The Glorious ARP Quadra from 1978!

[@AlexBallMusic]

The song. All proceeds to the Alan R Pearlman Foundation! UPDATE: I've just donated the $220 that sales of this song generated. Huge thanks to everyone who bought it. alexball.bandcamp.com/track/arp-quadra-make-it-happen

[@kordru]

these are awesome!!

[@VarionJimmy]

Totally love it! 👍👍

[@disgruntledfaerie]

Yeah, that ending tune is a total uplifting banger. Nice work!

[@matthew8153]

Artists like you making music in the old style make me wish culture had stagnated before 9/11 instead of slightly after.

[@theaudioeng]

😌🙌

[@matthew8153]

Videos like this make me wish the 80s never ended.

[@NogueiraMG]

So do I

[@TheLarryBrown]

1980 to 1986, yes. But gosh oh gosh am I glad the Nirvana and Pearl Jam grunge era of 1987+ finally ended 23 years later.

[@RDM1969]

I love the Quadra, I bought one years ago to use with Peter Hook & The Light, specifically to recreate the New Order synth sounds, sample them and use them LIVE. It was a joy to use and experiment with. I also found out that you could route an external input into the Quadra’s phaser by using a Y-cable and inserting the TRS end into any of the quad outputs, which was great because the phaser was amazing. I had mine fully overhauled and fitted with an external arpeggiator clock input and then I decided to sell it a few years ago…it was bought by a guy called Pete Townshend. Enjoy the Quadra Pete 👍🥂

[@TheJstewart2010]

This is the sound of my undergraduate days. Your Simple Minds homage was completely spot on. WVBU of Bucknell University was a quintessential college radio station in the heyday of college radio stations.

[@PocketUnv]

It boggles the mind that you simultaneously are capable of producing engaging videos, but also with a level of musicianship that's second to none. Are you mad? Yes, but also brilliant.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you. 🙂

[@ryananthony4840]

Right! I love these videos!

[@HOLLASOUNDS]

It's his life love and passion.

[@a-nus]

Lmao

[@DoctorNemmo]

Mad ? Madly talented !

[@dtscape]

I've been a massive fan of this synth for years. All because of Tony Banks.. my hero.

[@evankeal]

Ditto, Tony pumped this through arenas for a good 5 years and he made it sound amazing on tape just as well.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Good ol' Bony Tanks.

[@Anamnesia]

I too have been a fan for many years. But more recently watching post Gabriel/Hackett interviews (particularly with Gabriel & Hackett in the group interview) you can certainly feel the uncomfortableness/tension when Banks is talking about songs & "differing perspectives" about writing/producing songs, especially with Hackett... I got the feeling that Banks was very much a musical "Bully" in terms of other band members opinions in relation to a song's direction... 🤔🙄✌

[@fallingmanuk]

Me too, Mr Banks was my original inspiration to become a keyboard player - the Quadra sounded much better than the Korgs (presumably) he switched to on the later tours as the similar but different sound he used didn't cut through nearly as much IMHO when he let fly e.g. the awesome In The Cage medley.

[@InSurrealtime]

The last song sounds to me like Genisis post-Gabriel, mixed with Gabriel-post Genisis!

[@evinlambert736]

Interesting fact, my Mom dragged my brother and I to see Neil Diamond back in the mid 80's. Normally traveling with an orchestra, he was without for this show. As a synth geek I went up to the stage to look at his keyboardist's setup... I didn't know what this kybd was, but on the back was a very large, all in caps, "QUADRA." Lemme tell you, the strings on all Neil's tunes were HUGE and awesome sounding. Thanks QUADRA

[@AlexBallMusic]

Didn't know it was used Neil's live shows, very interesting! I guess it was cheaper than a string section.

[@stevehofer3482]

You can spot the Quadra also in Neil's movie of the period, "The Jazz Singer".

[@l1fef0rm]

Best color scheme I've ever seen on a synthesizer. Just beautiful. Sounds good too.

[@unbelievable_truth_band]

Love the business Tony Banks did with this on Mama - a cowbell playing 16ths routed out of the drum machine into the trigger input for the 'sequenced' sounding chords.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yeah, he got everything out of it, at a time when it quickly became outdated too. Respect.

[@JulioAvalos3000]

So ahead of its time.

[@Famas115]

I love the sound of the Quadra on Genesis' Abacab. Pretty sweet.

[@robertsyrett1992]

Definitely has one of the most fun front panels in synth history!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yeah, stunner isn't it!

