The Neural DSP Nano Cortex marks a milestone in amp and effect processing, distilling the industry-leading sound of the Quad Cortex into a pedal that fits in the palm of your hand. Weighing in at under two pounds, this comprehensive guitar and bass processor pedal packs 2GHz of dedicated DSP from its SHARC architecture to provide you with nearly the same studio-level sounds as its larger sibling. Of course, the Nano Cortex also features Neural DSP’s signature Neural Capture technology and an XLR combo jack to create spot-on digital copies of your existing gear — you can also download countless user- and artist-created captures by wirelessly connecting via Bluetooth to the Cortex Cloud app, as the Nano Cortex offers up to 256 Neural Capture slots, 256 Custom IRs slots, and 64 preset slots to swap between. Once you’ve decked your Nano Cortex out with the amps, cabs, and effects of your dreams, the Nano Cortex supplies a straightforward and stompbox-like workflow thanks to its dual encoder footswitches, which can be turned like a knob to navigate 25 Neural Capture slots on the left footswitch and five of your favorite IRs on the right footswitch. Moreover, a quick stomp on these switches gives you access to four full-fledged rig presets with gapless switching. You also get a flexible effects section and tactile knob-per-function global controls. Wrap it all up with USB-C audio interface functionality, an EXP/MIDI input, and enhanced editing/control features via the Cortex Cloud app, and the Nano Cortex represents a truly game-changing revolution in the world of pedal-based processing.
Quad Cortex, the Nano Cortex boasts Neural DSP’s lauded Neural Capture technology, providing you with the power to create an exacting sonic clone of any amplifier, cabinet, or drive pedal and take it on the road with you. Switch your Nano Cortex to Capture Mode, plug your drive pedal or microphone into the device’s XLR combo jack, set your levels using the handy LED meters, and the Nano Cortex captures every harmonic detail and tonal nuance with immaculate authenticity. You also get a boost switch with +26dB on tap to handle gain-hungry microphones. From start to finish, the process takes a matter of minutes, allowing you to digitize your entire amplifier and effect arsenal and carry it around in one convenient box.
Clocking in at under 1.5 lbs. and only slightly larger than a standard stompbox or two, the Nano Cortex represents a revolution in the world of amp and effect processing. This ultra-portable processor is easily slapped onto a pedalboard or tossed into a gig bag, sporting the same industry-leading tones as the Quad Cortex thanks to its 2GHz of dedicated DSP courtesy of its SHARC architecture. Whether you’re a veteran touring musician looking to lighten up your stage rig or simply after a powerful and portable all-in-one rig solution for your practice sessions, the Nano Cortex does it all with supremely authentic sound.
From classic arena-rock crunch to effect-laden soundscapes to pure, lush cleans, the Nano Cortex is ready to excel in any musical application thanks to its studio-grade sound and flexible preset slots. This device stores up to 256 Neural Captures, 256 custom IRs, and 64 preset slots, with the ability to assign four presets to the Nano Cortex’s dual footswitches (two presets per footswitch with gapless preset switching). And much to the pleasure of Music Experience’s gigging guitarists, the Nano Cortex boasts fully gapless preset switching.
The Nano Cortex offers a fixed audio path of seven device blocks to sculpt your perfect signal chain. Plus, any of the blocks can be bypassed to allow for a variety of setup options. The path is comprised of two pre-FX slots (including Adaptive Gate and Transpose), a Neural Capture Block, an IR Loader with cabinet simulation, and three post-FX slots (Chorus, Analog Delay, and Mind Hall reverb)
Nano Cortex’s companion Cortex Cloud application unlocks nearly endless sonic possibilities, giving you access to thousands of Neural Captures from legendary artists and the Neural DSP community — all accessed wirelessly using Nano Cortex’s onboard Bluetooth capabilities. This immensely powerful app makes it a breeze to set your Neural Capture, effect, and IR banks, and it also supplies seriously in-depth editing options for the die-hard tone hounds in the audience, including custom microphone models, mic positions, and EQ options for your chosen IRs. What’s more, the Cortex Cloud app can also be used to remotely control the Nano Cortex’s standard parameters, update firmware, and more.
