Nano Cortex

Neural DSP’s acclaimed Neural Capture technology allows you to create incredibly accurate digital replicas of any amp, cab, or drive pedal. The process is quick and easy. Simply connect your gear, press the Capture button, and within minutes, you’ll have a digital version of your hardware that’s 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.

Neural Captures created on Nano Cortex have the same resolution and quality as those made with our flagship Quad Cortex and can be seamlessly transferred between the two devices.

You also get free access to the Cortex Cloud, where you can share your Neural Captures and access thousands of Captures created by the Cortex Cloud community. These Captures can be wirelessly downloaded to your Nano Cortex via the Cortex Cloud app.

In addition to its exceptional sound quality, ease of use, portability, and comprehensive library of virtual devices, Nano Cortex is the only product in its size and price class that lets you create amp, cab, and drive pedal Captures entirely on-device. No laptop, app, or internet connection required. Just plug in and Capture in minutes.

Neural Capture is widely regarded as the most authentic-sounding and natural-feeling tone-capture solution available. Nano Cortex also gives you access to the Cortex Cloud, where you can explore thousands of free Neural Captures made by other users.

Nano Cortex features a customizable signal chain with over 50 Effects and Utilities. You can choose which devices to load into two Pre Effects Slots and three Post Effects Slots. The device list includes a wide range of compressors, overdrives, delays, reverbs, modulation effects, EQs, and more. Everything needed for comprehensive tone shaping is included.

Compact and lightweight, Nano Cortex is as small as two standard stompboxes placed side by side, weighs just 620g / 1.36 lbs, and can run on a standard USB battery pack. It’s ideal for mobile setups and travel.

Yes, Nano Cortex is designed for both guitar and bass players, offering a wide range of tones for each.

Yes, Nano Cortex is designed to be intuitive and beginner-friendly. Its simple interface makes it easy to start dialing in great tones right out of the box. Despite its advanced features, Nano Cortex is approachable for players of all levels, allowing beginners to explore a wide range of sounds without feeling overwhelmed.

Yes, Nano Cortex can be used fully standalone without the Cortex Cloud app. The app is primarily for downloading Captures, managing Presets and settings, and keeping your firmware up to date, but it is not required for general use.

No, Plugin Compatibility (PCOM) will not be implemented on Nano Cortex. This is because Neural DSP plugins use amp modeling technology, which differs significantly from the Neural Capture technology that Nano Cortex uses. Additionally, Nano Cortex has a fixed signal chain, which also prevents Neural DSP plugins from running on it.

Yes, along with the user manual, we offer educational materials and videos in the ‘Getting Started’ section of our knowledge base to help you make the most of your Nano Cortex.

Amp models, like those in our plugins or on the Quad Cortex, are created using detailed analysis and modeling of an amplifier's general behavior across various settings. This involves collecting data from an amp at different control positions and using machine learning to recreate the amp's sound and feel across its full range of controls.

Neural Captures, however, replicate the exact sound and feel of a specific amp, cab, or pedal at its current settings, capturing all the unique details of that particular unit.

You can create Neural Captures yourself on both Nano Cortex and Quad Cortex, allowing you to digitize your own gear with unmatched authenticity.

A Neural Capture Slot on Nano Cortex is where you load a Neural Capture. A Neural Capture is a digital replica of an amp, cab, or drive pedal that has been captured. Cortex Cloud gives you free access to thousands of Neural Captures, which you can wirelessly load onto your Nano Cortex via the Cortex Cloud app.

In addition to the 25 Neural Captures preloaded on Nano Cortex, you can store up to 256 Neural Captures and manage them with the Cortex Cloud app.

You can store up to 256 Neural Captures on Nano Cortex.

It depends on what you're capturing:

• Drive pedal: You’ll only need instrument cables.

• Amp and cab or combo amp: You’ll need a microphone to capture the sound. Dynamic mics can be plugged directly into Nano Cortex. For condenser mics, an external preamp is needed.

• Amp head without a speaker: You’ll need to connect the amp head to a reactive load box, then route the signal into Nano Cortex for capturing.

Nano Cortex handles the entire capture process on the device itself. There’s no need to connect it to a computer, the internet, or the Cortex Cloud app to create a Neural Capture.

No, the Capture Input does not provide 48V phantom power. If you’re using a condenser microphone, you’ll need an external preamp.

Neural Captures created on Nano Cortex and Quad Cortex have the same resolution and quality. Both devices use the same technology to capture the authentic sound and feel of amps, cabs, and pedals. Neural Captures created on Nano Cortex can be loaded on Quad Cortex, and vice versa.

