That "oh! I see what you're doing there!" moment when you put that diagram up -- so good! capturing each stage of the tone for reamping starting from any point. A hub for analog gear. Brilliant!
I also see the possibility of sharing presets and captures with other cortex owners like the Kemper community does which would add another layer of value. I've been finding myself using the Neural Plugins more often as the transition to tracking and tone building is quicker than trying to dial in and set up my Kemper. Having a console that can sync with that work and its portability sounds nice, but if you're already invested heavily in the plug-ins, your capture gear, and have created a solid workflow, the decision is difficult when i have other devices that do their job well. Part of me wants this to replace all of my gear but also fearful of its limitations like i have found in line6 and axe fx
I think it’s here to stay. Only time will tell whether other modelers become obsolete or not yet. The only thing I think is better about the axe fx is that it’s a rack unit, so it’s great for touring bands (when tours become a thing again). Don’t have any comments on feel or sound, because I haven’t tried either and haven’t heard a direct comparison.
Like it or not the QC is what all others will be judged by from here on. Wifi, captures, touch screen, routing options, weight, size, less buttons to mess with, ect.. Price wise its worth it too me if you look at 3 great pedals costing you 900.00 or more 1600 is not bad.
Hi George 👋. Did you find much use for the qc since making this video? I love your mic pre captures, used it to record vocals and even incerting it on my master track to give my daw some analogue-ish goodness. Instead of having outboard analogue gear I have outboard digital gear.🤷♂️ I'd love it if neural would do some extensive captures of studio mic pre's, eq's and things like that.
Patching up my AFX II to work mainly as a studio tool, not as an amp sim was a gamechanger for me personally. I can't wait for the next video to tear down my patchbay and snag some new knowledge into my setup :D
Very good video. For me what is very important is the size and the flexibility of connections. Comparing to helix or kemper stage it's way smaller. Thinking for gigs the QC is the better one on the market right now.
@@kcussrebutuemos4815 I agree. My case is. I have no gear. Between kemper stage, helix and mooer ge300 I prefer QC. For whom already have something I think doesn't worth
Thanks for the video. My setup is basically very clean tone amps with pedals. I love my pedalboards. I like the idea of taking the QC with me when I travel. Lot smaller than my pedalboards and I can record into an iPad. Have you had good results, capturing pedals?
really good video, George. I've been refining my own multi-amp stereo/tandem routing rig for a few years now and it sounds like we have similar interests in how we can leverage this kind of gear in the studio as well as how well it can work in a simplified context while playing out.
I like the possibilities but so far EVERY expensive digital amp modeler lost a lot of value whenever the "next thing" is coming out. I just want a nice VST host in pedalboard form.
I'd love a video that gets into the nerdy stuff of IRs and making them, if you'd want to make that? I just learned that you can actually use the same process on the neural plugin cabs and I tried it and works. But with the method I used the resulting IR sounds a bit flat compared to the neural plugin cab. I also noticed that different IR loaders with that same IR sounded slightly different so that was a big surprise to me
Quad Cortex VS laptop with plugins? This is what I'm suffering with, I already have a midi pedalboard I use with my studio setup, but i want a portable rig. I also use photoshop so I was thinking a laptop could provide both. I'm leaning towards the laptop route but is there anything people have from experience?
I’m basically looking for a modeler to use as a pedalboard and possibly and preamp for live shows. I like my amp and cab, but I don’t like the tap dancing I have to do on my pedalboard. I would ideally use the cortex for effects and preamp gain going into the fx loop of my amp. Would you recommend the cortex for that?
stopped at 0:00 Just to say I've been waiting for this, I'm holding back with pushing the trigger on a modeller that will work in tandem via 4CM with a local boutique amp at home, and as a standalone at gigz. This or a Helix LT
*HX LT as an "aged" full-on modeller and QC as a modeller-profiler hybrid. The price gap between the two is notice'able (speaking as a musician NOT earning from music in a 2nd world country) tho.
Hey George! You talked a bit about the different ways you imagine routing different gear through the QC, as well as using it as an interface. Do you think that the flexibility of the QC is actually greater than that of the AxeFx III?
For me. The limitation and frustration with the fractal stuff stems from having to connect to the axe edit app to do anything quickly. The QC having a touch interface allows for that testing and changing on the fly to be second nature.
