💩 Neural DSP Hype Train Just SH*T The Bed. Big Time...

It’s the special time of year again, the time when we update ALL our guitar recommendations (based on everything we’ve tested during the past 12 months).

We got new budget recommendations, mid-range, and high-end options – and they’re all bangin’.

If you’re upgrading your guitar or need a new one, check out the Best of 2024 first

GM!

This is ELECTRIKJAM, your weekly dose of electrifying insights and updates from the world of guitars, gear and (mostly) metal music.

Here’s what we’ve got for you today:

• 🎸 New ESP guitars with a mean edge

• 🎛️ Beetronics drops some Big Tuna-style fuzz

• 👌 Victory Amps just made clean tones cool AF again

• 🤘 Ashdown drops KILLER TONE amps

• 💰💰💰 Guitar Center's Guitar-A-Thon is Now LIVE – Save 35% on Bloody EVERYTHING!

🎛️ The Great, Big Neural DSP Nano Cortex Fiasco… ⏬

The drama has been HOT with this one.

Neural DSP has a host of amazing plugins for your computer, ranging from guitar to bass.

These Plugins are used by artists all over the world for recording and practice, and Neural DSP has sold millions Im sure.

The new Nano Cortex looks a lot like the Quad Cortex.

We finally saw the release of the Quad Cortex a couple of years ago at NAMM after a lot of hype.

Not only was this to be a modeler/capturer like HeadRush or Line 6, it was going to also seamlessly work with the company’s famous Plugin Suite.

For example, let’s say you own the Polyphia Plugin, the Gojira Plugin, and the Nolly Plugin from Neural DSP.

🚂 The Neural DSP Hype Train Came To Town, Broke Down, Dumped Its Toilets’ Contents All Over The Place, And Then Left…

Well, these would no longer be locked to your computer, they would be usable on the Quad Cortex.

However, this is a promise that has yet to be delivered.

Neural DSP has always been about hype as a company.

Their Instagram campaigns of “SOON/SOONER/TOMORROW” with the blacked-out product has always garnered attention.

But this time, Neural DSP decided to make… mini movies?

These short films have been the “hype” for the new Nano Cortex, and they were not received well by fans.

Guitarists want to see the product and hear what it can do, not watch internet-famous guitar players trying to be actors.

Unfortunately, this is not where the criticism ends.

In the swath of Youtube reviews on the nano Cortex, everyone says that this thing is a “gamechanger” of “the future of guitar”.

The Nano Cortex will work for a certain group of people, but it is by no means the second coming.

Our always critical friend, KDH, did a deep dive into the marketing in a humorous fashion.

Although the video is meant to be entertaining, he really nails the vibe of this strange marketing.

This is a simple product that is not really doing anything “New”.

We’re currently working on a review for the Nano Cortex, and we actually find the product to be quite limiting compared to the competition.

Something like Line 6 (ANY OF THEM; there’s loads of models) has hundreds of effects and options.

The nano Cortex has just a few blocks:

• Noise Gate

• Pitch Modulation

• Amp/Capture

• IR/Cabinet

• Chorus

• Delay

• Reverb (based on a famous pedal)

That’s it.

There are no libraries of effects to scroll through or parameters to mess around with endlessly.

The Nano Cortex is going to be a huge disappointment for people who like to tweak presets and dial in crazy tones.

The flip side to this, however, is that the Nano Cortex is not meant for those people.

If you want a modeler, then go out and buy one. ..

I have always viewed those endless options on products like the Helix as more of a “Toy” than a tool.

You can download amp captures from the cloud for free, uploaded by other Cortex users.

But the Nano Cortex is absolutely not a modeler, and only has 3 total effects. If you want more effects, you need to add pedals to the Nano Cortex

The Nano Cortex is perfect for someone like me, who does not have time to tweak settings in the studio.

I like having a few amp choices, and just a couple of effects in most situations.

So the Nano Cortex is perfect for someone like me, only needing a few guitar tones.

The Nano Cortex is meant to fit on your pedalboard and offer a few tonal options, with your pedalboard doing the real work.

Neural DSP has still yet to deliver on the Quad Cortex promises from years ago, and the recent marketing has become a meme.

I am not sure what the company is trying to do, but if you look at the marketing comment section, even hardcore fans are put off.

So if you think the Nano Cortex is going to replace the Quad, or offer even a percentage of what the Quad has under the hood… you are going to be very disappointed.

If you appreciate simplicity, then this might be the product for you. Unfortunately, the marketing does not make that kind of distinction.

BITE-SIZED NEWS FOR THE ROAD 🍪

ESP’s Signature Series Just Got Meaner

ESP is flexing with new signature models for some heavy hitters. Enter Ted Aguilar (Death Angel) and Fred Leclercq (Kreator) with axes that scream metal. Think custom EMG pickups, neck-thru-body construction, and some serious metal-ready finishes. Your next thrash-ready weapon awaits​

Beetronics' Tuna Fuzz Pedal 🐟

Yep, you read that right. Beetronics is serving up the Tuna Fuzz, a fuzz pedal stuffed in a tuna can! It's simple, quirky, and packs vintage-style fuzz. The best part? Control the fuzz level straight from your guitar’s volume knob. Priced to sell at $99—this is a pedal you’ll want on your board​

Victory Amps' MK Clean 🚀

Victory Amps just made clean tones cool again. The new MK Clean is all about pristine sound with huge headroom, spring reverb, and that classic Victory vibe. Perfect for players who need a clean slate to shred​

Ashdown Killer Tone 💀

Ashdown's new amp range is literally called Killer Tone, and it’s got one job: nail rich, tube-amp-like tones at a price that won’t kill your wallet. Plug in, crank up, and let the budget-friendly magic happen​

EBS Solder-Free Patch Kit 🔧

Say goodbye to soldering headaches. EBS’s Solder-Free Flat Patch Cable Kit lets you make custom-length cables for your pedalboard with ease. Dual anchor screws mean your signal stays tight, and your pedalboard stays clean​.

SMELL YOU LATER 👋

That’s it for this week, another week wrapped. Next week, we’ll be back with more news and thrills from the world of guitar and gear.

This was a short one this week. My internet shat the bed. Sorry!

Hit us up on X with any questions/comments, listen to the podcast, know that you can comment on this newsletter by going to the READ ONLINE bit at the top.

Need to know anything, just hit us up – catch you next Saturday!

Peace & Love

RichardPeace.

Chris & Richard