I’d like to propose a global instrument-profile system for Quad Cortex and Cortex Control.
Use case
I use my Quad Cortex to process multiple performers during live shows, with one preset per song and Scenes controlling the changes. This would also apply if I but a Fender Tele after having owned a Squier, or I make mods to my pickups and knobs. Being able to set or configure to a desired input gain level going into the signal chain would make curated libraries much more resilient.
Each guitar and bass has different output characteristics, noise levels, and gain requirements. I calibrate these instruments in advance to maintain consistent input gain staging and predictable levels at FOH.
If I break a string and switch guitars during a show, I’d like to select a different instrument profile without modifying every song preset.
Proposed functionality
Save named instrument profiles, such as “Telecaster,” “Les Paul,” “Acoustic,” and “Bass.”
Store input gain compensation and noise-reduction settings in each profile.
Assign a profile independently to each physical input.
Switch profiles globally without changing presets, Scenes, or tone-chain settings.
Make profile selection accessible from the Quad Cortex touchscreen and Cortex Control.
Optionally support MIDI-controlled profile selection.
Preserve safe physical input configuration, including microphone phantom-power safeguards.
Why this matters
This would separate instrument-specific calibration from song-specific tone design. Musicians could change instruments mid-show while retaining their carefully designed presets and consistent gain staging.
It would also make Quad Cortex substantially more flexible for multi-instrument performers, shared backline systems, and live rigs using multiple guitars with different pickup outputs.
The recent CorOS 4.1.0 update includes the ability to create I/O presets, which had already been a feature request in this forum. Does that not already cover most of what you’re asking for?
This comes close, but doesn’t quite get there. This really is about configurability. Rather than selecting a configuration, say Les Paul for input one and having it set the input gain appropriately for the les paul this makes it so that the inputs for all 4 channels are part of the same configuration. Which means that if I’m running a mic through input 1 a guitar through 2 a second guitar through 3 and a bass through 4 and my band uses 2 different mics, 3 gtr1, 3 gtr2 and 2 basses I’d have to save 2 * 3 * 3 * 2 = 36 configurations and remember which combination each one represents.
It would be far simpler to have a preset on the row input called les paul or shure SM58, or P Bass, or Strat in order to manage this. I can use a chart and that’s fine, but this means I need to eat a block with a gain plugin leaving 7 for my performer. for instruments 2 of those are amp and cab and I generally have an eq at the end so now I’m down to 4 for any other compression, effects, tone shaping, and ambience.
I understand that the easy answer to this is to buy another Cortex, but that’s not as financially feasible as I wish it was. The product is worth every penny, it’s just a lot of pennies
