Knowledge base > Getting started
Using the Cortex Cloud app with Nano Cortex
This guide will walk you through using the Cortex Cloud app with your Nano Cortex, covering the initial setup and all the features and settings available.
Overview
The Cortex Cloud app is an essential companion for your Nano Cortex, providing everything you need to customize and control your device. Through the app, you can access thousands of free Neural Captures, manage your presets, adjust settings, update firmware, and more.
Connecting Nano Cortex to the Cortex Cloud app
Step 1: Install the Cortex Cloud app on your smartphone or tablet. The app is available on iOS and Android platforms.
Step 2: Enable Bluetooth on your smartphone or tablet and launch the Cortex Cloud app.
Step 3: When prompted, grant the Cortex Cloud app permission to access Bluetooth. This allows the app to search for and connect to your Nano Cortex.
Step 4: In the Cortex Cloud app, go to the ‘Devices’ menu and tap Add New. Your smartphone or tablet will begin searching for nearby Nano Cortex units.
Step 5: To put your Nano Cortex into Pairing Mode, press and hold the EXIT and CAPTURE buttons simultaneously for 1 second.
You’ll know the device is in Pairing Mode when the GAIN LED ring illuminates in a clockwise direction, and Footswitch I's LED starts blinking slowly.
Step 6: Once your Nano Cortex is detected, the app will finalize the pairing process. After pairing is complete, the app will display the current configuration of your Nano Cortex.
The Neural Capture Library
Nano Cortex comes preloaded with 25 Neural Captures organized in five banks. Each bank can store up to five Neural Captures.
In addition to these preloaded Captures, you can store up to 256 Neural Captures and manage them through the Cortex Cloud app.
Navigating the Neural Capture Library
Tap SHOW ALL BANKS to display all your Capture banks on a single screen.
Alternatively, swipe horizontally to navigate between Capture banks.
Use the CAPTURE VOLUME slider to adjust the output volume of the currently active capture slot (-24dB to +12dB).
Tap an inactive Capture slot to load it.
Tap an active Capture slot to access its ‘Details’ screen.
Tap the swap button next to an active Capture slot to access the Capture Library and replace the currently loaded Neural Capture.
Tap a Neural Capture to audition it. Tap USE to load it into the current slot.
Tap the Bypass button to bypass the Neural Capture slot.
The Neural Capture Details screen
You can view the metadata of Neural Captures in the ‘Details’ screen.
Tap an active Capture slot to access its ‘Details’ screen.
Exit: Tap to return to the Capture Library.
Edit Details: Tap to edit the details of the current Neural Capture. Note: This option is not available for Neural Captures created by other users.
Contextual Menu: Tap to DELETE or SHARE the current Neural Capture.
Owner/Name: Tap to access the Neural Capture owner's profile.
Icon/Cover: Displays the Neural Capture's icon and custom cover photo.
Description Field: Shows the Neural Capture description and creation date.
Upload to Cloud: Tap to upload the current Neural Capture to the Cloud. Note: This option is not available for Neural Captures created by other users.
Visibility: Tap to toggle the Neural Capture's visibility (Private/Public). Note: This option is not available for Neural Captures created by other users.
Preferred Instrument: Displays the preferred instrument for the Neural Capture.
Gain: Automatically calculated based on the saturation level of the Neural Capture, with a value between 1 (clean) and 10 (most saturated distortion).
Send to a Friend: Tap to send the selected Neural Capture to a friend.
Download: Tap to download the current Neural Capture to your Nano Cortex library.
Downloading and uploading Neural Captures
With Nano Cortex, you have free access to the Cortex Cloud, where you can explore and download thousands of Neural Captures created by the community. You can also upload and share your own Neural Captures.
Downloading Neural Captures
Step 1: Ensure that you have selected Nano Cortex in the ‘Devices’ screen of the Cortex Cloud app.