[@InSurrealtime]

I saw a band that had one the year they came out, and everyone in the crowd had to walk up and look at it. They had him do a three or four minute solo just to show off all the wild sound that one person could make. It was very impressive at the time.

[@TryptychUK]

Unfortunately, the membrane panels were shit and wore out fast. And they had no tactile feedback.

[@gabigolescu]

​@@TryptychUK... though that was a technical/manufacturing limitation, at the time .. had nothing to do with the genius of the "concept" 😊

[@TryptychUK]

@@gabigolescu Not entirely. Membrane panels were the "next big thing" at the time, as they are printed as a sheet, so can work out cheaper than tons of switches if made in numbers. The technology did improve somewhat with "blip disks" underneath that gave them tactile feedback. Synths like the DX7 were of better quality, but still wore out.

[@bennyshambles]

The Quadra always makes me think Duke era Tony Banks and Movement era New Order. So cool seeing the sole focus of one of your videos.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Always makes me think of Escape from New York too. :)

[@bennyshambles]

@@AlexBallMusic "Legit Carpentry"

[@audiomez]

Remember Apple’s Super Multimedia. Computer “The Quadra”?

[@MakeSomething]

Every day I wake up super pissed that this channel doesn't have a million subs. Those jams are so fun!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Probably a bit niche for 1 million. 🙃

[@timbermicka]

One thing I really like about your videos is that your demos are a good showcase of these instruments being used "as originally intended" if that makes sense, and that really does justice to these rare pieces of gear.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers. Genuinely a fan of the era, so enjoy exploring the styles of the time with the instruments they used. Super fun.

[@paulmolive1821]

REISSUE THIS! REISSUE THIS!

[@FrankNFurter1000]

As prominently heard in Escape From New York! Among others. Your second demo captures that so well!

[@johncochrane2707]

Make it Happen is a wonderful song, love it.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks!

[@chriskelvin248]

I demand to see more of my favorite shows scored by Alex Ball.

[@keithjack38]

Have to say Alex, absolutely blown away by that presentation!!!

[@mk1st]

Nice to see the guitars getting a workout😊

[@PJXay]

It’s the new order synth! They used the heck out of this thing from 1980-1983. My favorite use case of it by them is the bassline on Chosen Time from their debut Movement.

[@chriswareham]

Movement is such an underrated album. What it lacks in catchy melodies it more than makes up for with the rhythms and atmospherics!

[@Pulse2AM]

I love New Order, I had no idea they used this synth - thanks!

[@RichV20]

I saw a ARP QUADRA at a vintage instrument shop. The thing was massive and looked like it could crush your head if it fell on you.

[@bryceneal3136]

So are the string pads on songs like age of consent and blue Monday from the Quadra?

[@PJXay]

@@bryceneal3136 yes!

[@cortical1]

I always dig those odd time signatures in your tunes. That quick 15/8 in the first demo had a really nice feel to it. Great feature track, too. I'll gladly throw some Quad-Coin to accelerate the coming Arpocalypse.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Gotta love odd time.

[@AlexS....]

Arpocalypse in 9/8 ? 😁

[@archivethearchives]

LOL I kept counting over and over and furrowing my brow and said, “did he really just use 7 and 3/4 of a bar? That is absolutely genius and so catchy.” I forgot that 4 is not the only time sig denominator. Maestro Ball, your demos are phenomenal. Odd time is always tempting but it is not usually nearly as catchy as you made it. :) it sounds like what would have happened if temporary secretary by paul mccartney panned out as a good idea… 😐 just kidding. that would be impossible.

[@stevenbakos]

I honestly don’t understand how you and Florian aren’t mega Producers at this point! Love u guys 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 P.S. love the haircut

[@geewiz70]

I've just watched "Fresh Lineup" for the third time and am still laughing. The bass guy vibing while the keyboarder being annoyed at his under-utilization, and the guitarist doing everything not to leave a bad impression. Been there.

[@AlexBallMusic]

It's where we all feel most at home.

[@maxir4k]

Can't tell how much happiness your demos - and especially the feature track - gave me! I dream of having your songwriting and performace skills!! Jolly good vid!

[@pushpull76]

Man, the demo 3 song sounds better than a lot of final productions around, HOLY MOLY

[@Toolsquatch]

One of the things I love about your videos is how effective your sensibilities are with gear, you really make it shine without overproducing things in a way that makes synths seem deceptively simple to sound great while showcasing their standout features: my instincts are always to tweak 800 different parameters, you know how to voice them so incredibly well. Have you ever considered doing a video teaching your approach to sound design?

