I would like to connect a Strymon Cloudburst pedal in stereo to the QC which is connected to 2 studio monitors, i am aware this would need to be into an FX Loop on the grid but cant figure out how to connect the pedal as everything i read seems to be only relevant to mon connections, any advice gratefully accepted, thanks.
The Strymon Cloudburst uses TRS inputs for stereo operation, so you would need to have two sets of a particular cable type: 2x TS to 1x TRS.
On the QC, you would need to use both FX Loops. Try setting up the “FX Loop 1/2” block.
- QC FX Loop sends 1 & 2 with a TS mono each → Strymon Cloudburst input with TRS
- Strymon Cloudburst output with TRS → QC FX Loop returns 1 & 2 with a TS mono each
The QC’s FX Loop sends/returns do not take advantage of TRS.
Thanks for that, i have 2 of the Y cables on order and will try the set up when they arrive tomorrow, can you clarify what you mean by “try setting up the FX Loop 1/2 block” please?
“FX Loop 1/2” is the device block you’d want to use to get your stereo fx from the loop onto the grid. It allows for a stereo signal on one row/lane in the QC (as long as you don’t have any mono fx blocks after it on the grid)
If you want to split that stereo signal from the loop to different lanes, there are individual fx loop blocks available too.
In the edit menu for the FX Loop blocks you may need to raise or lower the return level setting depending on the signal coming from the pedal in your Loop.
Is this true? Today I looked into the manual, which was updated. It says that sends and returns are all trs jacks. Given that and the fact that a single lane on the grid of the QC can be stereo one fx loop should be able to do stereo? Can’t try for myself as I have no fitting cables.
yes, it’s true, in the sense of not taking advantage of stereo capability
TRS in this case provides a balanced line for noise reduction (both ends have to be balanced)- this can result in a 6dB increase in output.
NOT for stereo signal.
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Thanks. Yeah I just found a TRS cable and tried it myself. It’s exactly like you said.
This is so weird though. Why not make it stereo capable if TRS jacks are installed anyway?
Also pretty much any other pedal has TS ins and outs. So you can’t really take advantage of it the balanced signal? Instead the 6dB boost confuses the hell out of everyone (I’m looking at you NDSP!).
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This conversation has come up a few times in the forum. Here’s my response to that…
Neural have not confirmed (and to my knowledge no one has officially asked them) whether there is only one set of ADC/DAC per FX Loop.
Sent an inquiry to support@neuraldsp.com regarding trs connection feasibility. If there’s a response, I’ll post an update.
I personally think having 2 stereo loops would be amazing!
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Let us know what you find! Thanks.
response from neural dsp support team:
Thanks for getting in touch.
Stereo FX loops are only possible in Quad Cortex by using both FX loop ports (Send - Return 1 / Send - Return 2).
- Returns are unbalanced high impedance inputs. Using TRS jacks here enables users to connect balanced equipment without shorting the “cold” side of the connected signal to ground. This can help maintain the signal quality and protect the connected equipment from damage if the outputs are not protected against short circuits. These inputs only have 1 ADC per return, so stereo FX loops are only possible by utilising both FX loops.
- Sends use TRS jacks. TS cables can be used to give an unbalanced connection. Using a TRS [QC side] to TS [load side] connection provides some level of ground/hum cancellation depending on what equipment you’re connecting to. This can be useful for reducing the impact of ground loops in the system.
Best regards,
Neural DSP Support Team
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^^^ This is THE definitive answer we’ve been looking for. It’s a permanent hardware feature, not something that the firmware can skirt around. Thank you for asking Neural about this, @Topherbass.
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Curious of your thoughts… (this doesn’t address multiple stereo fx loops), more of a “what-if” that I’ve contemplated as a feature request…
Make the fx sends/returns assignable as inputs or outputs.
Do you think it would be possible, if neural updated the software, for the QC to use its “fx sends” as an input?
I think you can already do this, right? …Unless the input and output buttons on the grid don’t allow for that. I’m not at my QC at the moment. If not, I don’t see a reason why not.
Just remember, FX Send 1 & 2 have one DAC chip each (for output) and FX Return 1 & 2 have one ADC chip each (for input). So you wouldn’t use a Send for input or a Return for output.
