Once the correct M1-native driver is installed, the Quad-Capture delivers these high-fidelity specs:
| Feature | Specification | Benefit on M1 Mac | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Max Sample Rate | 192 kHz | Captures/renders high-res audio beyond DVD quality. | | Bit Depth | 24-bit | 144 dB theoretical dynamic range for recording. | | A/D & D/A Converters | Cirrus Logic CS4272 | Same converter chip used in higher-end Roland/Edirol units; delivers flat, transparent response. | | Dynamic Range (Input) | 109 dB (typical) | Clean preamps with low self-noise—ideal for quiet sources (acoustic guitar, voiceover). | | Dynamic Range (Output) | 115 dB | Pristine monitoring through studio headphones or monitors. |
To truly extract premium performance from this pairing, one must adjust macOS settings: roland quadcapture driver mac m1 extra quality
The phrase "extra quality" isn't just marketing fluff when applied to the Quad-Capture on an M1 Mac. The M-series chips are incredibly efficient, offering immense processing power. This synergy allows the Quad-Capture to shine in two specific areas:
The M1/M2 chips are incredibly efficient. You can run at lower buffer sizes than previous Intel Macs without audio artifacts. Once the correct M1-native driver is installed, the
The primary hurdle to achieving "extra quality" lies not in the hardware’s capability, but in Apple’s security overhaul. On Intel Macs, the Quad-Capture relied on traditional Kernel Extensions (kexts) —drivers that run at the core of the operating system. On M1 Macs, Apple aggressively blocks kexts by default in favor of DriverKit, a user-space framework that prioritizes system stability over absolute low-latency performance.
Roland officially classifies the Quad-Capture as a "legacy product" with no native DriverKit driver. However, here is the secret to extra quality: You do not need Roland’s custom driver at all. The Quad-Capture is a USB Audio Class 2.0 compliant device. When connected to an M1 Mac without installing Roland’s legacy driver, macOS Ventura/Sonoma/Sequoia automatically uses Apple’s native USB Audio Driver 2.0. | | Dynamic Range (Input) | 109 dB
The M1 chip is a beast. You can push the QuadCapture harder than you could on an Intel Mac.
Even with the driver installed, your DAW must be told to launch in the correct mode.