Once your preferred sounds are loaded in using the Cortex Cloud app, the Nano Cortex is expertly engineered to provide a straightforward and intuitive workflow. The left encoder footswitch and bank button give you access to 25 total Neural Capture slots to swap between, while the right encoder knob switches between five onboard IR selections. Furthermore, the FX button and Amount knob grants five distinct effects that can be used both separately and in tandem for enveloping sonic landscapes. Finally, the Nano Cortex is finished off with a set of global knob-per-function controls to shape out your signal with a decidedly stompbox-like simplicity, including Gain, Level, and a 3-band EQ.
Neural DSP’s Nano Cortex is a champion of the stage, the studio, and the practice room, thanks to its extensive I/O and utility appointments. You get a standard instrument input, stereo outputs, and an EXP/MIDI jack to take enhanced control. In addition, the Nano Cortex’s USB-C input allows the Nano Cortex to shine in the studio as an audio interface, giving you plug-and-play professional-grade guitar tones with nothing more than a couple of cables. To top it all off, the Nano Cortex serves as a superb tool for silent jamming thanks to its 3.5mm headphone jack and dedicated headphone volume control.
An ultra-powerful digital amp, cab, and effects processor that fits in the palm of your hand Nano Cortex gives you the power of a full guitar or bass rig in a compact, ultra-portable pedal. With studio-quality sound, a comprehensive signal chain, and the revolutionary Neural Capture technology, it meets all your tone-shaping needs whether on stage, in the studio, or at home.
Create Neural Captures on-device in minutes, at the same resolution as our flagship Quad Cortex, with no extra tools or apps needed. Nano Cortex can learn and replicate the sonic characteristics of any physical amplifier, overdrive, and cabinet with unprecedented accuracy. Simply connect your equipment, press the Capture button, and in minutes, you’ll have a digital version of your hardware that is virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. There’s no need to connect to a computer, the internet, or the Cortex Cloud app. It’s fast, easy, and fully self-contained. If you don’t want to Capture your own gear, you get free access to thousands of Neural Captures created by others in the Cortex Cloud, expanding your tonal possibilities infinitely.
Nano Cortex features a fixed signal chain consisting of seven device slots, any of which can be bypassed depending on your setup. You have everything you need for a complete guitar or bass rig, all in an ultra-compact form.
Ever dream of having a collection of your favorite amps at your fingertips? Nano Cortex ships with 25 Neural Captures of amps including gems like the Mesa Boogie® JP2C®, Fender® Princeton® 65, Diezel® VH4®, and Ampeg® SVT Classic®. You also get free access to an ever-growing library of thousands of Captures in the Cortex Cloud, including some of the rarest and most expensive amps in existence. Or, create your own Neural Capture of your favorite gear in minutes for a truly personalized rig. In addition to the preloaded Neural Captures, you can store up to 256 Neural Captures and manage them seamlessly via the Cortex Cloud app.
The importance of cabs in shaping your tone cannot be overstated. High-quality cab simulation adds depth, character, and authenticity that makes a world of difference to your sound. Nano Cortex features an IR loader that comes preloaded with 300 studio-quality IRs, each featuring five different mic options and six mic positions. This gives you a highly detailed and customizable cabinet simulation module with endless tone shaping possibilities. In addition to the preloaded IRs, you can store up to 256 of your own IRs and manage them seamlessly with the Cortex Cloud app.
Adaptive Gate: Reduces unwanted noise for a clean signal!
Transpose: Change the tuning of your instrument with no perceivable latency
Chorus: A high-quality emulation of the Boss® DC-2W® chorus, known for its rich and lush modulation effects.
Analog Delay: A warm, vintage-style delay that replicates the iconic sound of a BBD-style echo.
Mind Hall Reverb: A high-quality emulation of the legendary Lexicon® 224® reverb that delivers a versatile range of reverbs, from small room ambiance to expansive hall effects.
Nano Cortex is as wide as two standard stompbox pedals placed side by side and weighs just 620g/1.36lbs. It easily fits into your gig bag or backpack. Despite its compact design, you get the power and versatility of a full guitar or bass rig, making it perfect for the stage, studio, or on the go.
An ever-growing collection of tones at your fingertips Unlock an ever-growing collection of tones with Cortex Cloud. Explore thousands of Captures created by other users including renowned artists and producers. Through the Cortex Cloud app, you can browse, search, and wirelessly download Captures directly to your Nano Cortex. Instantly access virtually any amp, cab, or pedal that another user has captured. Whether you're looking for iconic vintage tones, ultra-rare drive pedals, or modern high-gain sounds, Cortex Cloud has got you covered. Join a vibrant community of creators and share your own Captures with the world.
