Hello folks, can someone please help me with adding a boost or EQ pedal to the effect loop of the Quad Cortex? I plugged my Boss GE-7 into the effects and added an FX loop 1/2 to the end of the chain, after the delay on the preset. But it doesn’t sound right. I think it went mono, something doesn’t sound right, especially when I a/b it with the same preset without EQ on another bank. I copied the same preset up one… What am I missing? Please, thank you.
The fx loop on the QC boosts the signal, so you’ll need to compensate (this is probably the main factor with the sonic change. It’s possible it’s peaking with the boost).
Also you mention the sound going mono….but the GE-7 is a mono pedal. So, are you trying to have a stereo path? You’ll need a stereo pedal if so.
I’m assuming because you mention FX Loop 1/2 that you have a stereo signal path. In that scenario the GE-7 is only mono. Are you plugged into the FX loop in stereo?
Yes - I realized that I was plugging a mono pedal into a stereo FX Loop. Can I Y cable the input and output and go into FX Loop 1 -2? Or do I need a true stereo pedal? I just need to have a boost at my feet at all times. Trying to avoid the toe tapping.
Thank you for your help.
You cannot Y cable it haha. It’s just a mono pedal. I wound highly suggest using an EQ or boost block in the QC, unless you want to find a stereo EQ pedal
Of course it can’t be that simple. I guess I havae to stay inside the box - Thank you for your help.
Boss EQ-200 is a stereo equalizer with presets. I think this would be ideal for what you’re describing you want to do. Check it out.
Thank you for this. I will check it out.
Too bad there wasn’t a way to make one of the buttons on the Quad Cortex a global something… Like a 4-6db boost… No mater where or what state you are in. Man! That would be huge for me.
Not sure what your workflow is for setting up presets for live use.
It’s true that there is not a way to assign a global EQ to a footswitch, but you can set up an EQ or gain block, with a stomp footswitch, per preset if you’re using multiple presets and need this kind of function across all.
This also gives you an advantage in that you can tailor the amount of boost for each preset.
I go between scenes and stomps and a few presets - I could put an expression pedal on out 1/2 and use that? Unless you know a better, smarter way?
It is possible to use an expression pedal directly on the output, but you would need to be extremely careful setting the minimum and maximum values so that it doesn’t push a huge amount past unity gain. Here in this example I set up an expression pedal from -2 dB to +1 dB; notice how the min and max values are 73% to 79%.
I should also mention, that you would need to set this up per preset.
There is the Solo output function, don’t know what it does because I never use it and I forgot to play around with it when I took the photo above.
I don’t mean to step on your toes, but I tend to question the end use whenever the I need more louder comment comes up. It manifests in, “I need to hear myself more, so therefore I need more volume”. Very often that can be solved by a midrange boost somewhere or by using a compressor.
That said, there are multiple ways to get the functionality that you want.
Yes. I thought about all that stuff you mention about driving it too hard. I just lead a slight lead boost for certain parts that sound man never gets. Or needs to stand out 3-6db max.
Exactly why I wanted an eq pedal - it was a mid boost. I can try and be more elegant and precise set up a eq boost on each preset - but sometimes I’m singing and moving and just want 1 button always ready. It’s been my thing for 30 plus years LOL
I’ll listen to any suggestions and try anything LOL
Appreciate your input
I don’t think there’s a way to do what you’re wanting Globally. Unless you use an outboard pedal, you’re going to have to program a boost function per preset. If you made a template preset with something preconfigured for boost and just used that as the foundation from then on, any subsequent preset would include it.
Do you have an expression pedal with a switch? You could use that as an ‘extra’ footswitch dedicated to boost, but you’d still have to assign it to every preset (or save it as a ‘default’ on a specific block and always add that block to your presets)
Another optional although not qc or pedal based is to add boost circuit in your guitar, like Eric Clapton, Andy Summers and others. I realize this probably not where you are headed but I thought it was worth a mention.