# Global Instrument Profiles for Live Input Calibration **URL:** \ **Category:** Feature Requests\ **Created:** [October 13, 2026, 7:34pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/global-instrument-profiles-for-live-input-calibration/23580 "2026-10-13T19:34:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dB78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eada6e/32.png) [@dB78](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/dB78)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 7:34pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/global-instrument-profiles-for-live-input-calibration/23580/1 "2026-10-13T19:34:35Z")
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. ---
**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:** [October 13, 2026, 8:08pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/global-instrument-profiles-for-live-input-calibration/23580/2 "2026-10-13T20:08:41Z")
Hello and welcome. 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? ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/uploads/neuraldsp/original/2X/0/09e6df670bf2223fd4ae3f61b5c52a2be1588f92.png) > **[CorOS and Cortex Control 4.1.0 are now available](https://neuraldsp.com/quad-cortex-updates/coros-and-cortex-control-4-1-0-are-now-available)** > > This is the biggest CorOS update we've ever released. It adds Plugin Compatibility for five additional plugins, eight new Virtual Devices, and much more. > [@Input Profile for different instruments](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/input-profile-for-different-instruments/7998): > > One of the challenges I currently have with the QC is that, since my instruments have varying output levels, I have to go to the I/O screen and set my input level/impedence. Reason for this being that I always want my guitar, when the guitar volume is at max, to have a hot incoming signal to overdrive amp models. When switching from my Les Paul to Strat, the output dropoff is huge so I must raise the input level when using the Strat so it can overdrive and then back off the Les Paul so it does… EDIT: Here’s a request specifically for accessing this via MIDI. > [@Recall I/O Settings Presets via MIDI](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/recall-i-o-settings-presets-via-midi/23418): > > I realize there are already a lot of “we want more MIDI control” requests, but I’m loving the new I/O Settings Presets and wanted to make this specific request: please let us recall a saved I/O Settings Preset with an incoming MIDI command. I use an external MIDI controller with my Quad Cortex Mini. Being able to select an I/O configuration when I switch guitars live would make the change much easier, without having to open the I/O Settings screen. ---
**Author:** ![MP\_Mod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ccd318/32.png) [@MP\_Mod](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/MP_Mod)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 10:10pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/global-instrument-profiles-for-live-input-calibration/23580/3 "2026-10-13T22:10:08Z")
OP, update if this resolves your request and if so, I’ll lock the thread. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![dB78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eada6e/32.png) [@dB78](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/dB78)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2026, 12:10pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/global-instrument-profiles-for-live-input-calibration/23580/4 "2026-10-14T12:10:43Z")
Hello, Thank you for the welcome and the quick response. 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