Everything you need to know about using the QC Mini
The Neural DSP Quad Cortex Mini packs a surprising amount of processing power into an incredibly small footprint. If you’re just getting started with one, there are a few things you should do right away and some basic controls you’ll want to understand before building your first presets.
This guide walks through the essentials, including setup, connecting to Wi-Fi, updating CorOS, editing presets, changing amps and effects, using scenes and stomp mode, managing inputs and outputs, and saving your custom sounds.
What’s Included With the Quad Cortex Mini?
Inside the box, you’ll find the Quad Cortex Mini along with everything you need to get started. Neural DSP includes a USB-C cable, power supply with a locking barrel connector, a pedal-power adapter, multiple plug adapters, four optional rubber feet, a guitar pick, documentation, a resources card with QR code, and a Neural DSP decal.
The included locking power connector is a nice touch because it helps prevent the power cable from accidentally being pulled out during use. If you’re planning to mount the Quad Cortex Mini on a pedalboard, the included adapter also lets you power it from a compatible pedal power supply.
1. Power On and Connect to Wi-Fi
Connect the included power supply to the Quad Cortex Mini and twist the locking connector into place. By default, the unit will automatically power on when you connect the power supply, although this behavior can be changed in the system settings.
Once the Mini boots up, you’ll arrive at the preset view. The factory default preset is 1A Brit 2203.
Before you start building sounds, I recommend connecting the unit to Wi-Fi. Tap the three dots at the top of the screen, open Settings, and select System from the left-hand menu. Under Connection, select your Wi-Fi network and connect.
2. Check for CorOS Updates
Once you’re connected to the internet, go to Settings > System > Updates and select Check for Updates. Neural DSP regularly updates CorOS, so it’s worth making sure your Quad Cortex Mini is running the latest version before you start creating presets.
3. Connect Your Neural DSP Account
While you’re in the system settings, go to Account and sign in with your Neural DSP account. Connecting your account gives you access to cloud backups and allows compatible Neural DSP plugin licenses to sync with the Quad Cortex Mini.
Once your account is connected, you’re ready to start working with presets and effects.
4. Understanding the Preset View
The Quad Cortex Mini organizes your signal chain from left to right. Each block represents an amp, cabinet, pedal, effect, or other part of your signal chain, and you can use multiple rows to create more complex setups.
To see whether an effect is active, look at the block on the screen. Active effects are highlighted, while inactive effects appear darker. You can double-tap an effect block to turn it on or off.
5. Editing Effects and Amp Settings
Tap an effect to open its parameters. You can adjust the controls directly on the touchscreen, or use the footswitches to navigate and change parameters without reaching down to the screen.
For example, footswitch C can be used to select a parameter while footswitch D lets you adjust the selected value. This makes it possible to make quick changes while you’re playing.
6. Using the Built-In Tuner
Need to tune up? Press A + C at the same time to open the tuner. Tune your guitar, then exit the tuner when you’re ready to continue.
7. Changing Amps and Cabs
If you want to try a different amp, you can select the amp block and browse through the available models. You can also use footswitch B to cycle through the available amp options.
Once you’ve found the amp you want, select it and confirm your choice. You can then adjust its gain, EQ, presence, and other available parameters just like any other effect block.
8. Moving and Removing Effects
One of the easiest ways to change your tone is to experiment with the order of your effects. Press and hold an effect block, then drag it to another available position in the signal chain.
You can also remove an effect by pressing and holding the block and dragging it into the trash area. This frees up the block for another effect.
Remember that changing the order of your effects can dramatically change the sound. For example, placing a reverb before an amp will produce a very different result from placing it after the amp and cabinet.
9. Adding New Effects
To add a new effect, select an empty block in your signal chain. The effect browser gives you several categories to choose from, including overdrives, delays, reverbs, compressors, pitch effects, modulation, filters, EQ, synth effects, and more.
