Making Sound Machines are generally awesome. Why? Well, Stolperbeats for one. Reversible panels for two. And the majority of their kits having DIY options for three.
Now we can add the newly announced Farbfilter Series of modules to the list.
Farbfilter (or color filter) Series consists of four 4HP modules, each focused on a single mono effect with two CV inputs. This is MSM’s take on their favorite analog effects circuits from East Coast and West Coast synthesis. Modules in the series are:
- Farbfilter: an analog transister ladder lowpass filter
- Farbfolder: an analogy wavefolder
- Farbshaper: a classic West Coast analog waveshaper with dual staging
- Farb Highpass: an analog transistor ladder highpass filter with tilt EQ
Going from a 26HP trigger sequencer to 4hp analog effects is quite the pivot, part of the inspiration stems from Music Thing Modular’s knack for “making super on-point inexpensive modules” and another from guitarists’ large palette of colorful, crunchy pedals that modularists just don’t have access to.
The biggest series element to take note of is the emphasis on color. Not just coloring audio, but the dual-circle LED feedback at the top of each module gives you visualization of the two major CV params and their intensity.
[We] think it’s essential to find the right form factor to fit with the idea, to make it not too big and not too small.
Making Sound Machines
Let’s check out the modules in more detail.
Farbfilter – Lowpass Filter
From Making Sound Machines:
Farbfilter is an analog transistor ladder lowpass filter for Eurorack. It features a colourful drive and CV controlled cutoff and resonance. […] This module is excellent for processing drums and synths. It expands on the sonic palette of a classic East Coast ladder filter with screaming drive and squelching resonance.
Quick rundown on knobs:
- Knob 1: Drive
- Knob 2: Cutoff frequency
- Knob 3: Resonance
Check here for more Farbfilter detail from MSM or the excellent DIY build instructions.
Farbfolder – Analog Wavefolder
From Making Sound Machines:
Farbfolder is an analog wavefolder for Eurorack, designed to add harmonically related overtones to an audio signal. […] This module is excellent at adding rich harmonics to a basic waveform. Its circuit can produce characteristic timbres similar to pulse-width and frequency modulation.
Quick rundown on knobs:
- Knob 1: Colour
- Knob 2: Fold
Check here for more Farbfolder detail from MSM or the excellent DIY build instructions.
Farbshaper – Analog Waveshaper
From Making Sound Machines:
Farbshaper is a classic West Coast analog waveshaper for Eurorack, designed to shape the overtones of an audio signal with two voltage controlled stages. […] This module is excellent to use as a non-linear shaper for acoustic and electronic sounds, ranging from gentle timbral transformation to colourful wavefolding.
Quick rundown on knobs:
- Knob 1: Gain
- Knob 2: Fold
- Knob 3: Pleat
Check here for more Farbshaper detail from MSM or the excellent DIY build instructions.
Farb Highpass
From Making Sound Machines:
Farbshaper is a classic West Coast analog waveshaper for Eurorack, designed to shape the overtones of an audio signal with two voltage controlled stages. […] This module is excellent to use as a non-linear shaper for acoustic and electronic sounds, ranging from gentle timbral transformation to colourful wavefolding.
Quick rundown on knobs:
- Knob 1: Tilt EQ
- Knob 2: Cutoff frequency
- Knob 3: Resonance
Check here for more Farb Highpass detail from MSM or the excellent DIY build instructions.
Whew! Ok that was a lot of hardware to cover. Making Sound Machines will have three new upcoming videos focused on the Fabfilter, Fabfolder, and Fab Highpass modules.
You can demo and buy all of the Farbfilter Series at Superbooth23 in both assembled and DIY flavors. Could maybe even pick up a few cool stickers? Bye!
