SoundToys – FilterFreak
Price: $170
Web: www.soundtoys.com
Format: TDM,
RTAS, AU, VST
Renowned for its flexibility, SoundToys’
FilterFreak is one the most established filters around. It actually includes
two versions – the simpler, one-filter FilterFreak 1, and the two-filter
FliterFreak 2. Understandably, the latter is more flexible, but that’s only
because of the parallel and serial configuration options.
Renowned
for its flexibility, SoundToys’ FilterFreak is one the most established filters
around
FilterFreak includes four filter types
(low-pass, band-pass, high-pass and band reject), each available with four
slopes (2-, 4-, 6- and 8-pole). Frequency is adjustable from 20Hz to 20kHz, and
resonance from gentle to very sharp. Each filter also includes level trim
(-/+24dB), and there are global input and output levels that influence the
effected signal only (again +/-24dB). The two filters can run in parallel or in
series, and the three rotary controls can be linked (with any prevailing
offsets). FilterFreak was designed to sound as analogue as possible, and to
that end you can engage an analogue-modeled input and output stage.
So far, so straightforward – but
FliterFreak has one standout feature up its sleeve, and that’s the modulation.
Hiding behind a button in the modulation section on the right are six types:
LFO, Rhythm, Envelope, Random, Step and ADSR. These enable you to conjure up
everything from non-synced modulations (there are eight LFO shapes) and
tempo-matched ones (up to 16-bar cycle) the threshold-based random effects
(Step) and sample-and-hold-type random effects (Random). Finally, you’ve got
two envelope options, one of which includes a rather nifty manual trigger.
FliterFreak has been around for a long
time, so you’d expect it to have plenty of presets and you’d be right.
Categorized by intended use, these really show off how creative this plugin can
be. There are even some artist presets from Richard D.
FliterFreak
has been around for a long time, so you’d expect it to have plenty of presets
and you’d be right
FilterFreak sounds great, and the
input/output analogue modeling gives it a further dimension. But it’s the
simplicity with which you can add modulation to this classic sound that makes
it a plugin that you’ll turn to again and again, any time you need a lush and
evocative filter. Great stuff!
FabFilter – Volcano 2
Price: $134
Web: www.fabfilter.com
Format: VST,
VST3, AU, AAX, RTAS
Filter
signal flow options are quite extensive and enable you to operate in series and
in parallel
Volcano 2 includes four multimode filters
(high-, low- and band-pass) with three slope options (12, 24 and 48dB octave).
Each filter has 11 sonic styles to choose from, ranging from Smooth to Extreme,
and including the FabFilter One style. Filters are activated on an ‘as needed’
basis, with one set of controls acting on the currently selected curve, and you
can easily deactivate a filter without losing all your settings.
Filter signal flow options are quite
extensive and enable you to operate in series and in parallel. Obviously, with
up four filters active, this can lead to quite a few routing options. You can
also work in stereo, dual mono or mid/side. The main filter controls are
cutoff, Pan, Peak (resonance) and Delay, and you link two or more filters together
and adjust their cutoff and resonance from one display handle.
Each
filter has 11 sonic styles to choose from, ranging from Smooth to Extreme, and
including the FabFilter One style.
Modulation is the big news in Volcano 2,
and you can add up to six envelope generators, four followers, six step-based
XLFOs and four X/Y controllers. Throwing all of these at a sound would
obviously be a bit absurd, but if you’re just after straightforward modulation,
the system is easy to use and quick to set up. The XLFO is particularly handy,
with up to 16 adjustable steps. Other nice touches include A/B comparison and
undo/redo.
Although the core filters are relatively
basic with four to choose from and a multitude of modulation options including
the excellent step-based XLFO, plus of course filter delay (up to 50ms) –
Volcano 2 can be used to conjure up a surprisingly expansive host of effects.
Creating these from scratch is certainly not a task for the faint-hearted,
however, so the many presets provided are very welcome. These include
tempo-based effects, distortions, enhancers, phasers, Flangers, Arpeggiators
and sequencers, and a rather cool category of ‘synth’ effects. All of these
take Volcano 2 into super creative territory, but it’s worth remembering that
it can handle the simple stuff too. Like so many FabFilter plugins, Volcano 2
is a pleasure to use, and it looks and sounds fabulous.