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers! Synths are like any musical instrument in that regard, I guess. I remember studying orchestration at university and just looking at the scores to famous classical pieces and seeing how there were actually only three things happening at once, but how sections were allocated to reinforce each of those things. The overall effect was that it sounded absolutely massive, but also clean and clear. Was a real eureka moment for me.

[@duncanparsons]

@@AlexBallMusic I'm reminded of the gag.. "What are we doing this afternoon?" 'Studying orchestration' "err.. studying it is.."

[@horizontalblanking]

So much “ELO-y” goodness in that last track…. Just fantastic!

[@damondrobinson3313]

I was just about to say the same thing, it has the right pace, chord progressions and harmonising !

[@duncanparsons]

Another fabulous video, thank you. That reaching across two keyboards - best exponent I ever came across for that was Sad Cafe's Vic Emerson who would go out with three Claviolines and with them close together recreate the lush string arrangements he'd recorded in the studio. An astonishing arranger and player. (In fact, that little clip you show does look a bit like Vic..) The Band Member Tune reminded me a bit of RAH Band's The Crunch.

[@devinbelangermusic]

Great video Alex! Man those Quadra Strings around 3:12 are otherworldly. Different enough from a Solina to be unique, but so powerful!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yeah, they are nice.

[@terrybrown106]

Agree. With the phaser, it actually sounds rather similar to the Solina

[@xamphoa]

I never knew about the reasoning for the overhang. Very cool explanation!

[@activelow9297]

Make It Happen is really making it happen. That's some of the best new wave I have heard in quite a while.

[@mraduanemc]

Man, that jam in 23 was sinister! Thanks for the continued fun, dude!

[@mraduanemc]

It was like YMO did a Neo-noir film score.

[@christopherscholl639]

You are such a gem, Alex Ball. I love what you do.

[@ktreier]

As a fellow Brit (albeit now in the US) I love your quirky humor, but you can also program great sounds, and even more importantly play!

[@Audiorial]

A great viewer experience, as usual with your videos. Danke Shön sir

[@stevehofer3482]

I never got a chance to touch a real Quadra, but I'm enjoying Cherry Audio's software recreation - real patch memory and more. The lead synth section is really fun.

[@sonicneutronic]

The Arp Quadra - Halloween II Lovely !

[@stoneyboyd]

Don’t forget the Prophet 5 and the Prophet 10!

[@calculus77]

Your demos are sick! 😎 I especially like the demo 1: Skeleton Dance. You absolutely nailed the 4/4+7/8 groove! The synth sounds great, too! 😊

[@bhotsnax]

ditto

[@mrknoch]

You, sir, are a very talented guy! Love your tracks.

[@alexandermccarthy]

Just a touch of Yellow Magic Orchestra with the Skeleton Dance track. Very awesome!

[@GRAHAMAUS]

Came for the mildly interesting tech nostalgia, stayed for the banging tunes! New sub for sure.

[@MrHermanRinger]

just love your videos Alex. Amazing info and music!

[@JeromeC1967]

Que du niveau sur cette fantastique chaîne ! que du niveau ! tout impeccable, tout drôle, tout beau, tout impressionnant, mais quel technicien, mais quel artiste ! Je n'ose pas imaginer la quantité de travail et l'investissement personnel pour faire aussi souvent des vidéos d'une telle qualité... j'ai bien peur que l'artiste explose bientôt et que ces vidéos ne seront qu'un lointain souvenirs pour fans esseulés, et ça sera tant mieux pour Alex !!

[@Alexandre.Moonwell]

T'as eu la flemme de traduire en anglais ?

[@mikemorrisonmusic]

Thanks for this! I’ve always loved the Quadra. Your facial expression at 10:56! 😂😂😂

[@markusfuller]

I cannot find a word in the dictionary to describe how Fantasticallysuperbalicious your videos are Alex.

[@jt_via]

Thanks for all the great information and cool jams. I love learning about these vintage instruments.

[@RFToob]

This is one of my fave synths of all time. Well done. Cheers

[@alderpublishingllc4702]

Reminds me of when our band acquired an Oberheim Xpander. Very unique!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Love the Xpander.

[@Battledrone]

This is next level synth demo stuff. You've put a lot of effort into this! Thanks man!

[@prodby_trxllo]

Gotta love a new upload from the Ball of Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

🤜🤛

[@KILLAGORILLA7000]

Christ, that’s a nice sounding bit of kit. Brilliant content and performances, as always Alex

[@markenevoldsen6908]

Thank you for your wonderful arrangements and amazing multi instrumentality,and thank you for the proper knowledge and sound demo of that great synth.

