Quad Cortex vs Quad Cortex Mini vs Nano: 2026 Comparison Guide

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Neural DSP‘s now legendary Quad Cortex has changed how guitar players practice, record, and play – and continues to do so. It’s massive processing power and high-def sound has made it a favourite for everyone from John Mayer, Plini, Rabea Massaad to Animals As Leaders’ Tosin Abasi to Bruno Mars!

The Nano Cortex (the smaller sibling of the Quad Cortex) was introduced for players who wanted a smaller, lighter version that could be placed on their pedalboard, or put in the pocket of a guitar bag to be able to practice and do small gigs only using one pedal, whilst still bringing around the modern power of Neural’s vast library of tone.

As of early 2026, the Quad Cortex Mini has now arrived. Quad Cortex mini delivers a complete guitar and bass rig for the stage in a compact format that integrates easily into pedalboards, fly rigs, and touring setups. The QC Mini delivers the full Quad Cortex experience in the most compact, usable format Neural DSP have ever built, with no compromises.

What is the difference between the Quad Cortex, Quad Cortex Mini, and the Nano Cortex? Which one is best for your musical needs? Read on to find out more…

The Neural DSP Quad Cortex Mini

The Neural DSP Quad Cortex Mini is a fully‑fledged, stage‑ready guitar and bass rig — shrunk down to a gloriously compact box that drops straight onto any pedalboard, fly rig or touring setup. Despite its tiny footprint (over 50% smaller than the original), it delivers the full Quad Cortex experience. All the sounds and flexibility, just… mini!

Built around an unprecedented level of processing power for its size, the Quad Cortex Mini dishes out world‑class tones that are a doddle to dial in. From searing high‑gain stacks and pristine studio cleans to beautifully detailed captures and creative effects chains, everything you love about Quad Cortex is right here — ready to explore, tweak and make your own.

Intelligent workflow, seamless integration

Quad Cortex Mini runs the same CorOS software and integrates fully with the Quad Cortex ecosystem. Presets, full backups and complete workflows move seamlessly between devices, so everything works exactly as expected with nothing to rebuild.

The result is a powerful and versatile platform that removes the traditional trade-off between size and capability, delivering uncompromised sound and creative legroom in a more portable form.

Your tool for practice & songwriting

Designed for spaces where simplicity and speed matter, the Quad Cortex Mini makes it easy to create, adjust and save sounds quickly. The visual signal chain and intuitive controls allow you to move from a spark of an idea to a fully dialled‑in sound in no time at all.

Studio‑ready & built for modern DAW workflows

The Neural DSP Quad Cortex Mini is a powerful all‑in‑one hub for recording and re‑amping guitar or bass. With USB‑C audio interface functionality and flexible routing options, it slots naturally into any modern DAW workflow — no hassle, no extra boxes required.

The compact touring solution

Quad Cortex Mini fits easily into compact racks and professional touring rigs. Multiple units can be deployed in a single rack for redundant rigs, wet/dry setups or multi-instrument applications.

Quad Cortex Mini Key Features

• As mighty as the Quad Cortex, just smaller: All the processing muscle, pristine audio quality and world‑class Neural Capture tech from the original QC in a more compact chassis.
• Big, bright & beautiful 7″ multi‑touch display: A crisp, high‑brightness touchscreen that makes editing fast and intuitive — whether you’re on stage, in the studio or tweaking on the sofa.
• Neural X plugin compatibility: Works with supported Neural DSP plugins.
• Preloaded with a vast library of virtual devices: Arrives with 90+ amps, 100+ effects, 1,000+ cab IRs and 2,000+ Neural Captures. Enough to keep even the most tone‑hungry players busy.
• Four intuitive footswitches: Use the Rotary Encoders for Preset, Scene and Stomp control — plus fast, hands-on parameter adjustments.
• The Cortex Cloud awaits: Get free access to thousands of community‑created Neural Captures for endless inspiration.
• USB-C audio interface: Doubles as a USB-C audio interface with 16 channels (8 inputs and 8 outputs).
• Big power, small footprint: Weighing just 1.5kg and measuring 22.8 x 11.8 x 6.5 cm, the Quad Cortex Mini is your perfect gigging and travel companion.

