money just as I would in 2024. It's an incredible device. In terms of modelling accuracy, it's up there alongside Fractal units. The real selling point of the QC is how easy it is to dial in tones.
Was waiting for another one of your videos man! 💪🏼
Appreciate the support my friend!
Your reviews are amazing. Thank you so much for all the work!
Thanks so much mate!
Very good, balanced review. I got a QC in October and haven't looked back since. I also have a Fractal FM3 and although some of the effects on that unit are better than the QC, and there are more options, the QC UX is just head and shoulders above Fractal's.
Also, I love the wet/dry rig you were playing through here - was very pleased to find you'd added it to Cortex Cloud!
I had an FM3 loaned for a week or so and was super impressed with just the factory sounds so I'd really like to get another Fractal product in for the channel soon! Enjoy the Wet/Dry rig 👍👍
Same here, got mine in October and have to say it’s awesome
A FM3 vs Neural is exactly what o was hoping to read up on
I think that especially the modeling factor is much better on the Fractal units. Not to mention the tweakability, the rugged housing and the real power cable.
that clean tone is so gooddddd!!
That was the Roland Jazz model it sounded great!
Completely agree with your take on the plugins
To be honest I think all guitar plugins are quite expensive for what they are. In the world of production VST's £100 is chump change but for a single type of Guitar sound it feels like a big ask IMO
Great stuff again James!
Thanks man!
Cool review any chance you would be doing the fender tone master pro and the near future? Always nice to see a product get reviewed a few years after it's out to see what they've figured out and what they've still left behind unresolved.
So on your last video about the kemper player I was saying how I liked it...... I've since ended up selling it because its so limited. Earlier today I ordered the cortex....... and low and behold you have a cortex video up........ it is written...... great video as always
It's meant to be 😂. Let us know how you get on with the QC!
You for sure would of been happier with the Kemper Stage. It’s more apples to apples with the QC. QC is a good unit though. You’ll for sure enjoy it. 👍🏻
ii have the QC two weeks now and adore it@@checkitout611
@@checkitout611 I REALLY rate the Stage. Probably my pick of the current Kemper range.
The powered Kemper and remote are over $3200 plus tax.
Completely agree with you on the plugin point. I have 5/6 of the neural dsp plugins, but I didn’t get the QC for that. I got it for its form factor, tones from the box, power and form factor. Playing small venues make it really handy.
Don’t agree with the negative of the resolution. I mean I do, but it’s such a tiny gripe. I’m not playing video games on it so it’s fine for me. And I felt it was nicer than the helix, and very bright! Great for gigs!
Thanks for the review, great tones!
Thanks man. To be fair I'd been using the Headrush Core a lot prior to making this review which has the crispest nicest HD display anywhere so I'd been spoilt to a degree.
I mean, realistically right, adding plugin compatibility (someday) would be great because of convenience (or laziness, whichever floats your boat), but my question to people would be if they really just payed near $1600-1700 USD after tax (not even accounting for the cost of each said plugin which ranges from £99 euro to nearly £150) just to have plugins in a portable solution when they can do literally the same exact thing for a quarter of the money by having a used 2016 macbook pro laptop and a decent interface with enough I/O's to run to a FOH/In-Ear system.
People have focused too much on the plugin thing instead of focusing on the actual important things like the independent signal chains and fixing the quirks in the editor like you mentioned.
Have you seen that new modeller announced at NAMM that's basically a Windows VST box with Guitar I/O? Here's the link see what you think - octavetech.eu/
@@ChilledGuitarReviews oh yeah I saw it, pretty interesting stuff and it's only gonna cost like $689 with all the I/O's you'd need
Great video!
Thanks man!
Hi, James! What are you using to monitor these modellers? Currently, I'm plugging in my HR Prime into the power amp of Katana 100 Mk2 (without any cab sim or IR, of course). It's okay. I'm looking for an FRFR solution but not sure which one to get. I can't go to a store and try the different options because of where I live. I'd appreciate your inputs.