[@MarcioSilva-ssiillvvaa]

Man, you’re TOO good for KZbin. What quality!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Marcio.

[@PracticalCat]

You nailed the look of new order playing in the studio

[@AlexBallMusic]

That British awkwardness.

[@PracticalCat]

@@AlexBallMusic Real musicians who unwantingly became minor celebrities. Unlike today popstars are just celebrities posing as musicians.

[@kd7alt]

I miss my ARP Quadra

[@thefool2007]

Man you are a stellar musician.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers

[@gregorybolton]

That intro was badass!!!!Loved it!!

[@mgradiant]

I’m a guitarist, but your channel is really showing me how much I’ve slept on classic synths like this. There’s some great sounds coming out of this.

[@TeddyLeppard]

Some nice rocking songs in this video, Alex!

[@JorbLovesGear]

I had never heard that about playing two keyboards with one hand, what a relic of the era. Great stuff as always sir!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yep, became totally unnecessary within a short period and everyone forgot why there needed to be a solution to help it! Love little tidbits like that.

[@JorbLovesGear]

@@AlexBallMusic and to think, they'd be lost to time without commited documentarians 🙏🙏

[@Triplechorus2]

You can see that sometimes from classical or theatre organists.

[@geewiz70]

@@Triplechorus2 Yeah, Bach for example often couldn't just leave that extra manual and that one idle finger unused.

[@makipri]

Did it myself as well in the 1990s while having had some vintage analog synths without midi or cv control.

[@joshtomlinson8169]

best synth youtube channel by far: talent wise, entertainment wise, “normal dude id have a pint with” wise. easiest sub ever, keep up the good work homie!

[@Pulse2AM]

I didn't know anything about this synth thanks for the video. The Odyssey maybe my favorite synth ever that and a Virus, totally different animals but both great.

[@robmortimer4150]

Listening to these always makes me think of the library composer classics

[@jawoody9745]

You're always spot on, Alex.

[@williamtell1477]

Another great video Alex! What a very cool looking keyboard. Very interesting info about the overhanging keyboard. Thank you so much for doing these.

[@Dolores5000]

Holy hell! ‘80 played with a guy who had the Quadra he loved it! Super cool to see it in action again!

[@madhtrr]

Man your lil demos are actually great songs in themselves :)

[@Alexandre.Moonwell]

Fanstastic stuff really... I wish to one day have at least half your talent... Critically underrated would be such an understatement to qualify this channel

[@masterguitar8280]

Oh my goodness. This synth was on my list of "when I'm a rock star" gear since '79. Sadly, I never got one. Sigh. But wow, you're doing a better job with it than I could have!

[@jimbim4405]

Pride of place in all of my living rooms over the last 40 years, has been a giant. poster of Joe Zawinul at his ARP Quadra. It has always been a dream of mine. Thanks for a stonkingly informative piece. You're a class act!

[@roberthornack1692]

Your videos are very informative as well as musically wonderful, keep up the great work!

[@JDStoneCreations]

I love the Quadra, its nuts. Thank you for the excellent video and music! My favourite synth video is that of the ARP band with Mike Brigida performing Take the A-Train, just two blokes on synths and one percussionist and they perform a full brass band's worth of performance, I've never heard anything like it!

[@martinlubitz3171]

Thanks for the nice video Alex🙏🤩

[@DestroyER82]

ARP Quadra, Korg Trident and Yamaha SK-30. The holy trinity of late 70's multi section synthesizers (an actual paraphonic - Hi Marc! :) ). Amazing showcase and going to buy the song, its awesome. All the best!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Indeed! I have a Trident Mark I now and considered comparing them, but it will get its own video.

[@DestroyER82]

@@AlexBallMusic Fantastic! Really looking forward. Always wanted the Trident, but in the end very happy with Polysix I got for really nice bargain last year.

[@RalphBaumgartl]

Brilliant stuff! Love the way you demonstrated it!

[@discodave6153]

Another fantastic video, it’s always been one of the best looking synths for me and as a New Order fan a real treat to see you demo it. 👌🏻

[@fallingmanuk]

Thank you for another fab video and tune - I got rather excited when I saw you'd done one on the Quadra, as it was not only Tony Bank's weapon of choice for many years as detailed, but it looks so pretty in the same way the Jupiter 8 is a work of art IMHO.

