Power Cable Options / OS Stability Since CorOS3.0

Quad Cortex
1

Hi folks.

My original QC power lead broke so I bought a replacement (an official one from Neural DSP). Unfortunately this one seems to be slightly less snug a fit into the device than the old one and in the middle of a gig the other day, despite being taped down, the lead came out of the unit when I pressed one of the footswitches and my guitar sound disappeared completely. Since the update to CorOS3.0 the time it takes for the unit to boot up has stretched to over a minute (used to be about 20 seconds), so after getting the lead back in, with the rest of the band continuing to play, I had to wait about 70 seconds until my guitar came back online. It was pretty frustrating, especially as it happened in the middle of our new single during the biggest gig we’ve done by some distance.

It’s shaken my confidence around using the QC live, especially given I had issues with it not turning on for a while after upgrading the OS last time and subsequent issues where sometimes after I power it on, it switches itself off again and I have to then restart it to get it to power up. Add in the ridiculous boot up time (my computer is about 4 times quicker than the QC and that’s running a LOT of software on start up) and it’s not filling me with confidence!!

Generally just all seems really sketchy for something that cost a lot of money.

So two problems basically… and wondered if anyone else had any insight into either…

  • a) the device behaving erratically since the update to CorOS3.0 in terms of powering up / taking ages to start / switching itself off for no apparent reason…

and / or…

  • b) a better solution for a power supply option in terms of fit. At the moment I’m thinking of gaffer taping the lead into the back so it can’t possibly come loose, but ideally I would get a solution that fits the device more tightly and can’t be so easily removed. Seems crazy they’ve gone with the design they have for a unit of this size when you think how much it costs.

Neural DSP support suggested using something like the Cioks DC7 power supply, which if that’s the only option I guess I’ll have to go with, but when you spend £1.5K on a device you don’t expect to have to replace the power supply with one for another £200 or so, just because the original feels like a cheap mobile phone charger.

I love the way the unit sounds, I really want to use it and not have to go for another solution and all the hassle of moving my rigs over that would involve (and recreating most of them due to the different amp models etc), which may have its own problems anyway. But the idea of using something that can just shut itself off at any point, or has a power solution that is so flimsy it either breaks or falls out of the unit is obviously not okay for live use.

Frustrating. Would welcome any advice / suggestions.

Thanks.
Ian

2

Whoa, let’s talk about this.
QC needs a 2.1mm barrel plug (same size as a typical Boss pedal plug). Double check the size of the plug you’re using. It’s possible you could be using a 2.5mm plug. Feel free to tape your power plug down if you want to, but it should not freely wiggle around.

I wonder if the problems you’re having with the unit behaving erratically and/or shutting off on its own might be tied to the connector issue.

EDIT: I reread your post. You have a replacement power supply, “official”, from Neural DSP… Can you post photos and/or video of the connector wiggling? I really do think that solving your power problem will solve some of the other problems you’re experiencing.

NOT the only option. Not the only option.
Run a search in this forum for power options and see what others are doing. Cioks DC7 works fine for a lot of people, and Neural probably suggested it because it’s popular, but you definitely do not have to spend £200.

3 Likes
3

Wow. That’s pathetic. I would tell them to get their shit together and make the power supply they sell you work.
As for everything else, I share your concerns.

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Thanks for the advice. I’ll double check the sizing on the new power lead, but it should be identical given it’s the branded Neural DSP one. Got it from Anderton’s in the UK, who are dealer for Neural and it came in the right packaging etc so I assume it is made to fit the unit. Will double check tonight though. Never had the old lead fall out, so could be different.

And yep - will do some more research into alternatives. As with most things, there are lots of opinions out there on what is “best”. I never thought a power lead would be something with so many options! Being fit for purpose is the only thing I’d expect, which means not breaking so easily, and fitting the unit properly. Not something that should be difficult at this price point.

Having a lead break at a rehearsal or in the studio is one thing. Having it break in the middle of a gig is another and not something I want to repeat. V frustrating.

Thanks again.

5

Sucks having that happen at a big performance - sympathies. I would start by asking Neural to replace the “official” power supply they provided that is slipping out of the power input. That shouldn’t be happening and if you purchased it directly from Neural or a trustworthy vendor, they should replace it without argument.

