FilterShaper is an innovative VST plugin that allows you to create complex volume, pan and filter modulations with ease.
Version two includes a wealth of new features and user-requested improvements, including parallel filter routing, and a user-friendly interface that integrates a simple, classic theme into a practical design. These additions allow you to manipulate and transform your audio like never before, giving you near-limitless creative possibilities.
FilterShaper allows you to easily draw your own waveforms with impressive precision and unparalleled ease. Using the unique waveform drawing tool, you can construct your own modulation curves in a very intuitive way.
This plugin is a dream come true for producers who need a professional tool to shape, warp and mangle their audio.
FilterShaper's demo video requires JavaScript to be enabled and version 9.0.28 of the Macromedia Flash Player.
Note: This video features FilterShaper 1. We will add a video for version 2 later.
Sound Examples
A drum loop by Torpedotrickser, first unmodulated, then with FilterShaper in action.
Beat from Pablo, first unmodulated, then with modulations.
New in FilterShaper 2
Now available for both PC and Mac
Unique Parallel Routing: Added parallel routing option for FilterShaper's two filters.
Filter Panning and Volume Control: Individual controls for both panning and volume in parallel mode for each filter.
Free-running LFOs: Set the speed of the LFO loop length in hertz or rhythmic units, independent of the host tempo.
Modulation of Master Pan Control: The new master control can be modulated, just as all the other controls. This powerful feature can add some interesting movement to your sounds.
Improved User Interface: Clean and uncluttered user-friendly design with a refined waveform editing area. All the controls are available within one single window.
The Filters
Flexible Filters: Two acclaimed filters with near limitless modulation possibilities; choose to modulate cutoff and resonance settings, as well as pan and volume.
Filter Modes: Filters can run in either parallel or serial mode, and cover 6db, 12db and 24dB ranges with low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, notch and peaking shapes all available.
Filter Parameters: The filters resonance can be set to a wide assortment of ranges, all the way from zero resonance up to self-oscillation; the cutoff can be set from 50 Hz up to 18.1 kHz. When run in parallel mode, each filter has individual controls for panning and volume, which can also serve as modulation targets.
The Waveform
Unique Waveform Drawing Capabilities: Construct your own modulation curves in a very intuitive way. Waveforms can be easily drawn using soft or hard breakpoints, thus producing gentle transitions or sharp bends in the waveform. The unique drawing tool is similar to professional graphics/vector software, and allows you to draw with impressive precision and unparalleled ease.
Customized Waveforms: Up to 10 customized waveforms can be stored and used in any of FilterShaper's 4 LFOs.
User Friendly Buttons: Reverse the waveform, move it in any direction, or randomize it. Select from a list of default waveforms, or copy and paste between waveforms, including presets.
The LFOs, the Modulation Matrix and More
Flexible Modulation Matrix: Allows to wire all LFOs with all modulation targets, resulting in endless modulation combinations.
LFO Speed: LFO speed can be set free-running from 0.02 Hz to 5.24 kHz. It can also be set in rhythmic units synced to the host sequencer, from a fast 1/128 note modulation up to 32 bars.
Complete Parameter Control via Automation: Absolutely everything in FilterShaper 2 can be automated. Even the shape of the modulating waveform can be automated, and breakpoint movements can be recorded and played back. And if you want to use more than four curves in a song, you can automate LFOs to switch between them.
Exceptional Sound Quality
FilterShaper computes the audio at a per-sample basis; the LFOs are interpolated with linear or, for the audiophile, cubic interpolation. Regardless of the sample rate you choose to work at, FilterShaper's sound will not be altered.
The plugin's LFOs will always stay in sync, even when you make tempo changes in your host software, or jump ahead to different parts of your track.
Magazines such as Computer Music and the German Professional Audio Magazine proofed the quality of its filters and the precise sound even at fast modulation speeds.
System Requirements
Windows:
1.5 GHz Pentium 4 or faster
Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7
Sound card with ASIO driver support recommended
Graphic card with OpenGL support
VST-compatible host sequencer
Mac:
1.25 GHz PPC or Intel CPU
Mac OS X 10.4 or later
VST-compatible host sequencer
Download
A demo version is included in the free VST package.
No time limitation. One instance of FilterShaper 2, set to the built-in presets, can be used per song for free.
"The extra care Cableguys have taken with their envelope generator makes it unusually easy to get clean, smooth sweeps going on even at fast LFO speeds. ... FilterShaper is a neat effect with plenty to offer, at a bargain price."
SoundOnSound
November 2008
"Dieses unkomplizierte und praktische Tool ist sowas wie das Schweizer Messer bei sample- und loopbasierten Produktionsmethoden. Die Bedienung ist intuitiv und einfach, die Filter klingen super. ..."
