On Nov 12, 2006, at 8:35 PM, Grant Richter wrote:
Maybe someone could clear up an ongoing mystery for me.
Why is it that some people make such a big stink about specific filters?
Being a filter lover, I thought I'd chime in...
I think that there are a few possible reasons people get silly about certain filters.
First, there's the possibility of "well, so-and-so used it on the landmark album 'Switched on Lucky Man', and I always wanted to sound like so-and-so, so that's the filter I have to have, even tho it's been out of production for 25 years and tracking a used one down will cost more than all of the modules currently offered in the Wiard lineup combined." (This having been said, I do own one of Bruce Duncan's 904a clones, and I must also admit that I teach a class at the conservatory based on Wendy Carlos's techniques).
Second, there's the possibility that the user lacks ability, and tries to compensate by buying more gear. "if I only owned this filter, then my music would be good, and I wouldn't suck anymore, and my girlfriend would stop screwing my neighbor, and my life will be perfect." (My confession - I was once a gear slut. I'm proud to say that I've not bought any hardware synths other than the occasional module for almost 4 years.)
I think the mania over certain filters is also fed by the fact that one can't go to one's local music store and try out different filters. Thus, one is left reading what others are using, what others think about certain filters, and from this, some filters gain legendary status, because what's written about the filter online becomes more important than how it actually sounds. I consider myself extremely fortunate that I actually got to try some Wiard modules in a store (Nova Musik) before making my initial purchase. I think that's the exception rather than the rule by a long shot, tho.
Like the transistor ladder (actually not a Moog design, the patent was invalidated). Why is that
such a big deal? You need to use three oscillators with a transistor ladder just to get as big a
sound as a single oscillator going through a Vactrol filter.
I would say that this falls into the category of legendary status. After all, it's the filter from the minimoog, and even those of us who've never actually played a mini know that all minimoogs sound great, and thus if we get one of these filters in our modular, we will sound great. (I hope the dripping sarcasm is coming through on your end.) ;-)
I know filters arte important for subtractive synthesis, but again, that is only one of many
synthesis types.
I think this gets back to the East Coast way of thinking about synthesis and the use of synthesizers. For many folks, there is no other synthesis method than subtractive synthesis, thus filters receive far more attention in many user's minds than they might otherwise. I will also say that while other methods of synthesis are certainly possible on a modular, they are not as practical (IMHO) on a modular as in the digital realm. Take additive, for example. My Kawai K5m from 1987 offers 128(!) oscillators per note, each with multi-step volume envelopes. I doubt many modular users could afford a setup like that. Even if you could, imagine trying to tune all those VCOs and EGs. Yuck!
Even FM synthesis is really pricey. I consider myself very fortunate to own three of Cynthia's Zeroscillators. I bought them when they were still $650 each instead of $995 each. Weigh that against the TX-7 module I just sold for $50. That's got twice the operators, include EGs, MIDI, and preset memory. Now, certainly, you can make effective arguments that other methods of synthesis are just as viable on a modular, and that's true to some extent, but I think it also has to do with the size of your set up, your skill level, and what kind of music you are trying to produce....
There are tons of filters and filter designs, every filter has some distinct characteristics. Some
are good for bass sounds, some are better for lead sounds. Each one has strengths and
weaknesses depending on the application and the skill of the user.
This is the prime reason that I have 9 filters in my rig currently, and I plan to double that number before all is said and done. Speaking of which... do you currently have a borg2 or boogie (blackface) in stock? I'd like to pick up one of each. Pls drop me an e-mail off list when you have a sec.
Kind regards,
Sam E.
_______________________________
Sam Ecoff
Secret Society Productions
5307 S. 92nd St. Suite 105
Hales Corners, WI 53130
(414) 427-0615
www.samecoff.com