Quad cortex mini as an audio interface Output problem

Quad Cortex
1

Hi everyone,

I’ve run into an issue and I’m wondering if anyone knows how to fix it.

When using the Quad Cortex Mini as the default audio interface on macOS, the default outputs are set to Outputs 1 and 2, which correspond to the XLR outputs. However, my studio monitors are connected to Outputs 3 and 4 (TRS).

I’ve already ordered XLR cables to work around this, but I’d still like to know if it’s possible to change the USB output routing from macOS.

In Logic Pro there’s no problem, since I can select which outputs to use. But at the macOS system level I can’t find any option to change the default output channels, and the Quad Cortex itself doesn’t seem to allow changing this routing either.

Does anyone know if there’s a way to change the default USB output pair on macOS, or any workaround besides switching to XLR?

Thanks in advance!

2

both MacOS and iOS default to output 1-2 with any device and unfortunately there is no way to change that either on the Mac or on the QC itself (unless I am missing something)

3

I don’t really understand the desire to use the QC or Mini as your audio interface. As you can see you are limited somewhat and everything is tied to USB I/O.

Why not just get a dedicated audio interface with actual XLR and Line inputs and outputs and just use the QC as a line level output into your audio interface? The flexibility is so much better.

4

with Mac you can have the best of both by Aggregating the QC with external interfaces. Much more convenient for re-amping, capturing plugins, etc.

5

There might be a way to change this in MacOS’s MIDI settings… I’m away from my Mac Mini and QC at the moment, can anyone confirm?

Using the QC as an audio interface allows you to:

  1. Record a dry instrument AND a “wet” or effected signal simultaneously to different tracks in your DAW
  2. Re-amp (digitally) a track with no other cable routing
  3. Cut down on latency compared to using the QC-plugged-into-a-separate-interface method
2 Likes
6

Hey @DiffractionCircuit those are good points. My comments per point:

  1. Of course you can record the dry and wet signals via cabling to a dedicated audio interface as well but it’s definitely less complicated to use the automatic routing of the dry signal on USB 1 or 2 without having to define multiple outputs in my presets.
  2. Same for the re-amping. It can be done with cabling and an audio interface but is definitely easier via USB.
  3. Yes, latency can be an issue depending on the hardware in use and processing speed but yes, least likely to occur in an USB-connected config.

So from a guitar/bass (or even mic) standpoint the QC-as-AI is a good idea. However, my recording also involves connecting a digital piano or keyboard controller via MIDI DIN on my audio interface. I don’t think there is any way to use the QC for that, right? So I need my audio interface for that scenario but I’m going to try out the USB connection with my QC for guitar/bass. Thanks for the food for thought.

7

I still have and use a separate audio interface–actually I recently picked up a Roland Rubix44, which pairs extra nicely with my Moog Matriarch synth.

But for guitar and bass, I want to take full advantage of the QC as an interface, mostly because I’m heavy on external modulation effects which are already connected in one of the QC’s FX loops. Routing USB inputs and outputs in Logic is a bit tedious, but worth it.