I was impressed enough with Neural DSP’s Nano Cortex when I reviewed it in SOS February 2025, but the recent NanOS v2.0 and v2.1 firmware releases massively expand the range of effects and add flexibility to Nano Cortex's seven‑slot signal chain.
Overdrives, wahs, filters and utilities (the original adaptive gate, plus a new noise gate and volume) can be positioned in either pre‑effects slot. In the post‑effects slots, the doubler utility and modulation effects are confined to slot 1, delays to slot 2, and reverbs to slot 3. Compressors and EQs (three‑band parametric, low‑pass/high‑pass filter and nine‑band graphic) can run in any pre‑ or post‑effects slot. The pitch transpose function is now restricted to pre‑effects slot 1.
There are new compressors, two modelled on the UA/UREI 1176 and the SSL bus compressor, plus generic VCA and optical options. These run in mono in pre‑effects slots and stereo in post‑effects ones. All have the same controls available: threshold, ratio, attack, release, make‑up gain, and a wet/dry mix for parallel compression.
Other than a generic bass wah, the new wah models are based on Dunlop’s Budda BudWah, Cry Baby and Clyde McCoy Cry Baby. All can be controlled manually or by an expression pedal. The envelope filters (a generic version and a modelled Lovetone Meatball, as used by Kirk Hammett) have comprehensive control sets that enable you to fully explore their potential.
Some of the many new and worthy features in the v2 firmware.
The new guitar overdrive models provide a useful selection of distortions, all based on current hardware: Fulltone OCD, DOD 250, ProCo RAT, Xotic BB Preamp, Boss OD‑1 and BD‑2, Dunlop Fuzz Face, Xotic RC Booster and Ibanez TS808. Bassists get two to choose from: Darkglass Microtubes B3K and Xotic RC Bass Booster. All feature the control setups of the emulated hardware.
The modulation models joining v1.1.0’s Boss DC‑2W are based on the Boss CE‑2W chorus, MXR’s M117R Flanger, Phase 95 and Uni‑Vibe, plus TC’s Dreamscape chorus/flanger/vibrato and a TC‑2290 pedal chorus. Delay models joining the v1.1.0 stereo analogue delay are tape and digital delays (both stereo), plus mono dual, dual reverse and circular delays. Each model has a control line‑up that allows highly detailed editing.
The original Lexicon 224‑derived Mind Hall reverb model is joined by Ambience, Room, Hall, Cave and Modulated reverbs. Again, you’re given a significant degree of control over the reverb sounds, though only the Mind Hall and the Cave can be damped. To round things off, there’s also: a new noise gate permanently assigned to the input (no need to use up a pre‑effects slot); tap tempo (via footswitch, app or MIDI Clock); MIDI CC control of individual slot bypass and expression pedal position; IR bypass of one or both outputs; MIDI thru from TRS to USB; control of USB audio level; analogue input and output muting; and the option of keeping effects trails on bypass.
With this update, the Nano Cortex really has come of age...
With this update, the Nano Cortex really has come of age. I can’t think of any other pedal near its price that can equal its sound quality, speedy onboard amp and drive pedal capture, IR loading, effects modelling, computer connectivity and (if connected to a powerbank) complete portability.
Information
Free firmware updates.
Free update.
When you purchase via links on our site, SOS may earn an affiliate commission. More info...
