So I started my adventure with quax cortex recently and I am facing a bit odd issue that I cant seem to solve myself. Basically I see that quadcortex should run okay when plugged directly to power amp (standalone or amp power amp section) or just into input of a combo amp. Basically turning off cab sim should do the trick.
I am facing this issue that whenever I plug my quad cortex into amp+cab, power amp section of amp + cab or directly to power amp in boss katana I am getting sound like line6 spider or metalzone - high end fizz, lack of bass just high end pitched noise - everything sounds pretty much the same. I either have to use cab sim or hilow cut equalizer to filter out amp sims in the quad cortex to get any usable tone out of my rig. ( when filtered out it sounds pretty amazing)
I am not exactly what I am doing wrong. It seems like I would need to cut the signal to something like guitar range before feeding it into power amp/amp/combo otherwise I am ending up with this super digital, high end fizz that want to pierce my ears.
I am used to having my old boss gt-100 on the floor where to get rid of that high end fizz I just had to change one output setting to amp head - and that was it. So I am wondering now if that settings on ol’ boss was just a low and high end filter applied globally on modeler.
I am wondering if there is something wrong that I am doing? From what I see, that only amp sim or capture in the chain should sound pretty much ok when going this route without any hiccups.
I am using 2x12 loaded with Vinate30 speakers, solidstate amp head - old one by crate and boss katana combo. I tested that by pluging directly into either input or line in/power amp.
Yeah, its a bit weird. Basically 2x12 cab should act like a filter by itself and it shouldnt be able to play above certain frequencies. Amp (clean channel or power amp section) is just way to make power to speakers.
Katana is not a full frfr speaker, its more like guitar speaker with some wider frequency range (this is what I read on the net)
I was trying almost every combination I could think of like :
Original presets without cab sim( turned off cab)
New preset with amp sim only
Best result would be a neural capture and that seems to work best without filers/cab sim and sound pretty much like it should. Global EQ seems not to affect them at all.
As workaround for cab sims I am using just global eq on output 3/4 only with hipass and lowpass filter and I get amp sound without cab sim flavour. Then I get cab flavour on sound depending what cab I am plugging into.
Weird is that - boss gt100 had same effect if I didnt select right “output” option. Just thin fizzy distortion that sounds the same on any amp sim. The output option seems to act just like EQ. Which seems to be the case.
Just like it would try to force signal that couldnt be handled by amp/cab
I have checked all outputs and imput levels and everything seems to be ok. No clipping. Also lowering outputs doesnt affect the fizzy/thin sounding. Removing high frequencies aboveb 5-6K seems to solve the issue right away.
A bit weird, just something I cant seem to be able to solve and similar thing was on old effects.
I do mot have experience with poweramps like oragne baby pedal or seymour duncan. Do they have some hilow pass filters built in?
I use low-pass and high-pass filters on every preset (especially important with overdriven presets), with the exception of acoustic presets. Remember that those models are created using a mic (or mics) placed directly in front of a speaker, usually in close proximity. Nobody listens to their real amp this way. You’re almost always at a distance and well off-axis which naturally rolls off highs and lows at your listening position. Don’t be afraid to use filters and EQ to get what you’re after. Why you’re having this issue with your 2-12 cab is a mystery, though.
What are your input and output settings on your QC? Keep input gain at 0 and dont run the output signal too close to red (clipping). It has pretty major effect on the high end.
Thanks for responses. I am just using default settings for output. Nothing clips or hits any limiters.
As solution i set global eq on output 3/4 with some low and hi pass filters and it does the trick for me.
I am using Boss Katana mk1 which is something more like modeling amp with a weird speaker and old crate fw120 head (into 2x12 vintage30 loaded cab). Applying filters globally solves the issue perfectly. A bit weird is part with my old boss modeling effect - it had same issue untill aplying the output preferences that just cut high frequencies.
I would suspect that both amps are not so great and require some adjustments to the signal they can accept. For now I do not have clean power amp on hand to test, but if I get I will let you know. Thanks for help guys.
Also if you get your quad cortex did you guys had some presets saved in My presets? I bought my brand new, original packaging, foils, wrapper on power supply etc. and I had few presets already saved. Another mystery I cant get my head around.
1 power amp + cab - turn off cab sim and use TS instrument cable to the power amp.
2 katana - it’s closer to FRFR. At the end of the day it’s a powered speaker and should be treated as such. Use balanced TRS cable with cab sim on in the QC.
Yes I tried that. In case1, It sounds like metal zone or line6. Aby distortion ends like this. I need to apply cab sim or eq with hi and low pass fiter(if I do not want cab sim flavour, just my own cab). When I have done that, it sounds great - like it should.
I will update this thread when I can get dedicated power amp instead of solidstate head and let you know results.