# Running external drives into quad cortex

**URL:** <https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/running-external-drives-into-quad-cortex/16993>\
**Category:** Quad Cortex\
**Created:** [January 22, 2025, 3:32pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/running-external-drives-into-quad-cortex/16993 "2025-01-22T15:32:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![PrestonC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@PrestonC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/PrestonC)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 3:32pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/running-external-drives-into-quad-cortex/16993/1 "2025-01-22T15:32:56Z")

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Ok so I want to use the QC as just an amp platform and run my external drives into it (without using a fx loop) like I would a real amp. I’m having difficulty making it sound good though. I know it’s doable because Cory Wong does it. Has anyone else done it and if so how did you get it to sound good?

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**Author:** ![DiffractionCircuit](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/unity.neuraldsp.com/diffractioncircuit/32/3793_2.png) [@DiffractionCircuit](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/DiffractionCircuit)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 3:40pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/running-external-drives-into-quad-cortex/16993/2 "2025-01-22T15:40:58Z")

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Running external pedals into the input of the QC can sound great. I do it with my pedalboard. But we need more info.

1. What does _sound good_ mean to you?
2. What amp block or amp captures are you using?
3. What drive pedals are you using? (My Earthquaker Hizumitas [Big Muff clone] tends to like not going into an amp block at all.)
4. Are you using cab block or IR block to FRFR system, or are you running a _no IR_ output to a physical power amp + cab?
5. Have you changed any settings with input gain or impedance?
6. Are you you using other effects before or after the amp or capture block?

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**Author:** ![cardinal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b9bd4f/32.png) [@cardinal](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/u/cardinal)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2025, 7:44pm UTC](https://unity.neuraldsp.com/t/running-external-drives-into-quad-cortex/16993/3 "2025-01-22T19:44:52Z")

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I’ve just plugged OD pedals into input 1 or 2 and thought it sounded great. Actually for me it sounded better than using the modeled or my captured ODs.