How to : Test NAM A2 Full captures with Quad Cortex (USB setup)

Quad Cortex
1

Hi QC users,

I haven’t seen a post about this specific setup with Tone3000, so here is how I did it, in case it helps someone (or just the curious).
For anyone who wants to hear NAM A2-Full captures through their Quad Cortex while waiting for possible native support, here is a simple setup. The Tone3000 plugin (free) runs on the PC, and the QC keeps all its blocks before and after it. It uses the QC’s USB audio channels as a virtual FX loop, so the signal stays digital the whole way (no extra AD/DA conversion).

What you need

Setup

  1. QC Grid, row 1: Input 1 (your guitar) → any blocks you want before the amp (boost, drive, gate…) → the row’s output set to USB Output 5/6. Note that an EQ placed here can change how hard the capture is driven, while an EQ in row 2 only shapes the final tone.
  2. QC Grid, row 2: the row’s input set to USB Input 5/6 → cab or IR (if the capture is amp-only) → EQ → delay, reverb, or whatever you want → your outputs.
  3. Tone3000 standalone:
    • Audio system: ASIO, driver = the Quad Cortex USB audio device
    • Sample rate: 48 kHz
    • Buffer: as low as stays stable
    • Input channels: 5/6, output channels: 5/6 (the same pair as in the Grid)
  4. Load a capture in Tone3000 and play. The signal goes row 1 → USB Output 5/6 → plugin → USB Input 5/6 → row 2.
  5. The Plugin Settings I tested with: NAM A2 Size = A2-Full, Calibration on (12.0 dBu), Oversampling on (2X - Default), Multi-Core Processing on, Show Gate on. Standard settings i think.

Tips

  • The level of the row 1 output (USB Output 5/6) acts as the plugin’s input level, so it changes how hard the capture is driven. Keep an eye on the plugin’s input and output meters to avoid clipping. You may sometimes need to tweak the input/output levels in Tone3000 to keep a good volume.
  • Tone3000 also has a Calibration setting (in dBu) that affects how hard the capture is driven, so keep it in mind along with the row 1 output level.
  • Make sure the QC’s master volume is not too low (I always keep mine at 90-100).
  • If you use the QC as the audio device for this, close other apps that use the same ASIO driver.
  • A basic EQ is built into the Tone3000 standalone plugin.
  • The same trick should work with other standalone plugins, but I’ve only tested Tone3000.
  • I haven’t tested it with the QC mini, but it may work the same way.

My experience

  • No perceptible latency on my side.
  • Some captures sounded really good, and having the QC’s cab, EQ and effects after them could be a big plus.
  • I tested high-gain with an ENGL Powerball II capture, and a clean/crunch chain with the Tone King Imperial MKII (Amalgam Audio, their captures are good) in front of a Green808 and a Myth Drive, with a delay and a shimmer reverb in row 2. Cool tone.
  • No problem with PC CPU usage, unless you still have a 486DX or ZX81.
  • I haven’t tested the two amps setup in Tone3000 yet. I’ll let you experiment.

Limitations

  • The PC has to stay on and connected.
  • If you save your preset, the QC remembers your blocks and their settings, but not which capture is loaded in Tone3000, so you have to recall it manually. You can also manage your presets in the Tone3000 plugin to avoid searching again and again.
4 Likes
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Thanks for sharing this.
One of the biggest reasons I migrated to QC was the routing possibilities. Such a great unit eh?

I do something similar with MIKKO 3 VST. It is much easier to dial in the IR before I commit to a final wav file. Once I am happy with my tone, I just expot/import to my QC.

1 Like
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Never tested Mikko 3. I see there is a free version. I’ll have a look this w-e. Thanks for your sharing !
Edit : i tested with GDD Contender Studio but the QC don’t like them.

1 Like
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Oh the GGD is awesome. I have the Zilla, very cool stuff.

I’ve used Mikko since v2. It’s the best IR VST I’ve ever tested, though a bit pricey.
I like that you can not only use the available mics and different cabs but also shape the IR audio spectrum with a built-in parametric eq. They now introduced a new feature on the V3 that allows you to import IRs and move around as if it were another mic.

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Yeah i saw the screenshot plugin, it seems really complete. Not so expensive, less than a Archtetype X (:grin: i joke). There is a free version, i go to test.
GDD is boring with stereo chan and 44.1khz. You had to convert, lost of time, not a good method. Perhaps good for DAW but not for the QC.