# Differences between QC and MINI **URL:** \ **Category:** Quad Cortex\ **Created:** [March 4, 2026, 5:30pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/differences-between-qc-and-mini/21492 "2026-03-04T17:30:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![xush](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/unity.neuraldsp.com/xush/32/5100_2.png) [@xush](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/xush)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 5:30pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/differences-between-qc-and-mini/21492/1 "2026-03-04T17:30:50Z")
Though marketed as no compromises/no corners cut, there are a few differences between the QC and QC Mini that are getting some attention and prospective buyers might want to consider these before deciding which model will suit them best: **difference between QC and mini:** Mini requires MIDI for the 2nd Expression Pedal; _this may render certain dual XPs unusable_ switches activate on ‘release’- not press; so no ‘momentary’ functions on Mini Hybrid Mode/Gig view doesn’t mirror QC’s arrangement Different I/O, MIDI, and Headphone jack configs No Impedance setting on the Mini Mini has options of “Power On Mode”- can be set NOT to power up automatically upon plugging it in. Also has a physical ON/OFF button MAX INPUT GAIN: +30dB (QC is +60dB) Is there anything I’ve missed? Have you discovered any other speedbumps in switching over? ---
**Author:** ![Sunset2026](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/unity.neuraldsp.com/sunset2026/32/9780_2.png) [@Sunset2026](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/Sunset2026)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 6:14pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/differences-between-qc-and-mini/21492/2 "2026-03-04T18:14:48Z")
> [@xush](#): > > MAX INPUT GAIN: +30dB (QC is +60dB) Does the Input gain difference between Mini and original QC imply that single coil guitars may need pre-amp boost? ---
**Author:** ![DiffractionCircuit](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/unity.neuraldsp.com/diffractioncircuit/32/3793_2.png) [@DiffractionCircuit](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/DiffractionCircuit)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 6:20pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/differences-between-qc-and-mini/21492/3 "2026-03-04T18:20:08Z")
No, you shouldn’t need a preamp boost at all for guitars, since you can use pedal and amp blocks in the QC. I would leave it at 0 dB. The +30 dB (Mini) and +60 dB (QC) maximum values come into play if you need to use 48V phantom power for condenser micophones. We just had a discussion about it within the past week; that’s why @xush included it here. ---
**Author:** ![DiffractionCircuit](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/unity.neuraldsp.com/diffractioncircuit/32/3793_2.png) [@DiffractionCircuit](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/DiffractionCircuit)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 8:33pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/differences-between-qc-and-mini/21492/4 "2026-03-04T20:33:34Z")
At present (Q1 2026), the Mini has the locking power connector and the standard QC does not. [_Mini owners can still use a 3rd-party power supply; 12V DC, center-pin negative, 2.1mm barrel plug._] ---
**Author:** ![Sunset2026](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/unity.neuraldsp.com/sunset2026/32/9780_2.png) [@Sunset2026](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/Sunset2026)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 9:17pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/differences-between-qc-and-mini/21492/5 "2026-03-04T21:17:11Z")
question, if someone accidently uses a center positive, will it blow-up the Mini? or dose the unit have a protection control to prevent this? ---
**Author:** ![DiffractionCircuit](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/unity.neuraldsp.com/diffractioncircuit/32/3793_2.png) [@DiffractionCircuit](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/DiffractionCircuit)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 9:20pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/differences-between-qc-and-mini/21492/6 "2026-03-04T21:20:07Z")
Not sure. Any kind of piece of equipment like this should have some sort of diode protection built into its power input circuit in case the wrong polarity is inserted by accident. But I would advise against trying it with a unit worth over $1K. ---
**Author:** ![AdamBomb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/unity.neuraldsp.com/adambomb/32/8387_2.png) [@AdamBomb](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/AdamBomb)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 11:41pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/differences-between-qc-and-mini/21492/7 "2026-03-04T23:41:50Z")
What about the Mic/Instrument option and Impedance selection on the input? None of that is on the Mini and I see it’s on the QC. ---
**Author:** ![xush](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/unity.neuraldsp.com/xush/32/5100_2.png) [@xush](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/xush)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 12:58am UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/differences-between-qc-and-mini/21492/8 "2026-03-05T00:58:40Z")
Forgot about the Impedance setting. I’ll edit that in Didn’t put the mic/instrument choice because it automatically selects that for you on the Mini ---
**Author:** ![xush](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/unity.neuraldsp.com/xush/32/5100_2.png) [@xush](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/xush)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 4:36pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/differences-between-qc-and-mini/21492/9 "2026-07-25T16:36:39Z")
can’t seem to edit the original post anymore, but: Support confirms the **MINI’s Outputs 3 and 4 are unbalanced TS** , unlike the full-size QC’s balanced TRS jacks for 3 and 4 ---
**Author:** ![Kfletcher](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/unity.neuraldsp.com/kfletcher/32/5038_2.png) [@Kfletcher](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/Kfletcher)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2026, 8:11pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/differences-between-qc-and-mini/21492/10 "2026-07-28T20:11:14Z")
Just got my mini. Pleasantly surprised to see that Mini boots up about 11 seconds faster than my big QC ---
**Author:** ![anartist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/41988e/32.png) [@anartist](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/anartist)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2026, 8:57am UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/differences-between-qc-and-mini/21492/11 "2026-09-26T08:57:33Z")
Automatic selection is useful, but it shouldn’t take away the option to choose manually when needed. Guess what I need with how I have things set up 😩 ---
**Author:** ![sopedro](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/unity.neuraldsp.com/sopedro/32/10456_2.png) [@sopedro](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/sopedro)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 12:55pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/differences-between-qc-and-mini/21492/12 "2026-09-29T12:55:41Z")
There are some differences, but none of them matter to me. The most important thing for me, and the reason I chose the Mini over the full unit, is its form factor. ---
**Author:** ![dotdotdarkness](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/unity.neuraldsp.com/dotdotdarkness/32/6577_2.png) [@dotdotdarkness](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/dotdotdarkness)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 4:59pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/differences-between-qc-and-mini/21492/13 "2026-10-09T16:59:45Z")
I believe there’s also a difference in the FX loop that has been accounted for in this thread? QC has separate TRS plugs for Send 1, Send 2, Return 1, and Return 2. Each send/return is mono but balanced. QC Mini has a single TRS plug for Send 1/2 and a single TRS plug for Return 1/2. If you want to access them as a separate send/return or use both sends/returns as a stereo pair, you have to use a splitter or (presumably) the stereo device you’re putting into the loop has to support stereo over TRS.