If that is not an option, I would buy one of the barrel connectors with an on/off switch. An $8 solution. Hopefully your power supply will fit more snugly to that. If not, just tape them together (a little hinky, I know). The switch’s barrel connector will be the one that goes to the QC. The one I purchased fit snugly. Added bonus, you get an on/off switch that stops your QC from accidentally coming on after a power failure or stutter while you are not around.

Here is an example of one in Amazon. I am not recommending it, just providing a picture of what you are looking for. The one I purchased is no longer available. If you use one of these make sure the polarity is correct on the connectors. I used a multimeter to check, just to make sure. I also looked for one that could handle 18v and up to a 3amp draw. Many of them can but I wanted one with listed specs just to be sure. Anyway, caveat emptor but this has worked very well for me.

For example purposes only, havn’t tried this one:

https://www.amazon.com/MECCANIXITY-Cable-Switch-5-5mm-Extension/dp/B09CL3X38F/ref=sr_1_23?crid=23FCT316I6ZVV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.pApnS2Am_c2X77x6Nq5hXBJPuZZz9Z5p2-0wtJ7tF6244-06SVd6PWB26CQ2yhG2v57ddUkqTIMAI-KkXJvxNeCmjbaQFkTmmhLOoBgwRgmZj5IYwpj7jixhyqOcqP7mftG9zDiDnpf7KllFWROo_ifr6D5Hqd9UMSfSv0B-GNRBXNflMIvAXvXdc_520hcsZvNyhNYEogcXs_iBHKyatUr9cB2r3q3Qfv4mP5nBK3UeDsa0yBzpZk1I1Y2QorYD_k1kKTlWNBjdr9kumCZUCEXpvST84BSE5C1qoUr9dkA.iZacZ5zT7wK38Ik2yyyPdiE2G72zqcQw-0ypez-w8N8&dib_tag=se&keywords=2-Pack+5V-24V+5A+Inline+On%2FOff+Switch+Cable%2C+DC+Jack+(5.5x2.1mm)+Male+to+Female+Adapter+Connector%2C&qid=1724815501&s=hi&sprefix=2-pack+5v-24v+5a+inline+on%2Foff+switch+cable%2C+dc+jack+5.5x2.1mm+male+to+female+adapter+connector%2C%2Ctools%2C87&sr=1-23

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Thanks - really appreciate the advice / suggestions. Am based in the UK, so I’ll have a look at options available here.

7

What part of your original power supply broke? If it’s the barrel plug, I’m wondering if the same incident that damaged it may have damaged the barrel jack on the QC too. Barrel connectors are not very robust but, being kind of an industry standard, they do give the option of powering the QC from many different aftermarket power supplies.

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8

Good freakin’ question! At first read I thought the OP had just purchased a 2nd power supply as a backup, but the new power supply was a replacement. Could well be the jack on the QC got damaged.

If it is the jack that is broken, short of getting it repaired I might consider doing something like wrapping the barrel on the power supply with shrink tubing to get a tighter fit. Another hinky fix, do at your own risk, if the shrink tape comes off in the jack it could be a PITA, although you could probably fish it out and try again.

9

The contact that does most of the gripping on those is usually just a thin tab that can become bent from the plug being forced sideways or even from wear. DIN style plugs are slightly more durable but you’d have to modify or fab an adapter to use it with a 3rd party supply. It’s a world of compromise.

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No it was the lead itself that broke, not the barrel plug.

It would work and then if the lead was moved or bent in a certain way, it would sometimes cut out and the device would reboot. Pulling it taut would help, but as soon as you let go, it would often then cut out. Assume it was from constant winding and unwinding over 2 years or so of owning the unit. I’m careful with it, but it is a very flimsy lead. Never had issues with that one falling out of the socket though, and I used it regularly.

The new lead is the one that fell out mid-gig and that isn’t broken as far as I can see. Just seems a bit of a flimsy fit. Not bent or damaged though. And is an official NDSP one.

The more I’ve read into this though, the more I’m finding people with similar stories of the device shutting down mid-gig, or rebooting randomly. One person on here was using the Cioks DC7 and Crux, which is specifically for QC and had some serious problems with that kind of thing. Appreciate there will always be someone with a bad experience of any piece of gear and those people are likely to make the most noise, but when you’ve had issues yourself and then read a bunch of similar stories, it doesn’t fill you with confidence.

