Few guitar processors have been as game-changing as the Neural DSP Quad Cortex. In fact, it’s remained a consistent top-seller here at Music Experience since its 2020 debut. An ultra-compact iteration of this revolutionary floorboard amp modeler, the Quad Cortex Mini delivers the full Quad Cortex experience in a scaled-down format without compromising processing power or sound quality. The Mini employs the same CorOS software as its full-sized predecessor, along with Neural Capture technology and the familiar 7-inch multitouch display. You also get over 90 amps, more than 100 effects, more than 1,000 cabinet IRs, and more than 2,000 Neural Captures. Able to tackle live performance, studio recording, and practice sessions with equal assurance, the Mini flaunts flexible routing with up to four parallel signal paths, USB-C audio interface functionality, Wi-Fi connectivity, and extensive I/O options for instruments, microphones, MIDI, and balanced outputs. You also get a built-in looper, tuner, and metronome. Moreover, the rugged anodized aluminum unibody housing and locking power connectors certify roadworthy durability. Simply put, the Neural DSP Quad Cortex Mini is an incredibly robust, world-class platform that removes the traditional trade-off between size and capability; you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything this powerful in a more portable, rack- and desktop-friendly design.

The full Quad Cortex experience in a mini pedal

When Neural DSP designed the Quad Cortex Mini, the company endeavored to deliver a user experience on par with the full-sized Quad Cortex but in a compact, desktop-friendly format — without compromise. We’re happy to report that this venture is a huge success. The Quad Cortex houses the same level of processing power and delivers the same world-class sound quality as the larger unit, while also providing you with Neural DSP’s vaunted Neural Capture technology. Moreover, you get the same 7-inch multi-touch display, ensuring fast, intuitive editing and streamlining signal path and effects management. Beyond that, the Quad Cortex Mini runs the same CorOS software, and it integrates flawlessly with the Quad Cortex ecosystem. This means that you can transfer your presets, full backups, and complete workflows seamlessly between the Mini and your full-sized Quad Cortex with zero compatibility hassles — everything works exactly as expected with nothing to rebuild. Finally, the Quad Cortex Mini will benefit from all CorOS updates, ensuring that you always have the latest iteration of Neural Capture at your disposal, as well as any new features and virtual devices that are released.

Neural Capture digitizes your favorite amps, stomps, and cabs

Already have the world’s best amps waiting for you at home? Digitize them and take them on the road using Neural DSP’s powerful Neural Capture feature. This revolutionary technology lets you use the Quad Cortex Mini to digitize your favorite amps, cabs, and pedals with stunning realism by using machine learning to replicate the nuanced interaction between gear and player, preserving characteristics like sag, saturation, and compression for instant recall. You can capture entire rigs or individual components as modular blocks to build custom signal chains. Moreover, the Quad Cortex Mini supports Neural Capture V2, a Cortex Cloud-trained upgrade to Neural Capture that enhances resolution and dynamic accuracy for complex, touch-sensitive devices such as fuzzes and tube-style amps, exhibiting superior realism and modeling of controls. While V2 requires an internet connection and longer processing time, it offers unmatched precision for the most expressive gear, whereas V1 remains a fast, offline option.

Connectivity without limits

The Quad Cortex Mini is one piece of gear that won’t leave you high and dry at the gig, whether you’re running a simple guitar rig, building a stereo effects setup, or integrating pedals, amps, microphones, and MIDI. Not only do you get a head-scratching amount of inputs and outputs, but you can even customize routing on a patch-by-patch basis. It includes a variety of inputs, such as a 1/4-inch TS instrument input and an XLR combo jack with 48-volt phantom power. The Mini’s outputs are equally as versatile, providing you with two XLR balanced outputs for front-of-house or studio monitors, two 1/4-inch TS outputs, a dedicated Neural Capture out, and a 1/8-inch headphone jack for private monitoring. You also get stereo effects loops, expression control, comprehensive MIDI connectivity, and MIDI over USB-C for flawless hardware integration. Finally, USB-C connectivity transforms the Quad Cortex Mini into a feature-laden 8-in/8-out audio interface, making it ideal for live shows, home recording, and hybrid rigs.

What Neural DSP Says

Quad Cortex mini delivers the full Quad Cortex experience in our most compact, usable format yet, without cutting corners. It brings the same processing power, audio quality, Neural Capture technology, and 7” touchscreen in a footprint that fits effortlessly into pedalboards, modern rigs, or on your desktop. Built for exceptional performance at its size and price, Quad Cortex mini makes it easy to dial in world-class sounds, explore a vast range of amps, effects, and Captures, and build rigs without creative limits wherever you play. Whether you’re stepping into the Quad Cortex platform for the first time or already feel at home, Quad Cortex mini shares the same platform and workflow, making great sounds fast, intuitive, and deeply rewarding from the first note.

Arena-level performance. Shelf-ready size.

