Neural DSP calls its Quad Cortex the most powerful floor modeler in the world. Not entirely unjustified, because the Finns took off in 2020 with their pedal and landed right at the top of the popularity scale. Before that, they had already made a name for themselves with some amplifier plug-ins.
With a total of six cores (4x SHARC+ and 2x ARM Cortex-A5 with 500MHz each), the Quad Cortex offers almost limitless sound design possibilities thanks to its incredible processing capacity. Simultaneous operation of four amplifier models, stereo reverbs and a wealth of other effects doesn't even begin to make the processor sweat. Four recording strings with spatially routed outputs allow, in theory, the connection of up to four instruments, which in practice means that up to four musicians can play and control their sound from one unit.
With its biometric AI technology, Quad Cortex can learn and replicate the sound characteristics of any physical amp, overdrive or cabinet with unprecedented accuracy via recording, sharing and downloading your favourite rigs. The sophisticated neural network algorithm perceives sound similarly to humans, making it the most natural recording solution in the world.
In addition to the sonic performance, the pedal has a few innovations on the hardware side. The control panel, which indeed seems clear at first glance, has more possibilities than one would initially expect thanks to the dual function of the freely assignable combination footswitches as rotary controls. This approach is supported by a large 7-inch touch display. State-of-the-art technology, so to speak. The compact design of less than 30 cm edge length is remarkable.
The Quad Cortex is more than just an ordinary modelling amp. It is a fully-fledged computer tailored to the application, which is even WLAN-capable. Via the internet, updates and additional presets can be easily installed, or connection to the in-house support can be established.

• Construction: digital stereo
• Processor: 2 GHz quad-core SHARC
• Connections: 2x input (combi XLR/Kl) 2x send/return, out 1/2 (XLR), out 3/4 (6,3mm jack) capture out, headphone midi in/out (Din),2x EXP, USB, mains connection
• Control: Volume
• Footswitch: 11 with rotary control function
• Display: 7
• Impulse response: <1000 (Cab Sim)
• integrated WiFi
• Power consumption: 3A
• Power supply: 12V DC mains adapter (-) inside
• dimensions: 29 x 19 x 4,9cm
• weight: 1,95kg
• incl. power supply unit