Saturating the Classic Filter

Tim Kleinert · Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2012 12:28 pm Post subject: Saturating the Classic Filter

In context of the G2 often being criticised for the "blandness" of its stock modules, I do think that the Classic filter module gets somewhat overlooked.

As Rob Hordijk pointed out somewhere, the Classic filter has a built-in saturation stage, but it only kicks in if you drive the filter hard. The osc modules swing from from -63 to +63, but the Classic appears to saturate at levels approaching +/-256, which is full scale within the G2 system. I say "saturate" and not "clip". If you hit the Nord filter with these levels, it will clip nastily when you apply resonance. Not the Classic filter, it likes it.

So I wanted to see how a saturation gain control circuit could be arranged around the module so that one could dial in filter saturation to taste while the resulting level would remain constant. It appears that the Classic filter saturation has a compressive ratio of 2:1, meaning that if I overdrive it by 12 dB, I only have to reduce the output by 6 dB for the level to stay the same. Amp modules in dB mode before and after the filter, controlled by a morph group, already do the trick.

I really like this filter saturation control and the beefy sound it produces. Check it out.

ClassicFilterSat.pch2

Description:

Saturating the Classic filter module in a controlled fashion.

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ClassicFilterSat.pch2

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Check Mate · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 10:56 am Post subject:

Thanks again for a simple but simply great Patch!! Although I got my G2 since September 2009 I'm off to a slow start and I just started reading everything I can get about the G2 and in depth synthesis. It'll take a while to get through all these posts and books.
Anyways...a more beefy or rather slightly overdriven Filter was on top of my list for having since I still patch simple synths and sounds that sound good though.
So big thanks again!!

Cheers

Tim Kleinert · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 11:29 am Post subject:

Oh, I also patch "sawtooths into lowpass filters" constantly (love it, if it sounds good), and am still constantly searching for better sounding solutions of this scenario.

Have you tried my oscillator warmth circuit? I use it constantly when doing analog-style basic subtractive sounds on the G2. Here's a simple subtractive 1-osc polysynth demonstrating it. (There's a link to the corresponding building block in the post too.)

http://www.electro-music.com/forum/topic-34509.html

Check Mate · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 11:38 am Post subject:

Yes

I use it in all my Patches i.e. for my self patched stings (which I'm very proud of) you can hear in this "demo track":
http://soundcloud.com/check-mate-808/temple-of-poseidon-demo

I also got a few cheaper analog Synths but since the G2 is right in front of me I use it more often or just to quickly pach an idea that pops up im my mind.

Tim Kleinert · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 11:43 am Post subject:

Man, those are some real lush string sounds. thumleft

Check Mate · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 11:49 am Post subject:

Thanks a lot Embarassed

iPassenger · Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 3:32 am Post subject:

Nice one Tim. This looks interesting but I haven't tried it yet I love the way the filter changes on my pulse when you drive it too hard.

I think I must be a bit odd as I quite like to push the output of the Nord filter a bit hard (with the GC turned off and the res up) and then run it through a clipper, particularly for those really dirty acid sounds. Easy to to push it too far though.

dorremifasol · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 10:19 am Post subject:

This is one fine trick Smile