The Neural DSP Nano Cortex

The Nano Cortex is a portable pedal-sized modeller, loaded with plenty of flagship-quality tone, IR’s and amp & pedal capture functionality that pushes the boundaries of guitar tone technology. With a signal chain with over 50 effects and utilities to choose from, you can select and customise your signal chain into the 7 device slots (technically 8 if you are going to use the noise-gate at the start of the signal chain), using the Neural DSP Nano Cortex smartphone app to customise.

Nano Cortex Key Features

• Neural DSP Power In A Pedal – Industry-leading sound quality and DSP power housed in a sleek, hard-wearing stompbox enclosure that fits on your pedalboard.
• 7-Channel USB Audio Interface – The Nano Cortex is a 7-channel audio interface perfect for recording on the go.
• Thousands Of Premium Tones – Between the built-in library and the Cortex Cloud, you can seamlessly switch between readymade guitar & bass tones for any style, any occasion in seconds.
• Capture & Create Your Own Rig – It only takes a few minutes to capture any amp or pedal, A/B test its sound, and save it as part of your own custom rig without ever leaving the Nano Cortex’s easy controls.
• Simple, Versatile Signal Chain – The Nano Cortex keeps it simple & creative with two pre-FX slots, two slots to choose an amp & IR combination, plus 3 post-FX slots to add rich atmosphere.
• Smart Connectivity – Effortlessly hook the Nano Cortex up to your setup with full stereo outs, MIDI control, USB-C, and Bluetooth for app-based tone customisation. You can even record straight into your DAW with low-latency USB audio!

NanOS Update 2.2.0

The NanOS 2.2.0. introduces the Neural Capture Version 2 Player, along with several highly requested features including a new Tremolo effect, summed outputs, and other improvements that enhance usability and performance of Nano Cortex. Neural Capture V2 is the next evolution of Neural Capture, enhanced & trained via Cortex Cloud for higher resolution and more detailed results. Try the freshest, highest resolution V2 captures 669 added to the library with 41 new device types to instantly expand your tonal palette.

The Neural DSP Quad Cortex

The Quad Cortex is an ultra-powerful, action-packed floor guitar amp and effects modeller – this thing really does it all. It’s earned a reputation as the go-to modelling unit for professionals and tone-conscious players. The Quad Cortex is also notably hailed as one of the most intuitive and versatile multi-effects hardware out there. With numerous free updates since launch, including the ability to run Neural DSP plugins, you can always be sure that you’ll have the latest technology to deliver inspiring tone.

The Quad Cortex is capable of hosting hundreds of amps and effects without breaking a sweat. This is largely thanks to its impressive 2GHz Quad-Core SHARC architecture, undoubtedly the future of amp modelling technology. This ludicrous amount of processing capacity provides limitless sound design possibilities!

Neural DSP Quad Cortex Key Features

• The Most Powerful Floor Modeller on the planet
• The most natural-sounding capture solution with near-limitless tonal options
• Want to run four different amplifier models and loads of effects at the same time? No problem!
• Capture, share and download your favourite rigs with Neural Capture
• Use compatible plugins directly on the Quad Cortex
• 50+ onboard amps, 70+ effects, 1000+ IRs
• Tactile and intuitive 7″ multi-touch display

Neural DSP Quad Cortex, Quad Cortex Mini & Nano Cortex Comparison Table

In a nutshell, the Nano Cortex is a compact pedal with a fixed signal chain involving pre-FX, captures, IRs, and post-FX, while the Quad Cortex is a full-blown modeller and FX processor with heaps of power. Still, we’ve compared the main features of the 3 multi-fx to give you all the answers:

Conclusion

So there you have it. In summary:

The Quad Cortex mini delivers the same processing power, audio quality, Neural Capture technology, and CorOS software as Quad Cortex, with no compromises in sound or performance.

Quad Cortex mini features a footprint reduced by more than 50 percent, making it easier to integrate into compact pedalboards, desk setups, and rack systems.

Choose Quad Cortex mini for the full Quad Cortex sound in a more compact, portable format. Choose Quad Cortex for a full-size floorboard with more physical space and connectivity on stage.

If you want to practice and play small gigs with the smallest footprint, The Nano Cortex is the right choice. The Nano gives you industry-leading sound quality and DSP power housed in a sleek, hard-wearing stompbox enclosure that fits on your pedalboard.

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