ALESIS QUADRAVERB 20K BANDWIDTH SIMULTANEOUS DIGITAL EFFECTS PROCESSOR

The original QuadraVerb runs four simultaneous effects (reverb, delay, pitch, EQ) in 1U at 16-bit, and its defining trait is a hybrid analog/digital path: the dry signal never gets digitized. That’s the whole reason it sounds “warm” and grainy in a way plugins struggle to fake, and it’s why Sound on Sound still called it a best-seller a decade later

The dry signal runs through voltage-controlled amplifiers (VCAs) instead of getting fully digitized. That one design choice is why the original doesn’t sound like anything that came after it. There’s a warmth and a coloration on the dry path that the fully-digital Q2 and Q20 simply don’t have.

The reverb algorithms are deliberately grainy and a little metallic. That’s not a bug. It’s 1988 DSP running four effects at 16-bit and doing the best it can, and the result is dense, smeared, atmospheric tails that got baked into a decade of hip-hop, ambient and electronic records. Aphex Twin is the clearest documented example: the QuadraVerb is widely reported as central to Selected Ambient Works 85-92, pushing pitch-shifts and delays into reverbs for that dark, muddy wash (MusicRadar; breakdown at Reverb Machine).

Effects available:

Reverb: room, hall, plate, chamber

Delay: standard, multitap, ping-pong

Pitch/Modulation: mono and stereo chorus, mono and stereo flange, pitch detune, phase shifter

EQ: lowpass, bandpass, highpass, shelving, 1 to 4 band parametric, 5-band graphic, resonator, mono/stereo tremolo, stereo simulator

The resonator is the one to care about. It’s a MIDI-playable multi-tap comb filter that generates those distinctive dub and ambient textures, and here’s the kicker: Alesis dropped it from both the Q2 and the Q20. If that sound is what you’re after, no other QuadraVerb will do. The original is the only one.

This Alesis QuadraVerb processor is a used item in excellent condition. There are no major dings, marks or issues with this item. Just a few minor marks on the unit, but the face and controls are super and all work as they should. You will receive this item well-packed but without the AC Adapter, original packaging and paperwork. Please contact this seller for additional information. Returns are limited so please ask all questions before bidding as your satisfaction is important to me before you purchase. Customer 100% satisfaction is our one and only goal. The only way to show that to our customers is via our feedback. If for some reason you are not 100% satisfied, please do not leave negative or neutral feedback. Give us a chance to fix or resolve any problem you may have with your transaction. We want to earn every single positive feedback because we don't plan to work with you only once, we want you to come back. PayPal preferred and all payments need to clear before shipping. Insurance included with shipping. Buyer is responsible for any and all local taxes or custom duties with this purchase. Most importantly, thank you for looking!