After the experience of also having issues post-upgrade with the device not even switching on at all and then this, plus all the other stuff I’ve read, my confidence in the QC to be a reliable setup for gigging is pretty low. And I really don’t want to be up there feeling worried my whole sound is just going to disappear for over a minute if it decides to do something strange. That doesn’t lend itself to giving a good performance or enjoying the show. When it was a 20 second reboot it was less of an issue but 70 seconds is ridiculous. My computer starts up in a quarter of that time. It’s basically wiped out most of the song and if it happens in a key part of the track guitar-wise, it’s a total washout. For a device that cost £1.5K that’s not okay.

Such a shame because I love everything else about the QC. It’s smaller than the competition, sounds better (to me anyway), has the whole capture thing nailed and is super easy to use. But all that is moot if the thing can’t do the most basic part of its job (ie stay switched on when you need it to!)

NDSP seem to have spent loads of time focusing on things like bringing plugins to the unit, whilst ignoring hardware / power issues that would make so much more difference than having ANOTHER amp model or two to add to the hundreds already on there. It’s great that the software is supported and developed of course, but in doing so we now have an insane boot up time and more issues with stability.

Thanks for the replies. May be a case of keeping it for the studio and silent practice at home, whilst looking for a more reliable live solution. Shame though as there is so much to love about the QC and for a while there I thought I’d got the perfect portable solution that meant I no longer needed to trudge round with a great big heavy amp.

1 Like
11

There is yet another problem with the powerplug and that is that it isn’t grounded. So my very first impression (and I assume I’m not alone) was unpacking the QC, powering it up, plugin in guitar and headphones and getting quite the hum during playing.

Even my POD 500 back in the day didn’t have this problem which also didn’t have an IEC connector.

Now granted for a touring professional this isn’t really relevant at all (aside maybe from practicing in the hotel bedroom) but for me this is a bit of a bummer.

I have the same feelings as you, the unit is great! I have never felt so comfortable with any other modeler. Still that powerplug really rubs me the wrong way.

12

That’s a shame, Ian, and I agree about the power supply lead. I don’t understand why the power supply manufacturer chose such a stiff and flimsey cable or why NDSP signed off on it. Fortunately I havent had any problems with mine but my QC lives on my pedalboard so the cable doesn’t get moved around much. Concerning the QC itself, mine’s been pretty much bullet proof and my buddy has had no cronic problems with his but I realize that’s no consolation for those who have had issues. Being that the QC is Neural’s first hardware unit, I assume their engineers haven’t had the benefit of “lessons learned” from multiple previous generations of devices. This may explain the inconsistencies. That said, I wish you luck in resolving this issue and/or finding a product that provides the sound, dependability and features you’re looking for. I’m also a fan of Fractal gear. If you can deal with the much larger form factor and comparatively primitive UI, they may offer a more dependable alternative for you. As a forum member, I thank you for expressing your frustration in such a calm and rational manner.

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Thanks Pete. I’m going to do a bit more research and try and borrow a couple of other options to see what I make of them. I did have a Headrush Core for a short while but I wasn’t as keen on the effects / modelling and I do really like the smaller size of the QC. There are definitely things I can do - like mounting everything on a pedalboard like you’ve mentioned, to ensure a power supply is more “fixed” with the QC and buy a more robust power supply as well.

Just frustrating to be in a position where such an expensive and well thought out product hasn’t had the same attention to detail applied to such a key area. As someone mentioned elsewhere, the power supply is similar in quality to what you’d expect from a mobile phone charger.

It’s like building a Ferrari and sticking the wheels from a golf buggy on it.

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14

:rofl: I like your analogy! I assume they’ll make some power supply changes for the Octa Cortex. :wink: Hang in there and happy hunting.

15

If I understood correctly, it was a design decision to have the QC take the ground from a connected equipment (FOH or whatever).
I think this helps to avoid ground loops. But can create noise when not connected.
I believe there is some info about that available but don’t remember where I read it.

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Imagen de WhatsApp 2024-09-02 a las 07.45.49_0ded8be7
Imagen de WhatsApp 2024-09-02 a las 07.45.49_0ded8be71600Ă—1200 290 KB

this was the best solution i found to prevent the unit from disconnecting live

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That’s a clean and compact pedalboard!

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