For sale is an Arp Quadra, one of the rarest and coolest vintage analog synthesizers. Super unique with very interesting tone and layout. You hardly ever see these up for sale and if you're reading this auction, you've probably been already been waiting a good number of years one of these. This particular unit has some cosmetic wear, but it is 100% fully functional, plays perfectly and sounds amazing. Previous owner had this unit meticulously and completely refurbished. Our shop sold a non-working Quadra for $12,000 a couple years ago. This one is an incredible deal, these are a great investment likely to appreciate in value over time.
Polyphony - Mono(Bass) / Duo(Lead) / Polyphonic(String)
Sections - Bass synth, Poly synth, Lead synth, and String synth
Filter - Model 4075 4-pole, 24dB/oct VCF (different parameters for each mode)
VCA - One ADSR VCA
Arpeg/Seq - Sequencer (with no external sync)
Keyboard - 61 keys
Memory - 16 patches
Control - CV/GATE inputs and ARP system interface
Date Produced - 1978 - 1981
The Quadra is pretty much a hybrid version of ARP's Omni II and Solus synths. It's a four-section synthesizer consisting of a Bass synth, Poly synth, Lead synth, and String synth. It is quite good at emulating each of these sounds and can function in any of its four modes at a time with the ability of layering the different sections! Sounds you create in any of the four sections are instantly recalled from memory by the push of a button! There are 16 program patches for storing your sounds. Other major features are the incredible phase shifter, tons of balanced audio outputs for each section, dual portamento controls and a superior arpeggiator...that's pretty good for 1978! On the downside, it has a fragile mylar front panel, very limited programability and a weird feature that autotunes the keys to play weird intervals.
The Bass synth section is monophonic and can be programmed to occupy the lower two octaves of the Quadra's 5-octave 61-note keyboard. The bass sounds pretty good and has 16' and 8' presets each for Electric and String Bass sections.
The string section is based on the Omni II String synth. It sounds excellent and implements a phase-shift effect that is sort-of like a chorusing effect that thickens its already great string sound. In Polyphonic synth mode there are more effects available such as sample-n-hold and the phase-shifter. String and Poly Synth sections have 8' and 4' Polyphonic Waveform Generators each along with a preset called Hollow Waveform.
In Lead synth mode the Quadra becomes a two voice screamer with aftertouch sensitivity in the upper octaves of the keyboard! It's duophonic (like the Odyssey). Get a bass sequence going, switch over to another section and play along! The Quadra is a synthesizer well suited to live performance use and has been used by 808 State, ELO, Genesis, The Human League, Pink Floyd, New Order, Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran), Joe Zawinul, and film-maker John Carpenter. The 16 patches of memory aren't true memories, they simply recall which parameter sliders are active (and thus need adjusting!) and which are standards settings.
Arp Quadra Owner's Manual