No, there’s no need to connect to a computer, the internet, or the Cortex Cloud app. The process is fully self-contained within the pedal.

The Neural Capture process takes around five minutes.

You can create Neural Captures of any amp, cabinet, or drive pedal.

Nano Cortex ships with the following devices:

Neural Captures:

• 20 guitar amps

• 5 bass amps

Cabinets:

• 8 guitar cabs

• 2 bass cabs

Effects and Utilities: Nano Cortex features a total of 50+ Effects and Utilities. Each device is designed to work in specific Slots within the signal chain.

Input Gate

• The Input Gate is at the start of the signal chain, before the Pre Effects Slots. This allows you to use a noise gate without occupying one of their Pre Effects Slots.

Devices available in any Pre or Post Effects Slot

• EQ (3)

• Parametric-3

• Low-High Cut

• Graphic-9

Devices available in Pre Effects Slots

• Utility (3)

• Adaptive Gate

• Utility Gate

• Volume

• Compressor (4)

• Legendary 87 (M) - Based on Universal Audio® 1176®

• Solid State Comp (M) - Based on SSL® Bus

• VCA Comp (M)

• Opto Comp (M)

• Wah (4)

• Bubba Wah - Based on Dunlop® Budda Budwah®

• Bass Wah

• Crying Wah - Based on Dunlop® Cry Baby® GCB-95®

• Crying Clyde Wah - Based on Dunlop® Cry Baby® Clyde McCoy®

• Filter (2)

• Love Meat - Based on Lovetone® Meatball®

• Envelope Filter

• Guitar Overdrive (9)

• Obsessive Drive - Based on Fulltone® OCD®

• OD250 - Based on DOD® Overdrive Preamp 250®

• Rodent Drive - Based on ProCo® Rat® 

• Exotic - Based on Xotic® BB Preamp®

• Chief OD1 - Based on BOSS® OD-1®

• Chief BD2 - Based on BOSS® BD-2®

• Facial Fuzz - Based on Dunlop® Fuzzface®

• Exotic Z Boost - Based on Xotic® RC Booster®

• Green 808 - Based on Ibanez® TS808®

• Bass Overdrive (2)

• Microtubes B3K - Based on Darkglass® Microtubes B3K®

• Exotic Bass Z Boost - Based on Xotic® RC Bass Booster®

Devices available in Pre Effects Slot 1 only

• Pitch (1)

• Transpose

Devices available in Post Effects Slots

• Compressor (4)

• Legendary 87 (ST) - Based on Universal Audio® 1176®

• Solid State Comp (ST) - Based on SSL® Bus

• VCA Comp (ST)

• Opto Comp (ST)

Devices available in Post Effects Slot 1 only

• Utility (1)

• Doubler

• Modulation (7)

• MX Flanger - Based on MXR® Flanger M117R®

• Dream Chorus (ST) - Based on TC Electronic® Dreamscape®

• Chorus 229T - Based on TC Electronic® TC-2290®

• Chief CE2W (ST) - Based on BOSS® CE-2W®

• Chief DC2W (ST) - Based on BOSS® DC-2W® Dimension

• MX Phase 95 - Based on MXR® Phase 95®

• MX Vibes - Based on MXR® UniVibe®

Devices available in Post Effects Slot 2 only

• Delay (6)

• Tape Delay (ST)

• Analog Delay (ST)

• Digital Delay (ST)

• Dual Delay

• Dual Reverse Delay

• Circular Delay

Devices available in Post Effects Slot 3 only

• Reverb (6)

• Room

• Hall

• Modulated

• Ambience

• Cave

• Mind Hall - Based on Lexicon® 224®

Additionally, you get free access to Cortex Cloud, where you can explore and wirelessly load thousands of Captures of amps, cabs, and drive pedals. See the full list of preloaded virtual devices here.

A Preset on Nano Cortex stores the entire configuration of your signal chain, allowing you to recall your favorite tones easily and quickly. Nano Cortex can store up to 64 Presets. In the default 4-Preset Mode, Nano Cortex offers quick access to four Presets using Footswitches I and II.

No, Nano Cortex has a fixed signal chain, making Quad Cortex Presets incompatible with it.

Nano Cortex’s IR loader is among the most advanced due to its high-quality, studio-grade Impulse Responses (IRs) and extensive customization options.

