MSF-1 Midi Filterbox

hifiboom · Post by **hifiboom** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 7:03 am

okay here comes my next finished device:

this one is very similar compared to the ROT plug-in from the rare Waldorf AFB-16 hardware filter box.

The ROT has an integrated sequencing section, which is nice but also a bit unflexible, I wanted to improve it a bit, so the MSF-1 for the scope platform is triggered by standard midi notes, which allows you to alter the sound of the filter through your whole track. (no looped sequence)
Additionally I think its better to control the filter via midi sequencer, as you have full control while working on your project.

Further the scope version has two different filterdesigns:
I wasn`t happy with the default cw filter, so I designed a filter myself that has a smoother sound and doesn`t have that annoying jump-breakpoint into loud self oscillation.
As an analog filter the afb-16 for sure has a very very smooth sound and its hard to reach this in digital domain at 44,1khz
At least I worked hard on my own filterdesign to get a "fresh sound" and "nice sound" that sounds good in all knob positions and is close to the real thing.

Here is a quick preview of the plug-in surface

Manual is inside the package.

you can use it to make fresh filterlines as the filter can go into self oscillation, but for sure you can also use the plug-in as a classic gate for cutting string and pad sounds into snippits that fit into tempo based music.
Even if you don`t touch the resonance you have an improved gate that can alter cutoff over time.

Especially good for trance stuff.

Finally some sound demos:

smooth filtering:
http://hifiboom.webhop.org/devices/msf- ... r_line.mp3
standard gate usage:
http://hifiboom.webhop.org/devices/msf- ... e_gate.mp3
raw arp freshed up with cutoff modulation and a bit self oscillation all done by the filter. the first seconds are the raw source sample, an arp 220hz fixed oscillator sample.
http://hifiboom.webhop.org/devices/msf- ... ltered.mp3

Finally I hope you enjoy.

t_tangent · Post by **t_tangent** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 7:26 am

very cool. Thanks alot. Will check this out

Post by **irrelevance** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 8:34 am

I'm a sucker for a good filter

eagerly d/ling. Thanks hifi!

Post by **irrelevance** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 8:38 am

The ROT has an integrated sequencing section, which is nice but also a bit unflexible, I wanted to improve it a bit

Ahh so someone did actually buy that unit.

Did you buy it new or second hand. I would have actually liked one myself but would never been able to raise the funds

sharc · Post by **sharc** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 8:45 am

Nice one hifi

Demo's sound promising. Looking forward to checking this one out.

Thanks again

dawman · Post by **dawman** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 12:25 pm

This has a fantastic sound.

I put it on a pair of outs from my ASIO 2 Module where my ARP String Ensemble library is located, and the NI FM8's EPno's are.

I will check it out for it's automated features later, but for right now the sound of the filter is really warm, and when stepping through the resonance w/ a lower cutoff value, I can hear the steps all the way up to the self Oscillation. Very impressive.

I will see how smooth it reacts to automation later and post back.

Can this step through via automation w/o hearing the steps but a smooth curve? If so, that would be an incredible achievement.

Since I don't know shit from shine-ola about SDK, I had to ask. As zippers in most effects are noticable, how did you achieve this feat?

Who cares, the sound is awesome, as I don't have to rely on some cheezy VST filter emulation for my samples now. I prefer using DSP's for that, and let the CPU and RAM delegate it's IPS's to playing my sampled instruments.

Thanks Loads,

Shroomz~> · Post by **Shroomz~>** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:27 pm

It looks good & there's plenty space to add xtra features.

I don't have access to Scope right now, so can't test it, but I was wondering are those demo samples of just the filter sound or have you added FX?

cheers

MD69 · Post by **MD69** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 2:18 pm

Hi,

Really good! thanks a lot!

Next step SONICBYTES GAT'R replica?

cheers

Michel

hifiboom · Post by **hifiboom** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 3:37 pm

scope4live wrote: I will see how smooth it reacts to automation later and post back.

Can this step through via automation w/o hearing the steps but a smooth curve? If so, that would be an incredible achievement.

the demos above are done using the automation feature...
it should be smooth like butter. if not, you can contact me.

Shroomz wrote:but I was wondering are those demo samples of just the filter sound or have you added FX?

the filter_line is completly dry, only the MSF-1
the trance gate demo has a bit of delay and reverb, I switch it off at the end of the demo.
the ARP oscillator filtering has a very small amount of backend reverb.

