Quadra is Cherry Audio's emulation of the 1978 ARP Quadra, a four-in-one synth with bass, strings, poly synth and lead sections, for big layered ensemble sounds in synthwave, prog and late-70s and 80s-style productions.
Four synths in one
The Quadra was ARP's attempt to put a whole keyboard rig in one box. Cherry Audio has kept the four sections and improved them throughout. Each can be layered anywhere across the keyboard. The paraphonic poly section gains an extra octave, optional oscillator drift, velocity and pulse-width modulation. The lead section gets a stronger arpeggiator and adjustable note priority, and the basic LFO becomes a proper multi-waveform, tempo-synced one.
The effects
The original's 14-stage phaser is modelled, and it's a big part of the sound. Cherry Audio adds chorus/flanger, echo and reverb, each switchable per section, so strings can sit in reverb while the poly section phases and the lead has a slapback. A multi-out version gives dry outputs for each section alongside the stereo mix, as the hardware did.
The sound
Lush, swirling and very 70s. The strings and phaser together are worth the price alone, and layering all four sections gets you a whole arrangement under one hand. It's less suited to modern, tightly controlled sound design than a conventional poly, but for warm, moving ensemble textures it's just the ticket. Over 450 presets from James Terris and team cover a lot of ground.
Features
Bass, strings, poly synth and lead synth sections
Each section layerable anywhere on the keyboard
Modelled 14-stage phaser
Chorus/flanger, echo and reverb, switchable per section
Expanded paraphonic poly section with drift, velocity and PWM
Lead arpeggiator and adjustable note priority
Tempo-syncable multi-waveform LFO
Multi-out version with dry outputs per section
Metering LEDs for each section
Over 450 presets
Full MIDI control and DAW automation
System requirements
Version: 1.4.0
Mac: macOS 10.13 or later, native on Apple Silicon. AU, VST2, VST3, AAX and standalone (64-bit)
Windows: Windows 7 or later, including Windows 11. VST2, VST3, AAX and standalone (64-bit)
