Rob Papen Quad-2 is a phase-distortion and waveshaping synthesizer with 36 filter types, additive and spectral waveforms, a deep modulation matrix and over 1000 presets.
Plugin comparison
Rob Papen Quad-2 vs Serum 2
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which synth to buy.
Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal
Contenders
The side-by-side
9.2Essential
Serum 2 is Xfer Records' wavetable synthesizer plugin with five oscillator engines, flexible effect routing, an arpeggiator, and a clip sequencer.
Score verdict
Which should you buy?
On the Dubspot Score, Serum 2 comes out ahead (9.2). That said, the right pick depends on your workflow and budget — read both reviews before deciding.
Technical matrix
Specs compared
| Signal | Rob Papen Quad-2 | Serum 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €49 / $49 | $249 |
| Dubspot Score | — | 9.2 |
| Formats | VST, VST3, AU, RTAS, AAX | VST3, AU, AAX |
| Type | Phase-distortion and waveshaping synthesizer | — |
| Oscillators | 2, plus a sub-oscillator with spread; additive and spectral waves | — |
| Sound shaping | Phase distortion and waveshaper per oscillator | — |
| Oscillator modulation | Ring modulation, phase modulation, multiple FM routings | — |
| Filters | 36 types, 6 dB to 36 dB slopes (LP, HP, BP, notch, comb, vocal, formant, ring) | — |
| Modulation | 16 sources, 165 destinations, 16-slot matrix; 2 LFOs; 2 envelopes | — |
| Effects | FX-1 (chorus, ensemble, flanger, phaser, widener); FX-2 (reverb, delay) | — |
| Arpeggiator | 16 steps, 11 modes, per-step octave, swing and velocity | — |
| Polyphony | 16 voices, 8 play modes including unison 2, 3, 4, 6 | — |
| Presets | Over 1000 | — |
| Formats | VST, VST3, AU, RTAS, AAX (macOS and Windows) | — |
| Oscillator engines | — | 5 (Wavetable, Multisample, Sample, Granular, Spectral) |
| Factory presets | — | Over 626 presets |
| Wavetables | — | 288 wavetables |
| Plugin formats | — | VST3, AU, AAX (64-bit) |
| Platforms | — | Windows 10+ and macOS High Sierra+ (Intel) / Big Sur+ (Apple Silicon) |
| Additional tools | — | Arpeggiator, clip sequencer, flexible effect routing |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.