A complete guitar and bass rig in a remarkably small footprint, designed to fit naturally into pedalboards, modern rigs, and desktop setups, from studio to stage and everywhere in between. With a footprint of just 22.8 × 11.8 cm and a weight of 1.5 kg, Quad Cortex mini delivers flagship performance in a form that’s easy to place, easy to carry, and simple to integrate into existing rigs.

A complete creative toolkit, ready to play

Quad Cortex mini comes loaded with a carefully curated collection of amps, effects, and cabinets, giving you everything you need to build inspiring guitar and bass rigs from the moment you plug in. From vintage-inspired and modern amplifiers to studio-grade effects and flexible cabinet simulation, every virtual device is designed to respond naturally to your playing and work together seamlessly.

Neural Capture - Capture real gear. Play it anywhere.

Neural Capture creates ultra-accurate digital models of real amps, cabinets, drive pedals, and compressors. Choose from thousands of Captures created by players and artists around the world, or effortlessly create your own. Dynamics, touch, and feel are captured alongside tone, so what you play reacts the way you expect. Roll back your guitar volume. Dig in harder. The response stays musical and familiar. The sounds you rely on stay with you, wherever you choose to play. Quad Cortex mini comes preloaded with over 2000 high-quality factory Neural Captures, so you can start playing inspiring, studio-ready sounds immediately.

Neural Capture Version 1

Fast, efficient, and fully offline. Neural Capture V1 runs directly on the device and delivers accurate results for most amps, cabinets, and overdrive pedals. It’s ideal for everyday use, transparent gain stages, and building complex Presets without worrying about processing overhead.

Neural Capture Version 2

Neural Capture V2 uses Cortex Cloud to process Captures with a higher-resolution algorithm, delivering increased accuracy for touch-sensitive gear such as fuzzes, compressors, and highly dynamic tube amps. It captures subtle behaviors like volume-knob cleanup, amp sag and bloom, fast transients, and blend controls with exceptional precision.

Cortex Cloud - An ever-growing world of tones

Cortex Cloud connects Quad Cortex mini to a constantly expanding library of Neural Captures and Presets created by artists and players around the world. Discover new amps, cabinets, and pedals captured by others, and bring them straight into your own rigs. Sounds load quickly and integrate seamlessly, so inspiration never feels interrupted. Share your own Neural Captures, explore new ideas, and keep your sound evolving over time.

The Grid - See your entire rig at a glance.

The Grid is the visual workspace at the heart of Quad Cortex mini. It makes building, understanding, and modifying signal chains intuitive, with no menu diving or hidden layers Create rigs by placing virtual device blocks across a clear, grid-based signal flow. Rearrange blocks freely, split signals into parallel paths, and route any part of your chain to different outputs with precision and confidence. Complex setups stay readable. Simple ideas stay simple. Everything is exactly where you expect it to be.

Touchscreen and rotary footswitches

A 7” multi-touch display paired with four stainless steel rotary footswitches gives you responsive, tactile control at your fingertips and under your feet, whether you’re editing sounds or performing.

Parameter Focus System

When a block is selected, the rotary footswitches automatically map to the most relevant parameters. This makes it easy to dial in sounds by ear, adjust settings quickly, and stay focused on playing instead of navigating menus.

Flexible switching modes

Choose the control style that fits how you play:

• Preset mode for switching between complete rigs
• Scene mode for seamless changes within a single Preset
• Stomp mode for pedalboard-style control
• Hybrid mode for combining modes across footswitch rows.

Gig View

Preset mode for switching between completGig View A high-contrast, performance-ready layout with large text and clear visual feedback. Opposite Page Preview shows assignments from the other Page at a glance, so you’re never guessing mid-song.

Live performance

A complete guitar and bass rig built for the stage. Quad Cortex mini delivers consistent sound, fast switching, and confident control in live performance environments.

Practice and songwriting

Practice silently with headphones, keep time with the built-in metronome, and build, adjust, and save sounds quickly without breaking your creative flow.

Studio and recording

A powerful all-in-one tool for recording and re-amping guitar and bass. Quad Cortex mini doubles as a multichannel USB-C audio interface, fitting naturally into modern DAW workflows.

Compact touring setups

Ideal for space-conscious touring and professional stage rigs, Quad Cortex mini delivers full-stage capability in a remarkably small footprint.

Built to evolve

Quad Cortex mini is part of the Quad Cortex platform, designed to grow with you through ongoing CorOS updates. New features, devices, and workflow improvements are added over time, so your setup continues to expand long after you start playing.

Plugin compatibility

Compatible Neural DSP plugins can be used with Quad Cortex mini, connecting software and hardware workflows and making it easy to bring familiar sounds into a live or standalone setup.

Cortex Control

Cortex Control is the desktop companion app for managing your device. Edit Presets, organize and back up content, and manage your library efficiently from your computer.

Wi-Fi and cloud integration

Built-in Wi-Fi keeps Quad Cortex mini connected. Download content from Cortex Cloud, update CorOS firmware, and manage your device wirelessly, so staying up to date feels effortless.