Mark Tremonti Brings the Neural DSP Quad Cortex: The End of “Tube-Only” Tone?
Nov. 12, 2025, 9 a.m.
“If you can’t beat them, join them.” That’s how Mark Tremonti seems to describe his newest live-rig experiment. Though the Alter Bridge and Creed guitarist has long been known as a devoted fan of tube amps and especially Dumble-style tones, he has now brought a Neural DSP Quad Cortex on tour.
Speaking with American Musical Supply, Tremonti explained that his signature PRS MT 100 head, which captures the feel and response of a Dumble, is still the foundation of his sound — but now works alongside the Quad Cortex.
His live rig currently runs three tube amps at the same time:
- PRS MT 100
- EVH 5153 50W, which he describes as “great-sounding”
- A Synergy Amps rack unit that he calls his “best discovery in the last five years”
The surprise is the Quad Cortex, sitting quietly among his rack-mounted pedals.
Tremonti explains:
“We brought it out this tour to see how it works blended with my lead tone at front of house. We’re just getting started with it. I’m still a tube guy. This is very much a ‘can’t beat them, join them’ type of test to see how it fits into the arsenal.”
Tremonti joins a growing list of well-known “tube loyalists” who now combine digital and analog gear:
- John Mayer has used a Quad Cortex at Coachella,
- Slipknot’s Jim Root has incorporated one as well,
- The Edge added digital processing due to volume restrictions at the Las Vegas Sphere.
Tremonti’s point: It never has to be either-or.
Tube amplifiers and digital processors can complement each other.
His pedal setup also includes:
- Wampler Tumnus (lead boost),
- Boss OC-5 (octave),
- G-Lab SD-1 (delay),
- Kikusui power conditioning, which he calls essential:
“When you’re traveling globally, power varies a lot. If the power changes, your tone changes. That piece may be one of the most important in the whole rig.
Video comparison of Neural DSP Quad Cortex vs Nano Cortex
