Neural DSP Nano Cortex Digital Effects Processor and Profiling Pedal

Nano Cortex

Your tone. Your rig. Play anywhere.

Nano Cortex delivers studio-grade sound, a fully customizable signal chain, a complete suite of effects, and the revolutionary Neural Capture technology - all in a compact, ultra-portable pedal. Whether you’re on stage, in the studio, or anywhere in between, your perfect tone is always within reach.

Since its release, Neural Capture has transformed how players approach tone, delivering unmatched accuracy in capturing and replicating amps, cabs, and drive pedals. Artists and engineers alike have praised how real and responsive it feels to play. Now, that same groundbreaking technology is packed into a travel-ready unit built for real-world use - wherever inspiration strikes. Welcome to the future of portable, professional-grade tone.

NanOS 2.1.0 update is now available

What’s new in 2.1.0:

• Incoming MIDI CC
• Tap Tempo
• IR Loader Bypass for a specific output
• MIDI Thru

• 47 new effects and utilities
• Fully customisable Pre and Post Effect Slots
• Built-in input gate - eliminates noise without using a Slot
• Global Cab Bypass

Key Features

• A complete guitar or bass rig in an ultra-compact pedal
• Customisable signal chain with 50+ effects and utilities
• Neural Capture technology with the same resolution and accuracy as Quad Cortex
• Create accurate digital replicas of any amp, cab, or drive pedal, directly on the device, in minutes
• Free access to thousands of Neural Captures via Cortex Cloud
• Ultra-compact: 620g / 1.36lbs - fits in your gig bag
• Can be powered with a standard USB battery pack for portable use
• IR loader with 300 studio-grade IRs and support for custom IRs
• Transpose tuning without changing instruments
• Built-in input gate (doesn’t use an Effect Slot)
• Customizable footswitches for real-time control
• Low-latency USB audio interface with 24-bit / 48 kHz recording
• Use standalone or integrate into any pedalboard or studio rig
• Ideal for live shows, studio sessions, travel, or home practice
• Built-in tuner
• Intuitive UI for beginners and pros alike
• Bluetooth support: manage presets, download Captures, and tweak tones wirelessly
• MIDI TRS input + full MIDI control via USB

Neural Capture

Create Neural Captures on-device in minutes, at the same resolution as our flagship Quad Cortex, with no extra tools or apps needed. Nano Cortex can learn and replicate the sonic characteristics of any physical amplifier, overdrive, and cabinet with unprecedented accuracy. Just connect your gear, press Capture, and within minutes, you’ll have a digital version that sounds virtually identical to the original. No computer, no internet, no app required. It’s fast, intuitive, and completely self-contained. If you don’t want to Capture your own gear, you get free access to thousands of Neural Captures created by others in the Cortex Cloud, expanding your tonal possibilities infinitely.

A complete guitar or bass rig in the palm of your hand

Nano Cortex delivers studio-grade sound, a fully customisable signal chain, a complete suite of effects, and the revolutionary Neural Capture technology - all in a compact, ultra-portable pedal. Whether you’re on stage, in the studio, or anywhere in between, your perfect tone is always within reach. Since its release, Neural Capture has transformed how players approach tone, delivering unmatched accuracy in capturing and replicating amps, cabs, and drive pedals. Artists and engineers alike have praised how real and responsive it feels to play. Now, that same groundbreaking technology is packed into a travel-ready unit built for real-world use - wherever inspiration strikes. Welcome to the future of portable, professional-grade tone.

Neural Capture (Preloaded & Expandable)

Ever dreamt of having all of your favorite amps at your fingertips? Nano Cortex ships with 25 Neural Captures of amps including gems like the Mesa Boogie® JP2C®, Fender® Princeton® 65, Diezel® VH4®, and Ampeg® SVT Classic®. You also get free access to an ever-growing library of thousands of Captures in the Cortex Cloud, including some of the rarest and most expensive amps in existence. Or, create your own Neural Capture of your favorite gear in minutes for a truly personalized rig. In addition to the preloaded Neural Captures, you can store up to 256 Neural Captures and manage them seamlessly via the Cortex Cloud app.

