First Steps with the Misa Quadwave

Welcome to the future of electronic performance. Whether you're a guitarist stepping into the world of synths or a producer looking for more expressive control, the Misa Quadwave is built to unlock your creativity. Let’s get started.

ATTN Mac users: The Misa Quadwave needs a firmware update in order for it to be compatible with Mac OS. Please see this page.

1. Unbox and Connect

Inside your box, you’ll find the Quadwave and a 3-meter USB-C to USB-A cable. Simply plug the USB-C end into the Quadwave and the USB-A end into your computer. No drivers needed - the Quadwave is class-compliant USB-MIDI and works with most DAWs and synth software right out of the box.

⚠️ For best results, use a computer with a low-latency audio interface.

2. Strap It

Ready to perform standing up? The Quadwave is built for movement. Reconfigure the strap hooks for left or right-handed play - no tools required. Just adjust and go.

3. Launch Your Synth

Open your favorite software synth (such as Vital, Serum, or Ableton’s built-in instruments) and make sure the Quadwave is selected as a MIDI input device. If your synth reacts to MIDI, it’ll work with the Quadwave.

4. Explore the Neck

The Quadwave neck features four strings and sixteen frets, using advanced capacitive sensing for lightning-fast response. Tap, slide, or hammer-on - every motion triggers with precision. Recessed string tracks help you stay in control while playing fluidly.

5. Play With the Touchpad

The X/Y touchpad adds multidimensional expression to your sound. You can:

• Tap it to trigger a note.

• Slide your finger horizontally or vertically to control MIDI CCs like filter cutoff, resonance, or effects parameters.

The pad keeps notes sustaining even after you lift your finger, letting you shape the sound in real-time.

💡 The edges of the touchpad have a small inactive zone. Watch for flashing LEDs – they let you know when you're nearing the edge.

6. Switch Presets and Modes

Press five fingers on the touchpad to cycle through three built-in presets. You can customize these with the Quadwave Configuration Tool on your computer:

• Change tunings

• Set MIDI channels per string

• Reassign the touchpad to different CC controls

You can also activate polyphonic mode by tapping five fingers again. This allows each string to send notes independently - great for chords and layered textures.

7. Stay Updated

Use the configuration tool (Downloads) to install firmware updates and access new features as they become available. The Quadwave evolves with you.

8. Next Steps - Playing Techniques!!!

Learning the basics of playing technique is key to unlocking the full potential of your instrument. From assigning synths and setting up the touchpad to exploring note triggering, polyphonic layering, and droning - click here to dive into the basics of playing the Quadwave.

9. Synth Setup!!!

The Quadwave isn’t a “plug it in and magic happens” kind of device. It’s a MIDI controller. That means it’s as expressive and musical as you make it. The good news? With just a few smart tweaks, you can go from “meh” to “magic” - and it all comes down to configuring your synth settings and harnessing the Quadwave’s unique expressive controls. Click here to learn How to Make the Quadwave Sound Good (and Feel Fun to Play)!

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That’s it! You’re now ready to explore the expressive, synth-driven world of the Misa Quadwave. Questions? Dive deeper in the Reference Manual or visit our Youtube channel for tutorials and tips.