CamelSpace & Filterscape

[munchkin]

"Why?" I hear you asking. Because comparison is inevitable.

I actually own both. They seem similar so I want some of you boffins out there to highlight the distinguishing features. That way I'll know how to use them for different or possibly similar effects.

What distinguishes these plugins?

How can they be used differently?

Which one is best for what type of effects?

I could experiment but that would take the fun out of being spoonfed the answers. Cheers!

[Ben [Camel Audio]]

Hi munchkin,

First up, I really do have to say that these too products are very different. I had a chance to check out Filterscape when I was sharing a booth with Urs at Messe and its very cool! The fact we shared a booth illustrates the fact that we don't feel that they are competitors, so much as two useful tools that do different things well.

I actually own both. They seem similar so I want some of you boffins out there to highlight the distinguishing features. That way I'll know how to use them for different or possibly similar effects.

Thanks for buying CamelSpace. I have to say that I'm not that familiar with Filterscape, so please correct me if I'm wrong on any points. Also, I will give more details about CamelSpace because that is what I'm more familiar with, and no doubt Urs or some other kind soul can give more detail on Filterscape.

What distinguishes these plugins?

Filterscape allows you to define detailed parametric filters for a number of steps in time and then smoothly interpolate between these. This, I feel is Filterscapes strongest point - the fact that you have such detailed control over the frequency response of the filter at each point.

By contrast, CamelSpace restricts you to one of 10 filter types - LP, BP, HP in normal and phat modes, plus a range of more unusual 'filters', like comb filters, ring mod, notch, etc. CamelSpace has a more powerful step sequencer arrangement, in that you can have up to 128 steps, with control over the attack, sustain and decay of each step. I feel that the trance gate in CamelSpace is one of, if not the most powerful and yet easy to use on the market. CamelSpace also offers an enhancer for brightening up the top end, a flanger, reverb, autopanner and lots more.

When we were designing CamelSpace, we were trying to make something that was as easy to use and inspiring as possible. Therefore we boiled the number of parameters down to the absolute minimum. Features like the XY square were also all about trying to make it as immediate to use as possible. Filterscape, by contrast has more parameters which may be a good or bad thing depending on what mood your in/what you're trying to achieve.



I honestly think that there isn't much overlap between these two effects. For some people Filterscape might be more useful, for others CamelSpace, but in general I think that there's every reason to get both since they both have different strength and in fact offer many features that you won't see in the other one (I guess you agree with this point, since you have both ).

How can they be used differently?

I think this is best illustrated by having a listen to the demo mp3s on our respective websites. For the CamelSpace demos (as well as other info), just click on the link in my sig, and scroll to the bottom.

Thanks
Ben

[Urs]

Thanks Ben,

yes, I can't see much overlap either, although the plain feature lists show some similar entries.

Despite the "Filter" in Filterscape's name, you should see it as a flexible equalizer. Unlike 99% of the equalizers out there, Filterscape's can be modulated to achieve some dramatic effects on the signal spectrum. For instance, you can use it for very weird multiband compression or for evolving format shaping.

It's two built in filters would cry if you used them as plain lowpass filters or something. Due to the multi-output feature you can use them to create frequency sensitive panning or gating effects. For instance, you can build trance gate like effects that leave the bass alone while only chop the treble of the signal.

So, I would say, forget the common applications of filter/gate plugins when using Filterscape. Check out its possibilities that arise from the unusual features and from their combination! Just like CamelSpace gives you a the most convenient assemby of rhythmic modulation effects I've ever heard of - you can use it for the rythimic gates, but there's so much more into it!

My advice on Filterscape is, start with FilterscapeQ6. Put it on a drumloop and modulate the eq bands based on the base drum, the snare and the overall volume. It mangles your loop in ways that no common filter plugin can do.

Cheers,

Urs

[pHz]

nothing meaningful to add really ... other than to say i have both and LOVE both ...

slainte rob

[Urs]

Oki,

I've uploaded a demo song I'm working on:

http://www.filterscape.com/songs/FS_psychadelic.mp3

It starts with a guitarish FilterscapeVA sound that is mangled by Filterscape. The evolving modulation of the delay is achieved by SVF1 set into the delay's feedback path (Routing 4 I think it is). It does not much more than blend back and forth between lowpass - bandpass - highpass, where BP and HP are panned hard left/hard right.

