How should I connect a Quad Cortex to a Boss Katana Artist MkII if I want to use the Quad only as a noise gate after the amp’s distortion (POST), with no amp or cab modeling?

Quad Cortex
1

Hi everyone, I need some help with my setup.

I’m using a Boss Katana Artist MkII, and I already have a distortion tone that I really like from the amp itself.

The problem is that the sound has a lot of noise and feedback, especially when I stop playing.

I want to use a Neural DSP Quad Cortex only as a noise gate, not for amp modeling or cab simulation. I don’t want to change the tone of the Katana at all.

My goal is:

Katana provides all the gain/distortion

Quad Cortex works only as a noise gate

No amp block, no cab/IR, no extra effects in the Quad

I tried connecting the Quad Cortex through the FX Loop of the Katana (Send → Quad → Return), and I set the Quad’s input and output to Line level, but it still doesn’t seem to work as expected.

I want the noise gate to be after the distortion (POST) so it kills noise when I stop playing, without killing sustain or changing the tone.

If anyone has experience using the Quad Cortex as a noise gate with a Katana Artist MkII, I’d really appreciate detailed advice on:

FX Loop settings in Boss Tone Studio

Proper I/O settings on the Quad Cortex

Noise gate placement and parameters

And How should I connect a Quad Cortex to a Boss Katana Artist MkII if I want to use the Quad only as a noise gate after the amp’s distortion (POST), with no amp or cab modeling?

2

How does the QC react in the FX loop when you say it does not do what you are expecting?

Also, why not just get a cheap noise gate pedal for the katana. It seems overkill to use a ~$2000 high end modeler just for a noise gate in a ~$300 amp.

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3

I was thinking the same thing. Nothing against the Katana or Chao’s plan but I would argue that pretty much everything about the Quad’s processing is superior to the Katana’s. Why not just plug straight into the QC then into the FX return on the Katana? Basically, use the amp as a powered cab.

BTW, welcome to the forum, Chao.

4

have you tried capturing your favourite Katana sound? then you can build presets in the QC but still have your favourite katana tones?

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