New Nano Cortex user here. I have a few questions about the naming conventions used for captures on Cortex Cloud.
For now, I’m planning to use the NC through either the amp’s return or a dedicated power amp. So, I assume the best option for me would be to focus on AMP captures, right?
However, I also see “Neural Captures” listed, and I’m not exactly sure what that term refers to. What does “Neural Capture” actually mean?
For example, there are some ADA captures by Leon Todd. The description says “DI capture”, but the icon shows “Neural Capture”. Shouldn’t that be listed as an AMP capture, since it’s a direct capture of a preamp? Am I understanding that correctly?
One more question: if a capture includes amp + cab, can I just disable the cab portion if I want to run it through my own cabinet?
I’m also on the hunt for some cool presets that can nail that late ‘80s / early ‘90s tone: Firehouse, XYZ, Zakk Wylde, Nuno Bettencourt, Skid Row, etc. If you have any suggestions, I’d really appreciate it!
Welcome and let me see if I can address your questions..
Captures can be of a drive and or amp/cab etc. If planning to use via the amp’s return FX loop, you are bypassing the amp’s preamp and only using the power amp section. You would still need to decide if you are using a cab or running the amps output into a load box for recording. There are multiple methods for each application.
Neural Captures indicates captures by NDSP etc., just literally stands for NDSP captures (from them and provided by them). If you see DI captures, that is usually due to the capture being made directly from the amp (or load box) before the cabinet. So a DI capture would require using a cab block when using the QC. There are also multiple methods for DI captures but that is the most common.
Amp captures can have the cab baked in or can be DI without the cab as stated above. If the cab is baked within the capture, there is no way to disable the cab. In that case you would want to use a FRFR monitor to color the tone less. You can always try running a baked in cab capture into a regular guitar cab and it might sound okay but you are essentially running a cab into another cab which will likely produce undesirable results.
NDSP excels at metal and rock tones IMO, my advice is to search NDSP’s cloud for the tones and or artists you are looking for. Honestly, you will likely find modeled amps that work great in those areas available in the QC factory presets and captures. Hope that helps!
But I’m a bit confused, how is that possible? I mean, I see a lot of presets on Cortex Cloud labeled as “Neural Capture”… and I don’t think all of those were made by NDSP. Most of them seem to be made by users.
Maybe I didn’t word my previous question clearly I’ll leave a screenshot to show you what I mean.
It says “neural capture” but also DI Capture. I am confused here. Can I use this through the return of my amp? Is it any cabinet attached?
Thanks for the clarification. In that case, this is a ‘neural capture’ of an ADA MP1 preamp. It is a DI capture straight from the preamp using the Fractal load box. For this specific amp (preamp), I own three and have used them a ton over the past few years but they are rack preamps with no power amp or cabinet.
So you could definitely use Leon’s DI (direct input) capture and run your signal chain straight into your amps FX-return. Bottom line, when you see ‘DI’, it means direct from amp etc.
Now depending on your amp, it might have series FX loop or parallel FX loop. My older Mesa Boogie amp uses the parallel FX loop rather than the more modern and common series FX loop. In my opinion I hate the parallel FX loop as it usually requires more tweaking to sound best but that’s another story.
Note also that by reviewing the notes, Leon was using a SYN5050 power amp when he made that specific capture. Since it’s listed in the notes, I am guessing his capture includes the power amp baked in as well then pulled a DI from his load box. So you would need to test that capture and see if it sounds okay. Neural (NDSP) also has several captures of the MP1 in QC’s factory captures which may work better for you since LT’s has the PA baked in.