As an owner of the Fractal AxeFX II, I am definitely looking to get into something that is less "computer-like". I 100% agree that, while the AFX is extremely customizable and deep, but I found I spent more time sitting in front of a computer screen deep diving into menus after menus. After months of that, I STILL didn't have much of a tone that I enjoyed playing and after spending so much $$$ and time investing in FRFR cabs and amps, I felt I needed to keep trying to make it work, but after all this time, I'm just not loving playing anymore. I want to love the new technology and have a way to have a compact rig that sounds phenomenal and gives me the tone and feel that my tube amps do, but just haven't found a good balance between traditional and digital.
This was a great and thorough review and I love your honest assessment of the unit. I've been seeing SO many touring bands playing these, so I can conclude that they do work once set up, but I just don't know if even this is for me... Yet. I've been considering the Synergy amps as a way to make things more compact, but also REAL, without all the digital/computer nonsense. Would love to hear your thoughts on those if you have any.
Great playing and great video review!!! Definitely a fan!
Highly recommended. It makes life so much easier. Just show up plug into the PA and you’re good to go. Customer Service is top-notch as well. I had an issue with my quad cortex. They had me send it in. They replaced the motherboard and sent it back to me at no cost.
Great to hear! I read some feedback about screen issues but NDSP seem to have taken care of everyone. One of the best things about Kemper is their aftersales support so glad to see them take it seriously.
Me too. Bought mine used. They paid shipping both ways.
Awesome video brother!!!
Can we ask for a Hotone Ampero Stage review soon??
I think it's a direct competitor to the headrush core 🤔
Thanks man I've been meaning to checkout a Hotone product for ages!
as a quad cortex owner i gotta say that for me, it is fantastic. The built in sounds are awesome and you can capture any plugin (not just NDSP ones) with the normal capture function as long as you have a reamp box (or you interface has a fitting output). The factory captures and the capture feature sound also magnificent and i agree, the cab blocks are really really good and versatile 👌
As a working Producer, I disagree that not having the plugins working doesn't matter. It was, and still is, a show stopper. Anyone who has built up great sounding tracks using Neural plugins in the studio and has then gone to recreate them on the QC to use live knows that you can't get them to sound the same. I emphasize THE SAME because that is in theory why you buy this over a Kemper or Fractal. In fact, I was able to get patches sounding closer to Neural plugs using the Kemper than I was with the QC. Neural's marketed differentiator is vapor. I was one of those guys that purchased it straight away upon release and sold it a year afterwards. They never made good on the promise. To most people I know with excellent ears, it does not sound quite as good as a Kemper or Fractal. But hey, the touch screen is cool.
Fair point. I've never been a big fan of playing through Guitar plugins in a non-recording scenario tbh so perhaps I base my opinion there.
Nice chops
Thanks man I try my best! 😁
That's a killer intro!
Thank you my friend!
I have tried the QC not once but twice. I will say the presets are its strongest point. But my experience with QC was about size n functions. Every time i fired it up i wished it was my helix 🤣....like you i am still a headrush fan and headrush if your reading any of this please for the love of God update all of your amp models n release brand new HD ones. I really feel if yiu guys nailed that it be the best unit we coukd buy. Have a blessed day James i appreciate you giving the QC a shot. Like the QC but i feel its behind Line 6 and Headrush in a few areas
I hear you , it's a mixed bag for Headrush. Some of the best amp models on it can sound as good as the QC but others are nowhere near close. The good news is most of the Amp Clones I've downloaded on Headrush sound great! I've even used one of a PRS MT15 for a few Guitar reviews now. Thanks for watching!