[@lefttoe6969]

As usually your videos make my days :) Demos 3 and 4 are just fantastic! 3 is so fresh with your Ibanez play and with 4 I immediately felt the New Order style, but significantly more "optimistic" in it's character. And the feature track... I think 40 years ago Genesis would ask you for permission to play it during their stadium concerts :) THANK YOU ALEX.

[@Jenairaslebol27merde]

great video, very interesting synth, and the song at the end was awesome. i really like it!! :)

[@dnashofficial]

as always, i am most entertained by your musical creations. demo 2 sounded very much like one of my favourite film composers, mike post, who did many seminal tv scores in the 70's and beyond. keep them coming

[@c1ph3rpunk]

Man your videos make me happy.

[@chedhead3278]

Cheers Alex. Evocative sounds, great writing, sassy execution. Fudging excellent mate. 😍

[@PianoMan-hx3ev]

That little jam at the end is BETTER than ANYTHING on the radio nowadays or top 200, or whatever!!! Excellent!!!! 🌟

[@djsherz]

ELO would have been proud of that.

[@PianoMan-hx3ev]

@@djsherz 💯

[@TheLarryBrown]

This guy names "top 200" as if that's more impressive than beating anything in the top 20.

[@PianoMan-hx3ev]

@@TheLarryBrown Gomlisten to the top 20 on Spotify. It’s 🤢

[@PianoMan-hx3ev]

Okay, anything on the radio in the last…30 years at least…

[@EarmonkeyMusic]

This video is a prime example of why you are at the top of the “Nerds talking about synthesizers” genre of KZbin. So much good info and history, topped off with top-notch music. I mostly wanted to see how often I could say “top” in one comment, but I’m also serious that your vids are tops. Toply serious.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Top comment Jim.

[@Yuushiboy]

Just found out about your channel some days ago and thank God I did! Your brilliant! When you click around on the Arp and play it looks like a Dj doing his work on a turn table. Wish I was a musical genius like you. I dont only watch a documentary, I have a hard time to sit still when I listen to the music you play :)

[@ardvrech]

Alex, THANK YOU for this video - it's everything I expected it to be, times four... 😍🧡💙💚🎹

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you for the loan you bloody legend.

[@ardvrech]

@@AlexBallMusic ❤

[@suitandtieguy]

The only time i saw a Quadra used by a band live was a The Drovers gig in 1998, and it failed halfway through their set. Congratulations on getting one that lasted through your video!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Haha, I'd heard they weren't the most reliable! Even Joe Zawinul had one die on him on stage I'm told.

[@HalonOfficial]

A new video! 😀 The Quadra sounds great!

[@PatrickRosenbalm]

Alex, You never disappoint!! That was a great video and original music from you. And, I now know why it has its overbite keyboard!!

[@kvmoore1]

WOW!! I'm quite intrigued by what the Quadra is capable of considering when this thing came out. I've actually seen a Quadra once at a synthesizer convention years ago but never had a chance to play it or hear what it sounded like. You did such a superb demo here. I admire your musical talent and enjoy watching your videos as always. BTW, I didn't know you played guitar. I appreciate all of the time and effort you put into making these winderful video synth demos for us. You show us, in a proper way, how it should be done!!! Thanks!!!

[@knasterask1]

Brilliant composition in the end! 🎉

[@johnny.storm-wolf]

I swear, your videos just get better and better each time, so much effort into this and I dig the snippets of songs and music that you make with these, so jealous, and kinda wishing youd release them for us to listen to!!! Great video once again, thanks for sharing!!!

[@lesynthlofi]

Another brilliant vid, very rocking! My faves: the 15/8 first jam (ballsy) and the overhang explanation!

[@VintageSynthesizerSolutions]

The Phase Shifter MAKES this synth!

[@AlexBallMusic]

It certainly does!

[@DankePlace]

There is a reason you exist, this is one of many reasons. So glad I have come across you in my life, such an amazing individual that brings joy to the masses.

[@andrewkealaher4688]

Thank you-that is the first time that I have heard an explanation for the overhanging keys!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yeah, forgotten information that relates to a solution required at a specific time. I got the info directly from former ARP employees. Worth sharing, I thought.

[@joda4063]

And another thing it is being used here brilliantly with other (real) instruments. So many synth demoes on YT is lacking in that they dont manage to show the context these instruments were inteded to be used in the first place. Kudos to you for the quality and work you put into these short songs.

[@jaymantucker6532]

Great video Mr Ball, and you went full ELO at the end, fantastic!