devices · Nano Cortex · reference · inputs and outputs
inputs and outputs
Only one side carries anything. The opposite side of the chassis is blank.
CAPTURE INPUT
side panelCombi XLR-F + 1/4" TRS-F
The return leg when capturing—a microphone, a line signal, a DI, or a reactive load box output.
- impedance
- 1 MΩ (TS) / 45 kΩ (XLR)
- max level
- +10 dBu
- phantom power
- None. Dynamic mics only, or bring an external preamp.
Never connect a tube amp's speaker output here. Neural DSP states this can cause serious damage to both devices. Capturing an amp head needs a reactive load box, or the amp's own DI output with a cabinet still connected.
rear panel
INPUT
1/4" TRS-FThis is the instrument input, mono only: there is no stereo input on this device.
- impedance
- 1 MΩ
- max level
- +10 dBu
OUTPUT 1L
1/4" TRS-F, balancedLeft / mono main output. This is the one to use if you're only running a single cable.
- impedance
- 560 Ω
- max level
- +10 dBu unbalanced / +16 dBu balanced
Use TRS cables here. A plain TS instrument cable costs you around 6 dB and some clarity.
OUTPUT 2R
1/4" TRS-F, balancedRight main output, and the capture send. In Capture Mode this jack feeds the amp or pedal you're capturing, so you lose stereo while capturing.
- impedance
- 560 Ω
- max level
- +10 dBu unbalanced / +16 dBu balanced
HP OUTPUT
3.5 mm TRS-F, stereoHeadphones, with its own dedicated HP OUT level knob independent of LEVEL.
- max power
- 55 mW into 20 Ω
It's a 3.5 mm mini-jack, not quarter-inch. Bring an adapter for quarter-inch headphones.
EXP/MIDI
1/4" (6.3 mm) TRS-FEither an expression pedal or a MIDI TRS Type A input. Which one is set in the Cortex Cloud app—it won't switch on its own.
- MIDI direction
- Input only. MIDI out is USB only.
- TRS Type A wiring
- Tip = data, ring = voltage reference, sleeve = shield
A NanOS 2.2.0 bug could prevent the modeler booting with an expression or MIDI pedal connected. NanOS 2.2.1 exists specifically to fix it.
USB-C
USB-C, USB Audio Class 2.0Audio interface, MIDI in and out, and power. Everything except firmware updates, which go over Bluetooth.
- channels
- 7 total · 4 in, 3 out
- format
- 24-bit / 48 kHz, fixed
- power
- 5 V, 1.5 A minimum, from a USB-C-compliant source
- drivers
- macOS class-compliant · Windows needs the Nano Cortex ASIO driver
USB-A will not power this device. Data works, but it cannot supply enough current to run it. Connect direct to a motherboard port—hubs are a documented cause of dropouts.
HP level
Knurled rotary knobHeadphone volume, on the rear panel between the headphone jack and the USB port. Entirely separate from the LEVEL knob on top, which only affects the 1L and 2R outputs.
Nano Cortex User Manual 2.2.0 · Andertons spec sheet9–12V DC
2.1/5.5 mm barrel, center-negativeThis is the power inlet. The polarity symbol beside it on the chassis is center-negative, the same as most pedals and the Quad Cortex supply.
- voltage
- 9–12 V DC
- current
- 600 mA minimum
- polarity
- Center-negative
600 mA is the minimum. Supplies rated at 500 mA are below spec and cause intermittent glitches that look like a hardware fault.
GND
Slide switchGround lift for OUTPUT 1L and 2R. Your first move when something hums.
Nano Cortex User Manual 2.2.0 · Forum: background noiseside panel
CAPTURE INPUT
Combi XLR-F + 1/4" TRS-FThe return leg when capturing—a microphone, a line signal, a DI, or a reactive load box output.
- impedance
- 1 MΩ (TS) / 45 kΩ (XLR)
- max level
- +10 dBu
- phantom power
- None. Dynamic mics only, or bring an external preamp.
Never connect a tube amp's speaker output here. Neural DSP states this can cause serious damage to both devices. Capturing an amp head needs a reactive load box, or the amp's own DI output with a cabinet still connected.
BOOST
Slide switch+26 dB of analog gain on the Capture Input, for quiet sources.
Set GAIN to minimum before engaging this. Neural DSP repeats that warning in three separate documents.
power
get power right first
- battery
None internally, but it runs off a standard USB power bank. That is an advertised feature, and owners report 10 to 15 hours.
- Nano Cortex power sources · MusicRadar review
- in the box
A USB-C cable. The DC power supply is sold separately.
- Nano Cortex power sources · Andertons spec sheet · Thomann spec sheet · Sweetwater product page
Powering over USB-C while running unbalanced cables to other gear is the documented number-one cause of hum on this device. Use the DC jack with a regulated supply, or switch to balanced TRS runs, or ideally both. Undersized supplies are the other common cause: 500 mA is below spec and causes intermittent failures that look like a hardware fault.
Expression pedals
What works, and the one that doesn't
Any pedal with a single TRS expression output works. Wah and volume pedal outputs are explicitly not supported.
Nano Cortex User Manual 2.2.0Both linear and logarithmic tapers work once calibrated, and latching or momentary toe-switches are supported.
Nano Cortex User Manual 2.2.0Calibrate on first use: Settings, recalibrate, rock heel to toe, save. It persists until you run it again.
Nano Cortex User Manual 2.2.0Expression can be assigned to GAIN, BASS, MID, TREBLE, AMOUNT and LEVEL, and to bypassing the capture, the IR or any effect slot. It isn't a preset change, so it's gapless. That makes it the best way to do a solo boost on this device.
Using MIDI on Nano Cortex · Forum: solo boost strategiesOne owner reports the response taper is too fast, jumping heel-to-toe with little usable middle. No fix has been offered.
Forum: which expression pedal to use
Not present
What this pedal doesn't have
Several of these are standard on other modern modelers. Check the list before a gig, not during one.
XLR outputs
Reviewers flag this as the main gigging limitation. The outputs are balanced TRS and Neural DSP confirms TRS-to-XLR cables work with no quality loss.
MusicRadar review · Nano Cortex FAQEffects loop
There is no effects loop. Pedalboard integration goes through the instrument input and the two outputs, so the true four-cable method isn't possible.
Nano Cortex FAQ · Forum: simulating an FX loopPhantom power
No 48 V. Condenser mics need an external preamp.
Nano Cortex FAQ · Creating Neural Captures on Nano CortexBluetooth audio
Bluetooth is for pairing with the Cortex Cloud app only. It will not stream backing tracks or drive wireless headphones.
Nano Cortex FAQ · Forum: backing tracks, how toA screen
No display of any kind. LED rings and four rows of five indicators are the entire interface.
Sound On Sound reviewA desktop editor
Cortex Control is Quad Cortex only. Neural DSP's own FAQ answers “desktop controller” with “none available”.
Nano Cortex FAQ · Cortex Control (Quad Cortex only)5-pin DIN MIDI
TRS Type A only, and input only. MIDI out is available over USB.
Using MIDI on Nano CortexGlobal EQ
There is no global EQ and no output-mode switch, so every level and tone decision is per-preset.
Nano Cortex FAQ · Forum: input level for different guitars- measured
- Read off the hardware by us, not taken from a document.
- official
- From the manufacturer's manual, FAQ, guides or release notes.
- retail spec
- From an authorized dealer's published specification.
- review
- Observed and published by a professional reviewer.
- community
- Reported by owners and used to corroborate, not as a primary spec.
- our reading
- Our interpretation, not something the manufacturer states.
- unverified
- We could not confirm this, or sources disagree.