Shroomz~> · Post by **Shroomz~>** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 4:12 pm

Wasn't sure if the reverb was added or if it was a 'feature'. Thanks for clarifying.

Post by **hubird** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 5:36 pm

this is something Hifi

great demos, thanks a lot

hifiboom · Post by **hifiboom** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 5:37 pm

stardust wrote:damn hifi, this is fett

correctly spoken "Fääääät" ....

irrelevance wrote:
Ahh so someone did actually buy that unit. Did you buy it new or second hand. I would have actually liked one myself but would never been able to raise the funds

Demo unit.... for well an extremly good price.

its a shame, the concenpt was cool, but then there was waldorf insolvency.
they could have build virtual VST version of the q+ and other stuff.
The ppg version was nice but just not my thing.

dawman · Post by **dawman** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 5:44 pm

I just tried it using the QY700 hardware sequencer and the giant MIDI Dial I just got.

It's a knob ( not endless rotary ) that is 3 1/2 inches big ! It has to occupy a whole channel but my friend is working on more DIY tricks to accomodate me. I bought it because I can't always use my ribbon for sweeps, etc. So this big Dial Knob has some serious NRPN values as it allows resolutions as high as a pitch bend or modwheel in terms of steps.

You SDK guys are killing me.

This is a perfect filter and I have a perfect controller for recording the values. My other choices were too erratic, and the templates provided in the sequencer cannot possibly do the tricks I need. This can be adjusted to follow phrases, vocal lines, increase or decrease the lo-fi effect on your BDX ( another ball smoker ).

Thanks for a beautiful filter.

How did you learn SDK so fast? I remember when you joined you sounded like a synth nut, dying for Flexor and Modular modules. Hell you can make you own shit already.

Excellent.

MD69 · Post by **MD69** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:39 pm

Hi Jimmy,

Check also SONICBYTES ERA2, a VSTi Arpegiator which can be integrated in bidule, cubase ....

cheers

Michel

Music Manic · Post by **Music Manic** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 8:36 pm

MD69 wrote:Hi,

Really good! thanks a lot!

Next step SONICBYTES GAT'R replica?

cheers

Michel

+1

Gatr such a great filter/gate

dawman · Post by **dawman** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 9:24 pm

I shall check it out guys, thanks.

I just love playing my percussive synth live while the sequencer makes the adjustments w/o any BPM's, just loops of automation.

Random Sinewave LFO, and Skwd Rnd waves should be awesome too.

I know Modular has many of these, but I am having difficulty w/ Modular & Prowave in the same projects. It causes Prowave to optimise way too much. Making me have Modular only or Prowave only. I could lower the polyphony on each of them, but that really chaps my ass.

It's just really nice to have this as a device outside of Modular.

hifiboom · Post by **hifiboom** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 10:54 pm

MD69 wrote:Hi,

Really good! thanks a lot!

Next step SONICBYTES GAT'R replica?

cheers

Michel

MD69,
this one has another concept.
As the afb16 it has an integrted sequencing section and as I stated earlier I prefer external midi sequencing becuase I can draw filter lines without limitations over a complete track.

further I didn`t concentrate on an endless featurelist, instead I spend the time on the quality of the filter implementaion.

for sure I can add further features over time like a drive section....
But then again I always like to do new projects...

Post by **irrelevance** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:21 am

MD69 wrote:Hi Jimmy,

Check also SONICBYTES ERA2, a VSTi Arpegiator which can be integrated in bidule, cubase ....

cheers

Michel

ERA2 is an amazing little device. Extremely flexible and tight as anything!
Yep feed the MSF-1 some ERA modulation that should be fun.
If you like ERA check out midi seq 1.2 here:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jez.price/effects.htm

It's a freebie synthedit vst that spits out midi control AND nrpn. It's great for sending hardware synths nuts. I usually output random nrpn's to my supernova II and just record the madness that results

But agin to bring it back on topic this would also be great for controlling MSF-1

Enough talk I've yet to even try this dev!!

MD69 · Post by **MD69** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:08 am

Hi Hifiboom,

For sure we can do what GAT'r do using the sequencer your device and delay, but it's more a matter of convenience. When you experiment and found a nice result, it's simpler to save your finding in one preset than spread in 3 one

cheers

Michel

Post by **irrelevance** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:16 am

Yep nice filter indeed

Can't open or save presets at present though.