Multi effect guitar processors sure have come a long way since the early days of the 1980s Rockman. Founded in Finland in 2017, Neural DSP has established itself at the forefront of digital guitar effects amp modelers and effects devices. Neural DSP revolutionized guitar technology by integrating machine learning with audio digital signal processing.
Specializing first in software plugins for DAWs, and then hardware interfaces, their flagship Quad Cortex gained industry attention in 2020 by offering immense processing power using quad-core SHARC+ processors combined with “Neural Capture” technology. The Quad Cortex also has companion software that allows users to “capture,” or digitally recreate, their own analog guitar gear and share it with other users via the Cortex Cloud. Upon its release in 2020, Neural DSP claimed its flagship Quad Cortex was the most powerful floor modeler on the market, with 2 GHz in digital signal processing power via the four SHARC+ processors. The Quad Cortex shipped with 50 available guitar and bass amp models, 70 effects, and a thousand impulse responses. It also had features that competitor modelers did not, including a touch screen interface, WIFI connectivity, and footswitches that combine stomp functionality with rotary actuators. A smaller edition was released in January 2026, the Neural DSP Quad Cortex Mini. Although significantly smaller, the unit makes few compromises outside of its physical footprint. The QC Mini packs identical processing power and the Neural Capture technology of the flagship model into a footprint that is over 50 percent smaller. $400 less that the original Quad Cortex, the QC Mini features the same seven-inch touchscreen, 16-channel USB-C audio interface, and extensive preset library. Navigating the device involves a mixture of the touchscreen and the four rotary footswitches. The operating modes used in the bigger Quad Cortex, Scene Mode, Gig View, and Stomp modes translate transparently to the smaller chassis, allowing you to switch presets, scenes, and access built-in tools like the tuner.
Navigating the Quad Cortex Mini touchscreen is simple. You can build and edit sounds directly on the screen. The device features a seven-inch multi-touch display that controls everything. The signal chain looks like a grid. It holds your virtual amps, cabinets, and pedals. Tap a block to open its options. For example, tap an Overdrive pedal to change its settings. Swipe from the bottom to the top to see all your Scenes (saved pedal combinations). Swipe up to open Gig View for stage performances. For hardware control, tap a block on the screen, then use the four rotary footswitches below it to adjust the knobs. The footswitches map to the options you see on the display.
QC Mini comes loaded with a large, curated collection of amps, effects, and cabinets, giving you massive versatility and power. With over 90 amp models, over 100 effects and utilities, and over 1000 cabinet IRs and mic placement options, there are vintage-inspired and modern amplifiers to studio-grade effects and flexible cabinet simulation, covering every need for every style.
$1,399
