Quad Cortex Volume issue with headrush 108

Hi,

Ive been having issues with getting my Headrush 108 to sound loud enough with the Quad Cortex. I’ve had the quad for a few months now and Ive been mainly using it to practice at home with headphones. Ive since bought an Headrush 108 FRFR MKII, and I cannot for the life of me get it to sound loud enough. I have the volume knobs on the speaker set to the max, and its not even loud enough to be playing with an acoustic piano. Not a chance I could play with an acoustic drummer. I tried messing around with the Quad cortex input/output settings, but without any success, I keep clipping or distorting the sound, and even then its still not super loud.

Did I just buy the wrong stuff, or is there something more obvious? I know the Headrush can be a lot louder, when I connect my phone to it and play music, i can barely have the volume knob above 4 before it becomes too loud. I’m not too savvy with this kind of stuff. I tried all outputs, TRS/XLR cables etc. Any tips appreciated !

Which output are you using?

I’ve tried both 1/2 and 3/4 and getting the same results

Are you using TRS, TS or XLR cables?

I am using XLR for input 1/2 and TRS for input 3/4

I don’t have any experience/knowledge with the HR 108 but the FRFR I use (FR-10) is definitely loud enough to keep up with a drummer and or full band. What are your I/O settings? Maybe post a screen shot so we can review. For starters, my I/O is pretty much set to unity and main volume is 100% etc.

I guess I can only post 1 pictures per post I’ll a few pictures over a few posts. And the issue is a with every single factory preset, so I wouldn’t think it’s an issue in the chain, but I wouldn’t know!

Do you have Global EQ applied? Also, just to confirm etc., it appears you are running both your OUT1/2 to your FRFR? Is it a stereo FRFR? If not, why are you running both outputs to a mono FRFR? Also, are you using the OEM power supply? I have seen output/volume issues when using the incorrect PS.

I tried plugging into both XLR of the speaker to see if it made a difference, it did not, still having the same issue with only one cable as well. I read that output volume could be affected by the power supply, I just never paid any attention to it as I have been using the one that came with the unit, but maybe there is something to it? Here is a picture of the PS

Just make sure its center negative and with a minimum of 2A.

It seems the power supply outputs 1700mA. Could this be the issue then? And why would the supplier send this with the unit if it doesn’t meet the requirement :expressionless_face:

Since you bought it 2nd hand (used) it appears the seller didn’t give you the correct PS. You need at least a minimum of 2A, ideally you want to match the QC OEM PS specs of 3A but 1.7A is under powered and is likely your issue.

I did not buy it used, I bought brand new online from one of the retailer! But thank you so much for your help, at least now I have something to go on of, and a certain store will have some answering to do!

Thanks again

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Apologies for the error. Regardless, it’s not the PS that comes with the QC new and the vendor will need to resolve that for you. I can’t say 100% that will resolve your issue but you are underpowering which can lead to lots of strange behavior unfortunately so you need to resolve that first prior to diagnosing the volume issue. My guess is the issue will be resolved with the correct specs. And you are welcome! Update when you have the correct specs! :slight_smile:

Wondering if the vendor gave you a demo model used in their store or something?

QC needs 12v, the picture clearly shows 9v. 1.7 amps is way too low.

Yes as you can see this is the conclusion we came up to. I’m in the process of getting the right power supply for it. Thanks for the input!

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For a reference I run my same Headrush, XLR output 1, at about 40% volume with it sitting about 6 feet away from me and sometimes I have turn down the main knob on the QC if a preset gets too loud. QC out dancing around -12-10db.