It's pretty bassy at the beginning, so when the base drum comes in, I automated the Snapshot Morph parameter to an eq setting that cuts out the bass and makes it fit better into the mix.

You see, it's not an effect that you just put on there. It's an effect that can easily be varied over the course of a song with just automating a few parameters... (i.e. the 3 Mix parameters, Snapshot Morph, Gain Scale, the Bypass switches)

(btw. this song is all FilterscapeVA, 10 instances so far, one Filterscape and a Blockfish...)

An example for a mangled drumloop is in the second half of this song:

http://www.filterscape.com/songs/FilterscapeTour.mp3

The drumset firstly comes in dry. Then comes a "break" with the solo drumkit mangled by SVF1. Afterwards it uses 3 Envelope Followers with different input filters to react on base drum, snare drum and mids. These are then set on gains and frequencies of the 4 eq bands to create a squishy compression effect... so, here I also use automation to create different effects from the one plugin instance, just by switching modules on or off...

Cheers,

Urs

[Jim [Camel Audio]]

It's two built in filters would cry if you used them as plain lowpass filters or something.

Nearly had me on the floor laughing there Urs

[polyslax]

Aahhh, a shootout between 2 of my favourite developers

Seriously, aside from the terrific products you guys make, I think what really distinguishes you from a lot of developers is your tireless participation in the on-line lives of your creations. Through the good and the occasional bad you’re so involved and available. You both tend toward providing extra value and decent pricing as well, which is always appreciated!

Btw, I finally crumbled on the PhatSpace bundle last night after trying very hard to convince myself that it was unnecessary. I was just getting too many cool results with the demos to carry on without them!

[vurt]

nothing meaningful to add really ... other than to say i have both and LOVE both ...

slainte rob

as much as it pains me i have to agree with teach

[Jim [Camel Audio]]

Aahhh, a shootout between 2 of my favourite developers

No I was genuinely laughing, not being sarcastic, Urs has a quality sense of humour, having met him I heard that line in his voice and it was too much

It's two built in filters would cry if you used them as plain lowpass filters or something.

Nearly had me on the floor laughing there Urs

[Urs]

Yeah, hahaha, what worries me most with Ben & Jim is, how long will it take until we have our next beer

Urs

[haydxn]

i wish i'd made it to the german kvr meeting last time then i could've met the urs too everyone else i've met so far from this odd blue virtual landscape is great

[but then the trolls don't yet tend to come out to play... ]

i'll have to try out some of the camel's plugs when i get some more money (you have to have reserves around when demoing because otherwise the inevitable impulse buys cause severe damage! )

[Beardedone]

Definitely find each of these filters have very different qualities, in terms sonics and functionality. I am not terribly adept at tweaking pluggins being pretty much a preset-bound kind of guy. I would rather press Randomize to arrive a something new. But, I find both CamelSpace and FilterScape to be quite easy to tweak with confidence that I will get what I am after (well sometimes anyway depending on my state of mind). I have spent much more time with Filterscape and must say even I can understand how to tweak the filters and get an intended result. Having only been using Camelspace for a few days I have not yet explored how to modify the parameters. but I think I might be able to grok this one also.


Thanks Urs and Ben for making such brilliant accessible plugins.

Cheers,
Gordon

[Jim [Camel Audio]]

Seriously, aside from the terrific products you guys make, I think what really distinguishes you from a lot of developers is your tireless participation in the on-line lives of your creations. Through the good and the occasional bad you’re so involved and available.

It's actually a superb work avoidance strategy, by 'checking' KvR for 7 hours a day I don't have to do anything else

Btw, I finally crumbled on the PhatSpace bundle last night after trying very hard to convince myself that it was unnecessary. I was just getting too many cool results with the demos to carry on without them!

Top stuff!

[Jim [Camel Audio]]

Yeah, hahaha, what worries me most with Ben & Jim is, how long will it take until we have our next beer

Urs

Well at least i and maybe Ben will be at vurt's bash. 'part from that, oooh, NAMM or 'messe 06

[Jim [Camel Audio]]

grok

Good word. Judge Dredd? Rings a 2000AD bell...