Neural DSP will shrink flagship tech into Quad Cortex mini

Neural DSP just shrank its flagship brain into something backpack-sized, and somehow it did not cut the good stuff.

What just dropped

• Alright, Neural DSP announced the Quad Cortex mini.
• This is a smaller, lighter version of the original Quad Cortex.
• Same processing guts, same sound quality, same Neural Capture tech.

Why people are paying attention

• The hardware footprint got slashed by more than half.
• Portability is the entire point, without downgrading the internals.
• This thing is clearly aimed at players tired of hauling tanks.

How small are we talking

• Dimensions land at 22.8 x 11.8 x 6.5 cm.
• Weight comes in at 1.5 kg.
• It fits pedalboards, desks, compact racks, and fly-rigs without drama.

How do you control it

• The same 7-inch touchscreen from the flagship stays in play.
• Four stainless-steel rotary footswitches handle hands-on tweaks and live control.
• Editing does not feel like a compromise setup.

What sounds live inside

• Neural Capture V1 and V2 are fully supported.
• You can clone amps, cabinets, drive pedals, fuzzes, and compressors.
• The onboard library stacks deep right out of the box.

What ships with it

• More than 90 amps are ready to go.
• Over 100 effects already loaded.
• Around 1,000 impulse responses.
• Roughly 2,000 Captures on the device.
• Access to thousands more via Cortex Cloud at no cost.

Workflow stays intact

• Preset, Scene, Stomp, and Hybrid modes are all here.
• Gig View remains available for live use.
• Focus and Pages systems carry over untouched.
• Plugin compatibility stays live with supported Neural DSP plugins.

Studio and stage tricks

• It doubles as a 16-channel USB-C audio interface.
• Eight inputs and eight outputs cover recording needs.
• A locking power connector keeps things stable on stage.

Connectivity rundown

• Instrument and microphone combo input with phantom power.
• Balanced XLR outputs for pro setups.
• Stereo send and return over TRS.
• MIDI over TRS and USB-C.
• Dedicated headphone output for silent practice.

Rig consistency bonus

• Presets and full system backups move freely between devices.
• The Quad Cortex mini and the original Quad Cortex stay in sync.
• Running multiple rigs stops being a headache.

Software timing matters

• The launch lines up with CorOS 4.0.0.
• That update adds new effects and utilities across the Cortex ecosystem.
• New arrivals cover Nordic Concert Hall, Blossom, Studio Plate 70, and Phase Doctor.
• Full support for Quad Cortex mini is live at release.

Price and where to see it

• Quad Cortex mini is available right away.
• Pricing sits at €1,299.
• It is on display at the NAMM Show 2026 at the Neural DSP booth.

The vibe

• Neural DSP did not trim features; it trimmed size.
• This feels built for touring musicians and tight studios.
• The flagship experience just went carry-on friendly.