Step 2: Open the ‘Search’ screen and search for or browse through the available Neural Captures on the Cortex Cloud.
Step 3: Tap the download button next to the Neural Capture you wish to download.
Step 4: The Neural Capture will be downloaded to your Library. You can also assign it directly to a bank and slot.
Step 5: Assigning a Neural Capture to an occupied slot will replace the currently assigned Capture in that slot.
Note: Neural Captures downloaded while your Nano Cortex is offline will be stored in the Downloads History under your Profile.
Uploading Neural Captures to the Cortex Cloud
Once you’ve created a Neural Capture, you can upload it to the Cortex Cloud for others to download.
Step 1: Navigate to the ‘Details’ screen of the Neural Capture you want to share.
Step 2: If you haven’t done so already, tap the edit details button to fill in or update the details for the Neural Capture.
Step 3: Tap Upload to Cloud to share your Neural Capture with the community.
The IR Loader Library
Nano Cortex features an advanced IR loader that comes preloaded with ten 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 via the Cortex Cloud app.
Navigating the IR Loader Library
Tap a disabled IR slot to activate it.
Tap an active IR slot to enter its parameter screen.
Tap the Bypass button to bypass the IR Loader.
IR Loader Parameter screen
You can fine-tune your cab sound using the controls in the ‘IR Loader Parameter’ screen.
Note: The Microphone and Mic Position modules are only available for the 10 factory IRs preloaded on Nano Cortex. These modules aren’t available when using custom User Impulse Responses.
Tap an active IR slot to enter its parameter screen.
Bypass: Tap to bypass/enable the IR Loader.
Impulse Response: Displays the currently loaded IR.
IR Library: Tap to access Factory and User IRs.
Phase: Tap to invert the phase of the current IR.
Up/Down: Tap to navigate through the available IRs.
Microphones: Factory microphones list. Tap to select a microphone. Note: This module is not available for custom IRs.
Mic Position: Choose from six fixed positions for the selected microphone. Tap to select a position. Note: This module is not available for custom IRs.
Level Fader: Drag to adjust the IR output volume.
Hi Pass Fader: Increase to remove low frequencies from the IR signal.
Low Pass Fader: Decrease to remove high frequencies from the IR signal.
Uploading Custom IRs
In addition to the five factory IRs that come preloaded on the Nano Cortex, you can store up to 256 custom IRs. Custom IRs are uploaded to your Nano Cortex through the Cortex Cloud website. Once uploaded, IR files will be stored in the "User Impulse Responses" folder.
Follow these steps to upload custom IRs:
Step 1: Visit the Cortex Cloud website and log in to your profile.
Step 2: Navigate to the ‘Impulse Responses’ section of your profile.
Step 3: Drag-and-drop your IR files into the upload area or click Browse to search for them on your computer.
Step 4: Once uploaded, these IRs will appear in the ‘User Impulse Responses’ folder on your Nano Cortex.
Step 5: Open the Cortex Cloud app and navigate to the ‘User Impulse Responses’ folder. Tap the button next to the IR files to download them to your Nano Cortex.
Effects Library
Nano Cortex features two pre-FX and three post-FX slots, allowing you to use up to five effects simultaneously. Each effect slot can be individually engaged or bypassed, giving you complete control over your signal chain.
Navigating the Effects Library
Tap the Bypass button to bypass or engage the selected effect slot.
Tap an effect slot to open its parameters screen, where you can adjust the effect settings.
A white dot will appear in the top-left corner of an effect slot whenever there are unsaved changes to its parameters.
Nano Cortex's AMOUNT and FX LEDs will update in real-time to reflect any changes made to the effects through the Cortex Cloud app.
Managing Presets with the Cortex Cloud app
Viewing, loading and managing Presets:
Tap SHOW ALL PRESETS to display all the Preset slots on a single screen.
Loading Presets:
Tap a Preset that has been assigned to a Footswitch to load it.