You can also access your Neural DSP plugins, Neural Captures, cabinets, custom IRs, and the effects loop. If you use physical pedals, the effects loop gives you another way to incorporate them into your Quad Cortex Mini setup.
10. Use Gig View for Live Playing
By default, the Quad Cortex Mini opens in preset mode. If you’re using it on stage, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to enter Gig View.
Gig View gives you a larger, easier-to-read interface designed for live use. You can quickly see your presets, scenes, or stomps without relying on the smaller preset editing interface.
11. Preset Mode vs. Scene Mode
Preset mode is great for moving between completely different signal chains, but there’s an important limitation for live performance: switching presets can introduce a brief gap in the audio.
For seamless changes, use Scene Mode. Press B + D at the same time to enter scene mode.
Scenes allow you to turn different effects and parameters on or off within the same preset. You can even switch between different amps without loading an entirely new preset. This makes scenes especially useful for moving between rhythm, lead, clean, and other sounds during a song.
The Quad Cortex Mini gives you eight scenes per preset. The first four are available initially, while pressing and holding footswitch B gives you access to the second set of four.
12. Stomp Mode
If you prefer using your modeler like a traditional pedalboard, Stomp Mode is the mode you’ll probably use most.
Stomp mode lets you assign effects to the footswitches so you can turn individual effects on and off while keeping the rest of your preset intact. You can have up to eight stomp assignments available and switch between the two pages using footswitch B.
This is particularly useful if you want to build one main amp rig and control your overdrive, delay, modulation, boost, transpose, or other effects just like you would with physical pedals.
13. Adjusting Inputs and Outputs
The Quad Cortex Mini gives you several options for connecting guitars, pedals, headphones, interfaces, and other equipment. You have your main guitar input, additional input and return connections, expression pedal connections, send and capture connections, and stereo outputs.
For quick volume adjustments, use the + and – controls. You can choose which outputs are affected by the volume control, including your headphones or individual outputs.
If you want more detailed control, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the full input and output menu. From here, you can adjust individual levels and access the global EQ.
14. Save Your Custom Preset
Once you’ve created a sound you like, make sure you save it. Select the save icon near the preset controls and choose where you want to store the preset.
You can save presets directly to the Quad Cortex Mini, organize them into a set list, and give your preset a custom name so it’s easy to find later.
15. Changing Preset Banks
The Mini initially shows four presets: 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D. But you can store many more presets across different banks.
To access the bank selection, press and hold B + D. Once the bank number begins blinking, quickly press B + D again to move forward through the banks. To move backward, press and hold A + C.
When you’ve reached the bank you want, press the combination again to select it and confirm your choice. You can then access the presets within that bank.
Quad Cortex Mini Quick-Start Checklist
- Connect the power supply and turn on the Quad Cortex Mini.
- Connect the Mini to Wi-Fi.
- Check for the latest CorOS update.
- Sign in to your Neural DSP account.
- Connect your guitar and audio outputs.
- Explore the factory presets.
- Learn how to edit, move, and delete effects.
- Try different amps and cabinets.
- Experiment with Preset, Scene, and Stomp modes.
- Save your custom sounds.
- Use Gig View when you’re playing live.
Final Thoughts
The Quad Cortex Mini can look a little intimidating when you first turn it on, but the basic workflow is surprisingly straightforward once you understand how the signal chain, presets, scenes, and stomp mode work.
For most players, the best place to start is by loading a factory preset, changing the amp and effects, and experimenting with the three performance modes. Once you’re comfortable with those basics, you can start building more advanced rigs using Neural Captures, custom IRs, external pedals, scenes, and more complex signal chains.
This guide covers the fundamentals you’ll need to start making music with the Quad Cortex Mini. I’ll be adding more in-depth guides covering specific features and workflows as I spend more time with the unit.
More Neural DSP Quad Cortex Mini Guides
Looking for more Quad Cortex Mini tutorials? Check back for additional Music for Miles Guides covering advanced routing, captures, presets, live performance, recording, and more.
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