![]() WOW2 is a filter and distortion plugin with plentiful creative options and outstanding sound quality. With amazing sound and incredible flexibility, this is a must for anyone seeking a characterful all-in-one filter solution. Volcano's sound is as slick as the graphics, and the broad range of options only sweetens the deal. It's easy to create anything from simple roll-offs to complex rhythmic effects and textures. By applying a little know-how (or using the supplied presets), you can also go far beyond the usual resonant filter sweeps. These include X-Y controllers, envelope followers and 16-step XLFOs. The modulation options are extensive, taking Volcano beyond what other filters in its class and price range offer. You also get flexible routing modes including Stereo, where the signal is run through the four filters in series Left/Right, where the left and right channels pass through independently configured filters and Mid/Side, where the signal is split into mid and side components, each of which is filtered separately. At its core you get four multimode filters which can work as everything from standard low-, band- or high-pass types to bell, low/high shelf, notch and all-pass. Incredibly, Volcano has been spewing forth its incredible filter sonics since 2005. Some modulation options can be cumbersome In other words, it’s exactly what we want from a next-generation EQ and filter - a truly wonderful plugin. It’s easy to get wrapped up in Shade’s awesome flexibility it’s an impressive creative tool and also one that’s hard to leave alone once you get started. Typical modulators such as syncable, adjustable LFOs and regular DAHD envelopes are joined by more complex examples such as a multi-step envelope generator (MSEG), a Random Generator and a Signal Follower. This transforms Shade into a more creative EQ and filter that delivers dynamic, moving and animated effects. However, Shade also features nine modulators that can be used to control multiple targets, including EQ parameters. You might have heard that Shade is just an EQ, but it's so much more than that, and its creative filtering features end up stealing the headlines.Īs an EQ it has potentially unlimited bands and a whopping 35 filter shapes that range from regular peak, shelving and high/low-pass to more exotic comb and resonant notch filters. Less about crazy effects and more about delivering a classic, vintage sound, you get (almost) three for the price of one.Īnd finally, if it's vocal filter effects you’re after, then Audiothing's The Orb (opens in new tab) delivers formant filtering in spades, and all behind a lovely UI. It's fair to say that most other filters in our buyer's guide deliver the modulation goods, too, but if you want something a little different from that swirling sonic mass of dynamic frequencies, then Arturia's 3 Filters You Will Actually Use (opens in new tab) has three classic synth filters for a decent price. UVI's Shade (opens in new tab) is a more recent release and also delivers a huge amount of modulation, and probably has the edge for sheer number of filter types and modern production features. With amazing modulation features that include step sequencers, envelopes, X-Y pads and more as sources, and just about anything else as destinations, both plugins have been updated to keep abreast of and even exceed the competition and are still great buys. Incredibly, after so many years at the top, both Soundtoys FilterFreak (opens in new tab) and Fabfilter Volcano (opens in new tab) still cut through a mix like hot filtered knives through butter. Best filter plugins: MusicRadar's Choiceįor this best filter plugins guide, we are talking extreme frequency manipulation, and the best of our list includes some old favourites and one or two newcomers to the filter scene. First, though, we present our absolute favourite filters from our buyer's guide and detail the full top 10. Our selections span a wide range of price points and potential creative uses, from adding a warm and natural classic sound through creating filter sweeps for dance music right up to creating wild, dynamic and evolving frequency effects.Īt the end of this guide we have a buying advice section that tells you more about filters and their different types, so if you want a fuller skinny, skip to the end. Here, though, we're focussing on the best 10 filter plugins.
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