Nano Cortex features ten cabinet models, but each model comes with multiple Impulse Responses (IRs) to provide a more detailed and customizable tone. For each cabinet, there are five different microphone options and six mic positions for each mic. This means for every cab model, you have 30 unique IRs (5 mics x 6 positions). With 10 cab models, this adds up to 300 studio-quality IRs in total, offering endless tone-shaping possibilities.

Additionally, Nano Cortex can store up to 256 custom IRs, allowing for highly realistic and customizable cabinet simulations.

Yes, the built-in Transpose effect lets you change your tuning instantly with no perceivable latency.

Yes, in addition to the 300 preloaded IRs, Nano Cortex allows you to upload and store up to 256 custom IRs.

With NanOS 2.0.0, Nano Cortex now introduces a very short audio gap when switching Presets. The gap is minimal, typically around 60 milliseconds, and will not interrupt delay or reverb trails, which continue naturally between Presets. This change allows for greater flexibility in the signal chain and makes room for new features and devices introduced in NanOS 2.0.0.

If your Nano Cortex isn't responding to control adjustments, it’s possible that the 'Parameter Lock' feature is enabled. This feature disables the rotary functionality of knobs and footswitches to prevent accidental changes during live performances.

To turn Parameter Lock on or off, press and hold the EXIT button for 3 seconds. When active, the EXIT LED ring will illuminate, indicating that Parameter Lock is engaged.

Yes, Nano Cortex functions as a fully-fledged low-latency audio interface, supporting 24-bit, 48kHz audio with 7 USB channels (4 in / 3 out).

Nano Cortex is compatible with all major DAWs:

• Ableton Live (version 10 or later)

• Cakewalk (version 2018 or later)

• Cubase (version 6 or later)

• GarageBand (version 10 or later)

• Logic Pro (version 10 or later)

• Pro Tools (version 12 or later)

• REAPER (version 6 or later)

• Studio One Artist (version 5 or later)

• Studio One Professional (version 2 or later)

• FL Studio (version 21 or later)

Nano Cortex integrates into any setup, whether you’re connecting to studio monitors, an FRFR cab, an amplifier, or a pedalboard:

• Studio monitors, FRFR cabs, and PA systems: Connect via OUTPUT 1L and OUTPUT 2R.

• Guitar/bass amps: Connect OUTPUT 1L to the input of your amp or use OUTPUT 1L to connect to the return of your amp’s effects loop.

• Guitar/bass cabinets: Connect via an external power amp first.

• Pedals: Integrate Nano Cortex into your pedalboard using the 1/4" input and outputs 1L and 2R.

For more information, check out our guide on connecting your gear to Nano Cortex.

The IR Loader Global Bypass function lets you bypass the IR Loader across all Presets.

Yes. Nano Cortex features balanced TRS outputs, which means you can use TRS to XLR cables without any loss in audio quality compared to using XLR-to-XLR connections. If XLR outputs are important for your setup, an off-the-shelf TRS-to-XLR cable is a simple solution.

Yes, Nano Cortex is designed to integrate seamlessly into your existing setup. It can replace your amp and cab or be used as a stompbox/multi-effects pedal. Use the 1/4" input and outputs 1L/2R to place it wherever you want in your signal chain. For more details, read our guide on connecting your gear to Nano Cortex.

No, Nano Cortex does not have a dedicated effects loop. However, you can integrate it into your pedalboard using the 1/4" instrument input and outputs 1L and 2R. For more details, read our guide on connecting your gear to Nano Cortex.

Nano Cortex is a mono-to-stereo device. Featuring dual TRS outputs, Nano Cortex allows you to connect to stereo setups like studio monitors, PA systems, or FRFR cabs.

Yes. Nano Cortex can be powered via USB-C (5V-1.5A). Connect it to your computer or another USB-C compliant power source (including power banks) with the included USB-C cable.

Yes. The Quad Cortex power supply is compatible with Nano Cortex.

Yes, you can control Nano Cortex wirelessly via the Cortex Cloud app. The app lets you dial in the parameters of the virtual devices in the signal chain and manage Neural Captures, Presets, IRs, and device settings.

No, Bluetooth is used only for pairing Nano Cortex with the Cortex Cloud app.

Yes, you can connect MIDI footswitches or expression pedals via the MIDI TRS input.

Nano Cortex supports MIDI in/out via USB-C. The EXP/MIDI TRS port only supports MIDI in.

Firmware updates for Nano Cortex are managed via the Cortex Cloud app, where you can easily check for updates and wirelessly install the latest version.

A desktop controller for Nano Cortex is not available.