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2. Filter Bank 3 Effect
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Our free giveaway this month is FilterBank3 from synth giants Tone2. It’s pre-authorised so all you have to do is install it and start creating. The plugin is a 32-bit and 64-bit VST for PC and a 32-bit only VST/AU for Mac. Check out our final page for advice on running 32-bit plugins in 64-bit applications. 2
FilterBank3 is no ordinary filter plugin. It combines two separate resonant multimode filters with two syncable LFOs, an assignable envelope follower, effects (distortion and delay) and step sequencer. In addition to the main effects plugin you also get an instrument version which uses the LFOs as sound-generating oscillators and we’ll look at that on the next page. 3
Let’s start by loading up the effects plugin as an insert. If you like building your effects from scratch, select the Reset option. Alternatively load up a preset – there are more than 150 to choose from. We’ve loaded up a basic FIL Highpass across our beats loop. 4
The filter display shows a single highpass filter being modulated by the first oscillator. Try adjusting the Cut off (f), Resonance (Q) and Modulation amount (Send +/-). The filter type is HP Fat, but you have almost 60 other filter styles to choose from. Spin through some of these from the dropdown (Type) menu. 5
FilterBank3 has two filters and you can select a filter type for the second filter from its dropdown menu. However, with two filters in play you also need to consider the routing options. We’ve made our second filter a low-pass (LP Silk) and combined the filters (Filter 1 + 2). Other options include assigning them to left and right channels. 6
Returning to the LFOs, here we can select Shape and Target. We’ve assigned one LFO to control the cutoff for both filters (f Filter 1 & 2). There are 15 LFO shapes to choose from – we’ve chosen Saw Up. Finally, use the Sync dropdown to select tempo-synced options, or select Sync ‘none’ and use the f control for the LFO rate. 7
FilterBank3’s effects include delay and distortion. For the latter, try the Bitcrush and Cubic for edgy sounds and Tube Amp for something subtle. We can also use the many filter shapes to create static and modulated effects. Options include Phaser, Comb filters, a rather nice Resample and delay-based reverbs. 8
For slightly different parameter control you can use the Step Sequencer. From the destination dropdown choose a target parameter. We’ve chosen both filter cutoffs. Then select an amount using the Send control. Set the sequence speed with the Sync option and then click the required steps. 9
With so many parameters, FilterBank 3 can deliver some crazy effects. We absolutely recommend you take a look through the many presets, where you’ll find cool delays (ECHO Formants) and stereo effects (EFF Panning), alongside some great creative sounds (EFF VOICE Witch and FX Modulator Vocode).