Fabfilter Volcano - what are the filters modelled on?

[PulseRave]

I have struggled to find this info anywhere on the net (in 2022 no less) so perhaps this could be THE thread...

Fabfilter Volcano (current edition is 3) has 11 different filter types, but it's not clear what kind of hardware they are modelled on. I am not looking for exact emulation, but would be interested to know which (if any) ones are more like Moog, like Korg, like Roland etc.

The types are:

1) Classic
2) Smooth
3) Raw
4) Hard
5) Hollow
6) Extreme
7) Gentle
Tube
9) Metal
10) Easy Going
11) Clean

Does anyone have any answers to this? If not I might ask the devs and update here so people can find it...

[bmanic]

The 'classic' filter is based on the Korg MS-10 as far as I know.. but the other modes are just their own inhouse filters, not really based on anything specific. They just have a different makeup of saturation/resonance/filter slopes. They are quite sensitive in how they take incoming audio levels so experiment with the main input/output gain (or the drive).

[billcarroll]

The style button lets you choose between eleven different filter styles, all with a unique character:
1. Classic, the original filter style taken from our award-winning FabFilter One synthesizer
2. Smooth, like the cream in your coffee
3. Raw, a filter with lots of overdrive and exhibits a character of its own. Great for distortion guitar sounds
4. Hard, moderately distorting filter, with a nice clean whistle
5. Hollow, juicy moderate distortion with fairly much low-end self-oscillation
6. Extreme, for more wild sonic ideas
7. Gentle, a more smooth and clean general purpose style
8. Tube, with a warmer sound and nice overdrive, great for synth sounds
9. Metal, with a rough, sharper sound and distortion
10. Easy Going, a softer version of the Tube filter
11. Clean, linear behavior with no drive or clipping at all

https://www.fabfilter.com/downloads/pdf ... manual.pdf

[PulseRave]

Hey thanks for the above. I appreciate you taking the time but have to say: that is the info direct from the manual, and it doesn’t really answer the question.

I will see if the devs can cast any further light. Seems to me that if they bothered to make these different filters, there must be at least one bit of hardware that exhibits each style of response...

[gentleclockdivider]

Never liked any of their filter algo's except the classic fabilter one

[Prototype_human]

The "hollow" algo is the best for nearly every source

[bmanic]

I like them all for different sources.. but I do tend to go mostly for either the Classic filter type or the 'Hard' filter type (really like it's distortion signature when lightly driven).

[whyterabbyt]

Hey thanks for the above. I appreciate you taking the time but have to say: that is the info direct from the manual, and it doesn’t really answer the question.

There may not be an answer to your question, because it is based on a fallacious assumption, being that these filters are actually modelled on anything specific in the first place.

[bmanic]

Hey thanks for the above. I appreciate you taking the time but have to say: that is the info direct from the manual, and it doesn’t really answer the question.

There may not be an answer to your question, because it is based on a fallacious assumption, being that these filters are actually modelled on anything specific in the first place.

Exactly.

As I said earlier, I'm 99.9% sure the majority of filters are NOT modeled on anything. The only one that is actually modeled on hardware is the 'Classic' filter as it is taken directly from their FabFilter One synthesizer, which was inspired by the Korg MS-10 that Floris owns (and the filter was directly modeled to the best of their ability back in 2004!!)

[francium0]

I recently got it and I also finding how people is using it as a standalone filter plugin. Many synth has filter modules included, it's not so convenience to add a external filter that cannot be inserted in the middle of the synth construction.

[whyterabbyt]

I recently got it and I also finding how people is using it as a standalone filter plugin.

not sure what you're saying, because Volcano is a filter plugin.

[francium0]

I recently got it and I also finding how people is using it as a standalone filter plugin.

not sure what you're saying, because Volcano is a filter plugin.

Sorry maybe my wording is confusing. I only mean I'm curious on how people usually use Volcano (or similar filter plugin for) in music production. Since I seldom use one beside only normal EQ-ing to shape the sound.