Tap an unassigned Preset to load it. Footswitch I will turn red, indicating the current Preset is not assigned to any footswitch.
Editing Presets:
Tap any element in the signal chain to access its controls and parameters. You can adjust these settings directly from the Cortex Cloud app.
Managing Presets:
Tap the button to the right of any Preset to open its contextual menu. From here, you can:
Rename Preset: Tap to rename the selected Preset.
Delete Preset: Tap to delete the selected Preset.
Assign to Footswitch: Tap to assign or reassign the selected Preset to Footswitch I or II. Tip: You can assign a single Preset to multiple footswitches simultaneously.
Creating a new Preset in an empty Preset slot
Step 1: Load an empty Preset slot or tap Create New Preset.
Step 2: Once you’ve dialed in your tone, press SAVE and give your preset a name.
Tuner
Nano Cortex has a chromatic tuner that seamlessly integrates with the Cortex Cloud app.
To access the tuner, tap the contextual menu button in the upper-right corner of the Cortex Cloud app, then select Tuner.
Exit: Tap to close the Tuner and return to the previous screen.
Tuning Display: Displays the note being played and its current pitch.
Frequency: Adjust the reference pitch from 400 to 480Hz (440Hz by default).
Mute: Tap Mute to mute or unmute the input signal while the tuner is active.
Device Settings
You can manage various settings of your Nano Cortex through the ‘Settings’ screen in the Cortex Cloud app.
Tap the contextual menu button in the upper-right corner of the app, then select Settings.
Device name
Assign a custom name for your Nano Cortex (up to 22 characters) to easily identify it.
Storage
View the available storage on your Nano Cortex.
LED brightness
Adjust the LED brightness of your Nano Cortex by dragging the slider (default is 60%).
Preset Operation Mode
4-Preset Mode: Gives you quick access to four Presets by using Footswitches I and II.
Footswitch I toggles between Presets IA and IB.
Footswitch II toggles between Presets IIA and IIB.
2-Preset Mode: Gives you quick access to two Presets by using Footswitch I.
Footswitch I toggles between Presets IA and IB.
Footswitch II functions as a global bypass switch.
Knob Operation Mode
By default, the knobs on your Nano Cortex adjust parameters immediately when turned. If the Catch Knobs Instantly mode is disabled, Nano Cortex will operate in Latching Mode, where the knob positions must match the values indicated by the LED rings before they begin adjusting parameters.
EXP/MIDI input behavior
Toggle the EXP/MIDI input functionality between MIDI and Expression Pedal modes.
Note: For more information on using MIDI with Nano Cortex, please refer to our comprehensive MIDI guide.
About
Displays the current NanOS version and device serial number. The serial number is also engraved on the bottom of your device.
Factory reset
Performing a factory reset will remove all user content from the device, including Neural Captures, Presets, and Impulse Responses. Important: This action cannot be undone.
Firmware Updates
Keeping your Nano Cortex up to date is essential for accessing the latest features, improvements, and bug fixes. Regular updates to NanOS, the operating system of Nano Cortex, enhance its functionality, security, and overall user experience.
For step-by-step instructions on updating your Nano Cortex, please refer to our guide on updating your Nano Cortex.
Next steps
The Cortex Cloud app is an essential companion for your Nano Cortex, offering everything you need to customize and control your device. In addition to accessing thousands of free Neural Captures on the Cortex Cloud, you can manage your presets, adjust settings, update your Nano Cortex's firmware, and much more through the app.
Make sure to download and utilize the Cortex Cloud app to get the most out of your Nano Cortex.
Additionally, be sure to check our guides on using Nano Cortex as an audio interface, using MIDI, creating Neural Captures, and keeping your Nano Cortex up to date.
If you have any questions or need assistance, our support team is always here to help. You can reach us by emailing support@neuraldsp.com.
Guides for getting started with Nano Cortex
Using the Cortex Cloud app with Nano Cortex
