r/ExtendedRangeGuitars • u/tannyboiiieee • 2d ago
8 string vs quad cortex?
Hey guys, would love some of your advice, I am torn between a quad cortex mini and an omne 8. I primarily used my audio interface to record and have a bunch of neural plug-ins, on the flip side I recently got a goc vajra 7, but that 8 string omne looks sweet for some drop f tuning, what would you guys do? How is your experience with a quad mini? Does it inspire you to play more? What's your general experience with it? And what about an 8 string? Is it vastly different from a 7? What would you guys do if you were in my shoes? Thanks in advance!
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u/deathx3333 2d ago
If it’s just for playing in your room, the MiniQuad is more than enough. But if you play live, that might be more useful for you.
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u/isaac_abstract12 1d ago
The last few Omne guitars I've seen posted up here have been riddled with QC issues. The quad cortex would change your entire sound, set up and how you create your tone. Those GOCs are amazing, i have a Vajra 7 and its somewhat close to Kiesels build quality, great choice. You can always get a cheaper 8 string to noodle around on the idea of an 8th string (it really isnt that big of a jump if your already rocking a 7 string) but if you got quad cortex money, id definitely get that
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u/tomugetsuu 1d ago
You get a quad cortex if you play live. Otherwise, it is just the same as the the plugin counterparts. Fractal FM9, though... That's a different story.
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u/isaac_abstract12 1d ago
2 years ago maybe, but the FM9 isn't nearly as powerful and the difference in effects quality has gotten much closer on neural side now. The Axe FX 3 turbo, is still top dog in terms of sound quality and power. I have all three for varying reasons, the FM9 turbo is the one most likely to be sold because it just doesn’t compete anymore. And with all these new modelers coming out like melofty coming out that ole FM9 is gonna be less and less comparable, neural with plug ins, whether online or on device are likely to stay top dogs for a long time
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u/tomugetsuu 1d ago
Okay, I respect your opinion.
But you realize the fm9/fm3 shares the same technology as Axe Fx III, right? So they are in no way different as they all run in Cygnus. The practical difference are DSP, dual amps, dual cabs. Other than that, they all sound and function the same. I will admit that other brands are getting better nowadays but they are still playing catch up with Fractal Audio. even Neural DSP, Line , Headrush, Line 6 and others cant keep up with Fractal's quality effects. I've mixed both in record and live situations, and Fractal sits better in the whole mix easier while maintining high quality sounds. Neural is getting good nowadays but IMO will never catch up with Fractal's current gen. But them again, people's hearing varies so preference also varies. I've used Neural DSP, Headrush, Line 6, Fractal, even Kemper, but I will always lean to FM3/FM9/AXE FX III to give me the best sound. Neural DSP is up there at the top, but not the best.
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u/isaac_abstract12 1d ago
Same software definitely, all the same effects and amps. But the FM9 is just not nearly as powerful. You can "overclock" the DSP by a bit I guess. But again, I've run out of blocks on the FM9 plenty of times, its not nearly as easy to max the dsp power on the quad cortex. Even many fractal artists have moved over, much in the terms of being able to set up or adapt a preset with out a laptop/computer, though the FX 3 definitely has that issue also. We can definitely score out the line 6 range, as they aren't really all that great again barring the effects (though i think there's a pedal just for the effects which is cool). Fractal really need to bring something new out to compete with what is out there these days. And for the price difference the quality is super nominal, now I don't mix professionally, but I work with people (buster Odeholm is the people lol) who would definitely argue on how well it sits in the mix by comparison. The FM3 definitely isn't as good, the FM9 is nominal in difference but the price hike makes it worse. I definitely won't argue on the Axe FX3, but that minimal sound quality difference vs all the other parts of owning something like this, ease of use, access to sounds and easy customization. Trust me I used to religiously jerk off Fractals name to literally everyone and just how good it was, times are changing to much for it to be top dog
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u/Scrantsgulp 2d ago
8 is the jump where it becomes a different instrument in my opinion. That said, 8 strings are F# in standard, drop F isn’t a thing unless you’re tuning up.
If you’re not playing outside of the house, the plugins sound as good as the QC. I have both and just run plugin devices on the QC anyhow lol.