Released in the early 2000s, the Edirol Super Quartet was not just another sound module. It was a streamlined workstation in VST form. The name “Quartet” refers to its four core instrument sections:
Unlike modern sample libraries that require 20GB of hard drive space, the Super Quartet runs on a tiny footprint—less than 50MB. It achieves this through a hybrid of high-quality sampled attacks and physical modeling for the sustain/decay portions of the sound.
Released around 2004 by EDIROL (then a Roland subsidiary), the Super Quartet was a compact 4-part multitimbral virtual instrument. It bundled:
It was beloved for its low CPU usage and surprisingly playable sounds, especially for pop, jazz, and TV composers using older PCs. The last official version was v1.52 (notice the decimal – that’s 1.52, not 152). Some torrent sites improperly labeled “1.52” as “152,” leading to the confusion.
Edirol Super Quartet (HQ-QT) is a classic 16-part multitimbral VSTi/DXi synthesizer developed by Roland that focuses on four core contemporary instruments: Piano, Guitar, Bass, and Drums . While highly regarded for its time, it is now a discontinued legacy product Roland - Global Quick Summary
Realistic acoustic sounds for pop, jazz, and classical arrangements, particularly when a light CPU footprint is needed. Key Sounds:
Concert Grand Piano, Nylon and Steel Guitars, Upright and Finger Basses, and high-quality acoustic drum sets.
Discontinued. It is no longer officially sold by retailers like Sweetwater Pros and Cons Sound Quality: edirol super quartet vst 152 new download
Known for "amazing" and "realistic" sampling quality for its era, using a 32-bit floating-point engine. Efficiency:
Very low CPU usage, making it ideal for older systems or complex projects with high polyphony. Customization:
Features dedicated control panels for tweaking parameters like EQ, chorus, and reverb. Outdated Format:
As a 32-bit VST2 plugin, it may require a "bridge" (like JBridge) to run in modern 64-bit DAWs. Limited Scope:
Restricted to just four instrument categories; lacks strings or brass (which were part of its sister plugin, Edirol Orchestral Compatibility:
Known to have issues saving preset data directly within project files in some modern DAWs. Modern Alternatives
Because the original VST is difficult to find and run on modern systems, many users now use: Soundfonts: File names including numbers like “152” can indicate
Independent creators have sampled the Edirol library into .sf2 soundfont files, which are easier to use in modern samplers and fix old saving bugs. Roland Cloud:
Many original Edirol and Sound Canvas sounds have been reimagined in the Roland Cloud Edirol Super Quartet Vst Exploring The Synth 22 Aug 2017 VST'S SOUNDS Question about Edirol - Instruments Forum - KVR Audio 8 Feb 2010 —
The Edirol Super Quartet VST remains a nostalgic cornerstone in the evolution of virtual instruments, specifically known for its compact yet high-quality sound library. Originally released by Roland under the Edirol brand, this software synthesizer provided a specialized "quartet" of contemporary instruments—Piano, Guitar, Bass, and Drums—which were highly regarded for their realism and low CPU usage at the time. Essay Draft: The Legacy and Utility of Edirol Super Quartet
IntroductionThe transition from hardware sound modules to software-based virtual instruments in the early 2000s was marked by several pioneering tools. Among these, the Edirol Super Quartet (HQ-QT) stood out as a focused, high-performance VSTi/DXi plugin. While contemporary libraries often span hundreds of gigabytes, the Super Quartet offered a "killer quartet" of essential instruments—piano, guitar, bass, and drums—within a remarkably small memory footprint, bridging the gap between convenience and professional-grade synthesis.
Technical Sophistication and Sound QualityDespite its age, the Super Quartet was engineered with advanced specifications for its era. It supported up to 24-bit resolution and 96kHz sampling rates, utilizing a 32-bit floating-point signal processing engine to ensure high fidelity. Its library consisted of 60 high-quality presets, including variations like the Concert Grand, Nylon Classical guitar, and Fretless bass. Users could further customize these sounds through 16-part multitimbrality and a built-in effects processor featuring high-end reverb, chorus, delay, and individual part EQs.
Impact on Music ProductionThe plugin gained significant traction among home studio producers and composers, most notably in the "Touhou" music community, where its St. Concert Piano became an iconic, recognizable timbre. Its primary appeal was its "super-intuitive" user interface, which allowed for quick instrument layering and sound modification without the steep learning curve of modern samplers. For many, it was the "first orchestral-style instrument" they mastered, serving as a reliable workhorse for demoing and final arrangements alike.
Modern Availability and ChallengesToday, the Edirol Super Quartet is considered a legacy or "abandonware" product, as it has been discontinued by Roland for years. Version 1.5.2 is often cited in community forums as one of the final stable builds. However, modern producers face challenges using it; as an ancient 32-bit plugin, it often requires a "bit-bridge" like JBridge to run in modern 64-bit DAWs like FL Studio or Ableton Live. Additionally, users frequently report issues with the plugin failing to save settings within project files, leading some community members to preserve its sounds as modern Soundfonts (.sf2) or FLAC samples to ensure their longevity. Released in the early 2000s, the Edirol Super
ConclusionThe Edirol Super Quartet VST 1.5.2 represents a specific era of digital music production where efficiency and clear, usable sounds were paramount. While technically "long in the tooth" by today’s standards, its distinct character and historical importance in various music subcultures keep it relevant. For those looking to capture a specific early-2000s aesthetic, it remains a valuable piece of software history. Статьи | Edirol Super Quartet - PETELIN.RU
Let’s be brutally honest: You cannot buy the Edirol Super Quartet legally as a new download anymore.
Roland officially discontinued the entire Edirol software line in 2014. They have not re-released it as part of their Roland Cloud suite. Because the software is "abandonware" (no company sells it, no support exists), many musicians turn to archive sites.
Warning: Searching for "Edirol Super Quartet VST 152 new download" will lead you through a minefield of fake download buttons, outdated RapidShare links, and malware.
To understand the "Super Quartet," you must first understand the context of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Edirol was a subsidiary of the Japanese giant Roland. While Roland was famous for building massive, expensive hardware synthesizers (like the JV-1080 or the Sound Canvas), Edirol’s mission was to bring that technology to the burgeoning computer music market.
Before powerful laptops, musicians used external sound modules. Edirol capitalized on this with the SD-20 and SD-80 hardware units. These were portable "Canvas" modules that contained the classic Roland sound sets. However, as computers became faster, the industry began shifting from external boxes to internal plugins (Virtual Studio Technology, or VST).