new wavelength "Dual Filter" now available

wavelength · Post by **wavelength** » Sat Jan 11, 2003 9:02 pm

Hello again everybody,

I am proud to finally announce the release of my latest device for the platform (and XTC!)... the "Dual Filter". Here is some "blah-blah" that I include with the demo and release versions:

The "Dual Filter" is not, simply, a stereo multi-mode filter, in the conventional sense. The "left" filter channel and the "right" filter channel are not treated equally, which might cause some confusion, initially. What does this all mean?

1) The "right" filter channel's cutoff frequency control is multiplied from the "left" channel's cutoff frequency using the "Dual Mod" and "Mod Range" knobs. The "Dual Filter"'s "Cutoff" knob will then sweep through the left and right channel frequencies, but with the right channel's frequency augmented by the multiplier's controls (again: "Dual Mod" and "Mod Range"). Experimentation with these controls will soon give you an impression of what this device is all about.

2) What is this device all about? The "Dual" bit of this device is what makes it special. By shifting the left and right frequencies away from each other, a spatial aspect to any input-sound can be achieved, in tandem with the device's filtering properties. The sonic result is somewhere between a filter and a stereo phaser. The "Dual Filter" will give you a new and unique tool to mutate your sounds with. It can be smooth and subtle, or harsh and distinctive.

3) Each of the devices's three filter-types can be mixed freely with the others, including: lowpass, highpass, and bandpass. In addition, there is a "Crossfade" control that flips the Left to Right and Right to Left channels.

4) Although a filterbank at its heart, the "Dual Filter" really needs to be "played" to enjoy its full sonic potential. It has been designed to be performed on, like a synthesizer without its own oscillators... in this way one can control the filter's envelope, LFO triggering, keyboard following, velocity, and aftertouch, using a MIDI-controller keyboard. Use an SFP synth, or sampler-module, in the usual fashion and then plug the synth/sampler's output(s) into the "Dual Filter"'s inputs... you can then match the "Dual Filter"'s MIDI-channel with the synth/sampler's MIDI-channel, thus the "Dual Filter" becomes an extension of the original sound-source module.

5) The "Dual Filter" can also be used as a stereo effect insert, or as an XTC plug-in, in your favorite VST-compatible software. However, functionality, in these modes, is limited to the direct filter control knobs and the LFO because there is no MIDI-keyboard control possible. The functioning surface parameters can still be automated in the usual fashion.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me:

wavelength@track0.com

Have Fun!

Stephen Hummel
wavelength devices
http://www.track0.com/wavelength/

mydaycomes · Post by **mydaycomes** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 9:37 am

Stephen,

I just wanted to let you know that I think your devices are brilliant, and I will definitely be purchasing this one in the next couple of weeks...

Thanks!

wavelength · Post by **wavelength** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 8:11 pm

well... uh... gee... thanks for the support!

mr swim · Post by **mr swim** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 5:33 am

I'm with him - your devices have always been fantastic . . . which is why I have just purchased this without even trying the demo ! It seems like an excellent way to make expression more intuitive, and I have no doubt it will become one of those devices that rarely gets left out of a project . . .

thanks

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 9:42 pm

indeed, mr. swim, I was tempted to do the same but then couldn't resist curiosity and run the demo.
So you may have missed something like the following:
she: can't you please shut this off now ?
he: why ? thought you liked filter sweeps.
she: yeah, but that u-boat tone drives me nuts.

(about the 4-seconds-shareware-reminder)
Hope this filter gets the attention it deserves, despite it's unspectacular look.
A very creative and musical approach. Just ordered mine

cheers, Tom

wavelength · Post by **wavelength** » Tue Jan 14, 2003 12:26 am

apologize to "she" for me... you think she has it bad, think of what my wife goes through with me!

you don't like the GUI? i wanted it to be very clear and functional... nothing too surreal, or anything + i had already spent soooo much time putting this thing together and delayed its release, etc... had to go "simple" on this one.

cheers

-stephen

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Tue Jan 14, 2003 4:14 pm

hi stephen,

forwarded the apologize... you're forgiven - I explained that this kind of pain is needed sometimes

I agree 100% to your reasons for keeping the interface as it is.
Makes it very easy to control a thing much more complex than it seems at first glance.
Unfortunately there's a tendency (in reviews) that the more fancy the look, the higher the expectations in audio quality. Sometimes this even leads to prejudice.
I'm still sticking with the old 'not all that glitters is gold' proverb and prefer a great sound and straight usability.

cheers, tom