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I like the fixed filter bank that was on the original Moog modular- I always thought the sound design possibilities were awesome, and I’m wondering if anyone is aware of a fixed filter bank in a standalone/pedal/non euro rack format? Maybe it wouldn’t sound as cool on guitar, but I still want to try it.

I know the original fixed filters were inductor based- which is not feasible to build nowadays, but surely there are ways to recreate that behavior? Maybe not? I’m not even really sure what an inductor is electrically- I know Dunlop likes to brag about the inductors in their wahs though.

le lambin wrote:I’m not even really sure what an inductor is

person who threatens the orchestra with a little stick, i think

Poking around online shows a few modules/euro type stuff - behry, doepfer, some others

friendship wrote:
person who threatens the orchestra with a little stick, i think

If I were coupleonapkins I would post a relevant gif.

fldrvr wrote:Poking around online shows a few modules/euro type stuff - behry, doepfer, some others

I know there are eurorack options but I'm trying to avoid that since I don't already have a case/power and to integrate non-euro instruments, you have to get additional modules that convert non-euro signal to euro signal...a standalone device for us non-euro adherants would be ideal.

But you're probably right, I'll probably have to put together some euro based case to see what its all about. Or hire a genius to build one I guess.

le lambin wrote:

friendship wrote:
person who threatens the orchestra with a little stick, i think

If I were coupleonapkins I would post a relevant gif.

Inductors are still manufactured. It boils down to parts cost though, a proper inductor is an order of magnitude more expensive than an opamp simulation of the behaviour, and therefore when the bean counters speak (or someone is running super lean and to close to the red line - I am 100% not judging) the inductors are the first thing to go.

Inexpensive inductors can also pick up EMF, additionally making them unattractive to certain philosophies (again, I'm not talking down on that, whatever).

Beyond my opinionated stance, I'm unable to actually cough up makes or models of new production stuff that has this, though I would be genuinely blown away if it does not exist.

No idea if Sherman Filterbank 2 is a fixed or not but it is capable of some amazing signal destruction. In this video you can see the compact version that is flat with all the jacks on top.The one I have seen the most though is the "fatter" version with the jacks in the back. An excellent sound manipulation tool.

moozz wrote:No idea if Sherman Filterbank 2 is a fixed or not but it is capable of some amazing signal destruction. In this video you can see the compact version that is flat with all the jacks on top.The one I have seen the most though is the "fatter" version with the jacks in the back. An excellent sound manipulation tool.

These things are so dang cool- not the same as a fixed filter bank but still a really sweet set of filters. I would love to try one but it remains in the “cost prohibitive cool sound destruction device” category for me, along with the Analog heat and that crazy ass noise machine Last Gasp makes.

le lambin wrote:

fldrvr wrote:Poking around online shows a few modules/euro type stuff - behry, doepfer, some others

I know there are eurorack options but I'm trying to avoid that since I don't already have a case/power and to integrate non-euro instruments, you have to get additional modules that convert non-euro signal to euro signal...a standalone device for us non-euro adherants would be ideal.

But you're probably right, I'll probably have to put together some euro based case to see what its all about. Or hire a genius to build one I guess.

Behringer 914 Clone ($119) + ALM SBG ($139) + 4MS powered case ($150?), all give or take some $$$ used, wouldn't be sooooo bad, right? I mean, you could always build a PSU & put it all in a tall cardboard box or anything else, case-wise, but then again....

coupleonapkins wrote: Behringer 914 Clone ($119) + ALM SBG ($139) + 4MS powered case ($150?), all give or take some $$$ used, wouldn't be sooooo bad, right? I mean, you could always build a PSU & put it all in a tall cardboard box or anything else, case-wise, but then again....

I was thinking this exact set up would be the minimum to try this out- a pretty expensive experiment but maybe worth it? I guess I could return everything if it’s totally dumb? The euro rack gods have been tempting me with promises of its forbidden fruit for years and maybe it’s time to take a bite anyway?

I’ll let you know if I end up convincing myself this is a good idea.

There are some fixed filters out there, but they tend to be really stripped-down.

The best option I can think of is this $39 plugin from AD. (18 virtual pots)

https://www.audiodamage.com/collections ... ilter-bank

If you grab a piece of wood and give it some power, you could put this Doepfer to work in a standalone case. (roughly $200 depending on your local fees)

https://www.thomannmusic.com/doepfer_a128.htm
https://www.noisebug.net/products/doepf ... ilter-bank
https://www.perfectcircuit.com/doepfer- ... ZAEALw_wcB

eurorack level converters are convenient if you have a big case, but they aren't really necessary. if you're using a standard guitar, you just need to buffer and boost it before you send it to the case. an mxr microamp would do the job just fine. then you just attenuate (reduce the level) of the output, a simple passive volume control on the output would do that job just fine.

if you're trying to keep it cheap, remember that early modular cases had WOODEN rails. just build a box, then add a couple thin pieces of wood on the inside top and bottom and screw the module to those. much cheaper than the common aluminum rails. of course, you can only unscrew the module a couple times before the screw holes wear about, but then you just rotate the wooden rail and drill a new hole.

you can also get even cheaper power supplies if you look around:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/755231430/ ... 1280688276

that one uses a Mean Well DKM10E-12 power brick and adds a bunch of headers to it. if you know a little DIY, it's easy to buy that same brick and solder a couple connectors to it for even less.

the downside of the these more DIY options is resale. if you but a nice case and nice modules used on reverb, you can sell them on reverb for the same price later on. but if you build your own stuff, you'll probably never be able to sell it. i don't mind that, but some people might.

What's the advantage of a fixed filter bank (vs not fixed)?

Thanks for the tips Bartimaeus- it might be fun to mess around doing a DIY case just for the experience.