ARP Quadra

Infobox_synthesizer


image_caption = Artist's rendition of an ARP Quadra
synth_name = Quadra
synth_manufacturer = ARP Instruments, Inc.
synthesis_type = Analog Subtractive
polyphony = 1 (Bass), 2 (Lead), All (String, Polysynth)
timbrality = 4
oscillator = 2 (Lead)
filter =
attenuator = ADSR
left_control =
lfo = Sine, Square
keyboard = 61-key Velocity, Aftertouch| memory =
ext_control = CV/Gate, ARP system interface
fx = 1
dates = 1978 - 1981
price =

The ARP Quadra is an analog musical synthesizer that was produced by ARP Instruments, Inc. from 1978 to 1981. It is an Omni, Odyssey and a few other Synths in one box. It has 4 sections: Poly Synth, Lead Synth which is duophonic like the Odyssey, Bass which is on the bottom two octaves like the Omni and Strings which are the same as an ARP Omni. There are 16 memory locations, but they are not proper memories. They simply recall which parameters are active so you still have to do plenty of tweaking. Like the Moog Polymoog keyboard, the Quadra was not a truly polyphonic. It used divided-down circuits for the Omni Part, and there is no Portamento or Cross-Modulation. It only has one VCF and VCA for the Poly Synth section. It has a simple and useful arpeggiator for the lead section. The Quadra uses the typical ARP orange and black color scheme.

Notable Users

* Joe Zawinul of Weather Report
* Tony Banks of Genesis
* John Carpenter
* Rick Wright of Pink Floyd
* New Order

External links

* [http://www.emulatorarchive.com/assets/PDF/ARP%20QuadraSpec.pdf Specifications]
* [http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Apr02/articles/retrozone0402.asp SOS Review]
* [http://www.vintagesynth.com/arp/quadra.shtml Vintage Synth]
* [http://www.sonicstate.com/synth/arp_quadra.cfm Sonicstate]