Hey George just found your channel, nice vibes :) I have a direct question regarding the QC I have had my unit for 48 hours, not long, not enough time to work out its quirks. I run mostly hybrid rigs, analogue drives into valves using various iterations of digital and modellers for wet dry wet. I seem to be experiencing some sort of phasing or chorusing across the stereo field.... like an overalll high pitched oscillation...very hard to explain, very subtle and across all presets and mixes I have tested from others and made myself... it seems to exist if I drop the preset to mono and run it through a single speaker which is quite confusing . My unit is working fine and I have no doubt it is in the overall sound of the QC. I read a poster on Reddit describe it as sand under the string... i cannot use that analogy my self but I understand what he means... it is a feel thing but also a sound thing.. I do not experience this from other modellers through the same speaker set up. I wondered if you can understand what I am saying or comment privately or public. Just thoughts.. it could be my ears sometimes when an idea gets stuck it is hard not to hear. Subbed and liked, thanks for the video👍👍
Literally every modeler has that drop out when switching presets. But most (including the QC) have some kind of feature to tackle it. So it never was an issue, Paul David just didn't do his research. This feature is called "Scenes", "Snapshots" or something similar depending on the unit.
Nice vid man, i subscribed... I do have a question too... Most people these days play heavy/metal tones for demos and I dont play metal... Could you please show some amps/tones that are more in the 'crunch' 'plexi' 'calssic rock' style... I dont necessarily mean classic old amps, just less gain please haha...
@@GeorgeLeverG1 Oh ok - I thought you were a music producer/guitarist and not just a metal producer sorry dude... (As a guitarist do you seriously only use high gain tones all the time...? That seems quite limiting...)
I’ve worked on all sorts but the majority of my following would consider me allocated to metal / prog / rock. Re limiting - I could say the same for crunch tones! It’s subjective after all isn’t it :) I promise I’ll find a way to include a plethora of tonal verity from here on irrespective. Probably needed seeing as my shoegaze pedal collection won’t stop growing.
@@GeorgeLeverG1 Yeah totally, but i dont use just crunch, i use high gain tones too and all sorts of trippy shit, whatever the tune needs... I do kind of a progressive funk/rock type thing mostly so i use all sorts of tones... Its just i know the Cortex can do high gain and clean/trippy shit, but most people that demo it skip the crunch... Rock on dude... soundcloud.com/nick-cowle/sets/space-monkey
Refreshingly honest conversation around the QC. You offer a unique perspective that is not just about tone but about how to use it in a workflow. I admit, I am 100% guilty of G.A.S. You garnered instant credibility from the start when you said that you paid for it. Curiously though, several times in the video, you reference "We" in relation to you and Neural. Probably just a figure of speech. I also feel this video could have been a little shorter- cat pics are nice, but... You touched on this very briefly but you might want to be make sure everyone clearly understands that unless you already OWN the plug-ins, you won't get them into your QC. You said as much, but quickly. I almost missed it. I found this decision to be a big fail. At one point when you are talking about value, you are comparing it to the AxeFXIII. In no way do I think this unit is in the same ballpark at this early stage of development. Give it two years of releases, then maybe I would consider it over a FM3- if it were priced the same (it is much more expensive.) Also, within a year or two, I am sure the team at Fractal is going to come up with something special. I am hoping a hybrid between the FM3 and the III- maybe a floor unit with more buttons and more CPU power. That would be hard to beat. Regarding value, you make a good point about it being subjective and based on usage. Also, if you had to buy all those amps and effects, you would spend a lot more. Still, when the AxeFXIII is available for a few dollars more, I would consider that the better value (despite it's higher price.) Even the much lower priced FM3 could be argued as the better value. In the end, get what you like but I'm on team Fractal. I do own their plug-in's though and they are amongst the best ever made. They really should have come with the QC. If not all, at least the top 3. Fractal offers so much in their product right out the box. I like their delays and reverbs much more. In fairness, the Pro's for the QC include the build quality, rotary dials and capture. Some big negatives include, no PC editor (it will run out of CPU despite being marketed as the worlds more powerful modeler); does not come with their incredible plug-in's and a few other things that will take year of updates to catch up. If it was priced sub $1,000- ok. It is very much priced as a finished, premium and mature (in life-cycle) product which it is not. It is nice and has some innovative features, but IMO it needs to be priced much lower, come with their plug-in's pre-loaded and definitely a PC editor. Maybe then, I would chose it over the FM3, but I doubt it.
Couldn't the Axe FX do all of this as well? Outside of the captures, which it isn't do as well as the Kemper, it doesn't seem to do anything that excites me personally. What am I missing about this thing?
I'm just glad they kept delaying the delivery date or I would not have gotten a Fractal Axe FX III. I cancelled my order and have no regrets. I truly think that the QC will go down in history as...."Don't hype it too much or you will end up like the Neural QC".
I love your calm and intelligent way of stating your oppinions. Great channel!