@@ChilledGuitarReviews I think I should give your MT 15 approach a shot I do love that amplifier it's incredible. Have a blessed Sunday bro 😎👊🏻
@@JamesFlorio-ti8gcIf you're a Core/Prime HR user search me on HR Cloud and my current MT15 rig is on there as a free download 👍
@@ChilledGuitarReviews I do really appreciate it dude 😎👊🏻💯 thank you
I was leaning toward the Quad Cortex but the power supply and numerous people having ground hum issues scare me away from purchasing the unit...I'm going for the FM 9 turbo
Power supply has been the biggest downside for me and I've had it since 6 months after it came out. I've considered popping it open to see if there is room to place the transformer and connect it to a custom IEC out.
@@jeremybianco8647 I'm getting an FM 9 turbo next month, super excited
Great gear. I'm currently using my amps and pedals, but for bass, I still use my QC. If I had to play live, I'd probably go with the QC
How you finding it for bass?
@ChilledGuitarReviews it's good, frankly. I'm using a simple setup, with an Ampeg amp, comp and reverb
@@the_red_channel SVT? You cannot go wrong 😂
I agree about the plug-ins. I do have two of their plug-ins but when I ordered the unit I didn’t care about that and I still don’t. It sounds fantastic without the plug-ins so I never missed those. However, I am surprised you didn’t mention the flimsy power cable and wall wart. For the money it should have a professional power cable that can be secured. I don’t know how many times someone has tripped over the power cable, ripping it out and turning the unit off.
Good point it's a very basic twin cable/power brick. The HR Core has a nice little locking bracket that protects it from being pulled out, could have done with that on the QC really. Nothing beats a good old kettle IEC cable for durability!
as an axe fx user it's just interesting to see what the others are doing. the Axe FX has dyancabs now so the IR creation and mixing is like this where you move a microphone around a speaker to find your preference. I thought I'd love that feature but I just use my one IR. Never mind anything you mention here the worst thing about Amp Modelling is finding an IR you want to keep forever.
I'm exactly the same I use the same IR for everything no matter what lol
Excellent review and a fair reflection of where they're currently at. Similarly I don't see the appeal of plugin support. If anything it will disrupt their current workflow. Maybe they'll suprise us!
With a little time, effort and maybe the right IR's you can dial in the majority of the sounds the plugins give you too, though I do get the point about carrying over presets that someone else made.
Rabea Massad has size 13 feet. He said you get used to it. It’s about the same as a helix. Put if u want Solutek I got grey and I would put them on the top row. Which is raised. I don’t need them though I put them on the two buttons that pushes the presets.
He has WHAT 😂. Where does he buy shoes? The Circus?
Interesting take on not caring too much about plugin use. I thought it sounded cool at first, but don't really feel it's that necessary given all the great sounds that are in it already. However what I do kind miss within the QC is the look of the Neural Dsp plugins. Just kinda nice to have it resemble amp knobs when editing tones instead of generic gray knobs for everything. In that regard, the plugins feel more advanced in the user interface.
Good point and I tend to agree. I think part of the reason I enjoy/rate the current Headrush products so much is how enjoyable the UI is to use. A proper virtual representation of pedals, amps and cabs.
Got one today! I sold my helix and I am really happy with the QC. Hope for more effects/amps etc, in the future.
Nice! All my presets from this video are on the app 👌
@@ChilledGuitarReviews awesome! Thank you
HI! In my opinion the QC is already perfect 🥰
I'm thinking of doing the same. Was it the right choice?
@@paulmyfinger 100%. Love it
Would like to see get a hold of the new(been out 6 months or so) Fender Tone Master Pro. The Quad Cortex 's price dropped $200 a day or so after the TMP release.
That's next on my hit list!
Rotary knobs also appear on the Fender Tonemaster Pro (which is also more expensive than this, so that makes the QC the third most expensive :-)) and rotary knobs also appeared a decade ago on the TC G-System. Anyway, great vid, thanks! I'm just ordering a QC right now
The TMP is currently £1429 and £1399 some places so slightly cheaper at least here in the UK. Good point about the Rotary's knobs though! I'm currently hunting down a TMP for the next video!
