Synth / plugin file

Rob Papen Quad-2

Rob Papen / €49 / $49

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.

Dubspot / verified plugin database
El veredicto de Dubspot

El veredicto de Dubspot

A characterful phase-distortion and waveshaping synth that grows the original Quad with 36 filters, additive and spectral waves and over 1000 presets, all for 49 dollars.

Ideal para Producers who want a deep, affordable synth with a phase-distortion character to sit alongside a wavetable flagship.

Pros

  • Phase distortion and waveshaping give a bite wavetables reach differently
  • 36 filter types, up from two in the original Quad
  • 16 sources and 165 destinations in the modulation matrix
  • Over 1000 presets for 49 euros or dollars

Cons

  • Not a clinical, everything-in-one flagship
  • No large visual wavetable display for surgical editing
  • No walkthrough video published at launch

Field notes

Resumen

Rob Papen Quad-2 is the second version of Quad, the studio's phase-distortion and waveshaping synthesizer. Its two oscillators run through phase distortion and a waveshaper before they ever reach a filter, so the raw tone already has movement and a slightly gritty, digital-analog character. Quad-2 keeps that core and grows everything around it.

The jump from the original is real. Quad-2 offers 36 filter types where the first version had two, adds additive and spectral waveforms, cross-modulation between the oscillators, a 16-slot modulation matrix with 165 destinations, and over 1000 presets. Two effect sections finish a patch inside the plugin, and eight play modes cover leads, pads and stacked unison.

At 49 euros or dollars, Quad-2 is one of the most affordable deep synths available, and its phase-distortion voice makes it a natural second instrument next to a wavetable powerhouse like Serum 2 or Pigments. It is characterful rather than clinical, which is exactly the point. For the full breakdown, see the Rob Papen Quad-2 overview.

Technical matrix

Especificaciones

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)

Última verificación 2026-09-17

Quick reference

Preguntas frecuentes

How much does Rob Papen Quad-2 cost?

Quad-2 is 49 euros or 49 dollars for the full version, with an upgrade offer for existing Quad owners at launch. A demo is available from Rob Papen.

What is new in Quad-2 versus the original Quad?

Quad-2 expands the synth from two filters to 36, adds additive and spectral waveforms, enlarges the modulation matrix, and ships with over 1000 presets, up from 830-plus.

What formats does Quad-2 support?

Quad-2 runs as a VST, VST3, AU, RTAS and AAX plugin on macOS and Windows.

Comparison matrix

Competidores directos

Rob Papen Quad-2 vs — head-to-head specs, price, and Dubspot Score.

Serum 29.2
Rob Papen Quad-2 vs Serum 2
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Arturia Pigments9.1
Rob Papen Quad-2 vs Arturia Pigments
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u-he Zebra 39.0
Rob Papen Quad-2 vs u-he Zebra 3
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u-he Hive 28.7
Rob Papen Quad-2 vs u-he Hive 2
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Adjacent signals

Plugins relacionados

Further routing

Ver también