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With the Neural DSP Nano Cortex, the Finnish manufacturer has created an alternative to the Quad Cortex that is not only more compact but also significantly more affordable. However, they have removed as little as humanly possible, and the features of the smaller sibling, in its compact pedal housing, remain extensive. This should fully meet the demands of many guitarists and bassists, from living room sessions to live gigs and studio recordings. In terms of sound, the Nano Cortex, with its "Neural Capture" technology, is on par with the Quad Cortex, and creating custom "captures" is just as effortless here. Up to 256 custom creations of amps, cabs, distortion pedals, and effects can be made and edited either on the pedal or via the Cortex app. The app also provides access to the Cortex Cloud, which puts thousands more captures at the user's fingertips. In addition to this, the free NanOS 2.0.0 update unlocks 47 more effects and utilities.
Workflow is a breeze
Compared to the Quad Cortex, the Neural DSP Nano Cortex does without a display. Nevertheless, operation and workflow are intuitive, thanks to knobs and switches that, with their LED rings, clearly indicate the currently selected value even in poor lighting conditions. This is complemented by the app on the user's smartphone or tablet. The control panel features a familiar layout with knobs for gain, level, bass, mid, and treble, while "Capture", "Exit", and "Save" allow the user to record and store IRs. The Neural DSP Nano Cortex offers seven effect blocks: Two pre-FX and three post-FX (all of which are fully customisable) as well as the Neural Capture block for detailed editing of captures and a loader for IRs, which can also come from third parties. Ten IRs with different microphone options and types are pre-installed for a quick start.
Digital and analogue connectivity
The Neural DSP Nano Cortex underscores its professional aspirations with its numerous analogue and digital connections. In addition to the Bluetooth interface for wireless communication with the Cortex app, the front panel features a stereo output, a connection for an expression pedal (which also serves as a MIDI interface), a USB-C port for MIDI control, and a headphone jack with its own volume control. The power supply is also connected here, with a standard adapter providing 9–12V and 600mA to power the pedal. Finally, a ground-lift switch eliminates hum, which can occasionally occur in certain setups. The right side of the housing houses the capture combo jack for recording the sound source, with an additional booster helping to amplify weak signals.
About Neural DSP
Founded in Finland in 2017, Neural DSP regards itself as a developer and provider of computer-based solutions for the music industry. Inspired by innovative technologies such as advanced algorithms and machine learning, Neural DSP Technologies initially developed software plug-ins. New products have been released at regular intervals, most of which faithfully reproduce legendary amps or, in collaboration with popular guitarists such as Plini and Tosin Abasi, exactly reproduce their characteristic sounds. The Quad Cortex, the first hardware product from the still-young company, was released in 2021 and, true to the company's credo, is intended to bring artists a new level of creative inspiration through technological innovations.
Power tool for guitar and bass
The Neural DSP Nano Cortex is far more than just an alternative to its award-winning sibling, the Quad Cortex. With up to 256 captures in its memory and identical sound quality, this compact pedal serves as both a tone hub on the user's pedalboard and, with its USB-C interface, an extremely flexible recording tool in the studio. New captures can be quickly created (or activated via the IR loader) and combined with top-notch effects and numerous microphone and cab types to create custom setups that should leave little to be desired for any guitarist or bassist. In short: If the user can live with app-based control and fewer connections, the Neural DSP Nano Cortex not only saves space on the user's pedalboard compared to its bigger brother but also a significant amount of money, all while delivering the same sonic performance.
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To start with the positives, I tried capturing two of my amps yesterday and the results were genuinly incredible... I've never heard any other digital unit, whether its technology was based on modelling, profiling/capturing or whatever, reproducing the detail and clarity of a real mic'd up amp as accurately as the Nano Cortex. I haven't tried the ToneX, but I don't really see the need to - it physically can't get a hell of a lot better than this. The NDSP capture process is relatively fast and painless as well, more so than the ToneX process from my understanding. A couple minutes of ghastly noises that would make any priest worth his salt immediately go fetch his bottle of holy water, followed by a couple minutes of number crunching in silence, and you're left with an impressively accurate capture.
On the negative side, it's very unfortunate that Neural DSP decided to dumb this unit down as much as they did. It's simply not going to be a comprehensive rig for the vast majority of players. Myself included, who admittedly don't have the biggest demands or need the most complex rig, but having a little bit of "headroom" feature wise in a unit like this is never a bad thing. The fact that they did include some effects makes it a somewhat "neither fish nor fowl" kind of product, and thus a bit unclear what exact purpose it's intended to serve. The way I see it, it's pretty expensive for a pure capturing device, and they probably realised that and decided to add a couple of extremely limited, half baked effects to make it seem like a decent deal compared to something like the Kemper Player.
I've dreamt of something like this for a long time, a tiny unit that fits in a gig bag pocket and sounds killer. And while it certainly does fit that description, it still leaves a lot to be desired. I'll have to either expand it with something like a Line 6 HX Stomp, or simply swap it for a Quad Cortex to make it cover everything I need. Which, again, isn't all that much.
To start with the positives, I tried capturing two of my amps yesterday and the results were genuinly incredible... I've never heard any other digital unit, whether its technology was based on modelling, profiling/capturing or whatever, reproducing the detail and clarity of a real mic'd up amp as accurately as the Nano Cortex. I haven't tried the ToneX, but I don't
To start with the positives, I tried capturing two of my amps yesterday and the results were genuinly incredible... I've never heard any other digital unit, whether its technology was based on modelling, profiling/capturing or whatever, reproducing the detail and clarity of a real mic'd up amp as accurately as the Nano Cortex. I haven't tried the ToneX, but I don't really see the need to - it physically can't get a hell of a lot better than this. The NDSP capture process is relatively fast and painless as well, more so than the ToneX process from my understanding. A couple minutes of ghastly noises that would make any priest worth his salt immediately go fetch his bottle of holy water, followed by a couple minutes of number crunching in silence, and you're left with an impressively accurate capture.
