There is a bias towards what’s new and shiney. I hope some of you out there consider Mutable Instruments’ new stereo multimode filter, Blades.
My personal favorite filters in eurorack ended up being the Pittsburgh LPG mk2 and the Intellijel Polaris.
The LPG mk2 is just the best filter to add into a feedback delay loop to make something sound like old school dub. Also the LPG in resonant filter mode gets really hot when it self resonates and running that through the Gristleizer VCA makes a glorious distorted sound. The LPG mk 2 is cheap on the used market, and only 8 HP. It’s unglamourous because there is no twist on the format. There is one big knob for frequency, a mode switch, and a trim pot for CV. But somehow nothing else quite fills its shoes (and I have auditioned a couple replacements). I think it must be the vactrols.
The Polaris is really underrated filter. It tracks v/oct and has audio-rate linear FM, a ton of different sub modes for the popular filter types, and has a built-in drive circuit that is more subtle than the Gristleizer but still adds character to sound. The Polaris is also very tidy at 10 HP while not feeling cramped.
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