Quad-2 by Rob Papen synth plugin interface

Quad-2: Phase-Distortion Synth Plugin by Rob Papen

Quad-2 is a 16-voice virtual synthesizer plugin from Rob Papen, built on phase distortion and wave-shaping. It is available as VST3, VST2, AU and AAX for Windows and macOS.

VST3VST2AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit

AVAILABLE ATPlugin Boutique

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01Overview

Quad-2 is the updated version of the original QUAD, which was first built for Reason as a Rack Extension before being released as a plugin. This version refreshes the user interface and adds a Ribbon Controller, new filter modes, and additional effects. The synth ships with more than 1200 presets and a bank manager to keep them organized. Its sound starts with Phase Distortion and WaveShaper stages in each oscillator, which are shaped with XY pads.

Best for

Phase distortion basses
Filter-driven pads
Vocal and formant sounds
Experimental sound design
Ribbon-controlled performance

Developer: Rob Papen
Category: Synths
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

16-voice virtual synthesizer with Phase-Distortion and Wave-Shaping
Two oscillators with XY pads for Phase Distortion and WaveShaper
New Ribbon Controller with 12 modulation slots
43 standard and 11 special filter types
Two user waveforms with manual draw tools
Stereo tape delay, reverb and 33 distortion effects
1200+ presets with a bank manager
GUI scaling at 100%, 125%, 150% and 200%

03In depth

Sound Design Tools and Oscillator Structure

Each of the two oscillators offers Phase Distortion and WaveShaper stages, controlled by an amount dial and an XY pad. Those pads can be moved through the modulation matrix or by the new Ribbon Controller, which gives hands-on control over the shaping.

Oscillator 2 adds modulation types such as ring modulation, phase modulation, four FM modes, feedback, and a string model with length and damping controls. Oscillator 1 can be routed into the filter, and Oscillator 2 has hard and soft sync options.

Filters, Modulation and Effects

The filter section includes 43 standard filter types and 11 special types, including comb, ring modulation, and feedback filters, plus a vocal and formant mode with a vowel control. Filter paths range from serial and parallel to several oscillator-based routings.

The modulation matrix has 12 slots with 42 MIDI sources, 38 modulator sources and 17 audio sources, with more than 200 destinations. The effects section includes a stereo tape delay, reverb, 11 modulation effects such as chorus and TalkBox, 33 distortion effects, an equalizer and an FX filter.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Rob Papen
Type	Plugin
Category	Synth
Formats	VST3, VST2, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05Upgrades

Upgrade and crossgrade options

Option	Store link
Quad-2 Upgrade from Quad	Plugin Boutique ↗

06FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats and operating systems does Quad-2 support?

Quad-2 is available as VST3, VST2, AU and AAX, and runs on Windows and macOS. The system requirements list 64-bit support and ARM processor compatibility on Mac.