# Cab/IR take off brightness from my presets **URL:** \ **Category:** Nano Cortex\ **Created:** [May 17, 2025, 8:10pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/cab-ir-take-off-brightness-from-my-presets/18333 "2025-05-17T20:10:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![marshall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/58956e/32.png) [@marshall](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/marshall)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2025, 8:10pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/cab-ir-take-off-brightness-from-my-presets/18333/1 "2025-05-17T20:10:32Z")
Hello! I’ve bought the nanocortex 1 week ago and I have noticed that my presets doesn’t sound the same as when I see John connearn playing them. For example, in the youtube video: factory presets on nano cortex (on neural dsp channel) in minute 1:05 he plays the high gain 1 FX preset without changing any parameter, but when I play the SAME preset it doesn’t sound that bright, it sounds darker, I have to take off the IR so that it sound similarly. But this happens with all my presets, with the IR they sound very opaque. Is this also happening to you? Do you know why this happens? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![l4rs3rik](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/unity.neuraldsp.com/l4rs3rik/32/7277_2.png) [@l4rs3rik](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/l4rs3rik)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2025, 9:43pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/cab-ir-take-off-brightness-from-my-presets/18333/2 "2025-05-17T21:43:00Z")
No. High gain stuff sound awful and harsh without an active IR block. ---
**Author:** ![marshall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/58956e/32.png) [@marshall](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/marshall)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2025, 9:53pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/cab-ir-take-off-brightness-from-my-presets/18333/3 "2025-05-17T21:53:53Z")
I get what you want to say, but I swear it sounds good. It’s weird ---
**Author:** ![ScreamOfAnger](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/unity.neuraldsp.com/screamofanger/32/6937_2.png) [@ScreamOfAnger](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/ScreamOfAnger)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2025, 9:56pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/cab-ir-take-off-brightness-from-my-presets/18333/4 "2025-05-17T21:56:34Z")
OP, what is the NC plugged into/how are you monitoring it ? ---
**Author:** ![marshall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/58956e/32.png) [@marshall](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/marshall)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2025, 10:01pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/cab-ir-take-off-brightness-from-my-presets/18333/5 "2025-05-17T22:01:37Z")
I connect my nanocortex with mono output to a digital amp (marshall code 50) but in a channel with nothing, totally clean. I have also tried to connect it to an analog amp (blackstar HT 1-1) but the same thing happens. ---
**Author:** ![ScreamOfAnger](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/unity.neuraldsp.com/screamofanger/32/6937_2.png) [@ScreamOfAnger](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/ScreamOfAnger)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2025, 10:06pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/cab-ir-take-off-brightness-from-my-presets/18333/6 "2025-05-17T22:06:35Z")
Of course, with the IR on you are “double cabbing”, ie adding a virtual cab before the actual cab…and cabs are in effect filters. So yeah, it makes sense. You need an IR if you’re going direct (or into a flat response speaker like a FRFR, studio-type monitor or similar), not going into a cab or guitar amp. On demos, John Connearn is going direct to soundcard or mixer, not through an amp. Which explains why it doesn’t sound remotely as dark as going through an amp. ---
**Author:** ![marshall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/58956e/32.png) [@marshall](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/marshall)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2025, 10:10pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/cab-ir-take-off-brightness-from-my-presets/18333/7 "2025-05-17T22:10:38Z")
Oh I understand, so I need a “neutral” monitor so that I don’t have two cabs. Really thanks, super helpful!!