This was the first Polyphonic synth I ever bought. It was big, meaty, and the sound was exactly tthat as well. I still have and use it in my studio. The "Quad"ra has four distinct sections, controlled from it's front panel with a membrane switch area and sliders within the specific "modules" of the face panel. The bass synth section features a monophonic synth over the lower 2 octaves of the 5 octave, keyboard action keys. The keys are extended over the edge of the chassis making stacking the synth over another a Rhodes or B3 a comfortable option. The 2nd synth was a dedicated ARP Omni type String synth, with a switchable "Hollow" waveform "reed-like" timbre. (nice) Smack dab in the middle of the panel is a mixer with sliders for the 4 dedicated sections and a switchable Phase shifter. Next section was an 8 voice polyphonic synthesizer followed by 2 voice lead synth. The keys have pressure sensitivity helpful for adding vibrato or pitch-bend, (no joystick here). The back panel was interesting back in the day. Besides the standard voltage control pedals and sustain pedal jacks, Control Voltage and trigger voltage jacks for connecting to other synths with this option was an amazing idea, (pre-midi days we're talking about), and With 6 cables you could be connected. The multiple outputs and digital memory (which only remembers which sliders were active) made for an at the time versatile synthesizer, and with analogs making a comeback, (and argueably never leaving) will be around for awhile if you can find them.

UTILIZATION

The panel is well laid out, with signal flow graphics, sliders, LEDs, and membrane touch switches allowing for programming for the 4 main sections and master section. Sure beats a crowded LCD and layers of menus and a few buttons. Though this synth takes up alot of space. I had it on my Rhodes with a modified flat top by itself. The Bass synth, (far left on the panel) has 2 Octave settings as well as a String synth waveform that can be substituted in for the standard analog bass synth waveform. Next was the String synth which utilized 4 octaves of the keyboard with unless you switch in the bass synth waveform , using the entire keyboard. The mixer/Phase shifter is in the middle of the panel followed by a basic Polyphonic synth. The final section on the right was the 2 voice lead synth, fairly versatile, and key-pressure sensitive for pitch bend, multiple and single triggering, and arppegiator. With a basic knowledge of modular synth programming, you could get around on the panel of the Quadra very quickly.

SOUNDS

The sound are a bit limited, (and dated as any classic synth would be) although I found them to be warm, layered, and adequate for the songs I was composing or imitating in my coverbands, and rock bands. It was and is a great synth that can lend it self to fatting up a keyboardist's sound, stuck in sampled, pre-programmed, un-tweakable, need it fast times.

OVERALL OPINION

Owning a Quadra since the late 70's early 80's and going back to it time after time, I'm glad to have it as part of my keyboard sound. I'd buy it again if I had the chance, and in hindsight the dollar value versus usage is high. Please keep in mind, this review is fairly slanted, and I hope you can make an informed listening decision for yourself.