On the negative side, it's very unfortunate that Neural DSP decided to dumb this unit down as much as they did. It's simply not going to be a comprehensive rig for the vast majority of players. Myself included, who admittedly don't have the biggest demands or need the most complex rig, but having a little bit of "headroom" feature wise in a unit like this is never a bad thing. The fact that they did include some effects makes it a somewhat "neither fish nor fowl" kind of product, and thus a bit unclear what exact purpose it's intended to serve. The way I see it, it's pretty expensive for a pure capturing device, and they probably realised that and decided to add a couple of extremely limited, half baked effects to make it seem like a decent deal compared to something like the Kemper Player.
I've dreamt of something like this for a long time, a tiny unit that fits in a gig bag pocket and sounds killer. And while it certainly does fit that description, it still leaves a lot to be desired. I'll have to either expand it with something like a Line 6 HX Stomp, or simply swap it for a Quad Cortex to make it cover everything I need. Which, again, isn't all that much.
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Great stuff!
Sc4v3 29.09.2024
Top quality on about every aspect I expected to use it, only draw back (which I hope is going to be changed via software) is the ability to use either Midi or EXP signals and not both at same time....I'm currently using an FCB1010 with it and would be kinda cool to be able to use both midi PC as well as Volume and EXP midi signals to the nano to control output level and effects expression amounts for example
Top quality on about every aspect I expected to use it, only draw back (which I hope is going to be changed via software) is the ability to use either Midi or EXP signals and not both at same time....I'm currently using an FCB1010 with it and would be kinda cool to be able to use both midi PC as well as Volume and EXP midi signals to the nano to control output level
Top quality on about every aspect I expected to use it, only draw back (which I hope is going to be changed via software) is the ability to use either Midi or EXP signals and not both at same time....I'm currently using an FCB1010 with it and would be kinda cool to be able to use both midi PC as well as Volume and EXP midi signals to the nano to control output level and effects expression amounts for example
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B
Absolutely perfect for my usage!
BedroomWarrior 24.09.2024
This is definitely the best guitar gear I've ever had. The included captures are amazing and the effects, even though there are only a few, sound really great. The app's user interface is very friendly and easy to use. You can also do everything without the app, which is great! The capturing process is really easy to do. Well done, Neural DSP! What an incredible time to be alive and playing guitar!
This is definitely the best guitar gear I've ever had. The included captures are amazing and the effects, even though there are only a few, sound really great. The app's user interface is very friendly and easy to use. You can also do everything without the app, which is great! The capturing process is really easy to do. Well done, Neural DSP! What an incredible time
This is definitely the best guitar gear I've ever had. The included captures are amazing and the effects, even though there are only a few, sound really great. The app's user interface is very friendly and easy to use. You can also do everything without the app, which is great! The capturing process is really easy to do. Well done, Neural DSP! What an incredible time to be alive and playing guitar!
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TO
Better than I thought
Thomas O. 713 20.10.2024
Excellent and easy to use device, pairs quickly with phone , no drop outs so far , the cloud is easy to use .The sound is really really good , works well with gtr volume knob , same as a amp. delay, modulation, reverb are all excellent.if you need more effects just add some, they work very well with this pedal. I have a Timmy type overdrive and it sounds amazing with this.
559 for all these amp sounds + reverb + mod+ delay, ir's etc, is a good bang for the buck. the lack of a screen makes it easier to use and less prone to option nuttiness which is a good thing , you play it more often. I 've had the boss gt1000 core , Headrush MX5 and these needed a lot of work to get a good sound ,this is just so good sounding out of the box its unreal and then you so many sounds on the cloud as well as the neural capture thing , whats not to like. Some people seem to think the fixed line of effects is limiting , but you can add delay, reverbs etc at the end and the mods ,distortion ,wah etc at the start just like an amp. So whats not to like , yeh the price isn't fun but you get a lot for it and is easy to use, as say an ordinary distortion pedal .
Avery good exercise in ergonomics.
Excellent and easy to use device, pairs quickly with phone , no drop outs so far , the cloud is easy to use .The sound is really really good , works well with gtr volume knob , same as a amp. delay, modulation, reverb are all excellent.if you need more effects just add some, they work very well with this pedal. I have a Timmy type overdrive and it sounds amazing with
Excellent and easy to use device, pairs quickly with phone , no drop outs so far , the cloud is easy to use .The sound is really really good , works well with gtr volume knob , same as a amp. delay, modulation, reverb are all excellent.if you need more effects just add some, they work very well with this pedal. I have a Timmy type overdrive and it sounds amazing with this.
559 for all these amp sounds + reverb + mod+ delay, ir's etc, is a good bang for the buck. the lack of a screen makes it easier to use and less prone to option nuttiness which is a good thing , you play it more often. I 've had the boss gt1000 core , Headrush MX5 and these needed a lot of work to get a good sound ,this is just so good sounding out of the box its unreal and then you so many sounds on the cloud as well as the neural capture thing , whats not to like. Some people seem to think the fixed line of effects is limiting , but you can add delay, reverbs etc at the end and the mods ,distortion ,wah etc at the start just like an amp. So whats not to like , yeh the price isn't fun but you get a lot for it and is easy to use, as say an ordinary distortion pedal .
Avery good exercise in ergonomics.
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