- Neural DSP Profile & iLok Accounts
- How do plugin licenses on Quad Cortex?
- CorOS 3.0.0 Educational Content
- How does the Doubler Block work?
- Matching Quad Cortex and Plugins tones
- Quad Cortex Headphones Output
- Quad Cortex Grounding Switches
- Disclaimer
1. Neural DSP Profile & iLok Accounts
Link your iLok accounts to your Neural DSP profile by entering your iLok usernames on your Profile Page. You can link up to 3 iLok accounts to your Neural DSP profile. Your Quad Cortex will unlock the plugins you own by fetching the licenses from all the linked iLok accounts.
2. How do plugin licenses on Quad Cortex?
Only Perpetual licenses will unlock plugins on Quad Cortex. 14-Day trials are not valid perpetual licenses. Using a plugin on Quad Cortex will not affect the number of license activations you have available on iLok.
Quad Cortex only needs an internet connection once to verify which plugin licenses you have in the iLok account connected to your Neural DSP account. After that, licenses will be available offline on the unit indefinitely until a new Neural DSP account is linked.
You can use your plugins on up to 3 Quad Cortex units.
3. CorOS 3.0.0 Educational Content
4. How does the Doubler Block work?
The 'Doubler' module generates a duplicate of the signal at its position in The Grid. This duplicated signal is randomly delayed by a few milliseconds, based on the range set by the SPREAD knob, to create a stereo effect.
The delay value is recalculated with each new note or chord played. When the SOURCE is set to 'Off', the 'Doubler' captures the signal from its location in the Grid. For optimal results, set the SOURCE to 'In 1' or another analog input where your instrument is connected, allowing the 'Doubler' to read clearer transients.
5. Matching Quad Cortex and Plugins tones
The plugin blocks available on Quad Cortex are the same devices available on Neural DSP plugins, meaning that there should not be tonal differences when comparing them side by side under the same conditions: Using the same instrument and Quad Cortex as audio interface. If you are using a third-party audio interface for running plugins, use its instrument input without added gain.
Connect your instrument:
- Connect your instrument to Quad Cortex IN 1 or 2.
- Alternatively, use the instrument input (Hi-Z) of your interface.
Set input levels:
- Set the plugin's INPUT knob to 0.0dB and set the Quad Cortex Row 1's INPUT GAIN to -2.26 dB to match the input headroom.
- Alternatively, set the plugin's INPUT knob to +2.3dB and Quad Cortex's IN1 to 0.0dB (1M).
Compare Presets:
- Prepare an audio session to monitor Quad Cortex and plugins separately via two different audio tracks.
- Match the plugin and Quad Cortex output levels in your session.
- Load the same preset on both the plugin and Quad Cortex.
- Alternate monitoring between the plugin and Quad Cortex.
The easiest way to achieve this is by monitoring the plugin via Quad Cortex as audio interface, ensuring the input impedance and output monitoring are the same in both scenarios. When comparing Quad Cortex with third-party audio interfaces, consider the following:
- Using active splitters might affect the tone of your signal.
- Tone differences might still happen even after compensating for the input headroom.
- Old custom Impulse Responses from the Cloud might need to be reimported to the Quad Cortex via Cortex Control to be processed with the latest algorithm available on Neural DSP X plugins.
6. Quad Cortex Headphones Output
Use headphones with an impedance up to 300 ohms and sensitivity as close to 100dB/mW as you can get for best performance with Quad Cortex's headphones output. The higher the impedance of your headphones, the lower the headphone output volume will be.
Quad Cortex was designed as an amp modeler solution in a compact, sturdy pedal format.
To remove the likelihood of ground loops, the Quad Cortex receives its ground connection through its XLR-balanced outputs. When using the Quad Cortex with headphones and a power supply, there is no earth-ground connection as there would be with an amplifier or FRFR system, which can cause some background noise (also known as 'hum').
This hum is often reduced when you ground the guitar by touching the strings. The power supply included with the Quad Cortex significantly reduces this hum compared to similar adapters. If an amplifier or FRFR system with a grounded connection is available, the hum can be eliminated by connecting OUT 1/L or 2/R from the Quad Cortex to the input of the amplifier or FRFR system.
Power supplies like the 'Zuma' or 'CIOKS DC7' offer superior filtering and isolation, further improving noise performance.
7. Noise Troubleshooting
It is possible to hear noise when the Quad Cortex is turned off while powered monitors are still connected to its XLR outputs. To prevent this, we recommend turning off the monitors or amplifiers connected to the Quad Cortex before powering it down.
For smoother operation, the XLR outputs use optical switches to lift the ground. By default, these switches are open when the Quad Cortex is off, meaning the grounds are lifted.
If you prefer to keep your monitors powered on and connected while the Quad Cortex is not in use, enabling the STANDBY feature will resolve the issue by maintaining the ground state. To activate STANDBY, press the Power Button, navigate to the Power Functions menu, and select STANDBY. This mode disables all audio outputs, turns off the screen, and provides instant boot-up when you are ready to use the device again.
8. Disclaimer
In the interest of continuous improvement, specifications for the Quad Cortex are subject to change without notice. For any questions, please feel free to contact us at support@neuraldsp.com.