I stand corrected on the price. Carry on! 😊
hey james, enjoyed the video. Any plans on reviewing a fractal?
Definitely. On my list for this year along with the Fender TMP!
@@ChilledGuitarReviewshey james, thanks for the reply....if you dont mind, later down the year when they're more readily available, perhaps you could take a look at the new strandberg boden essential, considering as you've entered the fray in terms of headless guitars (w/ the legator), it seems to be at an accessible price point and a lot of beginners might be interested in it.
I'll see what I can do I've been asked a few times to feature a Strandberg 👍👍👍
Question... i have the quadcortex.. is the option volume pedal function already global?
Cause i bought the mission pedal to and i dont like to program every preset. Thats the reason why i never use it
Place a volume block in your chain and assign it to an expression pedal. As far as I know there is no global recognition for volume pedals unless you do it the not recommended way and plug it into your input. I did try that just to see how it fared, but it would pop constantly when trying to adjust level so it became a glorified mute.
that Headrush Core's pricetag and feature list has me wondering what I'm missing.... the Dsp/Helix/Kemps are clocking in 800ish more, I've been scouring spec pages for days and cannot figure out what Were getting for that substanchale of a price jump (leap)
the Helix price REALLY bothers me, How is it even in the same League as the machines capable of making captures of amps and old school peds its obscene a ToneX and podGo could do more at half the price ?!?!?
Nice video, wanna share the 'devin townsend' preset in the NDSP app?
It's already up on the app mate just search my channel name it's called something like CGR Wet Dry or GCR Devin.
Good and fair review. I love my QC... but I hate the tuner. It's too slow...laggy, I mean. I'll stick with my peterson tuners.
I thought it was great for a factory tuner though certainly no Korg Pitch Black!
I’m really interested in the QC I’m a Helix player and looking for a smaller footprint without sacrificing DSP however my biggest worry about this thing is the power supply which I think is a bit flimsy compared to the Helix and others. This is especially a bit of a concern as I’m a pro gigging musician and it will likely be exposed each night,,,,,,thoughts ???
P.s. mounting it on a pedal board kinda defeats the object of wanting a smaller footprint imo.
Fair point. It's just a basic external power brick with a barrel plug. I personally would try and come up with a mains solution right next to it for a stage setup or use strong gaffa tape to secure it against being pulled out. The HR Core has a really handy little screw clip thing that prevents the power supply from being pulled out. Great feature!
@@ChilledGuitarReviews yeah I'm more concerned about something hitting it than it being pulled out , they should have done what Helix did, such a shame and obvious weak point ....
@@mickymalibu Nothing beats a good old IEC Kettle lead!
They sell a different adapter not sure if it’s just Sweetwater but it’s a bit sturdier than the one that comes with it. I have the original and no issues. Neural sells a sturdier one. Just looked.
HR Core is *exactly* half price of QC (at least here in US). Hence the question - which is better value for money ? 🙂
HR Core is ABSURD value for money IMO
Apparently they have cut out when switching rigs with the stomp. Is this still the case?
None that I noticed. Perhaps it's been addressed as I updated everything to the latest firmware when the unit landed with me?
Great Video , Well explained Gained a Subscriber!
I really wanted to love the QC , But i just don't think they're worth the £1500 price tag at all.. Especially as there's so much choice out there now for less with equally as good if not better tones and effects.
I purchased a ToneX not long back and i've been absolutely blown away with how accurate the amp captures are for the money, Only downside is not having any effects. But you can pair one of those with a HX stomp/HX effects for a lot less than one of these , Also giving you the ToneX capture tech , ToneX Software as a Standalone plug in And having a HX unit as a backup rig with a plethora of effects that fits in a backpack.
In my opinion i don't see the QC as a viable gigging tool either. Just seems like far too much to go wrong for me and those footswitches are way too close together to gig with, The touchscreen is a cool concept but protecting that screen in a gig environment just doesn't seem very well thought through either. I see it more as a Studio/Rehearsal tool to sit on a desk and just easily create and tweak tones rather than a touring musicians tool.
