Using Filters as Waveshapers

Have an extra filter? Consider patching it between your VCO and your normal VCF/wavefolder/etc. t to shape the harmonics of your oscillator, creating sounds you would not normally get from it.
Index:
00:00 introduction
01:07 the basic patch
01:28 phase inversion issue
02:20 low pass filter with sawtooth
05:00 mixing in the unprocessed wave
06:14 low pass filter with pulse wave
07:38 high pass filter examples
08:54 notch filter examples
09:22 bandpass filter examples
10:32 alternate filter (Doepfer Wasp)
11:24 phase inversion revisited
12:18 LFO modulating cutoff
13:02 envelope modulating cutoff
13:55 VCO modulating cutoff
15:15 summary
This video was originally created for the Patreon Learning Modular subscribers (+5v and above): / learningmodular
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[@richarquis]

Hey, modular noob here! Started my rack about a month ago with MI utilities (Stages, Blinds, Frames, Links, Marbles) and Plaits and Ripples arrive today, with Bitbox Mkii on the way. There is no modular scene where I live, I'm totally on my own in it. Videos like yours and others are essential for learning from. Thank you! Given that ripples arrives today, I'm looking forward to learning how to use it for things other than the standard cutoff. I really didn't realise it could actually change the sound so much as well as just strip it back. Lots of new ideas to try! Edit: Oof! Well, a few hours actually on the rack changes a whole lot of my previous ideas. Lessons learned, #1 - Envelopes don't just change oscillators, they also change filters, and if you leave the sustain open too long, the resonance feedback blows through the roof. That never happened on my desktop subtractive synth units, they always did the math and attenuated the envelope before resonance increased, which I guess is why people always say "Ooh, the volume drops when the resonance goes up." Yeah, now I know why. Fuck me, modular forces you to learn fast.

[@jdanielcramer]

Cool patch, I often do something related but use a wavefolder in place of the second filter. Then by using very simple waveforms like triangle or sine (yup, I’m filtering a sine wave) the resonance of the filter (tracking pitch as you’ve done here) gets ‘folded into the fundamental frequency’ and complicates the timbre. 👍 great for really organic cello/woodwind kinds of tones👍 it shows up in lots of my videos🤓

[@TayTayMakesBeats]

Wow I never thought of a filter like this! This is exactly why I need to get DATA. Seeing what different things do to wave shapes really helps me conceptualize how everything works and what exactly is going on..

[@citruesilver]

Great video, opens up a lot of possibilities with pure analog gear

[@gullgrey]

This is awesome!

[@juno6]

I tend to do this on the Andromeda... First filter is SEM based, then you could route it to VCF2 which is Moog type. You can do all kind of Filter modulation on both of them, but I do mostly on VCF1... Filter FM , different filter types, noise modulation, etc and then send it to VCF2 for normal filtering duties. Great technique.

[@LearningModular]

Exactly!

[@madmac66]

Really cool concept beautifully illustrated. Cheers Chris

[@brianbrill]

Very cool, thanks for the idea, Chris!

[@Digiphex]

It did start to sound vocalish!

[@KarlBoltzmann]

This is awesome, well done

[@afi6061]

Great use. I have a spare in my rack. 👍

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Excellent tutorial, Chris. I would love see a few on the Harvestman/IME modules like Hertz Donut and Stillson Hammer. Love the Doepfer SEM filter it came in my starter Doepfer A100 modular system and one fun thing to do is to make it self oscillate by cranking up the resonance and level.

[@LearningModular]

I don't have those modules, but I do have a Bionic Lester III, and plan to get a Piston Honda III some day.

[@modularjourney60]

Brilliant, as always, and very useful. Thanks!

[@temporoboto]

Cool tips, thanks for sharing.

[@daan588]

Nice vid again!

[@mixolydian2010]

Hi Chris, love these kind of videos you do. The one you did with the Serge Variable Q was a great one too. What software do you use for the frequency display? Cheers.

[@LearningModular]

It's evolved over time as various apps I have used have been discontinued, don't work with the latest OS, etc. Currently I use MAnalyzer from MeldaProduction (www.meldaproduction.com/MAnalyzer) hosted inside Ableton Live, and have been very happy with it.

[@mixolydian2010]

@@LearningModular Thanks for that have installed it but run out of time to try it just yet. I have been using Yoshimasa realtime analyser for a while now and wondered if there was something a bit better out there. Cheers

[@sunburst3353]

Interesting idea, but isn't this the same as patching VCO>VCF1>VCF2?

[@LearningModular]

Yes - if you patch VCF1 to track the keyboard, and use very little or no modulation from other sources. And that's what I like about this technique: It is easy to adapt to keyboard and software synths that allow you to have two VCFs in series on a voice.