Monotrail Tech Talk’s Bandpass Filter Magic

The Filter Groove: Backbone of Sound

You know those beats that make you bob your head without thinking? Well, filters are the secret sauce behind most synthesizers, shaping not just sound but the vibe itself. Monotrail Tech Talk jumps straight into why these bad boys are essential to your setup. By collecting different filters, you can transform a classic synth voice into something completely fresh just by swapping modules. It’s like changing the track on a mixtape to switch up the mood. Filters, according to Monotrail, are where character is born, and resonance is where it gets personal.

Resonance: To Zap or Not to Zap

Now, let’s talk resonance—it’s that marmite of the synth world. Monotrail Tech Talk admits right off the bat that traditional strong resonant sounds aren’t really their thing. Imagine slapping a sine wave on top of your track; that’s not the kind of layering they’re into. They find adjectives like wet, zappy, and croaky don’t cut it for their music magic. In a classic two-oscillator setup, too much resonance can transform your groove into a series of unfortunate zaps and croaks. But hold up, it’s not all doom and gloom for resonance lovers. Each filter in Monotrail’s arsenal brings something unique to the table. For instance, while the Belgrade filter can be driven hard, adding a mean distortion, the simple high resonance isn’t necessarily their cup of joe. It’s about capturing the essence without the squeal, redefining what resonance can bring to the table.

"I quickly wondered if there wasn't a way to use... textures of a filter without falling into those zappy sounds."

© Screenshot/Quote: Monotrailtechtalk (YouTube)

Bandpass Wizardry: The Trick Revealed

"Adding a bandpass filter to the setup is the solution."

© Screenshot/Quote: Monotrailtechtalk (YouTube)

Enter the hero of this saga: the bandpass filter. Monotrail unveils a nifty trick that allows you to mess with resonance without the annoying zapfest. By adding a bandpass filter to your existing setup, you gain control over the resonant point, leaving the low pass filter for traditional modulation. Picture running a saw wave through a bandpass, adding some high and low cuts, while sending a clean oscillator vibe around it. What you get is a neat separation of powers between resonance and low pass movement. They even demo how an LFO modulates the bandpass for a moving resonant magic. This setup promises maximum flexibility without sacrificing the soul of your sound. Want to bring in the minimod ladder filter or maybe the wasp filter for some wild modulations? It’s all doable with this creative combo.

Modular Moments: Filter Module Extravaganza

Throughout the video, Monotrail Tech Talk pulls out all the stops with a showcase of filter modules that could up the ante in any sonic battle. The minimod ladder filter, with its sweet resonance range, makes its case before passing the torch to the resonant wasp filter in bandpass mode. The magic doesn’t stop there—their demonstrations with the EUA filter and Chaos Devices Zagreb reveal a tantalizing playground of soundscapes. It’s like attending a block party where every DJ brings their best tracks. Side by side, Monotrail shows how these modules can be pieced together for complex sound creations. Their experiments highlight how this bandpass trick opens doors to new dimensions of modulation, where envelope, LFO, and random voltage dance together in perfect harmony.

Dual Modulation: Broadening the Horizon

The video doesn’t just stop at showing the bandpass trick in isolation. Monotrail ties it all together by explaining how modulating both the bandpass and low pass filters with envelopes can unlock a new level of synthesis nirvana. With careful adjustments and by using attenuators for each filter, they demonstrate how you can fine-tune the influence of your envelope on both aspects. Fancy a bit of acid punch or maybe some subtle modulation flare? This approach has got you covered. Bridging the worlds of bandpass and low pass gives you a versatile toolkit for sound design, letting you carve out sounds that flatter, rather than flatten, your beats.

Sound Design Adventure: Get Creative!

Monotrail Tech Talk wraps up their deep dive by encouraging every synth enthusiast out there to take this trick and run with it. Experimentation is the name of the game, and with this newfound method, your sound design capabilities are set to expand. Whether you’re sticking to conventional sequences or venturing into uncharted audio territory, there’s much to discover when you let the bandpass filter guide the way. It’s a nod to the beatmakers who redefine boundaries and sculpt soundscapes that resonate on every level.

Stay Tuned for More Synth Shenanigans

Before the video fades out, Monotrail Tech Talk leaves us with a reminder that the journey into modular madness doesn’t end here. Viewers are tantalized with the promise of more tips, tricks, and trials in the wide world of synths. Subscribing to the channel means staying on top of all future modular escapades. With each smash of the like, subscribe, and bell button, you’re ensuring that these urban sound adventures keep rolling your way. For anyone invested in the synth game, it’s the perfect call to action to keep the creative juices flowing.

"If you like to learn more, have a look here and as always smash that like, subscribe and bell button."

© Screenshot/Quote: Monotrailtechtalk (YouTube)