Soundtoys - FilterFreak

Fat analog sweeps, pounding filter rhythms, big hardware sound – with a dual version for double the analog attitude.

Are you searching for smooth, silky, analog filter sweeps? Or are grimy, resonant squelches more your style? Nothing adds character to a track faster than a great filter, and FilterFreak can do it all. From funky envelope follower sounds reminiscent of the classic Mutron, to wide resonant LFO sweeps like the Sherman Filterbank. From timeless wah-wah tones to campy sci-fi sample-and-hold effects.

Whether you’re controlling it manually, or locking it to tempo for rhythmic effects, FilterFreak delivers the warm, fat, resonant tones you crave. And we’ve also added exclusive features you won’t find in the classics, so you can create practically any filter effect you can dream up.

Analog Sound

FilterFreak faithfully recreates the sounds of classic analog resonant filters. Twist the frequency knob for smooth retro synth sweeps. Crank up the resonance to add some edge, or even push the filter into self-oscillation. And when you drive it hard, FilterFreak responds by breaking up in a gritty and pleasing way, just like hardware.

We’ve included seven different analog saturation “styles” that range from warm or crunchy distortion to pumping compression. From subtle to extreme, FilterFreak packs a ton of analog magic into a convenient digital package.

Rhythm and Groove

While tweaking knobs is always fun, FilterFreak also includes rhythm and groove tools that add motion to your tracks automatically. Turn on Rhythm Mode and flip the MIDI switch to create auto-wah effects that sync to your DAW.

Choose a simple note value like eighths or sixteenths, select from a library of pre-made rhythms, or even design your own rhythmic patterns using the Rhythm Editor. Then, to perfectly match the feel of your tune, grab the Groove knob and add some swing or shuffle to drop it in the pocket. For effects that move with the music, choose the Envelope or ADSR modes to trigger the filter with incoming audio. You’ll be amazed by how much one plug-in can transform the feel of your tracks.

Double Your Pleasure

FilterFreak actually includes two separate plug-ins — FilterFreak 1 and 2. Load up FilterFreak 1 for a single, simple filter. But if you want more power, fire up FilterFreak 2. It gives you two analog filters side by side that can be used in series or parallel. Combining two filters with FilterFreak’s deep modulation options gives you a huge range of moving sounds to explore.

Highlights

  • Capture the sound of classic resonant filters, with extended control and flexibility
  • Funk up guitar, fatten bass, reshape drums, sweep synths and freak out vocals
  • Choose from one filter, or two that can be used in series or parallel
  • Select highpass, lowpass, bandpass and band reject modes with 2 to 8 poles
  • Add synth-like resonant sweeps or classic wah-wah tones to your tracks
  • Create funky auto-wah, envelope follower and sample-and-hold effects
  • Grunge things up with 7 different analog saturation styles
  • Construct intricate rhythmic filter sequences with the Rhythm Editor
  • Design your own LFO shapes with the Shape Editor

Quotes

“FilterFreak can do the most amazing things to make something simple sound interesting.” – Tom Elmhirst (Adele, Amy Winehouse, The Black Keys, Florence & The Machine)

“I used Filter Freak on about eight of the nine tracks on the record.” – Jay Gordon – Orgy

“FilterFreak is a winner. Simply put, it sounds great.” – EQ Magazine

“…truly jaw-dropping, goose-pimple-inducing levels of creative inspiration and excitement.” – Remix Magazine