I apologize in advance if this is a long question, I don’t think this exact situation has been addressed here, but if I am wrong please point me at them. I just received my quad cortex, I am currently in the process of taking apart my recording rack to incorporate the quad cortex into my recording signal path. I will likely exclusively be using the quad cortex for recording.
I have my signal path sketched out in a diagram, trying to figure out if or how I can upload it here. But currently without the quad cortex my signal path is the following : guitar - RNDI (rupert neve DI) direct out to - Apollo INPUT AND the Thru goes to - My pedal board which starts with an earthquaker devices swiss things which has two effects loops one for dry effects and one for wet effects- and then two outputs (A/B/Y) to two amps.
My goals are as follows : I want a DI signal into my apollo to record the untouched DI, I want stereo out of the quad cortex to my apollo, I want to utilize the two effects loops in the quad cortex to loop in my pedals, and finally I am trying to also have the ability for my signal to go out to my amps to record them as well still (this is a hope, not sure if its possible, in fact I doubt it is possible to use the pedalboard in the quad cortex and use it also to go to my amp(s) ). I really would like to not have to disconnect and reconnect cables to go from using the quad cortex to using my amps or using plugins with the DI.
I thought I had figured it out, but I have doubts. I have a small hosa TRS patch bay box (and a 24 channel TRS in my recording rack I could use too I guess).
I thought I could place in-between the send/receives of the quad cortex effects loops and the Swiss things effects loops, but I think that would both involve plugging and unplugging cables to go from the quad cortex to just my pedalboard/amps, and pretty sure they couldn’t be used at the same time this way. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.
I tried to upload 3 images to help visualize my signal chain but as a new user I can only upload one here so I think I’ll put the others in a response to myself.
Here is a diagram where I was attempting to fit in the quad cortex but than got stumped -
it would help to know what the Apollo is connecting to. If you’re using a Mac and Logic, you can create an aggregate device and use both the Apollo and the QC as direct interfaces which could eliminate the RNDI as the QC can send a DI signal from both inputs via USB with no other outputs needed. You could run your hardware pedals in the QC fx loop and use Outputs 3/4 to your amps. That way, on a QC preset with only the FX Loop block you’d have access to your pedals/amps separately when needed. It’s also easier to reamp anything connected to that sort of setup via the digital matrix without needing to patch physical cables.
If you’re on a PC, then a lot more physical cabling and routing will be necessary.
Sorry, didn’t even think about that. I am on a PC and using Cubase.
I think I was mistaken in how I can utilize the swiss things here, i stupidly was thinking I could just connect the two FX loops in the QC to the FX loops in the swiss things. But I think I can only use one of the QC’s FX loops and I have to go from that send into the input of the swiss things, and out of one of the swiss things outputs back to the QC FX loop receive. Or that seems to be the easiest path, I am going to try it using one of my patchbays so I will have to do some plugging in to switch from just using the QC to then using my amps? I am going to try it for now but any other suggestions are very welcome.
I use an Apollo Twin and honestly, I use the QC as the interface when recording guitars. I run 3/4 USB to one track and 1 USB as a DI for reamping with plugins later. I do not really see how using the Apollo benefits me in any way with virtual stuff. I’m not sure using the Apollo is worth it.
I believe that “simple is better” when it comes to audio chains, especially when recording. I hate firing up my recording rig, full of inspiration, only to spend the next 45 minutes trying to track down some random noise. Although I understand the attraction of having any sound available with a couple of button clicks, all that cabling with multiple devices increases the chance of running into problems. Although the list of available effects in the QC is limited compared with many comparable devices, most of what’s in there is excellent. You may find that you’ll have no need for some of the pedals on your board.
One other thing you might consider is recording your guitar with just a good amp/cab tone, maybe a pre effect or two, then use plugins or re-amping through your pedals to add most of your effects. I find it much easier to dial in usable effect settings once I have most or all of the other tracks in the mix. You may find that those “perfect” effect settings you recorded just get lost or turn your guitar to mush once the other instruments have been added.