Thanks Christopher. I in turn appreciate your kind comments. You’re welcome back anytime!
@@GeorgeLeverG1 great video!! What guitar is that you’re playing? Beauty!
GAS got me good for years from the forum days. I'm currently GSM. Gear Selling Mode.
Me too.
That "oh! I see what you're doing there!" moment when you put that diagram up -- so good! capturing each stage of the tone for reamping starting from any point. A hub for analog gear. Brilliant!
that joy in your face
"I can say whatever the hell that I want"
priceless xD
I also see the possibility of sharing presets and captures with other cortex owners like the Kemper community does which would add another layer of value. I've been finding myself using the Neural Plugins more often as the transition to tracking and tone building is quicker than trying to dial in and set up my Kemper. Having a console that can sync with that work and its portability sounds nice, but if you're already invested heavily in the plug-ins, your capture gear, and have created a solid workflow, the decision is difficult when i have other devices that do their job well. Part of me wants this to replace all of my gear but also fearful of its limitations like i have found in line6 and axe fx
I think it’s here to stay. Only time will tell whether other modelers become obsolete or not yet. The only thing I think is better about the axe fx is that it’s a rack unit, so it’s great for touring bands (when tours become a thing again). Don’t have any comments on feel or sound, because I haven’t tried either and haven’t heard a direct comparison.
“Okay this is what it sounds like”
*TH-cam cuts to add of a random average joe learning how to play teen spirit for 5 seconds*
I lost my shit 😂😂😂😂
New Lever video! Let’s gooo💪♥️
Really resonate with your outlook on this and gear in general. loving the content man!
I appreciate that!
More cats please
Always cats
need a new catsim plugin
@@kirksoma81 The catsim randomly throws things off the master bus and is fairly CPU hungry, but the UI is very pretty
Great video, you hit on some points I haven't heard other people talk about!
Can't wait till I get mine next week
Glad it was helpful!
Ok, now I want to try my Minibrute through a Quad!
Please make a video showing your method of routing the QC. 😊 And I promise, I’ll eat my vegetables. 👊🏻😎
Like it or not the QC is what all others will be judged by from here on. Wifi, captures, touch screen, routing options, weight, size, less buttons to mess with, ect.. Price wise its worth it too me if you look at 3 great pedals costing you 900.00 or more 1600 is not bad.
Factor in all the cabling, buffers, switchers, etc., that you'd have to buy and it looks even better.
@@cpfs936 yep years back I had a gigrig and pedals spent about 4k on that board and still was not routed like I really wanted.
Hi George 👋. Did you find much use for the qc since making this video? I love your mic pre captures, used it to record vocals and even incerting it on my master track to give my daw some analogue-ish goodness. Instead of having outboard analogue gear I have outboard digital gear.🤷♂️
I'd love it if neural would do some extensive captures of studio mic pre's, eq's and things like that.
i don't know why, but i like listening you, just like getgood n frightbox, seems to be like all in one summing unit or interface to some. extent
Just found your channel, can’t believe you only have 3k subs! Can’t wait for the next video
Patching up my AFX II to work mainly as a studio tool, not as an amp sim was a gamechanger for me personally. I can't wait for the next video to tear down my patchbay and snag some new knowledge into my setup :D
I appreciate your insight! Thank you George.
First time on your channel and loving it already! Just subscribed, looking foward to your next videos!
Can we get a video series of George jumping on different gear? Idk sounds fun
+1 for this
+1
What if you wanted a Cortex
But Neural DSP said: *BACKORDERED*
Yea it’s been a year and a half here. Lost interest which I think is a good thing me finally.
You made a good video🎸 Mine is on it's way from Sweetwater tomorrow
Mine will be here May 4th!!!
Very good video. For me what is very important is the size and the flexibility of connections. Comparing to helix or kemper stage it's way smaller. Thinking for gigs the QC is the better one on the market right now.
True but I can’t keep up buying every last piece of gear. I’m ending my gas. Enjoy it if you can get one.
@@kcussrebutuemos4815 I agree. My case is. I have no gear. Between kemper stage, helix and mooer ge300 I prefer QC. For whom already have something I think doesn't worth
Thanks for the video. My setup is basically very clean tone amps with pedals. I love my pedalboards. I like the idea of taking the QC with me when I travel. Lot smaller than my pedalboards and I can record into an iPad. Have you had good results, capturing pedals?
really good video, George. I've been refining my own multi-amp stereo/tandem routing rig for a few years now and it sounds like we have similar interests in how we can leverage this kind of gear in the studio as well as how well it can work in a simplified context while playing out.