As a previous Fractal/Kemper/Helix user those are a lot more worth the money IMO especially in the used market.
Thank you my friend! Fair comments all round really. I can see the appeal of this unit mainly for the home/studio Guitarist but personally if I was spending £1500 I would look for a used Axe FX III. I'm in the minority but I just really like the Rack mounted form factor with a seperate sturdy footswitch I can stamp on without worrying about breaking a screen. Like how I have my Kemper setup behind me in this vid basically.
Also for fun at home noodling the £729 Headrush Core is just absurdly good value for money by comparison...
@@ChilledGuitarReviews Spot on.
My thoughts are exactly the same , If I was to spend that kind of money I’d be going used Axe Fx 3 or FM9 as you just get a unit that does everything extremely well. After owning most of these units the jump in terms of sound/tone is just so minimal it’s just a case of whatever workflow is the best really.. Touchscreens and Rotary knobs in a gigging environment is far from ideal.. The headrush stuff is fantastic for the money quick plug in and play you just can’t go wrong!
I think we’re starting to get to the stage now where the modelling is just soo good, That all you’re paying for is just the features and the QC is just not worth that extra cost IMO. I think most people would be over the moon with a Kemper or Axe Fx 2 in 2024 the jump to a QC just wouldn’t be worth it.
Could you share your presets, ive jist got one if these and am looking to experiement
Sure mate if you search Chilled Guitar Reviews on the Cortex mobile app all my presets from this video should be there.
@@ChilledGuitarReviews only 1 there at the moment
@@ItsCiarian Apologies they should all be there now. 6 Presets in total?
@ChilledGuitarReviews awesome thank you I'll check them out in due time:)
I agree, it simply doesnt need the plugins on it.
If it didn't need the plugins then why did Neural promise them and release several "we are trying but it's really hard" press releases?
@@benburnett8109 I can only assume that's because they used that (future) feature to sell the product at launch. Gimmick factor in my opinion because any sound you can think of this can produce, no doubt.
But I want to use my plugin presets live 😂
There he is. Youre the first click early Saturday morning here in Aus.
Australia! Wow. A pleasure to have a subscriber from down under 😁
@@ChilledGuitarReviewswe won't mention the cricket, will we? 😊
@@WholeLottaBulldog😂😂😂
No disrespect on the quad cortex, but it feels like every time I hear about this I just keep thinking about how similar it seems to an apple product (flaws included), I'll stick with the helix stuff for now but maybe they'll have something for me in the future>
Great video as always!
If I remember right there is a lot of shared tech in QC and Apple
With 3.1.2 update, Headrush Prime is the best with presets, sounds, and interface intuitivity and graphics quality... it's 2024.
Definitely a far nicer looking UI, I'm trying to get hold of a Fender Tone master Pro at the moment to review as that's the closest thing I've seen.
Plugin compatibility will be in Q2 this year
I'll hold you to that! 😂
You think helix is outdated?
I think it's showing its age now in terms of modelling quality. When I go back to my Helix rigs I notice this general dullness to the sound that I can never fully tweak out. Be great to see a Helix 2 with amp capturing, WiFi/Bluetooth, possibly a touchscreen.
Give you a tan 😂😂😂
It still lacks compared to other digital modelers, especially the Fractal.
Fractal has an insanely large selection of Amp models, but then this can download Captures...
How is this supposed a serious question. It's 2024 and QC releases at 2022. Clickbaitttttttt
Because since the release they have added and improved many features but also not delivered on some of the promises made at launch? Seems a fair enough title given that the QC was partially sold on what it was "going to do".
I'm an Helix owner and not a pro, love playin but for fun. I wonder if the QC is so much different/better from the helix to worth the trade. Helix is pretty complete and i can get very nice tones out of it. Great review by the way
Unless you specifically need the unique positives I can't see how the extra cost would be worth it tbh. Thanks for watching!