Impulse Responses (IRs)

The importance of cabs in shaping your tone cannot be overstated. Cabinet tone makes all the difference. High-quality cab simulation adds depth, character, and authenticity that makes a world of difference to your sound. That’s why Nano Cortex includes 10 cabinet models, each with 30 studio-grade IRs, five mics, six positions per mic, for a total of 300 impulse responses straight out of the box. Every IR is designed to give your tone depth, dimension, and detail. In addition to the preloaded IRs, you can store up to 256 of your own IRs and manage them seamlessly with the Cortex Cloud app.

Effects

With NanOS 2.0.0, Nano Cortex now includes customizable pre-effects and post-effects slots and a total of 50+ effects and utilities.

Pre–Effects:

Utility: Adaptive Gate, Utility Gate, Volume

Compressor: Legendary 87 (M), Solid State Comp (M), VCA Comp (M), Opto Comp (M)

Wah: Bubba Wah, Bass Wah, Crying Wah, Crying Clyde Wah

Filter: Love Meat, Envelope Filter

Guitar Overdrive: Obsessive Drive, OD250, Rodent Drive, Exotic, Chief OD1, Chief BD2, Facial Fuzz, Exotic Z Boost, Green 808

Bass Overdrive: Microtubes B3K, Exotic Bass Z Boost

Pitch: Transpose

Post-Effects:

Compressor: Legendary 87 (ST), Solid State Comp (ST), VCA Comp (ST), Opto Comp (ST)

Utility: Doubler

Modulation: MX Flanger, Dream Chorus (ST), Chorus 229T, Chief CE2W (ST), Chief DC2W (ST), MX Phase 95, MX Vibes

Delay: Tape Delay (ST), Analog Delay (ST), Digital Delay (ST), Dual Delay, Dual Reverse Delay, Circular Delay

Reverb: Room, Hall, Modulated, Ambience, Cave, Mind Hall

EQ:

• Parametric-3
• Low-High Cut
• Graphic-9

Input gate

NanOS 2.0.0 adds a built-in Input Gate at the very beginning of the signal chain, so you can eliminate unwanted noise from your signal without having to use one of your Effect Slots for a noise gate.

Travel light, sound massive

Nano Cortex is as wide as two standard pedals and weighs just 620g (1.36lbs) - small enough to fit in your gig bag, powerful enough to replace your entire rig. Take it on stage, into the studio, or wherever you’re making music. No compromises. No dead weight.

Play anywhere. No limits.

Nano Cortex gives you the freedom to play wherever inspiration strikes - no wall power, no bulky gear, no compromise. Power it with a USB battery pack, drop it in your bag, and bring world-class tone to any location. From mountaintops to tour buses to late-night writing sessions, Nano Cortex goes where you go - and sounds incredible when it gets there.

Controls

• Bass, Mid, Treble: For shaping your tone.
• Amount: Controls the intensity of the selected effect in the signal chain.
• Gain: Adjusts the level of saturation applied to your Neural Capture.
• Level: Adjusts the overall output level of your signal.
• Exit: Exits the current function and returns to the previous screen or Performance Mode.
• Capture: Initiates the Neural Capture process.
• Save: Press to store your settings or Presets after making adjustments.
• Capture Banks: Navigate through different banks of Neural Captures.
• Effect Slots: Toggle between different Effect Slots in your signal chain.
• Capture Slots: Rotate Footswitch I to scroll through available Neural Capture Slots.
• IR Loader Slots: Rotate Footswitch II to scroll through available IRs.
• Footswitches I and II: These stainless steel footswitches double as rotary knobs for precise control and allow hands-free toggling between Presets, Effect Slots, or bypass modes.

Inputs & Outputs

• 1/4" instrument input: For your guitar or bass.
• Dual 1/4" TRS outputs: Stereo outputs for connecting to studio monitors, PA systems, or FRFR cabs.
• Ground lift switch: Helps to reduce unwanted noise caused by ground loops from external sources.
• TRS expression & MIDI input: Connect MIDI controllers, expression pedals, or additional footswitches to expand your control options.
• 3.5mm headphone output: Practice silently with headphones, perfect for late-night sessions or quiet environments.
• Headphones level knob: Adjust the volume of your headphones.
• USB-C: Connect to your computer for studio-quality 24-bit, 48kHz audio recording. You can also power Nano Cortex via a USB-C compliant power source.
• Power Input: 9-12V DC 600 mA (Center Negative)
• Capture input (XLR & TS): For creating Neural Captures.
• Boost switch: Boosts the Capture input by +26dB.