Designed for guitarists and bassists of all skill levels Nano Cortex is for everyone - whether you're a bedroom player or a touring pro, chasing the perfect tone or a set-it-and-forget-it musician. If you play guitar or bass and care about your tone, Nano Cortex is for you.
You're getting a full guitar or bass rig with studio-quality sounds, access to Cortex Cloud, and our proprietary Neural Capture technology, all in a convenient gig-ready package that easily fits in your gig bag. It's perfect for those grab-and-go situations or when you're traveling light. Nano Cortex is also great for replacing your amp and cab. If you've got a pedalboard you love, it can slot right in, giving you access to a world of amp and cab sounds without the need for heavy gear. The I/O allows for seamless integration into any live setup, ensuring you get a consistent, high-quality sound every night, no matter where you perform. The integrated Transpose effect lets you easily change your tuning on the fly. This means you don’t need to worry about taking multiple instruments with you if your set has songs in different tunings.
Use it as a high-quality audio interface and access virtually any amp sound you desire, all without micing up cabinets or dealing with noise issues. Nano Cortex doubles as a 24-bit, 48kHz, low-latency audio interface with seven USB channels (4 in/3 out), ensuring that your recordings are of the highest fidelity. Additionally, if you’ve used amps in the studio and want to take their unique sounds with you, create Neural Captures of them to have permanent digital replicas of them to use anytime and anywhere.
If you're new to digital guitar or bass technology, Nano Cortex is the perfect introduction. It's extremely easy to use, yet powerful enough to keep up with your growing needs as a musician. Explore a vast array of diverse tones without investing in multiple pieces of expensive gear. With its intuitive interface, you can start dialing in great sounds right out of the box. Practice silently with headphones or connect to any kind of studio monitors. Additionally, when inspiration strikes, you're ready to record high-quality audio directly to your computer.
Nano Cortex can function as a complete guitar or bass rig, a replacement for your amp and cab, or a versatile stomp box/multi-effects pedal.
Nano Cortex is a fantastic all-in-one rig solution for guitarists and bassists. Its comprehensive signal chain and flexible I/O options turns it into a complete rig that fits in the palm of your hand. Perfect for grab-and-go situations, live performances, studio sessions, or home practice.
Replace your amp with a digital replica of virtually any amp that sounds and feels indistinguishable from the real thing. Use the IR Loader to replace your cab or utilize the Neural Capture block to Capture and replicate any amp and cab. Slot it into your existing pedalboard and connect directly to a PA system or FRFR cab. It’s a perfect live setup, without the hassle of carrying heavy gear..
Integrate Nano Cortex into your existing setup and you’ve got a compact pedal that can store up to 256 incredibly accurate replicas of your favorite drive pedals. Additionally, you get a comprehensive set of effects to dial in your tone with.
| Pedal Type | Multi-FX, Amp Modeling, Digital Amp Capture |
|---|---|
| Analog/Digital | Digital |
| Presets |
64 x User |
| Number of Effects | 2 x pre-FX blocks (Gate, Transpose), 3 x post-FX blocks (Chorus, Delay, Reverb) |
| Impulse Response | 2 x pre-FX blocks (Gate, Transpos25 x Factory Neural Captures, 256 x User Neural Captures, 10 x Factory IRs, 256 x User IRs |
| Inputs |
1 x 1/4" TRS (instrument), 1 x XLR-1/4" (Capture Out) |
| Outputs |
2 x 1/4" TRS (L, R/Capture out) |
| MIDI I/O |
1 x 1/4" TRS Type A (In, Expression) |
| USB |
1 x USB-C (24-bit, 48kHz Audio Interface, Midi) |
| Bluetooth |
Yes, App control |
| Headphones |
1 x 1/8" TRS |
| OS Requirements - Mac: | iOS 11.0 or later |
| OS Requirements - PC: |
Android 5 or later |
| Power Source | 9-12V DC 600mA power supply (sold separately), USB Bus power (5V, 1.5A) |
| Height | 2.4" |
| Width | 5.6" |
| Depth | 4" |
| Weight | 1.36 lbs. |
| Manufacturer Part Number | Nano Cortex 655729138413 |
