Stepping out
Biscuit’s fourth effect module, Step Filter, brings groovy rhythmic modulation of filter cutoff, resonance and even mode via a simple step sequencer interface. The cycling sequence can be 2,3, 4, 6 or 8 steps long, and made to play Forwards, Backwards, Alternating between forwards and backwards, or jumping randomly between steps. You can sync it to the host DAW or set the speed with the Tap Tempo button or – annoyingly – the Time control in the Delay module. The Speed knob multiplies the set note value or tempo by up to x24, to a maximum of 1/96 or, er, 144,000bpm.
The cutoff Frequencies for all active steps are adjustable within the sequencer by dragging the tops of the vertical green bars up and down. Beyond that, though, with a step selected, altering the Freq and Q knobs in the top section sets the filter to the dialled-in values for that step, and clicking the Filter button cycles it through high-pass, low-pass and bandpass modes. Thus, complex frequencyshaping patterns are easily designed, and the only things we find ourselves wishing for are a swing control and envelope attack and release parameters for smoothing out the transitions between steps. Well, we can dream, can’t we..?