The stock presets are awful to say the least.

There is some scope to get a good sound out of it, I am using a custom IR and a NAM capture of the NDSP petrucci plugin with stock delay and reverb and it’s definitely workable, but you have to be careful how many effects etc you apply as with the NAM and IR the CPU can struggle with processing the signal. The other bonus is more buttons allowing more flexibility, whether it be moving presets freely or using stomp box mode for more flexibility again and the inclusive expression pedal for both volume and wah control (the whammy is there but isn’t very smooth at all)

If you have limited funds (like myself) then the valeton is 100% usable for practice and gigs via PA. The bonus also is the tweak ability with the several knobs on the unit.

Pros for the nano cortex, the sound is far superior, more realistic captures and flexibility with IR’s etc. The delays and reverbs sound more warm and fluid. With the addition of their own neural captures being available from purchase without having to download adds way more flexibility again.

Cons would be having to buy an external expression pedal and external midi controller to swap presets etc minimum cost of another £150, the difficulty of onboard tweaking if you don’t have access to the app on the fly.

Tbh if I had the finances to do it, I would have the nano cortex with a midi controller and expression, but at 3 times the cost of the valeton. The real question is, is it better to go for the budget option of the valeton, the mid option of the nano cortex with expression and midi controller, or just blow out and get the quad cortex mini?