Introducing Quad Cortex mini

Neural DSP Unveils Quad Cortex mini – The Full Quad Cortex Experience in a More Compact, Portable Format

The same processing power, audio quality, Neural Capture technology, and 7” touchscreen experience – now in an ultra-compact, rack- and desk-friendly format.

ANAHEIM, Calif., January 21, 2026 – Neural DSP today announced Quad Cortex mini, a new ultra-compact, all-in-one guitar and bass rig that delivers the full sound, processing power, and Neural Capture technology of the flagship Quad Cortex in a significantly smaller footprint. Quad Cortex mini is on display for the first time this week at the 2026 NAMM Show at Booth #5243.

Designed for live performance, studio recording, practice, songwriting, and compact touring setups, Quad Cortex mini delivers a complete guitar and bass rig that’s more than 50% smaller than the Quad Cortex, without the traditional trade-offs of compact hardware.

“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 x 11.8 x 6.5 cm (8.9” x 4.6” x 2.5”) 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. Interaction is centered around the combination of the 7” touchscreen display and four stainless steel rotary footswitches, providing precise, tactile control underfoot and at the fingertips in both live and studio environments.

Despite its reduced size, Quad Cortex mini offers an intuitive and powerful control experience, including:

• Neural Capture V1 & V2 support for capturing amps, cabs, drives, fuzzes, and compressors

• Extensive library of 90+ amps, 100+ effects, 1000+ IRs, and 2000+ Captures

• Free access to thousands of community Captures via Cortex Cloud

• Focus system for fast, hands-on parameter control using the rotary footswitches

• Pages system for extended footswitch control without increasing the hardware footprint

• Preset, Scene, Stomp, and Hybrid modes for flexible workflows

• Gig View for clear, performance-focused stage control

• 16-channel USB-C audio interface (8 inputs / 8 outputs)

• Plugin compatibility with supported Neural DSP plugins

• Cortex Control desktop app for full device management, editing, backups, and organization

Quad Cortex mini also introduces a locking power connector for secure live operation and offers comprehensive I/O, including an instrument/microphone combo input with phantom power, balanced XLR outputs, stereo send/return via TRS, MIDI over TRS and USB-C, and a headphone output for silent practice. The flexible I/O makes Quad Cortex mini suitable for pedalboards, compact desks, rack systems, and redundant touring rigs.

It integrates fully with the Quad Cortex ecosystem, allowing Presets and complete system backups to move freely between Quad Cortex mini and Quad Cortex. This makes it easy to share sounds across devices, maintain consistent rigs, or deploy multiple units for backups without rebuilding or reconfiguring anything.

CorOS 4.0.0 – Expanded Creative Tools for the Cortex Ecosystem

Quad Cortex mini also launches alongside CorOS 4.0.0, a major update that adds new devices and utilities to the platform, including:

• Nordic Concert Hall – a spacious, cinematic hall-style reverb

• Blossom – a swelling reverb that builds after the initial note for expressive passages

• Studio Plate 70 – a smooth, vintage plate reverb tailored for musical decay and mix integration

• Phase Doctor – a utility for aligning signals in stereo rigs and multi-amp setups

CorOS 4.0.0 includes full support for Quad Cortex mini and is available across the 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 today for €1299. To learn more about Quad Cortex mini, click here, or visit Booth #5243 at the 2026 NAMM Show.

Click here for the official launch video. For high-res imagery, click here.