NAMM: U-he Filterscape Bundle previewed

[Daru925]

If you've been using a particular synth forever, it's always nice to get an update, and some future proofing;
when oldies like absynth are simply left to rot for instance.

[Funky40]

fail, Nvmd

[Double Tap]

Pwoor innocent songwriters, the evil complex filter plugins are keeping them from writing songs

The issue is they’re not songwriters. The knob twiddlers aren’t the victims here. The music is.

how so?
does someone else, making different music, stop you from doing what you want to do?

If what I want to do is listen to new songs that are well written and have depth, it does.

I don't think people are listening, honestly. Bandcamp and Soundcloud counters don't lie. 20 minutes of filters and delays droning on is a lot more fun for the person making it than the person listening to it.

The fact that no one has written a song as good as a Cole Porter tune since the 1950s has very little to do with how people make sounds. The most you could say is that composition now involves instrumentation to such a degree that composers are too distracted to write great songs, but Filterscape knob-twiddlers are no different in that respect from Stratocaster noodlers.

Does anyone seriously think that Jimi Hendrix's virtuosity prevented anyone from writing something as good as "Let's Do It" or "You're The Top"? If modern synthesis and sound design is holding back songwriting, then can't we say the same thing about guitars and bands?

[vurt]

why would anyone expect a well crafted pop song, for a demo of a filter plug in, at a trade show?
it shows off the filter plug in as it is, whereas vocals and accompanying instruments would hide some of the characteristics, not to mention the processing in the mix stage.

[whyterabbyt]

I probably have quite a lot of hammers, compared to most people. Some are not of great quality, by any objective measurement, or subjective opinion, but they fit a need despite that.

I definitely have a lot of music, compared to most people. Its acquisition was not based on need, or anyone else's entirely subjective opinions on its quality.

I also have Filterscape, so if it helps, I can say for sure that its never going to be suitable for use in making a hammer.

[RugerioDelStereo]

why would anyone expect a well crafted pop song, for a demo of a filter plug in, at a trade show?
it shows off the filter plug in as it is, whereas vocals and accompanying instruments would hide some of the characteristics, not to mention the processing in the mix stage.

Ah yes you see but logical thinking like that makes it no fun to just bitch on forums!

[machinesworking]

Great to see Filterscape get an upgrade. I'm super happy it's not abandoned. No indication if it's a paid or free update, but that barely Matters with U-He since I don't think I've paid over $25 for an upgrade.

I love KVR, but damn if every thread doesn't end up being an ego battle where someone spits negativity about the product being discussed and others defend it, for pages and pages every time something is announced.

Anyway it's great to see modern filters in Filterscape, looking forward to using it, wondering if old patches will work in the new version?

[Biome_Digital]

The GUI looks very nice.

[jens]

I definitely have a lot of music, compared to most people. Its acquisition was not based on need, or anyone else's entirely subjective opinions on its quality.

One can't stress the importance of this enough.

I personally tend to prefer listening to relatively conventional songs myself, but if I say "this is better" than (say) a synth drone that doesn't change pitch for fiveteen minutes, I mean "better for my own personal and highly subjective taste". I listed a couple of highly successful conventional singer/songwriters as examples that this musical tradition - if we can agree to call it like that - is far from being extinct or even just rare or unpopular, as that dude claimed who derails many a thread with the same dire high hobbyhorse attitude and off-topic rants.

I didn't mean to say that I have any right whatsoever to come here and claim it's better than any other kind of music. Every single person on the planet most obviously has every right to artistically express themselves in any way they want. It's none of my business whatsoever. And there will be the number of recipients that there ever will be. That is also none of my f**king business.
And if music I personally strongly dislike has a lot of recipients that is still none of my business.
More power to them. More power to anyone to do whatever they want.

Getting bitter about any of that is a) inherently regressive and b) very sad&pathetic.

I may be any or all of that myself at times. But I better shamefully hide it. It's certainly not at all something to be proud of in the slightest.

[nirm123]

The fact that no one has written a song as good as a Cole Porter tune since the 1950s has very little to do with how people make sounds. The most you could say is that composition now involves instrumentation to such a degree that composers are too distracted to write great songs, but Filterscape knob-twiddlers are no different in that respect from Stratocaster noodlers.

Does anyone seriously think that Jimi Hendrix's virtuosity prevented anyone from writing something as good as "Let's Do It" or "You're The Top"? If modern synthesis and sound design is holding back songwriting, then can't we say the same thing about guitars and bands?

I really hope that you're kidding, Jimi Hendrix himself wrote 25 better songs than "Let's Do It" and he only had 3 proper records, if that's your standard, you're going to be very pleasantly surprised with hundreds of better quality songs from all over the place since the 50's (it wouldn't be so funny without the ultra dramatic "The fact that no one has written a song as good" statement).

However, I do agree that great tools don't make lousy songwriters, actually they can be another source of inspiration, a unique sound, some background noise, a new way of manipulating the same old sound (like Filterscape can easily do) - if you let the tools work for you and you don't become their slave (GAS), some magic can happen.

[Double Tap]

The fact that no one has written a song as good as a Cole Porter tune since the 1950s has very little to do with how people make sounds. The most you could say is that composition now involves instrumentation to such a degree that composers are too distracted to write great songs, but Filterscape knob-twiddlers are no different in that respect from Stratocaster noodlers.

Does anyone seriously think that Jimi Hendrix's virtuosity prevented anyone from writing something as good as "Let's Do It" or "You're The Top"? If modern synthesis and sound design is holding back songwriting, then can't we say the same thing about guitars and bands?

I really hope that you're kidding, Jimi Hendrix himself wrote 25 better songs than "Let's Do It" and he only had 3 proper records, if that's your standard, you're going to be very pleasantly surprised with hundreds of better quality songs from all over the place since the 50's (it wouldn't be so funny without the ultra dramatic "The fact that no one has written a song as good" statement).

However, I do agree that great tools don't make lousy songwriters, actually they can be another source of inspiration, a unique sound, some background noise, a new way of manipulating the same old sound (like Filterscape can easily do) - if you let the tools work for you and you don't become their slave (GAS), some magic can happen.

I mean sure, I'm being provocative, but however much I love every one of those 25 songs - and if you were to ask me to pick between Hey Baby (New Rising Sun), Machine Gun and Third Stone from the Sun I'm not sure I could do it - I think for songwriting craft Porter was clearly a genius. It's hard to compare different eras and obviously taste is supreme, but the word play, the grasp of music and the innovation of styles makes his work the standard to reach. And that's clearly 100% indisputable scientific fact, backed by research, public opinion and God (Ella Fitzgerald) and her angels (Aphex Twin, George Clinton, Coldcut and, obviously, Urs).

[Urs]

Free update, same price.

[vurt]

I also have Filterscape, so if it helps, I can say for sure that its never going to be suitable for use in making a hammer.

maybe the update will fix this bug?

[sacer]

Free update, same price.

than i'll pay the new Hive soundbank for this free update, Thank you very much

[Shabdahbriah]

looks complex, interesting but complex!

It looks less complex than the original version, though. They did a great job of improving the interface and making it more intuitive, at least to me.

Ditto. Looking forward to it.