What's New in Neural DSP CorOS 4.1.0?

CorOS 4.1.0 is Neural DSP's largest CorOS update to date, and it is a free update for existing Quad Cortex users. It expands plugin compatibility and adds Virtual Devices, Device Presets, and more. If you already own a Quad Cortex, there is no purchase decision to make — you can update at no cost. The main question is whether the new plugin compatibility and preset features change how you use the device.

What CorOS 4.1.0 Adds

Based on Neural DSP's own description of the release, the headline changes are:

• Expanded Plugin Compatibility — more of Neural DSP's plugin lineup can now run on Quad Cortex hardware.
• Virtual Devices — a new category of device modeling within CorOS.
• Device Presets — preset management at the device level.
• "And more" — Neural DSP frames this as its biggest CorOS update yet, so the above are the confirmed highlights rather than an exhaustive list.

The update is explicitly labeled "A FREE UPDATE FOR EXISTING USERS," which means the cost question is settled for current owners: €0.

Why Plugin Compatibility Matters Most

The most consequential item is expanded plugin compatibility, because it changes what you can actually load onto the hardware.

Neural DSP's plugin pages show a clear split between two groups:

For compatible plugins, the process described by Neural DSP is: purchase a license, then log in to your Neural DSP account on the device to unlock it. So compatibility is not automatic with ownership of the plugin alone — the license and the on-device login are both part of the chain.

This is the practical takeaway from 4.1.0: if you own a Quad Cortex and a compatible plugin license, the update is what lets that plugin run on the floorboard. If your plugin is marked "DESKTOP ONLY," no CorOS version will bring it to the hardware.

Who Should Care About This Update

• Existing Quad Cortex owners: update, since it is free and expands what your device can run. The value depends on whether you own compatible plugins.
• Prospective buyers weighing Quad Cortex vs. plugins: check the compatibility table before buying a plugin you intend to use on hardware. A desktop-only plugin like Darkglass Ultimate or Mantra will not move to the device.
• Users of Quad Cortex mini: the compatibility notes list Quad Cortex and Quad Cortex mini together, so the same plugin-unlock logic applies.

What to Verify Before Updating

1. Confirm which of your owned plugins are marked compatible versus desktop-only on their product pages.
2. Make sure you can log in to your Neural DSP account on the device, since that login is what unlocks a purchased compatible plugin.
3. Treat the "and more" in Neural DSP's announcement as unconfirmed detail — check the full release notes on neuraldsp.com for the complete feature list rather than relying on the summary.

The Bottom Line

CorOS 4.1.0 is a free, feature-expanding update for existing users, with expanded plugin compatibility as its most useful change. The decision is not whether to pay — it is whether your plugin library is compatible, which you can check against the compatibility labels on each plugin's page.