devices · Quad Cortex · learn · 07 of 10 · 6 min

playing through a real amp

Which output, which jack on the amp, and the switch that saves editing every preset by hand.

the one thing

Turn on Global Bypass. It disables every cab, IR and capture block across all presets at once.

use Global Bypass

Global Bypass disables every cabinet simulation, IR loader and Neural Capture block across all presets simultaneously. It is one reversible switch, and no preset needs editing.

Switching each preset's cab block off by hand works too, but you have to undo all of it before the next session at home.

Bypass cabs because a real cabinet is already doing that job. A modeled cab in front of a real one sounds like a blanket over the speaker.

Quad Cortex Wiki: FAQ · Quad Cortex Wiki: Using the Quad Cortex with a Real Amp

two ways in, and one is better

Both use a TS cable from OUT 3/L. The difference is what you plug it into.

Into the amp's input: simple, and your amp's preamp colors everything the Quad Cortex sends it.
Into the amp's FX loop return: this bypasses the preamp entirely. The power amp still adds some color, but far less. This usually sounds better.

Mind the TS penalty: a TS cable on OUT 3/L gives you half the output voltage, so you need 6 dB back for unity. If it sounds weak through your amp, check this first.

Quad Cortex Wiki: Gain Staging

take the amp block out too

The amp block matters as much as the cab block. Two amps in series, the modeled one and the real one, cause phase problems. The result is a thin, hollow sound that EQ cannot fix.

With a real amp, build the preset as pedals and effects only.