I thought about buying one until I saw the price. Then after hearing demos I'm still happy with my Headrush.
what are the odds i take my glasses off to clean them as soon as george puts up a diagram to read
I see that Ghost supplement hat. Good stuff.
Best vegan protein around honestly.
I like the possibilities but so far EVERY expensive digital amp modeler lost a lot of value whenever the "next thing" is coming out. I just want a nice VST host in pedalboard form.
can be quad cortex a midi controler for straymons big sky and timeline?
Never clicked a yt notification so quickly
I'd love a video that gets into the nerdy stuff of IRs and making them, if you'd want to make that? I just learned that you can actually use the same process on the neural plugin cabs and I tried it and works. But with the method I used the resulting IR sounds a bit flat compared to the neural plugin cab. I also noticed that different IR loaders with that same IR sounded slightly different so that was a big surprise to me
Great vid again George! Just wondering will you ever release the background music it’s super chill
Some day :) maybe the QC can help make more 🤷🏻♂️
i would also love if you released the background music :)
Great stuff George....enjoyed that...subbed.
Quad Cortex VS laptop with plugins? This is what I'm suffering with, I already have a midi pedalboard I use with my studio setup, but i want a portable rig. I also use photoshop so I was thinking a laptop could provide both. I'm leaning towards the laptop route but is there anything people have from experience?
I’m basically looking for a modeler to use as a pedalboard and possibly and preamp for live shows. I like my amp and cab, but I don’t like the tap dancing I have to do on my pedalboard. I would ideally use the cortex for effects and preamp gain going into the fx loop of my amp. Would you recommend the cortex for that?
stopped at 0:00
Just to say I've been waiting for this, I'm holding back with pushing the trigger on a modeller that will work in tandem via 4CM with a local boutique amp at home, and as a standalone at gigz.
This or a Helix LT
*HX LT as an "aged" full-on modeller and QC as a modeller-profiler hybrid. The price gap between the two is notice'able (speaking as a musician NOT earning from music in a 2nd world country) tho.
aaaaaand you've nailed it, as always. Thanks George! I'm saving up for a QC!
Hey George, love the video man. Any chance we can get one of your Stam SA47? Cheers mate
What's the point of reviewing something if you keep hesitating to state your opinion?
Hey George! You talked a bit about the different ways you imagine routing different gear through the QC, as well as using it as an interface. Do you think that the flexibility of the QC is actually greater than that of the AxeFx III?
For me. The limitation and frustration with the fractal stuff stems from having to connect to the axe edit app to do anything quickly. The QC having a touch interface allows for that testing and changing on the fly to be second nature.
Video quality is pixelated on my flatscreen on the highest quality mate. It’s a regular 40 something inch tv
awwwh!
Looks fine here
Please post some awesome amp captures on the Neural app. Would be much appreciated. Thank you.
Coming soon!
@@GeorgeLeverG1 Appreciated. Thanks for your time. Also: More cats. The cats are rad.
Hey George just found your channel, nice vibes :) I have a direct question regarding the QC I have had my unit for 48 hours, not long, not enough time to work out its quirks. I run mostly hybrid rigs, analogue drives into valves using various iterations of digital and modellers for wet dry wet.
I seem to be experiencing some sort of phasing or chorusing across the stereo field.... like an overalll high pitched oscillation...very hard to explain, very subtle and across all presets and mixes I have tested from others and made myself... it seems to exist if I drop the preset to mono and run it through a single speaker which is quite confusing . My unit is working fine and I have no doubt it is in the overall sound of the QC. I read a poster on Reddit describe it as sand under the string... i cannot use that analogy my self but I understand what he means... it is a feel thing but also a sound thing.. I do not experience this from other modellers through the same speaker set up. I wondered if you can understand what I am saying or comment privately or public. Just thoughts.. it could be my ears sometimes when an idea gets stuck it is hard not to hear.
Subbed and liked, thanks for the video👍👍
Did you find audio drop when you changed presets ? Like paul david did ?. Or they have updated the firmware to fix that ??
Literally every modeler has that drop out when switching presets. But most (including the QC) have some kind of feature to tackle it. So it never was an issue, Paul David just didn't do his research. This feature is called "Scenes", "Snapshots" or something similar depending on the unit.
This is what the Cortex sounds like. * Suddenly a BIAS ad appears with a blues tone * :|
what's your opinions on the audio interface ?? aside of the ins/outs limitations how does it hold up against dedicated interface devices? ?
Nice vid man, i subscribed... I do have a question too... Most people these days play heavy/metal tones for demos and I dont play metal... Could you please show some amps/tones that are more in the 'crunch' 'plexi' 'calssic rock' style... I dont necessarily mean classic old amps, just less gain please haha...
