Neural DSP Unveils Quad Cortex mini

Noise Harmony
2 days ago
3 min read

Neural DSP has officially announced the Quad Cortex mini, a new ultra-compact, all-in-one guitar and bass processor that brings the complete sound engine and workflow of the flagship Quad Cortex into a significantly smaller form factor. The unit is being shown publicly for the first time this week at the NAMM Show 2026.

Designed to cover live performance, studio recording, practice, songwriting, and compact touring setups, Quad Cortex mini delivers a complete professional rig while reducing the physical footprint by more than 50% compared to the original Quad Cortex. Importantly, this downsizing comes without the usual compromises associated with compact hardware solutions.

Also check:

“Since the introduction of Quad Cortex in 2020, our goal has been to define the standard for what an all-in-one digital rig can be,” said Douglas Castro, CEO and Co-Founder of Neural DSP. “We set out to combine machine-learning-based modeling, studio-grade audio quality, and a fast, performance-focused workflow in a single unit. With Quad Cortex mini, we’ve carried that same philosophy forward, preserving the processing architecture and Neural Capture technology that allow us to create ultra-accurate digital replicas of amplifiers, cabinets, drive pedals, fuzzes, and compressors, now in a more compact form without compromise.”

Measuring just 22.8 × 11.8 × 6.5 cm (8.9 × 4.6 × 2.5 inches) and weighing 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs), Quad Cortex mini is designed to integrate naturally into pedalboards, compact racks, fly rigs, and desktop studios. User interaction is centered around the familiar 7-inch touchscreen paired with four stainless-steel rotary footswitches, enabling precise control both underfoot and at the fingertips in live and studio environments.

Despite its reduced size, Quad Cortex mini retains the full depth of the Quad Cortex experience. Key features include support for Neural Capture V1 and V2, allowing users to capture amps, cabinets, drive pedals, fuzzes, and compressors; an extensive onboard library of over 90 amplifiers, 100 effects, more than 1,000 impulse responses, and over 2,000 Captures; as well as free access to thousands of community Captures via Cortex Cloud.

Workflow enhancements such as the Focus system enable fast, hands-on parameter editing using the rotary footswitches, while the Pages system expands footswitch functionality without increasing hardware size. Preset, Scene, Stomp, and Hybrid modes provide flexible control schemes, complemented by Gig View for clear, performance-focused stage operation.

Selling fast

Line 6 Helix | 34 Presets | "Aura" & "Reflections" & "HELL-X" [BUNDLE]

€83.97€67.18

Quad Cortex mini also functions as a 16-channel USB-C audio interface (8 inputs / 8 outputs) and supports compatibility with selected Neural DSP plugins. Full device management—including editing, backups, and organization—is handled via the Cortex Control desktop application.

From a connectivity standpoint, the unit introduces a locking power connector for secure live use and offers comprehensive I/O: an instrument/microphone combo input with phantom power, balanced XLR outputs, stereo send/return via TRS, MIDI over TRS and USB-C, and a dedicated headphone output for silent practice. This flexibility makes Quad Cortex mini suitable for pedalboards, desktop setups, rack systems, and redundant touring rigs.

The new model integrates seamlessly into the existing Quad Cortex ecosystem, allowing presets and complete system backups to be transferred freely between Quad Cortex mini and Quad Cortex. This ensures consistent rigs across devices and simplifies the deployment of backup units without additional configuration.

CorOS 4.0.0 Expands the Cortex Ecosystem

The launch of Quad Cortex mini coincides with CorOS 4.0.0, a major platform update introducing new creative tools, including Nordic Concert Hall—a spacious, cinematic hall reverb; Blossom, a swelling reverb effect that blooms after the initial note; Studio Plate 70, a smooth vintage-style plate reverb designed for musical decay; and Phase Doctor, a utility for precise signal alignment in stereo and multi-amp setups. CorOS 4.0.0 provides full support for Quad Cortex mini and is available across the Cortex ecosystem at launch.

“Quad Cortex mini represents our belief that size shouldn’t dictate what a professional rig is capable of,” concludes Francisco Cresp, Neural DSP Co-Founder and CPO. “It carries forward the same sound quality, the same processing depth, and the same creative control that define Quad Cortex, while opening up new possibilities for how and where that level of performance can be used. The goal was to ensure that whether a player is in the studio, on stage, or on the road, they can rely on the same technology, the same results, and the same level of trust in their rig, regardless of form factor.”

Quad Cortex mini is available now at a price of €1299. More information can be found via Neural DSP’s official channels or by visiting Booth #5243 at the NAMM Show 2026.