TONE2 FILTERBANK3

Is it a filter? Is it a synth? Find out about our free software now with our hands-on, step-by-step tutorial! (Hint: it’s actually both!)

We have a cracking free plugin this issue from German developers Tone2, who also produce some wonderful synths in the form of Gladiator and Warlock (which we review next issue). While this freebie is available as either a 32- or 64-bit plugin for the PC, it is currently only 32-bit for Mac users. But don’t worry 64-bit Mac fans, as later in the tutorial, we show you how you can use a piece of bridging software to run it. This does come with caveats though, as not all bridging apps run with all DAWs. We’ve used some which worked in our tests but you may have to Google one that runs 32-bit plugins in your particular 64-bit host.

Onto the plugin, and FilterBank3 can’t really make up its mind whether it is a synth or a filter; the truth is it’s a bit of both which makes it quite a beast in our book, and one capable of creating some amazing sounds.

It is also pretty easy to use, with a lovely modular design – something that Tone2 pride themselves on – and everything is laid out and invites you in to experiment. And that is what we recommend: FilterBank3 can be tweaked, pushed and abused, all in real time and locked to your DAW tempo, so you should never get anything that sounds too out of the ordinary… unless you want it to that is.

That said, our tutorial will show you the ropes if you want some background before you dive in. As ever we’d thoroughly recommend checking out Tone2’s other plugins (head to tone2.com), and you can get a further insight into their development with our interview with Tone2’s Markus Krause on p8. Enjoy!