Coming to a metal producer asking for crunch tones? I mean. I can. But they will be REALLY BAD.
@@GeorgeLeverG1 Oh ok - I thought you were a music producer/guitarist and not just a metal producer sorry dude... (As a guitarist do you seriously only use high gain tones all the time...? That seems quite limiting...)
I’ve worked on all sorts but the majority of my following would consider me allocated to metal / prog / rock.
Re limiting - I could say the same for crunch tones! It’s subjective after all isn’t it :) I promise I’ll find a way to include a plethora of tonal verity from here on irrespective. Probably needed seeing as my shoegaze pedal collection won’t stop growing.
@@GeorgeLeverG1 Yeah totally, but i dont use just crunch, i use high gain tones too and all sorts of trippy shit, whatever the tune needs... I do kind of a progressive funk/rock type thing mostly so i use all sorts of tones... Its just i know the Cortex can do high gain and clean/trippy shit, but most people that demo it skip the crunch... Rock on dude... soundcloud.com/nick-cowle/sets/space-monkey
Does it sound better then a good amp plugin?
Neural makes plug-ins, so my guess is that that's what their amp models are. (I could be wrong, though. Just guessing.)
What guitar are you using here? Looks gorgeous!
That is a Wirebird guitar, made by a UK luthier that does custom builds.
Refreshingly honest conversation around the QC. You offer a unique perspective that is not just about tone but about how to use it in a workflow. I admit, I am 100% guilty of G.A.S. You garnered instant credibility from the start when you said that you paid for it. Curiously though, several times in the video, you reference "We" in relation to you and Neural. Probably just a figure of speech. I also feel this video could have been a little shorter- cat pics are nice, but...
You touched on this very briefly but you might want to be make sure everyone clearly understands that unless you already OWN the plug-ins, you won't get them into your QC. You said as much, but quickly. I almost missed it. I found this decision to be a big fail.
At one point when you are talking about value, you are comparing it to the AxeFXIII. In no way do I think this unit is in the same ballpark at this early stage of development. Give it two years of releases, then maybe I would consider it over a FM3- if it were priced the same (it is much more expensive.) Also, within a year or two, I am sure the team at Fractal is going to come up with something special. I am hoping a hybrid between the FM3 and the III- maybe a floor unit with more buttons and more CPU power. That would be hard to beat.
Regarding value, you make a good point about it being subjective and based on usage. Also, if you had to buy all those amps and effects, you would spend a lot more. Still, when the AxeFXIII is available for a few dollars more, I would consider that the better value (despite it's higher price.) Even the much lower priced FM3 could be argued as the better value. In the end, get what you like but I'm on team Fractal. I do own their plug-in's though and they are amongst the best ever made. They really should have come with the QC. If not all, at least the top 3. Fractal offers so much in their product right out the box. I like their delays and reverbs much more.
In fairness, the Pro's for the QC include the build quality, rotary dials and capture. Some big negatives include, no PC editor (it will run out of CPU despite being marketed as the worlds more powerful modeler); does not come with their incredible plug-in's and a few other things that will take year of updates to catch up. If it was priced sub $1,000- ok. It is very much priced as a finished, premium and mature (in life-cycle) product which it is not. It is nice and has some innovative features, but IMO it needs to be priced much lower, come with their plug-in's pre-loaded and definitely a PC editor. Maybe then, I would chose it over the FM3, but I doubt it.
Couldn't the Axe FX do all of this as well? Outside of the captures, which it isn't do as well as the Kemper, it doesn't seem to do anything that excites me personally. What am I missing about this thing?
Great Video!
Loved the video, ☑️subscribed 👊👍
Welcome aboard!
I'm just glad they kept delaying the delivery date or I would not have gotten a Fractal Axe FX III. I cancelled my order and have no regrets. I truly think that the QC will go down in history as...."Don't hype it too much or you will end up like the Neural QC".
But why are there two gain plugins on the 2bus 😂
??? 🥸
@@GeorgeLeverG1 I had just finished watching you’re last mix rescue and you’re reaction to two gain plug-ins on the main out was hilarious 😆
Oooooooh. Man you lost me for a moment there haha
that wirebird hngggggggg
Lovely cats, man! :)
Hey George, good to see you doing youtube stuff now man!
Let’s go new video lol
Weeping wound is sick
You just wait ;)
"router"
Just buy a Helix
Morning George
Knobs
In capitals please.
@@GeorgeLeverG1 KNOBS
@@KeyanHoushmandLive KNOBS WAS YES!
You sound very constipated on thoughts
Dude...
Looks like ur holding back from saying what u really want to...
Idk, could just be me...